Having a car seat for your infant and toddler is a must; that much goes without saying. When your child outgrows his infant car seat, though, there is still plenty of years before he’ll fit safely into the seat belt that comes standard in your car. If your infant car seat has a weight limit, then there’s a good chance you’ll be buying a car booster seat for each kid. When you need to make that decision, there’s a lot to bear in mind and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve done all the necessary homework for you!
We reviewed dozens of car booster seats to identify the best of the best. We looked at booster car seats that are best for little kids, big kids, and for both! We found the booster car seats that will grow with your child and those safe seats with the easiest installation. No matter what you’re looking for in a car booster seat, we have the best one for you on our list below.
Early in our research we identified the Britax Frontier ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Car Seat as the obvious pick for the overall best car booster seat. With a latch system attachment and a comfortable ergonomic seat, your child will be as comfortable as he is safe.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Car Booster Seats for 2019
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Car Booster Seats | Britax Frontier ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Car Seat | 4.5 |
| Best Backless Car Booster Seat | Chicco KidFit 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat | 4.8 |
| Best Budget Car Booster Seat | Evenflo Big Kid AMP High Back Booster Car Seat | 4.5 |
| Best Backless Car Booster Seat | Cosco Topside Backless Booster Car Seat | 4.5 |
| Best Convertible Car Booster Seat | Safety 1st Grow and Go 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat | 4.5 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Overall Car Booster Seat: Britax Frontier ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Car Seat
The Britax Frontier ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Car Seat begins with a forward-facing car seat that will handle your toddler easily within its safe 5-point harness. When he grows to an appropriate size allowing him to safely use the car’s standard seat belt, the harnesses are removed and the seat becomes a high back booster.
There are two separate layers of side protection and the head rest adjust with your child’s height to make sure he is always getting the head and neck support he needs for optimal safety. The seat has a LATCH system to make installation fast and, in case of a car without the matching hooks, there are seat belt guides to latch it securely into your car using the seat belt, as well. (Note: this obviously won’t work for the booster because the seat belt would be needed for the child. Make sure your car has the hooks required before purchase. Don’t worry too much on that front, though; the compatible hooks were available in most cars after the year 2000 and were required in all new cars, vans, and pick ups by 2001.)
With well over 1,500 customer reviews on Amazon and an overall rating of 4.5 stars, you can count on this car booster seat to meet your needs and exceed your expectations in keeping your child safe and comfortable, no matter how long your road trip.
Britax Frontier ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Car Seat Key Features:
- Patented ClickTight latching installation
- 9 style options
- 25-120 lb weight capacity
Best High Back Booster Seat: Chicco KidFit 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat
The Chicco KidFit 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat is an adjustable high back car booster that will grow with your child and protect him as it does so. The back adjusts, rather than the head rest, providing him the same support for his head and neck, rather than spreading it out as some adjustable boosters do. There are ten different adjustments to be made, so you won’t need to worry that he won’t fit properly as long as he’s within the height and weight range: 38″-57″ and 30-110 pounds.
The booster is installed by a LATCH system that will secure with an easy and fast pull of a strap to ensure your child’s safety. The contoured seat provides him with an ergonomic comfort that gives him the support he needs in the exact places he needs it and that is going to make him all the easier to handle on longer road trips.
While you may not be quite convinced, even after all the above, we have one more fact on this booster car seat that is sure to put you over the edge: It has around 500 customer reviews on Amazon and an overall rating of 4.8 stars! That’s an impressive rating for any product but considering how particular parents are with their children’s safety, this really screams exceptional.
Chicco KidFit 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat Key Features:
- 2 fold-away cup holders
- 4 color options available
- Removable, machine washable seat pad and armrest covers
Best Budget Car Booster Seat: Evenflo Big Kid AMP High Back Booster Car Seat
The Evenflo Big Kid AMP High Back Booster Car Seat has six different adjustments for height, and that means you’ll be using this car seat for a good long while. There are two modes of forward-facing use, both high back and backless, so prepare to become very familiar with this car seat’s features. And considering the features are so useful, you won’t mind that one bit!
There are dual integrated cup holders to give your child the opportunity to be responsible for his own drinks and snacks. And while that may end in more messes, it will go a long ways towards teaching him independence and preserving your sanity. For those messes, the cover of this booster does come off and is machine washable, so you won’t need to worry too much. And who knows? Maybe the act of sitting in his own mess until you can wash it will prevent some future reckless spilling.
