No matter your child’s age, their safety is always your top priority. This is especially the case when they are in the car with you. From the moment they are a newborn to a young child, ensuring you take the proper precautions in your vehicle is always of the utmost importance. This is why choosing the appropriate booster seat is so crucial once they reach the legal weight of 40 lbs. So, what exactly should you be looking for? When is your child ready to transition from a car seat to a booster seat? We’ve researched all the brands and varieties to make up our list of the top booster seats for 2025.
How Does a Booster Seat Work?
Contrary to popular belief, a booster isn’t necessarily what protects your child in the event of an accident. Instead, it positions your child so that the seatbelt properly fits them, preventing further injury. When your child is too small for an adult seat but too large for a car seat, a seat belt will only cross the abdomen, preventing it from doing its job. With a booster seat, your child is positioned so that the seat belt fits across the strong bones of the hips and pelvis. The lap belt should fit snugly across your child’s hips and not rest on their belly when they are sitting in their seat. Additionally, the shoulder portion of the belt should be positioned over the chest and collarbone, ensuring it does not touch the neck.
When To Switch to a Booster Seat?
Before transitioning to a booster seat, children should be at least five years old, 40 pounds, and 38 inches tall. They should also be mature enough to sit still, with the seatbelt strap correctly positioned across their shoulder, not their neck. The longer your child wears a five-point harness, the better, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). So, keep kids in a traditional car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. The AAP also recommends that children use high-back booster seats for as long as possible before transitioning to a backless booster seat.
What Makes a Booster Seat Safe to Use?
Similar to a car seat, there are a few things you’ll want to be on the lookout for when shopping for a booster seat:
First and foremost, you will need to look for the National Safety Mark Label. This indication confirms that the seat you are viewing complies with the regulations and standards established by the Government of Canada. The Ministry of Transportation issues these National Safety Mark Labels to various manufacturers across Canada. If your booster seat does not have this feature, it is not considered legal for use. Thus, you should refrain from using it.
However, the National Safety Mark isn’t the only sign of a safe booster seat. It is essential to make sure it also complies with the following:
- It is not past its expiry date.
- It has all of the necessary safety components, with none missing.
- The booster seat has not been involved in previous collisions.
- All components are working correctly.
- It does not have any damage.
- It comes with instructions for appropriate installation.
We highly recommend purchasing a new booster seat rather than borrowing one or buying a used one to avoid injury or potential oversights. We understand that booster seats can sometimes be quite expensive. However, it is never worth risking your child’s safety!
So, What Are the Best Booster Seats for 2025?
Selecting the best booster seat for your child can be a daunting and confusing task. The variety of booster seats on the market makes this process even more difficult. To simplify this process, we have compiled a list of the top car seats for the year. Each has its pros and cons, and they range from different price points, so there is an option for everyone.
1. Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster Seat
Toddler to Big Kid Car Seat from 10-45 kg (22-100lb), Harness/Highback/Backless Booster
The Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster helps protect your child from toddlerhood to preteen years. It is designed to grow with your child, transitioning from a forward-facing harness to a high-back booster and finally to a backless booster. The seat is Graco ProtectPlus Engineered. It combines the most rigorous crash tests to help protect your little one in frontal, side, rear, and rollover crashes. The seat pad, body support, and harness covers are comfortable and machine-washable.
2. Evenflo 30712344C Chase Plus 2-In-1 Booster Car Seat
As your child grows, the Chase Plus 2-in-1 booster car seat by Evenflo converts from a five-point harness booster for children weighing 22-40 lbs. to a high-back booster with a vehicle seat belt, allowing for use up to 120 lbs. The innovative headrest design, featuring exclusive right-fit belt path technology, automatically adjusts the vehicle belt to the proper height for a safer ride. Built with supportive and comfortable padding, the seat has a removable, machine-washable seat cover.
3. Graco Turbobooster High-Back Booster Seat
2-in-1 Car Seat, High-Back to Backless Booster
This two-in-one booster seat easily converts from a high-back to a backless booster for years of use. It will help safely transport your big kid, aged 4 to 10 years old, weighing 18-45 kg (40-100 lb), and up to 144 cm (57 inches) tall. This booster seat utilizes EPS, or energy-absorbing foam, for effective impact management. Like the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1, the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered seat boasts a multi-layer headrest and padded, height-adjustable armrest for your child’s comfort.
