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Sometimes a high-back booster car seat is the preferred option to going with a car seat that is all-in-one. You might prefer to opt for an infant carrier car seat, then a car seat for older babies, and eventually, you will need one that will work for your toddler as he or she grows and continues to need a safe and comfortable spot in your back seat.
This is why it’s important to consider the benefits of the Graco TurboBooster TakeAlong Highback Booster. It’s similar enough to other similar highback booster car seats, but there are plenty of things that set this one apart from others. Like the fact that it can be folded up to a compact and easy to travel with size with a simple motion.
With one hand, you pull up the seat in the middle and it folds into itself. You can then place it in an easy to travel with bag so you can take it with you on the go, on family trips, and even on airplanes. The booster definitely goes well above what other similar booster car seats are and there is where the value really lies with this one.
It also has a six-position headrest to really grow with your child and once they grow out of the high-back mode, you can remove that to use the booster seat as a backless booster car seat. Basically, once your child is ready for this, they won’t need another booster car seat ever.
For your child’s convenience, there are cup holders on either side of the car seat which swivels out in the interest of not taking up too much additional room in your back seat.
Plus, it has been tested to meet or exceed all federal safety standards for booster car seats. The booster seat is for children from 40-100 pounds and can be found on the manufacturer’s website and on Amazon or in-store at Target.
Table of Contents
Features
- It can be folded up with just one hand.
- It comes with carrying back for the booster when it becomes a backless booster car seat.
- Little ones can get literal years of use out of the booster.
- It is designed for children from 40$-100 pounds and can be adjusted as your child grows.
- As both a high-back and as a backless booster seat, it can be used with your car’s own seatbelt.
Pros
- The booster car seat is affordable for most families.
- There are multiple headrest positions to help keep your little one safe and comfortable as he or she grows.
- It’s as easy as can be to take the car seat on the go since it folds up into itself when it is a backless booster.
- You can easily take the booster pretty much anywhere you might need it.
- It’s slim enough to fit more than one in the back seat of most cars.
Cons
- Some parents might not love that there is no LATCH installation capabilities.
- Although there are two cup holders, they might be on the smaller side for some sippy cups or snack cups.
- There could be more seat padding in the bottom, especially for toddlers and small children as they grow.
Has This Item Been Recalled?
There was a 2015 and 2016 recall on some Graco TurboBooster TakeAlong Highback Boosters.
How Others Compare
Chicco KidFit 2-In-1 Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat
The Chicco KidFit 2-In-1 Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat doesn’t offer the same super easy folding option that the Graco TurboBooster has, but it is plenty useful for growing toddlers.
It, too, is a two-in-one belt-positioning booster that is used with your own car’s seat belt to get your kid used to a seat belt rather than the five-point harness they used as a baby and young toddler. It also has a LATCH attachment and SuperCinch tightener to provide as much safety and stability as possible.
It’s also made with ErgoBoost, which is a padded and contoured seat to keep your little one comfortable as he or she grows. There are also 10 different headrest positions to accommodate your child as they grow and side impact protection to keep your little one safe during car rides.
But the thing that sets it apart from a lot of other boosters is that it adjusts from the waist rather than the neck to provide support at all times. And, like the Graco TurboBooster, this one has dual cup holders that can be folded in when they aren’t in use.
This makes it a little easier to fit the booster car seat in nearly any back seat. The booster is designed for children from 30-110 pounds and can be found on the manufacturer’s website and on Amazon or in-store at Target.
Pros
- The seat has ample padding, which can be hard to find with booster car seats.
- It’s also relatively deep, which is perfect for older children who need to use the booster car seat.
- It can be adjusted with ease as your child grows to continuously support him or her.
- The booster is also relatively lightweight compared to other similar booster car seats.
Cons
- In some cars, the back of the booster might not lay completely flat against the back seat.
- Although the neck of the car seat has side impact protection, it might not provide enough support for little ones who fall asleep in their car seat.
- It might be a little difficult to buckle across the booster seat since there is an armrest.
