Booster Seats

Toddler booster seats for kids 40 to 80 pounds

If your child is able to use his convertible car seat until he reaches 40 pounds (most convertible seats are rated to 40 pounds), you may not need a combination car seat/booster, like those mentioned above. You may only need the booster seat feature, so that your child is in the right position to use your car's lap and shoulder belts.

In this case, you can choose between a high-back model and a backless booster. High-back seats work well in cars with shorter seat backs, when you'll need support for the child's head and shoulders. High-back seats are often plusher with more features, but some kids actually prefer backless boosters, since they are more discreet and may seem more "grown-up."

With nine top honors in reviews, the Graco TurboBooster SafeSeat (Step 3) (*Est. $60) is the best high-back booster seat. As with many of Graco's car seats, the TurboBooster comes in several versions. The most basic TurboBooster goes for about $50; higher-end models add features like reversible upholstery and extra padding and sell for twice that or more. The backless version, the Graco Backless TurboBooster (*Est. $25), is also a top performer in crash tests. We've included both versions in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers.

The high-back TurboBooster converts to a backless booster, and whether you choose this or the strictly backless version depends on your child's weight. The high-back model should be used between 30 and 40 pounds (although it can be used for heavier weights as well), and the backless model is for kids between 40 and 100 pounds. If your child already weighs 40 pounds and your car has headrests, it's less expensive to go with the backless model from the start. Some parents note problems with backless boosters if their child naps in the car because there is nothing to keep the child from leaning to the side while asleep; therefore, a high-back model may be a better choice if your child tends to sleep in the car.

Parents on various community sites have many good things to say about the Graco TurboBooster. Much praise is given to the padding of the car seat, and the fact that it seems sturdy compared to other car seats with a removable back. While some parents like the wings on the side for side-impact protection and support for naps, parents of some older children say their children don't like the side wings at all, possibly making them feel too "baby-ish." The TurboBooster comes in a wide variety of upholstery from subtle tan or black-and-white to detailed prints and cartoon characters.

The Graco AirBooster (*Est. $90) is similar to the TurboBooster, but it's designed to be flexible and breathable to improve the child's comfort. The AirBooster is getting some good early parent feedback for its comfort, ease of use and head support, but we haven't yet seen it crash tested or professionally reviewed. The Graco AirBooster has EPS foam, an adjustable headrest and retractable cup holders. It is rated for children between 38 and 57 inches tall weighing 30 to 100 pounds.

The Britax Monarch (*Est. $150) has side-impact protection with EPS foam in the headrest and torso area, plus armrests, a detachable back and an adjustable seat width that accommodates larger children. The Monarch hasn't yet received much attention from professional reviewers, but feedback from parents is very positive. The armrests seem to be somewhat controversial, judging from parent reviews so far, some of whom complain that the armrests are too low and that they get in the way of buckling the child into the seat.

The First Years Compass B500 was the first foldable high-back booster, and it won a 2004 Innovation Award from the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (JPMA). The First Years has since discontinued the original Compass B500 and expanded its booster lineup. The Compass Folding Booster (*Est. $70), or B505, is the new basic model. The Compass Deluxe Folding Booster (*Est. $100) and the Compass Premier Folding Booster (*Est. $100) are also known as the B510 and the B510 Premier. The newest addition is the Compass Ultimate Folding Booster (*Est. $90), also called the B530. All Compass booster seats get excellent reviews from parents who like the EPS foam headrest for support and protection, the height-adjustable backrest and the flip-up armrests.

All these seats do very well in owner-written reviews, but the Compass B510 has a slight edge with parents and shows up more often as a top professional pick. Features are similar, but the B510 and B530 have a redesigned belt path which experts say makes them work better for taller children. According to one detailed review on Amazon.com by a mother who got the 505, 510 and 530 and lined them up next to each other, both the 510 and 530 also have an improved headrest that curves forward to accommodate vehicle headrests. The Compass B510 has a slightly deeper headrest than the B530, but the difference is only about ¾" and both are still very deep according to the reviewer on Amazon.com, who adds that both are an improvement over the B505. All Compass folding booster seats are rated for children three to ten years old who weigh 30 to 100 pounds and are between 38 and 57 inches tall.