travel booster seat for 3 year old

5 Absolute Best Travel Booster Seats for 2024 (+Helpful Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: June 4, 2024

One of the most asked questions when it comes to road-tripping with kids is what kind of travel car seat is the best. The answer depends on so many different factors – how and where you travel, how old are your kids, and how light you want to travel. In my opinion, packing a high-back car seat on a plane is really not worth the hassle, so in this article, I will only focus on the best booster seats for travel – portable booster seats . Here’s why.

In my opinion, if you are traveling with a baby or a young child, you better just rent an appropriate car seat when you rent a car abroad.

Car seats for that age group cost a lot of money and are bulky to pack, while the price to rent one isn’t that high compared to what it costs.

Whereas if you travel with older kids who can use a booster car seat, it’s exactly the opposite. Travel booster seats are cheap to buy, easy to take with you, and renting one would often mean paying more.

TIP: At the moment of the last update, BubbleBum booster is the most popular travel booster seat choice among our readers in the USA. If I’m not mistaken, you now get an extra discount with this promo code on Amazon : 4BNY86SQ.

Ride Safer Vest is a distant second, on a much higher budget but also quite incomparable to any others safety-wise.

And now back to the best portable booster car seats . Below, you can see an overview of the information you can find in this article, including all the best travel boosters in our selection.

You can jump straight to the product information, but I strongly recommend that you also read practical tips and advice that should help you choose the right child booster seat for travel.

Update: We have done our best to update this article through the years. But there are so many changes all the time! Regulations change, products and companies disappear and new ones emerge. With the last update, we had to remove several products completely since they are not available anymore and there are no similar alternatives. So use this just as a guide to see what kind of different types of travel boosters there are, and be sure to always double-check the requirements and product specifications that are important to you!

Travel booster seats – overview:

• Our Experience with Travel Booster Seats

Booster Seat Requirements

• Other Things to Consider when Choosing Travel Booster Seat

1. The BubbleBum Booster Seat

2. ridesafer travel vest, 3. trunki boostapak, 4. hiccapop uberboost inflatable booster car seat, 5. belt-positioning backless booster, travel car seats & booster seats – our experience.

We have three kids and have traveled with them overseas ever since they were born. We always rented car seats for our kids when they were young. I just couldn’t imagine adding a big car seat to our travel luggage , not even to mention having to take two or three of them.

To us, traveling light is the best way to survive traveling with young kids.

LEARN MORE: Tips for Traveling with Kids

When our oldest was almost 5, we made a 5-week road trip in Australia . Twins were just 3 years old at that time. With three young children and multiple flights, there was just no way we would pack portable car seats for all of them. So we reserved car seats for the twins when we booked our rental car. With multiple rental cars at 4 different destinations in Australia, we spent a small fortune on those two car seats.

We, therefore, decided to at least look for an alternative solution for our 5-year-old. That’s when we started researching all available booster seats and realized that buying one would save us several hundreds of dollars.

But even a regular booster seat is not easy to pack with you. So we looked for the best travel booster seats – something that would fit all the safety requirements and at the same time would be easy to pack.

This was years ago and in the meantime, we have bought two more travel boosters for our twins as well. I am happy to say that we are still using the same travel booster seats today. We have used them on every single trip ever since and also on a daily basis at home. Buying a quality travel booster car seat was one of the best investments ever.

But before we talk about the specific travel booster seats, we should first cover some things you have to consider before buying a booster seat for your trip. Read on!

Booster seats are generally suitable for kids from around 4 years of age when children are no longer required to use a car seat with a 5-point harness. A portable travel booster seat ensures your child’s safety whenever you rent a car or use a taxi away from home.

However, the rules for the use of car seats and booster seats vary significantly from one country to another. So it’s essential to consult an official source for the country that you are traveling to in order to make sure that you have the right car seat for your child. More information about this below.

In some parts of the world – particularly much of Asia and northern Africa, there are hardly any laws requiring car seats or boosters of any kind. However, I’d still advise to rent one or bring your own. After all, you should be more concerned with your child’s safety than the (lack of) local laws.

We have rented car seats in South Africa and in Namibia for our kids and most of the time they looked completely ok to us. If in doubt, ask to change a car seat – quality car rental agencies usually have plenty of them available.

As I said before, the moment our kids were old enough for a booster car seat, we just bought our own and never had to worry about it again. Bringing your own booster seat gives you complete peace of mind and ensures that your children can travel safely wherever you go.

If you are traveling abroad, make sure to check the laws for booster seats in the country you are visiting.

Below you can find some links to the car seat and booster seat rules for a variety of destinations. Please note, however, that laws around car seat requirements change all the time , so it’s your responsibility to do proper research for the most up-to-date situation for the country you’re visiting.

Some countries require travel booster seats to carry specific labels in order to be legal for use, so it’s very important to read these regulations carefully.

• Children’s car seat rules in the USA (please note that the laws vary from state to state).
• Car seat rules in the UK .
• Car seat regulations in Canada .
• Car seat rules in Australia .
• While the rules about car seats and boosters for children are very relaxed across much of Asia , there are some countries that do have regulations. Our advice is to look up your specific destination and check the rules before you travel.
• Car seat requirements are now a bit different all over Europe . While in the past you could use a booster car seat for kids from around 4 years, the new law requires a minimum height of 125 cm (4ft1) and weight of at least 22 kg (49 lbs) in order to use a backless booster seat. In most European countries, kids can use a regular adult seat from 135 cm (4ft4) height (e.g. France, UK, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg…). However, some other countries require that kids under 150 cm (4ft 9) or under 12 years use a booster seat as well (e.g. Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Poland, Slovenia,…).

Since car seat requirements are different in every country and the situation might change again, I encourage you to research the laws of the specific country you’re planning to visit . You may also want to check if the booster you have is approved for use in the country you’re traveling to.

Other Things to Consider When Choosing Travel Booster Seat

In addition to local laws and regulations, there are a few other important things to consider when choosing the most suitable booster car seat for travel. Find out!

High-backed booster seats with ‘wings’ are the safest type, as they provide the best protection for your child’s head and neck in a side-impact crash. Unfortunately, though, it’s not always possible to carry this type of seat with you if you are traveling long distances.

The important thing to remember is that any approved booster seat is better than none at all.

Weight and Size

After safety, weight and size are probably the most important considerations when choosing the right (booster) car seat. Whilst some travel booster seats are ideal for local trips and days out and about, others are more suited to longer journeys where you are restricted on how much you can carry.

That being said, you might find that any extra baggage charges you incur from taking your own booster seat would be less than the cost of hiring a booster seat at your destination. Plus, of course, you will then have a portable booster seat for future use!

If you are traveling with 2-3 kids, consider if you can fit all the travel boosters next to each other (and hope they don’t fight all the time 😉 – see also our tips for how to handle long car rides with kids .

Versatility

Some seats are designed to serve more than one purpose, which is great if you have limited luggage space and want to get the most ‘bang for your buck’.

Important Tips

Wherever possible, we recommend sitting with your child and keeping an eye on them if using a backless booster, as it is a little easier for them to wriggle into an unsafe position.

Try to place your travel booster seat in the middle back seat if appropriate. Experts say that this is the safest position in the car.

Practice fitting the booster seat before you travel. While most boosters are pretty straightforward, some may need a little more expertise!

Best Travel Booster Seats: Comparison & Review

There are several good options when it comes to booster car seats for travel. So in order to give you the most complete guide to the best travel booster seats available at this moment , I not only based it on our experience, but also consulted other family travelers, and did extended research.

In the end, I selected portable booster seats that I think are the best options for those looking for a lightweight travel booster that doesn’t compromise on safety. In addition, I also included one high-back foldable booster seat. It’s obviously not as easy to pack as the backless boosters, but if you are traveling with a smaller child and still rather pack a car seat of your own, it might be a good option.

Below is our selection of the best travel booster seats. You can find a short review of each booster seat and a list of the main features that we think make them so useful. Of course, we also included our personal favorite – the travel booster seat that our kids have been using for years. Find out!

Here are the best travel booster seats:

The award-winning BubbleBum Booster Seat is described as an inflatable booster seat. However, it actually contains more memory foam than air, meaning that it will protect your child even if punctured in an accident.

BubbleBum Booster Seat takes just 20 seconds to inflate for use, then deflates quickly and folds to a small size, perfect for popping into your hand luggage or backpack.

The booster is designed for use with a 3-point adult seat belt (not a lap belt). The shoulder belt positioning clip and side lap belt clips help keep your child safe and comfortable.

At just 1.2 lbs it is the lightest travel booster seat we reviewed and it’s also the cheapest. But because it is a little smaller than some other travel boosters, we feel it’s more suited to shorter journeys than long road trips.

BubbleBum booster seat features:

• Suitable for children age 4-11 years, weighing from 40-100 lbs (18-45 kg).
• Inflates and deflates quickly.
• Lightweight and folds to a compact size and easy to store anywhere.
• Comes with its own bag.
• Made of a durable material.
• Narrow design allows you to use 3 across the back seat.

The compact and lightweight RideSafer Travel Vest is a brilliant alternative to a travel booster seat, but it comes with a much steeper price card. Weighing only 1.5 lbs (800 gr), it takes up very little luggage space and is particularly ideal for small cars, where bulkier car seats and boosters can be a tight fit. Fitting three of these vests in a row on the back seat is no problem whatsoever!

While the RideSafer may seem to offer less protection than booster seats at first glance, it’s actually the opposite. This is one of the safest solutions available!

Its clever design means that it maintains the car’s seatbelt in the proper position at all times. The shoulder belt is held in place, but away from your child’s neck, making him feel much more comfortable. It also positions the lap belt below your child’s abdomen, which best protects the internal organs.

This is the most expensive of the travel boosters we have reviewed in this article, but for the convenience and safety of your child, the RideSafer Travel Vest is invaluable!

RideSafer travel vest features:

• Available in 2 sizes, to fit children from 3-10 years, weighing from 30 to 80 lbs (15 to 36 kg).
• Certified for use in cars in the US.
• Small, lightweight, and easy to pack in hand luggage or backpack.
• Maintains proper seatbelt positioning at all times.

Trunki BoostApak is the travel booster seat that we chose for our kids. We bought one for our oldest son when he was 4 and used it till he didn’t need it anymore (around the age of 8-9). Our twins got the same Trunki boosters when they were 4 and used them until the age of 10.

I can’t even start to count the number of flights and road trips we have taken them on. The kids also used Trunki BoostApak boosters for their daily commute to school. Our high-back booster seats were only in use when we traveled big distances with our own car here in Europe. Since the new law in some European countries requires that booster seats are used till the kids are 150 cm tall, we used Trunki BoostAPak for our twins until the age of 10.

When we mentioned versatility earlier in this article, Trunki BoostApak is the booster seat we had in mind! The Trunki BoostApak is not just a booster seat, it’s also a hand-luggage approved child’s bag, with padded straps for comfort and a generous 8-liter capacity.

This means that you can use it to easily pack your child’s toys, books, games, and snacks for them to carry, then quickly convert it into an EU-certified travel booster seat whenever needed. You don’t need to unpack the Trunki before using it as a seat, as its hard plastic internal shell protects the bag’s contents. The shell is also designed to provide maximum strength in an accident.

It’s very easy to convert Trunki from a backpack to a booster seat, but if you (like many of us!) find some kids’ accessories a little challenging, be sure to practice with it before leaving home!

In addition to using it as a backpack and a car booster seat, the Trunki Boostapak with its wipe-clean cover makes a great booster seat for the movies too! We once even took our kids’ Trunkis to a theater.

The only minor issue we’ve had with this booster seat/backpack is that it’s slightly too heavy for younger children to carry – an empty Trunki BoostApak weighs 3.8 pounds (1,7 kg). So when our kids were just 4-5 years old, we usually had to help them with it at the airport. It’s not a big deal since the Trunki usually stays in the car for the entire duration of our trip.

Trunki BoostAPak travel booster features:

• Suitable for children age 4-11 years, weighing from 30 to 80 lbs (15 to 36 kg).
• Converts from a backpack to a booster seat in seconds.
• The fold-out seatbelt guides and seat belt adjuster help you ensure a perfect and safe fit.
• Approved as hand luggage by most airlines.
• EU certified for everyday car use.

Where to buy Trunki BoostApak. For some reason, Trunki BoostApak has always been a ‘European’ travel booster. Probably because it’s only been approved to be used in the EU and is not (yet) on the market in the USA. You can buy it on Amazon UK , but unfortunately, not on Amazon in the US.

Similar in principle to the Bubblebum, the Hiccapop Uberboost travel booster seat inflates and deflates quickly, so you can simply roll it up and pop it in your hand luggage, backpack, etc.

It’s cheaper than the BubbleBum, is made of a very thick, durable material and is comparable in weight.

The biggest difference is that – unlike the BubbleBum – there is no foam in the air bladder. Nevertheless, it feels as sturdy as a regular booster seat when inflated.

Hiccapop Uberboost features:

• Very compact and lightweight.
• Positions seat belt over the lap, not the stomach.
• Lifetime guarantee.

Update: The model reviewed below is not available during our last update, so check out these popular alternatives that offer pretty much the same functionality. Since this is the most popular portable booster design, there are so many brands selling similar models and they change the colors and the looks all the time.

Chicco GoFit Belt-Positioning Backless Booster is the only backless booster seat we reviewed that has dual cup holders, which are a huge plus on long journeys. The cup holders fold away, which is handy if you need to fit several car seats across the back seat. They can easily be removed and are dishwasher safe.

A little more expensive than other backless boosters, the Chicco GoFit feels very robust and well-made, whilst providing a lot more padding for your child’s comfort than many other seats of this type.

The seat has lap belt guides and a shoulder clip, which is attached to the back of the seat by a fabric strap. In some cars, you can fit three of these seats in the back – but you should only do this if you have a 3-point seat belt in the center seat, not a lap belt.

At 5 lbs it is heavier than the other travel booster seats in this selection and would also take up more luggage space. Nevertheless, it is still light enough to carry around and easy to move from one vehicle to another.

The only downside to this seat is that it doesn’t have latch connectors. Whilst this is a bonus in terms of travel, as it can quickly be moved to any vehicle, it does mean that it may shift a little during your journey and will also need to be stowed safely away when not in use.

Chicco GoFit booster seat features:

• Suitable for children age 4 and up, weighing from 40-110 lbs (18-45 kg).
• Double foam padding.
• Armrest covers and seat pad are machine-washable.
• Built-in carry handle.
• Smooth underside to protect vehicle seats.

So this is our complete guide to the best lightweight portable travel booster seats. I hope it helps you to find the best-suitable travel car seat for your kids.

Have you used any of these lightweight booster seats or have a favorite portable travel booster? Feel free to share your experience – you can leave a reply below.

READ ALSO : Best travel bags for kids

More tips for traveling with kids:

• Family travel: Tips for Travelling with Kids & Benefits of Family Travel
• Gear & luggage: Best Travel Gear for Kids & Best Kids Luggage
• Gift ideas: Travel Gifts for Kids (That They’ll Actually Use)
• Footwear: Best Travel Shoes for Kids
• Books: Travel Books and Destination Guides for Kids

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends who might be looking for a travel booster seat for their children. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

Some travel inspiration for families:

• Best Family Travel Destinations
• Best USA National Parks to Visit with Kids
• Lesser-known US National Parks for Families
• Top USA Spring Break Destinations
• Top Spring Break Destinations in Europe
• Yellowstone with Kids
• Arches National Park with Kids

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Saturday 27th of April 2024

Hi! Thanks for this helpful article! I'm from Spain and we are travelling to California this summer. Do you think that we could use trunki there with our 4 and 8 years old children?

Sunday 28th of April 2024

Hi Anna, we took and used Trunki BoostAPak to the USA for all three kids, but that was a few years ago when they were also sold in the US. It seems that they are not certified there at the moment and I really don't know what the implications would be. Here in Europe, you can usually use whatever car seats you use in your home country and they are deemed ok in other EU countries, even if the rules in regards to age/weight are different between those countries. But the USA is a different story. My reasoning with our kids was that we wanted them to be safe, so we bought products that were certified in the EU and approved for their age/weight. In our view, if it's safe here, it's just as safe anywhere. But whether it's legally ok, that's another question. I think that nobody will care what you use unless something happens. So it's really your decision. If you are not sure, just rent car seats. The irony is that the car seats/boosters you rent are usually of much lesser quality. But then you are legally ok.

Wednesday 24th of January 2024

Hi Jurga, I really appreciate your blog - it's been so helpful! I was looking to buy the Trunki BoostApak for our trip to Portugal and Spain later this year as our kids will be 6.5 and 4.5 years old. I noticed that the boosters are no longer available to ship via Amazon to the USA when logged under Amazon UK. I also tried their website which doesn't ship to the USA. It's not urgent since we don't travel until the Fall, but I was hoping to to buy the boosters ahead of time instead of trying to buy something when we arrive. Do you know if something has recently changed or if this is just a temporary thing with Amazon shipping? Thanks much! Kaylee

Thursday 25th of January 2024

Hi Kaylee, unfortunately, I don't know which products Amazon ships where and there might be tons of reasons why a specific product isn't shipped internationally. It might also depend on who the seller is - Amazon itself or some third party. Here in Europe, we use various Amazon websites from all different countries and it's very random what we can buy from which website, and what can be sent to one country is often not possible to another, plus, it changes all the time too. Indeed, the official USA website of Trunki doesn't even show this product, and the ones from Europe don't seem to ship to the USA. It's likely because they never asked for an official approval of this car seat in the US. So I really don't know what to tell you. Maybe try an alternative booster, or rent with a car. You may also want to check what the current rules in Portugal and Spain are depending on your kids' height/weight. I think that they might still be required to use a booster with back/head support at that age (depending on how tall they are and also on the country).

Tuesday 2nd of January 2024

Hi Jurga, happy New Year! I know from your blog your family has been to Portugal a few times including the islands and mainland but don't recall reading specifically on boosters for kids. We will be going to mainland Portugal this July and have 2 kids (both turns 7 & 9 this August). We are not sure what the best options on regarding booster seats for them and wanted to hear your insights. We are debating on renting the boosters with the car rental company but they seem to cost anwhere from $80 to $110 per booster seat which we can save. If we bring our own (backless boosters from the U.S.), we might not be able to use them right? Any suggestions? Thanks!

@Jurga, thanks so much for taking the time to reply to my inquiry! Yes the booster we use in the U.S. is sturdy (Chicco KitFit 2-in-1 Belt Positioning Booster Car Seat). We would bring just the bottom section w/o the back support and that's why I asked if that would meeting Portugal's guideline or law? You rented a car for ONLY 144 euro for 12 days?!?!?! I'm assuming it's manual? Unfortunately we need an automatic and the price seems to just a lot due to that. Thanks for the car rental site. Will check it out using your link!

Hi Athan, indeed, kids that age are officially required to use a booster in Portugal. And yes, some car rental companies charge ridiculous amounts for them - that's also why we always packed our own when our kids needed them... You have several options. Buy a booster at a local store once you get to Portugal (you should be able to find them at all major supermarkets) or bring one with you. Depending on the booster that you use at home, it might be EU certified - just check online. Also, if it's a sturdy, quality booster, it's likely going to be better quality than what you get from some car rental agencies... And normally nobody will care what you use - it's your kids and you want to make sure that they are safe. The only issue is if something happens and police checks car seats. But I can't imagine anyone would make an issue about them not being certified in the EU if they are safe and certified in the USA. But it's your decision. Yet another option is to order a EU-certified booster from Amazon UK or Amazon Germany/France/Spain... (if they deliver in the US) and bring it with you. Just check if it's not going to become more expensive that way. If you want to avoid all the hassle, renting one together with your car is the safest option. Just a thought - car rental is usually so cheap in Portugal that it may not be such a big deal to pay extra for the boosters.

Wednesday 31st of May 2023

I love this post! I actually read it years ago, then when I was looking at booster seats recently, I was so happy to find it back. I saw that it now has the comfiGO booster-type seat by ClypX. I was very interested in that seat, but when I started doing more research on it I found that US child passenger safety news site called Safe Ride News had an article stating that the booster is not actually classified as a booster in the US, so safety regulations don’t apply to it. Since it claims it complies with the regulations (deceptive), and because of how it is designed, I would be hesitant to use it or recommend it to anyone, whether or not they are in the US.

Tuesday 6th of June 2023

Hi Nanika, based on everything I find online, this seat is certified in the US at this moment, but they were asked not to call it a 'booster' anymore.

Saturday 27th of May 2023

Do you have any information on when and why mifold went out of business? Have their booster seats been recalled? When I purchased our mifold years ago, it was considered very safe, approved for use in the UK (which is where we mostly need to use it) and we have loved it, but I know that ratings can change with more information. Thanks!

Hi Lindsey, it happened rather recently and I haven't heard anything about recalls. The company just stopped from one day to the other; I don't think it had anything to do with the product safety. Maybe try searching online - I wasn't able to find much info when I checked when updating this article last time.

Advertisement

• Baby and kid

The Best Booster Car Seats

By Rebecca Gale

It’s not hard to find a satisfactory booster seat. But a booster that’s well engineered, with thoughtful features, can help provide a safer fit, a comfier ride, and a more pleasant overall experience for you and your kids.

After evaluating more than 50 booster seats, we recommend the versatile, easy-to-use Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus high-back booster. We also recommend other high-back and backless boosters that will fit a range of budgets and circumstances.

As the name implies, a booster raises a child up so that the car’s seat belt can be positioned properly. These seats are for school-age kids who are generally at least around 40 pounds and 40 inches tall, as well as for those who are ready —both physically and developmentally—to graduate from a five-point harness seat.

Everything we recommend

Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus

The best high-back booster car seat.

This attractive booster is safe, easy to use, and comfortable. It’s a hit with caregivers and kids alike.

Buying Options

Graco TurboBooster LX

This seat lacks some of the conveniences (and pizzazz) of our top pick, but it’s a really good booster at a reasonable price.

Diono Monterey 2XT Latch

A bigger, adjustable high-back booster.

This attractive, comfortable booster seat has a unique backrest that adjusts in width as your kid grows. It’s wider and heavier than our other picks, though.

Chicco GoFit Plus

The best backless booster.

In a sea of similar models, this seat stands out for its superior LATCH and other convenient features.

How we picked

A good booster seat should be simple to install and convenient to use.

We researched seats to find out which models have received the highest independent ratings for providing a proper belt fit.

Safety experts encouraged us to focus on how the seats perform in the real world, rather than conducting our own crash testing.

We made sure that our picks would work well in a wide variety of vehicles and circumstances.

The Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus weighs about 10 pounds and is easy to install and remove, thanks to a cleverly designed LATCH system. ( LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children; this system allows you to install a car seat by attaching a pair of metal hooks or clips, which are built into the seat, to a set of anchors, which are built into the car.) The KidFit ClearTex Plus’s LATCH system, which Chicco calls SuperCinch, can be tightened and released with one hand. And the seat features environmentally conscious, Greenguard Gold–certified fabric, two collapsible cupholders, and the best seat-belt threader of any high-back booster we tested. The seat’s relatively narrow footprint may allow for three across in the back row, depending on the vehicle. The top portion of the seat can be disconnected, converting it from a high-back to a backless booster.

• Weight of seat: 10 pounds
• Width of seat base (at widest point): 17 inches
• Passenger weight and height limits for high-back mode: 40 to 100 pounds; 38 to 57 inches
• Passenger weight and height limits for backless mode: 40 to 110 pounds; 38 to 57 inches

Less expensive than our top pick, the Graco TurboBooster LX has many of the same key features. Like the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus, the TurboBooster LX has two cupholders, and it can be converted from being a high-back to a backless seat. Our main gripe is that it has hook-style LATCH connectors, which can be more difficult to get on and off the car’s anchors. This seat weighs just slightly less than our top pick. And, like our top pick, this model has a relatively narrow footprint (it may be possible to fit three seats across, depending on the vehicle).

• Weight of seat: 9.8 pounds
• Passenger weight and height limits for high-back mode: 40 to 100 pounds; 43 to 57 inches
• Passenger weight and height limits for backless mode: 40 to 100 pounds; 43 to 57 inches

The Diono Monterey 2XT Latch is similar to our top pick in terms of function, but it’s covered in a plusher fabric, and it has the option of extending the sides through the shoulders. So this seat is a good choice for kids who have a wider frame. It’s also good for parents who want bigger kids to stay in a high-back booster longer (compared with the height and weight limits of our top and runner-up picks, this seat fits kids who are 20 pounds heavier and 6 inches taller). Like our other picks, the Diono Monterey converts from a high-back to a backless booster. And it uses hook-style LATCH. The seat weighs 4 pounds more than our top pick, and it’s one of the widest models we looked at.

