Whenever you are on the go or making plans for the perfect family holiday, your biggest concern is the safety of your little one through the journey. Isn’t it? This is why booster seats are developed, to ensure that your toddler can have a smooth journey and you can drive longer distances without stopping. Ideally, the best booster seats are the one, which provides enough space for your little one’s neck and head support. This ensures that your child has a comfortable and safe journey, along with you. These seats are extremely comfortable and spacious, allowing your child to feel free to move around and not feel chained. Ideally, most parents prefer high back and backless booster seats, because they provide some level of freedom for your child to enjoy the journey and not feel tightly downed.

Child boosters are designed to take the siding off the car seat, in addition to providing height and width without being bulky. In case, you are met with an accident, the booster seat will make sure to give utmost support and safety to your child by covering the neck and chest. However, it is recommended that you should put your child in a booster seat once; he/she has reached the age of 4 or 5 so that it does not become ill-fitting and uncomfortable for them.

Why Does Your Child Need A Booster Seat?

We live in the age where the number of vehicles in a family outnumbers the number of members. There are more cars on the road than ever before. Too many people are used to traveling in their own car, which also makes it obvious to state that kids too are spending more and more time in the cars than they did before. And this is why safety measures have also increased more widely now. Making it mandatory to use seat belts and car seats have led to a decline of injuries and deaths but nevertheless, they still occur.

The problem with seat belts is that they have designed in a way to fit adult bodies and don’t tend to securely hold a child. This is the reason why it is recommended that you keep a booster seat for your kid in the car because as the name suggests they are meant to boost your child high enough for your car’s lap and shoulder belts to restrain them safely. In the event of an accident, an adult seat belt can actually cause injury rather than preventing it. We will tell you how – imagine your lap belt is resting on your child’s tummy; the child could be hit in a way that they could suffer damage in the stomach or liver. In another situation, if the shoulder belt is resting against the kid’s neck rather than their chest, they may try to move it under their arm, leading to them cracking their ribs or the back. So, even if a seat belt might seem like a legit security measure for your child, it could in real actually cause them more damage and even hamper their movement.

What Is The Right Age For A Child To Start Using A Booster Seat?

Now that you know why your child needs a booster seat, it is important for you to understand that you don’t immediately rush your child into a booster seat the next time you take them out. You ought to know that there’s a certain age beyond which a booster seat is recommended for your kid.

Your child will be ready for a booster seat when they have outgrown the height and weight limit of their forward facing harnesses. Typically, within the age of 4 to 8 is ideal for a child to use a booster seat.

Here are a couple of steps that you should not skip:

1.  Use a booster seat when your child has outgrown their internal harness or height limit of a forward facing child seat.
2.   They should ideally be within the age of 4 to 8 years.
3.  Do not use it for a kid who cannot sit with their back against the seat with their knees bending at the edge of their seat without hunching.
4.   Do not use it for a kid who does not fit into a car belt without discomfort.

What Should You Keep In Mind Before Installing A Booster Seat?

1.  Do not forget to read the car manual and tick off all the child safety seat instructions before you decide to install the booster seat.
2.   Use a belt-positioning booster along with a lap/shoulder belt. A lap belt will not provide for upper body comfort and safety.
3.  Make sure that you use a backless belt-positioning booster in a car that has head restraint present for your child.

How To Use A Booster Seat?

1.   The safest place for all children who are 12 years old and below is the backseat.
2.   You can place the booster seat on the vehicle seat, and then fasten the lap/shoulder belt of your child.
3.   Make sure to only install the belt-positioning booster seat with the latch or tether system.
4.  Aforementioned, do not place the shoulder belt behind your little one’s back or under their arm.

What Are The Types Of Booster Seats?

1.    High back booster seat
2.    Backless booster seat
3.    High back booster seat

High-back booster seats have been designed in a way to support your child’s head and neck, along with giving ample space for them to move their legs and arms around.  These seats also provide higher sides for your child to fall asleep in the car while you are driving or if you plan to take longer trips. A rule of thumb here is that look for high-back booster seats with clips on the side so that you can adjust it as your child grows.

