The best toddler booster seats for cars

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When to graduate from a harness to a booster

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping kids in a 5-point harness as long as possible. That means until they exceed the height or weight limit of the harness, typically age 5 or older.

The minimum guideline for moving to a booster:

• At least 4 years old (5 is better)
• At least 40 pounds
• Can sit upright the entire ride without slouching
• Can keep the lap belt across the upper thighs and shoulder belt across the collarbone
• Behaves predictably (doesn't unbuckle or move around)

If your child still fits comfortably in a 5-point harness, keep them there. The harness distributes crash forces better than a belt.

High-back vs backless booster

Two main types:

• High-back booster: better head and neck protection, better belt routing, better for naps. Start here. Required by law in some states until age 8.
• Backless booster: portable, cheaper. Right for kids 5+ who fit the seat without slouching, with proper headrest behind from the car's own seat.

For toddlers ages 4 to 7, a high-back is the right pick.

What to look for

• IIHS rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety publishes annual booster-seat ratings. Pick a "Best Bet" or "Good Bet" rated seat.
• Belt-positioning clips. Routing guides on the booster that hold the seat belt in the right position.
• Side-impact protection. Foam wings or extensions that protect the head and torso.
• LATCH (lower anchors). Keeps the booster from flying around when the child is not in it. Required for safety in a crash.
• Adjustable headrest. 6+ height positions to fit growing kids.
• Easy to clean. Removable washable cover.

The five booster seats we recommend

1. Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus ($180)

The IIHS "Best Bet" rated booster. Excellent belt fit across a wide range of car models, 10 headrest positions, side-impact protection, machine-washable cover. Converts to backless for ages 6+.

The right buy for one booster that lasts from age 4 to 10.

2. Britax Highpoint ($230)

Britax's premium high-back. SafeCell impact-absorbing base, V-shaped tether for crash stability, deep side wings. Slightly bulkier than the Chicco, but the safest-feeling fit in our test.

Worth the price for families with one car and one kid who will use the seat for 5 years.

3. Diono Cambria 2XT ($90)

The budget IIHS-rated winner. Narrow profile (3 across the back seat), high weight limit (120 lb), durable build. The lap-belt routing is one of the best on a $90 booster.

Best for families fitting 3 kids in a row.

4. Nuna Aace LX ($300)

The premium pick for families who want a high-design seat that doesn't look like a fortress. Excellent belt fit, deep side wings, easy LATCH install. Convertible to backless mode.

Worth the price for the look. The Chicco gives 95% of the safety at 60% of the cost.

5. Graco TurboBooster ($60)

The most popular backless booster. After your child is firmly past 5, this is the seat that lives in grandparents' cars, the rideshare seat, and the backup seat in your minivan. Light, portable, inexpensive.

Not for daily use as your primary seat. For occasional or backup use, it's the right buy.

How to install a booster seat

1. Read your car's manual and the booster manual. Both. They will contradict each other in tiny ways, and the booster manual usually wins.
2. Use LATCH if your booster has it. Lower anchors keep the booster anchored when no child is in it. Critical in a crash.
3. Place the booster in a seat with a 3-point seat belt. Never use a lap-only belt with a booster.
4. Position the seatbelt: lap belt across upper thighs (not stomach), shoulder belt across collarbone (not neck), held in place by the booster's belt routing guides.
5. Test the fit. Have your kid sit in it normally. The belt should sit flat across both collarbone and upper thighs.
6. Get a free seat check. Most fire stations and police departments have a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) who will check your install for free. Find one at safekids.org.

When to stop using a booster

The 5-step test (from Safe Kids Worldwide):

1. Can your child sit all the way back in the vehicle seat?
2. Do their knees bend comfortably over the edge?
3. Does the shoulder belt cross between the neck and shoulder?
4. Is the lap belt low across the upper thighs, not the stomach?
5. Can they stay seated this way for the whole trip?

If all 5 are yes, your child is ready for an adult seat belt. Most kids reach this point at age 8 to 12. Until then, keep the booster.

What to skip

• Booster cushions with no back and no LATCH. Some discount-store boosters lack the safety features for daily use.
• Used boosters from unknown sources. Crash damage is not visible. Buy new or from someone you trust.
• Boosters past their expiration date. Plastics degrade. Most boosters expire 6 to 10 years from manufacture date — check the label.
• Boosters in front-facing front seats. Backseat only until age 13.

The bottom line

Get a Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus for $180 if you want the IIHS-rated everyday booster. Get a Diono Cambria 2XT for $90 if you have 3 kids and need space. Don't graduate from a harness to a booster early — your kid is safer in the harness until they outgrow it.