Best Booster Seats: Put Your Child’s Safety First

We have a lot of parents here at The Drive, including managing editor Jonathon Klein, who oversees The Drive’s buying guides and contributed to this guide’s recommendations himself. We pooled our collective knowledge, hands-on testing, and history to put together this guide to help new and experienced parents out with one of the biggest decisions they’ll make, i.e. entrusting a company with the safety of their child. We don’t take that lightly, nor was this guide built in any way that puts that forward.

We’ve loved Graco’s seats ever since we first bought one nearly six years ago. So when it came time to graduate our eldest daughter to a booster seat, Graco was the only name we looked at at the time. And for us, the Graco Affix Youth Booster was the right choice. 

As far as why we chose it, the Affix was the perfect size for kids between 30 and 100 pounds, and had Graco’s legendary combination of comfort and safety with LATCH systems that conform to federal regulations regarding child transportation, and an EPS energy-absorbing foam padding to reduce impact. 

What’s more, is that the Graco booster seat comes with extra perks like two cup holders and hide-away storage compartments for snacks and toys. The seat belt is easily adjustable thanks to the extra loops on the booster that integrate with the car seat belt. And the fabric covering the booster is soft to the touch, removable, and easy to clean.

It’s also adjustable in both the back support and headrest areas, which allows it to continue to grow with her, and can be used as a single booster seat, instead of just a highback seat. The LATCH system, however, can be somewhat annoying when you have to inevitably remove the seat for cleaning, as the latch points can be fiddly to remove. And the cup holders are a bit small, and the cover is thin for less support. 

It’s also more than likely we’ll get another once our middle child needs a booster seat in the next year or so. 

— Managing editor Jonathon Klein

The Evenflo Big Kid Amp High-Back Booster is popular due to its budget-friendly price, and it also comes bursting with brilliant colors that light up car seats stained by pets and children. It has six adjustable height positions and includes a belt clip that helps with the correct positioning of the vehicle’s seat belt on the child’s shoulder. It‘s the best booster seat for a six-year-old (or above) since it can transition into a backless booster for an older kid that can correctly use the vehicle’s seat belt when given a boost.

The manufacturer didn’t take any shortcuts with safety as the seat design protects both the head and shoulders from lateral impact. This booster is also heavily padded with foam to create a safe and comfortable sitting experience. The covers and pads on the seat are removable and machine-washable. The seat can be used by children weighing between 40 and 110 pounds.

The downside is that it’s a cheap product and may feel unsteady on the car seat. Six adjustable heights are also not sufficient for a high-back booster seat. Moreover, there are no anchors to secure the booster onto the car seat.

The Chicco KidFit 2-in-1 Booster Seat is a top-quality booster seat that’s worth the mention. The design entails a well-contoured recliner seat with a high-back style that’s easy to fasten onto a car seat. Moreover, the package comes with user-friendly seat belt guides. The head of the seat has a wing-like structure for side-impact protection for the head and shoulders, and the seat can be used with or without the back support.

For extra comfort and protection, the seat has ErgoBoost double foam padding, and the seat and armrest covers are removable and machine-washable. The head is adjustable to 10 height positions to cater to your children’s height as they grow. A SuperCinch Latch attachment keeps this booster seat in place with just one pull of the tightener. Generally, the seat has an ergonomic design, it’s easy to install, and is comfortable for the kids.

On the downside, the detachable back support falls off easily when moving the seat. Chicco could also use a better design for the plastic piece holding the seat belt to make it more durable. Regardless of the minor flaws, the Chicco KidFit 2-in-1 is suitable for children who are between 38 and 57 inches tall.

If you want a booster seat that effortlessly combines form with function, this high-back model may fit the bill. It is ideal for kids who weigh 40-120 pounds with a height between 44 and 63 inches. As your kid grows, you can easily convert it to a backless booster seat to keep them safer for longer. The quick-adjust headrest can be adjusted to ten different positions to provide comfort over the years.

This booster seat has three layers of side impact protection: a foam-lined headrest, side cushions, and an energy-absorbing shell. Its built-in armrests and plush foam padding ensure your child stays comfortable even when they sit for long periods. We like the leisure-inspired fabric the manufacturer has used; it works well with any vehicle. You can fit three of these booster seats in most vehicles, and there may still be some space left. 

However, if you own a small vehicle like a Kia Stinger, the car seat may be very wobbly and unsafe for your child. It's also important to make sure you choose the exact color you want, as the manufacturer may send the purple one.

A backless booster seat is ideal for a big kid, as it raises them off the vehicle seat, ensuring a better seat belt fit. If you want nothing but the best, get this Graco seat. It is perfect for kids who weigh 40-100 pounds and are 43-57 inches tall. It has undergone a variety of rigorous crash tests and meets U.S. safety standards. It will protect your child on the front, side, and rear—and also during rollover crashes.

This booster car seat is highly rated by many consumer magazines and publications. It comes with all the style and comfort features kids love. Its padded and height-adjustable armrests make it ideal for children of different ages (4-10 years old). Before you begin a road trip, put snacks or toys for your kids in the hide-away cup holders.

The seat's padding is removable and machine-washable. Its plastic and metal parts can be cleaned with mild soap and water. 

However, the booster is made with fabric mesh, which comes apart easily. And unlike most top-rated booster seats, it lacks a latch system. In case of an accident, it may become a hazard and injure someone.

Managing editor Jonathon Klein loves the Graco booster seat. So much so that after editing this story, he threw one into his cart for his middle child as he’s about to be big enough to need one. It’s a great seat and a reasonable price from one of the best brands in the business. Get one today.

You should go for a booster with an age-appropriate design. Younger children, below four years, should use a high-back booster seat for extra support to the neck and head. Since they are not tall enough to use the car seat belt and spend most of their time sleeping in the car, they need the extra support. Get a backless design for older children who just need the extra boost to use the seat belt.

There are certain quality controls that should be followed when making booster seats. First off, the materials should not pose a health risk to the child. The materials should also be comfortable and have shock-absorbing properties. Foam should be included in various parts of the seat with more focus on the head and shoulder supports.

Always confirm that there is a belt-path guide in the booster seat. Your vehicle’s seat belt is what will hold down the booster. A belt-positioning guide shows the correct angle for placing the seat belt for proper protection. It may scuff your seat belt, but the extra safety feature is worth it.

High-back booster seats have both a back and head support, and the headrest is adjustable to accommodate the height of a growing child. Most feature seat belt guides that help you position the car seat belt on the shoulder and lap. They are designed to offer extra back and head support to children who fall asleep during long trips. Most manufacturers make these booster seats with a removable back, and some boosters can convert to forward- or rear-facing seats.

Backless booster seats are specialized seats that offer a height advantage to a child and don’t include a head and back support. They also have seat belt guides to help you with the correct positioning of the seat belt. They are typically lightweight, budget-friendly, and easy to carry around. They are ideal for children who are almost ready to ditch the booster seats due to their size. 

Booster Seat Pricing 

Booster seats can cost between $50 and $250 depending on the brand, the quality, and the features you want, such as easy washing, cup holders, and protection. 

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