2.    Backless booster seat

The backless booster seat is ideal for providing your child with head and back support. Their primary function is to boost your child’s height in order to make the sit belt fir in properly. They ensure that your child is aligned with the seatbelt system so that they can keep safe in the event of an accident. Many of the high back booster seats come with a harness system that is good for a car that comes with no headrest for the back seat. Just like a traditional seat belt system, make sure to latch this on to your car seat properly so that your kid can sit at ease.

Top 9 Best Booster Seats of 2018

#1 Britax Frontier G1.1 Click Tight

The Britax Frontier G1.1 Click Tight is a high-end booster seat that is the versatile and high weight that makes it one of the most impressive booster seats in the market as of now. It is extremely easy to use and also consists of a 5-point harness that works well for children ranging in weight from 25 pounds to 120 pounds. It has a rather simple installation process and the headrest and shoulder harness works great and is easy to adjust to.

It is a combination car seat meaning that it can be used in two configurations: one, as a forward-facing seat, two, as a booster seat. This booster seat is for those parents who look for quality over price. It is for those who have more than one kid in the family and not more than 12 car seats.

Why Do We Recommend It

1.  It’s clicking tight installation ensures that anyone can install the booster car seat securely simply by buckling the seat belt.
2.   It has 2 layers of side protection that comes with a deep-energy-absorbing shell that protects your child from a serious type of collision.
3.  It has a quick-adjust 9-position harness system that allows for easy movement of the harness upward and the buckle outward for a secure and comfortable fit for your child.
4.  The multiple-position recline options allow for you to easily change the seat angle as per your child’s comfort.

#2 Britax Pinnacle G1.1 ClickTight

This is considered to be a second stage booster car seat for your matured child, which means if you are the kind of parents who are extra careful about your kids even after they get into pre-school, then this one is for you. This is not a portable seat that you can carry along with you.  This too is a combination car seat, which can be used in two configurations: as a forward facing seat as well as a booster. The shoulder height of your child should be between 12.5 to 20.5” to use this booster seat. The harness straps on the top should either be above your child’s shoulders or at the shoulder level. The ears of the child should not extend more than the headrest level. Most importantly your child should be around the age of 7 years to use it.

It is very easy to install this car seat. All you have to do is lift the cover to see the ClickTight panel and then route the belt around the green patch and finally close the cover. The Latch weight limit should not be a cause of worry for you! This makes the Pinnacle worth considering for most parents.

The Pinnacle also comes with a Side Impact Cushion Technology, which means that the cushion is designed to absorb energy situated on either side of the car seat. This way they reduce the energy side impacts reducing the child’s risk of being met with the injury during the accident. Further, the cushions are also designed in a way to give extra protection to any passenger sitting next to this seat.

It also comes with a steel frame to prevent the seat from moving forward as much during the event of an accident. It also comprises of EPP foam around the child’s head and body to boost the sides for impact protection.

Why Do We Recommend It

1.   The click tight installation provides security while installing the seat by just buckling the seat belt.
2.   The SafeCell comes with an impact-absorbing base that provides safety components.
3.  It comprises of a steel frame to hold the seat from moving forward during the event of a crash.
4.  It also comes with EPF foam that reduces strain and stress because of long hours of sitting in the same place.

#3 Chicco KidFit 2-in-1 Booster

The Chicco KidFit 2-in-1 Booster seat is a dual mode product, which means that it can be utilized as a high back booster as well as a backless booster. It provides 10 positions for the headrest and comes with lower Latch anchor connectors that can attach quickly and easily. All you have to do is tighten both sides of the straps simultaneously by pulling on the central adjuster strap at the front of the base. This feature is called SuperCinch.

