- Graco SlimFit vs Graco 4Ever – Features, Pros and Cons - January 31, 2023
- Chicco KeyFit 30 vs Chicco Fit2: One is Better - September 13, 2022
- Evenflo Symphony DLX All-In-One Car Seat vs Safety 1st Grow And Go 3-In-1 Convertible Car Seat - September 12, 2022
Some parents, for whatever reason, may be under the assumption that once their child grows out of a car seat, they can automatically transition to the actual backseat position. But the truth of the matter is that the safest place for young children is a booster car seat and the best backless booster seats will give them a comfortable and long-lasting place to sit until they truly grow out of the need.
In many cases, backless boosters can be used for kids well past they reach the 100-pound mark and after that, they’re typically old enough and developed enough to safely sit in the backseat of a car with a seatbelt and only a seatbelt. But until that time comes, you’re going to want to find the right backless booster seat for your child.
Contents
1. Chicco GoFit Belt-Positioning Backless Booster
Not only does the Chicco GoFit Belt-Positioning Backless Booster look nice, but it’s also made for optimum comfort for your little one. It has double foam padding and a contoured seat for support and comfort at the same time and the little armrests are also padded.
The Chicco Backless Booster also features a lap belt to help guide the seatbelt into place to secure your little one in the seat. For their convenience, there’s a cup holder on either side of the seat, made from a flexible material that can be inverted out of the way or washed in the dishwasher if it gets dirty.
There’s even a carrying handle on the seat to make taking it from place to place or moving it to other family cars as easy as possible. Plus, it’s big enough for growing toddlers and small children but can still be fit with two other boosters in the back of most cars.
- Child Weight Limit: The booster is made for children from 40-110 pounds.
- Where To Buy: You can buy it on the manufacturer’s website and on Amazon or in-store at Target.
- The Best Part: The curved edges of the seat and cushion make for an especially comfortable seat, especially for long car rides.
- The Not So Great: It might be a little too narrow for older or bigger kids.
- Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls on this booster car seat.
2. Graco Backless TurboBooster Car Seat
If you’ve already gone the Graco route for your infant car seat, then chances are, you might want to stick with the brand for a booster. And the Graco Backless TurboBooster Car Seat could be the one your family needs. It’s been designed to meet U.S. standards of safety, and it has two cushioned armrests that can be removed for easy cleaning.
The cushion itself is machine washable too. It comes with two attached cup holders that can be tucked into the seat itself when they’re not in use, so no worrying about having cup holders that get in the way. While the Graco TurboBooster doesn’t have LATCH straps to hold it in place, which some parents may not love, it can still be secured tightly and securely while keeping your toddler or young child safe and comfortable.
- Child Weight Limit: It’s for children from ages 4-10 or 40-100 pounds.
- Where To Buy: You can find it on the manufacturer’s website and on Amazon or in-store at Target and Buy Buy Baby.
- The Best Part: The armrests are comfortable and adjustable too to accommodate your growing child.
- The Not So Great: While the cushioned cover is comfortable, it can thin and show wear over time.
- Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls on the Graco Backless TurboBooster Car Seat.
3. Cosco Topside Booster Car Seat
It really doesn’t get much more simple than the Cosco Topside Booster Car Seat. It’s made simply with armrests and not much else. That means no cup holders, which could be a deal-breaker for some parents. However, it also means no bulky parts or sides to contend with, so you can slide it in and out of pretty much any car with ease. You may also be able to fit three of them across your back seat, which is another huge plus.
The padding itself is one large piece over the seat and armrests. It is extra soft to keep your little one comfortable as they move out of the older toddler stage and into the school-aged level, even if it could use a little more cushion.
The Cosco Booster also makes cleaning a little easier since you can just take off one large piece of fabric to clean in the event of a large spill that can’t be spot cleaned.
- Child Weight Limit: It’s designed for children from 40-100 pounds.
- Where To Buy: You can primarily find it on Amazon.
- The Best Part: As far as backless booster seats go, it’s easily one of the more affordable.
- The Not So Great: There’s not a lot of padding so long car rides might be a little uncomfortable.
- Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls on this booster.
4. Clek Ozzi Backless Belt Positioning Booster Car Seat
Unlike a lot of other backless boosters, the Clek Ozzi Backless Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat has LATCH capabilities to really get it securely installed in your car, even if it isn’t a full car seat. It’s made with an extra layer of padding for added comfort, and the seat itself raises your child four inches to give them the best seat belt position possible.
The Cleck Ozzi Booster Seat It’s also designed to look sleek and almost like a part of your car so you won’t get a bulky or tacky-looking booster seat for your little one. The seat meets or exceeds all U.S. safety standards and weighs less than six pounds on its own for your own added convenience. And to clean it, you simply remove the seat cover and toss it in the washer.
