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Now that your child has outgrown their first car seat, it’s time to think about headrests, recline positions, seat-belt guides, and cupholders. There’s a lot to compare, but we tackled the research for you and settled on two favorites.
The Britax Highpoint is our top choice for a high-back-to-backless convertible booster. If your child doesn’t quite meet the weight and height requirements of a traditional booster, we recommend the Chicco MyFit harness booster instead.
Booster seat | Best for | List price * | Weight and height limit | Width | Expiration | Learn more | |
| Best convertible booster car seat | Under $250.00 | 120 lb., 63 in. | 19 in. | 10 yrs. | View on Amazon | Read review | |
| Best harness booster seat | Under $250.00 | 100 lb., 57 in. | 17.5 in. | 8 yrs. | View on Amazon | Read review | |
| Best for budgets | Under $60.00 | 120 lb., 57 in. | 19.5 in. | 6 yrs. | View on Amazon | Read review | |
| Best 3-in-1 booster seat | Under $150.00 | 100 lb., 57 in. | 19 in. | 7 yrs. | View on Amazon | Read review | |
| Best backless booster seat | Under $55.00 | 100 lb., 57 in. | 16.5 in. | 10 yrs. | View on Amazon | Read review |
*Amazon.com price as of 11/26/2025. Read full disclaimer.
The Britax Highpoint caught our attention thanks to its unique SecureGuard Clip, an extra belt positioner that keeps the lap belt on your child’s upper thighs rather than their abdomen. We also love that it offers three layers of side-impact protection for a reasonable price.
Highest weight and height limit
10-year expiration
Shoulder and lap-belt guides
3 layers of side-impact protection 
Wide base
Doesn’t recline
Hand wash fabric Kids can use the Britax Highpoint booster seat for a long time since it accommodates children up to 120 pounds and 63 inches. Most brands stop at 100 pounds and 57 inches, as this is when many state laws allow children to use seat belts without any booster at all.
If a seat belt still doesn’t fit your child quite right by the time they reach 100 pounds, this Britax booster gives them a little extra time to grow and stay safe.
This Britax booster seat isn’t perfect.
We think the Britax Highpoint’s safety, price, extended life, and easy installation outweigh those inconveniences. But if you’re willing to pay a little extra to ensure your kiddo stays comfy and quiet(er) on a road trip, you’ll prefer our next pick, the Chicco MyFit.
The Chicco MyFit offers everything missing from our top pick: a reclining seat, narrow base, and machine-washable fabric. But the trade-off is a higher price, trickier installation, just two layers of side-impact protection, and no backless option.
4 recline positions
Narrow booster seat
2 layers of side-impact protection
8-year expiration
Comfortable cushions
No backless booster option
Average ease of installation
Expensive The Chicco MyFit combines a forward-facing, five-point harness car seat with a high-back belt-positioning booster. Even though it doesn’t convert to a backless booster, the Chicco MyFit can be used until your child is 100 pounds or 57 inches tall—the same upper limit of many backless boosters.
Want more? For double the price, you can upgrade to the Chicco MyFit Zip Air and get three layers of side impact protection, a breathable fabric that zips off for easy washing, an extra storage compartment, and extra-easy installation.
The Evenflo GoTime LX features a comfortable base, overlapping sides for extra impact protection, seven headrest positions, two cup holders, and machine-washable fabric for around $45. It supports kids up to 120 pounds and 57 inches tall.
High weight limit
Lightweight
Comfortable seat
Roll-over tested
Relatively short expiration (6 years)
Wide base
Doesn’t recline
Seat belt may get tight This budget pick does come with a few caveats. It’s not a reclining booster seat, and several user reviews talk about how tough it is to loosen the seat belt.
The Evenflo GoTime LX is also the widest child booster seat on our list, measuring nearly 20 inches across.
The Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster is an affordable, long-lasting seat that moves with your child from toddlerhood through their booster years. We like how lightweight and portable it is — ideal for families who switch cars often or need a seat that’s easy to travel with.
Unlike some bulkier 3-in-1 options, the Tranzitions uses Graco’s Simply Safe Adjust system, which lets you change the headrest and harness height together in one motion — no rethreading required. It also offers nine headrest positions, giving you a wider fit range than many competitors. Two rotating cup holders and a machine-washable seat pad add convenience for everyday use.
3-in-1 design grows from harness to high-back to backless booster
Lightweight and easy to move between cars
Simply Safe Adjust harness with no-rethread headrest
Nine headrest positions for long-term fit
Machine-washable seat pad and rotating cup holders
No SnugLock install option
Lighter frame than some premium Graco models
Forward-facing only (cannot be used rear-facing) We like this seat for its portability and price — especially for car-pooling families or caregivers who need an easy, no-fuss booster that still meets safety needs. Parents should continue to follow Graco’s official weight and height guidelines before transitioning to each mode.
The biggest trade-off? There’s no SnugLock installation option or steel-reinforced frame like you’ll see in heavier Graco models. But the lighter design makes this seat easier to move, and parents praise the fit, comfort, and simple adjustments.