Has This Item Been Recalled?
There are no recent or current recalls on this booster car seat.
From the makers of the No 1-rated KeyFit and NextFit, the IIHS Best Bet Chicco KidFit Belt-Positioning Booster is designed with 10 positions of DuoGuard protection for the way kids grow. With height adjustment from the waist—instead of at the neck—the KidFit offers both head and torso protection throughout every stage.
Evenflo Big Kid High Back Booster Car Seat
The Evenflo Big Kid High Back Booster Car Seat starts off as a high-back booster seat but can be converted to a backless booster car seat when your child is ready. In both modes, however, it provides support and safety for your child once they have grown out of their toddler car seat.
Unlike with some similar booster car seats, this one has a seat belt guide to help guide your car’s seat belt across your child’s body so they are properly and safely buckled in each time. It also has two built-in cup holders that won’t take up any additional room in your back seat, which is always an added bonus, especially if you need to have more than one booster in your car at once.
You can adjust the headrest to six different positions with just one hand as your child grows so that they can continue to have safety and support for as long as they need the booster car seat. It has an energy-absorbing foam liner for your child’s safety and in the event of a spill or mess, you can remove the fabric cover to easily wash it.
Pros
- It is one of the most affordable options out there for booster car seats.
- The back of the car seat booster is also made with ample cushion.
- You can potentially fit three of these across the back seat in your car.
- It’s lightweight enough to move from car to car and take on the go with you if you need to.
Cons
- Because it’s lightweight, the booster might feel a little flimsy to some parents.
- You might need to add additional head support for your little one with this booster.
- The bottom of the booster doesn’t come with a lot of cushion support.
Has This Item Been Recalled?
There was a 2012 recall on the Evenflo Big Kid High Back Booster Car Seat.
Britax Highpoint Belt-Positioning Booster Seat
The Britax Highpoint Belt-Positioning Booster Seat might not convert to a compact travel size like the Graco TurboBooster, but it does make traveling a lot easier thanks to its comfort, safety, and longevity for your child. It has a 10-position headrest that can be adjusted as your child grows, which is plenty important in a highback booster car seat that you want to be able to use for years.
The knit fabric that covers the booster is breathable but still comfortable enough to keep your toddler and older child comfortable on long car rides. There are also cup holders placed on either side of the booster seat, but they can both be removed when they aren’t in use or if you want to pop them in the dishwasher to clean them.
The booster also has seat belt guides to help you get your child buckled in safely and correctly and LATCH connectors so you can get the booster installed as safely as possible.
Sometimes, booster car seats simply sit against the back seat, but this takes the safety measures up a few notches and it’s kind of a big deal. The booster is designed for children from 40-120 pounds.
Pros
- There is ample cushion and support in the headrest of the booster car seat.
- It is equipped with LATCH connectors to really get installation as secure as possible.
- It also has side impact protection to keep your little one safe as he or she grows.
- The booster is for children up to 120 pounds, which means that it lasts a lot longer than some other comparable booster car seats.
Cons
- The booster might be a little pricey for some families.
- Although it can be used for years, it does not turn into a backless booster, which can be a deal-breaker for some parents.
- The belt-positioning clip can be difficult to use, even though it’s supposed to make the booster easier to use overall.
Has This Item Been Recalled?
There are no recent or current recalls on this booster car seat.
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt that there are plenty of comparable booster seats to the Graco TurboBooster TakeAlong Highback Booster, but none of them quite compare to the benefits of this one. This booster car seat offers comfort, safety, longevity, and so much ease of use that you can’t really compare many others to it.
Yes, there are other options out there as far as booster car seats go, but the Graco TurboBooster TakeAlong Highback Booster certainly offers just a little bit more to make it worth every penny for most families. And, like comparable booster seats, it will eventually be used as a backless booster, which only adds to its longevity.
There Is always the chance that it won’t work for your family specifically, but overall, you can’t ignore all that the Graco TurboBooster TakeAlong Highback Booster offers.
