9 Best Booster Car Seats of 2024
Your growing kids will ride safely in these high-back, backless and combination booster seats.
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By early elementary school, your kid may outgrow their convertible car seat harness and be ready for the next step. A car seat harness only works for a child up to about 65 pounds; after that, it's time for them to use the regular vehicle seat belt. A booster seat helps by literally boosting them up so that the car's seat belt can be placed in the proper spot across their shoulder and not across their belly or neck, either of which could cause harm in an accident.
The parenting and product experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested 15 booster car seats in the past two years to evaluate safety, ease of use and proper fit, narrowing them down to these top-performing favorites.
Our top picks:
When determining the best booster seats, we consider ease of installation, angle and headrest adjustments, ease of cleaning, dimensions and overall fit for a child. This roundup of the best booster seats is based on Lab-tested picks, category expertise and real-life consumer feedback — we even tested booster seats in vehicles of various sizes to see how well they fit in different types of cars.
At the end of this guide, you'll find additional information on the best age to switch to a booster seat, as well as the difference between harness booster seats, high-back booster seats and backless booster seats. Looking for something for a new baby instead? Check out our reviews of infant car seats and travel systems.
Pros
- Both height and width can be adjusted
- Accommodates a child up to 120 pounds
- Headrest is especially padded and comfortable
- Retractable cup holders
Cons
- Cover can be difficult to remove
Keep your little big kid safer and comfortable with this latest Monterey 2XT booster, a few inches larger than the old XT. It easily transforms from a high back booster to a backless booster seat.
It's a favorite among our pros because of the nicely padded headrest to ensure your child stays comfy during long trips. That cushy headrest can be set to any of 11 positions, moving up a total of 6.5 inches to grow with your child. "My children always appear comfortable in this comparative to other boosters where they have felt cramped or less supported," says GH Institute Chief Technologist and Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman, a mom of three and our lead tester for car seats and booster seats.
In fact, as a high back booster, this offers both height and width adjustments. It reclines a bit, only to be sure that the seat meets the pitch of your car's backseat. Once kids no longer require the added support, you can remove the back completely.
Kid testers appreciate both the arm rests and the two retractable cup holders. This seat comes in a range of colors, including all black, with covers that remove for machine washing (though we wish the removal was a bit easier). The Diono seatpad is slightly wider than some of the other options on this list and the aluminum-reinforced side-impact protection helps provide extra safety in the case of an accident. Finally, this can attach to your car using the LATCH system, though some online reviewers say they don't find the LATCH straps on this to be as easy to use as those on some convertible car seats.
Dimensions | 17.5" x 22" x 27.2" |
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Weight range | 40 to 120 lbs |
Height range | 38" to 63" |
Mode | High-back to backless booster |
Booster weight | 14.3 lbs |
Pros
- Minimalist booster that's best for big kids
- Great for travel and carpooling
- Only weighs about two pounds
- 9K+ five-star Amazon reviews
Cons
- No nice perks, no side or back protection
- Does not secure with LATCH, just sits on the backseat
Perfect for travel, car-pooling and families with multiple cars (not to mention grandparent and babysitter vehicles), this is the most minimalist and best budget booster car seat we tested. Ideal for older kids, it's got no bells and whistles so we won't pretend that it does, but it does boost a child up three inches so that they can buckle themselves in using the car's seat belt correctly — and 9K+ five-star Amazon reviews.
If you frequently car-pool kids to practices or meetings, it can be smart to keep extras of these in the trunk of your car so that everyone rides safely. This booster is also inexpensive enough that family members who drive your kid around can keep one in their vehicle too. And with it weighing only about two pounds, this is easy to put in a tote bag and take with you on trips so your child's always safe in their seat belt, in rideshares and elsewhere.
Note that unlike every other booster on this list, the Topside does not secure to your car with the LATCH system. This seat just sits on top of the car's backseat and the weight of your child holds it down. Even so, it has thousands of parents grateful for its convenience and price.
Dimensions | 16" x 15" x 3" |
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Weight range | 40 to 100 lbs |
Height range | 43" to 57" |
Mode | Backless booster |
Booster weight | 2.2 lbs |
Pros
- Double-foam padding
- Fabric is easily removable and washable
- Height adjusts from the waist for maximum support
- Easy-to-use LATCH system and tightener
Cons
- Bit tricky for kids to buckle on their own with the back on
If you're a road-trip family that spends more than the average amount of time in the car, this exceptionally comfortable pick might be the one for you. Our testers loved the contoured seat and found the double-foam padding to be cushioning for kids. This version is made with the brand's ClearTex fabric, which is removable and machine-washable, and also boasts Greenguard Gold certification for textiles that are low in chemical emissions.