• Weight of seat: 14.3 pounds
• Width of seat base (at widest point): 19 inches
• Passenger weight and height limits for high-back mode: 40 to 120 pounds; 38 to 63 inches
• Passenger weight and height limits for backless mode: 40 to 120 pounds; 38 to 63 inches

We recommend high-back boosters over backless ones for daily use because of the additional head and neck protection they offer. And many models—including our other picks—convert from high-back to backless for carpooling, traveling, or when a kid has outgrown the high-back limits. But backless boosters cost less, and having one on hand can be convenient. The Chicco GoFit Plus has the same SuperCinch LATCH mechanism as the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus, making it easy to install, tighten, and release with one hand. It also has expandable cupholders and a built-in handle on one end. We also like that this seat is relatively slender—making it possible to fit three across, depending on the vehicle. The GoFit Plus weighs 6 pounds, so it’s not the lightest option, but it’s about average for boosters with LATCH.

• Weight of seat: 6 pounds
• Passenger weight and height limits: 40 to 110 pounds; 38 to 57 inches

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, understanding the different kinds of booster seats, how we picked and tested, what about crash testing, our pick: chicco kidfit cleartex plus, runner-up: graco turbobooster lx, also great: diono monterey 2xt latch, also great: chicco gofit plus, other good high-back booster seats, other good backless booster seats, when can a child sit without a booster seat, the role your car plays in booster safety, the competition, care, use, and maintenance.

When I worked on the first version of this guide, in 2018, I became certified as a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). I completed a 40-hour training program through the Safe Kids Worldwide organization, which teaches the proper installation and use of car seats. Since that time, I’ve interviewed over a dozen experts on car seat safety, policy, and installation. I’ve spoken with representatives from 10 car seat manufacturers and talked to dozens of parents about their car seat experiences. And I've scanned hundreds of reviews and read articles from reputable media outlets, including Car Seats for the Littles and BabyGearLab .

To help steer our decisions on which seats to test, we also relied on rankings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which independently ranks booster seats based on their ability to provide a good seat-belt fit.

Different types of car seats are designed for different stages of a child’s development. The good news: Boosters are, by design, typically the most straightforward to install and to use. But their cargo is no less precious.

Although the specifics can vary, boosters are generally intended for school-age kids who are at least about 40 pounds and 38 to 40 inches tall, and for those who are ready to graduate from a five-point harness. (Regulations on when a child is eligible to ride in a booster also vary from state to state and seat to seat.) Unlike infant car seats and convertible car seats , which provide protection using their own five-point harnesses, a booster seat relies on the vehicle’s seat belt to restrain a child. Younger kids have small frames that are not well matched to adult seat belts, so a booster’s job is to raise and position a child so that the lap and shoulder belts fit properly across their body. In the event of a crash, the vehicle’s safety belt is what holds the kid in place.

The shoulder belt must fit diagonally across a kid’s chest. And the lap belt must fit over a kid’s thighs, not their abdomen; otherwise the abdomen could be injured by the seat belt in the event of a crash. (The chest and thighs are stronger parts of the body and are better able to absorb the pressure of a seat belt.) A 2003 study of children ages 4 to 7 found that booster seats are more than twice as effective in reducing risk of injury than seat belts alone. Note that booster seats are not intended for use with lap-only seat belts, which can still be found in some cars manufactured before 2007. And boosters cannot be used on airplanes.

Parents often look forward to transitioning their kids from one stage to the next. But, as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has pointed out , car seats are one area where delaying a transition is the better thing to celebrate. Each transition—from rear-facing to forward-facing, from forward-facing to booster seat, and from booster to seat belt alone—reduces the degree of protection to the child.

Some of us who have worked on Wirecutter’s car seat guides have opted to keep our own kids in a convertible car seat with a five-point harness through kindergarten and beyond. However, there comes a time when a child outgrows the height or weight capacity of a five-point harness seat and develops the emotional maturity to shift to a booster seat.

In addition to meeting the minimum size requirements, to safely ride in a booster, a child must be able to sit still in the seat without slouching or leaning over. Otherwise, the seat belt can’t do its job properly. Kids with special needs who have outgrown convertible seat size limits, but who are not able to maintain proper posture in a booster, will require a special harness seat. (We have not tested any of those for this guide, so please consult with a health-care professional or CPST trained to handle special needs.)

High-back vs. backless booster seats

There are two types of booster seats: backless boosters, which simply raise a kid up so they’re in the correct position for the vehicle’s seat belt, and high-back boosters, which both raise the kid up and offer some support and protection to the head, neck, and upper back. High-back boosters can also help with correctly positioning the shoulder belt, and they are potentially comfier for naps in the car. Because of the additional protection that high-back boosters provide, we recommend them for regular use until a kid outgrows the height limits of the backrest.

Despite the safety advantages of high-back boosters, they may not be ideal for every situation. Since backless boosters are smaller and lighter, many caregivers find them to be more convenient, especially when a seat needs to be moved frequently. And some kids outgrow the height limits of a high-back booster before they’re ready to be out of a booster entirely. That’s why we’re big fans of seats that can convert from high-back to backless, as our picks can.

What about LATCH?

LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. This system allows you to install a car seat by attaching a pair of metal hooks or clips, which are built into the seat, to a set of anchors, which are built into the car. With infant, convertible, and forward-facing five-point harness seats, to use LATCH as the sole method of installation, a child must weigh less than 40 pounds; once a child is over 40 pounds, the car seat must be secured using a seat belt. But for booster seats, it’s a different story.

Plenty of booster seats offer LATCH—including our top picks. But LATCH is not required for a booster seat to function safely. (And the 40-pound weight limit doesn’t apply, either, since it’s the seat belt that’s restraining a child.) Booster seats work by enabling your vehicle’s seat belts to do their job. So rest assured, a LATCH-less booster seat is fully equipped to do the task at hand.

With that said, there are potential advantages to getting a booster with LATCH. Attaching the booster to the car will help prevent the seat from shifting around when a child is getting in or out; this will also keep the seat securely in place when it’s unoccupied and prevent it from becoming a projectile in the event of a crash or sudden stop.

There are valid reasons to forego LATCH, too. You may need to use the booster in an area of the car that doesn’t have LATCH anchors (like the middle seat or in a third row). Also, the addition of LATCH to a booster almost always translates to a higher price tag.

We’ve tested boosters both with and without LATCH; you’ll find multiple non-LATCH recommendations in the Other good booster seats section of this guide.

All of our research led us to conclude that the ideal booster seat should be:

Easy to use safely: A booster’s ability to deliver a proper belt fit is what makes it safe, and several factors contribute to achieving that fit. A booster should promote correct posture; a kid should sit up straight and not slouch. If a high-back seat has side wings, they should allow for good sight lines and peripheral vision, so that a kid won’t be tempted to lean forward to see around them. It should be easy for a kid (or the adult who’s helping them) to pull the seat belt through the belt-positioning mechanism and get buckled in. The belt should rest flat against the shoulder and chest, and low on the hips or upper thighs, and it should stay there. If a kid leans forward and then leans back, the seat belt should be routed so that it moves with them. (A belt that does not retract would be too loose in the event of a crash.) The belt should also easily retract when unbuckled, readying it for the next use.

Versatile: Seats that are narrower or have a more-streamlined design will fit better in a wider range of cars. We looked for seats that, though narrow, have generous height and weight limits, as well as for those that can be adjusted or expanded to accommodate older and larger kids. We give preference to high-back boosters because of their added safety advantages, but to meet different needs, we included options that convert from high-back to backless as well as ones that are backless only.

Appealing to kids: Kids in boosters are likely to have strong opinions about how they ride (as well as everything else). So it’s important to have a booster that appeals to them. We gave extra points to seats that were notably comfy and had qualities that kids would find cool or features that would improve their overall experience, such as cupholders and high-quality fabric.

Equipped with a LATCH option: LATCH is a system that allows you to install a car seat with metal clips or hooks, which attach to anchors built into the car. As we explain above, LATCH is optional for booster seats. However, LATCH has some perks, such as helping to keep the seat in position and preventing it from becoming a projectile.

Convenient for adults: A booster seat that’s lighter in weight and designed with handling in mind will be less annoying to move in and out of a car. Intuitive installation is also a big boon. And maintenance matters: The headrest should be easy to adjust, and if a seat converts from high-back to backless, that process shouldn’t be a headache. Finally, the seat should be easy to keep clean.

A good value: We considered seats that cost well over $200. But given how many high-quality options are available for less than that, we couldn’t find a valid reason to spend any more. So we focused on models that were $200 or, in many cases, far less.

Based on these criteria, we’ve tested close to 20 models over the past five years.

I tried out each booster seat with two of my children over the course of six months. We also asked three other families and Wirecutter editors to compare some of the booster seats with kids ranging in age from 4 to 9 years old. We looked at the pros and cons of every seat, including install, fit, child preference, aesthetics, and ease of use.

When we were working on the original version of this guide, in 2018, we hired an independent lab to conduct crash testing on the booster seats that we considered as our top contenders. The results were factored into our final recommendations, which included earlier models of the Chicco, Graco, and Diono high-back seats that we recommend now.

We later decided not to commission further crash testing. Multiple experts told us that as advanced as today’s crash-testing tools are, they aren’t advanced enough to reliably differentiate among a set of well-engineered seats or to tease out an A+ from an A-. Jessica Jermakian, VP of vehicle research at the IIHS said, “I’m not sure that crash testing would give you meaningful results. If you’ve already picked the four best seats from all the other perspectives, then you can feel confident that engineers have spent a lot of time designing those seats for a good and safe user experience.”

After careful consideration and consultation with experts, we decided that field testing alone should dictate our picks within this guide. The most effective strategy for keeping your kids safe on the road is to choose a car seat that works well for your family and then to use it correctly. “The best car seat is the one that fits your kid, fits your car, and is used properly on every trip.” said Matt Maltese , an engineer and crash-testing expert who’s worked for both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia .

The Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus has the best combination of features we’ve found in a high-back booster. It’s user-friendly, our kid testers thought it was comfortable, and the fabric cover is easy to keep clean. We also like that it converts from high-back to backless, requires minimal assembly, and has a sporty, modern look. The KidFit ClearTex Plus is an updated (and improved) version of the Chicco KidFit, our previous runner-up pick in this guide. The old KidFit received a Best Bet rating from the IIHS for its ability to provide proper seat-belt positioning; the new model has not yet received a rating.

It’s a cinch to install. The 10-pound KidFit ClearTex Plus is easy to install and remove, thanks to its alligator-style LATCH connectors, which are equipped with a clever tightening and release mechanism. Chicco calls its installation system SuperCinch; you clip the latches to the vehicle’s anchors; then you pull on a center strap at the front of the seat to tighten and snug the seat into place with one tug. The seat’s quick-release feature detaches the LATCH connectors with a single (one-handed) pull of a front handle—no need to jam your hand between the vehicle’s seat cushions, fishing for a clip to unhook.

The seat-belt threader has been improved. The KidFit ClearTex Plus has an updated seat-belt threader, which is clearly labeled and functions exceptionally well. On the previous KidFit model, the belt threaded into the loop from top to bottom, but now it threads from bottom to top; this configuration is easier to use. The threader also keeps the belt from getting twisted. The KidFit ClearTex Plus was better than any other seat we tested at securely and comfortably positioning the strap on the correct part of a kid’s shoulder.

Kids say it’s comfy. The seat is well padded (according to Chicco, it has two layers of foam and ergonomic support), and kids found it comfortable to sit in. As one kid put it, “It feels fine. Like a regular seat.” Our kid testers enjoyed the removable double cupholders, which are dishwasher-safe and made from a flexible material that can be pushed in and out. The headrest adjusts to 10 positions; the side wings are ample and comfortable, but they aren’t so big that they block kids’ sight lines. The backrest can be adjusted between two positions, to better fit the angle of the vehicle seat. The fabric feels smooth and substantial. And it has Greenguard Gold Certification , which promises low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs); the textiles used to make the seat are manufactured without any added chemicals.

It’s easy to put together and to take apart. The KidFit ClearTex Plus is quick and simple to assemble out of the box; you need only to attach the back and armrests to the base. To convert it to a backless booster, you detach the top half from the bottom part by pulling on a lever and lifting up. (When it’s in backless mode, it has a small carrying handle for easy transport, but there are no storage slots for the LATCH connectors.)

Cleaning it is simple. The fabric is easy to wipe down, and crumbs shake off easily enough. For a more-thorough wash, follow the manual instructions for machine washing. It can take a few tries to master putting the cover back on. But once you get the hang of it, it should take only a few minutes.

It’s narrow and will fit a child for years. In high-back mode, the KitFit ClearTex Plus has a narrow, space-saving frame, at 17 inches across at the base and 19 inches at the widest part of the backrest; this should allow for fitting three seats across in many vehicles. The narrow frame also allows kids to easily access the seat-belt buckle, which can be tougher with wider booster seats. The high-back mode fits kids from 40 to 100 pounds and 38 to 57 inches tall; the backless configuration has the same height range but a weight range of 40 to 110 pounds.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It’s not the best for bigger kids. Although we believe most kids will fit comfortably in the KidFit ClearTex Plus, its slender frame may be less appealing to bigger kids who prefer a wider seat.

You can’t store the LATCH connectors. Our only design complaint is that there’s nowhere to store the LATCH connectors when they’re detached. So if you’re carrying the seat around, they’ll flap, which could be annoying.

It’s a little pricey. We do think this booster seat’s price is reasonable, considering the quality. But you don’t need to pay this much to get a safe booster seat that works well.

The Graco TurboBooster LX is a solid—if slightly basic—high-back booster seat. It has the main features that matter in a high-back booster, and it costs less than our top pick, the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus . But you do sacrifice some conveniences for the lower price. The TurboBooster LX is lightweight, at 9.8 pounds (slightly lighter than the KidFit ClearTex Plus), and it has a Best Bet rating from the IIHS for its ability to provide a proper seat-belt fit.

The install is a bit annoying . The biggest compromise with the TurboBooster LX is that it has hook-style LATCH connectors; they’re the least-user-friendly type of LATCH. It’s often tough to see what you’re doing and to maneuver around in the tight space behind the seat, and the TurboBooster LX’s LATCH hooks can be particularly tricky to get on and off your car’s anchors. This could get frustrating if you’re intending to rely on the LATCH and to frequently move the seat to different locations.

Once you’ve clipped the hooks to the anchors, you can snug the seat into position by pulling on the front strap. But unlike the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus, which allows you to release the LATCH hooks with a simple lever, the LATCH connectors on the TurboBooster LX must be manually loosened and detached. (Note: The Graco TurboBooster is the same seat but without LATCH; it costs less than the TurboBooster LX.)

But the seat-belt threader is simple. The seat belt threader on the TurboBooster LX is well designed; the belt slides into the opening smoothly from bottom to top, easily enough for most kids to manage it on their own. The seat-belt threader on the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus is similar, but it has more of a diagonal at the entry point, which we prefer.

It fits most kids well. The kids who tested this seat were happy with how it felt. The TurboBooster LX has a standard stationary plastic cupholder on one side, and on the other there’s a cupholder that slides in and out of the seat base. These cupholders cannot be removed for cleaning (as the Chicco’s cupholders can). The TurboBooster LX’s side wings aren’t so big that they block kids from being able to see around them, and the headrest is easily adjustable up and down to six different positions (fewer than the 10 on our top pick).

One tester noted that the headrest had a tendency to slide down after being adjusted; we also saw the same complaint in several online reviews. We reached out to Graco, and a company spokesperson acknowledged that the headrest can slide downward if not properly locked into place. Graco has since included instructions on how to lock the headrest into position, in the user manual and on the seat for all TurboBooster LX models manufactured after March 9, 2022.

It takes a little time to set up. The TurboBooster LX requires a few more minutes of setup out of the box than the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus. The armrests, cupholder, and seat pads need to be attached, and it takes a moment to connect the top and bottom half of the seat.

It’s easy to clean. The seat is covered in a 100% polyester fabric that’s simple to spot-clean. For bigger messes, the entire cover can be removed in two parts for machine washing on the delicate cycle; it must be air-dried.

It has a narrow footprint. The seat is 17 inches across, same as the top pick, and the TurboBooster LX’s backrest is 21 inches across at its widest point; it may be possible to fit three seats across. The seat should accommodate most older kids, but a kid who needs a wider seat may outgrow this early. The narrow footprint makes it fairly easy for most kids to buckle themselves in.

It converts to backless and fits kids up to 100 pounds. In high-back mode, the TurboBooster LX has a weight range of 40 to 100 pounds (the same as the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus) and a height range of 43 to 57 inches (the Chicco seat’s height range is 38 to 57 inches); the backless range is also 40 to 100 pounds (for the Chicco seat it’s 40 to 110 pounds) and 43 to 57 inches (for the Chicco seat it’s 38 to 57 inches).

The Diono Monterey 2XT Latch is similar to our top pick in terms of function, but it’s covered in a plusher fabric and has the option of extending the sides through the shoulders. This makes it a good choice for kids who have a wider frame and parents who want bigger children to stay in a high-back booster seat longer. This seat received a Best Bet rating from the IIHS for its ability to provide a proper seat-belt fit.

The install is easy. The Monterey 2XT is a cinch to put together. Simply attach the seat to the back and then slide in the headrest. Our testers found the install fairly simple. Similar to the Graco TurboBooster LX , the Monterey 2XT comes with simple, hook-style LATCH anchors (unlike the Chicco seat’s alligator-style LATCH system). The Monterey 2XT seat’s anchors are initially challenging to fish out from the seat, but they make the seat easy to install (though it can be a bit tricky to disconnect them). As with our other picks, the Monterey 2XT’s seat-tightening pulls are through the front of the seat, not the side, which makes tightening the LATCH straightforward. And as with our top pick, the seat belt slides into the threader from the bottom up (though one tester found Chicco’s version to be more intuitive).

It expands at the shoulders, which bigger kids may find especially comfy. Unlike our other picks, the Monterey 2XT has shoulder wings that can expand via a knob on the back of the seat, to allow more room widthwise; this is unusual among booster seats. As with our other picks, the Monterey 2XT headrest adjusts easily by notching up to grow with the kid; this seat has an 11-position headrest, compared with the KidFit ClearTex Plus’s 10.

It’s larger than our other picks. The Monterey 2XT is bigger, wider, and heavier than our top and runner-up picks (the Monterey 2XT is 14.3 pounds, versus the KidFit ClearTex Plus’s 10 pounds). So this model is not an ideal choice for those who want a booster seat they can quickly swap in and out of the car. And you may not be able to install three car seats across. One tester found that her 5-year-old couldn’t buckle herself into the seat (which she could do in our top-pick Chicco seat); this was due to the Monterey 2XT’s large armrests and seat base, which partially covered the seat-belt buckle slot.

The add-ons are appealing. Our young testers enjoyed the double cupholders, which push in and out (they are not removable, unlike those on our top pick). And the easy-to-wipe-down, machine-washable, colorful fabric comes in red, blue, yellow, plum, as well as traditional black. One of our testers said her kids all vied to sit in the “fancy blue seat,” as they described the Monterey 2XT.

It should last a long time. Like all of our other high-back picks, this seat converts to a backless booster. Both the high-back and backless modes fit kids between 40 and 120 pounds and 38 to 63 inches; this seat better accommodates heavier and taller kids than our other picks.

The Chicco GoFit Plus backless booster is the best of all the backless-only boosters we tested, thanks to a winning combination of essential features and thoughtful touches. Our top-pick high-back booster, Chicco’s KidFit ClearTex Plus , does convert to a backless version that’s very similar to the GoFit Plus. But for families that want to purchase a standalone backless booster, the GoFit Plus is a quality option. This seat weighs 6 pounds and has a Best Bet rating from the IIHS for its ability to provide a proper seat-belt fit.

The LATCH makes for an effortless install. The GoFit Plus has the same user-friendly SuperCinch LATCH system as our high-back Chicco booster pick. The alligator-style LATCH hooks easily attach to, and detach from, the car’s anchors with a one-pull mechanism for tightening and releasing. (The Chicco GoFit is identical to the GoFit Plus, but without LATCH; it normally costs about $15 less.)

Little extras are appreciated. The seat has plenty of padding and feels cushy for the rider. Like the KidFit ClearTex Plus, the GoFit Plus has removable, dishwasher-safe cupholders that expand and collapse. There’s a handle built into the side of the seat that lets you carry the GoFit Plus like a briefcase. (The Chicco KidFit ClearTex also has a handle, which can be used when the seat is in backless mode.) However, there’s no dedicated storage spot to stow the seat’s LATCH connectors when they’re not in use, so when you’re carrying the GoFit Plus around, they flap about.

The basic fabric is washable. The cover on the GoFit Plus is made from a polyester knit fabric that’s different from the material on the KidFit ClearTex Plus (the latter has Greenguard Gold Certification , ensuring low VOCs; the GoFit Plus does not); the fabric still has a nice feel to it. The seat cover can be removed; it’s machine-washable on the delicate cycle and must be air-dried.

Most kids can buckle themselves in. The seat is the same width at the base (17 inches) as our Chicco high-back pick, so it’s possible to fit three across in most cars. This seat is narrow enough for most kids to be able to buckle themselves in. The GoFit Plus weighs 6 pounds, which is more than some of the ultra-lightweight boosters we tested (such as the Cosco Rise , at 2.2 pounds), but its weight is similar to that of other backless boosters with LATCH. It has a weight range of 40 to 110 pounds and a height range of 38 to 57 inches (the same as for our top-pick Chicco in backless mode).

If you want our top-pick high-back booster but with upgrades: The Chicco KidFit Adapt Plus is the same seat as our top pick , except it’s covered in a high-performance fabric that claims to draw away moisture, helping the passenger maintain a comfortable temperature. The Chicco KidFit Zip Plus is also the same seat as our top pick, but it has extra seat and backrest cushions (which zip on and off) and a detachable console compartment (where kids can stash small toys and other treasures). The Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus also has the extra zip-on and zip-off padding and the console compartment, plus an extended leg rest (which makes it look kind of like a lawn chair); our testers didn’t find this useful when they tried out a previous generation of the seat, but some kids might like it.

If you like our runner-up high-back booster, but you don’t want LATCH: The Graco TurboBooster high-back booster is identical to our runner-up pick, the Graco TurboBooster LX , but without a LATCH option, and it usually costs about $30 less. This seat has a Best Bet rating from the IIHS for its ability to provide a proper seat-belt fit.

If you want an inexpensive high-back booster without LATCH: At less than $40, the Evenflo GoTime Sport booster is the lowest-priced high-back booster of the models we tested. It’s lightweight (6 pounds), and it’s a good option for caregivers who want to keep an extra high-back booster on hand. The GoTime Sport converts easily from high-back to backless.

If your kid tends to fall asleep in the car: The UPPAbaby Alta is an expensive high-back booster seat that has a “lap belt positioner” (aka a crotch buckle), which helps keep the lap belt and passenger securely in place. That can be helpful for kids who need additional support to keep the belt in position, as well as for those who are prone to dozing off and then creeping downward in their seat, creating an unsafe posture. But if those cases don’t apply, then the crotch buckle is likely to be a drawback; several older children found it annoying. The Alta weighs 16.6 pounds, has a wide (19-inch) base, and cannot be converted to backless mode.

If aesthetics are a top priority: The Nuna Aace is a beautiful, expensive high-back booster. The Aace has rigid LATCH connectors, the easiest and most secure type of LATCH connectors, and they allow the seat to have a recline feature. The Aace comes with one removable cupholder, which falls off easily. This seat converts from high-back to backless mode and has a Best Bet rating from the IIHS for its ability to provide a proper seat-belt fit.

If you want a lightweight five-point harness seat that converts to a booster: The Cosco Finale 2-in-1 , a pick in our guide to the best travel car seats , is a good choice. The forward-facing seat has a five-point harness that holds kids from 30 to 65 pounds and up to 49 inches; you can also remove the harness and switch to a high-back booster (this mode works for kids who are 40 to 100 pounds and 43 to 52 inches). It does not convert to a backless booster.

If you like our favorite backless booster, but you don’t want LATCH: The Chicco GoFit is identical to our backless pick, the Chicco GoFit Plus , but without the LATCH. (Because of that, it weighs 5 pounds instead of 6.) This seat has a Best Bet rating from the IIHS for its ability to provide a proper seat-belt fit.

If you want a backless version of our runner-up pick without LATCH: The Graco TurboBooster Backless is the backless-only version of our runner-up Graco high-back booster , minus the LATCH. The TurboBooster Backless weighs just over 5 pounds and has two cupholders; it has a Best Bet rating from the IIHS for its ability to provide a proper seat-belt fit.