The DuoZone head and side impact protection ensure that your child is safe when they are in the backed booster position. It also features DuoFoam padding that helps your child to be comfortably seated during a ride. The cup holders by the side of the seat have “L” and “R” printed on the bottom to help you recognize the appropriate sides. You can move the cover aside slightly to slide them in and push until you hear a click. You can also attach the backside of the seat onto the bottom and then swivel upright until it clicks and locks into the appropriate place.

Why Do We Recommend It

1.   It comes with the 10-headrest position to ensure your child’s utmost comfort.
2.   The headrest is completely lined with EPS foam.
3.   The armrest and seat pads covers are removable.
4.   There are also 2 removable cup holders, which can fold away into the seat when you are not using them.
5.   The SuperCinch latch attachment and one-hand pull tightener are its key features.

#4 Graco Atlas 65 2-in-1

The Graco Atlas 65 2-in-1 booster seat is designed to grow with your child. It comes with 10 positions adjustable headrest, along with the harness that converts into a storage compartment, further turning the seat into a belt-positioning booster. It works only as a forward-facing booster seat, coming with basic hook-style Latch attachments. The Atlas can be installed with the lower anchors or with seat belts. The seat’s labeling mentions using the top tether in addition to either installation method.

The Atlas booster seat ensures to provide a smooth cover along with a belt path that rests the seat belt and lower anchor strap and prevents it from touching the child’s back. Make sure that the harness is above the child’s shoulder or at her shoulder level.

The harness mode can be converted to booster mode. All you have to is loosen the harness all the way and unbuckle the buckle tongues from the crotch buckle and clip the pieces of the chest clip together, and then raise the harness above.

Why Do We Recommend It

1.   It is a 5-point harnessed front facing car booster seat with high back bell-positioning booster.
2.   It can convert the 5-point harness mode to highback bell-positioning booster mode.
3.  The Safe Harness Adjustable System helps to adjust the height of the harness and headrest.
4.  The integrated harness storage compartment can store some essential when the harness traps are unused.

#5 Graco Affix Youth Booster

The Graco Affix Youth Booster is an affordable great fit booster seat that is convenient for kids of different ages. It is a highback booster seat that can be transitioned into the backless mode as and when your child grows in weight and height. It has been designed to manage impact energy because of the inclusion of EPS energy absorbing foam protecting your child in the event of a crash.

The latch system of this booster seat can help you connect it to your car’s seat belt, keeping the latch properly in place, securing your child safe from any impact. It also allows your child to self-buckle with the open-loop belt guides. This booster seat further brings comfort to your child with its headrest designed with multiple layers to give full coverage to the back, along with providing adequate comfort.

It is easy to use as the labels and instructions are clearly written and the ease of transition from highback to the backless mode is appropriate according to belt fit.

Why Do We Recommend It

1.   The Latch system offers the secure connection to keep the booster seat properly in place.
2.  It features self-buckle option for children as the booster seat is steady and labels are readable, with clarity.
3.  The unique front adjustment helps you to quickly tighten the backless booster seat with the belt of your car.
4.  It has been designed in a way that is crash-tested and protects your child in the event of a crash.

#6 Disney KidsEmbrace Cinderella

Your kids would love this harness booster seats from Kids Embrace as they come with the variety of options to choose from some of their favorite characters. They come as combination seats that feature two harness positions and consist of the push button for lower anchor connectors. The lower anchor connectors can be used in booster mode. You can also moderate and modify the recline setting depending on the comfort and ease of your little one.

The front-facing extends up to 5-points harnesses the belt positioning high back booster are ideal for kids from 30 to 100 lbs. The internal harness system has energy absorbing features with a 3 position adjustable headrest that comes with EPS foam for superior impact protection during an accident. The contoured seat is shaped for comfort during long rides, with Latch connectors that are easy to install and use.

Why Do We Recommend It

1.    With a plethora of character options to choose from, it is an ultimate favorite with kids.
2.    The front-facing extend uses 5-point harness.
3.   The internal Harness System comes with energy absorbing technology with 3 deep position adjustable headrests.
4.    Superior EPS foam for impact protection.
5.  The comfortable seats come with Latch connectors that are easy to install with quick push-button.

