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BubbleBum

*Est. $40

Reviewed

April 2013

by ConsumerSearch

Pros

Lightweight
Deflates, folds for travel
Fits in cramped, contoured seats

Cons

Seat-belt guides tricky for kids to use independently
Small seat surface lacks thigh support for some kids
Cover is not removable or washable

Where to Buy

for $39.99

Our Analysis
Specs
178 Amazon Reviews

Bottom Line

Reviewers say the inflatable BubbleBum is no gimmick. The backless belt-positioning booster deflates and folds up for travel, but parents say the seat is also ideal for cramped or contoured seats. However, the seat-belt guides are tricky for kids to use independently, and the small seat may not be comfortable for long road trips, parents say. BubbleBum is also pricier than other backless boosters.

Safety

Safe, but no frills. The BubbleBum is a belt-positioning booster that uses a vehicle's existing seat belts. It receives solid marks in independent safety testing, but expert reviewers note that it needs to be adequately inflated and doesn't offer the side-impact protection or more precise belt placement of a high-back booster. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) names the BubbleBum a best bet for proper belt fit in almost any car. Without the safeguard of LATCH, the BubbleBum should be should be belted even when unoccupied so it can't cause damage in the event of an accident.

Ease Of Operation

Seat-belt clips hard for kids to use. Reviewers say the BubbleBum is easy to inflate and deflate, though some note that it's easy to overinflate the seat, making it less stable. The attached clips that properly position the seat belts can be tricky to use, especially for kids, parents say. The seat receives 4 stars out of 5 in ease-of-use ratings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which notes that the safety labels could be more explicit.

Lifestyle Features

Ideal for traveling. The BubbleBum lacks the customary extras included on other boosters, such as cup holders and armrests. However, reviewers say the seat makes up for it with extreme portability. One expert reviewer says the seat clocks in at just over a pound when fully inflated, and it folds up into an included stretchy bag for traveling. Reviewers note that the seat is also ideal for carpools or cramped back seats, including vehicles that may require three car seats in one row. However, the seat comes in limited colors and the cover is not removable or machine-washable. Reviewers also note that the small seat surface, while good for tight spaces, may be uncomfortable for kids on long trips because it lacks thigh support. BubbleBum is recommended for children from 40 to 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall.

Customer Service

Quick to respond to issues. BubbleBum offers a limited one-year warranty on its seat. It actively responds to complaints on Amazon.com, and reviewers say the company is quick to replace faulty seats. The BubbleBum expires six years from its date of manufacture.

Where To Buy

BubbleBum Inflatable, Portable Car Booster Seat Purple

(178 reviews)
Buy new: $39.95 24 New from $39.99

In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

Our Sources

1. CarSeatBlog.com

Review Credibility: Excellent The BubbleBum is one of CarSeatBlog.com's picks for best backless booster seat. The extremely lightweight, inflatable seat is "great for travel, carpooling and tight 3-across situations," editors note. An in-depth review says the small seating surface is a double-edged sword: It makes the seat more portable, but less comfy for long rides due to a lack of thigh support. The belt guides may also be tricky for some younger kids.

Review: Recommended Carseats, Editors of CarSeatBlog.com, September 2012

2. IIHS.org

Review Credibility: Excellent The IIHS evaluates booster seats on how well they make a safety belt fit an average 6 year old. The BubbleBum is rated a best bet, meaning the lap belt was flat or nearly flat on the thighs, and the shoulder belt was correctly positioned at or very near the mid-shoulder.

Review: Booster Evaluations for 2012, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Not dated

3. NHTSA.gov

Review Credibility: Excellent NHTSA rates car seats on a 5-star scale for ease of use, label content and clarity, instruction content and clarity, ease of installation and ease of securing a child. The BubbleBum receives 4 out of 5 stars overall, with testers saying the seat requires assembly and the safety labels could be more explicit.

Review: Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Ratings, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Not dated

4. Baby Bargains

Review Credibility: Excellent Baby Bargains, a comprehensive book by Denise and Alan Fields, reviews baby gear and common baby brands. The authors review popular car seats based on expert testing and parents' reviews, as well as information from manufacturers and retailers. Their website offers up-to-date information, additional reviews, recall information and forums for parents to discuss baby products.

Review: Car Seats: Picking the Right Child Safety Seat, Denise and Alan Fields, Tenth Edition, 2013

5. ConsumerReports.org

Review Credibility: Excellent Editors of ConsumerReports.org test 13 combination and 33 belt-positioning booster seats, including high-back and backless models. The ratings are reliable and unbiased, and they include editors' highs and lows for each seat -- helpful for parents who want a quick summary of each seat. However, there are a couple of discontinued models listed, and it's unclear when the tests were performed.

Review: Booster Seat Ratings, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Not dated

6. TheCarSeatLady.com

Review Credibility: Very Good Car-seat experts from TheCarSeatLady.com pick the BubbleBum as the best booster seat for travel, carpools and wider kids. Picks are based on those thought to be "the most versatile for the widest range of children and vehicles," they note. However, there is no in-depth review of the seat.

Review: Our Best Picks for Boosters, Editors of TheCarSeatLady.com, Not dated

7. Amazon.com

Review Credibility: Very Good The BubbleBum receives 4.2 out of 5 stars in more than 110 reviews on Amazon.com. Reviewers say the seat is a good solution in cramped situations, including vehicles that need three car seats in a row. They also say the seat is easy to inflate and deflate for travel and carpooling. However, a few reviewers say the small seat surface isn't comfortable, while others say their kids wobble on the seat if it's overinflated. Many reviewers say the seat belt guides are hard for children to use independently, and some report that their seat arrived with a leak.

Review: BubbleBum Car Booster Seat, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of April 2013

8. About.com

Review Credibility: Very Good In an in-depth review, Heather Corley gives the BubbleBum 2.5 out of 5 stars. She says the seat is "pretty cool" and is an ideal solution for three-across car seats, travel or carpooling. It is easy to inflate, promotes good belt fit and folds up very small, she says. However, adults probably need to help inflate the seat and guide the seat belt through the belt clips, and the seat is expensive for a backless booster, she says. Also, the seat cover is not removable and machine washable.

Review: Bubblebum Booster Review, Heather Corley, Not dated

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