The Britax Highpoint is another high-back booster seat with push-button alligator LATCH connectors that can be converted to backless. This pricey seat has an optional crotch buckle, which can help with correct posture and positioning but can also be a nuisance. We were unable to test the Highpoint due to availability issues. The seat has plenty of padding and feels cushy for the rider. Like the KidFit ClearTex Plus, the GoFit Plus has removable, dishwasher-safe cupholders that expand and collapse.
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, graco convertible car seat which is part of the reason it earned one of the highest crash test analysis results in the review. 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.
The TurboBooster LX requires a few more minutes of setup out of the box than the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus. The armrests, cupholder, and seat pads need to be attached, and it takes a moment to connect the top and bottom half of the seat. Unlike the previous graco car seat version of the seat, the TurboBooster LX does not, we repeat, does NOT require screws in the armrest. This innovation alone makes this incarnation of the seat a victory. No, you can keep a child on your lap for up to 24 months during flights.
And some kids outgrow the height limits of a high-back booster before they’re ready to be out of a booster entirely. That’s why we’re big fans of seats that can convert from high-back to backless, as our picks can. Some of us who have worked on Wirecutter’s car seat guides have opted to keep our own kids in a convertible car seat with a five-point harness through kindergarten and beyond. However, there comes a time when a child outgrows the height or weight capacity of a five-point harness seat and develops the emotional maturity to shift to a booster seat.
Range of height (inches) allowed for a child when using the seat in highback booster mode. Range of weight (lbs.) allowed for child when using the seat in highback booster mode. 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. 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.
Most kids will hit a high-back seat’s height limit before they reach its weight limit. A child has outgrown a high-back booster when the tops of their ears are at or above the top of the seat’s head restraint at the highest setting. When I worked on the first version of this guide, in 2018, I became certified as a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). I completed a 40-hour training program through the Safe Kids Worldwide organization, which teaches the proper installation and use of car seats. Since that time, I’ve interviewed over a dozen experts on car seat safety, policy, and installation. I’ve spoken with representatives from 10 car seat manufacturers and talked to dozens of parents about their car seat experiences.
Check your booster seat labels and paper manual for the specifics for your seat. A product’s “Manufacturer’s Age” range on Toysrus.ca & Babiesrus.ca is provided by the product’s manufacturer. This suggested age range may be based on what age range the manufacturer recommends will like the product best, or what age range is appropriate based on safety information and restrictions.