#7 Graco Highback Turbo Booster

It is a comfortably designed and easily adjustable versatile Turbo booster seat that comes in dual mode: one, as a high back booster and the other, as a backless booster. It comes with a fully adjustable headrest that can be easily converted into a backless booster. The seat comprises of EPS energy absorbing foam that can control effective impact. The belts are an open loop that can help with proper positioning.

It is suitable for children between the age group of 4 to 10 years old. It’s fully adjustable headrest ensures that it can grow with your child and keep your child secure. The 2-in-1 functionality of the booster seat can easily convert the backless booster seat for years of use.

Why Do We Recommend It

1.    It comes with padded height-adjustable armrests.
2.    Further, there are hideaway cup holders.
3.    It features easily convertible backless booster for durability of use.
4.    The car’s belt strap is compatible with the booster seat.
5.    It has a safety latch that can be attached easily to your vehicle.
6.   It is lightweight unlike other traditional booster seats, and you can easily get it inside and outside the car.

#8 Britax Parkway SGL G1.1

The Parkway SGL is a booster car seat that can be used as both high-back belt positioning booster or backless booster as the back side is easily removable. The sides come with 2 layers of impact protection that is made with deep foam-lined shell and quick-adjust head protection. The base is made with SafeCell impact absorbing base that compresses so as to compress the level of the collision. It also features Isoflex lower connection system that can stabilize the seat during an event of the crash.

The Britax Parkway SGL G1.1 comes with SecureGuard Clip that ensures that the child’s hip is positioned well along with the vehicle’s seat belt. There are two retractable cup holders on both sides to hold your child’s favorite drink or snacks. It also comes with removable seat covers in case you want to cover the seat from getting dirty.

Why Do We Recommend It

1.  The SafeCell impact protection protects your child during an accident.
2. SafeCell also provides an advanced level of protection with its foam-lined shell that absorbs energy and keeps your child’s neck and head securely.
3. There is a security guard clip that ensures the child’s hip is positioned at par with the vehicle’s seat belt, minimizing any abdominal injury.
4. The premium lower anchor connectors keep the booster more stable in the vehicle and secure the booster during an accident.

#9 Graco Nautilus 65 3-IN-1

The Graco Nautilus 65 is a 3-in-1-harness booster convertible car seat that gives you 10 years of use. The booster seat is in high back belt positioning mode that can be converted to backless belt-positioning mode. The Nautilus 65 is undeniably safe and comes with ultimate durability and reliability. The surface is made of plastic combined with steel part for safety. It is a pretty safe choice for anyone looking for extra safety for his or her kids. Adjusting the 5-point harness strap is very easy in installing the car seat in the car, it is as easy as putting your child inside the car.

The seat is built with EPS foam that absorbs impact. The foam is combined with the 5-point safety harness, which means that at the event of a car accident your child will be safe. The Nautilus 65 allows you to use the headrest in any harnessed mode. This facilitates ease of use and creates less confusion for parents.

Why Do We Recommend It

1. There is three-position crotch strap that protects your child from external injury.
2. You can use Latch system in an in high back booster mode.
3. The DLX version has an inbuilt seat belt lock feature.

Conclusion

Booster seats are meant to adjust your child in the car so that they can sit comfortably and not be a cause of concern for the parents while driving even in longer distances. A booster seat will help position your child in the seat in a way that he or she sits appropriately with the lap belt in the right side and the shoulder will be held in a position that it needs to. If in case you meet with an accident you would not want your child to meet with any injuries in the neck, shoulder, or stomach, hence it is important to get a booster seat to ensure the utmost safety of your child. Now that you have gone through this detailed and well-researched guide on helping you buy the best booster seat for your child, your stress of getting the right one is taken into care by us. Let us know of your choice of pick from here!