Booster Car Seat
Every child from birth until 9 or 10 needs a car seat or a booster seat. Car seats and booster seats allow for a child under 4’9” to safely sit in a car without the seat belt rubbing their necks. Booster seats and car seats are meant for a child’s safety and help to keep the child secure while the car is in motion.
Car booster seats are great for every child and the adults in their life because children can’t move around the car. Car seats are meant to safely keep children in but not allow them to unbuckle themselves. It is important to pay attention to your child’s age, height and weight when choosing a car seat or booster because all seats are not one size fits all. Also, pay attention to the size of your vehicle and if car you have will work with the car seat or booster that you are wanting.
Product Reviews
1. Graco Nautilus 65 LX – 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat (Best 3-in-1)
The Graco Nautilus 65 LX 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat is available in 4 different colors Conley, Ayla, Matrix and Pierce. The Harness mode is fitted for a child 20 to 65lbs, the high back booster is fitted for a child 30 to 100lbs and the backless booster is fitted for a child 40 to 140lbs.
The 3-in-1 car seat has a 5 position adjustable headrest and 3 position recline that will help to keep a child comfortable as they grow. The Simply Safe Adjust Harness System will allow for adjusting of the harness and headrest with no rethreading. There is a cup holder and a storage compartment so your child is able to keep drinks, snacks and such close. The seat cushion is machine washable and the body support for the seat is removable.
Graco is a company that has been around for over 60 years. This is a company that is known for making quality car seats, strollers, playards, highchairs, swings, and nursery products for children. Graco has a crash test facility in Atlanta to test out their car seats and to make sure that they are in line with their safety standards for all of their products.
Packaging
The car seat is 22.8lbs and the package dimensions are 18 x 20 x 28 inches. The seat and the base are not attached in the box.
Performance and technical issues if any
Adjusting the straps in this car seat are difficult and it is difficult to install this seat in to a car.
Recommended or not, why
This car seat is recommended but definitely people should check to see if this car seat will be compatible with their car first. It is a safe cautious car seat with energy absorbing foam. It also has a machine washable seat cushion.
This 3-in-1 car seat has a fuss free harness storage and a steel reinforced frame that helps provide more safety and strength. The 3 position recline and the 5 position headrest will help to make sure that your child is comfortable in the seat as they grow.
Pros
- Isn’t heavy
- Not bulky
- Pockets in the armrest
- Very comfortable/has a great amount of padding
Cons
- Adjusting the body harness is very difficult
- Difficult to install and remove from car
- The crotch buckle is too small
FAQ About this Product
Q: Does this work as a rear-facing seat?
A: No
Q: Does it recline back for when the baby is sleeping?
A: Yes it has a recline feature, but it doesn’t recline a lot.
Q: Can you use this on airplanes?
A: This car seat is FAA-approved
Click here to view pricing and availability for Graco Nautilus on Amazon.
2. Britax Pinnacle ClickTight G1.1 Harness-2-Booster Car Seat (Best Built Car Seat)
The Britax Pinnacle ClickTight G1.1 Harness-2-Booster Car Seat comes in 4 different colors Mosaic, Cool Flow Grey, Cool Flow Teal and Venti. This car seat is a forward facing car seat that fits a child from 25 to 90lbs and the booster mode fits a child from 40 to 120 lbs. This car seat also has a quick adjust 9 position harness and no rethreading.
The car seat has 3 layers of side impact protection, an impact absorbing base and a steel frame. It has 2 cupholders for kids to put their drinks, snacks and toys in to. There is a deep foam filled shell and external cushions to protect the child from most severe collisions. The ClickTight patented technology makes installing the car seat very easy. These car seats come with a one year warranty and don’t expire for 9 years.
Britax has been in business for over 70 years making sure that children are kept safe with car seats, strollers and travel systems. In 1996 they created the first car seat to be lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam to protect against side impact accidents. They are a company that started in Europe and now is selling in America working along with car manufacturers, government agencies, and vehicle child safety experts in both countries.
Packaging
The product is 26.5 pounds and the package dimensions are 21 x 22.5 x 28 inches
Performance and technical issues if any
It is heavy and bulky. This car seat isn’t meant to be moved between cars and because it has a width of 12” it may not be compatible with all cars.