- Child weight Limit: The booster is for kids from 40-120 pounds.
- Where To Buy: You can find it on the manufacturer’s website and on Amazon.
- The Best Part: It clicks into your car with an audible click sound to give you peace of mind regarding your child’s safety.
- The Not So Great: The base itself is a little wide so that it might be awkward in some back seats.
- Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls on the Clek Ozzi Backless Belt Positioning Booster Car Seat.
5. Evenflo Amp Performance No Back Booster Car Seat
The Evenflo Amp Performance No Back Booster Car Seat is another totally stylish and leek option for a backless booster. But it also provides comfort and safety for your child, so the design is just an added bonus. One of the coolest things about it is probably the cup holder cut-outs on either side of the booster that each has an elastic band to allow for different-sized cups or snack cups.
The Evenflo Booster Seat also raises your child up a few inches so they can be secured with your car’s seatbelt in the safest way possible. Plus, it’s been tested for structural integrity at energy levels around two times the federal crash test standard. That’s probably the most important feature, but add aesthetics and comfort, and it’s a solid option.
- Child Age Range: It’s made for kids from 40-110 pounds and has a life of six years before it expires.
- Where To Buy: You can find it on the manufacturer’s website and on Amazon or at Buy Buy Baby.
- The Best Part: Its safety is almost unparalleled.
- The Not So Great: Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be much padding on the actual seat.
- Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls on this booster.
6. Mifold Grab-And-Go Car Booster Seat
The Mifold Grab-and-Go Car Booster Seat is easily one of the more unique backless booster car seats out there. It can be folded down for easy storage when it’s not in use. Also, when you do need to use it, the booster is safe for your child. One downside is that it doesn’t elevate children as other boosters do.
So, it may be hard to get the seat belt in just the right position for smaller children. But it’s hard to ignore the benefits of being able to travel with the Mifold Booster Seat and not have to worry about squeezing it into luggage or finding a place for it when it’s not in use.
- Child Weight Limit: It’s designed for children from 40-100 pounds.
- Where To Buy: You can find it on the manufacturer’s website and on Amazon.
- The Best Part: It can fold down to take literally anywhere and store anywhere so easily.
- The Not So Great: It doesn’t exactly “boost” your child up, so that could be a safety issue for smaller or younger children.
- Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls on this particular booster.
7. Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle
The Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle just looks comfortable, which makes it a top choice for anyone looking for a comfortable and cushioned seat for their little one. But more than that, it has a safe LATCH installation system and convenient cushioned armrests.
You can always put the LATCH fasteners back into the Peg Booster so you can still use the seat in any car and it’s easy to transport the seat itself thanks to its carrying handle. And to keep your car’s seat belt in place, it has a clip that can be used until your child is big enough not to need it to hold the seatbelt in the proper place.
- Child Weight Limit: It’s designed for children up to 120 pounds.
- Where To Buy: You can primarily find it on Amazon at this time.
- The Best Part: The installation makes it extra safe for your little one.
- The Not So Great: It is on the pricier side, which can be a big deterrent for some families.
- Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls on the Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle.
8. Dream On Me Coupe Booster Car Seat
The Dream On Me Coupe Booster Seat is sleek and simple and compact in most cars. But, it’s also safe thanks to its V-shape and belts path design. It also has extra padding and comfort suede to keep your little one comfortable, even on long car rides. But you can remove the covering with ease whenever you need to clean it thoroughly.
The Dream On Me Booster does have armrests, but no side cup holders, so while your child won’t get that added convenience, you will be able to fit the booster in your backseat easily.
- Child Weight Limit: It’s made for children from 30-100 pounds.
- Where To Buy: You can purchase it on Amazon or in-store at Walmart.
- The Best Part: It weighs less than three pounds on its own, which makes for easy portability.
- The Not So Great: There are no recent or current recalls on the Dream On Me Coupe Booster Car Seat.
- Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls on this booster.
FAQs
Answer: Short answer is: Yes! Backless Boosters have to pass safety standards and are safe to use if you correctly install them. Also, they are more comfortable than high-back boosters for sure, but it is always safer to go with the high-back seats as they provide more support and has a 5-point harness.
Answer: If your kid has reached 40 to 80 pounds or has outgrown the internal harness or height limitation of a forward-facing car seat, you can transition it to a booster seat.
Answer: Anchors for booster seats are more for comfort than protection, so you should always focus on putting the seat belt straps right in order to securely position the car seat or booster seat.
Final Thoughts
If you’re lucky, you may find a car seat that transitions from infant to toddler to small child to an actual backless booster seat. But just in case that’s not in the cards for you, there are obviously a ton of standalone backless booster seats to choose from.
Even if you feel more comfortable with a high-back booster seat, eventually your little one will need a backless booster. When that time comes, you’ll now have a variety of options to choose from.
