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 graco car seat for nearly three years can attest to its overall quality and that it was easy to use. 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.
The BubbleBum is a booster we love for what it is, but we encourage you not to ignore what it isn’t. This option is lightweight, rolls up in its own travel bag and is one that is uber-easy to take on travel or for little ones to carry for carpooling or camp. The BubbleBum is easy to use, and the inflated bottom is comfy enough. We love that this seat offers protection in situations graco convertible car seat where little ones might not use a safety seat at all, and we think it is an excellent choice for a second seat or frequent travel. The Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 is an impressive high-backed booster we really love. This booster earned the top results for crash test analysis, bringing a combination of better sensor data for both the head and chest sensors to the table.
While installing and using your booster seat is key to creating a safer environment, the results from crash testing can also help guide you to the options that might offer an additional margin of safety. You should consider which seats performed the best and how the results work in with the size and type of booster that will best meet your needs. Booster seats are an important leg on your car traveling safety journey.
We test the products at a faster rate than the speed outlined in the federal requirements (FMVSS 213) and on a sled that better mimics modern-day vehicle seats. Each booster we test is compared side-by-side to the competition. Over time, we’ve purchased and tested more than 20 booster safety seats. Our testing puts each booster seat through a multi-point performance analysis that considers everyday functionality and more. We’ve spent years and hours using and testing boosters to determine what makes one better than another.
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). That’s a lot of words to explain that the vehicle seat belt stayed inside the belt guide. Converting the TurboBooster Grow from high back to backless mode is the same process as converting other TurboBoosters. Set the booster on a flat surface, then hold the backless portion down while pushing the back portion away from you.
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. The seat weighs 4 pounds more than our top pick, and it’s one of the widest models we looked at. He usually rides in a harnessed car seat but he was happy to check out the TurboBooster Grow for us. The belt fit on him is excellent — the vehicle seat belt lays across his hips and across the center of his shoulder.