Recommended or not, why
This car seat is recommended because it is durable, sturdy and safe. It is well put together and can seat a child as small as 25lbs as well as a child who is 120lbs. Britax is a company that is known for their high standards in safety regulations and this seat is just one of their many safety inspired car seats.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Sturdy and durable
- Adjusting the headrest is easy
- Well built
Cons
- It’s difficult to tighten the shoulder straps
- Bulky
- Heavy
FAQ About this Product
Q: What is the maximum harness height?
A: The max height is 58” in regular mode and 62” in the booster mode.
Q: What are the seats dimensions?
A: The maximum dimensions of the car seat are 22.5″ W x 36″ H x 21″ D and minimum 22.5″ W x 28″ H x 21″ D.
Q: Does the seat recline enough to prevent a sleeping child’s head from dropping forward?
A: This is not 100% yes or no, but the seat does have multiple reclining positions to test out.
Click here to view pricing and availability for Britax Pinnacle ClickTight on Amazon.
3. Chicco MyFit – Harness + Booster Car Seat (Best Safe Car Seat)
The Chicco MyFit Harness + Booster Car Seat comes in 4 different colors Canyon, Fathom, Gardenia and Lanai. This car seat has a duo guard 2 layer rigid shell that has energy absorbing steel reinforcement and has 2 areas of side impact protection for the head and chest area. The harness mode is meant to fit a child from 25 to 65lbs and the booster mode is meant for children 40 to 100lbs.
There are 9 positions for the headrest to help allow a child to have great posture and 4 position reclining. There is a LockSure system that is meant to tighten the belt to make sure the chair is secure in the vehicles seat. The seat has DuoGuard which gives it two layers of protection and has EPS energy-absorbing foam that protects the head and chest.
The cupholders are dishwasher safe and has an easy push button removal. There is Ergo Boost double foam padding on the contoured seat. The 5 point harness is padded and is a no-rethread that has a one pull tightener.
Chicco is an Italian company that has been in business for over 60 years. Chicco is an international company that is selling car seats, strollers, travel systems, highchairs, boosters, playards, bassinets and products for feeding & soothing. They work along with child advocacy companies and foundations to support children’s health around the world.
Packaging
The car seat is 25lbs and the package dimensions are 21 x 18 x 27 inches
Performance and technical issues if any
The chest clip can’t be removed to be washed.
Recommended or not, why
This seat is recommended because it is sturdy and safe to use. It may give difficulties when installing it and there may be some issues with tightening the harness, but once the harness is in the right position the child is secure.
This car seat is sturdy and is comfy for the child, plus it has dual cup holders. It also has 4 positions for the reclining leveling system called ReclineSure and a RideRight bubble levels that help to get the seat in the right angle in the backseat.
Pros
- Has dual cup holders
- Very sturdy
- Very comfy
- Easy to adjust the height
Cons
- Can be difficult for some to install
- Padding on the chest clip can’t be washed
- Hard to tighten harness once child is in the seat
FAQ About this Product
Q: What is the harness height limit?
A: It is 54”.
Q: Is the tether or the seatbelt recommended?
A: Most parents use both, especially the top tether.
Q: Is this a rear facing seat?
A: No, this is a forward facing seat.
Click here to view pricing and availability for Chicco MyFit on Amazon.
4. Safety 1st Guide 65 – Convertible Car Seat (Most Affordable)
The Safety 1st Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat is an affordable car seat with a 5 point adjustable harness for child safety. It comes in 4 different colors, Chambers, Victorian Lace, Chateau and Seaport. The Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat can be used in a rear-facing position and forward-facing.
Safety 1st is a company that cares about the safety of children and these car seats are said to support child from 5lbs to 65lbs. The rear facing mode is fitted for a child 5 to 40lbs and has multiple headrest positions for your growing child. The forward facing mode is meant for children 22 to 65lbs who are 34” to 52” tall. The harness has 5 heights and there are 3 placements for the seat buckles. This is a car seat that is meant to fit into a compact car or small truck cabs.
Safety 1st is a company that has been in business for over 30 years. In the early 1980’s they created the ‘Baby on Board’ signs that became very popular for many parents to put on their cars and inspired many other ‘On Board’ signs that came after them. Safety 1st sells products for every area of safety for a young child including car seats, potties, bed rails, strollers, home safety and travel safety. Safety 1st also partners with many different child safety communities and companies including Safe Kids Day and Safe Kids Worldwide.
Packaging
This car seat is 14.0 lbs, the package dimensions are 30.5 in x 14.0 in x 18.5 in
Performance and technical issues if any
Safety 1st says that this car seat can hold a child from a newborn up until 65lbs. The lowest harness position isn’t low enough for infant children.