In its high back form, the KidFit offers 10 height positions, adjusting along the waist rather than the neck to offer more protection down the side of your child. Note that some of our younger tester kids did have some trouble buckling themselves in with the back on. But the back also removes completely for bigger kids, and then they have no trouble buckling themselves.
The KidFit connects to your car via a LATCH system and our Lab experts are fans of Chicco's SuperCinch one-pull tightener, which makes it very easy to get this seat fitting snugly. The two dishwasher-safe cupholders are soft and can fold in if you have to fit three people across your backseat and need every inch.
Dimensions | 17" x 17" x 26" |
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Weight range | High back: 40 to 100 lbs; Backless: 40 to 110 lbs |
Height range | 38" to 57" |
Mode | Highback to backless booster |
Booster weight | 10 lbs |
Pros
- Start a child as light as 25 pounds in this using the harness
- Transforms to a belt-positioning booster up to 120 pounds
- Brand's ClickTight system makes for easy installation
- Removable fabric can go in both washer and dryer
Cons
- More expensive than other options
- Heaviest booster seat on our list
You can get a younger kid started in a booster seat if you use one that begins with a five-point harness, such as this Britax. It can accommodate children as small as 25 pounds with the harness, then up to 120 pounds as a belt-positioning booster with a noticeably wider spread than most booster car seats. You can expect to use it from preschool through elementary school, and those extra years of use help justify the higher price.
Our testers said the nine-position headrest was easy to adjust. Both our Lab experts and parent testers also love the Britax ClickTight system, which makes it a snap to lock this booster car seat in place in your backseat when it's in harness mode. The seat fabric is removable and it can even go in the washing machine and the dryer.
With three layers of side-impact protection and the brand's SafeCell Technology that helps absorb the crash energy, you know your little one will be protected. However, this a heavy, substantial booster car seat. Expect to keep it in your main vehicle; it doesn't lend itself much to swapping between cars.
Dimensions | 21" x 23" x 25" |
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Weight range | Harness: 25 to 65 lbs; Belt: 40 to 120 lbs |
Height range | Harness: 30" to 49"; Belt: 45" to 63" |
Mode | Harness booster to high back booster |
Booster weight | 27 lbs |
Pros
- Great choice for big kids who still need a boost
- Lightweight and compact
- Hidden storage compartment
Cons
- No back or neck support
If you're looking for something for an older kid that doesn't take up quite as much room as other booster seats, consider a backless booster like this popular Graco model. It uses the LATCH system to securely connect in the backseat, but it's also a super portable booster seat for kids who don’t need added neck and back support. It still does the job of offering the height needed to get the seat belt in the right place, but kids can feel "bigger" and you can take this on trips or move it from car to car.
The TurboBooster is great for preteens not quite ready to transition to sitting unaided in the car, but looking for more independence. Several of our testers noted how this made it easier for their kids to buckle themselves in. For parents, we found the machine-washable seat pad to be easy to clean. The integrated cupholder and hidden storage compartment are a way to keep a drink and snacks (or a small toy) handy.
Dimensions | 15.5" x 17.5" x 8.6" |
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Height range | 43" to 57" |
Weight range | 40 to 100 lbs |
Mode | Backless booster |
Booster weight | 5.5 lbs |
Pros
- Keeps a tall-for-their-age kid in the 5-point safety harness
- Cooling mesh fabric zips off for cleaning
- Kid-friendly touches like a snack console
Cons
- More little-kid appeal than big-kid appeal
This harness booster seat, which might not be out of place in the cockpit of a space ship, has kid appeal with the fun latching snack console, two cupholders, and mesh fabric that can help keep a kid's back cooler in hot weather. Parents like that the fabric can unzip to be washed in cold water (hang it to dry), and those cupholders can go in the dishwasher.
The MyFit can accommodate a child up to 54 inches tall in harness mode, making it a way to extend a tall little kid's time in a five-point safety harness if you prefer. In high back booster mode, it does not fit a child as tall or as heavy as some other seats on our list, so we mostly like this for preschool and early-school age kids. The headrest adjusts to nine positions and there are also four recline settings.
This is another substantially heavy choice; once you use the LATCH system to secure it into your main vehicle, you're likely to keep it there. As with the other Chicco choice, the SuperCinch tightener makes this one easier to install than many others.
