It is not hard to find a decent booster seat. However, a well-designed, thoughtfully equipped booster may help you and your children have a safer fit, a more comfortable ride, and an overall better experience.
Booster seats are intended to raise kids up high enough in the seat to properly utilize the seat belt in a vehicle. You may choose between a backless booster seat that uses the seat belt in your car, a high-back booster seat with a five-point harness, or a bottom-only booster depending on your child’s needs and size.
Big kid car seats come in a variety of styles, from straightforward versions that just raise your youngster up to seats with backs and accessories like cupholders and armrests. There are portable types for travel or ride-sharing, as well as others that are convertible car seats. Your particular demands are what will eventually determine which booster seat is ideal for you and your family.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Booster Seat: Chicco KidFit 2-in-1
- Best Budget-Friendly Booster Seat: Cosco Finale Dx 2-In-1
- Best Backless Booster Seat: Chico GoFit Plus
- Best Character Design Booster Seat: KidsEmbrace 2-in-1 Harness
- Best High Back Booster Seat: Evenflo GoTime LX
- Best 2-in-1 Booster Seat: Britax Grow with You ClickTight
- Best Portable Booster Seat: hiccapop UberBoost
- Best Convertible Booster Seat: Diono Radian 3RXT, 4-in-1
- Best Booster Seat with Harness: Graco TriRide 3 in 1
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Booster Seats Picks
Chicco KidFit 2-in-1 – Best Overall Booster Seat
- Large comfortable wide seat with armrests
- Seat tapers at the back so you (or your child) can easily find the clip that the car seatbelt clips into
- Separates into a backless booster for travel, or when the child gets older
- Has latch clips for extra secure safety of booster seat
- The button for latch release is right in between the child’s legs and can easily be pressed by the child (however, only intentionally, not by accident)
The Chicco KidFit Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat is designed to protect children as they grow, with 10 DuoGuard protection settings. The height of the seat can be adjusted from the waist to provide head and torso protection at every stage. To keep the seat secure, it features quality LATCH connections and a SuperCinch one-pull tightener, while belt guides make setting the vehicle seat belt easy. The side wings of the seat are coated with EPS energy-absorbing foam.
For optimal comfort, the seat has a contoured ErgoBoost seat with double foam cushioning and a backrest that can be adjusted to two positions. The backrest is also removable to create a backless booster for older kids. Plus, the seat includes two dishwasher-safe cup holders that can be easily removed, and all fabrics, including the armrest coverings, are removable and machine washable.
- Item weight: 10.2 lbs
- Weight limit: 40-110 lbs
- Height limit: up to 57 inches
Cosco Finale Dx 2-In-1 – Best Budget-Friendly Booster Seat
The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat could be the last one you need! It has extended use in each of its modes. Begins by securing children up to 65 pounds in a 5-point safety harness. And it can support up to 100 pounds in its second function as a belt-positioning booster. The superior fabric provides a comfortable ride for children in both modes.
Families that are constantly moving around will benefit greatly from the Finale DX Booster Car Seat’s lightweight design and ease of transfer between vehicles in both modes. It is a wise choice for expanding families with many children in car seats at once because it can accommodate three across easily in the back seat of most cars.
Children cause messes in vehicles. There is no need to worry, though, because the car seat pad is simple to clean. A full wash is only a machine cycle away thanks to the pad’s detachable design from the seat and dryer- and machine-safe construction.
- Item weight: 11.5 lbs
- Weight limit: 40-100 lbs
- Height limit: 43-52 inches
Chico GoFit Plus – Best Backless Booster Seat
The Chicco GoFit Plus Backless Booster with LATCH prioritizes both kid comfort and parent convenience.
With the LATCH system, you can easily secure the seat in place and assist your child as they enter and exit the car. And when it’s time to switch cars or store the seat, the quick-release design and built-in carry handle make it a breeze to move.
The double-foam cushioning and contoured ErgoBoost seat provide optimal support for your child. While the shoulder belt clips and lap belt guidelines ensure proper positioning of the car’s seat belt for safe use. And with two CupFolders that fold away to save space and are dishwasher-safe, you can keep your child’s drinks and snacks within reach without sacrificing space.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about spills or messes – all textiles, including the armrest coverings, are removable and machine washable.
- Item weight: 5.5 lbs
- Weight limit: 40-110 lbs
- Height limit: 38-57 inches
KidsEmbrace 2-in-1 Harness – Best Character Design Booster Seat
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has certified the KidsEmbrace Marvel Spider-Man 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat as a “Best Bet” for use as a belt-positioning booster, surpassing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 213).