The numbers don’t lie on this car booster, and you’re definitely going to appreciate them. It has around 5,500 customer reviews on Amazon, earning it an overall rating of 4.5 stars. Not too shabby! But when you consider the price of just $40, in relation to how long you’ll be able to use it, this is a total steal!
Evenflo Big Kid AMP High Back Booster Car Seat Key Features:
- 30-110 lb weight capacity
- High back or backless
- 6 style options
Best Backless Car Booster Seat: Cosco Topside Backless Booster Car Seat
The Cosco Topside Backless Booster Car Seat has dual arm rests to make the seat more comfortable for your child and the extra comfortable plush pad is atop an ergonomically curved seat to boost her height and comfort. The pad is removable, too, so you can pop it in the washer from time to time to make sure it stays as clean as it was the day you bought it.
The easy-to-move, lightweight design makes this booster so portable that moving it from car to car isn’t going to be a bother anymore. You can finally stop buying two car seats to keep yourself from transitioning. You can pop it into your parent’s car without the back and forth of whether you’re going to just let them borrow your car rather than deal with the pain of moving car seats. In fact, by the time they’re in this backless booster, you can probably even have your child go get it out of your car to take it to the next without ever needing to touch it at all.
Over a thousand people have come back to Amazon’s listing to give this an overall rating of 4.5 stars, and that’s plenty to build your confidence in its quality!
Cosco Topside Backless Booster Car Seat Key Features:
- 4 color options
- 40-100 lb weight capacity
- 3-across design
Best Convertible Car Booster Seat: Safety 1st Grow and Go 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
The Safety 1st Grow and Go 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat will transition so much, there’s a chance you’ll never need another car seat or booster beyond this one. (And that goes a long way for both money savings and convenience!) You can begin use of this seat from five pounds, and that probably means you can take your newborn baby home from the hospital in it. There are additional infant inserts that you’ll be able to remove as your child grows and the seat will flip from rear-facing to forward-facing to handle your toddler’s needs, just as easily. The head rest will extend to make sure that your older child receives the same kind of head and neck protection and the seat belt guides will ensure the car’s seat belt fits him as safely as the harness did.
Keep in mind, even if you’ve missed the beginning stages of this convertible booster with your older child, you can still plan ahead for additional babies. If you’re planning on spacing your children six to eight years apart, you may be able to transition your oldest to a backless booster (or directly to the car’s standard belt, growth allowing), and give this seat to the new baby. Be sure to hold onto those infant inserts!
With well over 3,500 customer reviews on Amazon, you have every reason to believe that the overall rating of 4.5 stars is trustworthy, and a fair, accurate representation of this car booster seat’s quality.
Safety 1st Grow and Go 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat Key Features:
- Machine washable and dryer safe seat cover
- 5-100 lbs weight capacity
- 10 style options, including 2 Disney babies
Who Should Buy a Car Booster Seat
If you have, or are expecting a baby in the near future, you’ll want to get a car seat and opting for a convertible car booster seat may just prove all you need. An infant car seat will have features that will make it easier to manage an infant, it’s true, but if you choose an infant seat, you’re guaranteeing you’ll need to purchase a new seat for your child in just a couple short years. You may not be able to find a seat that will remain with your child from birth to pre-teen, but keep in mind that even if you could, they do carry expiration dates, too. If you find a car seat that will allow you to use it as a rear-facing with a 5-point harness and then also as a booster with the car’s standard seat belt, you can save big in the long run. If you buy car seats that are specific to your child’s age, you may be looking at three or more car seats; an infant seat, a rear-facing toddler seat, a forward-facing 5-point harness, a high back booster, and a backless booster. There are plenty of adjustments to be made as your baby grows to full size and buying a new seat each stage can become pricey.
For bigger kids, you may have missed the window on buying a convertible car booster seat that will let your child grow in the same seat. If that’s the case, then the time may have come for buying a booster. The good news is that convertible and infant car seats are a bit more pricey than the booster seat for a larger kid, so you won’t need to spend as much the second go around. You’ll still want to keep in mind your child’s range and plan ahead. Even booster seats for larger kids can still grow with them a bit.
If you have grandchildren, or friends with children, picking up a booster way is an inexpensive and easy way to make yourself more flexible in their lives. Whether you’re going to take your grand kids for the weekend or you offer to pick up your friend’s kid after school one night, having a moderately priced booster on hand will open up a lot more options for your planning. It goes without saying that a child care provider should have a car booster seat for each child they watch, but even those without children in their day-to-day routine can prepare for the worst or best, with a car booster seat – just in case.