Recommended or not, why
This car seat is recommended for a toddler and up, but not an infant. The harness slots just aren’t low enough for a smaller child. There is also the fact that this car seat is supposed to work along with a compact car, but when the car seat is in the rear-facing position the size is too big for a compact car.
When the car seat is forward-facing it is great for compact vehicles. These are also light-weight car seats, which makes them easy to move between cars. With the side impact protection and the multiple positioned headrest your child will have that added safety. These are also unisex designed seats so you can use it for a boy or a girl.
Pros
- Seat is slim
- Easy to install
- Light-weight
- Very comfy
- A child could have this seat for 8 years
Cons
- Rear-facing is going to impact a passenger seat person in a compact car
- Hard to tighten latch belt
- Not good for newborns
- Chest clip is too big
FAQ About this Product
Q: Can you use this on an airplane?
A: Yes this is FAA-approved.
Q: Does this seat recline?
A: This seat has a slight recline in rear-facing
Q: Does this have latch buckles or hooks?
A: It has latch hooks.
Click here to view pricing and availability for Safety 1st Guide 65 on Amazon.
5. Diono Radian 3RXT – All-in-One Convertible Car Seat (Best Over-All Car Seat)
The Diono Radian 3RXT All-in-One Convertible Car Seat is a rear-facing, forward-facing and a booster seat. This car seat is meant to take a child from 5 lbs to 120 lbs in the booster. The Radian 3RXT is also built so that 3 of these car seats can sit in the backseat of most family sized cars.
The rear-facing seat is meant to fit a child from 5lbs to 45lbs. The forward-facing seat is meant to hold a child up to 65lbs and has a 5 point harness. The booster seat is meant to hold a child from 50 lbs to 120 lbs. This car seat also is made with a steel frame for added safety.
The seat has memory foam so that your child will be able to comfortably sit in this seat. The plush knit fabric is machine washable and available in colors Black Cobalt, Black Mist, Black Plum, Black Scarlet and Essex. The headrest is adjustable to 12 different positions and has energy-absorbing EPS foam. There are 5 shoulder and 3 seat buckle positions.
Diono is an American company that views safety as it’s number one goal. Diono is a newer company compared to most child product companies, it was started in 1999. Diono makes car seats, strollers and carriers and has been getting awards for their innovation and safety features from the 54 different countries that they are being sold in.
Packaging
This car seat is 28.1lbs and the package dimensions are 16.1 x 16.9 x 28.4 inches
Performance and technical issues if any
This car seat is kind of heavy compared to the usual plastic based car seats. The reason it is heavier than other car seats is because it has a steel body which is adding to it’s safety. With this car seat being heavier you probably won’t want to move it between cars.
Recommended or not, why
This car seat is recommended because it is a very safe car seat. Yes, it is a bit heavier than other car seats but it is built better than other seats. The Safe Stop harness absorbs energy in a crash.
These car seats are meant to travel with and you can purchase a travel bag to carry it when going on planes. With the narrow base on this car seat you are able to have several seats in a backseat together and also people can sit next to the car seat comfortably.
Pros
- Easy to travel with
- Narrow base allows other seats to sit next to it
- Well made
- Fabric is soft and comfy
Cons
- Very heavy chair
- Rear-facing seat belt path is very slim
- Harness isn’t that easy to adjust
FAQ About this Product
Q: Can this product be folded in half and carried like a backpack?
A: All the Convertibles in this product like can be folded in half and carried that way.
Q: What is the highest harness position on this car seat?
A: Around 57” in forward facing and 44” for rear-facing.
Q: What is the max child length for rear-facing?
A: Max for rear-facing weight is 45 lbs and height is 44″ tall.
Click here to view pricing and availability for Diono Radian 3RXT on Amazon.
Stroller/Car Seat Buyer’s Guide
Car Seat Types
Rear-facing Car Seat– Rear facing car seats are for newborns to infants around 35lbs. A lot of parents believe that children should stay in a rear facing car seat until they are 2 years old.
Rear-facing car seats come in 3 different types. Infant seats are car seats that you will get for your brand new baby and it is meant to last until they are one years old or they are too heavy for that car seat. Convertible car seats are transitional seats that will start out as a rear-facing car seat and then when your child is big enough the seat will be used as a forward facing car seat.
The other car seat is a 3-in-one, this car seat will start off as a rear facing car seat, then transition to a forward facing car seat and eventually the base will be a booster. A 3-in-one is meant to hold your child from a baby until 9 or 10.