Dimensions | 21" x 17.5" x 26" |
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Weight range | Harness: 25 to 65 lbs; Belt: 40 to 100 lbs |
Height range | Harness: up to 54"; Belt: 38" to 57" |
Mode | Harness booster to high back booster |
Booster weight | 26 lbs |
Pros
- High-quality fabric in pretty colors
- Sides expand as you raise the headrest height
- Good up to 120 pounds
Cons
- Only one hook-on cupholder
Nuna's booster comes in some beautiful colors (pink, teal, dark green), giving it a high-end look without being on the far end of the price spectrum. The seat's fabric is Greenguard Gold certified too. The headrest adjusts to nine different positions; as you push it upwards, the shoulder width moves out as well, so it expands as your child grows (accommodating up to 120 pounds). You can even choose from three seat depths and eight recline positions, making this seat among the most customizable to your child's size.
If your child is most likely to be excited about their seat if it is in a fun color, this will help win them over. The cupholder is not integrated (it just hooks on), but because it removes easily, you can put it through the dishwasher. The fabric comes off as well for washing and the seat connects with a LATCH system. Energy-absorbing foam pads on the sides of the seat help with side-impact protection when this is in high back mode.
Dimensions | 15" x 21.5" x 26" |
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Weight range | High back: 40 to 110 lbs; Backless: 50 to 120 lbs |
Height range | 38" to 60" |
Mode | High back booster to backless booster |
Booster weight | 15.6 lbs |
Pros
- Great high back choice for kids with a long torso
- Seat belt guides help kids and parents get the buckle right
- Foam side-impact protection
Cons
- Smaller weight and height range than some other options
The seatback of the aptly named Alta goes higher than any other booster car seat on our list, stretching up to 33 inches tall at the top level of the seven headrest positions. Though it's only recommended for children up to 57 inches tall, that high back can work well for kids who have a long torso. A belt-routing system guides both the shoulder strap and the lap belt to rest safely and securely. This helps kids learn how to buckle up on their own and ensures that grown-ups put the straps in the right place too.
Secure the seat with rigid LATCH connectors that fit it tightly into your vehicle. Our experts appreciate the specialized foam featured on the sides of the seat that provides additional side-impact protection. Consumer testers could tell that this seat has high-quality construction. "We like the wide shoulder support and the adjustable head positioning," one said. The removable seat fabric is machine-washable, and the seat's one cupholder is removable as well and can be positioned on either side.
Dimensions | 20" x 19" x 25.5" to 33" |
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Weight range | 40 to 100 lbs |
Height range | 38" to 57" |
Mode | High back booster |
Booster weight | 16.6 lbs |
Pros
- Sturdy, impressive build
- Easy-to-use belt guides
- Very adjustable headrest and recline
Cons
- On the higher end of the price range
This unique and sleek-looking booster seat is on the higher end of the price range, but it includes numerous safety measures that impress our Lab experts. The Oobr, manufactured in North America, is made with rigid LATCH connectors and a winged headrest for increased stability. Plus, it has belt guides to make sure the seat belt rests over your child’s body in the correct places. It's also easy to tell whether or not the seat is properly in place since you'll hear an audible click when secure.
"This booster seat feels solid, though it's still comfortable for my child," says GH Institute Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Executive Director Lexie Sachs, a mom of two. The headrest adjusts to any of 11 positions and the seat can recline 12 degrees. It also has a removable cup holder and a removable seat cover for easy cleaning. When your child is ready, you can take off the back and use this as a backless booster. And when you're completely finished with it, you can look into Clek's recycling program in partnership with CarSeatRecycling.com.
Dimensions | 16" x 17" x 28" |
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Weight range | 40 to 100 lbs |
Height range | High back: 38" to 57"; Backless: 40" to 57" |
Mode | High back to backless booster |
Booster weight | 20 lbs |
How we test booster car seats
The Good Housekeeping Institute's engineering and parenting pros have tested 15 booster seats over the past two years using a combination of in-Lab and at-home tests with both experts and consumer reviewers.
Our experts perform in-Lab tests to evaluate car seats based on their ease of installation, perceived kid comfort, ease of getting kids in and out of the car, advanced features, headrest adjustments, height and weight limits, stability and more.
We also work with real parents to test booster seats in a variety of vehicle sizes and types.
What to look for when shopping for a booster car seat
✔️ Height and weight limits: All booster seats come with minimum and maximum height and weight specifications. To ensure proper seat belt placement and optimal security, make sure your child fits within those ranges. If you have a convertible car seat with a booster-seat mode, or a booster that transitions from high back to backless, hold onto the user manual (or check on the brand's website) so you know when it's time to safely switch.
✔️ Seat adjustments: For the safest and most comfortable ride, look for a high back booster seat that offers neck or back height adjustments. Some models also feature width adjustments to offer a more custom fit.
✔️ Easy cleaning: Regardless of age, spills happen. Luckily, like many infant and convertible car seats, most booster seats offer removable machine-washable seat covers and padding.
✔️ Design: Oftentimes an older child may be more vocal about a seat that looks "cool." Many seats come in a range of colors and patterns to choose from, as well as accessories like cup holders and snack trays that allow them to keep their items close.