Important Features to Consider
A booster seat for your car should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting a car booster seat:
- Safety and Laws. No matter the car booster seat you choose, you will absolutely want your first step to be carefully looking at the safety. The laws for car seats vary and you’re going to want to adhere to the safest guidelines in relation to your child’s specifics. That is, don’t get a backless booster for a toddler who is small for his age. Laws regarding car seats are made and monitored by each individual state and as such, you may not always know your state’s laws. You’ll want to make sure to consult those on the SafeRide4Kids website before choosing the right seat, but generally speaking, the longer they’re in a backed, 5-point harness, the safer it will be. Some people still have their dainty 8 year olds in a 5-point harness and some have their above average pre-k children in backless boosters. Your child is individual and rather than just adhering to your peers’ standards or age requirements, err on the side of caution for your child’s size.
- High Back. Once they no longer need the 5-point harness, you’ll find they may still require a high back to make sure they’re properly fit within the car’s standard sized seat belt. It’s a step you won’t want to skip because your child’s growth certainly won’t. The high back will be able to complement your car’s seat belt, but may not be so compatible that the belt always lies just as it should. For these scenarios, there are several high back car booster seats that come standard with a “belt adjuster” that will allow you to slide the belt into it to ensure the belt fits your child in the exact way that it should.
- Backless. Beyond the high back booster, your child will still have a step before he or she fits safely in a car’s standard seat belt. Until he or she is 4’9″, the seat belt isn’t going to give them the kind of protection that it’s designed for and, should the worse happen, your child will be all the safer with a booster to boost him to the appropriate height. He or she may be the appropriate weight and that will make the high back seats unnecessary, providing more than the sufficient depth and pinning him in too much. Overall, your child should be able to bend his knees at a 90 degree angle over the seat, with his back flat against the seat back. If he can’t do that, the booster is still necessary. If the chest strap does not hit him on the shoulder, but rather the neck, he probably still needs the high back.
- Convertible. A convertible car booster seat will start out as one thing and convert to another. If it reaches the widest range, it will begin as a 5-point harness and convert to a high back booster, then to a backless booster. Theoretically, that could have an eight year duration of use and after your measly two years with the infant seat, that’s a significant jump in practicality. It may be tricky to find that wide a range, but very commonly you’ll be able to find that middle high back combined with either end of the use. That is, you’ll find a 5-point harness car seat that will easily transition to a high back booster or a high back booster that will transition to backless by detaching the back. (You won’t find many car seats that can last your child from infant to booster, in case you were hopeful. And those who can are either unsafe or pricey. – Though considering it’s the only car seat you’ll ever buy, it may be less costly in the long run.) Even with just two of these later stage combining for transitions, though, it’s still a huge save in time and money. And who wants to learn the details on installation for another car seat?
- Storage. You may think we mean considering the storage of the booster, but you would be wrong. We mean you’re going to want to consider what your kid can store within the seat. Because a cup holder means you can give him his juice without reaching back repeatedly during your drive. A cubby that allows your child to store small toys, tablets, or snacks in the seat will give him a lot more independence and make those road trips more tolerable.
- Weight and Height Range. Clearly, the convertible booster seat will have the widest age, weight, and height range for your child and will last the longest. Even if you opt for a booster after an infant seat (or if it’s too late and you’re just entering the booster stage), and you just want a single booster seat that will be either backless or high backed, you’ll notice there is still a bit of variety on size range. If you’d like to keep the same booster for a longer period of time, the easiest solution is to find the booster with the widest range, of course. However, you can also prioritize other features or safety and opt for a more specific target weight for the booster.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a booster seat for the car?
As you can probably gleam from the name, a car booster seat is a seat that goes into your car, that will boost your child up to an appropriate size so that he or she fits safely in the car and so that he can properly use the car’s standard seat belt. A high backed booster will provide additional head and neck support while a backless booster will only adjust the height. A backless booster will just provide a standard boost with a bit of bottom support to make sure your car’s seat belt will help rather than harm in case of an accident. The convertible car booster seats will be some combination of either those two types, or a 5-point harness car seat that will transition to a booster, usually a high backed one. For the booster, there will be no integrated belts, and it will utilize the seat belt that comes standard with your car. Because these belts are designed for adults, not children, you’ll often find a seat belt adjuster, clip, or guide to ensure the belt is placed safely on your child. If you can find a booster car seat with that feature, it’s a big win, so make sure you keep an eye out for it.
When can a child be in a backless booster seat?