If you want a cheap, light, zero-frills backless booster without LATCH: The Cosco Rise , our pick for the best backless booster seat for travel , is usually under $20, weighs just 2.2 pounds, and doesn’t have cupholders. It comes with a Best Bet rating from the IIHS for its ability to provide a proper seat-belt fit.

If you want an extra-wide backless booster with LATCH: The Diono Solana 2 XL is a high-end, wide booster that could work well for kids who want or need more space. Just be sure that your vehicle seat is large enough to accommodate its footprint, with room on the side to access the buckle. The hook-style LATCH system can be difficult to maneuver; Diono recently added a rigid LATCH version of the seat as well. The Solana 2 XL has a Best Bet rating from the IIHS for its ability to provide a proper seat-belt fit.

Most booster seats have an upper size limit for kids—often 100 pounds (or more) and 57 inches in height. The AAP recommends that kids stay in a belt-positioning booster seat until they are at least 4 feet 9 inches in height and are 8 to 12 years old. For specific criteria, see our guide on when to switch car seats .

No matter what type of restraint a kid is in, experts recommend that they sit in the back seat of the car (PDF) until they are at least 13 years old.

Boosters are positioning devices, meaning the car’s seat belt is responsible for restraining the child. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on how a car’s seat belt can impact the risk of injury; in particular, the focus is on the presence or absence of seat-belt pretensioners and force limiters, which are built-in devices that enable seat belts to function more effectively in a crash.

In the first milliseconds of a crash, pretensioners remove several inches of slack from the belt—reducing how far forward the occupant moves, as well as the likelihood of the occupant falling sideways and out of the shoulder belt. The pretensioner activates after the belt is already locked, to take even more slack out of the harness. While pretensioners and force limiters have been standard in the front seats of vehicles since 2008, they are not standard in the back seats of most cars.

Cars either have pretensioners and/or force limiters or they don’t; they can’t be added on. So when considering where to place the booster within your car, find out whether the car has these features and where they’re located. The Car Seat Lady website has a helpful tool that allows you to search for this information by make, model, and year.

The Britax Highpoint is another high-back booster seat with push-button alligator LATCH connectors that can be converted to backless. This pricey seat has an optional crotch buckle, which can help with correct posture and positioning but can also be a nuisance. We were unable to test the Highpoint due to availability issues.

The Britax Skyline is a high-back booster seat with push-button alligator LATCH connectors that can convert to backless. It worked fine, but one of our 8-year-old testers had a hard time getting a proper seat-belt fit.

The Clek Oobr is an astonishingly expensive high-back booster seat. And at 20 pounds, it’s heavy! It has a Best Bet rating for the high-back mode from the IIHS for its ability to provide a proper seat-belt fit. The Oobr features rigid LATCH connectors that quick-release with the pull of a strap. The seat can recline, and it converts from high-back to backless. It has one dishwasher-safe cupholder and a well-designed seat-belt threader. In backless mode, the Oobr has a Check Fit rating from the IIHS, which means the seat-belt fit varied in testing, depending on the child’s size and the vehicle. Because the Oobr is three times as expensive and twice as heavy as other seats that are just as safe and easy to use, we did not test it. But a Wirecutter editor who has had it for nearly three years can attest to its overall quality and that it was easy to use.

The Peg Perego Viaggio HBB 120 is an expensive high-back booster seat with rigid LATCH; it can be converted to backless mode. In 2018, a spokesperson for Peg Perego told us that the company was planning to phase the model out of the product line, so we did not test it. As of this publication, it is still available.

The Clek Olli is a backless booster seat with rigid LATCH that weighs 5 pounds. The LATCH connectors release easily with the pull of a strap. This seat comes in a range of stylish, premium fabrics, and it has a removable carrying strap and dishwasher-safe cupholder. But it costs way too much for a backless booster. Clek makes a less-expensive version called the Ozzi , which does not have the quick-release feature, carrying strap, or cupholder, but it’s still pricey. Both seats were subject to a 2022 safety recall notice related to labeling, which is correct on newer seats.

Maximize your kid’s safety on an ongoing basis by being sure to do the following things:

Observe the seat’s size and weight limits. It is essential that your child ride in the type of car seat that is appropriate for their size and developmental stage . Most kids will hit a high-back seat’s height limit before they reach its weight limit. A child has outgrown a high-back booster when the tops of their ears are at or above the top of the seat’s head restraint at the highest setting. Read the seat’s manual for additional guidance.

Follow the cleaning instructions. The correct method for cleaning your booster seat is detailed in the car seat’s manual. As we explain in this post on how to clean a car seat , it’s important to follow the instructions; failing to do so can compromise the safety of the seat and/or its textiles.

Dispose of your seat when the time comes. Car seats expire; booster seats generally last around 10 years. If your seat has reached its expiration date—or has been the subject of a recall—you should dispose of it . Any car seat that has been involved in a moderate or serious accident should also be thrown away, since the damage or structural changes incurred may compromise its ability to perform safely. You can continue to use a seat after a minor crash if all of the following criteria are met: You’re able to drive away from the crash site; airbags did not deploy; the passengers are uninjured; the car seat has no visible damage; and the vehicle door nearest the car seat is undamaged.

This article was edited by Amy Miller Kravetz and Kalee Thompson.

Julie Mansfield, research engineer with the Injury Biomechanics Research Center, The Ohio State University College of Medicine , phone interview , July 23, 2018

Aditya Belwadi, PhD, biomechanics research scientist, Child Passenger Safety Research team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia , phone interview , May 1, 2018

Lani Harrison, Child Passenger Safety Technician, Car Seats for the Littles , phone interview , May 1, 2018

Mike Kulig, business unit director, and Bill Horn, SLED head engineer and operational manager, Calspan , phone interview , April 24, 2018

Monica Mikan, Graco product development, Casey Anthony, senior manager of Graco product development, William Conway, Graco research and development , phone interview , May 21, 2018

Joshua Dilts, marketing product manager, Chicco USA , phone interview , May 1, 2018

Allana Pinkerton, Child Passenger Safety Technician, Diono , phone interview , April 26, 2018

Alisa Baer, MD, pediatrician and co-founder of car seat safety website The Car Seat Lady , phone interview , February 28, 2022

Kerry Chausmer, program and member services director, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) , phone interview , December 15, 2021

Jessica Jermakian, PhD, vice president for vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) , phone interview , January 31, 2022

Meet your guide

Rebecca Gale

Further reading

The Best Convertible and All-in-One Car Seats

by Christina Szalinski

After researching dozens of seats and testing 17, we’ve concluded that the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible is the best convertible car seat for most families.

Are Rotating Car Seats Worth It?

Rotating car seats are gaining popularity—but for the typical family, they’re not better than simpler options. Here’s what to know before buying one.

The Best Travel Car Seats

by Christina Szalinski and Rebecca Gale

After testing 17 lightweight, portable car seats, we have five good options for infants, toddlers, and big kids to recommend.

When to Switch Car Seats

by Rebecca Gale

Car seats and booster seats are most effective when they’re used for the correct age, stage, and size of kids. We break down when it’s safe to make the switch.

Best Travel Booster Seats: For Kids Of All Ages

Are you planning a trip with your child, and need a good booster seat? Preferably one that’s portable and that doesn’t weigh 25 lbs? Lucky for you, you’re in the right place! You’ll only see the best travel booster seats here.

Ones that are used for travel by hundreds of parents just like yourself. All of the booster seats featured in this review are lightweight, portable, and most importantly, safe for your child.

At A Glance: Our Top 3 Picks for Travel Booster Car Seats

• Best With Harness Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat Jump To Review
• Best With High-Back Evenflo Big Kid High Back Booster Car Seat Jump To Review
• Best With Backless BubbleBum Inflatable Backless Booster Car Seat Jump To Review

I found several different types of boosters, which are suitable for children of different ages. Including travel harness seats that are perfectly safe for babies and young toddlers. So, I am pretty sure you will be able to find something that’s a good fit for your child in our detailed review!

Top Product Overview

The best travel booster seats for kids of all ages, best harness booster seats.

Harness booster seats are best suitable for babies and young toddlers. If you’re traveling with a child that is 2 or younger, we recommend one of these travel booster seats.

Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat

This Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat  is definitely one of our favorite harness boosters. It is very lightweight, so it’s fairly easy to carry around the airport. Also , it’s FAA-approved, so you won’t have any issues using it on the plane  – so long as you purchased a booster seat for your child. If you didn’t, you can just check it with the rest of your luggage.

This car seat  comes with a cup holder, which is pretty convenient for a bottle . But it is also removable, in case you don’t need it, or if it takes up too much space.

You can use this as both a forward-facing and a rear-facing booster car seat. However, if you use it as a rear-facing seat on an airplane, the seat in front of it won’t be able to recline, which might be an issue. But if your child weighs less than 22 lbs, the manufacturer strongly recommends that you use this as a rear-facing booster car seat.

Another thing I have to mention is  the price point – this is without a doubt one of the more affordable harness boosters you can find.  Because of that, even if you only use it 2 times, you will pretty much get your money’s worth.

We wouldn’t really recommend this as an everyday booster seat – the harness is nowhere near as elaborate as it should be, and the booster car seat is not too comfortable. There’s not a lot of padding on the seat, and that could be an issue with prolonged use. But it is a really good option as a lightweight and portable seat.

• Very affordable
• Lightweight and small
• FAA approved
• Not a lot of padding in the seat
• Doesn’t restrict movement as well as a regular car seat

Product Information

• Recommended Age Range: Less than 18 months
• Min/Max Weight Recommended: Up to 40 lbs
• Product Weight: 10.4 lbs

Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat

The Evenflo car seat is a good choice for traveling with babies and young toddlers. It is FAA-approved, so you can use it in an airplane if you have purchased a seat for your child. It can be used both as a rear-facing and forward-facing seat. But, if your child weighs less than 30 lbs, it can only be used as a rear-facing seat.

This is one of the lightest high back seats in our review, at only 9.29 lbs. It is also one of the more affordable options, so it’s great for parents on a budget. You’ll get good value for your money, but don’t expect too much for some $55.

The straps on this booster seat are not the best, and that’s one downside. They don’t feature any pads, and there’s a good chance they’ll cut into your child’s skin – not the most comfortable feature of the chair. However, you can contact the manufacturer and ask them to send you shoulder pads – several customers did this.

This booster car seat is suitable for children that weigh 5-40 lbs, which is about 4 years old max. And it is a very safe booster seat – it meets all applicable Federal Safety Standards, which is one of the main reasons why we recommend it in the first place. Plus, it has a detachable cup holder, which is always convenient in a travel booster seat.

• Lightweight and affordable
• Detachable cup holder
• Harness doesn’t have pads
• Plastic edges are somewhat harsh
• Min/Max Weight Recommended: 5-40 lbs
• Product Weight: Approximately 9.29 lbs

Chicco MyFit Harness + Booster Car Seat

This Chicco car seat is definitely one of the best options out there. It is extremely versatile – it is a harness seat that transforms into a regular high-back booster car seat, so your child shouldn’t outgrow it for several years. And it’s also a really good option for an everyday seat, and not just for travels.

There is a slight issue of weight – this is one of the heavier travel car seats. But not by too much –  it weighs 12 lbs , which I think is still lightweight enough that you can use it for family travel. And the extra weight means extra features and more ways to use the booster seat. Perhaps the main reason for the extra weight is the steel frame inside the side, which significantly improves its impact resistance.

The harness mode is suitable for children that are at least 2 years old or weigh at least 25 lbs. This travel booster seat is also FAA-approved, but only in harness mode. As your child grows, you can easily transform the booster car seat to accommodate them.

Chicco MyFit features two dishwasher-safe cup holders, EPS energy foam around the head and torso, latches, dual-density padding, and a contoured design. It is comfortable, safe, easy to install, easy to clean, and pretty lightweight for everything it has to offer. But all of that Chicco goodness comes at a price – and it’s the highest one in this entire review.

• Very comfortable and secure
• Versatile – harness mode and booster mode
• FAA approved (in harness mode)
• Pretty expensive
• On the heavier side
• Recommended Age Range: 2y+ (harness) / 4y+ (booster)
• Min/Max Weight Recommended: 25-100 lbs
• Product Weight: 12.1 lbs

Best High Back Boosters (No Harness)

One thing to keep in mind about these boosters is that they are not FAA-approved. They don’t have a harness and airplane seats don’t have lap-shoulder straps that will keep your child safe. These boosters are a good option if you plan to check them at an airport, and not use them during the flight.

Chicco KidFit 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster

One thing that’s pretty cool about this travel booster seat is that it transforms into a backless booster easily. So, maybe you can use it as a full booster at home, and as a backless booster when you travel.

But because of its lightweight, it’s also perfectly fine as a high-back booster for travel. It is a bit bulky, so we recommend it only if you’re renting a car, and not hopping in and out of taxis and Ubers.

This booster features DuoZone side impact protection (head and shoulder) and latches attachment for the safety of your children. It can also be adjusted in 10 different positions, to accommodate for the growth of your child. The booster car seat is Ergo Boost with double foam padding, and it is actually very soft and comfortable.

There are two cup holders on the booster seat, which are removable, flexible, and dishwasher safe – just like on the Chicco backless booster I’ll show you a bit later. This booster seat is very easy to maintain since both the arm covers and the seat pad are machine washable.

The manufacturer recommends this booster car seat for children that are at least 4 years old. But, we don’t recommend this for younger children that move around a lot, because this type of booster doesn’t restrict their movement, as well as a harness, does. If you’ve only used harness car seats so far, consider whether or not your child is ready to graduate to this type of booster.

• Comfortable and safe
• Can be used as both a high back and a backless booster
• Machine washable
• Not FAA approved – no harness
• On the pricier side
• Recommended Age Range: 4y+
• Min/Max Weight 30/40-110 lbs
• Product Weight 10.2 lbs (high back mode)

Evenflo Big Kid High Back Booster Car Seat

If you’re looking for a budget high-back booster,  consider getting this one . It costs less than $40, and it weighs about 8.5 lbs. This is why it’s a good booster for travels – you will easily get your money’s worth even if you only use this on one trip. And it is light enough that you can carry it for hours without dislocating your shoulder.

This is not an FAA-approved high back booster, because it does not have a harness. So, you cannot use this during the flight, and you will need to check it at the airport because it is pretty bulky.

The height of this booster car seat is adjustable to 6 positions – as your child grows, the booster adjusts to accommodate them. And when they get really big, you can remove the back and transform this into a backless booster.

This booster seat has two elastic cup holders, but they don’t make it too wide. In fact, this is a pretty narrow seat (about 15”), and it is a great option for smaller cars. The booster also features seat belt guides on both sides, to ensure the safety of your children.

But the padding in this seat is pretty disappointing. Also, there’s no padding in the armrests – they’re just plastic. The booster is not comfortable enough for really long rides, and that’s why we don’t recommend this as an everyday car seat.

• Very lightweight and affordable
• Transforms into a backless booster
• Height adjustable to 6 positions
• Not FAA approved
• No padding in armrests
• Seat has little padding
• Min/Max Weight Recommended: 30-110 lbs
• Product Weight: 8.45 lbs

Graco Highback Turbobooster Car Seat

If you want a reliable brand, Graco is always a great option . The Graco Highback Turbobooster Car Seat features seat belt guides on each side, for the safety of your kids. It doesn’t have a latch system – the seat belt keeps it in place.

And that makes it super portable – there’s no messing around with buckles and latches. Just grab the seat and go. Which will be pretty easy, since the seat weighs only 9 lbs.

The booster seat is not padded too thickly, but it’s still pretty soft. And it should be comfortable for your kids even on longer rides. The adjustable headrest also helps keep your kids comfy.

There are dual cup holders on the booster seat, and they are great for regular bottles. Not so much for water bottles – the cup holders are a little shallow, and the water bottle might fall out when you’re turning.

The seat converts into a backless booster seat for longer use. But also for better portability and versatility. Actually, this is one of the few booster seats that is suitable both for traveling and for daily use. And it’s also pretty cheap, so you will get great value for money with this car seat.

But it’s not FAA approved, so you won’t be able to use the high back version inside an actual airplane. You can use the backless version though, provided that your child is old enough for it.

• Comfortable for the kids
• Lightweight and portable
• No latch system
• Recommended Age Range: 3-10 years old
• Min/Max Weight Recommended: 30-100 lbs
• Product Weight: 9 lbs

Trunki BoostAPak

Surely there’s a way to trick your child into being delighted to carry around their booster seat? Yes, there is, and it is called the Trunki BoostAPak .

It is a children’s backpack that doubles as a booster seat. So, even though it’s not FAA-approved as a travel car seat, you can still bring it on a plane as personal luggage. The backpack part of it has a capacity of 8 liters, which is enough to hold some of your kid’s favorite in-flight toys!

Just remember to take out any snacks or toys your child will need during transport. Once you strap them in this travel car seat, you don’t have access to the backpack.

The internal shell of the BoostAPak is hard, for maximum safety. It also protects the contents of the backpack part, and it is light enough that children can comfortably carry it. Trunki also has armrests and backrests, as well as seat belt guides. In terms of functionality, it does the exact same thing that a regular booster seat does. But it’s about 10 times more fun for the kids.

A downside to the Trunki booster seat is that it is not padded too much, so it won’t be comfortable on long rides. Also, it’s a little bit when it is in backpack mode. Consider the dimensions of the pack, to see whether or not it will be too big for your child.

• It can be your kid’s personal item on an airplane
• Fun for the children
• Versatile and portable
• A bit big in backpack mode
• Not heavily padded
• Recommended Age Range: 4-11 years
• Dimensions: 15.75” x 14.17” x 6.3”
• Product Weight: 3.75 lbs

Best Backless Booster Seats

A backless booster seat is without a doubt the most portable option. They’re a lot smaller than high-back car seats, and a lot lighter. But they only work with kids who are a bit older – at least 4-5 years.

Backless booster seats don’t do a lot, in terms of restricting the movement of your children, so they are not a good option for kids that move around a lot. But if your child is able to sit still, then this might be the best travel car seat option for you.

Chicco GoFit Belt-Positioning Backless Booster

This Chicco backless booster is  a very comfortable option.  The seat is very padded, and your children will stay comfortable even on longer rides. Actually, it features an Ergo Boost countered seat with double padding. Therefore, I think that this is a decent option not just as a travel seat, but also as an everyday seat.

This travel car seat is suitable for children that are older than 4, and weigh between 40 and 110 lbs. At least, that is what the manufacturer recommends.

It features armrests with pop-out armrest covers. The covers are machine washable, as are all the other fabrics on the car seat. And the cup holders are also dishwasher safe, so the entire booster seat is very easy to maintain.

One thing I really like about this portable booster seat is that the cup holders are flexible and removable. So, in case you’re a little bit tight on space, you don’t have to stress about the cups poking out.

As for portability, I’m a little bit torn. On the one hand, it’s definitely more portable than a high-back booster. It is lighter, it has a carry handle and it is fairly small. But then again it’s still a little bulky, and it’s nowhere near as portable as the inflatable booster I’ll show you a bit later. So, this one is up to you.

• Double foam padding
• Flexible and removable cup holders
• Easy to maintain (machine washable)
• Not the most portable option
• No latch connectors
• Min/Max Weight Recommended: 40-110 lbs
• Product Weight: 5 lbs

BubbleBum Inflatable Backless Booster Car Seat

As far as portability goes, this is a great booster car seat .  When deflated, this can easily fit into your purse or backpack, and that’s pretty great . That’s why  we recommend this for taxi rides and Uber – you don’t have to carry a booster seat in your hand when you’re walking around the town with your little one . Just deflate it and put it in your purse!

This inflatable booster seat is suitable for children that are 4-11 years old and weighs from 40 to 100 lbs. However, we do not recommend this booster seat if your child moves around a lot even in a high back booster seat – there is the issue of safety.

Another thing worth mentioning is that you can easily fit three of these in the back seat of pretty much any car. They don’t have plastic edges, so that makes it easy to fit three travel car seats even in some really narrow cars.

The booster seat has a valve that’s covered with plastic, and it inflates somewhat when you unscrew the valve. You only need a few breaths to fully inflate it, which is great. And when you are not using the travel car seat, you should always close the valve – unless you want it to partially inflate inside your bag.

This booster seat is great for short uses, or as a backup seat for impromptu playdates. But it’s not something your child will want to sit in every day, because it’s not too comfortable. It is lightweight, portable, and very affordable, so it’s worth trying out for your upcoming trip.

• Exceptionally portable – fits in your purse
• Fits in small and narrow spaces
• Easy to inflate and install
• Not comfortable for long car rides
• Some safety concerns
• Min/Max Weight Recommended: 40-100 lbs
• Product Weight: 1.2 lbs

mifold Grab-and-Go Car Booster Seat

Curiosity won me over with this one –  a car seat that folds into a wallet-sized pouch? And that fits into your kid’s backpack?  Sign me up!

Seriously though, the mifold seat is so  innovative and practical  that everyone should try it out. Because, if it turns out your child likes this, it could actually change your life.

In terms of portability, this is the best booster seat available . It’s  lightweight, small, and fits into every carry-on bag . This is also a great seat for narrow spaces since you can easily fit three of them on the back seat of a car. It is also good as an extra seat to have in your car, just in case.

But how does it work, since it is so thin and small? Well, a regular booster seat lifts your child to the position of an adult, so that the seat belt is safe for them. The mifold does the opposite – it lowers the seat belt with the belt guides on each side so that it accommodates the size of your child. And it’s just as safe as a regular booster.

There’s one downside to that – a plain booster seat allows your child to see out the window. This one does not. Also, this is a very thin seat, so it’s not too comfortable. Because of that, I wouldn’t really recommend it for longer rides. But for running around the town on a trip, in and out of taxis and Uber’s with your little one, this is one of the best things you can spend your money on.

• Innovative design
• Extremely portable and practical
• Just as safe as a regular booster
• No lift – kids can’t see out the window
• Recommended Age Range: 4-12 years
• Min/Max Weight Recommended: 40-120 lbs
• Product Weight: 1.7 lbs

Finding The Right Travel Booster Car Seat

If this is your first trip with your child, you probably need some guidance. And we some tips on how to choose the right booster car seat for travel!

Why Not Your Everyday Booster?

Because they are heavy. When you have to manage your child, a stroller, a diaper bag, your own bag, and a booster seat, weight plays a big part.

That’s why you want to get a booster seat designed specifically for travel. It is much easier to move around the airport with a 10lb booster than one that weighs two or three times more.

Backless booster seats would be the obvious choice if we were concerned only about the weight. But, we are also concerned about your child’s comfort, safety and age – you can’t really put a 3-year-old in a backless booster seat.

So, we found some lightweight high-back booster seats that you’ll love. Most of them are pretty affordable, weigh 10 lbs or less and you can bring them on an airplane without any issues.

And then we’ll also show you several backless, foldable, and even inflatable booster seats that can pretty much fit in your carry-on.

How Will You Use The Booster Seat?

Do you need a seat just for the airplane ride, or do you plan to use it multiple times a day while you’re traveling? While you are in and out of taxis or do you plan to rent a car? Do you expect your kid to carry their booster seat, or will you do that?

Those are all questions you need to consider if you’re not sure which type is right for you. If you’re renting a car and you’ll be driving around a lot, then I think you will be fine with a high-back booster seat. But if you’re going to take taxis, then definitely consider a backless booster seat – think of going sightseeing with your little one, and lugging around a high-back booster seat while trying to take cute photos.

Obviously,  that only applies to children that are actually ready for backless boosters. And that is really an individual thing – most manufacturers recommend their backless booster seats for children that are at least 4 years old.

But is your 4-year-old really capable of sitting still and not fidgeting around while you drive? That’s another question that should help you choose between high back and backless travel car seats.

Car Safety Laws

Most countries have pretty different car safety laws. That’s something you should always check before you travel.  Maybe the country you are going to requires a specific type of car seat, and maybe they don’t require children your age to be in car seats at all.

Did you know that the European Union prohibits rear-facing car seats in the passenger seat unless the airbag is deactivated? While only two US states have the same law. Anyway, here are som e useful links that could help you prepare yourself for your next trip:

• UK Car Seats Laws
• European Union Car Seats Laws
• USA Car Seats Laws (For Different States)
• Australia Car Seats Laws

And if you’re traveling to a completely different country, Google is your best friend! :>

Travel Booster Car Seats: Our Favorite Choices

All of the car seats featured in this review have very high ratings and are highly recommended. You’ll be okay whichever one you get. But, I still loved some more than the others, so here are my top three recommendations – one in each booster category.

