In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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Is your child ready for a booster seat? We've tested more than 80 car seats, and in this update, we purchased the top 14 boosters for crash testing and extensive side-by-side comparison. Are you curious about which products offer the best safety features? Are you confused by the high-back vs. no-back options? We can help! We spent several months testing and using each booster, including a crash test analysis, ease of use, weight, moving from car to car, and more. Let us help you discover which seats offer additional protection and work best for different situations and budgets to find the right seat for you and your family.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on January 26, 2024, with all new testing on 14 compelling booster seat options. It was updated on July 17, 2024, with a review of availability and accurate pricing.
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. This booster is highly adjustable for kids of various sizes, it is easy for parents and kids to use, and it is a high-quality option that got good marks for comfort. Our tester says, “This is a great option for kids of different sizes because it has so many adjustment points, including width.”
The Peg is on the expensive side for the group, and for families on a budget, the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 could be a better fit with similar scoring overall and a price of almost half. The Chicco could be a good choice if your budget is tight. The Peg also doesn't offer armrests. While we didn't think this was a huge problem, and our child tester didn't miss them, it is something to consider if your child wants them or will use them. Overall, if your budget allows, the Peg Perego is a great all-around option that we think won't disappoint.
In our commissioned crash testing through MGA Research, the Peg Perego performed well with lower G-Forces recorded in the HIC and chest clip sensors of the test dummy than much of the competition.
The Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 is the best seat for most families. It offers great crash test analysis results for a price that is below average for the group. These factors make it great for those on a budget or as a second seat. With nice features for comfort, like supportive padding and additional leg lounge padding, it is easy to see why kid testers gave it big 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.
The Air Plus headrest and fabric cover aren't our favorite, and the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 offers a more comfortable headrest and adjustability to help ensure better napping comfort. Our tester reports, “It is weird to have the rougher fabric in the head area where cheeks would rest.” Outside of the headrest, this Chicco is an impressive option that offers something for everyone with better quality materials and a design that clearly considers passengers and parents.
The Diono Cambria 2 is a wallet-loving choice for those on a budget who don't want to sacrifice potential safety because of a tighter budget. If your booster seat budget is small (or you need a second seat), the Cambria crash test analysis score indicates in might offer an additional margin of protection. However, it didn't perform well in most other metrics. Our tester says, “If your budget is super tight this option has better crash test results, but it wouldn't be my choice if I could afford more.”
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. It also is harder to buckle because the seat bottom is wide and obscures the buckle somewhat. However, if you want a potentially safer seat and can't stretch your budget to consider the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1, we think many families will be content with the Cambria 2.
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 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 BubbleBum isn't the best performer in our commissioned crash test. While it didn't score as poorly as the Graco TurboBooster Backless, it didn't match the results of higher-ranking boosters. It also has a tendency to shift under passenger weight and could cause trouble for some passengers with chronic adjustments. Kid testers report, “You can't shift around very much, or you'll need to adjust the booster a lot.” However, if your little one needs a booster for travel, camp, or carpool situations, it is hard to find a more portable option that works better.
The BubbleBum performed better than other backless boosters, but it was not a top performing in our testing commissioned through MGA Research. However, it has passed federal guidelines and is consider safe.
Credit: GearLab & MGA Research
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We tested popular booster seats from various brands.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How We Test Booster Seats
We purchase 2 of each booster car seat in this review, one for crash testing and one for in-house and real-world use. We install each product in multiple cars to see how well they fit and how easy they are to install and use. Children utilize the seats in real life, and we record their opinions and feelings as part of the test process, giving us insight into comfort and ease of use without adult help. We combine all test results, including analysis of the crash tests, to rank the competitors and give awards.
We had kid testers use each seat to add information to our review for ease of use and comfort.
We tested the installation of all boosters that offered some way to secure the booster to the case.
Testing for booster seats is divided across five rating metrics:
Crash Tests (35% of overall score weighting)
Ease Of Use Tests (30% weighting)
Weight/Size Tests (15% weighting)
Comfort Tests (10% weighting)
Quality Tests (10% weighting)
We tested each booster in multiple vehicles to get a better idea of how well they fit and to identify any problems with installation or size.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
We tested the quality of the materials and design for potential concerns like the Evenflo cup holder popping off without too much effort.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Boosters are put through more than 24 individual tests to rank and score their performance compared to the competition. The most critical booster metric is crash testing analysis, which is 35% of the overall product score. This metric's overall result is derived from the crash test results from the crash test dummy's head (HIC) and chest (G) sensor data. Our reviews also utilize research and observations from various testers to compare each seat's performance. The second most important metric is ease of use, as many crash-related injuries are a result of a seat not being used as intended or outlined by the manufacturer.