First, consider that there are laws for the stage(s) between car seats and no car seat in 49 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. The requirements vary in each state based on weight, height, and age. They’ll most often be divided into three stages: infants use rear-facing infant seats, toddlers forward-facing car seats and older children use boosters. There are not nearly as many laws regarding the type of booster seat as you may be hoping, so you’ll probably end up going with your gut on what feels safest. (And we recommend always erring on the side of caution with your kids’ lives.) A backless booster will be most effective for a car that comes equipped with a seat that offers head support for your larger children. If your car has a bench-style seat that offers no head or neck support, you may want to keep the high back a bit longer. As a general rule of use, opt for a backless booster only when your kid outgrows the height or weight requirement of a high back seat, but is still under 4’9″ – this will probably happen between the ages of eight and twelve.
For another source on state laws for boosters, try the Governors Highway Safety Association. Never skim over the booster seat’s manual. You will need to know when your child is ready to graduate and when he’s ready to have the seat readjusted. (Check every six months or after any noticeable growth spurt.)
Do booster seats need to be tethered?
Depending on the booster seat, it may need to be tethered. A high back booster, for example, will very likely need to be tethered and a convertible one will almost definitely need it. A backless booster, however, runs a smaller likelihood of requiring that extra step. (If you can, it is best, but a large variety of backless boosters won’t even give that as an option.) In case of an accident, the booster will slide wherever your child goes and, if unsecured, it may hurt them. (This movement will be minimized by the car’s seat belt and, in fact, shouldn’t happen if the belt performs properly.) For a backless booster, that’s not as great a risk and it is, essentially, the same concept as sitting on a phone book when you need to sit up a bit higher. It can become loose, and therefore dangerous, in the event of a car accident, but the weight of your child, combined with the lock of the seat belt, should be substantial enough to withstand minor accidents, at the very least. For a high back booster, or combination booster, though, having it un-tethered is incredibly dangerous. The seat is bulk enough that it could easily pin and your child, even if they aren’t in the 5-point harness. And considering the close proximity to your child’s neck, that’s not a thing you want to be flung around unrestrained. Tethering is safer no matter which type of car seat your child is sitting in, but they’re necessary for any car seat with a high back.
Don’t overlook the top tether, as well. While a LATCH system is the best way to secure any type of booster seat, the top tether will prevent an accident from tipping your child’s seat forward if the impact is strong enough and that risk does not disappear when your child begins to use the seat belt rather than the harness.
What is the age and weight for booster seats?
We wish there was a straight forward answer to this question because if there were, we parents wouldn’t lose so much sleep. Each state has their own laws dictating the requirements of the car seats and some are more strict than others. We can’t tell you a definite height or age milestone for when your child is ready to graduate from a car booster. However, we can detail how one is supposed to fit into a car for the seat belt to fit properly. The belt should be across the lap and shoulder, not waist and neck. If it fits improperly in these two places, a booster car seat is still required. The passenger should be able to bend their legs at a 90 degree angle while also being flat-backed into the car’s seat. If the legs are not long enough to do that, the the car booster seat is, again, required. This type of fit into a car is most often reached when your child is at least 4’9″. The approximate age for most children to reach these standards is a range between eight and twelve years old.
For more tips on how a child should fit into their booster, consult The Bump’s Booster Seat Safety 101.
Other Car Booster Seats We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other booster seats for your vehicle. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best car booster seats list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option child. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- Backless Car Booster Seats
- Convertible and High Back Car Booster Seats
Backless Car Booster Seats
Chicco GoFit Backless Booster Car Seat
This backless booster seat has an integrated lap belt guide to make sure the seat belt fits your little one just as it should.
Key Features:
- 2 fold-away cup holders
- 3 color options
- Easy carry handle
Cost: $40
Diono Solana 2 No-Back Child Booster Seat
If you want your child’s booster securely latched into your car, try this backless booster for added safety.
Key Features:
- Retractable cup holders
- 40-120 lb weight capacity
- 3 colors available
Cost: $40
Evenflo AMP Select Car Booster Seat
If (and by if, we mean when) your child makes a mess on his car booster seat, this cover is removable and machine washable so your child won’t have to suffer a stained seat.
Key Features:
- Dual cup holders
- 2 arm rests
- Belt clip included
Cost: $25
Graco Backless TurboBooster Car Seat
The extra comfortable arm rests will make your child’s ride smoother and by sliding the car’s seat belt beneath, you’ll be able to better fit the belt to his or her height.