4. UPPAbaby Alta V2 High-Back Booster Seat
UPPAbaby has long been a parent-favourite brand, known for its high-quality products and trendy fashions — and the Alta V2 continues to impress. This seat checks all the boxes, boasting safety, comfort, accessibility, and style. The booster seat’s top-notch safety features include the SecureFit belt routing system, Rigid LATCH connectors, and Side Impact Pods. The dual armrests provide added comfort, making all the difference during long car rides. The Alta V2 also has a seven-position Active Support Headrest to meet the needs of growing children.
5. Chicco GoFit Plus Backless Booster Car Seat
With LATCH Attachment and Quick-Release LATCH Removal
Designed for children 4-10 years old, weighing 40-110 pounds, the Chicco GoFit Plus backless booster seat allows children between 38″ and 57″ tall to travel comfortably and safely on errands. The booster is also equipped with a quick-release latch. Its double-layer foam padding and contoured seat provide support in all the right places. As a backless booster, the GoFit Plus offers stability plus grab-and-go convenience.
6. Diono Solana 2 XL Booster Seat with Latch
Dual Latch Connectors, Lightweight Backless Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat
Designed to safely transport your child for 8 years with just one booster, the Diono Solana 2 XL is designed to transport your child from 18 to 54 kg. Built for comfort in every size, the XL backless booster is optimized for comfort and safety, featuring built-in padded armrests and finished with deep-padded cushioning. Two built-in retractable 2-in-1 cup holders and a snack tray will help keep your big kid’s drink close at hand and stow away their essentials. Easily removable and machine washable, the Solana 2XL is constructed with premium, soft fabrics and layered foam padding that provide comfort and support.
7. Clek Oobr Booster Seat
The Oobr Booster Car Seat by Clek is one of Snuggle Bugz’s best-selling booster seats and is consistently top-rated in terms of safety. Available in a wide range of colours to complement any interior, the seat offers a four-inch elevation, allowing kids to meet shoulder belt heights adequately. Emphasizing safety, absorbent EPP foam is laid over a magnesium frame. Deep side wings and stability in a LATCH locking system also surround a protective headrest. And, for those long car rides, the Clek Oobr reclines up to 12 degrees to allow for peaceful naps!
8. Britax Highpoint 2-Stage Belt-Positioning Booster
Britax created the perfect balance of safety and style with the Highpoint 2-Stage Belt-Positioning Booster. This seat is designed to provide extra head support for kids up to 63” tall with its quick-adjust headrest and 10-position options. If you prefer a backless booster, the headrest can be removed, making it suitable for larger children. The Britax Highpoint protects your child in multiple ways, featuring three layers of full-body side impact protection, external cushions, and an energy-absorbing shell. If you are a parent looking to get the best of both worlds (style and safety), the Highpoint should be a contender.
9. Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle Plus 120
The Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle Plus 120 booster seat is a perfect lightweight option where the headrest, backrest, and side wings can all be adjusted to keep up with your growing child. Once your little one is big enough, the back piece can be removed, and the seat can be used independently. Boasting Italian design and craftsmanship, this booster features numerous safety enhancements, including a LATCH system for rigid stability, an aluminum-enforced backrest to prevent whiplash, force-dissipating EPS foam, and an encompassing headrest with side wings for added protection.
10. Nuna AACE
Nuna’s AACE Booster Seat is another customizable booster that has offered excellent performance for years. Equipped with a 10-position headrest and an eight-position reclinable backrest, the AACE aims to be a seat suitable for use from preschool to pre-teen ages. A coloured belt path helps parents identify the correct routing for shoulder belts, and once kids are big enough, the seat can be converted to a no-back booster. With side impact protection pods, energy-absorbing foam, and removable, machine-washable fabric, your child will feel safe, secure, and comfortable during every outing.
When Can My Child Graduate to Wearing a Seat Belt Only?
Figuring out when your child can graduate from a booster seat to just a seatbelt can be difficult for many parents. Generally speaking, a booster seat can be removed when the seatbelt fits properly on the body without the booster seat’s assistance. This means the belt is on their lap, and the shoulder belt is between their neck and shoulders. Studies show that half of 10-year-olds still require a booster seat to ride safely. This means it is crucial to focus more on your child’s height and weight than their age when determining whether to remove the seat.
Remember, car seat and booster seat safety is nothing without proper insurance to fall back on. Are you looking for new car insurance or looking to update your policy? If so, request a quote or contact us today!
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