The Best Booster Car Seat for 2023
The Best Seats To Keep Your Kid Safe and Comfy Throughout Long Rides.
One thing we all point out about kids is how quickly they grow. You see them one time when they’re just about the size of a big pineapple and, by the next time you set your eyes on them, they are walking and talking. If you’ve been wondering how to keep kids safe in the car after they outgrow their car seats, look no further. Booster car seats are designed for children who no longer fit in their car seats but are not big enough for the seats in the car.
Because kids need to be safe and are also old and big enough to understand and recognize comfort, you have to pick the best booster seats to ensure that they enjoy their rides whilst being protected. Safety doesn’t have to feel restrictive and uncomfortable. This list helps you find booster seats that your kids are going to enjoy riding in.
How We Picked
Support and Safety
Good booster seats should be safe and comfortable for kids to ride in.
Comfort of material/Firmness
We made sure that our picks were made from soft, lasting materials that ensure durability and are comfortable for riders.
Easy Installation/Removal
We researched seats that are super easy to fix and take out so you’re not unnecessarily drained.
Cost-Effectiveness
We researched seats that are of great quality and have good pricing.
Our Top Picks
Best Pick
Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1
This booster car seat is likely to have your kid even more comfortable than you.
Although costly, this booster car seat is at the pinnacle of comfort and security for kids riding in vehicles.
Loaded with modes and customizable.
Runner Up
Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster Seat
This seat is here for a good time and a long time.
This seat is built to last. It would hold your kid all through their journey until they are ready for car chairs.
Durable and long-lasting.
Most cost-effective
Graco Turbobooster LX
This seat combines affordability with safety and comfort.
This booster seat is super affordable and safe for kids of a wide age range.
Affordable and easy to move around with.
Everything We Recommend
Best Pick
Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1
This booster car seat is likely to have your kid even more comfortable than you.
$247.49
Runner Up
Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster Seat
This seat is here for a good time and a long time.
$139.99
Who This Is For
These seats are for parents or expectant parents who want to ensure the utmost safety and comfort of their kids during car rides.
Booster Seat or car Chair (If Applicable):
This depends on the kid. Usually, booster seats are for kids aged between 8 and 12 and are about 4’9. If your kid surpasses this metric and can conveniently fit safely into the car chair, then they do not need a booster seat.
Placement In a Car To Place A Booster Seat (For Maximum Security):
Booster seats are easy to place. They usually come with user manuals and are pretty easy to figure out without one.
Laws/Rules For Backless Booster Seats:
The major rule is to only use backless seats with kids that are grown and big enough to safely ride in them. Other general booster seat rules like keeping the seat belt worn also apply.
Why You Should Trust Us
Your kids’ safety is our priority. We do not make any profits off our picks and have put in many hours to find the best products so you don’t have to.
How We Picked
As usual, we’ve taken out time to evaluate booster seats to find ones that top the table in carefully selected, important metrics to ensure that only the best make our list of picks. Every booster seat we considered was subjected to a test of the level of support it provides and how safe it is for children. Along with support and safety, we prioritized how much comfort these seats provide and how kids would feel sitting in them. Only booster seats made from high-grade materials built to last and withstand pressure made our list of picks. We always want you to be free from stress and hassles so of all booster seats we considered, only the ones that are easy to install and remove are in our list of picks. We considered style and looked out for eye-catching designs that cost respectable prices. Still, on the topic of safety, we selected only seats that offer adequate side support for children of all ages and sizes. We sifted through thousands of reviews and customer experiences to weed out booster seats that could be a headache for you.
Our Picks For You
Best Pick - Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1
Best Pick
Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1
This booster car seat is likely to have your kid even more comfortable than you.
Although costly, this booster car seat is at the pinnacle of comfort and security for kids riding in vehicles.
Who it is for
This booster car seat is for parents who seek the best commuting experience for their kids.
Why it is great
This seat epitomizes safety and comfort. It is a favorite for parents and children all around the US and beyond.
Potential flaws
Users have complained about the latch not being at its tightest when the seat is rear-facing.
Other features
This car seat is the most expensive one on our list but for good reason. It keeps kids up to 120 lb safe and sound throughout rides whether long or short. The likelihood of your baby crying whilst in this seat is far less than in other seats. It has four riding methods depending on your kid’s age and size and what you think makes them most comfortable.
You can set it to be rear-facing and prop your infant in it - this mode is perfect for kids weighing up to 40 lb.
For heavier, older kids who may like to experience parts of the ride through the windows and windscreen, you can set up the forward-facing harness.
For taller kids, you can use the highback booster to ensure they’re convenient and at low risk of straining their backs during the journey.
There’s also a backless booster for children old, tall, and heavy enough to sit without all the extras.
This booster seat is super easy to use and comes with an instruction manual that is clear and breaks down instructions into easily understandable bits. It also has a “rapid remove” feature that ensures the machine washable covers can be pulled off within 60 seconds without needing to uninstall the whole seat. It’s also protected plus engineered to keep your little ones safe during a crash. The harness and headrest are adjustable for proper security and the seat itself has six recline positions to take comfort levels to a whole new level.