For a booster seat  with a harness, it was either the Chicco MyFit or the Cosco . I decided to go with the Cosco Scenera because it is the lighter and more affordable option . And ultimately, better for travel. This car seat is FAA-approved, meaning you can use it inside the cabin.

It is suitable for children that weigh up to 40 lbs, so you could get several years of use out of it. Especially because you can use it with babies as a rear-facing seat as well .

When you’re considering if an object is portable, its weight is one of the first things you look at. The Evenflo Booster Car Seat is the lightest high-back booster we featured, and so it is our favorite . It’s also the cheapest one, and it actually costs less than some backless travel car seats .

The affordability, portability, and ease of use are definitely reasons enough to get this car seat for your upcoming trip. And it will keep your child safe in case of a crash, which is more important than everything else .

• 2 seats in 1 removable back for easy transition to a no-back booster
• One-hand, 6 position height adjustment to accommodate growing children longer

For me, it was a close call between the mifold and the BubbleBum boosters . But I think the BubbleBum is the better option because it is much more comfortable to sit on. It is an inflatable booster, so it’s super portable.

When you deflate it, it can easily fit in your purse, and you can carry it everywhere. And it inflates super quickly when you want to use it. It is definitely one of the best options for children that are old enough for backless booster seats.

• The Ultimate Travel Booster Car Seat - Unlock the convenience of the USA’s Original backless inflatable booster seat. BubbleBum is the only inflatable childrens booster seat for your car with a patented system to guarantee stability and comfort on every journey.
• Safety You Can Count On – BubbleBums patented ComfortMax technology exceeds all US federal car safety standards (FMVSS213) for booster car seats 40 lbs and up to 100 lbs. Your car booster seat comes with a seat belt positioning clip for optimal seat belt fit and comfort.

Head over to Amazon to see what other traveling parents are saying about these booster car seats, and check out their prices!

RELATED POSTS:

BEST TRAVEL STROLLERS

GB POCKIT (TRAVEL) STROLLER REVIEW

HOW TO PACK A CAR SEAT FOR CHECKED BAGGAGE

• Overview Guide
• 1 Week Itinerary
• Train Journeys
• Epic Drives
• Stunning Lakes
• Historic Castles
• Lauterbrunnen
• Grindelwald
• Chocolate Tours
• Swiss National Park
• Majestic Mountains
• Spectacular Waterfalls
• Famous Things
• Tasty Fondue
• 10 Day Itinerary
• Cherry Blossoms
• Tokyo Shrines
• Dos and Don’ts
• Osaka Guide
• Osaka Itinerary
• Osaka or Kyoto
• Kyoto Day Trips
• Matsumoto Castle
• Tokyo Luxury Hotels
• Island Hopping
• Best Campsites
• Driving Tips
• Beaune, France
• Barcelona Itinerary
• Spain Itinerary
• Greece Itinerary
• Italy Road Trips
• Berlin Day Trips
• Norway Northern Lights
• Netherlands National Parks
• Mostar, Bosnia
• Best Airlines
• Midwest Ski Resorts
• Florida RV Parks
• Washington RV Parks
• Oregon RV Parks
• Utah Camping
• Texas Camping
• Chicago National Parks
• East Coast National Parks
• Colorado National Parks
• Joshua Tree
• Yellowstone
• Alberta Hikes
• Flashlights
• Water Filters
• Sleeping Pads
• Solar Lanterns
• Tent Brands
• 4-Person Tents
• 4 Seasons Tents
• Backpacking Tents
• Beach Tents
• Cabin Tents
• Multi-room Tents
• Pop-up Tents
• Truck Bed Tents
• Underwear (Men)
• Backpacks Under $100
• Microspikes
• Boonie Hats
• In The World
• New Zealand
• Hardisde Luggage
• Lightweight Luggage
• Luggage Sets
• Spinner Luggage
• Durable Suitcases
• Duffel Bags
• Kids Luggage
• Teen Luggage
• Space Saving Luggage
• Business Carry-Ons
• Garment Carry-Ons
• Suitcases Under $50
• Travel Briefcase
• Zipperless Suitcases
• Rolling Briefcase
• Luggage Straps
• Luxury Brands
• American Tourister
• AmazonBasics
• Delsey Chatelet
• Anti-Theft Backpacks
• Backpacks Under $50
• Baby Carrier Backpacks
• Cooler Backpacks
• Backpacking Backpacks
• Climbing Backpacks
• Backpacks for Back Pain
• Beach Backpacks
• Hiking Backpacks
• Business Travel Backpacks
• Laptop Backpacks
• Backpacks for Tablets
• Commuter Backpacks
• Travel Backpacks (Men)
• Travel Backpacks (Women)
• Waterproof Backpacks
• Wheeled Backpacks
• Down Jackets
• Down Parkas
• Fleece Jackets
• Hardshell Jackets
• Rain Jackets
• Softshell Jackets
• Eco Friendly Jackets
• Gore Tex Alternatives
• Heated Jackets
• Lightweight Jackets
• 3-in-1 Waterproof Jackets
• Parajumper Jackets
• Rain Poncho
• Ski Jackets
• Travel Hoodies
• Travel Jackets
• Winter Coats
• Helly Hansen
• Mammut Jackets
• Patagonia Nanopuff
• Survival Jackets
• Flower Captions
• Waterfall Captions
• Tree Captions
• Sunset Captions
• Sunflower Captions
• Rainbow Captions
• Paddle Boarding Captions
• Hot Air Balloon Captions
• Kayaking Captions
• Airplane Captions For Instagram
• Forest Captions

9 Best Booster Car Seats of 2024

Your growing kids will ride safely in these high-back, backless and combination booster seats.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

The parenting and product experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested 15 booster car seats in the past two years to evaluate safety, ease of use and proper fit, narrowing them down to these top-performing favorites.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Booster Car Seat

Diono monterey 2xt.

Best Value Booster Car Seat

Cosco topside.

Most Comfortable Booster Car Seat

Chicco kidfit cleartex.

Best Long-Lasting Booster Car Seat

Britax grow with you clicktight+.

Best Backless Booster Car Seat

Graco turbobooster lx.

Best Booster Car Seat With a 5-Point Harness

Chicco myfit zip air.

Best-Looking Booster Car Seat

Best Booster Car Seat with Seat Belt Positioner

Uppababy alta.

Best Luxury Booster Car Seat

When determining the best booster seats, we consider ease of installation, angle and headrest adjustments, ease of cleaning, dimensions and overall fit for a child. This roundup of the best booster seats is based on Lab-tested picks, category expertise and real-life consumer feedback — we even tested booster seats in vehicles of various sizes to see how well they fit in different types of cars.

At the end of this guide, you'll find additional information on the best age to switch to a booster seat, as well as the difference between harness booster seats, high-back booster seats and backless booster seats. Looking for something for a new baby instead? Check out our reviews of infant car seats and travel systems .

Keep your little big kid safer and comfortable with this latest Monterey 2XT booster, a few inches larger than the old XT. It easily transforms from a high back booster to a backless booster seat.

It's a favorite among our pros because of the nicely padded headrest to ensure your child stays comfy during long trips. That cushy headrest can be set to any of 11 positions, moving up a total of 6.5 inches to grow with your child . "My children always appear comfortable in this comparative to other boosters where they have felt cramped or less supported," says GH Institute Chief Technologist and Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman , a mom of three and our lead tester for car seats and booster seats.

In fact, as a high back booster, this offers both height and width adjustments. It reclines a bit, only to be sure that the seat meets the pitch of your car's backseat. Once kids no longer require the added support, you can remove the back completely.

Kid testers appreciate both the arm rests and the two retractable cup holders. This seat comes in a range of colors, including all black, with covers that remove for machine washing (though we wish the removal was a bit easier). The Diono seatpad is slightly wider than some of the other options on this list and the aluminum-reinforced side-impact protection helps provide extra safety in the case of an accident. Finally, this can attach to your car using the LATCH system, though some online reviewers say they don't find the LATCH straps on this to be as easy to use as those on some convertible car seats.

Perfect for travel, car-pooling and families with multiple cars (not to mention grandparent and babysitter vehicles), this is the most minimalist and best budget booster car seat we tested. Ideal for older kids, it's got no bells and whistles so we won't pretend that it does, but it does boost a child up three inches so that they can buckle themselves in using the car's seat belt correctly — and 9K+ five-star Amazon reviews.

If you frequently car-pool kids to practices or meetings, it can be smart to keep extras of these in the trunk of your car so that everyone rides safely. This booster is also inexpensive enough that family members who drive your kid around can keep one in their vehicle too. And with it weighing only about two pounds, this is easy to put in a tote bag and take with you on trips so your child's always safe in their seat belt, in rideshares and elsewhere.

Note that unlike every other booster on this list, the Topside does not secure to your car with the LATCH system. This seat just sits on top of the car's backseat and the weight of your child holds it down. Even so, it has thousands of parents grateful for its convenience and price.

If you're a road-trip family that spends more than the average amount of time in the car, this exceptionally comfortable pick might be the one for you. Our testers loved the contoured seat and found the double-foam padding to be cushioning for kids . This version is made with the brand's ClearTex fabric, which is removable and machine-washable, and also boasts Greenguard Gold certification for textiles that are low in chemical emissions.

In its high back form, the KidFit offers 10 height positions, adjusting along the waist rather than the neck to offer more protection down the side of your child. Note that some of our younger tester kids did have some trouble buckling themselves in with the back on. But the back also removes completely for bigger kids, and then they have no trouble buckling themselves.

The KidFit connects to your car via a LATCH system and our Lab experts are fans of Chicco's SuperCinch one-pull tightener, which makes it very easy to get this seat fitting snugly. The two dishwasher-safe cupholders are soft and can fold in if you have to fit three people across your backseat and need every inch.

You can get a younger kid started in a booster seat if you use one that begins with a five-point harness, such as this Britax. It can accommodate children as small as 25 pounds with the harness, then up to 120 pounds as a belt-positioning booster with a noticeably wider spread than most booster car seats . You can expect to use it from preschool through elementary school, and those extra years of use help justify the higher price.

Our testers said the nine-position headrest was easy to adjust. Both our Lab experts and parent testers also love the Britax ClickTight system, which makes it a snap to lock this booster car seat in place in your backseat when it's in harness mode. The seat fabric is removable and it can even go in the washing machine and the dryer.

With three layers of side-impact protection and the brand's SafeCell Technology that helps absorb the crash energy, you know your little one will be protected. However, this a heavy, substantial booster car seat. Expect to keep it in your main vehicle; it doesn't lend itself much to swapping between cars.

If you're looking for something for an older kid that doesn't take up quite as much room as other booster seats, consider a backless booster like this popular Graco model. It uses the LATCH system to securely connect in the backseat, but it's also a super portable booster seat for kids who don’t need added neck and back support . It still does the job of offering the height needed to get the seat belt in the right place, but kids can feel "bigger" and you can take this on trips or move it from car to car.

The TurboBooster is great for preteens not quite ready to transition to sitting unaided in the car, but looking for more independence. Several of our testers noted how this made it easier for their kids to buckle themselves in. For parents, we found the machine-washable seat pad to be easy to clean. The integrated cupholder and hidden storage compartment are a way to keep a drink and snacks (or a small toy) handy.

This harness booster seat, which might not be out of place in the cockpit of a space ship, has kid appeal with the fun latching snack console, two cupholders, and mesh fabric that can help keep a kid's back cooler in hot weather. Parents like that the fabric can unzip to be washed in cold water (hang it to dry), and those cupholders can go in the dishwasher.

The MyFit can accommodate a child up to 54 inches tall in harness mode, making it a way to extend a tall little kid's time in a five-point safety harness if you prefer. In high back booster mode, it does not fit a child as tall or as heavy as some other seats on our list, so we mostly like this for preschool and early-school age kids. The headrest adjusts to nine positions and there are also four recline settings.

This is another substantially heavy choice; once you use the LATCH system to secure it into your main vehicle, you're likely to keep it there. As with the other Chicco choice, the SuperCinch tightener makes this one easier to install than many others.

Nuna's booster comes in some beautiful colors (pink, teal, dark green), giving it a high-end look without being on the far end of the price spectrum. The seat's fabric is Greenguard Gold certified too. The headrest adjusts to nine different positions; as you push it upwards, the shoulder width moves out as well, so it expands as your child grows (accommodating up to 120 pounds). You can even choose from three seat depths and eight recline positions, making this seat among the most customizable to your child's size .

If your child is most likely to be excited about their seat if it is in a fun color, this will help win them over. The cupholder is not integrated (it just hooks on), but because it removes easily, you can put it through the dishwasher. The fabric comes off as well for washing and the seat connects with a LATCH system. Energy-absorbing foam pads on the sides of the seat help with side-impact protection when this is in high back mode.

The seatback of the aptly named Alta goes higher than any other booster car seat on our list, stretching up to 33 inches tall at the top level of the seven headrest positions. Though it's only recommended for children up to 57 inches tall, that high back can work well for kids who have a long torso. A belt-routing system guides both the shoulder strap and the lap belt to rest safely and securely . This helps kids learn how to buckle up on their own and ensures that grown-ups put the straps in the right place too.

Secure the seat with rigid LATCH connectors that fit it tightly into your vehicle. Our experts appreciate the specialized foam featured on the sides of the seat that provides additional side-impact protection. Consumer testers could tell that this seat has high-quality construction. "We like the wide shoulder support and the adjustable head positioning," one said. The removable seat fabric is machine-washable, and the seat's one cupholder is removable as well and can be positioned on either side.

This unique and sleek-looking booster seat is on the higher end of the price range, but it includes numerous safety measures that impress our Lab experts. The Oobr, manufactured in North America, is made with rigid LATCH connectors and a winged headrest for increased stability . Plus, it has belt guides to make sure the seat belt rests over your child’s body in the correct places. It's also easy to tell whether or not the seat is properly in place since you'll hear an audible click when secure.

"This booster seat feels solid, though it's still comfortable for my child," says GH Institute Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Executive Director Lexie Sachs , a mom of two. The headrest adjusts to any of 11 positions and the seat can recline 12 degrees. It also has a removable cup holder and a removable seat cover for easy cleaning. When your child is ready, you can take off the back and use this as a backless booster. And when you're completely finished with it, you can look into Clek's recycling program in partnership with CarSeatRecycling.com.

How we test booster car seats

The Good Housekeeping Institute 's engineering and parenting pros have tested 15 booster seats over the past two years using a combination of in-Lab and at-home tests with both experts and consumer reviewers.

Our experts perform in-Lab tests to evaluate car seats based on their ease of installation, perceived kid comfort, ease of getting kids in and out of the car, advanced features, headrest adjustments, height and weight limits, stability and more.

We also work with real parents to test booster seats in a variety of vehicle sizes and types.

What to look for when shopping for a booster car seat

✔️ Height and weight limits : All booster seats come with minimum and maximum height and weight specifications. To ensure proper seat belt placement and optimal security, make sure your child fits within those ranges. If you have a convertible car seat with a booster-seat mode, or a booster that transitions from high back to backless, hold onto the user manual (or check on the brand's website) so you know when it's time to safely switch.

✔️ Seat adjustments : For the safest and most comfortable ride, look for a high back booster seat that offers neck or back height adjustments. Some models also feature width adjustments to offer a more custom fit.

✔️ Easy cleaning : Regardless of age, spills happen. Luckily, like many infant and convertible car seats, most booster seats offer removable machine-washable seat covers and padding.

✔️ Design : Oftentimes an older child may be more vocal about a seat that looks "cool." Many seats come in a range of colors and patterns to choose from, as well as accessories like cup holders and snack trays that allow them to keep their items close.

✔️ Safety : A highback build with robust side-impact protection will be safer than a backless booster model. We also prefer booster seats that attach to your backseat via LATCH connectors, so the booster does not slide around. If you want to get even more information on your seat, check its safety rating on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety site ( IIHS ).

✔️ Ease of use : You want to make sure that is simple to install and use. Lucia Sanchez, Director of Media Relations for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), stresses that, "The right car seat for your child is one that fits your child (appropriate for age and size), fits your vehicle, and that you will use correctly every time."

What age is best for a booster car seat?

Booster seats provide a safe way for kids to ride in the car before they're tall and heavy enough to sit directly on the seat. Many high back booster seats are meant to start at around age 4 and many backless booster seats are meant for ages 5 and up.

However, children vary by weight, height and readiness and many may be best off staying in their convertible car seat longer, moving to a booster seat (or booster mode, if their convertible car seat offers one) at age 7, 8 or older. Use the NHTSA's car seat finder to determine what's best for your child's current weight, height and age. Then double-check the manufacturer specifications to be sure your child is within a seat's size guidelines.

It's important that you don't rush a child into using the car's seat belt . They are safest in a five-point harness, whether that is via a convertible car seat or a booster seat, until they hit the Lower Anchor Weight Limit, which NHTSA sets at 65 pounds minus the weight of the car seat unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. Most manufacturers say you can use their five-point harness to 65 pounds.

"The best-practice recommendation is that children should remain in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether until they reach the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer," Sanchez says. " Once children outgrow the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it’s time to travel in a booster seat. A booster seat positions the child so the seat belt fits properly, with the lap belt worn low across the hips and the shoulder belt comfortably crossing the chest and shoulder and away from the neck and face."

Depending on your state's car seat laws , children may be required to use a safety seat until they're large enough to sit in the car with the seat belt secured at the right areas of their body. A child is likely ready to ditch the booster seat once they are tall enough (usually 57 inches), old enough (at minimum 8 years old) and, when they sit on the car's seat, the seat belt fits across their shoulder and over their upper legs or hips. Check your local regulations to ensure your child meets height, weight and age requirements before transitioning them out of a booster.

One final note from NHTSA: Kids are safest riding in the back seat up until age 13, so keep them buckled up in the back seat until then.

Harness vs high-back vs. backless booster seats

Your child has been riding in a car seat since birth. But just when you've figured out the infant car seats from the convertible car seats , you learn that there are multiple options for forward-facing booster car seats too. Actually many booster car seats have more than one mode.

These are the possible configurations:

✔️ Harness booster seats look the most like regular car seats because they secure your child in a five-point safety harness. For this reason, you can transfer your child to a harness booster seat at a preschool age. Note that you can only keep them in that five-point harness until they hit about 65 pounds or whatever the Lower Anchor Weight Limit is set by the seat manufacturer. After that, you'll need to transition your seat to high back mode.

✔️ High-back booster seats offer neck and head support similar to any regular car seat. However, with one of these, you use your vehicle's seat belt to secure your child rather than a harness. Expect to thread the seat belt through for your child at first, especially when they are still young. Most of our favorite high back booster seats have clear guides that help you find the path for the seat belt.

✔️ B ackless booster seats rely on your child leaning back on the regular car seat and using the car's seat belt. They are the closest thing to your child sitting like an adult; they're just boosted up from below so that the seat belt hits them in the right spot. By the time a child has graduated to a backless booster, they can likely buckle themselves in. Many high back boosters transition to a backless booster (you literally just remove the back), but you can also buy a backless booster on its own. Backless boosters are inexpensive and lightweight, great for travel and car pooling.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

The Good Housekeeping Institute provides expert reviews and advice on everything a parent needs.

For more than 15 years, GH Institute Chief Technologist and Director of Engineering Rachel Rothman has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing and writing about parenting products. She leads our testing efforts in both the auto space and most juvenile products, including car seats, meaning each year she installs over 100 car seats in vehicles. As a mom to three kids age 6 and younger, she's personally used many of the products we recommend in real life.

This article was originally written by Jamie Spain , a writer and product analyst who has reviewed a variety of parenting products for Good Housekeeping , from tricycles to toy organizers . This article was most recently updated by Jessica Hartshorn , who has covered the juvenile-products market for several decades, first at American Baby magazine and then at Parents . She also reviews toys for GH, such as the best water tables and best magnetic toys .

Jamie (she/her) is a parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute , where she spends her time testing, researching and writing about pet and family products. Prior to starting at GH in 2021, she worked at BuzzFeed and People , covering a combination of product reviews and lifestyle content. She's a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a master’s degree in journalism.

Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents .

Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years , overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. 

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Product Reviews

The Best Down Pillows

The Best Outdoor Grills

The Best Sheets

12 Best Korean Skincare Brands for "Glass Skin"

The Best Sex Toys for Couples

The Best Recliner Sofas

The Best Portable Car Seats

12 Best Underwear for Women of 2024

The Best Grill Cleaners

The Best Luggage on Amazon

Best Hard Shell Luggage in 2024

Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by consumers.

The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.

We don’t recognize that sign in. Your username maybe be your email address. Passwords are 6-20 characters with at least one number and letter.

We still don’t recognize that sign in. Retrieve your username. Reset your password.

Forgot your username or password ?

Don’t have an account?

• Account Settings
• My Benefits
• My Products
• Donate Donate

Save products you love, products you own and much more!

Other Membership Benefits:

Suggested Searches

• Become a Member

Car Ratings & Reviews

2024 Top Picks

Car Buying & Pricing

Which Car Brands Make the Best Vehicles?

Tires, Maintenance & Repair

Car Reliability Guide

Key Topics & News

Listen to the Talking Cars Podcast

Home & Garden

Bed & Bath

Top Picks From CR

Best Mattresses

Lawn & Garden

TOP PICKS FROM CR

Best Lawn Mowers and Tractors

Home Improvement

Home Improvement Essential

Best Wood Stains

Home Safety & Security

HOME SAFETY

Best DIY Home Security Systems

REPAIR OR REPLACE?

What to Do With a Broken Appliance

Small Appliances

Best Small Kitchen Appliances

Laundry & Cleaning

Best Washing Machines

Heating, Cooling & Air

Most Reliable Central Air-Conditioning Systems

Electronics

Home Entertainment

FIND YOUR NEW TV

Home Office

Cheapest Printers for Ink Costs

Smartphones & Wearables

BEST SMARTPHONES

Find the Right Phone for You

Digital Security & Privacy

MEMBER BENEFIT

CR Security Planner

Take Action

Best Car Seats

Most Popular

Best Booster Seats for Kids

Our experts test dozens of models for safety, belt fit, and much more.

When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more .

Children pass many milestones on their road to adulthood, including going from an infant car seat to sitting independently with a seat belt. A key step on that journey is a booster seat, which gives the child enough height to position the car’s seat belt most effectively.

All booster seats might seem alike, but our extensive testing of nearly 40 models shows there are significant differences among models and types.

Proper seat belt fit is crucial. We check belt fit in five vehicles with different seating and belt geometries. (The shoulder belt should cross the middle of the collarbone and sternum, and the lap belt should sit across the upper thighs.) In our fit-to-vehicle evaluations, we also simulate typical child movement by moving the dummy around to determine whether the belt remains in place.

We also rate each booster for how easy it is to use, which includes an evaluation of its labels and instructions. 

Below, we present our top booster seat picks in each category. For more options, check out our full booster seat ratings , and consult our car seat buying guide to learn more about the different types of car seats we test.

Best Highback-to-Backless Booster Seats

Highback-to-backless booster seats feature bolsters around the head and the torso, which provides additional comfort and side impact protection for kids. With these models you can also remove the back, turning the seat into a backless booster perfect for travel or storage.

Best Highback-Only Booster Seats

Highback booster seats are great if any of the seating positions in the backseat of your car don’t have a head restraint, as they provide head and neck support in case of a rear collision.

Best Backless-Only Booster Seats

Backless boosters are good options for travel, or if your vehicle has rear head restraints that can’t be adjusted or cause interference with a highback booster. You can use these booster seats for children who surpass the weight or height limits allowed by their harnessed car seat. 

Emily A. Thomas, PhD

Emily A. Thomas is the auto safety manager at the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, leading the child car seat and rear-seat safety programs. She joined CR in 2015 after earning her doctorate in pediatric injury biomechanics from Drexel University and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, focusing on the biomechanical differences between kids and adults in far-side low-speed crashes. Involved in automotive safety since 2008, Emily has been a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) since 2015.

Sharing is Nice

We respect your privacy . All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story.

Graco Premier SnugRide SnugFit 35 XT featuring Load Leg Technology

Chicco keyfit, maxi-cosi mico luxe +, nuna pipa aire rx, cybex cloud g lux, graco premier snugride snugfit 35 xt, chicco fit2, chicco keyfit 30, chicco keyfit 35, graco snugride snugfit 35 lx, graco snugride snugfit 35 elite, graco snugride snugfit 35 dlx, uppababy mesa max, evenflo shyft dualride, peg perego primo viaggio 4-35, peg perego primo viaggio 4-35 lounge, peg perego primo viaggio 4-35 nido.