Our testing includes assessing every component and feature of the seat like those that help with comfort or functionality.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Why Trust GearLab
We've been testing safety seats since 2014, including commissioning crash testing with the same facility (MGA Research) that works with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) for their car seat tests. Our team is led by our founder, Dr. Juliet Spurrier, a board-certified pediatrician, uses her experience in the medical field to choose products with safety and ease of use in mind, the two factors that play a key role in keeping little ones safe during a crash. In-house testing is performed by and under the guidance of our onsite Certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technician, Bob Wofford, father of 7. Bob works with Senior Review Editors, Wendy Schmitz and Jessica Riconscente, Senior Review Analyst. Wendy, a mother of 2, uses her science background to analyze crash test results and ease of installation. Jessica has an Industrial Technology degree from California Polytechnic State University, which gives her insight into product development and a critical eye for testing and how the manufacturing process impacts the final product.
How to Pick the Best Booster Car Seat
Booster seats are an important part of your car travel safety journey. They are not a gear type to skip or a safety seat you can do without. Because booster seats help position little ones properly for vehicle seat belt use or can keep them retained in a 5-point harness for longer, we think it is good to consider what you need and how much you can afford to ensure they are as safe as possible when traveling in a car.
How and Where
Often, when your child is booster age, they are on the go and participating in carpools or camps. This can mean a lighter weight or more portable booster is necessary or preferred. Alternatively, your booster might live in one car, and your need for travel will be infrequent. Deciding early how and where you will use your booster can help divide the field into heavy and substantial seats vs. more portable, smaller seats and prevent future frustrations. It might be that using two seats is the right solution for your family: one for everyday use and a second for travel or carpooling. Often, it is the only way to meet all of your needs. Many of the travel-friendly options are also relatively inexpensive, making two a potential solution.
Consider Safety
For our review, we commissioned independent crash testing on all safety seats. 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 options that might offer an additional margin of safety. You should consider which seats performed the best and how the results work with the size and type of booster that will best meet your needs.
What to Spend
Like all other safety-related gear, we think this is not a time to save or let money drive your decision. While we understand you need to stick to what you can afford, we encourage you not to go for the cheapest option but instead look for the best option within your budget and worry about saving money on other gear.
We tested a variety of booster types and brands for our review.
Under the guidance and supervision of a NHTSA Certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technician, we spent several months testing and rating every product in this review. We created a set of comprehensive tests derived from our best convertible car seat review and used these results together with the crash test data to determine the scores and rank for each option.
Booster Time
Experts agree children should stay rear-facing until at least age 2. The recommendations from both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and NHTSA are that babies stay rear-facing as long as is allowed by the seat, and at the very least until they are two years old. Children can move to a booster as young as four years old. Still, despite the convenience of a booster, BabyGearLab agrees with the experts that children stay in their 5-point harness car seats as long as the manufacturer's recommendations allow. Depending on the car seat, this shift from a 5-point harness usually happens between 40-65 lbs. While parents love marking milestones as their little ones grow, transitions from one level of safety seat to another should not occur until your child has reached the maximum limits of the seat as defined by the manufacturer. Each time you move to a new level of safety seat, there is a reduction in the protection it provides. Don't be in a hurry!
Also, don't be in a hurry to ditch your booster (even if your kid complains and begs). Safety regulations are there for a reason. The recommendation is 4'9" tall before moving from a booster to the vehicle seatbelt. Once again, we recommend you keep children in the booster until they reach the limit advised by the manufacturer.
Each booster we test is compared side-by-side to the competition. While each option has met the minimum safety guidelines outlined by the federal government, they are not equal in form or function, nor do they all offer an additional margin of protection compared to the competition (according to crash testing).
What's the Best Value?
While safety seats are not the gear categories where you should sacrifice potential safety for a lower price, there are budget-friendly boosters with impressive performances across metrics that most families can afford. The Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 is a great value booster with one of the best crash test scores in the group. While it isn't the cheapest, if you can stretch your budget or might use it for multiple children, this booster offers a lot for a below-average price. Often, with sales, it is even less expensive than our best buy option, the Diono Cambria 2. This wallet-loving option isn't the best overall, but it does offer impressive crash test results for the price, which is why it won the award. The BubbleBum is also inexpensive, but given the lower scores in most metrics, we think it should be a travel and carpool-only option. However, the lower price means saving yourself the hassle of moving your everyday seat or carrying a high-backed booster while on travel.