It’s 20-inches in depth and weighs around 23lb.
Runner Up - Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster Seat
Runner Up
Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster Seat
This seat is here for a good time and a long time.
This seat is built to last. It would hold your kid all through their journey until they are ready for car chairs.
Who it is for
Another high-cost offering from Graco, this booster car seat is the right fit for parents who want their kids to enjoy rides and be safe while doing so with fewer modes than our best pick.
Why it is great
Graco has listed this booster seat as one that grows with your kid. You could use it for so long without needing a replacement thanks to its intentional design. It holds kids weighing between 20-100 lb and is one for the long term.
Potential flaws
Some users have raised slight problems with installing this seat, especially in smaller vehicles.
Other features
When compared with our best pick in terms of price, this booster seat dwarves in comparison. However, it is the closest to our best pick in terms of safety, comfort, and durability. You can keep your mind at rest when your kid rides in this seat. It’s the dictionary definition of durable - lightweight but sturdy, easy to install and remove, and easy to clean. It has deep cup holders on both sides so along with your kid, their drink is safe through the trip. It has a harness booster mode for kids between 22-65lb, a highback booster, and a backless booster mode both perfect for kids between 40-100lb.
Its headrest can be set in eight different positions for utmost convenience. It has a rapid removal feature that takes the hassle away from cleaning and is engineered to keep your kid protected even during a crash.
Most cost-effective - Graco Turbobooster LX
Most cost-effective
Graco Turbobooster LX
This seat combines affordability with safety and comfort.
This booster seat is super affordable and safe for kids of a wide age range.
Who it is for
This booster seat is for moms who uber a lot and are in search of a car seat that moves around super easily.
Why it is great
Apart from the almost unbelievable pricing, this lightweight booster seat is easy to install and take out for easy transfer between cars and is built to last.
Potential flaws
The strap on this car seat, whilst strong, may not be as strong as our other picks in the long term.
Other features
Dollar for dollar, it’s hard to beat this seat in the market. It’s lightweight yet sturdy enough to keep your child in place even on the bumpiest of roads. It’s suitable for kids aged between four and 12 and has a headrest that is adjustable to many different positions. It has side-impact protection so kids don’t slip out from the sides. It’s made of machine washable fabric and features a cup holder to keep your little one fed all the way.
Everything about this seat is simplified - assemblage, installation, and removal. All this, combined with how light it is, makes it just perfect for mothers who uber around a lot as it takes only a few seconds to set up and you’re good to go. It also features a sleek, stylish design that is sure to catch your kid's eye.
It has side protection to prevent kids from sliding out from the sides and is roomy enough even for bigger kids.
Almost made the cut - Chicco KidFit 2-in-1
Almost made the cut
Who it is for
This seat is perfect for families who want a chair for their kids to use. No fancy sounding, hard-to-use extras.
Why it is great
This seat offers great amounts of leg room for children amongst other perks. It has a headrest with many customizable positions and is easy to install.
Potential flaws
This booster seat prioritizes a lightweight build that some users have described as being too flimsy.
Other features
This booster seat is priced at a more common range but it shines for more than just this reason. Its seat is designed with double-layer foam padding for utmost comfort and support. If you’re so inclined, this seat is certified for low chemical emissions, thereby contributing to healthier air quality around your kid. It can be converted into a backless seat whenever your kid is big enough to rest on the car chair.
For extra comfort, this seat reclines in many positions to mimic vehicle seat positions. It weighs about 10 lbs and can hold kids between 40-100lb.
Care and miantenance
It’s important to pick a seat that your child can fit into conveniently. Review your kid’s height before buying a booster seat to ensure you get one that matches their height. Subsequently, watch out for your kid in the seat. It may be time to get a new seat or transition to car chairs if their head is higher than the top of the booster seat.
First, read the instruction manual for the booster seat. Put the booster seat in the backseat of your vehicle. Experts posit that the middle of the backseat is best for booster seats but some cars don’t have middle seat belts. If you have one of such vehicles, place the booster seat at whatever angle you can see your child better from your seat. After placing the booster seat, place your child in it when the car is stationary and put the seat belt around to test it out and check for comfort. Check if the seat has any support for the seat belt and test it out. When not in use, ensure the booster seat is strapped or nicely stowed away in the trunk.
To clean booster seats, first, take the seats out of the car. Remove any physical dirt or debris from the seat after which you can vacuum to get rid of sand and smaller dirt. Then gently scrub the seat using a soft cloth and some water and washing liquid.
Keep the booster seat in a nice, dry, sunny location to dry after which it can go back in the car.
Sources and Research
Further Reading and Similar Topics
September 30, 2023
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November 14, 2023
National Seat Belt Day
Set an example by belting up and being safe on the road.
May 2, 2023
Take a Baby to Lunch Day
It’s time to take a brand new (tiny) partner for lunch!