See All Infant Car Seats

Graco Nautilus SnugLock Grow

Chicco nextfit zip, chicco nextfit max, britax advocate clicktight, britax boulevard clicktight, britax marathon clicktight, graco trio grow snuglock lx 3-in-1, baby jogger city turn, britax grow with you clicktight, graco milestone, chicco fit4 4-in-1, graco extend2fit 3-in-1, graco slimfit 3 in 1, graco turn2me, graco nautilus 65 lx, cosco scenera next, century drive on, evenflo maestro sport, britax emblem, britax allegiance, graco extend2fit, evenflo evolve, evenflo symphony (with surelatch), graco contender 65, chicco myfit.

See All Harnessed Car Seats

Diono Everett NXT

Maxi-cosi rodifix, peg perego viaggio shuttle plus 120, chicco kidfit zip, chicco kidfit, peg perego viaggio shuttle 120, chicco gofit.

See All Booster Seats

Trending in Booster seats

5 Ways to Know Whether Your Child Should Still Be Using a Booster Seat

Can You Reuse or Donate Your Car Seat?

The Benefits of Keeping the Back on Your Booster Seat

Why You Should Buy a Convertible Car Seat Sooner Rather Than Later

9 Best Car Seats and Boosters for Air Travel

By: Author Leslie Harvey

Posted on Published: December 22, 2022

Share this!:

I’ve been on over 200 flights with my kids, and there is one question I still always have trouble answering before a flight: what car seat or booster should I bring? My travel priority the last decade plus has always been to transport my kids safely, but I know doing do can sometimes be a major pain! Car seats and boosters are awkward, bulky, and add a lot of logistics to air travel.

I’ve written a pretty comprehensive guide to common questions about car seats and air travel . But sometimes you can solve some of those problems simply by investing in the right travel gear in the first place. Quite a few new car seat and booster products have come onto the market the last few years. Products are more compact and designs are more innovative. Taking a car seat on a plane and being able to use it at your destination grows ever easier. It’s about time!

So, what are all these must-have innovative products that are revolutionizing family air travel? If you are planning to fly with a baby, toddler, preschooler or older child, this guide has car seat and booster recommendations for every age and stage. Note that not all of the products in this guide can actually be used on planes. Instead, they are child restraint devices for use in getting to and from the airport in cars that are also small enough to bring with you successfully during air travel. So check the specs carefully to make sure you buy the product that makes sense for your travel needs.

(Trips With Tykes uses affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through links in this post. See our full disclosure policy linked in the menu at the bottom of this site.)

Best Car Seats for Air Travel for Infants

Chicco keyfit 30.

For infants, the classic bucket-style car seat is ideal for airplanes. The Chicco Keyfit 30 is a reasonably priced option that also works for everyday use, so there’s no need to buy a special additional product for travel. It can be used on the plane if you’ve purchased a seat for your baby. It’s also lightweight enough to carry down an airplane aisle, even with a baby in it. Then it can be used in a car at your destination without the base, by installing it with a regular seat belt.

We used a Chicco Keyfit 30 on planes with both of our kids when they were babies very successfully. We combined it with a lightweight stroller frame that we gate checked so we could easily push the baby in the car seat through the airport.

Important Specs for the Chicco Keyfit 30

• Recommended Age: newborn, infant (use weight/height limits as guide)
• Weight Limits: 4-30 pounds
• Height Limits: Up to 30 inches tall
• Dimensions of Seat: 27.5″ x 17″ x 24″
• Weight to Carry: 9.6 pounds
• FAA approved for use on a plane?: Yes
• Fits in an overhead bin of a plane?: No

The Doona came onto the market just a bit too late for me to use it with my younger child, but it has been pretty game-changing for parents of babies on the go. The Doona is the first product of its kind that is both infant car seat and stroller in one. The stroller wheels pop back and fold up under the seat, turning the product into a bucket style infant car seat. This product works so well for travelers who are going to be in and out of cars and then who need a stroller when they arrive at their destination. It can also be used on the plane, so it has a lot of versatility.

With a list price of $550, the Doona is an expensive product. As a result, it probably only makes sense for frequent travelers or for city-dwellers who would use it a lot for taking ridesharing services or taxis.

Important Specs for the Doona

• Recommended Age: 0-18 months
• Weight Limits: 4-35 pounds
• Height Limits: Up to 32 inches tall
• Dimensions of Seat: 28.5 x 18.3 x 16 folded (40 x 17.3 x 32.3 inches unfolded in stroller mode)
• Weight to Carry: 16.5 pounds

Best Car Seats for Air Travel for Toddlers & Preschoolers

Cosco scenera next.

Taking a convertible car seat on a plane is one of my least favorite things about flying with kids. They are big and bulky but oh-so-necessary. So going compact and light is essential. One of the most lightweight convertible car seats on the market is the Cosco Scenera NEXT . Luckily, it’s also one of the cheapest on the market too (it’s sold only at Walmart and costs about $49-59 depending on color).

The Cosco Scenera NEXT was my go to airplane car seat during the toddler and preschooler travel years (see my full Cosco Scenera NEXT review ). We flew with this car seat with our son after he graduated from the infant bucket seat until he was ready to graduate to a booster. It’s lightweight enough to balance on top of a roller bag or carry down an airplane aisle. We also loved that if and when we did choose to check it (instead of using it on board), it was cheap enough that we could afford to replace it if an airline damaged it. And when we weren’t traveling, the seat worked well as an extra for grandma’s car or anywhere else we needed one!

The Cosco Scenera NEXT is approved for infant use as well, so you can definitely start using it earlier. We found though that using the bucket-style seat with a stroller frame was easier than dragging a convertible car seat and a separate stroller through airports for a baby.

Important Specs for the Cosco Scenera NEXT

• Recommended Age: 0- 4 or 5 years old (use height & weight limits)
• Weight Limits: 5-40 pounds
• Height Limits:  Up to 19-40 inches tall rear-facing, 29-43 inches forward-facing
• Dimensions of Seat: 17.63 x 15.75 x 30.25 in
• Weight to Carry: 10.4 pounds

WAYB Pico Car Seat

For anyone who hates the convertible car seat balancing act, there is a new option on the market for 2-5 year olds as of just a few years ago. The WAYB Pico is a car seat with a 5 point harness that folds up small enough to put in a backpack and fit in an airplane overhead bin. It also can be used on the airplane! I have a complete review of the WAYB Pico in all its MacGyver awesomeness. We tested it out with our son on a trip to Hawaii and were totally sold.

To be sure, the Pico is expensive, retailing at $380. Like the Doona, it’s probably a seat that works only for a speciality audience. But if you can justify the price, the product solves a lot of usual the air travel car seat dilemmas with toddler and preschoolers.

Important Specs for the WAYB Pico

• Recommended Age: 2-5 years old
• Weight Limits: 22-50 pounds
• Height Limits: 30-45 inches tall
• Dimensions of Seat: 11.6″ x 14.5″ x 18.9″ in
• Weight to Carry: 8 pounds
• Fits in an overhead bin of a plane?: Yes

Ride Safer Travel Vest

One child restraint option that a lot of travelers don’t know about isn’t a car seat or a booster at all – it’s a vest! The Ride Safer Travel Vest is approved for kids ages 3 and up and retails for $169. The vest helps position a regular shoulder and lap belt in a proper spot that is safe for smaller passengers. In addition to being good for travel, this compact option also helps squeeze three kids across in back seats that would not accommodate multiple car seats.

This vest comes in three sizes. But since most families probably won’t purchase multiple items just for travel given price tag, I’d probably recommend the small which is good until about 60 pounds and 47 inches tall (around age 6). This would cover most younger kids until they get to be of an age where a less expensive travel booster (see below) would be a viable and safe alternative.

One word of warning – please, please be careful in purchasing vest-like child restraint devices on sites like Amazon. There are a number of fakes sold from overseas that are definitely not approved and not safe. If the price looks too good to be true, it’s probably is. Be sure to only purchase products from the companies “Safe Ride 4 Kids” or “Safe Traffic System Inc.”

Important Specs for the Ride Safer Travel Vest

• Recommended Age: 3-6 years old (small), 5-11 years old (large), 9-14 years old (XL)
• Weight Limits: 30-60 pounds (small), 50-80 pounds (large), 80-110 pounds (XL)
• Height Limits: 35-47 inches tall (small), 45-57 inches tall (large), 55-64 inches tall (XL)
• Weight to Carry: 1.5 pounds
• FAA approved for use on a plane?: No
• Fits in an overhead bin of a plane?:  Yes

Best Boosters for Air Travel for Older Kids

The BubbleBum is an inflatable booster that is just ideal for air travel. Small enough to fit in a backpack or purse when deflated, parents can just throw this in a carry on bag and have a safe child restraint upon landing at their destination. Retailing at $34.99, it’s also a very affordable.

The BubbleBum is the travel product our family has used most, hands down (see my complete BubbleBum review ). We’ve had one since my daughter reached booster age and height. She used until her 10th birthday on all of our travels (when she finally hit 4’9” and could now go without!). My son has used the newer design of this very same product regularly when we rent cars or take Uber/Lyft at our air travel destinations.

Important Specs for the BubbleBum

• Recommended Age: 4-11 years old
• Weight Limits: 40-100 pounds
• Height Limits: 40-57 inches tall
• Dimensions of Seat: 12 x 4 x 12.25 in
• Weight to Carry: 1.2 pounds

UberBoost Inflatable Booster Car Seat from Hiccapop

Very similar to the BubbleBum is the UberBoost Inflatable Booster from Hiccapop . It’s a tad more expensive than the BubbleBum (usually about $2 more) and serves exactly the same function so most families won’t need both.

So what are the key differences to keep in mind when selecting between these similar products? The UberBoost has two features that some families may prefer: a wider seat that may be comfier for older or larger kids and a non-skid bottom that can help prevent slipping. But it also relies on a pretty bulky shoulder clip to position the shoulder belt that a lot of kids find uncomfortable.

Important Specs for the Hiccapop UberBoost

• Weight Limits: 40-110 pounds
• Height Limits: not listed
• Dimensions of Seat: 14.5 x 4.5 x 14.5 in
• Weight to Carry: 1.3 pounds

The biggest competitor to the inflatable boosters like BubbleBum and Hiccapop UberBoost for a super-compact booster option is the mifold . Basically the size and depth of a clutch purse, this child restraint is as small as it gets for squeezing into a bag or backpack. Instead of lifting a child up (like a traditional booster), it positions the seat belt down into the proper place.

My kids found the mifold a bit uncomfortable for sitting for long periods of time because it doesn’t have much padding. We also struggled to get the right belt fit a bit more than compared to the BubbleBum. But I know many families prefer it because it’s even more compact. The mifold can be a smart choice for shorter rides when space is really at a premium.

Important Specs for the mifold

• Recommended Age: 4-12 years old
• Dimensions of Seat: 1 x 13 x 7 in
• Weight to Carry: 1.7 pounds

hifold Highback Booster

Many parents prefer the safety and security of a highback booster seat, even for older kids. But highback boosters are mostly just as big and bulky as convertible car seats. No longer! The makers of mifold came out with a folding highback booster seat a couple of years ago that is ideal for taking on a plane – the hifold .

A lot of traveling kids technically big enough for a lowback booster aren’t really ready for one, especially those in the 4-6 year old age ranges. The hifold bridges this gap, offering a highback option small enough to fit in backpack or also in an airplane overhead bin.

We tested out the hifold recently with my sister’s 4 year old and it worked really well. When folded, it’s really not that much larger than a typical hard shell low back booster. It does have a bit of a learning curve with all the moving pieces so take time to learn its quirks before a trip by using at home first.

Important Specs for the hifold

• Recommended Age: 4 years old & up (subject to weight/height max)
• Weight Limits: 33-100 pounds
• Height Limits: 36-59 inches tall
• Dimensions of Seat: 9.8 x 13.5 x. 13.5 in folded, 29.7 x 15.6 x 18.9 in unfolded
• Weight to Carry:  10 pounds, 2 ounces

Have you used any of these car seats or boosters in travels with your kids? Share your favorites in the comments!

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Wednesday 10th of May 2023

Hi! How old is your child in the picture with the Cosco Scenera NEXT? I'm trying to decide whether to use my Chicco Keyfit 30 or grab a cheap upgrade for my upcoming flight. My daughter will be about 1 year old.

Leslie Harvey

Friday 12th of May 2023

He was a few months shy of turning 2 in that Costco Scenera NEXT photo. About 1 you could probably go either way between the bucket style seat or the convertible.

When you use links on our website, we may earn a fee.

Best Booster Car Seats of 2024

When your child has outgrown their rear-facing and forward-facing car seats, it’s time to move them to a booster car seat. They’re ideal for older kids, as they provide a step in between a typical car seat and only using a seat belt. Just like there is a range of car seats, there are plenty of booster models to consider, which is where we come in.

To help you choose the best booster car seat for your child, we considered safety features, weight and height limits, ease of installation, and price. Plus, with the input from experts in the field, you can count on these options as the best of the best.

Table of Contents

• Best Booster Car Seats
• Things To Consider When Buying
• How We Chose

Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat  »

Converts from high-back to backless

10-position adjustable headrest

Kids can use up to 110 pounds

ErgoBoost seat with double-foam padding

GreenGuard Gold Certified

Removable, machine-washable fabrics

Only two recline positions

Removable cup holders may pop out

The Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat has just about everything you need to keep your kid safe in the back seat. Approved by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), this model converts from high-back to backless mode, depending on your child’s weight and comfort. It features Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) connectors to make installation quick and secure. It also has a one-handed quick-release function so it’s easy to switch to another vehicle.

The Chicco works to grow with your child, boasting 10 height positions. It only has two recline positions, however, with the contoured ErgoBoost seat with double-layer foam padding, your kid will be plenty comfortable. The fabrics are machine washable and GreenGuard Gold Certified, meaning they’ve been tested for over 10,000 chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

With the two built-in cup holders, your little one will feel independent while you feel safe knowing you picked a solid option. This best booster car seat weighs just 10 pounds – and even less when in backless mode – so it can be used as a travel unit, too.

Graco TurboBooster 2.0 Backless Booster  »

Very affordable

Height-adjustable armrests

Machine-washable seat pad

Two built-in cup holders

Only weighs 5.1 pounds

Crash tested

No LATCH connectors

Backless design not for everyone

For an easy booster car seat that’s been thoroughly crash tested and won’t break the bank, go with the Graco TurboBooster 2.0 Backless Booster. A noteworthy detail is that it doesn’t have LATCH connectors. On one hand, that means it’s simple to use with just a seat belt and can be moved between vehicles quickly. But on the other hand, this affordable option might not sit as securely in place as you’d hope.

This backless model was designed to use with children who weigh 40 to 100 pounds, so it’s in it for the long haul. It features adjustable armrests, two built-in cup holders, and a machine-washable seat pad, making it a breeze to clean when a juice spill happens. Plus, at just 5.1 pounds, it is a smart choice for people who see the unit moving between cars on the regular.

This best booster car seat is Graco ProtectPlus Engineered, meaning it was tested to protect your child in the occurrence of frontal, rear, and rollover crashes. At a wallet-friendly price, you can’t beat this option.

Diono Solana 2 with LATCH  »

Backless with padded armrests

Only weighs 6.1 pounds

Kids can use up to 120 pounds

Machine-washable fabrics

Two built-in, retractable cup holders/snack trays

Quick-release LATCH

Pricey for a backless model

Too wide to fit three in the back seat

Set on a backless booster car seat? We recommend the Diono Solana 2 with LATCH. As the name suggests, it features durable steel LATCH connectors to offer a secure installation. The shoulder belt positioner ensures it’s set up correctly and allows your kid to hook themselves up on their own. This portable model also has a quick-release feature that allows you to remove the seat from the vehicle in no time.

Comfort is a prominent priority with the Diono, as it features layered foam padding and contoured soft fabrics. Better yet, they can be tossed in the washing machine for an easy clean. There are two cup holders that double as snack trays on each side of the unit, which makes road-tripping easier. They’re also retractable if you find they’re getting in the way of other back seat riders.

While on the pricier side for a backless car seat, we think that the LATCH connectors, washable fabrics, and additional features make it worth the investment. Also, when you consider that it’ll stay with your child up to 120 pounds, it’s a smart choice.

Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat  »

Detachable console is flimsy

Seat belt may slide out of shoulder guide when unbuckling

Your kid will live the life of comfort and luxury with the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat. Unlike most car seats, this one has an extended leg rest that hangs over the seat to offer even more support. If for some reason you don’t want the leg rest, you can zip it right off. This model also boasts three layers of foam padding that, along with the cushions and armrests, are machine washable, thanks to the zip-off design.

This best booster car seat was designed to begin using at age 4 and converts from high-back to backless mode, so comfort is top of mind at Chicco. This JPMA-approved unit features LATCH connectors for secure installation. It’s also a quick-release LATCH, so it won’t be a headache to remove it from the back of your car.

There are two built-in cup holders, as well as one detachable console where they can store snacks or other close must-haves. Some reviewers say the console is flimsy, but it’s still a useful feature, especially on long car rides.

Maxi-Cosi RodiSport Booster Car Seat  »

LATCH connectors for quick installation

Shoulder and lap belt guides for ease of use

Seven height positions

Detachable cup holder

Machine-washable and dryer-safe removable padding

Seat belt may slip out of guide

The frustrations that can come with installing a new car seat are real, but that won’t be the case with the Maxi-Cosi RodiSport Booster Car Seat. This model offers several features that make installation a painless experience. It has LATCH connectors, as well as shoulder and lap belt guides to make it easy for your little one to strap themselves in from the beginning.

Approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the RodiSport converts from high-back to backless mode. To ensure your child is comfortable and properly using the unit, it has seven height positions – and the headrest takes just one hand to adjust – along with multiple recline positions.

Accommodating kids up to 100 pounds, this best booster car seat goes one step further by not just being machine washable, but dryer safe, too. That means you don’t have to worry about the removable padding not being dry in time for your next day trip. Maxi-Cosi is known for its sleek designs, as we’ve seen in its baby swing and high chair , and that’s just what you get with this booster.

Nuna Aace  »

3D growth system grows in height, width, and depth

Eight recline positions and nine headrest/shoulder positions

Sleek design

GreenGuard Gold Certified and fire retardant-free

Small cup holder

The best baby gear products last for more than just a few months, and that’s the case with the Nuna Aace. This best booster car seat was designed to work with your child as they grow, which is one of the reasons why it’s worth the price tag. It adapts with a child from 40 to 120 pounds and converts from a high-back to a backless model.

Other ways that it keeps kids comfortable and safe as they grow are with its eight recline positions and nine headrest positions. When you adjust the headrest position, the unit automatically expands the width of the shoulder areas, meaning it grows both in height and width. It also has three depth positions to accommodate growing legs. Nuna refers to this as its 3D growth system.

Available in four colors, the Nuna AACE has an attractive design that won’t be an eyesore in the back of your car. And with its GreenGuard Gold Certified and fire retardant-free fabrics, it’s an environmentally friendly pick, too. The dishwasher-safe cup holder is just the cherry on top.

The Bottom Line

When shopping for the best booster car seat, the first thing you need to decide is if you want a high-back or backless model. If you’re not sure which style you want, our Best Overall pick, the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat, converts between the modes. It also has 10 headrest positions and machine-washable fabrics, making it a smart option. Once you decide on the design, decide which features, such as LATCH connectors for secure installation and built-in cup holders for convenience, are most important to you. Once you narrow down what you want, you can find a quality model within your price range. But remember, safety is the top priority, so being confident that your child is safe while riding in a vehicle should be the main consideration.

Things To Consider When Buying Booster Car Seats

Safety Certifications and Crash Test Results

According to Joe Colella, JPMA director of Child Passenger Safety and 2020 Child Passenger Safety Hall of Fame Inductee, all car seats sold in the United States follow the requirements set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). If a booster car seat meets those standards, it must be labeled with, “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.”

“Booster seats reduce the risk of nonfatal injuries by 45% among 4- to 8-year-old children when compared to the seat belt alone,” says Colella, citing a study in the Pediatrics journal . “The raised seating surface of a booster seat allows a child to bend their knees naturally over the front edge of the booster seat, belt guides position the lap belt snugly across the child’s hips and upper thighs, and either the child elevation or shoulder belt adjuster position the shoulder belt across the child’s chest and collar bone. Since booster seats do not provide restraint directly, but instead position the child to take full advantage of the vehicle seat belts and other safety features, these fit assessments are crucial.”

Weight and Height Limits

Don’t make the mistake of assuming every booster seat has the same weight and height limits. A child should use a booster until the vehicle’s seat belt fits properly on its own, which is typically between 8 and 12 years old. Proper seat belt fit can vary between vehicles, too.

“The latest booster seats require a minimum child weight of 40 pounds, and all booster seats will be required to have that same minimum child weight by late 2024,” says Colella. “Most booster seats have an upper child weight limit of 100 pounds, and some allow use until the child weighs 120 pounds. Because of design differences, it is crucial that families always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for height, weight, and age limits.”

Legally, children less than 57 inches tall must use a booster seat when traveling, says Samora Coles, founder and executive director of The Alex House Project , an organization that supports low-income families and young mothers with their transition to parenthood.

Ease of Installation and Compatibility

“Forward-facing booster seats should be placed in the back seat, ideally in the middle,” says Coles. Many of the best booster car seats come with LATCH connectors, but that’s not always the case. The good news is that most models work with most vehicles, but if you’re concerned, you can contact the manufacturer.

“For backless booster seats, ensure the vehicle's lap belt is flat, low, and tight across your child's hips while the shoulder belt is flat and snug across their shoulder, not touching their neck or face,” advises Coles. “For high-back booster seats, refer to the manufacturer's instructions to learn how to install the booster seat using your vehicle's LATCH system or seat belt.”

Adjustability and Growth Adaptability

All the booster car seats we included on this list accommodate up to 100 pounds, with many reaching a 110- or 120-pound limit. They’re designed to last through the years until your child can safely travel without it. So, booster seats are generally made to grow with your child.

Backless booster seats, however, tend to be for slightly older kids, so it’s smart to invest in a model that converts from high-back to backless mode. “If a child has outgrown a high-back booster seat harness, a backless booster seat can be used safely and will still provide the necessary support,” says Coles.

How We Chose the Best Booster Car Seats

At U.S. News 360 Reviews, we keep safety the top priority when reviewing baby gear. In addition to safety features, we considered style, growth adaptability, installation, comfort, and price. We didn’t just rely on our own expertise, though. The director of Child Passenger Safety at JPMA and the founder and executive director of an organization that helps young mothers with their transition to parenthood weighed in on what parents need to know when shopping for the best booster car seats. When it comes down to it, boosters are typically budget-friendly, lightweight, and support kids through years of their adolescence. So, it’s a matter of choosing one that meets your style and expectations for extra features.

WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST US?

As a mom herself, Caitlyn Fitzpatrick , the author of this piece, understands the importance of finding the safest baby gear products for your little one. While her daughter is too young for a booster car seat, Fitzpatrick has been professionally researching, testing, writing about, and editing content about the best products, including ones that parents buy for their children, since 2017. She knows what factors take a car seat from a fine pick to one of the top options you can choose.

Although there are several kinds of booster car seats, they all have the same goal.

“Booster seats take various forms, including those that have high backs, those that utilize the vehicle seat back for upper body support, and those that are part of a more comprehensive car seat (booster mode of combination harness booster seats or all-in-one car seats),” explains Colella. “All of these types must be used with a vehicle lap and shoulder belt. Their shared objective is to elevate the child, guide the lap and shoulder belt onto strong bony body structures, and ensure that the child can remain in a safe position for the duration of the ride.”

This heavily depends on your child’s specific age, weight, and height. Limits vary from brand to brand and seat to seat, so check what yours recommends.

“When a child becomes too big for a front-facing car seat, it's time for them to switch to a booster seat,” says Coles. “This transition usually occurs around age 4 but can go up to age 12, depending on the child's height and weight. Most children no longer need a booster seat once they reach the age of 8, but if they cannot safely fit in a vehicle seatbelt, they need to keep using the booster seat.”

The names kind of say it all, but here’s a deeper dive.

“The main difference between the two is that a high-back booster seat provides more support to the child's upper body. It offers extra head, neck, and side support to protect the child during sudden stops or impacts,” says Coles. “High-back booster seats also come with a harness seat belt in the front and can be installed with the vehicle's seat belt or latch system. In essence, a high-back booster seat is a longer, but slimmer, version of a forward-facing car seat designed for older children.”