The Peg Perego Viaggio Flex offers better crash test performance than much of the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Crash Test Analysis
We contracted with the same crash test facility used by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) to conduct our booster seat crash tests. 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.
We analyzed the crash test sensor data from each booster's crash sled dummy to determine how they performed compared to each other. To help you understand crash tests better, we've included comparison graphs using the actual crash test results in each booster's gear review and summarized them below.
What are the most critical details from crash tests for analyzing results?
The risk of head injury
The risk of chest injury
A detailed analysis of automobile crash injuries for children indicates that head and chest injuries are the cause of the most significant risks of severe or fatal injuries.
All Tested Products Provide a Basic, Safe Level of Protection
All seats included in this review earned sufficient scores to pass the minimum Federal safety standards. Therefore, all of the boosters we tested provide at least a basic level of crash safety protection. Our primary focus for crash testing is to identify boosters with crash test performance results that exceed the Federal requirements by a wider margin. The crash test sensor data implies that these seats potentially provide an additional level of protection compared to other booster seats in the group.
This is a comparison graph of the HIC sensor data from the Graco TurboBooster vs the Peg Perego. A lower line indicates fewer G-forces.
Credit: GearLab & MGA Research
Understanding the Head Injury Criteria (HIC) Score
For the crash tests, they buckle a crash test dummy into the booster secured to a sled to simulate the forces experienced in an actual crash. This dummy has sensors in the head and chest that record the force exerted on those areas during testing. NHTSA crash studies show that the risk of injury is higher for forward-facing children. Head Injury Criteria (HIC) score is the factor used in the federal safety standards. This sensor data is a measurable way to assess the likelihood of injury arising from an impact. Better performance results yield lower scores as the force exerted on the child is less (less is better, like golf). In our tests, the UPPAbaby Alta had the most impressive results with the lowest recorded sensor data. The Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 had the second-best results.
This graph illustrates the difference between the Evenflo sensor data (one of the highest) compared to one of the best (lowest results) in the group (in green) where lower is better.
Credit: GearLab & MGA Research
Understanding the Chest (G) Clip Score
The test dummies include sensors that measure impact forces in the chest. The results from the chest sensors are used to calculate the Chest (G) score, which attempts to numerically determine the likelihood of an injury occurring to the organs located in the chest cavity. The best chest clip score for the group is the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120, which is part of the reason it earned one of the highest crash test analysis results in the review. The second-best results were obtained by the Clek Oobr.
The backless design is not our favorite.
The KidFit Zip Air Plus is an example of a high-backed booster.
High Backed vs. Backless
We prefer a booster with a back instead of a backless option because we believe they are intrinsically safer. Studies indicate that a high back booster can result in lower odds of injury compared to a seatbelt or a backless booster.
Comparing these injury risks to those of children restrained in seat belts, the adjusted odds of injury were 70% lower for children in high back belt positioning booster seats (OR=0.30, 95% CI=0.13–0.68), while the adjusted odds of injury were not statistically different for children in backless belt positioning booster seats (OR=1.17, 95% CI=0.40–3.43).
While there are no agreed-upon safety tests for side-impact collisions or other kinds of crashes to prove this theory definitively, we feel it makes logical sense that a protective shell (similar to that found on a convertible car seat) will provide additional protection for little ones depending on the type of crash and possibility for the intrusion of foreign objects into the passenger area. The difference is evident in both crash test videos and in examining the actual crash test dummy sensor readings.
Also, a high-backed booster seat is better at keeping children positioned correctly, especially if they frequently enjoy sleeping in the car. A backless booster doesn't offer the support required to keep little ones correctly positioned if they should fall asleep and slump or fall forward. We believe this theory makes sense, and it is why we recommend using a booster with a back whenever possible. However, we think any belt-positioning booster is safer and, therefore, preferable not to use a booster at all.