Forward-facing Car Seat – When it comes to moving a child into a forward facing car seat is a debate among parents, law makers and doctors. Some parents move their children in to a forward-facing car seat as soon as they outgrow their rear facing but because rear facing cushions a child more in a rear facing position parents want to keep them in those seats as long as possible, even past 2 years.
Forward facing car seats are changing up their harness positioning to prevent children from moving forward in the case of an accident. Companies making forward facing seats are also adding more safety regulations, energy absorbing foam and side impact factors to the car seat headrests. Car seat companies are trying to make it easier for parents to feel more at ease with transitioning their child.
Booster Seat– A booster seat is for a child that is over 40lbs who has outgrown the size of a car seat harness. Putting your child into a booster seat really depends on their weight and height. You can definitely ask your doctor what they suggest and you can also look at the height and weight regulations on the existing car seat that you have.
A booster seat is a child seat that allows the child to sit up higher than the vehicle seat and it will keep them snug within that seat. Booster seats will allow the child to experience the existing vehicle seat belt across their chest and lap. Latch hooks and buckles are available on some booster seats but not all. A child will stay in a booster seat until they are around 4’9” or 9-10 years old at which point your child will sit in the vehicle seat without any child seat.
Car Seat Expiration date
Don’t forget to pay attention to the expiration date when it comes to your car seat. Not all car seats have expiration dates but it may provide the manufacture date. The expiration date lets adults know when the life of the seat being used has come to an end. Once a car seat has expired don’t use it or give it to someone else.
Stroller Car Seat Combos
3-Wheel– 3-wheel strollers are meant to be easily maneuvered over different types of terrain. If you are going on vacation with your child and aren’t sure what kind of areas you might be going to this kind of stroller can be perfect for you.
If you are going on all kinds of surfaces then you’ll want to get a stroller with rubber air filled tires. If you aren’t going to be venturing all over the place and will mainly have your child on flat smooth surfaces then buying a stroller with foam filled tires can be perfect because they don’t need to be refilled and they won’t puncture. The air filled tires will allow for less of a bumpy ride and will be easier to push.
4-Wheel– 4-wheel strollers will be the cheaper option when it comes to strollers. The wheels are usually smaller and a lot of times there are double wheels together. A 4 wheel stroller will have a wider turn than a 3-wheel stroller. 4-wheel strollers will also be less bulky and easier to get in to a car.
In both the 3 and 4-wheel stroller car seat combos there are rear-facing car seat design options. When the child is rear facing and the parent or caretaker is pushing them the child is able to look at their loved one. This also allows the adult to look down at the child and with rear-facing the child is less likely to have the sun in their eyes.
Jogger– Jogger strollers are great for parents or caretakers who love to go for long walks or runs with the child in the stroller. Jogger strollers are usually on 3 wheels because they can maneuver over different terrains easier. With a car seat and jogger stroller combo you are able to drive to a trail or forest preserve area and take your child straight from the car in their car seat to the stroller.
Double– Double strollers are for parents who have at least 2 young children. This is a perfect stroller for parents of twins. With a car seat and double stroller combo one car seat can be snapped on to the front of the stroller and the other car seat snapped on to the back of the stroller. There are also double stroller combos that allow a bigger child to sit in the front of the stroller and for an infant car seat to be snapped on to the back of the stroller. This stroller design is great because you can get to either child quickly.
Conclusion
Car seats not only protect the children in our lives from harm but they also give us peace of mind that a child is exactly where you put them. Car seats have the features to safely hold a child in place even when an accident happens. Car seats also help a child to comfortably relax or sleep on a long car ride.
Car seats can even be carried from the car in to businesses or even your home while your child is sleeping. Car seats can also be snapped on to strollers to allow for the child to seamlessly move from the car to the stroller and back again.
Car seats can even transition in to a booster seat which will allow a child car safety from a newborn all the way up til 9 or 10 years old. Picking which infant seat, car seat or booster will work for you and your family all depends on your child, your budget and your car size. The great thing is no matter what there are amazing car seats for every family and that car seat can help your child remain safe and secure.
The future of car seats is all about making sure that the car seats are safer for children of different ages. There is even a system that is fulfills what a booster seat is meant to do without boosting a child up to fit the seat belt. The MilFold is a foldable, light-weight technology that will pull the seat belt down to the child and allow for parents to easily take their child’s safety seat with them no matter where they go.