About Our Team

Caitlyn Fitzpatrick

Contributor

Senior Editor

U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

More than 35,000 Happy Customers 😁 | Support Small Business | Free 2-4 Day Shipping on Feature Products

• Open media 1 in modal
• Open media 2 in modal
• Open media 3 in modal
• Open media 4 in modal
• Open media 5 in modal
• Open media 6 in modal
• Open media 7 in modal

• Open media 9 in modal
• Open media 10 in modal
• Open media 11 in modal
• Open media 12 in modal
• Open media 13 in modal
• Open media 14 in modal
• Open media 15 in modal
• Open media 16 in modal

RideSafer Vest | Travel Car Seat (Generation 5)

• Lightweight, portable and convenient when traveling with kids. It can fit in your child's backpack).
• Crash Tested and Safety Certified. RideSafer meets or exceeds Federal standards in FMVSS 21.
• Vest comes with tether strap, crotch strap and carry bag.

Watch Video

Couldn't load pickup availability

Free 2-4 Day Shipping on featured products

Shipping details.

Payment Options for your convenience

Buy Now Pay Later options.

Want to buy using your Amazon Prime?

See the best deal

Free returns during 15-day trial period

Return policy details.

Open Box items are discounted as they are products which were returned unused but perhaps missing some packaging materials. All Open Box items are hand inspected in our office to make sure they have all necessary parts.  No Returns on discounted Open Box items.

RideSafer Crash Test Videos

For comparison: Booster seat crash test

Side view of the RideSafer crash test

Top view of the RideSafer crash test

Additional RideSafer Travel Vest Information

• Easy to put on and use correctly every time

• Lightweight to carry when traveling with children

• Safety and convenience in taxis or ride shares

• A convenient option to switching car seats for carpools or multiple cars; only need 1 vest per child NOT 1 car seat per vehicle per child.

• Increased safety and comfort by allowing the child sit further back and lower on the more comfortable vehicle seat.

• A unique, 3-clip design positions the car’s seat belt comfortably and correctly with shoulder tether for consistent sitting position and increased security (tether is recommended for kids at least up to 5 years old; tether is required if using vest with lap-only belt).

• Adjustable straps allow for growth (up to the next size).

• Padding absorbs and dissipates crash energy from seat belt.

• Neck pillow sold separately. No longer included with vest.

RideSafer is the innovative, wearable child restraint that is easy-to-use, easy-to-carry & legal!

Extra Small size RideSafer Travel Vest : For this age of child, rear-facing is the safest option. We would only recommend using an XS RideSafer vest for special situations such as for travel or taxis/ride shares. Ideally an adult will sit next to the child to help keep the child in proper position. (The XS is designed for use by very slim 2-year-olds or very slim 3- to, maybe, 4-year-old children. Most 3- and 4-year-olds will fit best in a small size vest.)

Fit 3 in a Row!

Best of all, RideSafer allows parents to easily fit three children in the back seat, side by side, with no crowding — and no complaining! No need to buy an expensive new car just to accommodate your car seats; RideSafer’s slim profile keeps kids safe and comfortable.

Better than a Booster

RideSafer is the safe alternative to a traditional  booster car seat!  The RideSafer vest can be tethered to your car for optimum upper body restraint and our unique, 3-clip design positions and secures the seat belt exactly where it needs to be for each specific child—across the lap, not the waist, protecting vital internal organs, and across the shoulders, not the neck, eliminating uncomfortable rubbing and dangerous ‘sneaky slipping’ of the shoulder harness behind the child.

The RideSafer padded vest also disperses crash energy across a larger area of the child’s chest than the standard 2” seatbelt and keeps the child’s center of mass lower and further back in the seat than a traditional  toddler car seat,  which has proven safer in the event of an accident.

And, while car seats are installed incorrectly 3 out of every 4 times, RideSafer’s easy, intuitive installation eliminates the risk of incorrect usage when moving from car to car, making RideSafer the safer choice.

Portable and Packable

No more juggling heavy, cumbersome car seats and boosters—or worse, going without a car seat when traveling! RideSafer is your safe, portable travel car seat solution. Small enough to fit in a backpack or suitcase, RideSafer is a great on-the-go solution for kids in boosters and forward-facing 5-point harness seats.

A RideSafer vest makes it easier to justify bringing along a child restraint for the few taxi rides a family needs to take to their destination. Even at a resort destination like Disney World or a cruise, you need a proper child restraint for the ride between the resort and the airport to keep your child safe.

Since the RideSafer Travel Vest is easy to install in all cars, it takes away the worry of not being able to correctly install an unknown car seat in an unknown car; a challenge when renting a car seat on your family vacation. Not to mention, you know where it’s been. Parents often report about the dirty car seat rental car companies offer.

Safety Tested, Certified and Legal!

The RideSafer travel vest is designed for children ages 2 and up and meets or exceeds all crash test requirements and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for harness restraints (FMVSS213). In fact, the RideSafer consistently tests well below—sometimes by half or more!— the standard safety allowances.

FMVSS 213 is the federal standard which sets the performance criteria for child restraints. It requires that manufacturers measure crash energy at several different locations on an instrumented crash test dummy.

The RideSafer is tested as a harness as prescribed by FMVSS 213.

View RideSafer Crash Test Videos

What Car Seat Challenges Does the RideSafer Solve?

•  travel with kids

• riding in taxis and ride share services like Uber or Lyft

• fitting 3 across a narrow car • carpools

• multiple caregivers doing drop-off/pick-up • children with special needs

• Have a Question? Read the FAQs
• Want Proof? Read the Reviews
• Press and Media Mentions

Beware of counterfeit products

The manufacturer, Safe Traffic System Inc., is aware that harnesses that look similar to the RideSafer Travel Vest are available and can be purchased in many countries worldwide. We cannot attest to the safety of any product that is not labeled as "RideSafer" brand and manufactured by Safe Traffic System, Inc., Franklin Park, IL. If you come across what looks like a RideSafer and wonder if it is real or fake, please feel free to  email  STS pictures and information. They can confirm if it is the original RideSafer.

Open Box items are discounted as they are products which were returned unused — or lightly used for trying — but perhaps missing some packaging materials. All Open Box items are hand inspected in our office to make sure they have all necessary parts.  No Returns on discounted Open Box items.

• Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
• Opens in a new window.

Notify me when available

We will send you a notification as soon as this product is available again.

We don't share your email with anybody

Crush That Vacay With the Best 12 Car Seats for 3 Year Old

Today you'll finally learn what are honestly the best car seats for 3 year old .

This list is especially adapted for traveling (though the first three options are for everyday use), so you won't end up with some massive gear, impossible to drag to the airport.

Instead, you'll find the most suitable and safe car seats for traveling , recommended by the NHTSA , and definitely approved for your three-year-old to use.

I was sick of people giving me advice and not knowing what was indeed the best for my child .

So I sat down and went through official recommendations, found the most trustworthy brands ( Graco , Safety 1st , Evenflo , etc.), compared the weight and portability, and finally designed this list.

Enjoy, and be sure you're in the right place!

Table of Contents

#1. Graco SlimFit 3 in 1 Car Seat - The Best Three-in-one Car Seat From Graco

#2. chicco myfit harness booster seat - the best harness-to-booster car seat, #3. diono radian 3r all-in-one - the best all-in-one car seat, #1. graco tranzitions 3 in 1 harness - best car seat for 3-year-old, #2. wayb pico travel car seat with premium carrying bag - best car seat for travel, #3. ride safer travel vest gen 5 - the best child restraint vest, #4. safety 1st guide 65 convertible car seat - the most compact car seat for a three-year-old, #5. cosco finale dx 2-in-1 combination - the most affordable car seat for toddlers, #6. evenflo sonus 65 convertible car seat - honestly comfortable car seat for a 3-year-old, #7. safety 1st jive 2-in-1 convertible - fit three across, #8. evenflo maestro sport harness booster - incredibly lightweight, #9. sureride convertible car seat - the lightest car seat for a three-year-old, 1. the age span, 2. the harness, 3. side-impact protection, 4. reclining back, 5. materials, 6. maintenance, what kind of a seat should a 3-year-old be in, does my three-year-old need a 5 point harness, when can my three-year-old change car seats, can i put my child, three years in age, in a booster seat, does my three-year-old have to be in a car seat in a taxi, does my three-year-old need a car seat to fly delta, how do i keep my 3 year old in his car seat, final thoughts.

Read more —

The Best Car Seat For 5 Year Old: Ultimate Guide For Parents

If you're here, I guess you're confused about the best car seat for a 3-year-old . We've all been there !

I was so frustrated when I was supposed to buy the first child restraint system, boy; it drained my energy. Luckily, I've mastered the matter over the years, and now I am ready to pass on the knowledge.

Namely, you can find the official recommendations on the NHTSA page. There are many useful tips and tricks, but you'll need some time.

Also, the state laws regarding car seats differ. So you want to check the state laws for the country you are interested in HERE on our page.

If you don't have time for going through the extensive federal recommendations, keep reading, I will explain it concisely.

A newborn needs to be secured in a rear facing , federally-approved child restraint system and remain there until at least one.

However, the rear facing car seats are the safest child restraint system, and you should try to keep your kid there until he/she exceeds the upper weight and height limit.

Forward facing car seats  are the next step in child restraint systems. They are allowed for kids at least once. Nonetheless, it would be best if you waited until they exceeded the rear facing system's limits, which happens around two or three.

So, officially, forward facing car seats are the federally approved child restraint systems for three-year-olds .

Booster seats should not be used until your child is at least four, but try to delay the transition from a forward facing seat to the booster seat for as long as possible.

Now, in my reviews, you will find booster seats. But, don't get confused because they are, in fact, forward facing car seats since they have a 5 point internal harness , and they are entirely safe for your child .

When it comes to installment , some useful videos you can watch: here and here .

And I definitely advise you to learn more about child safety in traffic. For starters, check out some of these videos  here  and  here .

The Best Car Seats for Three-year-olds in General: Top 3 Choices

First of all, I will present to you my selection of the best car seats for three-year-olds in general. These models are excellent for everyday use , with an accent on safety and durability. 

They are perfect for growing toddlers as they have an adjustable design, but they are not as travel-friendly as the models we will be reviewing in the second part of the article.

So if you don’t care about portability , firstly check these three models. And if you’re looking for a travel-friendly option, skip to the second part.

I love Graco !

Their baby equipment has never failed to wow me, and despite the popularity and excellent performance, their prices are still mid-range , affordable to families of different social statuses. Now, the first thing you’ll notice about this model is that it has a three-in-one design. What does it mean?

Well, it has been designed to allow riding in a rear-facing mode with a harness, forward-facing mode with a harness as well, and the high-back booster mode. The rear-facing mode supports kiddos from at least five pounds to the maximum of forty pounds.

And when they surpass forty pounds, you can ride them forward-facing up to sixty-five pounds when they are ready to transition into the high-back booster until they are 100 pounds. If you take a close look into the seat, you will notice the thick side impact protection .

It’s a result of the Graco ProtectPlus engineering that has proven safe in rigorous testing, including rollover crash testing, side crash testing, and rear crash testing. Besides the safety factor, another reason why I love this seat is the convenience of use.

The InRight LATCH system makes it super simple to install yet perfectly stable every time. At the same time, it is just as easy to adjust it because of the no-rethread harness that can be adjusted between ten different positions. To adjust the harness and the headrest, all you need to do is push the button at the top of the seat and pull up or down. Another adjustable segment of the seat is the back. There are four recline positions, so it’s also possible for you to find a perfect angle for your little one to enjoy the ride. And the thick cushions contribute to the overall comfort . One negative comment I repeatedly saw was the placement of the large WARNING sticker. It’s at the center of the back and not breathable at all, so it becomes very hot and causes children discomfort. So that’s something Graco could improve.

• 3-in-1 design
• Thick cushioning
• Adjustable headrest and harness
• Easy installation
• Warning sticker at the center of the back

I couldn’t go on with my list without mentioning at least one Chicco model. This trustworthy brand has only been improving over the years, upgrading its already cemented reputation in the industry with high-quality modes. Now, this is a car seat for slightly bigger kids. It includes two modes, a forward-facing harness mode, and a high-back booster mode. In the harness mode, you can accommodate children from twenty-two pounds through fifty-five pounds, while the booster mode extends the use to one hundred pounds. However, the fact that it has no rear-facing mode doesn’t make it any less safe than other seats. In fact, this seat is equipped with not one but two layers of side impact protection and thick cushioning. The headrest can be adjusted between nine different positions, and there are four recline positions to help you find a perfect fit. As for the installation, Chicco included a LockSure belt-positioning system that secures this car seat safely and keeps it in place. And, of course, there’s a LATCH system for quick but reliable installation in cars with lower anchor points. Another thing I think significantly contributes to the overall comfort and safety of your child is the padded harness straps. They allow you to tighten the straps enough without hurting your children or making them feel uncomfortable. The entire seat is ergonomically designed and includes the ErgoBoost dual foam padding, so your child is in a nest of comfort and softness. When it comes to portability , have in mind that this is not a seat you want to bring to a vacation. It’s very heavy, weighing 25 pounds, so it’s not very convenient for traveling or transport. As for the negative reviews, I’ve seen a couple of parents complaining about excessive padding that prevents them from tightening the straps enough. Personally, I don’t think that thick padding is a problem, but it can be uncomfortable if it’s not soft enough. Still, it’s one amazing seat for toddlers and older kids, and definitely very high-quality and durable, so I think it’s worth considering.

• High-quality
• Adjustable headrest
• Thick padding
• Dual side protection
• Too much padding

As for the Diono Radian line, I think that the fact this line keeps getting newer and newer versions each year speaks for itself. These seats are sturdy, durable, and packed with safety features. The first feature worth mentioning is that this seat is an all-in-one model.

It‘s the only seat you’ll need for your child over the course of years, as it supports children from birth until they reach one hundred pounds. What’s unique about it, though, is the extended rear-facing use that allows you to keep your child in a rear-facing position until they reach forty pounds.

This is an incredibly useful addition since it is an official recommendation to keep children in a rear-facing position for the longest period possible. The three modes this seat offers are the rear-facing one, forward-facing with a harness, and the high-back booster mode. Now, the first design feature that impressed me is that it includes memory foam . Most seats include sponge, but not this one. It’s super-soft and conforms to your child’s body, so they are super-comfy at all times.

The harness straps are also covered with memory foam pads, so your child won’t be hurt if you tighten the straps as you should. Thanks to the super-LATCH system, the installation is a piece of cake. The system includes an audible click and a visual indicator, so you can know when the seat is safely installed. Although soft and comfy on the outside, the seat includes an automotive-strength steel core that keeps the structure sturdy and strong. What is more, the seat is lined with EPS foam, and it includes thick side impact protection, so it’s very safe . When it comes to the extras, you can push the side parts of the seat outward for more room, the seat folds down, and you can remove the cover and wash it in a washing machine to keep everything clean and stylish. I also like that there’s a number of colors you can choose from, and each seat looks equally stylish and modern. Although a slim model, it does take up a lot of room when used in a rear-facing mode. So that could be a negative side of this model.

• Memory foam
• Easy to install
• Bulky in a rear-facing mode

Best Travel Car Seats for 3 Year Old: My Top 9 Favorites

Here we have a list of the 9 best car seats for a three-year-old that have been specially designed for traveling , so they portray features such as slim, lightweight design, portable structure, and easy installation.

These are great for airplane use, carpooling, and traveling in general.

The reason why I have chosen this seat, especially as the top pick on my list is the love I have for Graco baby equipment.

Over the years, I have witnessed nothing but quality with their car seats, and I would honestly recommend them to anyone!

With more than sixty-five years of presence on the baby gear market, Graco offers nothing but convenience, quality, and safety.

What is more, they genuinely have the best offer when it comes to convertible car seats , producing 2-in-1, three-in-one, even 4-in-one models.

Graco Tranzitions 3 in 1 harness is a lighter model intended for toddlers and preschoolers. I find it particularly handy for traveling because of its   lightweight design, affordable price, and high adjustability.

You'll see how vital these things are the first time you carry the car seat from one vehicle to another, check it at the airport and drag it with you everywhere you go.

You get a three-in-one Graco car seat for a hundred dollars, consisting of a harness booster, high back booster , and backless booster. What does this actually mean?

Well, a harness booster is, in fact, a forward-facing car seat that can accommodate kids from twenty-two pounds in weight to sixty-five pounds.

A high back belt-positioning booster is for older kids weighing between thirty and one hundred pounds, while the backless booster supports kids from forty to one hundred pounds.

Now, the 5-point harness uses a SimplySafe Adjust System that allows you to adapt the harness's height and the headrest in only one motion.

The headrest can be adjusted between five different positions, and the seat has an open-loop belt guide that helps you position the seatbelt correctly.

The adjustability of this seat comes in handy for two main reasons : it adapts as your child grows and you can install it correctly in different vehicles.

Given that this Graco model weighs only 14.97 lbs and is approved for aircraft use with the harness, it is excellent for traveling and flying . It was rigorously crash tested to meet and exceed the federal safety standards.

• Lightweight
• High-Quality

The WAYB Pico car seat will blow your mind for many reasons! Let's see why . Wherever you go, this car seat will adjust to various travel conditions, and you can moderate it quickly according to your needs and preferences.

Namely, the travel car seat adjusts to all children between 22 and 50 pounds and between 30 and 45 inches tall. Due to its slim design, the WAYB Pico car seat easily fits three across. Thus, it saves space, and your children will have enough room; they won't push each other. Of course, the most significant benefit of the WAYB Pico seat features is a convenience for air travel.

There is a label showing that the seat contains the FAA approval, so you can place it on the plane seat, attach the necessary parts, and travel worldwide! Naturally, the seat also follows, meets, and exceeds all FMVSS and regulations. No matter whether you travel by motor vehicle, ship, or plane, the travel-friendly car seat provides the ultimate travel experience! The car seat weighs only 8 pounds, and you can always travel light wherever you go. Moreover, the design is ideal for an overhead bin since you can easily fold the WAYB Pico seat and store it away.

You can use the travel bag that comes with the package and put the folded seat there; hence, it's the best choice for the airports and their control process. Another big plus is the material .

The car seat contains the aero grade-space aluminum frame and AeroWing system technology that are durable and reliable enough to withstand various conditions and last for an extended period. If you're concerned about the kids' comfort - please don't be .

The content is full of breathable mesh material with polyester and wool; thus, the seat will keep your little ones cold, calm, and relaxed when using it; it won't create additional pressure and prevent sweat stains and cranky children. Suppose you want the perfect seat for any travel, please, don't waste too much time and select the WAYP Pico immediately! You won’t regret it!

• Easy to use & fold
• Comfortable
• High-quality material
• Pretty expensive

According to official recommendations, three-year-olds should be secured in a rear facing child restraint system (if possible) or an adequate forward facing child restraint system.

I most certainly agree with the official recommendations, and I advise everyone to follow them.

On the other hand, when you need a child restraint system for traveling, it is not wrong to consider more portable but still safe solutions, such as a Ride Safer vest.

Now, the problem with this vest is that many parents think it is not federally approved. Well, you know what?

It is! This child restraint system is completely legal and federally approved in the US. More about it, you can read on this link .

Now, Ride Safer vest comes in three different sizes: small, large, and extra-large.

Small size is approved for kids from three to six years old and 30-65 pounds in weight. The vest, itself, weighs barely 2.4 pounds, so I think it is the most convenient solution for traveling.

You know that toddlers aren't allowed to use a seat belt only because it does not protect them adequately in traffic.

With Ride Safer Vest Gen 5 , the seat belt becomes optimized to protect your kid perfectly. It repositions the lap belt below the abdomen and shoulder belt away from the neck.

The vest can be installed either in a shoulder-lap belt mode or lap and tether belt mode. Either way, if properly installed , it is perfectly safe for use and provides adequate protection to your kid.

Most importantly, the Ride Safer Travel Vest is tested and certified to meet all the FMVSS 213 safety standards. However, this restraint vest is not FAA-approved yet, so you can only use it for your road trips.

If you decide to buy this child restraint system, I advise you to watch some of the instructional videos available to make sure you can install it correctly in your car.

Also, bear in mind that this vest is not recommended for kids under 3 years of age.

• Meets safety standards
• No bulky seat bases
• Space-saving
• Not FAA-approved
• Not very budget-friendly

Another critical segment you should care for when buying a travel car seat is the size.

Compact car seats are primarily intended for small cars , but they come in pretty handy in the narrow airplane aisles, taxis , and rent-a-cars . 

This Safety 1st is the best car seat with the compact design you can buy for your three-year-old when traveling. I love it because it is honestly durable yet small and pretty portable, so the transport won't be much of a hassle.

The seat has a 5 point harness , adjustable from the front, so you won't struggle with the installment and adjustments.

It features two modes: rear facing and forward facing, yet the rear facing mode is available longer, until your little one gains forty pounds, to be precise.

According to the official recommendations, this is excellent because kids are the safest in a rear facing car seat.

As I have previously mentioned, adjustability is critical.

This Safety 1st seat has an adjustable headrest, removable pillows, and five harness heights with three buckle positions. This means you'll adjust the seat in minutes to fit your child perfectly. Simply remove the pads for your 3-year-old to use it.

I know you care about safety , so rest assured because this seat has a side impact protection and meets the federal safety standards.

It can also be used on aircraft, and since it comes with a forward facing harness, you will be using it until your little one gains sixty-five pounds.

I mentioned the compact design previously. 

Namely, the seat was designed to fit three across, so it will definitely fit any taxicab or rent-a-car . Yet, it weighs 15 pounds, which is acceptable but not ideal.

Honestly, I expected it to weigh less since it is pretty small. But I guess it only testifies that it features a sturdy design with a solid construction, so it's not a big deal .

Finally, the price is more than affordable , so it definitely pays off to have one of these waiting for your big trip.

• Compact design
• Longer rear facing use
• No booster mode

If there's one brand manufacturing the best car seats for traveling, it's Cosco .

Their seats are simple, lightweight, compact, and more than affordable. Importantly, you don't have to stress about safety because they meet all the federal safety standards.

So, my honest advice to all families on a budget is to avoid buying some sharp-looking, cheap-built stuff; instead, go with Cosco . It does not cost much, but it's reliable.

In particular, this Cosco seat is a convertible booster with a 5 point forward facing harness that transforms into a belt-positioning booster.

The forward facing mode supports children from thirty to sixty-five pounds in weight, while the booster mode is for kids from forty to one hundred pounds in weight.

It is pretty convenient because you will be able to use the seat once your child turns four and can ride in a booster seat safely .

You'll love this seat because it weighs only 11.5 lbs. You can carry it around with little to no effort. Plus, its slim design enables you to fit three across the back seat of one car.

As I already mentioned, this Cosco convertible booster seat features a pretty simple design. It incorporates premium fabrics that can be washed in a machine.

Additionally, it includes two cup holders you can also detach and clean or remove to create more space in your car.

Cosco's final convertible booster seat meets or exceeds the federal ASTM and JPMA standards and is FAA-approved. I would definitely buy one of these seats for travel purposes, yet, I don't think this seat is the best choice for everyday use.

It would be a good idea to buy one of these, simply to have them for traveling when you need a portable, lightweight seat .

All in all, this is one solid car seat for a 3-year-old. For less than sixty dollars, you get a year warranty , so it's a pretty good deal.

• Easy to install and move
• Not the highest quality

As you can notice, there will be more than one offer from Evenflo .

I can say they have the widest variety of products available for a whole range of prices, and I can always find something worthy of attention.

For example, this convertible is honestly lightweight but pretty functional and safe, so I would most certainly recommend it for traveling.

Namely, this car seat is the combination of a rear facing and forward facing child restraint systems.

The rear facing mode can be used until your little one gains forty pounds, while the forward facing mode can protect your child for up to 65 pounds.

The seat weighs 11.5 pounds, precisely the same as the Cosco booster seat I previously discussed.

I'd like to mention that this is one of the lightest car seats you can find on the market. Yet, despite its low weight, the Evenflo Sonus has a reinforced frame that guarantees high durability.

Like the other Evenflo modes I reviewed, this one has a central, front-adjusting harness with six different shoulder harness positions. This makes the seat pretty adjustable and easy to install. In just a couple of steps, you'll fit your little one perfectly.

Additionally, the built-in air ventilation system along with plush head and body cushions keep your kid comfortable and relaxed in summer while warm in winter.

You can remove the fabrics for washing and keep the seat clean under all circumstances. I love this because kids, at least my little rascals, always make a mess, and if the seat isn't machine-washable, you'll struggle a lot with the washcloth.

Evenflo Sonus offers more expensive car seating and prolonged use in every phase.

Therefore, I would recommend this seat even for everyday use since Evenflo is on the market for a long time and found ways to make their seats lighter without compromising the quality.