The Graco TurboBooster LX is the perfect backless booster for family members to keep in their cars. It’s affordable, comfy, and installs with the LATCH system. Kids have easy access to a storage compartment and cupholder, and the armrests are adjustable.
10-year expiration
Shoulder belt positioning clip
Narrow booster seat
Machine-washable fabric
LATCH installation
No side-impact protection Your research might turn up the slightly cheaper Graco TurboBooster (without the “LX” in its name). We don’t recommend this model because it’s an untethered booster. Nothing holds it to the seat, which means it could slide out from under your child during an accident.
Recent crash-data analyses show that children ages 4 to 8 are about 45% less likely to be seriously injured when riding in a booster seat compared to using a seat belt alone.
A study from Safe Kids Worldwide shows that 4 out of 5 parents transition their child too soon, often before seat belts fit safely across the shoulder and hips.
The National Transportation Safety Board reports that age- and size-appropriate restraints dramatically cut crash-injury risk: harnessed seats protect toddlers best, while boosters provide critical belt positioning for older kids.
An AAA analysis of government crash data reported that over four million children under 12 years old were involved in crashes from 2018 to 2022, with nearly 3,000 fatalities and 547,000 injuries. On top of that, a Florida study found that over 93% of adults moved kids into adult seat belts too soon, increasing their risk of injury and death.
This is why the latest guidance emphasizes keeping kids in boosters until adult seat belts fit correctly, which usually happens between ages 9 and 12, depending on how they fit. You want to make sure your child's back is against the seat and their feet are resting on the floor, with the seat belt snugly across their chest.
The Britax Grow With You ClickTight Plus is a harness and high-back booster with no backless option. It’s wide and heavy, but it does recline to two positions and features SafeWash fabric that you can throw in the washer and dryer. This Britax ClickTight booster retails for around $350. The Chicco MyFit provides a better value.
The Peg Perego Viaggio Flex is a high-back booster only. It retails for about $300 and has some interesting features, including four-way adjustments, five recline positions, and a narrow base. It’s also a portable booster seat thanks to its unique foldaway design. It has no armrests, but some users say this makes it easier for kids to buckle themselves into the seat.
The KidsEmbrace booster seats feature superheroes, princesses, and other animated characters. Hopefully, your kiddo will be excited about sitting down and buckling up in their Batman or Minnie Mouse booster seat instead of turning into a pint-size wrestler.
When your child outgrows the 5-point harness, they can continue to use the KidsEmbrace with a seat belt. These seats don’t recline and offer just three headrest positions. On the plus side, we think it’s genius that the “capes” on these car seats double as blankets.
The best booster seat for you and your child partially depends on what kind of infant car seat you have. For example, if you bought a rear-facing car seat, you’ll want to check out the harness boosters. Our fave is the Chicco MyFit.
If your car seat converts to a forward-facing seat, you just need a highback booster with a backless option. The Britax Highpoint takes the cake in that category.
No matter which booster seat you choose, double-check the age, weight, and height restrictions to make sure it’s safe for your child.
There’s no all-encompassing rule here. Read your car seat’s manual to find the maximum height and weight it can support. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children ride in rear-facing seats for as long as possible.1
Once your child is riding in a forward-facing seat, use the 5-point harness as long as your child stays within the manufacturer-recommended weight, height, and age guidelines.
Three-year-olds should be in a five-point harness car seat, not a traditional booster seat. So you don’t have to buy another seat in a year or two, try a 2-in-1 like the Chicco MyFit or a 3-in-1 like the Graco Nautilus SnugLock LX.
Depending on their height and weight, some 4-year-olds may not be quite big enough for a high-back booster seat.2 Try the Chicco MyFit or the Graco Nautilus SnugLock LX. Both feature a five-point harness that will keep smaller 4-year-olds safe until they’re big enough to use these seats in high-back mode.
With four recline positions, nine headrest positions, and thick padding, the Chicco MyFit gets our vote for the most comfortable booster seat.
The Graco TurboBooster comes in an untethered version, but we don’t recommend it. It’s safer to use a tethered booster like the Graco TurboBooster LX.
Yes, some high-back boosters use the LATCH system. The Evenflo Spectrum is the only one on our list that does not.
The Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 expires after 10 years from the date of manufacture.
Graco TurboBoosters expire 10 years after their manufacture date.
A belt-positioning booster seat has built-in guides or loops that keep the vehicle’s seat belt on the child’s shoulder and upper thighs. Seat belts in the incorrect position can put too much pressure on a child’s abdomen or neck, especially during an accident. Every kids booster car seat on our list features vehicle seat-belt guides.
We gathered data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reviewed booster seat recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, and surveyed parents to understand what they look for in a car seat.
We compared 15 specifications for around 20 booster seats to determine which ones offered the best technology and features. Finally, we read user reviews to find out what it’s really like to use these seats on a daily basis. Read more on our full methodology page.
*Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
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