✔️ Safety: A highback build with robust side-impact protection will be safer than a backless booster model. We also prefer booster seats that attach to your backseat via LATCH connectors, so the booster does not slide around. If you want to get even more information on your seat, check its safety rating on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety site (IIHS).
✔️ Ease of use: You want to make sure that is simple to install and use. Lucia Sanchez, Director of Media Relations for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), stresses that, "The right car seat for your child is one that fits your child (appropriate for age and size), fits your vehicle, and that you will use correctly every time."
What age is best for a booster car seat?
Booster seats provide a safe way for kids to ride in the car before they're tall and heavy enough to sit directly on the seat. Many high back booster seats are meant to start at around age 4 and many backless booster seats are meant for ages 5 and up.
However, children vary by weight, height and readiness and many may be best off staying in their convertible car seat longer, moving to a booster seat (or booster mode, if their convertible car seat offers one) at age 7, 8 or older. Use the NHTSA's car seat finder to determine what's best for your child's current weight, height and age. Then double-check the manufacturer specifications to be sure your child is within a seat's size guidelines.
It's important that you don't rush a child into using the car's seat belt. They are safest in a five-point harness, whether that is via a convertible car seat or a booster seat, until they hit the Lower Anchor Weight Limit, which NHTSA sets at 65 pounds minus the weight of the car seat unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. Most manufacturers say you can use their five-point harness to 65 pounds.
"The best-practice recommendation is that children should remain in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether until they reach the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer," Sanchez says. "Once children outgrow the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it’s time to travel in a booster seat. A booster seat positions the child so the seat belt fits properly, with the lap belt worn low across the hips and the shoulder belt comfortably crossing the chest and shoulder and away from the neck and face."
Depending on your state's car seat laws, children may be required to use a safety seat until they're large enough to sit in the car with the seat belt secured at the right areas of their body. A child is likely ready to ditch the booster seat once they are tall enough (usually 57 inches), old enough (at minimum 8 years old) and, when they sit on the car's seat, the seat belt fits across their shoulder and over their upper legs or hips. Check your local regulations to ensure your child meets height, weight and age requirements before transitioning them out of a booster.
One final note from NHTSA: Kids are safest riding in the back seat up until age 13, so keep them buckled up in the back seat until then.
Harness vs high-back vs. backless booster seats
Your child has been riding in a car seat since birth. But just when you've figured out the infant car seats from the convertible car seats, you learn that there are multiple options for forward-facing booster car seats too. Actually many booster car seats have more than one mode.
These are the possible configurations:
✔️ Harness booster seats look the most like regular car seats because they secure your child in a five-point safety harness. For this reason, you can transfer your child to a harness booster seat at a preschool age. Note that you can only keep them in that five-point harness until they hit about 65 pounds or whatever the Lower Anchor Weight Limit is set by the seat manufacturer. After that, you'll need to transition your seat to high back mode.
✔️ High-back booster seats offer neck and head support similar to any regular car seat. However, with one of these, you use your vehicle's seat belt to secure your child rather than a harness. Expect to thread the seat belt through for your child at first, especially when they are still young. Most of our favorite high back booster seats have clear guides that help you find the path for the seat belt.
✔️ Backless booster seats rely on your child leaning back on the regular car seat and using the car's seat belt. They are the closest thing to your child sitting like an adult; they're just boosted up from below so that the seat belt hits them in the right spot. By the time a child has graduated to a backless booster, they can likely buckle themselves in. Many high back boosters transition to a backless booster (you literally just remove the back), but you can also buy a backless booster on its own. Backless boosters are inexpensive and lightweight, great for travel and car pooling.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute provides expert reviews and advice on everything a parent needs.
For more than 15 years, GH Institute Chief Technologist and Director of Engineering Rachel Rothman has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing and writing about parenting products. She leads our testing efforts in both the auto space and most juvenile products, including car seats, meaning each year she installs over 100 car seats in vehicles. As a mom to three kids age 6 and younger, she's personally used many of the products we recommend in real life.
This article was originally written by Jamie Spain, a writer and product analyst who has reviewed a variety of parenting products for Good Housekeeping, from tricycles to toy organizers. This article was most recently updated by Jessica Hartshorn, who has covered the juvenile-products market for several decades, first at American Baby magazine and then at Parents. She also reviews toys for GH, such as the best water tables and best magnetic toys.
Jamie (she/her) is a parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she spends her time testing, researching and writing about pet and family products. Prior to starting at GH in 2021, she worked at BuzzFeed and People, covering a combination of product reviews and lifestyle content. She's a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a master’s degree in journalism.
Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents.
Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years, overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems.
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