The booster seat harness straps can be adjusted easily with one hand, and the crotch belt can be positioned in two different ways to accommodate your growing child. Plus, the headrest can be adjusted to three different heights.
Moreover, the curved seat provides comfort during long trips, and the cushioned seat cover is machine washable for easy cleaning. Two cup holders are available for beverages, snacks, or your child’s favorite soft toys.
- Item weight: 15 lbs
- Weight limit: 22-110 lbs
- Height limit: 29-57 inches
Related: Best Spiderman Toys
Evenflo GoTime LX – Best High Back Booster Seat
The GoTime LX is designed for older children who could benefit from an extra boost for safer seating in the car.
It is meant to suit children from 40 to 120 lb, 44 to 57 in, and a minimum age of 4 years. You can quickly change the height with only one hand to get the ideal fit for your developing youngster thanks to the two forward-facing usage modes and seven height options that are available.
Your infant is kept supported by the deep design with overlapping head and body sides. When ready, the back swiftly retracts to make way for a booster with no back. The belt clip that comes with it aids in positioning the child’s shoulder in the vehicle’s seatbelt.
Snacks and beverages are always nearby thanks to the dual integrated cup holders. Plus, the cushioned seat is also detachable and machine-washable for simple maintenance.
- Item weight: 7.1 lbs
- Weight limit: 40-120 lbs
- Height limit: 44-57 inches
Britax Grow with You ClickTight – Best 2-in-1 Booster Seat
The Britax Grow with You Booster Car Seat is designed to grow with your child from toddler to big kid. The safe wash cover is made of a knit material that is inherently flame-resistant, soft to the touch, and can be safely machine washed. You can install the seat with confidence every time using the ClickTight system, which ensures accuracy in three easy steps: open the seat, buckle the seatbelt, and click it shut.
The seat features three levels of side-impact protection, including an energy-absorbing shell, a headrest with foam padding, and external cushions that wrap around the head, neck, and torso. There is also a crash-absorbing crumple zone built safely into the car seat base. As your child grows, you can quickly and easily adjust the 9-position harness and headrest with one hand for the perfect fit.
When your child is ready, the 5-point harness can be tucked away and the seat can be used as a belt-positioning booster. The color-coded guidelines make it easy for you and your child to route the seat belt correctly. Plus, the seat also includes cup holders, easy-to-clean armrests, and food storage.
- Item weight: 26.5 lbs
- Weight limit: 25-120 lbs
- Height limit: 44-63 inches
hiccapop UberBoost – Best Portable Booster Seat
The hiccapop UberBoost Portable Car Seat is designed to provide hassle-free installation and inflates in less than 20 seconds with just a few breaths. It can be easily deflated and folded up to fit snugly in its own travel bag, making it compact enough to fit in carry-ons, large purses, backpacks, or luggage.
The non-skid base is designed to sit firmly and securely on leather, vinyl, or fabric seats, minimizing movement in case of an accident and providing a stable ride for the child.
Three UberBoost inflatable car seats can be accommodated across the back seat of smaller cars, or one can be placed between two conventional car seats. Positioning clips ensure that the child’s belt fits correctly and comfortably over the lap, reducing the risk of dangerous belt placement in the stomach area, and minimizing internal injury in case of an accident.
- Item weight: 1.3 lbs
- Weight limit: 40-110 lbs
- Height limit: up to 57 inches
Diono Radian 3RXT, 4-in-1 – Best Convertible Booster Seat
The Radian® 3RXT convertible car seat is an all-in-one solution that offers superior protection and support for your child from infancy to booster seats. The infant positioning liner comes with a built-in wedge to keep your little one safe and comfortable during travel, while the lie-flat position prevents head droop and maintains open airways. As your baby grows, simply remove the wedge to provide additional comfort and support.
Rear-facing protection is fully integrated into the car seat design, allowing you to keep your child in a safe and secure rear-facing position for up to 50 pounds. Once your child reaches this weight limit, the aluminum reinforced headrest can be adjusted to one of 12 configurations, providing safety up to a height of 57 inches when your child switches to a forward-facing booster seat.
- Item weight: 28.1 lbs
- Weight limit: 5-110 lbs
- Height limit: 18.1-57 inches
Graco TriRide 3 in 1 – Best Booster Seat with Harness
The Graco TriRide 3-in-1 Car Seat is designed to ensure your child’s safety from infancy to a big kid weighing between 40-100 pounds. It features three modes of use: rear-facing harness (5-40 lbs), forward-facing harness (22-65 lbs), and highback booster.