The Viaggio Flex earned some of the best crash test analysis scores in our review.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Best Booster Based on Crash Test Analysis
We rank each product compared to the competition based on an analysis of the crash test reports using a 1-10 system. This scoring method guides our assessment of the products that we believe offer an additional margin of protection above and beyond the basic level of protection present in every other seat on the market (as outlined by US Federal guidelines). The best crash test score in the group and the best combined sensor data in the test group is the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120. The Clek Oobr, Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1, Diono Monterey 4DXT, Diono Cambria 2 also performed well and earned higher scores. We believe that the crash test details indicate that these higher-scoring options potentially offer an additional margin of protection over the average seat.
The lack of armrests and bulky lower seat make it super easy for kids to buckle themselves in.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
Booster seats seem relatively straightforward and virtually the same. Some parents might even be tempted to forgo them (Do not do this!) However, they are very different in how easy they are to use.
For ease of use testing, we consider all the features and functions you use daily. This metric includes buckling, attachment, reclining, and additional features.
The Air Plus has a zip-off cover and leg padding that is super easy to remove for cleaning.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Booster seats aren't as convoluted as convertible or infant car seats, but that doesn't mean they are universally easy to use. For this type of gear, one of the most important regular activities is buckling in and whether or not little ones can do it for themselves. Other ease-of-use-related features would be attaching the seat to the vehicle (if applicable), adjusting the headrest and recline features, and moving the booster from place to place.
The Maxi-Cosi rigid LATCH connectors make for easy installation you can accomplish with one hand.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
During testing, the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 earned the ease of use high score. This was followed closely by the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1, Chicco KidFit, and the BubbleBum. All of these options offer features that are easy for parents and kids to use and installation methods that are straightforward. The hardest-to-use boosters are the Clek Oobr, Evenflo Maestro Sport 2-in-1, and the Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1.
We weighed and measured every booster seat in the review for side-by-side comparisons.
Credit: Natalie Nealan
Weight/Size
We checked the weight and width of each seat at its widest point. The booster's weight can be crucial if you use it on travel or carpooling.
Transporting the seat easily from car to car is essential if you plan to do it regularly. Also, the width of the booster can play a factor in your decision if you need to fit multiple safety seats across your vehicle's back seat. A narrower width could enable installing three across for multiple children. However, if your seat isn't going to move cars often, and you don't have a space limitation, then the weight and size metric are probably less crucial for your family. Another consideration is that some high-backed boosters will work without the back, creating a much lighter and smaller package. These features give you a backed booster that does double duty for travel when you remove the back.
The BubbleBum is a compact and lightweight choice that kids can carry without help.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The BubbleBum booster can't be beat if your goal is compact and lightweight. This inflatable option rolls up and fits in its own stuff sack that can be stowed in almost any backpack or carry-on. It weighs under a pound, and kids can carry it themselves. For high-backed boosters, the top scorer is the Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1. The lowest-scoring option is the Britax Grow With You ClickTight+ because it is both heavy and large.
The Peg Perego has several adjustable features that can better help little ones find a comfortable fit.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Comfort
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. After all, who knows booster comfort best? Tiny testers.
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.
There are several adjustments on the Peg that can make it more comfortable for kids of different sizes and needs.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 and the Maxi-Cosi RoadiSport come in second place for comfort in this group. The most uncomfortable options are the Graco TurboBooster Backless and the Clek Oobr. The lack of a back and napping headrest hurt the score for the backless option, while neither offered suitable padding that was supportive and compressed to avoid pressure points.
The Britax ClickTight is one of the better quality options in the group, with components that are designed well and use nicer materials.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Quality
For quality, we consider the materials and construction of the final seat. We analyzed our purchased competitors' padding, foam, fabric, and attention to detail. Each component influences the longevity and stability of the booster.
The highest scorer for the quality metric is the Britax Grow With You ClickTight+, followed closely by the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1, Chicco KidFit, and the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120. The lowest quality score goes to the BubbleBum. This booster has a flimsy feel and uses cheap thin fabric. 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.
With so many boosters to choose from, our testing makes it easier to find the right one for your needs.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
Selecting a safe booster seat is equally as critical as other car safety seats. It is the last safety seat your child will use before transitioning to a vehicle seat unassisted, so your search for the best car seats journey is almost over. However, it is as vital as their infant car seat (you likely agonized over) to provide much-needed protection until they are tall enough to ride safely without a safety seat. Therefore, we encourage you to consider carefully finding the best booster for your child. We believe there are competitors in this review for every child and need. The details we provide will help you narrow the field to find the right booster for your family and budget.
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Juliet Spurrier, MD, Wendy Schmitz, and the BabyGearLab Review Team
