The overall fit and finish look sloppy and somewhat incomplete, with stray threads and uneven stitching. However, the price tag makes the quality level feel acceptable, even if it is disappointing. Also, since we think of it as an occasional-use seat, quality is less of a concern. This review includes the details you need to make a well-informed decision on which booster seat is the best choice for your child and your budget. The Cambria isn’t as comfortable as options like the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 with its leg lounger padding or the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 with its highly adjustable design.
With nice features for comfort, like supportive padding and additional leg padding, it is easy to see why kid testers gave it a thumbs up in our review. The Air Plus is an easy-to-use option for parents and kids, and the higher quality materials imply it will last as long as you need it to. I took my son to our local warehouse graco turbobooster store on his fourth birthday to select his own big-boy carseat. He obviously selected the Cars Turbo Booster Carseat since it had his favorite characters on it. We took it out to the car, opened the box right there, put it in place of his five point-harness carseat, he was able to buckle himself, and we were on our way.
This Graco is one of the lightest in the group at 4.5 lbs, in large part due to its lack of back. While we prefer a backed booster, we know there are times when a smaller and lighter option is what you need. Despite the lighter weight, it would not be our choice for travel or carpooling as it is harder to carry than some smaller competitors.
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. Parents often look forward to transitioning their kids from one milestone to the next, but car seats are one area where delaying a transition is the better thing to be celebrated. This attractive, comfortable booster seat has a unique backrest that adjusts in width as your kid grows. When this car seat is installed on the plus one or jump seat of a minivan, Graco has confirmed that the entire base must be in contact with the vehicle seat. The original has been a CSFTL favorite for quite some time. It’s lightweight, fits smaller children well, and is almost foolproof to use properly.
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.
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. 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. 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.
This sounds like a small thing but it made getting the TurboBooster Grow in and out of my vehicle a snap!! I’d love to see this style of lower anchors on other car seats and boosters seats. The Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 earned the top score for comfort in our tests. This one has an adjustable headrest, back height, and side wings for comfort and to help ensure a great fit for kids of different sizes. It also has supportive padding and a headrest that offers a great napping design. During testing, the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 earned the ease of use high score.
We see how the TurboBooster could end up on your shortlist, given its smaller size, lower weight, and additional features like armrests and cup holders. However, it is not our seat of choice for any use, be that every day or for travel, and given the lower crash testing results, we’d recommend parents look elsewhere for suitable options based on their goals. Considering comfort factors, we compare the foam support, fabric feel, the seat’s design, the depth of the seat bottom and headrest, and the potential for napping. Some boosters offer denser padding, a cushy feel, softer fabric, or a steel frame. Boosters are tested side-by-side by adult testers and children for general comfort compared to the competition. We contracted with the same crash test facility used by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) to conduct our booster seat crash tests.
You just place it in the car and thread the seat belt through the guide hook. It’s lightweight and easy to put in and take out.Child’s ComfortMy child seems very comfortable in her special seat. She’s tall and slim and fits perfectly, and she is very happy to sit in her special chair.
Please use these ratings as guidelines, and use sensitivity when purchasing products based on the individuals that you are shopping for. Based on your own experience with a product, feel free to also offer reviews and feedback on the website for other customers to learn from. Range of height (inches) allowed for a child when using the seat in backless booster mode. Range of weight (lbs.) allowed for child when using the seat in backless booster mode.