Thanks to the No-Rethread Simply Safe Adjust Harness System, adjusting the headrest and harness heights is quick and easy while maintaining your child’s safety. The headrest height can be adjusted to 10 different positions, and the seat has 6 different recline positions for optimal comfort and installation.
The car seat is equipped with LATCH for easy installation, and the level indicator eliminates any installation confusion. In belt-positioning booster mode, the integrated harness storage compartment safely stores the harness, and open-loop belt guides help position the seat belt safely in highback booster mode.
Moreover, the seat pad is soft and machine-washable for convenience, and two cup holders are easily accessible for your child’s snacks and drinks. The detachable soft head and body inserts provide additional comfort for your little one, while the steel-reinforced frame ensures durability for years of use. Plus, the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered car seat offers protection in frontal, side, rear, and rollover collisions, ensuring your child’s safety at all times.
- Item weight: 17.2 lbs
- Weight limit: 5-100 lbs
- Height limit: up to 57 inches
Types of Booster Seats
- Convertible car seats: Some harness seat types may be transformed into boosters. Parents can take the harness off, but the seat must remain fastened to the back seat of the vehicle. On the shoulders, there will be belt positioners.
- High-back boosters: Lightweight booster seats with high backs may or may not anchor to the car seat. The headrest in the rear is curved to prevent head and neck injuries in the event of a collision. You may change the headrest to be higher as your child grows. You may use the belt-positioning hooks at the headrest’s base to place the shoulder belt so that it correctly crosses your child’s chest.
- Backless boosters: Some high-backed booster seats may be converted into a seat without a back by removing the back. When the shoulders of your kid in a high-backed booster reach the belt positioners, they are ready for a backless booster. The seat belt shouldn’t lie on your child’s neck when they draw it over their torso.
How To Choose The Best Booster Seat?
Many parents find themselves wondering if their child needs a booster seat when they reach a certain age or height (1). The answer is not always clear, as it depends on several factors. Here are some things to consider when making the decision to put your child in a booster seat:
- Height and weight: The height and weight limits for booster seats differ depending on the model. Make sure to check the requirements for the seat you are considering to ensure it is appropriate for your child.
- Child’s age: Most booster seats have an age limit of 8 years old. However, some models are designed for older children up to 12 years old (2).
- Child’s maturity: Some children are simply not ready for a booster seat, even if they meet the height and weight requirements. If your child is wiggly or has trouble sitting still, they may not be ready for a booster seat.
- Vehicle’s seat belts: Make sure to check that your vehicle’s seat belts are compatible with the booster seat you are considering (3). Some seat belts are not compatible with certain models of booster seats.
- Budget: Booster seats can range in price from around $30 to $200. Choose the model that fits your budget and meets your child’s needs.
Is A Booster Seat Ok For A 5-Year-Old?
Children under the age of eight must be secured in the back seat in a car seat or booster seat. Children who are 8 years old or are 4’9″ or taller may be restrained by a booster seat, but they must at the very least be restrained by a safety belt.
Is A High Back Booster Safer Than A Backless Booster?
According to Consumer Reports, high-backed booster seats are safer than those without backs because they are better at evenly putting the child’s seat belt over their chest, hips, and thighs. Booster seats, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can reduce a child’s risk of a major injury by 45 percent.
How Long Should Child Be In A 5-point Harness?
The five-point harness is the most secure position for your child to ride in until they outgrow the maximum height and weight limits of their car seat. There are many harness-to-booster and convertible car seats on the market that can hold kids up to 65 pounds.
Do Backless Booster Seats Need To Be Anchored?
There may be tethers on a high-backed or backless booster to attach it to your car’s LATCH anchors. Although holding your booster seat in one location could be convenient, it is not required for using the booster seat. The booster can be placed in the seat where your child will sit if you are not using LATCH.
When Should I Use Backless Booster Vs High Back Booster?
Older kids frequently like backless booster seats to high back boosters and car seats with harnesses. They are a wonderful option for families with smaller vehicles, many children in car seats, or who frequently need to switch car seats between vehicles because they are lightweight, tiny, and affordable.
Due to the shock-absorbing side bolsters that surround the head, neck, and, in certain models, the sides, high back booster seats offer an additional degree of safety. These boosters often contain seat belt guides that place the car seat belt appropriately over the child’s chest, shoulders, and hips. High-back boosters may be fastened to the seat of the car using LATCH more frequently than other types of booster seats.
What Is A LATCH?
LATCH is an acronym that stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. This mechanism lets you install a car seat by connecting a pair of metal hooks or clips incorporated into the seat to a set of automobile anchors. LATCH is standard on almost all cars and infant and convertible car seats built after September 1, 2002 (4).
