Best Booster Seats for Children

Belt positioning booster seats a good choice for older children

Belt positioning booster seats are high-back boosters that often convert to backless boosters. They are a safe option for kids who have outgrown their convertible car seats and who are tall and heavy enough, and mature enough, to sit in a seat without a five-point harness, generally around age 5 or so.

The Clek Oobr (*Est. $280) mixes safety and style in a way that pleases both parents and kids. It boasts a strong magnesium frame and rigid LATCH connectors that make the seat a breeze to install and keep firmly in place, owners say. The Oobr, which converts from a high-back booster to a backless booster, also features moisture- and stain-resistant Crypton fabric. While the price is a downside for some, other reviewers complain that the seat is too heavy and bulky. One expert notes that the seat may not be deep enough for kids with long legs.

With a deeper seat base, the Diono Monterey (*Est. $120) also has an unusual width-adjustment mechanism. Those features, together with a high weight and height capacity, make the Monterey a good pick for taller or wider kids. The seat converts from a high-back to a backless booster, and parents also like the rubberized seat bottom, which keeps the seat stable and is gentle on upholstery. But the seat is heavy and bulky, some reviewers say. The Monterey also lost some fans after a belt-positioning issue cropped up on some 2012 models, which may still be on the market. Diono attributes this to vehicle fit, not the seat itself, and says it will send a modified headrest to customers who encounter the problem.

The Britax Parkway SG (*Est. $90) has a lighter, narrower frame, which helps it fit in tighter spaces. In addition to side-impact protection and energy-absorbing foam (common to most high-back boosters), it features a SecureGuard seat-belt plate that helps keep children from slipping under their lap belts in a crash. The Parkway SG also converts from a high-back to a backless booster. However, some reviewers complain that the small, low armrests and SecureGuard plate make the seat uncomfortable for their kids.

Budget-minded parents will appreciate the Graco Highback TurboBooster (*Est. $50) . Reviewers say the seat, which converts to a backless booster, is easy to install and adjust. The narrow frame is a good choice for tighter vehicle seats, and parents say the seat cover is a snap to remove and wash. But the Highback TurboBooster is hard to carry despite being relatively lightweight, reviewers say. The seat also has less side-impact protection than some competing models.

For top-of-the-line safety, comfort and convenience features, the Clek Oobr is a standout in this category, and reviewers say it's well worth its price.