Once your baby grows a little older, you will need to purchase a booster seat. A booster seat is essentially a car seat that your older child can be safely strapped into as you travel. The seat can also make your child’s seat belt fit them better.
Most booster seats are height-adjustable to cater to your toddler’s size. The best booster seat options should provide your child with both safety and comfort. Luckily, we’ve found three of the best choices. These can also be great Christmas gift options for young kids and babies!
3 Best Booster Seats for Your Child
#1 Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat
The Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat is a popular choice among parents with toddlers. It’s on top of the list because of the seat’s dual functions. It can be a high-back booster seat or a backless booster seat.
Once your baby grows older, you can go without the backrest and switch to the backless feature. This will allow it to transform from a rear-facing car seat into a forward-facing car seat for an older kid.
This booster seat has a 2-position recline backrest that parents can easily adjust according to the base seat of the car. There are also 10 DuoGuard protection positions to support your toddler’s whole body while fitting it into the seat belt.
It is a perfect infant car seat option for those who need to frequently switch cars as well. The quick-release latch feature makes it easy to uninstall from the car and then attach to the next one. You can rest assured that your child is secure in whatever car you’re traveling in.
The safety seat’s headrest is also very easy to adjust. You can move the integrated side wings and belt to fit your child’s head and body. This feature works to keep their spine protected and encased in EPS energy-absorbing foam. Use the LATCH connectors and SuperCinch one-pull tightener to keep your child snug and stable in the car seat.
Finally, you’ll be pleased to know that this booster seat is crafted from the safest materials. The ClearTex fabric, armrests, and foam contain no harsh chemicals. They also pass all federal flammability standards. Even the included cup folders are dishwasher-safe.
- Recommended for: Kids aged 4 years and above with a height of 38″ to 57″
- Weight capacity: 40 to 100 lbs. (high-back booster seat) and 40 to 110 lbs. (backless booster seat)
- Type: Convertible from a rear-facing car seat (high-back) to a forward-facing car seat (backless)
#2 Britax Skyline 2-Stage Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat
The Britax Skyline 2-Stage Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat is another excellent option for a booster seat. It has a unique skyline 2-stage belt-positioning feature that allows you to convert it to a backless booster car seat. Your child can begin using the high-back rest and then gradually transition into the backless car seat option as they get taller.
There are 10 positions that you can adjust the foam-lined headrest into. For better safety, the car seat’s headrest is also padded with two layers of energy-absorbing foam to offer protection from impact. In case of a road accident, your child’s torso, neck, and head will all be safe. The padding extends to the booster seat’s built-in arm and hand rests as well.
Installation of the seat itself is made easier with color-coded belt guides. You can also adjust the headrest to accommodate a child with a maximum height of 63″. This booster seat is truly a convenient option that you can bring with you to all your travels without sacrificing your child’s comfort.
Like the Chicco ClearTex car seat, this booster seat comes with dishwasher-safe cup holders and a removable cover for your child.
- Recommended for: Kids with a height of up to 63″
- Weight capacity: 40 to 120 lbs.
- Type: Convertible from a rear-facing car seat (high-back) to a forward-facing car seat (backless)
#3 Graco TurboBooster LX Highback Booster Seat with Latch System
The Graco TurboBooster LX Highback Booster Seat with Latch System is a practical option for parents with bigger kids. Just like the previous two car seats, this booster seat converts from a high-back booster seat into a backless booster seat.
What makes it even better? It features a one-hand front-adjust system for latching the seat to the main vehicle seat. You can carry your child on one arm and then use your other hand to adjust this booster seat. The seat is also highly stable, allowing your independent toddler to latch it on their own — so be sure to teach your child about the importance of car safety!
As a high-back safety seat, its entire backrest is made from energy-absorbing EPS foam. This means that your child’s back receives ample support from sudden impact and force.
It also has a headrest with multiple layers to ensure optimal comfort and stability in case of rear, side, or rollover vehicle crashes. Both the backrest and the headrest are made from Graco ProtectPlus-engineered material.
The car seat comes with a built-in cup holder to keep your child’s snacks and drinks from falling over while in transit. There is also a hideaway storage compartment that you can use to stash away any extra toys or food for your toddler.
- Recommended for: Kids aged 4 to 10 years old, with a height of up to 57″
- Weight capacity: 40 to 100 lbs.
- Type: Convertible from a rear-facing car seat (high-back) to a forward-facing car seat (backless)
Choosing a Booster Seat for Your Child
When picking car seats and booster seats for your child, it’s important to inspect the safety features of each option. You want to make sure that the car seat will keep your baby both safe and comfortable as in the back seat of the car.
And since the purpose of the safety seat is travel, then you’ll also want something that is easy to install and remove from the vehicle. This is especially if you will be buying two or more car seats for multiple kids.
Our Top Car Seats
We highly recommend the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat if you want a popular and trusted option. You can easily place the car seat in the back seat of your car because of its quick-release latch. We can also vouch for this infant car seat’s performance in a crash or emergency — it has 10 DuoGuard protection positions. You can use this as an infant car seat and a safety seat for older children as it is convertible from a high-back booster seat into a backless booster seat as well.
For extra comfort, we recommend the Britax Skyline 2-Stage Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat. Not only does it offer excellent safety features, but it provides optimum comfort for your child while they are seated. Two layers of energy-absorbing foam line this safety seat to keep your baby resting in comfort in the back seat as you drive the car. The padding also extends to the arm rests of the car seat as well.
Lastly, the Graco TurboBooster LX Highback Booster Seat with Latch System is a nice practical option. Its one-hand front-adjust system makes it very easy to install in the back seat of the car. The foam that lines both the headrest and backrest of the seat is made from Graco ProtectPlus-engineered material for optimal support. And it even comes with an integrated cup holder on the side to make it easier for your child to eat while traveling.
While not mentioned in this article, we also recommend that you check out the Doona Stroller and Car Seat. While it isn’t a booster seat, it doubles as both a stroller and infant car seat. It’s best for parents with younger kids and babies that won’t need booster car seats anytime soon. It can be the perfect pick for a parent who needs a car seat and stroller on the go.
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