• Honestly lightweight
• Removable cup holders
• Air ventilated
• Easy to clean

Here, I selected another car seat from Safety 1st , pretty similar to the other seat from this brand I included. However, it is never wrong to have more choices so you can find exactly what you're looking for.

When it comes to weight, it is moderate, not too heavy, not too light, but it features a super-compact design.

The seat is a combination of a rear facing and forward facing car seat with a weight limit of sixty-five pounds. To be precise, the rear facing mode can be used for kids from five to twenty-two pounds in weight.

On the other hand, forward facing mode supports kids from twenty-two to sixty-five pounds.

The seat incorporates a side impact protection , so your kid is perfectly safe in the case of an accident or crash . It weighs 14.5 pounds, a bit less than the other Safety 1st model I included.

When it comes to design, it's a typical Safety 1st design with removable pillows that provide comfort and extra support to your infant and can be removed as your child grows.

The harness can be adjusted from the front and has three buckle positions and five heights.

Once again, the fabrics are perfectly safe for your kid's skin and machine-washable , dryer safe too.

It also includes two removable cup holders that prove quite convenient for long trips when your child needs their water or drinks close. But since you can remove them, you can also create additional space in the back.

I recommend this car seat model for smaller cars and airplane use since it features a fit-three-across design that takes up less space than standard car seats, so you'll fit it almost anywhere.

I don't like that there is no booster mode since these convertible car seats are more for infants to toddlers than 3-year-olds in development.

Yet, the official recommendations advise keeping your 3-year-old in a forward facing harness seat, so it will serve you well for now.

• Side impact protection
• Removable pillows
• Adjustable harness
• Machine-washable

Next, after a few convertible car seats, we get back to another harness booster convertible. I couldn't get past Evenflo again, so I decided to review their Maestro Sport Harness Booster .

I honestly hope that after reading this article, you'll realize how incredible this brand is.

I even think it is a bit under appreciated because of the famous car seat brands such as Graco and Britax . But, in fact, despite the lower price ranges, Evenflo products are just as good.

This model includes a forward facing harness booster and belt-positioning booster seat. The harness booster is intended for kids weighing between twenty-two and fifty pounds, while the high back booster is for kids 40-110 pounds in weight.

Like on other high-quality car seats, the harness on this booster is central , adjustable from the front, so you can quickly adapt the harness straps for a perfectly snug fit.

Plus, the handy shoulder belt guide helps you position the seat belt adequately in seconds.

Car seat pads can be removed and washed in a washing machine, while two cup holders can also be removed and cleaned.

What I like the most about this harness booster is the honestly lightweight design. Believe it or not, it weighs less than ten pounds. It means transport to the airport, taxi, or wherever will be a piece of cake.

Notably, the seat meets federal safety standards and is FAA-approved , so you can use it while flying with your 3-year old. The seat has been tested for side-impact and rollover crashes, so don't worry about unpredictable situations.

Bear in mind that this Evenflo car seat is one of the lightest car seats for 3-year-olds with an incredible weight limit, so you will be able to use it even when your kid turns four and more.

Since it costs less than $100, I would definitely consider it, as it exhibits excellent quality, proven safety, and lightweight design.

• Great weight limit
• Seat belt guide
• No backless booster 

When I was looking for a travel car seat, the most important thing for me was the portability .

I was hoping to find a seat no more than 10 pounds in weight, but it seemed like an impossible mission. Then I found this SureRide Convertible Car Seat , only 9.80 pounds heavy.

This convertible car seat comes from Evenflo , the oldest car seat manufacturer on the market with more than 100 years of experience.

It is the combination of a rear facing car seat suitable for infants from five to forty pounds and a forward facing harness car seat for children from twenty-two to sixty-five pounds in weight.

I love how easy to adjust this seat is.

The harness is front-adjustable and highly accessible so you can secure your toddler snugly with zero effort.

Also, the harness can be adjusted among six different positions, which allow more accurate accommodation. I love this feature because in the past, and it was a hell adjusting it correctly as my child grew.

But, despite its really low price, this is one honestly high-quality seat. It has upgraded protection with three layers of energy-absorbing foam and side impact protection that lowers the chances for injuries inside crashes by 50%.

You'll love that super-soft, durable fabrics can be removed and washed in a machine, so you can always keep the sheets super-clean and fragrant. The cup holder can also be detached to create more space in compact cars or airplane seats.

Since I mentioned airplanes, this convertible car seat is also FAA-approved , so you can safely use it when flying.

However, do bring the instructions with you to prove that the seat is approved since one woman reported a problem at the airport with this model because it did not have the FAA-approved stamp.

The only thing I don't like about this seat is no booster mode . If your child is three years old, it can ride in a booster seat in a year or so, so you might need to buy one.

• Reputable manufacturer
• Easily adjustable
• Lightweight( only 9.80 pounds)
• FAA-approved

How to Choose a Good Seat for a Three-year-old? The Buying Guide

While choosing a travel car seat comes down to portability, lightweight design, and convenience of use, the process of selecting the best car seat for everyday use is slightly different.

How so? Well, when you don’t need to worry about the weight of the seat, slim design, and foldability, you can focus your energy on finding the seat with advanced design and upgraded features that keep your child safe and comfortable.

My first focal point when I was buying the seat for my three-year-old was  the age span  it can be used for.

High-quality seats are expensive; there’s no doubt about it; therefore, it’s good for your child and your budget to choose a seat with different modes and a good weight capacity.

Since there are so many all-inclusive models nowadays, you can even buy one seat for the course of ten years if you choose smarty.

The ideal weight capacity should be from 5 to 100 pounds , with three different modes:  rear, forward, and booster .

From there, you should look at the harness .

The seat needs to have a five-point harness, preferably with pads to protect your child’s neck.

Yet, even more, significant detail about the harness is whether it is a rethread or a no-rethread one . No-rethread harnesses with at least five positions are a lifesaver .

Undoubtedly, you’ll need to adjust the harness as your child grows, and it's a billion times easier to do it by simply pulling the headrest up or down, so bear this in mind.

Then, side-impact protection is not a matter of question. Your seat simply must have it.

Also, the more crash tests it passes, the safer it is for your child, so look at this section in the product description as well.

Since I mentioned adjustability, reclining back  is another novelty that makes the seat fit better.

It’s great if you can find the perfect position for your little one to sleep in, and it can extend the rear-facing use of the seat, so it’s definitely a worthy extra.

Materials are also a factor that plays a huge role in the selection of the best seat. Materials should be breathable, non-toxic, and soft on the skin, so your child can enjoy their rides.

This is of crucial importance in the summer when the seats tend to get really hot, and children sweat excessively.

Finally, maintenance , as an everlasting concern of every mother, is also an important factor. Check if the seat covers are removable and whether they can be washed in a machine.

I used to have seats that could only be cleaned with a wet cloth and mild soap, but this doesn’t work . 

Stains cannot be removed that easily, and the seat starts smelling after some time, especially if you store it for a while.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to the official NHTSA recommendations , a three-year-old should be in a forward-facing seat with the internal harness straps.

Namely, kids should stay in a rear facing position for as long as possible, so if your 3-year-old still does not exceed the weight and height limits of a rear-facing seat, keep them there .

Yet, the most common practice shows they transition to the forward-facing car seat around 2 or 3 .

Yes, they do . According to the NHTSA and the AAP safety experts, children should stay rear or forward-facing harnessed until they overgrow the maximum weight and height limits of the convertible harnessed seats. So, it would help if you did not place them into boosters without harness until they are ready - age four minimum, or even older. You will jeopardize their safety.

If they overgrow the extended rear-facing positions and weigh more than 50 pounds , and if they are ready for the forward-facing position, you can place them in the forward-facing harness seat. On the other hand, once they reach more than 65 pounds and 49 inches of height, they are ready for booster car seats. To know your child meets and exceeds the maximum height and weight, the top of their head should be less than an inch from the top of the car seat when buckled inside the system.

A 3-year-old should not be in a booster car seat unless it is a forward facing, harness booster. Booster seats are recommended for kids four years old and up .

The only case when you are federally allowed to place your 3-year-old in a booster seat is if he/she exceeds the weight and height recommendations for a forward-facing seat you have.

As taxis are exempt from car seat laws, you can rarely find an appropriate car seat in the back seat of these vehicles. But, of course, you can always use your own car seats in the vehicles. For this reason, you should rent a car with a seat for your baby as a safer and more convenient option. However, when a car seat is unavailable in a licensed private hire car or taxi, a child might travel unrestrained in the rear. This is the only exception for all kids under three years of age . Such a law was approved for practical reasons rather than safety standards.

As Delta Airlines states , all infants and children under two years old can travel on an adult's lap for free, without any restrictions. Parents can also purchase a ticket & use their specific child restraint system on the aircraft in an FAA-approved car seat or CARES harness on most flights. However, according to the FAA and the AAP , the safety experts strongly encourage parents to use child safety car seats or other child restraint systems when flying with their babies or other young children. Although not demanding, the use of car seats is always a big plus for everyone's safety.

You should seat your kid correctly in the child restraint system and buckle him/her up tightly, using the internal 5 point harness . 

Here is a good video you can watch.

And that's it!  I shared all the things I know about travel car seats for 3-year-olds.

I hope you figured out the essential features when you're looking for a car seat for traveling or when you want to fit more than one seat in one car.

As you could read in my extensive reviews, to my mind, the best car seat for a 3-year-old is the Graco Tranzitions 3 In 1 Harness .

With this toddler car seat, 3 year old is  entirely safe . It comes from a reputable manufacturer, includes an internal harness, does not weigh too much, and can be adjusted.

What else is there to look for?

• Multi-Purpose: Functions as a high chair, booster seat and portable travel chair
• Adjustable: Customizable adjustability for baby's comfort and safety
• Portable: Designed for easy transport and setup whenever on-the-go
• Travel-Friendly: An essential part of your baby travel gear
• Outdoor Usability: Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use

Kathy Warner

Kathy is a busy mother of two and a CPS technician for more than eight years. Her mission is to awaken parents to the importance of child passenger safety and show them the right practice. You can read more about her here

1 thought on “Crush That Vacay With the Best 12 Car Seats for 3 Year Old”

How long can a child safely be kept in the rear facing position of a car seat?

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Best Travel Car Seat for 3 Year Olds (2024 Review Update)

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. FIND MORE INFO IN MY DISCLAIMER.

Home » Best Travel Car Seat for 3 Year Olds (2024 Review Update)

We all know how important a car seat is for safety. In actual fact it might even be the most important toddler travel item that you could possibly invest in. But finding the best travel car seat for 3-year-old toddler can be tricky, especially when you need one that is suitable for both, cars and for plane travel.

This type of car seat needs to tick a lot of boxes such as; the car seat needs to be lightweight, easy to carry and has to be FAA approved. 

After extensive research, we have found just the right ones! Below you will find a review for the best travel car seats for your 3-year-old. 

If you are in a hurry to get to the best of the best, here is our top recommendation:

Click here to see our pick for the best travel car seat for 3 year old toddlers

What to Look for in The Best Travel Car Seat for 3 Year Old 

Here are some of the most important things to look at before you choose the right car seat for your toddler:

1. Using a Car Seat Overseas in Cars

One of the most important things to check out for when you travel overseas with a toddler car seat is to find out what type of anchoring system is required in the country that you going to. Yes, not every country has the same way of installing the car seat. 

Some of the countries, such as Italy, have a two-point anchoring system at the base of the seat, whilst countries like Australia, have only one anchor point at the back of the seat. Choosing the right seat for the destination that you are going to can and will save you money.

Although the alternative option of hiring a car seat together with the car hire is there, the daily car seat hire price can add up and very quickly exceed the price of a brand new car seat in the first place. Something to think about here.

2. Using a Car Seat on a Plane

Does a 3 year old need a car seat on a plane? The answer is yes, and it also needs to be the right car seat! With all the different options out there, it is important to know exactly what you need to look for in the best and safest car seat for 3-year-old airplane travelers.

First of all, any toddler car seat on plane travel needs to be FAA certified . Once you find a seat with this rating, you will need to make sure it is compact, slim and lightweight. The best car seat on plane for 3 year old passengers will need to be easy to carry on board, and slim enough to comfortably fit on the seat.

From our extensive reviews of the best car seat for travel , we have found the ideal product for use on a plane with 3 year olds.

3. What to Look Out For

Here are some of the most important things to look out for:

Compact and Slim Design

When you are flying with your 3 year old and you plan to take a car seat that is best suitable for her/his weight and height, there are also other things to consider, such as the size of the actual travel car seat.

If you do your research, plane seats can vary in size from around 16″ to 22″, whilst most are around the 17 or 18″. Saying that, make sure to check out the sizes of the seats on the plane that you are flying on.

You can check to see if your plane is on a list on the SeatGuru seat chart table  to see what size your seat will be ahead of time.  

Lightweight and Easy to Carry

Choosing a car seat that is both; easy-to-carry around and lightweight is very important.

This will save you a lot of hustle along the way. Most of the lightweight toddler car seats for a 3-year-old are around 15 lbs.

Suitable for Toddler Weight and Height 

Make sure to find a car seat that is best suitable for both; your toddler’s height and weight:

• The average weight for a 3-year-old is around 31 lb and by 4 years of age, they could be around 36 lb.
• The average height for a 3-year-old is around 37.5″ and by 4 years of age, they could be around 40.3″.

Comfort and Durability

Many of us always tend to go with only manufacturers’ recommendations, and it is easy to forget, what is the actual comfort level of the car seat and how durable it is for upcoming travel.

Saying that always make sure to look at what are the features of the car seat, or booster that you are buying. Although our 3 year old traveler can make traveling much easier, it is important to check out the padding, harness system and what positions can the seat be adjusted to. 

When it comes to durability. It is obvious here. When you purchase the travel car seat for your 3 year old, the seat needs to be quite sturdy and well built.

This is important for both; the safety of your child, of course, and for how well it will perform in transit during all of the travel you will be doing.

The Best Travel Car Seat for 3 Year Old Travelers

Taking into consideration all of the above criteria, we have found some of the best car seat on a plane for your 3 year old passengers options for you. These are our picks for the best toddler seat for both cars and for flying with.

So, without further ado, here is our top recommendation for the best car seat for 3 year old passenger:

Wayb Pico Car Seat

If you looking for the best car seat for plane travel for your 3-year-old, then this is our best pick by far. Why? Because it simply ticks off all of the boxes.

Here is why you are going to love Wayb Pico Car Seat:

• This is a forward-facing only car seat, specially designed for kids 22-50 lbs and 30-45″ tall.
• It is a lightweight (only 8 lbs), very compact, quick to fold and easy-to-carry travel car seat.
• The aerospace-grade aluminum frame makes this chair super strong.
• This is the best travel car seat for a 3 year old.
• It comes with a 3-year limited warranty.

Wayb Pico Car Seat passes all of the safety testings in accordance with the U.S. standards regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and it is FAA approved as well. This of course means, that this car seat is approved for both cars and flying with.

How to Install the WAYB Pico car seat?

Here are short videos to help you with the installation of the car seat both in the car and on the plane:

How to Install the car seat in the car:

Check out easy-to-follow steps of how to set up the Pico in the car:

How to Install the car seat on the plane:

Check out easy-to-follow steps of how to set up the Pico on the plane:

WAYB Pico is made with ultralight aerospace-grade aluminum, and with minimal use of plastic components. Keeping the planet in mind, there is no PU foam used at all.

When it comes to padding, Pico comes with a wool/polyester blend ASTROKNIT™, which is extremely ergonomic, very breathable and, of course, very comfortable.

This car seat is very easy to spot clean using warm water and wool-safe detergent. You can also remove the fabric pads and thoroughly clean as well.

As you have seen in the above installation videos, Pico is easily installed using a car’s LATCH system or a car or plane seatbelt.

You can also read through our popular guide to finding a booster seat for travel here.

Click here to purchase the popular Wayb Pico Car Seat

Other Recommended Portable Car Seat for 3 Year Olds

Here is an alternative option for, in our opinion, the best travel car seat 3 year old:

Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat

If you are looking for one of the overall best car seats for toddlers, and our favorite choice for 3-year-olds, then the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 is it! This car seat packs brilliant features into a simple and compact design, making your travels a whole lot easier.

With a weight of only 11.5 lbs, carrying this seat onto the plane and around the airport is easy. The seat dimensions are 18.25 x 19 x 29.75 in – meaning it is slim enough to comfortably fit into airplane seats and down the aisle.

This product is a smart choice for your 3 year old, as it has a five-point safety harness that can convert into a belt-positioning booster seat as your child grows bigger.

When used forward-facing with a harness, the seat can accommodate a weight of 30 – 65 pounds. As a belt-positioning booster, it can hold 40 to 100 pounds. Bear in mind that you can’t use the booster function of this seat on the plane though.

Of course, your little one will be secure in this seat, with it meeting ASTM and JPMA safety standards. A removable cup holder is also included, however it cannot be used when on the plane.

The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 car seat is perfect for flying with a 3 year old. Between its smart size and weight, as well as its ability to accommodate your child’s growth, this has got to be the best FAA car seat for 3-year-old passengers! 

Not sure that the travel toddler car seat above is the one for you? Here are two other travel car seats that we can recommend for toddlers.

It is another popular seat and sells really well on Amazon. 

>> Click here to grab this awesome toddler travel car seat here .

Alternatives to Traveling with a Car Seat on Airplane for 3 Year Old Kids

What are the alternatives to traveling with a car seat on plane for 3 year old toddlers? On our travels, we have used the Newroutes Child Airplane Safety Travel harness , which has proven itself many times.

Please note that this CARES Child Safety Device is the only FAA-approved harness restraint for children weighing between 22 and 44 lbs (kids 1-year and older).

One of the positives of traveling with a harness is that it can fold into a 6″ stuff-sack and be put away into your backpack with ease. Weighing only 1 lbs does not add to your luggage weight allowance, and it is far easier to travel with than the car seat. 

The only issue I have is that the harness does not allow for comfortable sleeping. The harness will keep your toddler upright at all times. 

Although we do love the harness now that she is older, I do prefer a car seat for 3 year olds.

>> Check prices for the Newroutes Child Airplane Safety Travel Harness here.

Final Thoughts on Flying With a 3 Year Old

Traveling with a 3 year old can be challenging, and if you will be catching flights it can get even more complicated! You will need an FAA car seat that is both lightweight, compact, and will safely hold your growing 3 year old.

This is why we have chosen the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 as our favorite airplane car seat for 3 year old passengers. Consider making your travels even easier with some useful car seat travel accessories . Flying with a 3 year old has never been easier!

Tip:  You might also be interested in checking out:

• which are the best accessories for long flights  
• where to find the best kids luggage for traveling with

Andrzej Ejmont

2024 - Wanderlust Storytellers. All Rights Reserved.

About Us  |  Contact Us  | Work with Us  |  Privacy Policy  |  Disclaimer

* Disclaimer: Wanderluststorytellers.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and other Amazon sites.

Want a folding car seat for travel? Here are your best choices by age (2023 reviews)

Want to get more personal advice? Join our  new Facebook group !

Sharing is caring!

This article about folding car seats for travel is written by certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Melissa Conn and may contain affiliate links.

The car seat game is changing quickly these days. Child safety seats for use at home are getting bigger and beefier with every new generation – steel frames, massive headwings, and extremely high weight and height limits.

But on the other end, there’s a new set of folding car seats for travel that are changing how families explore the world. Gone are the days when you had no choice but to stay within the confines of the US and Europe lest you risk your child’s safety on crazy roads (there are still places like that, for the record). No, in 2023 you have options .

There are some amazing foldable car seats for travel and car seat alternatives that will take you around the world and back again without breaking a sweat. Especially once your child is a mature enough, there’s now an entire ecosystem of foldable booster seat choices for you!

In this article will share our top picks for folding travel car seats at each stage, including the advantages and disadvantages of each. You’ll also learn what to consider when you’re choosing the right portable car seat for travel with your family.

Quick picks: which folding car seat for travel is right for you?

Read more: 10 things you NEED to know before flying with your car seat

How to choose a foldable car seat for travel

What should you look for in a collapsible car seat? In reality, you don’t have nearly the same choices as you do in more “traditional” car seats.

The most important feature to look at is what stage the car seat is and how that matches up with your child’s age and size. After all, it’s not safe to put a 2 or 3 year old on a backless booster no matter how convenient! Likewise, your 6 year old who still sleeps in the car might not fit into the folding car seat with a 5 point harness option.

Since this article is all about folding car seats, portability is the name of the game! You want a car seat that folds small enough to take out for the day so that you have it when you need it. So some of the options on this list may not be the lightest in their classes, but they’re the best for putting in the overhead bin of an airplane or toting around the city.

In the picture at the beginning of this article, you can see how our family rocks folding travel car seats (and car seat alternatives). That photo was taken at the beginning of our family’s gap year – we needed to travel extremely light while keeping our kids as safe as possible. We’re fortunate to live in an era when we could make that happen!

Reviewing the best foldable travel car seat options

Doona infant car seat stroller review.

*Ideal for birth to age 1-1.5 years old

Key stats: -Weight 16.5lbs -Rear-facing size limits: 4-35lbs, up to 32”

Pros: ✔ Integrated car seat/stroller ✔ Several installation options ✔ Car seat handle doubles as anti-rebound bar

Cons: ✘ High price ✘ Heavy ✘ Need to buy a new car seat and travel stroller when it’s outgrown

Do you want the Swiss Army knife of baby travel gear? You’ll find it in the Doona infant car seat stroller , one of the coolest baby products I’ve ever seen. In just a matter of seconds your very capable infant car seat deploys its own wheels and converts into a perfectly serviceable baby-friendly stroller! I’ve had the opportunity to play around with it in person (though it was released after our youngest was born) and I definitely let out a few “WOW”s during my test drive.

This is the perfect foldable baby car seat for families who live in or travel to big cities and need to hop in and out of taxis. You’ll never have to worry about your baby being safe on the road, but you also won’t have to wonder what to do with your car seat while you hit a museum or go into a store.

Likewise, a foldable car seat stroller is an easier solution than a two-piece travel system that has to be separated and stored in the car trunk. The Doona is even FAA-approved and you can just wheel is straight down the airplane aisle. (While this isn’t truly a “foldable” car seat for a 1 year old, it’s the closest option out there – not including the extremely unsafe unapproved knock-off contraptions you’ll find online).

So why wouldn’t every family put this foldable carseat on their baby registry ? There are three downsides to consider with the Doona, and it’s up to you how important they are.

First, it’s heavy compared to other infant car seats. The official Doona weight listing is 14lbs (some reviewers say it’s more like 16lbs). Most infant carriers weigh more like 10lbs, but of course they don’t have a whole stroller built in. If you prefer a lightweight infant car seat, you’ll find great options here .

Second, it ain’t cheap . The price tag may make it a non-starter for many families, though once you add the cost of a well-respected infant car seat and a car seat stroller frame the sticker shock might subside a little.

Third, once your baby outgrows the Doona as a car seat around 1 year old you’ll be on the hook to buy a new car seat and a new stroller. Obviously that’s a tough nut to swallow financially. But many families find that the stroller they love for the newborn and infant stage just isn’t ideal for the toddler stage and they wind up wanting a new stroller anyway. Especially if you’re focusing on lightweight, travel friendly products you’ll find that many of the best ultralight strollers aren’t ideal until at least 6-12 months anyway.

All those cons aside, the Doona really is an incredible option for families who want to travel extensively with a young baby. It’s the only collapsible car seat that rear faces to keep the littlest travelers safe!

Evenflo Shyft DualRide review

*Ideal for preemie to age 1.5 years old

Key stats: -Weight 8-9lbs without wheels, ~19lbs with wheels -Rear-facing size limits: 3-35lbs, up to 32”

Pros: ✔ Integrated car seat/stroller ✔ Several installation options ✔ Approved down to 3lbs ✔ Option to leave the wheels in the car if you want to carry the car seat alone ✔ Tensioning panel on base for easy seatbelt installation ✔ Anti-rebound panel on base ✔ Approved in Canada

Cons: ✘ High price ✘ Requires 1.5″ between car seat and front seats if not installing in the center ✘ Can’t be used with other strollers ✘ Need to buy a new car seat and travel stroller when it’s outgrown

The Evenflo Shyft DualRide integrated infant car seat/stroller is brand new for 2023. If it looks similar to the Doona above, that’s because it is. But the Evenflo has a few nifty tricks up its sleeve that are worth mentioning.

First, the Evenflo Shyft DualRide is approved for newborns as small as 3 pounds (just like most Evenflo infant car seats). No one outside of Evenflo has gotten to test one out with such a tiny baby so we’ll need to see how the fit is for preemies in the real world – sometimes the beefy headrests of no-rethread harnesses like this one can be challenging for newborn head positioning. Hopefully the fit will be just as good as it is with this excellent preemie car seat .