Key Features:
- 43″ – 57″ recommended height
- 40-100 lb weight capacity
- 5 style choices
Cost: $25
KidsEmbrace Spider-Man Booster Car Seat
This booster is recommended for your child within the range of 40-100 pounds and 40″-47″ in height.
Key Features:
- 2 style options
- Belt positioning clip
- Integrated cup holder
Cost: $30
UberBoost Inflatable Booster Car Seat
This is a great booster to have “just in case” because it is inflatable, making it easy to deflate and keep in your purse or under the seat for whenever you need it.
Key Features:
- Inflates in under 20 seconds
- Belt positioning clips
- 3 color options
Cost: $30
Convertible and High Back Car Booster Seats
Britax Highpoint Belt-Positioning Booster Seat
To make sure that your little one is as safe as he can be, this booster includes a lap positioning seat belt guide.
Key Features:
- Removable cup holders
- 40-120 lb weight range
- 5 color choices
Cost: $160
Clek Oobr High Back Booster Car Seat with Rigid Latch
This car booster seat is made with a Greenguard Gold Certified Crytpon fabric that will protect against stains, as well as moisture, and bacteria, and it’s flame retardant.
Key Features:
- Adjustable head rest
- LATCH system for secure installation
- 9-year expiration
Cost: $230
Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat
While this seat isn’t narrow enough to claim it fits 3-across in all cars, it will do so in the vast majority – and that’s definitely something to consider!
Key Features:
- 4 color options
- Made in USA
- 30-100 lb weight capacity
Cost: $60
Diono Cambria 2 High-Back Booster Seat
This booster car seat will grow with your child from 40 to 120 pounds.
Key Features:
- Converts from high back to backless booster
- Adjustable head rest
- 4 color options
Cost: $80
Diono Radian 3R Convertible Car Seat
This car seat boasts itself being the “Original three across” so if you have three children that will each need a car seat and you only have the one row of back seating, this is going to be the first seat you’ll want to try.
Key Features:
- Removable and machine washable cover
- 5-100 lb weight range
- 6 color options
Cost: $200
Diono Radian 3RXT Convertible Car Seat
This one car seat can take your infant of at least 5 pounds all the way to a full-sized adult of 120 pounds by transitioning from rear-facing car seat to front facing, and also booster.
Key Features:
- Adjustable head rest and seat belt guides
- Full steel core
- 10 year product lifespan
Cost: $285
Evenflo Spectrum Belt-Positioning Booster Seat
When your child graduates the need for the extra head and neck support offered by the high back, you’ll easily be able to remove it and keep the backless booster.
Key Features:
- 2 cup holders
- Seat belt guides
- 8 color options
Cost: $60
Graco Affix Youth Booster Seat with Latch System
This car booster seat has an expiration date of 10 full years after the date of manufacture, making it a one you may use for multiple children.
Key Features:
- 3 color options
- High back to backless
- 30-100 lb weight capacity
Cost: $70
Graco Highback TurboBooster Car Seat
This booster will convert from a high back to backless one and the armrests will adjust to your child’s height, as well.
Key Features:
-
2 cup holders
- 7 color options
- 30-100 lb weight capacity
Cost: $50
Graco Nautilus 65 LX 3 in 1 Harness Booster Car Seat
This convertible car seat will transition from forward-facing car seat to a high back booster and a backless booster, seeing your child through several years of growth.
Key Features:
- Adjustable headrest
- 20-120 lb weight capacity
- Open loop belt guide
Cost: $180
Graco Tranzitions 3 in 1 Harness Booster Seat
This car seat transitions with your child as he ages, giving him a comfortable and safe ride for each growth spurt.
Key Features:
- 22-100 lb weight capacity
- 3 color options
- Dual cup holders
Cost: $100
If you plan on taking this car booster seat with you while you travel, you’ll appreciate the way it folds for easy transport.
Key Features:
- Integrated latch system
- Adjusts in 4 places
- 3 color options
Cost: $300
Safety 1st Store ‘n Go Sport Booster Car Seat
There’s plenty of storage in this car booster seat with a cup holder, small cubby, and underside drawer for your all child’s favorite things.
Key Features:
- 40-110 lb weight capacity
- 2 color options
- Adjustable head rest
Cost: $45
Safety 1st Summit Booster Car Seat
To encourage your little one’s independence, these arm rests will pivot to allow her access to the seat all on her own.
Key Features:
- Side impact protection
- 22-100 lb weight capacity
- Integrated, slide-out cup holder
Cost: $85