On the other end, many kids can use it until 15-18 months thanks to the extended headrest. It’s a very convenient option for travel with toddlers!

Second, while the Doona always brings its wheels (and their weight) the Evenflo Shyft DualRide can leave the wheels behind on the car seat base or at home if you don’t anticipate needing them. That brings the weight of the car seat itself down to just 8-9 pounds – in line with many other car seats on the market. But it’s nice to have the flexibility to use the wheels when you want them and leave them behind when you don’t.

Third, the base has an integrated anti-rebound panel to help manage crash energy and a tensioning arm for easy seatbelt installation. You still need to lock the seatbelt when you install – always read your manual – but you don’t have to worry about putting much force into installing it.

As with all products, the Shyft DualRide isn’t perfect. For starters, the Evenflo Shyft DualRide is not compatible with any of the company’s strollers. That’s a bummer since many parents with an older child might like the flexibility to sometimes use the car seat with the Evenflo Pivot Xpand single-to-double stroller .

Like all Evenflo car seats, the manufacturer wants 1.5″ of clearance between the car seat and the vehicle seat in front of it. Practically speaking this rules it out for some compact cars unless you will always install it in the center seat (where the rule doesn’t apply). Keep that in mind if you’re planning on installing it by the window so that you can install another car seat on the other side!

The 10lb weight of the wheel assembly is surprisingly high. Families already sometimes complain that the Doona is too heavy, and the Evenflo car seat stroller combo is even heaver; the trade-off, of course, is that if you plan to hand carry it you can leave the wheels behind… unless you’re traveling and taking a taxi followed by a lovely walk over cobblestones.

Moment of truth here: I’m also surprised by the price point of the Evenflo Shyft DualRide. There are several versions with slightly different features/accessories and they range from $500-600. Thankfully you can get a discount when you buy direct and sign up for the email list, and Evenflo runs frequent sales as well. There’s also a slightly less expensive Walmart version , which lacks the carry-all bag and leather accents.

It’s great to see more innovation in this space, and finally a competitor to the Doona. The Evenflo Shyft DualRide has a lot going for it and will definitely be a contender for car-free city dwellers and travelers alike!

Read next: Best portable car seats for a 1 year old

Wayb Pico review

*Ideal for ages 2-5

Key stats: -Weight 8lbs -Max harness height 16.5″ -Forward-facing size limits: 22-50lbs, 30-45″, recommended 2+ years old minimum

Pros: ✔ Compact ✔ Easy to install ✔ Keeps kids harnessed ✔ FAA-approved to use on flights ✔ Can install without top tether ✔ Narrowest car seat on the market

Cons: ✘ High price ✘ Low height limit ✘ Crotch strap too short for some kids ✘ Top tether strap too short for some cars (can request an extension)

One of the coolest kid travel products we’ve seen in a loooong time is the new Wayb Pico collapsible car seat. It was hard to miss as they plastered their Indiegogo campaign all over Facebook in 2018! The promise? An ultra-light, ultra-compact folding car seat with 5-point harness. Families would be able to travel with world with this foldable toddler car seat without compromising safety.

In many ways their promise has come true. For certain families the Pico is the perfect solution to a really tough question of what to do when they need a travel 5-point harness, while for others it isn’t quite the right fit. Read our in-depth expert Wayb Pico review here .

I’ll start with the advantages: the Wayb Pico is small and easy to use. The weight is about the same as the Cosco Scenera Next, but the genius is in how small it folds up (and even packs into its own backpack!) so that you can lug it around and have it when you need it for spur-of-the-moment taxi rides.

The Wayb Pico is by far the best foldable car seat for a 3 year old if you plan on lots of international travel. Why? The concept of a folding forward-facing harnessed car seat isn’t new. They’ve actually been made for years , including the current car seat used by Uber Family . The downside of prior seats is that they required use of a top tether. Without it, the seats don’t stay upright! If you’re traveling within the US, Canada or Western Europe that’s no problem.

But if you plan to venture outside those areas you may have an extremely hard time using those car seats. We’ve encountered so many cars in South America, Morocco, Thailand and more that don’t have top tethers – rendering a fold up car seat like the IMMI Go completely useless. While you’d ideally use the top tether all the time with the Wayb Pico , at least you have the option to use it without the top tether if absolutely necessary.

Because it doesn’t require a top tether, the Wayb Pico is also the only foldable car seat for airplane use. Your kids can even fully use the tray table, unlike most forward-facing travel car seats, since it’s so low-profile.

The major disadvantage of the Wayb Pico foldable child car seat is that the 45″ upper height limit and 16.5″ harness slots aren’t high enough for some families. Many kids will outgrow it around 5-5.5 years old, though if you’re buying it at 2 or 3 years old that’s a few years of good usage (and more if you can pass it down to a younger sibling). If you’re a family that prioritizes extended rear-facing and then you want an extended forward-facing harness, this isn’t the car seat for you! But if you’ll be doing a ton of traveling with a 2 or 3 year old (like our family gap year) then the Wayb Pico fold up travel car seat is the best option to keep your kid safe without lugging a full-size model. On the small end, the Pico is approved for kids at least 1 year old – but that’s not recommended, and in some places (like California and New York) it’s not even legal.

Finally, the price tag of the Pico may be tough for some families to swallow for a portable car seat for 3 year old. Of course, some families opt to use it at home too though it doesn’t offer the same creature comforts as typical forward facing car seats.

Is the Wayb Pico right for everyone? Maybe not. But if your family is going on an extended trip or relying on lots of taxis in your daily life and a folding travel car seat is on your must-have list, give the Wayb Pico a serious look once it’s available again.

Read next: Best travel car seats for a 2 year old

Ride Safer Travel Vest review

*Ideal for ages 3.5-6

Key stats: -Weight 2lbs -Size small: minimum age 3, fits best for 30+ lbs and 35-47″ -Size large: minimum age 4, fits best for 50+ lbs and 45-57″

Pros: ✔ Rolls up to the size of a 2L soda bottle ✔ Perfect for taxi rides ✔ Lowers seat belt to provide an appropriate fit for young children ✔ Keeps kids properly seated better than a traditional booster seat – even when sleeping ✔ Easy to fit 3-across since it’s only as wide as the child ✔ 5 year expiration

Cons: ✘ No side impact protection like a highback booster seat ✘ Takes practice to get belt fit right ✘ NOT permitted for use on planes

Several years ago the kind folks at Safe Ride 4 Kids sent us a Ride Safer Delight travel vest to review, and it hasn’t left our travel kit since. The Ride Safer travel vest (“Delight” has been dropped with the latest Ride Safer travel vest Gen 5 release) is completely different than the travel car seats above.

You could say that the Ride Safer travel vest is sort of in between a booster seat and a traditional forward-facing car seat. It relies on the car’s seat belt to handle most of the restraint, but also has an optional-but-pease-use-it-always top tether that minimizes head movement in an accident and keeps your child in the correct position even if they fall asleep (or drop a toy). While we won’t put our youngest child in a booster seat yet since she’s a car sleeper – especially when jet-lagged – we’re comfortable with her riding in the Ride Safer vest.

So comfortable, in fact, that we brought our Ride Safer vest on our year-long trip around the world! It’s seen action on six continents and served us well the whole time. Once we practiced a few times, we got very fast at putting her in the vest and getting her secured in the car. The biggest change from the Ride Safer Delight to the Gen 5 is an easier buckle in the front, so that should help many parents.

The Ride Safer Gen 5 is rated for kids beginning at 3 years old and 30lbs, but honestly we felt that the fit was better starting at 4 years old and other parents agree with us. Fortunately size small should last most kids until 6 or even 7 thanks to the adjustable shoulder strap length. Because there’s no side impact protection, it’s a good idea to put your Ride Safer in the middle seat if it has a top tether available. Read our in-depth Ride Safer review .

For families going on extended journeys like ours who just can’t take a traditional car seat or those heading somewhere like NYC or Paris, where they’ll mostly rely on public transportation but need an occasional taxi ride, the Ride Safer travel vest is a fantastic option. It is not approved for use on an airplane, so you may want to pair it with the CARES harness ( full review here ) to use on the plane.

For a more typical trip that involves flying and then renting a car for a week or two, we sometimes opt to bring our other travel car seat . But if you’re choosing between the Ride Safer travel vest or a backless booster seat, the vest is the better choice for younger kids and/or car sleepers .

While we generally think of the Ride Safer as one of the travel car seat alternatives, we also use it at home often. I keep it in my trunk at all times so that we can fit 3-across in our car for those unexpected carpools or for when Grandma comes for a visit! Since the vest is as narrow as the child in it, there’s no trouble fitting it between two big car seats in our compact SUV.

Read next: Best travel car seats for a 3 year old Best travel car seats for a 4 year old

Key stats: -Weight 10lbs -Highback booster size limit 4yo, 40-100lbs, 40-59″ -Belt guide 14-20″

Pros: ✔ Tons of size adjustments for great fit ✔ Folds down small ✔ Legal to use everywhere except Australia (in progress) ✔ Extremely narrow ✔ 7 year expiration

Cons: ✘ Expensive if you will only use for a few years ✘ No cup holders included ✘ Bigger than some of the other travel-specific car seats

Bubblebum booster seat review

*Ideal for ages 5+

Key stats: -Weight under 1 lbs ( really! ) -Backless booster size limit 40-100lbs, age 4+

Pros: ✔ Lightest booster seat ✔ Extremely narrow ✔ Good seatbelt fit in lots of cars

Cons: ✘ Can slide around if kids are wiggly ✘ 4 year expiration (from first use)

The best backless booster seat for travel is one with which we’re extremely familiar: the Bubblebum inflatable booster seat . We traveled full-time with this booster seat for the better part of two years. It’s my favorite folding travel booster seat!

The Bubblebum is a pretty amazing collapsible booster seat. It weighs about one pound and deflates/rolls to the size of a soda bottle. Setting it up takes just a few seconds, and there’s even a shoulder belt guide to give a great fit for kids of different sizes in all different vehicles.

Read more: My in-depth Bubblebum review

If you’re a family with a mature kid who doesn’t sleep in the car the Bubblebum gives you the paragon of portability. It’s the perfect option for taking around on days in a city when you think you might hop in a taxi to get home at night or if you’re taking lots of planes and trains for an extended trip.

The Bubblebum is so light that it may shift if your kid is very wiggly. But if your kid is very wiggly, they may not be ready for a backless booster yet. In that case, I’d go with the RideSafer travel vest for an ultra-portable option or the hifold folding booster seat . We also had an issue with one of our Bubblebums deflating after we left it inflated in a hot car for a month (oops!); we reached out to customer service and they sent us a whole new one for just the $7 shipping charge!

We started using this booster seat at 6 years old, and we think that’s about right. But it’s approved for 4 years old/40lbs and there are plenty of 5 year olds who can use it successfully, especially if your drives are short. This is a judgement call for each family and also depends on the specifics of your travels.

Read next: Best travel car seats for a 6 year old and best travel booster seat

hiccapop Uberboost booster seat review

*Ideal for ages 7+

Key stats: -Weight 1.25 lbs -Backless booster size limit 40-110lbs and 38-62″

Pros: ✔ Extremely light and compact ✔ Very narrow ✔ More stable than other ultra-portable booster seats

Cons: ✘ Frustrating shoulder belt adjuster clip

If you like the idea of an inflatable booster seat for travel, there’s a new option to consider these days. The newish hiccapop Uberboost follows the same basic concept as the Bubblebum but with a few pros and cons.

Read more: My in-depth hiccapop Uberboos t review

The hiccapop packs down slightly smaller than the Bubblebum but inflates to offer a larger seating seating area. Score! It also has a grippy layer on the bottom to prevent it from sliding around.

The biggest downside for us is that our leggy 48″ rider needs the shoulder adjuster clip in most seating positions but finds it very uncomfortable. The clip is much bulkier than on our other travel booster seats.

If your child is 48″+ or has a longer torso, you might be able to avoid using the clip – just be sure that the shoulder belt makes nice, complete contact with the middle of the collar bone. In that case the hiccapop Uberboost is a great choice for a traveling booster seat. For a smaller child, I’d stick with the Bubblebum for now.

Graco RightGuide

Key stats: -Weight 2 lbs -Backless booster size limit 50-120lbs, 43-60″, age 5+

Pros: ✔ Extremely light booster seat ✔ Very compact booster seat when folded ✔ Narrow option for 3-across with big kids ✔ Inconspicuous option for tweens ✔ 10 year expiration

Cons: ✘ Belt guide may not stay in place securely ✘ Incompatible with some seatbelt designs

If you have a big kid or tween who’s approaching readiness for the adult seatbelt (usually 10-12 years old) but not quite there, check out the Graco RightGuide . It’s ultra low profile and easy to throw in a backpack or clip to the outside of a carry-on suitcase. It does require that kids be at least 5 years old, 43″ and 50lbs – a weight many kids don’t achieve until they’re around 7 or even older.

The RightGuide offers a wonderful seatbelt fit even for kids at the bottom of the stated size range. It can be problematic with certain types of seatbelts, so be sure to read my Graco RightGuide review to know what you need to look out for.

Foldable Car Seat for Travel FAQs

Yes. All car seats sold in the US have to pass the same Federal testing. The most important factors in keeping your child safe in the car are choosing an age-appropriate car seat for and using it correctly 100% of the time.

The best car seat for traveling is the one that fits your child properly and that you’ll use every time you’re in the car. Check this list to find the best choices by age.

Need more ideas? Check out the best travel car seats for every age

What’s your favorite folding car seat for travel? Tell us in the comments below!

2 thoughts on “Want a folding car seat for travel? Here are your best choices by age (2023 reviews)”

Hi! I am just trying to clarify- can the WayB Pico car seat be used on international flights that don’t adhere to FAA regulations? Has anyone done this or had a problem? Specifically I am most concerned with TAP Portugal. Do they allow? Thanks!

TAP allows a car seat for children up to 5 years old as long as it’s FAA-approved (which WAYB is) and the bottom of the seat is physically small enough (which WAYB’s is as well).

Safe travels,

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Best Booster Seats for Kids

Our experts test dozens of models for safety, belt fit, and structural integrity

The top-performing booster seats all have a good seat belt fit.

By Emily A. Thomas, PhD

Updated by Kala Herh

Children pass many milestones on their road to adulthood, including going from an infant car seat to sitting independently with a seat belt. A key step on that journey is a booster seat, which gives the child enough height to position the car’s seat belt most effectively.

All booster seats might seem alike, but our extensive testing of nearly 40 models shows there are significant differences among models and types.

That’s why we evaluate the structural integrity of booster car seats in our simulated crash tests and assess how the seat belt fits on a test dummy representing an average-sized 6-year-old. The booster seats are subjected to a simulated 35-mph frontal crash to ensure that load-bearing components and key positioning features remain intact. All booster models we rate fare well in our crash structural integrity tests.

Proper seat belt fit is crucial. We check belt fit in five vehicles with different seating and belt geometries. (The shoulder belt should cross the middle of the collarbone and sternum, and the lap belt should sit across the upper thighs.) In our fit-to-vehicle evaluations, we also simulate typical child movement by moving the dummy around to determine whether the belt remains in place.

We also rate each booster for how easy it is to use, which includes an evaluation of its labels and instructions. 

Below, we present our top booster seat picks in each category. For more options, check out our full booster seat ratings , and consult our car seat buying guide to learn more about the different types of car seats we test.

Best Highback-to-Backless Booster Seats

Highback-to-backless booster seats feature bolsters around the head and the torso, which provides additional comfort and side impact protection for kids. With these models you can also remove the back, turning the seat into a backless booster perfect for travel or storage.

Best Highback-Only Booster Seats

Highback booster seats are great if any of the seating positions in the backseat of your car don’t have a head restraint, as they provide head and neck support in case of a rear collision.

Best Backless-Only Booster Seats

Backless boosters are good options for travel, or if your vehicle has rear head restraints that can’t be adjusted or cause interference with a highback booster. You can use these booster seats for children who surpass the weight or height limits allowed by their harnessed car seat. 

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2023, Consumer Reports, Inc.

• Baby Products
• Highchairs & Booster Seats
• Booster & Hook-On Seats

No featured offers available

• Quality Price,
• Reliable delivery option, and
• Seller who offers good customer service

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Dreambaby Grab 'n Go Travel Booster Seat with Storage Compartment, Tall Back for Added Comfort

About this item

• 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓 & 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓: Dreambaby Grab 'N Go booster seat is a lightweight, compact and portable Booster seat that's perfect for on-the-go families.
• 𝐅𝐈𝐓 𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐒: Perfect for helping to make your child feel like part of the family. Fits most dining chairs, so your little one can join you at the dining table.
• 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓: Convenient storage compartments in the base of the booster seat. Great for bottles, wipes, snacks and other essentials.
• 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐋: The Booster Seat itself folds for easy storage, and the built-in shoulder strap makes this a wonderfully portable, on-the-go accessory.
• 𝐀𝐃𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒: 3-Point Harness and Adjustable Straps keep children securely in place

You might also like

From the brand

From the manufacturer

Dreambaby Grab 'n Go Booster Seat

Dreambaby Grab 'N Go booster seat is a lightweight, compact portable Booster seat that's perfect for on-the-go families. The durable booster seat features adjustable safety straps and a 3-point harness ensuring your little one is comfortable and secure. The seat includes a convenient storage compartment - perfect for baby bottles, wipes, snacks and more! Fits most chairs using the long, adjustable securing straps. The built-in shoulder strap is super helpful for easy portability. Removable, hand washable polyester covers makes it easy to clean.

Who we are and what we do

We are a USA based company, headquartered in North Carolina. Here at Dreambaby, we pride ourselves on manufacturing top quality, durable and cost-effective items to ensure safety, health and comfort for every young family. Our products are designed to not only help make your home safer, but also to make your life easier.

Our production commitments

Our products are manufactured in facilities which comply with our supplier code of conduct and applicable laws. Our factories are routinely audited by third parties to ensure the quality and safety of our products and staff. Rest assured when you purchase a Dreambaby product that you are investing in a product that was crafted and produced with the highest level of safety and care.

Things To Know

• Dreambaby Grab 'n Go Booster Seat is lightweight, compact & portable.
• Perfect for families at home and on the go.
• Handy storage compartment - perfect for baby bottles, diapers, wipes, snacks and more!
• Fits most chairs using the long, adjustable straps to create a secure fit.
• The built-in shoulder strap is super helpful for easy portability
• Adjustable safety straps and a 3-point harness ensuring your little one is comfortable and secure.

Dreambaby Grab 'N Go Booster Seat with Storage is perfect for use with most chairs at home or out and about. The compact booster has a adjustable 3 point harness, 2 securing straps and folds up neatly when not in use. It has a large storage compartment concealed inside the base of the seat and a convenient pocket too, allowing you to store your child's favorite toys and snacks inside the booster seat, making it a wonderful helper at home and on the go. With the attached shoulder strap, the booster seat can easily be carried while keeping your hands free. The convenience, style and portability of the Dreambaby Grab 'N Go Booster Seat makes traveling with children so much easier.

Product Description

Dreambaby Grab 'N Go Booster Seat with Storage is perfect for use with most chairs at home or out and about. The compact booster has a adjustable 3 point harness, 2 securing straps and folds up neatly when not in use. It has a large storage compartment concealed inside the base of the seat and a convenient pocket too, allowing you to store your child's favorite toys and snacks inside the booster seat, making it a wonderful helper at home and on the go. With the attached shoulder strap, the booster seat can easily be carried while keeping your hands free. The convenience, style and portability of the Dreambaby Grab 'N Go Booster Seat makes traveling with children so much easier.

Product information

Technical details, additional information, warranty & support, product guides and documents, compare with similar items, videos for this product.

Click to play video

REVIEW Dreambaby Grab 'N Go Travel Booster Seat

Skylar Williams

Functional toddler high chair for outings

The Verdict Vault

Compact with built in diaper bag

✅ Shop With Sherry ✅

Looking for specific info?

Customer reviews.

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the comfort, compartments, height, ease of use, and straps of the baby seat. For example, they mention it's soft, holds all the basic necessities, and has a higher back than similar booster seats. That said, they say it'll hold a toddler in place due to the nice seat strap and dual straps to the chair.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the fit of the baby seat. For example, they say it's super compact, works well, and is great on portability. Some mention it'll fit perfectly under an airplane seat. Overall, most are happy with the fit and portability of the product.

"I love this chair because it gives me the freedom to carry less while still having everything I need...." Read more

"We bought this for our golf cart. It’s a great little size for our toddler . She’s comfortable in it as well." Read more

"...My son is 2 years old and he fits on the booster perfectly . It's nice we can put markers and crayons in the storage container!" Read more

"...Takes seconds to install. It was perfect for using as small lightweight diaper bag as well that fit perfectly under the airplane seat as well as..." Read more

Customers like the compartment in the baby seat. They mention it's the best size for diapers, bibs, and utensils. The compartments also conveniently hold all the basic necessities. Some say it'll be an awesome bag for restaurants with built in storage for bib and a bottle of water.

"We have used this nonstop since purchasing. It conveniently holds all the basic necessities and you can get out to dinner without toting the whole..." Read more

"...The compartments are the best size for diapers , bibs, utensils, placemat, pouches, etc. I could go on. It’s lightweight and convenient" Read more

"...I love the storage unit in it so we only have to take one bag in." Read more

"...This has 3 compartment slots that fit diapers , wipes, snacks, keys, a bottle of water, and most baby bottles. Easy yes to this!" Read more

Customers find the baby seat easy to use. They mention it's light weight, easy to set up, and attach. Some say it takes seconds to install.

"Easy to clean Easy to use " Read more

"... Takes seconds to install ...." Read more

"This is light weight, and so easy to use . I was looking for a solution for a grandchild who has outgrown the high chair...." Read more

"I like this booster it is easy to set up . It folds up nicely." Read more

Customers like the straps of the baby seat. They mention that it has a nice seat strap and dual straps to the chair. Some say that the seat is easy to clean and that the strap works on half backed stools. Overall, most are satisfied with the strap quality.

"...Holds a toddler in place due to the nice seat strap and dual straps to the chair. The small side strap isn't sufficient to hold a younger child...." Read more

"...Very easy to clean. The straps work on half backed stools (May need to maneuver the straps to work better)...." Read more

"...There is 0 independent back support. Straps are rough and don’t offer much support . Very disappointing...." Read more

"...It does securely strap to the chair but the little one can tip off the chair by leaning out...." Read more

Customers like the comfort of the baby seat. They mention that it has enough padding for them to reach the table and that it provides the perfect amount of support to sit and get through a meal without crawling.

"...This was the perfect amount of support to sit and get through a meal without crawling and trekking all over." Read more

"...It’s a great little size for our toddler. She’s comfortable in it as well." Read more

"Installing is easy, has a lot of space to carry more items, the baby seems confortable . The only thing I think is not that easy is cleaning...." Read more

"...It has enough padding for him to reach the table and it is soft " Read more

Customers like the height of the baby seat. They say it's good for height, seats their toddler high at the table, and has a higher back than similar booster seats. They also appreciate the nice seat strap and dual straps to the chair.

"... Holds a toddler in place due to the nice seat strap and dual straps to the chair. The small side strap isn't sufficient to hold a younger child...." Read more

"...I like that this one has a higher back than similar booster seats " Read more

"...It's easy to secure to the chair and seats my toddler high at the table so they're able to easily reach their plate and cup...." Read more

"...This seat is easy to use and the perfect height for him ." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the quality of the baby seat. Some say that it works great and is of good quality, while others say that the back is flimsy and the seat broke during first use.

"I love the idea and it works great !..." Read more

"... This booster seat works great ! The only con is that the storage area is inaccessible once you set it up on the chair...." Read more

"...It serves its purpose however the back is more flimsy than I would like...." Read more

"Purchased for my grandson and he likes sitting in it. Sturdy and easy to attach to the chair and we've had no problems with it." Read more

Customers are mixed about the ease of cleaning. Some mention it's easy to clean, while others say it'll be difficult to clean. The fabric doesn't come off to clean it, so you can only wipe it clean.

" Easy to clean Easy to use" Read more

"The fabric doesn't come off to clean it , so you can only wipe it clean. Beside that, it's a nice item. The storage in the back is useless though...." Read more

"We really like this product with our messy toddler. Very easy to clean ...." Read more

"...The only thing I think is not that easy is cleaning . You can’t put the fabric in the washer." Read more

Reviews with images

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Become an Amazon Hub Partner
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices