travel booster seat with back

5 Absolute Best Travel Booster Seats for 2024 (+Helpful Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 23, 2024

One of the most asked questions when it comes to road-tripping with kids is what kind of travel car seat is the best. The answer depends on so many different factors – how and where you travel, how old are your kids, and how light you want to travel. In my opinion, packing a high-back car seat on a plane is really not worth the hassle, so in this article, I will only focus on the best booster seats for travel – portable booster seats . Here’s why.

In my opinion, if you are traveling with a baby or a young child, you better just rent an appropriate car seat when you rent a car abroad.

Car seats for that age group cost a lot of money and are bulky to pack, while the price to rent one isn’t that high compared to what it costs.

Whereas if you travel with older kids who can use a booster car seat, it’s exactly the opposite. Travel booster seats are cheap to buy, easy to take with you, and renting one would often mean paying more.

TIP: At the moment of the last update, BubbleBum booster is the most popular travel booster seat choice among our readers in the USA. If I’m not mistaken, you now get an extra discount with this promo code on Amazon : 9DUCE9MT.

Ride Safer Vest is a distant second, on a much higher budget but also quite incomparable to any others safety-wise.

And now back to the best portable booster car seats . Below, you can see an overview of the information you can find in this article, including all the best travel boosters in our selection.

You can jump straight to the product information, but I strongly recommend that you also read practical tips and advice that should help you choose the right child booster seat for travel.

Update: We have done our best to update this article through the years. But there are so many changes all the time! Regulations change, products and companies disappear and new ones emerge. With the last update, we had to remove several products completely since they are not available anymore and there are no similar alternatives. So use this just as a guide to see what kind of different types of travel boosters there are, and be sure to always double-check the requirements and product specifications that are important to you!

Travel booster seats – overview:

• Our Experience with Travel Booster Seats

Booster Seat Requirements

• Other Things to Consider when Choosing Travel Booster Seat

1. The BubbleBum Booster Seat

2. ridesafer travel vest, 3. trunki boostapak, 4. hiccapop uberboost inflatable booster car seat, 5. belt-positioning backless booster, travel car seats & booster seats – our experience.

We have three kids and have traveled with them overseas ever since they were born. We always rented car seats for our kids when they were young. I just couldn’t imagine adding a big car seat to our travel luggage , not even to mention having to take two or three of them.

To us, traveling light is the best way to survive traveling with young kids.

LEARN MORE: Tips for Traveling with Kids

When our oldest was almost 5, we made a 5-week road trip in Australia . Twins were just 3 years old at that time. With three young children and multiple flights, there was just no way we would pack portable car seats for all of them. So we reserved car seats for the twins when we booked our rental car. With multiple rental cars at 4 different destinations in Australia, we spent a small fortune on those two car seats.

We, therefore, decided to at least look for an alternative solution for our 5-year-old. That’s when we started researching all available booster seats and realized that buying one would save us several hundreds of dollars.

But even a regular booster seat is not easy to pack with you. So we looked for the best travel booster seats – something that would fit all the safety requirements and at the same time would be easy to pack.

This was years ago and in the meantime, we have bought two more travel boosters for our twins as well. I am happy to say that we are still using the same travel booster seats today. We have used them on every single trip ever since and also on a daily basis at home. Buying a quality travel booster car seat was one of the best investments ever.

But before we talk about the specific travel booster seats, we should first cover some things you have to consider before buying a booster seat for your trip. Read on!

Booster seats are generally suitable for kids from around 4 years of age when children are no longer required to use a car seat with a 5-point harness. A portable travel booster seat ensures your child’s safety whenever you rent a car or use a taxi away from home.

However, the rules for the use of car seats and booster seats vary significantly from one country to another. So it’s essential to consult an official source for the country that you are traveling to in order to make sure that you have the right car seat for your child. More information about this below.

In some parts of the world – particularly much of Asia and northern Africa, there are hardly any laws requiring car seats or boosters of any kind. However, I’d still advise to rent one or bring your own. After all, you should be more concerned with your child’s safety than the (lack of) local laws.

We have rented car seats in South Africa and in Namibia for our kids and most of the time they looked completely ok to us. If in doubt, ask to change a car seat – quality car rental agencies usually have plenty of them available.

As I said before, the moment our kids were old enough for a booster car seat, we just bought our own and never had to worry about it again. Bringing your own booster seat gives you complete peace of mind and ensures that your children can travel safely wherever you go.

If you are traveling abroad, make sure to check the laws for booster seats in the country you are visiting.

Below you can find some links to the car seat and booster seat rules for a variety of destinations. Please note, however, that laws around car seat requirements change all the time , so it’s your responsibility to do proper research for the most up-to-date situation for the country you’re visiting.

Some countries require travel booster seats to carry specific labels in order to be legal for use, so it’s very important to read these regulations carefully.

• Children’s car seat rules in the USA (please note that the laws vary from state to state).
• Car seat rules in the UK .
• Car seat regulations in Canada .
• Car seat rules in Australia .
• While the rules about car seats and boosters for children are very relaxed across much of Asia , there are some countries that do have regulations. Our advice is to look up your specific destination and check the rules before you travel.
• Car seat requirements are now a bit different all over Europe . While in the past you could use a booster car seat for kids from around 4 years, the new law requires a minimum height of 125 cm (4ft1) and weight of at least 22 kg (49 lbs) in order to use a backless booster seat. In most European countries, kids can use a regular adult seat from 135 cm (4ft4) height (e.g. France, UK, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg…). However, some other countries require that kids under 150 cm (4ft 9) or under 12 years use a booster seat as well (e.g. Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Poland, Slovenia,…).

Since car seat requirements are different in every country and the situation might change again, I encourage you to research the laws of the specific country you’re planning to visit . You may also want to check if the booster you have is approved for use in the country you’re traveling to.

Other Things to Consider When Choosing Travel Booster Seat

In addition to local laws and regulations, there are a few other important things to consider when choosing the most suitable booster car seat for travel. Find out!

High-backed booster seats with ‘wings’ are the safest type, as they provide the best protection for your child’s head and neck in a side-impact crash. Unfortunately, though, it’s not always possible to carry this type of seat with you if you are traveling long distances.

The important thing to remember is that any approved booster seat is better than none at all.

Weight and Size

After safety, weight and size are probably the most important considerations when choosing the right (booster) car seat. Whilst some travel booster seats are ideal for local trips and days out and about, others are more suited to longer journeys where you are restricted on how much you can carry.

That being said, you might find that any extra baggage charges you incur from taking your own booster seat would be less than the cost of hiring a booster seat at your destination. Plus, of course, you will then have a portable booster seat for future use!

If you are traveling with 2-3 kids, consider if you can fit all the travel boosters next to each other (and hope they don’t fight all the time 😉 – see also our tips for how to handle long car rides with kids .

Versatility

Some seats are designed to serve more than one purpose, which is great if you have limited luggage space and want to get the most ‘bang for your buck’.

Important Tips

Wherever possible, we recommend sitting with your child and keeping an eye on them if using a backless booster, as it is a little easier for them to wriggle into an unsafe position.

Try to place your travel booster seat in the middle back seat if appropriate. Experts say that this is the safest position in the car.

Practice fitting the booster seat before you travel. While most boosters are pretty straightforward, some may need a little more expertise!

Best Travel Booster Seats: Comparison & Review

There are several good options when it comes to booster car seats for travel. So in order to give you the most complete guide to the best travel booster seats available at this moment , I not only based it on our experience, but also consulted other family travelers, and did extended research.

In the end, I selected portable booster seats that I think are the best options for those looking for a lightweight travel booster that doesn’t compromise on safety. In addition, I also included one high-back foldable booster seat. It’s obviously not as easy to pack as the backless boosters, but if you are traveling with a smaller child and still rather pack a car seat of your own, it might be a good option.

Below is our selection of the best travel booster seats. You can find a short review of each booster seat and a list of the main features that we think make them so useful. Of course, we also included our personal favorite – the travel booster seat that our kids have been using for years. Find out!

Here are the best travel booster seats:

The award-winning BubbleBum Booster Seat is described as an inflatable booster seat. However, it actually contains more memory foam than air, meaning that it will protect your child even if punctured in an accident.

BubbleBum Booster Seat takes just 20 seconds to inflate for use, then deflates quickly and folds to a small size, perfect for popping into your hand luggage or backpack.

The booster is designed for use with a 3-point adult seat belt (not a lap belt). The shoulder belt positioning clip and side lap belt clips help keep your child safe and comfortable.

At just 1.2 lbs it is the lightest travel booster seat we reviewed and it’s also the cheapest. But because it is a little smaller than some other travel boosters, we feel it’s more suited to shorter journeys than long road trips.

BubbleBum booster seat features:

• Suitable for children age 4-11 years, weighing from 40-100 lbs (18-45 kg).
• Inflates and deflates quickly.
• Lightweight and folds to a compact size and easy to store anywhere.
• Comes with its own bag.
• Made of a durable material.
• Narrow design allows you to use 3 across the back seat.

The compact and lightweight RideSafer Travel Vest is a brilliant alternative to a travel booster seat, but it comes with a much steeper price card. Weighing only 1.5 lbs (800 gr), it takes up very little luggage space and is particularly ideal for small cars, where bulkier car seats and boosters can be a tight fit. Fitting three of these vests in a row on the back seat is no problem whatsoever!

While the RideSafer may seem to offer less protection than booster seats at first glance, it’s actually the opposite. This is one of the safest solutions available!

Its clever design means that it maintains the car’s seatbelt in the proper position at all times. The shoulder belt is held in place, but away from your child’s neck, making him feel much more comfortable. It also positions the lap belt below your child’s abdomen, which best protects the internal organs.

This is the most expensive of the travel boosters we have reviewed in this article, but for the convenience and safety of your child, the RideSafer Travel Vest is invaluable!

RideSafer travel vest features:

• Available in 2 sizes, to fit children from 3-10 years, weighing from 30 to 80 lbs (15 to 36 kg).
• Certified for use in cars in the US.
• Small, lightweight, and easy to pack in hand luggage or backpack.
• Maintains proper seatbelt positioning at all times.

Trunki BoostApak is the travel booster seat that we chose for our kids. We bought one for our oldest son when he was 4 and used it till he didn’t need it anymore (around the age of 8-9). Our twins got the same Trunki boosters when they were 4 and used them until the age of 10.

I can’t even start to count the number of flights and road trips we have taken them on. The kids also used Trunki BoostApak boosters for their daily commute to school. Our high-back booster seats were only in use when we traveled big distances with our own car here in Europe. Since the new law in some European countries requires that booster seats are used till the kids are 150 cm tall, we used Trunki BoostAPak for our twins until the age of 10.

When we mentioned versatility earlier in this article, Trunki BoostApak is the booster seat we had in mind! The Trunki BoostApak is not just a booster seat, it’s also a hand-luggage approved child’s bag, with padded straps for comfort and a generous 8-liter capacity.

This means that you can use it to easily pack your child’s toys, books, games, and snacks for them to carry, then quickly convert it into an EU-certified travel booster seat whenever needed. You don’t need to unpack the Trunki before using it as a seat, as its hard plastic internal shell protects the bag’s contents. The shell is also designed to provide maximum strength in an accident.

It’s very easy to convert Trunki from a backpack to a booster seat, but if you (like many of us!) find some kids’ accessories a little challenging, be sure to practice with it before leaving home!

In addition to using it as a backpack and a car booster seat, the Trunki Boostapak with its wipe-clean cover makes a great booster seat for the movies too! We once even took our kids’ Trunkis to a theater.

The only minor issue we’ve had with this booster seat/backpack is that it’s slightly too heavy for younger children to carry – an empty Trunki BoostApak weighs 3.8 pounds (1,7 kg). So when our kids were just 4-5 years old, we usually had to help them with it at the airport. It’s not a big deal since the Trunki usually stays in the car for the entire duration of our trip.

Trunki BoostAPak travel booster features:

• Suitable for children age 4-11 years, weighing from 30 to 80 lbs (15 to 36 kg).
• Converts from a backpack to a booster seat in seconds.
• The fold-out seatbelt guides and seat belt adjuster help you ensure a perfect and safe fit.
• Approved as hand luggage by most airlines.
• EU certified for everyday car use.

Where to buy Trunki BoostApak. For some reason, Trunki BoostApak has always been a ‘European’ travel booster. Probably because it’s only been approved to be used in the EU and is not (yet) on the market in the USA. You can buy it on Amazon UK , but unfortunately, not on Amazon in the US.

Similar in principle to the Bubblebum, the Hiccapop Uberboost travel booster seat inflates and deflates quickly, so you can simply roll it up and pop it in your hand luggage, backpack, etc.

It’s cheaper than the BubbleBum, is made of a very thick, durable material and is comparable in weight.

The biggest difference is that – unlike the BubbleBum – there is no foam in the air bladder. Nevertheless, it feels as sturdy as a regular booster seat when inflated.

Hiccapop Uberboost features:

• Very compact and lightweight.
• Positions seat belt over the lap, not the stomach.
• Lifetime guarantee.

Update: The model reviewed below is not available during our last update, so check out these popular alternatives that offer pretty much the same functionality. Since this is the most popular portable booster design, there are so many brands selling similar models and they change the colors and the looks all the time.

Chicco GoFit Belt-Positioning Backless Booster is the only backless booster seat we reviewed that has dual cup holders, which are a huge plus on long journeys. The cup holders fold away, which is handy if you need to fit several car seats across the back seat. They can easily be removed and are dishwasher safe.

A little more expensive than other backless boosters, the Chicco GoFit feels very robust and well-made, whilst providing a lot more padding for your child’s comfort than many other seats of this type.

The seat has lap belt guides and a shoulder clip, which is attached to the back of the seat by a fabric strap. In some cars, you can fit three of these seats in the back – but you should only do this if you have a 3-point seat belt in the center seat, not a lap belt.

At 5 lbs it is heavier than the other travel booster seats in this selection and would also take up more luggage space. Nevertheless, it is still light enough to carry around and easy to move from one vehicle to another.

The only downside to this seat is that it doesn’t have latch connectors. Whilst this is a bonus in terms of travel, as it can quickly be moved to any vehicle, it does mean that it may shift a little during your journey and will also need to be stowed safely away when not in use.

Chicco GoFit booster seat features:

• Suitable for children age 4 and up, weighing from 40-110 lbs (18-45 kg).
• Double foam padding.
• Armrest covers and seat pad are machine-washable.
• Built-in carry handle.
• Smooth underside to protect vehicle seats.

So this is our complete guide to the best lightweight portable travel booster seats. I hope it helps you to find the best-suitable travel car seat for your kids.

Have you used any of these lightweight booster seats or have a favorite portable travel booster? Feel free to share your experience – you can leave a reply below.

READ ALSO : Best travel bags for kids

More tips for traveling with kids:

• Family travel: Tips for Travelling with Kids & Benefits of Family Travel
• Gear & luggage: Best Travel Gear for Kids & Best Kids Luggage
• Gift ideas: Travel Gifts for Kids (That They’ll Actually Use)
• Footwear: Best Travel Shoes for Kids
• Books: Travel Books and Destination Guides for Kids

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends who might be looking for a travel booster seat for their children. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

Some travel inspiration for families:

• Best Family Travel Destinations
• Best USA National Parks to Visit with Kids
• Lesser-known US National Parks for Families
• Top USA Spring Break Destinations
• Top Spring Break Destinations in Europe
• Yellowstone with Kids
• Arches National Park with Kids

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Saturday 27th of April 2024

Hi! Thanks for this helpful article! I'm from Spain and we are travelling to California this summer. Do you think that we could use trunki there with our 4 and 8 years old children?

Sunday 28th of April 2024

Hi Anna, we took and used Trunki BoostAPak to the USA for all three kids, but that was a few years ago when they were also sold in the US. It seems that they are not certified there at the moment and I really don't know what the implications would be. Here in Europe, you can usually use whatever car seats you use in your home country and they are deemed ok in other EU countries, even if the rules in regards to age/weight are different between those countries. But the USA is a different story. My reasoning with our kids was that we wanted them to be safe, so we bought products that were certified in the EU and approved for their age/weight. In our view, if it's safe here, it's just as safe anywhere. But whether it's legally ok, that's another question. I think that nobody will care what you use unless something happens. So it's really your decision. If you are not sure, just rent car seats. The irony is that the car seats/boosters you rent are usually of much lesser quality. But then you are legally ok.

Wednesday 24th of January 2024

Hi Jurga, I really appreciate your blog - it's been so helpful! I was looking to buy the Trunki BoostApak for our trip to Portugal and Spain later this year as our kids will be 6.5 and 4.5 years old. I noticed that the boosters are no longer available to ship via Amazon to the USA when logged under Amazon UK. I also tried their website which doesn't ship to the USA. It's not urgent since we don't travel until the Fall, but I was hoping to to buy the boosters ahead of time instead of trying to buy something when we arrive. Do you know if something has recently changed or if this is just a temporary thing with Amazon shipping? Thanks much! Kaylee

Thursday 25th of January 2024

Hi Kaylee, unfortunately, I don't know which products Amazon ships where and there might be tons of reasons why a specific product isn't shipped internationally. It might also depend on who the seller is - Amazon itself or some third party. Here in Europe, we use various Amazon websites from all different countries and it's very random what we can buy from which website, and what can be sent to one country is often not possible to another, plus, it changes all the time too. Indeed, the official USA website of Trunki doesn't even show this product, and the ones from Europe don't seem to ship to the USA. It's likely because they never asked for an official approval of this car seat in the US. So I really don't know what to tell you. Maybe try an alternative booster, or rent with a car. You may also want to check what the current rules in Portugal and Spain are depending on your kids' height/weight. I think that they might still be required to use a booster with back/head support at that age (depending on how tall they are and also on the country).

Tuesday 2nd of January 2024

Hi Jurga, happy New Year! I know from your blog your family has been to Portugal a few times including the islands and mainland but don't recall reading specifically on boosters for kids. We will be going to mainland Portugal this July and have 2 kids (both turns 7 & 9 this August). We are not sure what the best options on regarding booster seats for them and wanted to hear your insights. We are debating on renting the boosters with the car rental company but they seem to cost anwhere from $80 to $110 per booster seat which we can save. If we bring our own (backless boosters from the U.S.), we might not be able to use them right? Any suggestions? Thanks!

@Jurga, thanks so much for taking the time to reply to my inquiry! Yes the booster we use in the U.S. is sturdy (Chicco KitFit 2-in-1 Belt Positioning Booster Car Seat). We would bring just the bottom section w/o the back support and that's why I asked if that would meeting Portugal's guideline or law? You rented a car for ONLY 144 euro for 12 days?!?!?! I'm assuming it's manual? Unfortunately we need an automatic and the price seems to just a lot due to that. Thanks for the car rental site. Will check it out using your link!

Hi Athan, indeed, kids that age are officially required to use a booster in Portugal. And yes, some car rental companies charge ridiculous amounts for them - that's also why we always packed our own when our kids needed them... You have several options. Buy a booster at a local store once you get to Portugal (you should be able to find them at all major supermarkets) or bring one with you. Depending on the booster that you use at home, it might be EU certified - just check online. Also, if it's a sturdy, quality booster, it's likely going to be better quality than what you get from some car rental agencies... And normally nobody will care what you use - it's your kids and you want to make sure that they are safe. The only issue is if something happens and police checks car seats. But I can't imagine anyone would make an issue about them not being certified in the EU if they are safe and certified in the USA. But it's your decision. Yet another option is to order a EU-certified booster from Amazon UK or Amazon Germany/France/Spain... (if they deliver in the US) and bring it with you. Just check if it's not going to become more expensive that way. If you want to avoid all the hassle, renting one together with your car is the safest option. Just a thought - car rental is usually so cheap in Portugal that it may not be such a big deal to pay extra for the boosters. P.S. We always rent our cars via RentalCars website. In fact, we are here in Portugal at the moment and we have a nice, family-size car for about 144 euro for 12 days including full insurance. If we had rented the same car directly with the company (and paid insurance at the counter), it would have been over 700 euros...

Wednesday 31st of May 2023

I love this post! I actually read it years ago, then when I was looking at booster seats recently, I was so happy to find it back. I saw that it now has the comfiGO booster-type seat by ClypX. I was very interested in that seat, but when I started doing more research on it I found that US child passenger safety news site called Safe Ride News had an article stating that the booster is not actually classified as a booster in the US, so safety regulations don’t apply to it. Since it claims it complies with the regulations (deceptive), and because of how it is designed, I would be hesitant to use it or recommend it to anyone, whether or not they are in the US.

Tuesday 6th of June 2023

Hi Nanika, based on everything I find online, this seat is certified in the US at this moment, but they were asked not to call it a 'booster' anymore.

Saturday 27th of May 2023

Do you have any information on when and why mifold went out of business? Have their booster seats been recalled? When I purchased our mifold years ago, it was considered very safe, approved for use in the UK (which is where we mostly need to use it) and we have loved it, but I know that ratings can change with more information. Thanks!

Hi Lindsey, it happened rather recently and I haven't heard anything about recalls. The company just stopped from one day to the other; I don't think it had anything to do with the product safety. Maybe try searching online - I wasn't able to find much info when I checked when updating this article last time.

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• Baby and kid

The Best Travel Car Seats

By Christina Szalinski and Rebecca Gale

Let’s face it: Traveling with little kids can be a slog. But a lightweight, compact, easy-to-install travel car seat is one tool that can make trips a bit easier.

We’ve tested 17 travel car seats for infants and up, and we examined how they performed in various circumstances, including during air travel and in rental cars. The Chicco KeyFit 35 , one of our picks for the best infant car seats , is an excellent choice for both travel and everyday use. For an affordable and easy-to-use convertible car seat for toddlers and preschoolers, we recommend traveling with the Cosco Scenera Next , which fits kids up to 40 inches tall for rear-facing or 43 inches for forward-facing. For kids bigger than that who still need a seat with a five-point harness, we recommend the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 , which also converts to a high-back booster. The backless, lightweight Cosco Rise is great for booster-age kids.

If you’ll be hopping in and out of taxis or ride shares with a baby, the Doona is a unique but expensive infant car seat that converts to a stroller. And instead of purchasing a dedicated convertible car seat for travel, another option is to bring yours along with the Britax Travel Cart .

Everything we recommend

Chicco KeyFit 35 ClearTex

The best infant car seat for travel.

If you’re a frequent traveler, the Chicco KeyFit 35 is easier than most infant car seats to install securely without its base.

Buying Options

An infant car seat and stroller in one

This unusual car seat has integrated wheels that pop out to turn it into a stroller. It’s best for parents who frequently need to move their car seat in and out of different vehicles.

Cosco Scenera Next

The best convertible car seat for travel.

This affordable and easy-to-use car seat weighs 6.8 pounds and can be used rear- and forward-facing. But kids can outgrow it quickly.

Cosco Finale 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat

The best harness booster car seat for travel.

This no-frills seat converts from a forward-facing five-point harness to a high-back booster. It weighs just 12 pounds.

Britax Travel Cart

A travel cart for lugging your own seat through the airport.

This sturdy, smooth-rolling travel cart helps you transport your own convertible car seat—and avoid buying a standalone travel seat. You can even strap your child into their seat and use it like a stroller.

The best backless booster seat for travel

This basic booster seat weighs only 2.2 pounds and can work for children as small as 40 pounds. But it has a rather large footprint and will be too big to fit in most carry-ons.

How we picked

A seat that’s lightweight is more manageable to carry between multiple locations. A more compact seat is also easier to pack.

We considered the seat’s comfort and ability to adjust straps and buckles.

Ease of installation is paramount, as the easier it is to do, the more likely it will be done properly.

We looked at crash-testing scores and ease-of-use ratings. Our infant, convertible, and harness booster picks are FAA-approved for use on a plane.

The Chicco KeyFit 35 is a great all-around infant car seat—and one of the ones we recommend for everyday use. But for travel it stands out: It has a European belt path that makes it easier to get a secure install without the base than for many car seats, and it’s cheaper than other seats that have this belt routing option.

Weight of seat: 10 pounds Orientation: rear-facing only Weight range: 4 to 35 pounds Height limit: 32 inches

Parents who can’t leave their infant seat base installed in a specific car but instead need to travel by taxi or rideshare frequently may find the innovative Doona to be a convenient option. This sleek infant car seat has integrated wheels and converts to a stroller that maneuvers easily, plus the seat is FAA-approved for use on an airplane. But the versatile Doona is much heavier and more expensive than a regular infant car seat.

Weight of seat: 14.3 pounds Orientation: rear-facing only Weight range: 4 to 35 pounds Height limit: 32 inches

The Cosco Scenera Next is a notably lightweight, affordable convertible car seat that is simple to install and carry on an airplane. It receives strong safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is FAA-approved for use on a plane. But many kids will outgrow it before they reach the height or weight limit because of the low position of the shoulder straps.

Weight of seat: 6.8 pounds Orientation: rear- or forward-facing Weight range: 5 to 40 pounds rear-facing; 22-40 pounds forward-facing Height range: 19-40 inches rear-facing; 29-43 inches forward-facing

For children using a forward-facing five-point harness, the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 is a lightweight and affordable travel option that is FAA-approved for use on a plane (in harness mode only). It also converts to a high-back booster. However, it has lower height limits than some boosters, so kids may not get as many years of use from it, in comparison with pricier options.

Weight of seat: 12 pounds Orientation: forward-facing only Weight range: 30 to 65 pounds for harness mode; 40 to 100 pounds for high-back mode Height range: 32 to 49 inches for harness mode; 43 to 52 inches for high-back mode

Bringing your own car seat to the airport has one big advantage—you don’t have to learn how to install yet another seat. But your own convertible car seat is likely to be heavy (our picks in our guide to convertible car seats range from 19 to 33 pounds). The Britax Travel Cart is compatible with most convertible seats, and when your car seat is secured to it with LATCH, you can use it like a stroller to push your toddler through the airport. The cart can then be stored in an overhead bin during your flight.

Weight of cart: 7.6 pounds

If you need a cheap, no-frills booster seat, we recommend the Cosco Rise . It’s a bit too large to fit into a carry-on suitcase or backpack, but it’s easy to attach with a bungee cord to a carry-on for plane travel. It’s also a great option if you just need a spare booster for carpools or to order ahead for use at the grandparents' house.

Weight of seat: 2.2 pounds Weight range: 40 to 100 pounds Height range: 43 to 57 inches

The research

Why you should trust us, who should get this, the best infant car seat for travel: chicco keyfit 35, an infant seat and stroller in one: doona, the best convertible car seat for travel: cosco scenera next, the best harness booster seat for travel: cosco finale 2-in-1, a great car seat caddy: britax travel cart, the best booster seat for travel: cosco rise, other good travel car seats, should a kid sit in a car seat on the airplane, what about checking a car seat, the competition, care, use, and maintenance.

The authors of this guide have collectively interviewed 40 industry experts, safety authorities, and physicians. Among them were certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) such as Lani Harrison, who installs more than 300 car seats each year; Dr. Aditya Belwadi, a biomechanics research scientist who previously led the child passenger safety research team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and now works at Tesla in Crash, Safety, and Occupant Protection/Biomechanics; and Bill Horn, head sled testing engineer at Calspan , one of the country’s top crash-testing facilities. The authors also talked with dozens of parents and representatives from leading car seat manufacturers.

The original version of this guide was written by Rebecca Gale, whose reporting on policy and parenting has appeared in outlets including The New York Times, Slate, and The Washington Post. Rebecca has also been certified as a CPST, completing a 40-hour training program through the Safe Kids Worldwide organization.

In 2022 and 2023, this guide was updated by Christina Szalinski, a science writer whose reporting on health and parenting has appeared in The Atlantic and Kaiser Health News . In addition to writing the most recent versions of Wirecutter’s infant and convertible car seat guides, Christina is responsible for Wirecutter’s guides to the Best Baby Formula and kids face masks .

Few people strictly need a separate car seat for travel as you can gate- or baggage-check any car seat for free with most airlines. But lugging your regular (likely heavy and bulky) seat in and out of the car and through the airport can be a major hassle. Investing in a smaller, lighter-weight option may be worthwhile, especially if you fly or use ridesharing services or taxis frequently.

Infant car seats for travel

If you’re traveling with an infant or baby, bringing along your usual infant car seat without its base (to cut down on weight and heft) is typically the best option. Our top infant car seat pick, the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX , is relatively lightweight and, like other infant car seats, can be safely strapped in with a seatbelt only and no base.

There are two possible ways to install an infant car seat without a base: either with the belt directly across the top, called “American routing,” or with the shoulder belt placed around the back of the seat in addition to the top, called “European routing.” It’s easier to get a secure fit with European routing, and two seats we recommend in our guide to infant car seats, the Chicco KeyFit 35 and the Clek Liing , are designed to allow for that type of install. If you know you’ll be traveling with your infant often, it may be worthwhile to choose one of these as your baby’s first car seat.

Many infant car seats are compatible with easy-to-fold stroller frames, such as the Chicco KeyFit Caddy , which turns an infant car seat into a stroller and can be convenient for travel. Most infant seats are FAA-approved for airplane use, should you decide to purchase an airplane seat for your infant.

Convertible car seats for travel

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, deciding on a car seat for travel can be trickier. Alisa Baer, a pediatrician, CPST, and co-founder of the website The Car Seat Lady , recommends bringing your own convertible car seat and using a travel cart . That way you have a seat that you’re already comfortable installing. But some people will prefer a dedicated travel car seat, as they can be significantly lighter than regular seats—as little as 7 pounds versus 20 to 30 pounds.

If you do buy a dedicated travel seat, it’s a good idea to practice installing it before your trip—you don’t want to be figuring it out for the first time when you, and your kid, are potentially jet lagged and feeling extra cranky. Installation can be the most time-consuming and frustrating part of using a car seat—and particularly a convertible car seat—and is often the point of failure for using a car seat correctly.

Booster seats for travel

If your everyday booster seat has a removable back (as with our top pick and runner-up pick, the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus and the Graco TurboBooster LX ), you may prefer to simply bring that seat for travel, leaving the bulky back at home. But like with convertible seats, it’s also an option to get a dedicated travel booster that may be significantly lighter and smaller than the one you rely on every day.

Jessica Jermakian, vice president for vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, offered several tips for bringing along a backless booster, especially if it’s not one that’s compact: “I bungee cord them to my luggage while traversing the airport. On most flights, my kids could shove them under the seat in front of them and still have room to throw their backpack on top. On some flights, I’ve put them in a tote in the overhead compartment.”

Travel car seat alternatives

If you’re headed to a familiar destination, you could look into borrowing a seat from friends or relatives. Or, you may be able to rent one through a baby equipment rental service.

Many car rental companies also offer car seats for a daily fee, but it can cost up to $15 a day—adding up to much more than the cost of a travel car seat, which can be less than $50. And though you can reserve one in advance, rental car seats are subject to availability, so there’s no guarantee that one will be available when you arrive. The car seat provided may also be difficult to install properly, especially in an unfamiliar car. That said, you may be able to find discounts or other benefits through programs such as AAA, which offers one free car seat rental for members when they book a car through Hertz, Dollar, or Thrifty. Ridesharing and airport and town car services may also provide a car seat with advance reservations.

There are hundreds of travel car seat options for infants, toddlers, and older kids. We began the whittling down process by examining online customer reviews and existing media coverage, which included going to Car Seats for the Littles , Lucie’s List , and the Car Seat Lady . We found the travel car seat category to be sorely lacking in an abundance of great options, so we also considered some “regular” car seats and alternatives.

We knew from our expert interviews that proper installation is generally a far bigger problem than the level of protection that a seat inherently provides, so we searched the NHTSA ease-of-use installation database to help determine which seats offer easy installation and come with clear instructions. We also relied on the personal experience of Wirecutter staffers, volunteer testers, and car seat techs who had used the car seats in the past.

Our research led us to conclude that the ideal travel car seat should be:

Lightweight and compact: A travel car seat will likely need to be carried between multiple locations, sometimes with a baby inside (if we’re talking about an infant). The less the seat weighs, the easier it is to deal with when combined with children and carry-on items. A more compact seat can also fit more readily in a wide variety of vehicles.

FAA approved: For parents who want to use their infant seat, convertible car seat, or harness booster on a plane, FAA certification is crucial.

Easy to install: As with all of our car seat recommendations, ease of installation is paramount, as the easier it is to do, the more likely it is to be done properly.

Easy to use: Straps should be simple to adjust to get a snug but comfortable fit in a five-point harness. The buckles should be easy for parents to clip and unclip but difficult to impossible for children to mess with. We considered the experience of both parents and kids in using the seats, as well as how easy each seat was to clean.

Safe: When it comes to travel, convenience can trump a minor safety advantage; a seat that you can bring along with you is vastly superior to no seat at all. Still, we did take the relevant government safety data from NHTSA into consideration.

Over the past five years we’ve tested 17 car seats with travel specifically in mind.

If you’re shopping for an infant car seat with travel in mind, we recommend the FAA-approved Chicco KeyFit 35 , one of our picks in our guide to infant car seats . It is lightweight and easy to use, and it can be installed securely without its base using the European belt path, a method that generally provides a superior install. (Any infant seat can be installed without its base, so if you already have an infant seat, using what you already own is likely the easiest choice.)

You can save on weight and bulk by leaving a car seat base at home when traveling. There are two ways to install an infant seat without its base. The most common is American belt routing, in which the seat belt goes over the top of the infant seat and the baby’s knees. We’ve found that it can be very difficult to secure an infant seat in the car securely using this method.

A few seats also offer the option to rely on the European belt path, the method we prefer, in which the lap belt goes over the top of the infant seat and the shoulder belt goes around the back. It’s easier to get a secure install with the European belt path, but it’s only found on a few car seat models. Of the four infant car seats we recommend, only the Chicco KeyFit 35 and Clek Liing offer the option of using the European belt path.

Beyond the advantage of the European belt bath, the Chicco KeyFit 35 has everything we love about the more popular Chicco KeyFit 30 with a few bonus features, such as an anti-rebound base as an added safety option. The KeyFit 35 can also accommodate a slightly larger baby (up to 35 pounds) than the KeyFit 30.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The KeyFit 35 is about $50 more than our top infant car seat choice, the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX . It probably doesn’t make sense to buy this seat just for travel if you already own a similar infant car seat. But if you plan to be jet-setting with your baby, it may be worth the additional $50 or so to get a better on-the-go install from the start.

The Doona is an FAA-approved infant car seat (rear-facing only) with built-in wheels that allow it to convert to a stroller. For travel, this is about as convenient as it gets, allowing caregivers to rely on a single piece of equipment to accomplish two goals: avoid gate-checking a stroller—assuming an airline seat is purchased for the infant—and hop in and out of cabs without having to stow anything in the trunk.

Compared with a regular infant car seat, the Doona has some drawbacks. For one thing, it did not perform particularly well in Baby Gear Lab’s crash testing (there are no government crash tests available yet for this seat). For this reason, and because it’s tricky to install without its base (as most infant seats are), one of our car seat experts does not recommend this seat. At 14.3 pounds, it’s heavy and bulky to carry and maneuver when in car seat mode. The Doona also has the steepest price of any of the car seats (including infant, convertible, and boosters) that we’ve reviewed. It does come with a traditional infant car seat base that allows for an easy click in and out of a car, but the extra width means it could be impossible to fit three across in a backseat. And it would defeat the point to use that base for travel.

Switching the Doona from car seat mode to stroller mode and back requires “both hands and concentration,” said one tester, as well as “quite a bit of practice for me. It takes a rather specific, subtle motion to collapse it back and tuck the wheels.” It’s harder than taking a regular infant car seat off of a stroller with an infant seat attachment. Plus, once your child outgrows this seat, you’ll have to buy another stroller.

As a stroller, the Doona maneuvers easily, and the brake is intuitive and easy to use. But though it comes with an attached storage bag, the Doona lacks a storage basket.

The inexpensive Cosco Scenera Next weighs just 6.8 pounds, is relatively easy to carry and install, and can be used rear-facing from 5 to 40 pounds and forward-facing from 22 to 40 pounds. It’s FAA-certified and easy to install on an airplane (using the plane’s seatbelt).

The Cosco sells for $60, which is a bargain compared with many convertible car seats (the Graco Extend2Fit , our favorite convertible seat for everyday use, is a little over $200). The seat gets strong safety ratings from NHTSA, and given its low weight and heft and easy-enough install, we think it’s the best option available for an on-the-go or backup car seat. We strongly prefer the (heftier) Graco Extend2Fit for everyday use. That’s because it’s easier to get a safe, secure install with that seat and to adjust it to fit the child. Plus, it can be used forward-facing until a kid is 65 pounds and 49 inches tall—a much longer usable life than the Scenera Next.

Several Wirecutter staffers use or have used the Cosco Scenera Next, appreciating its low cost, low weight, and small size. They’ve found that the seat’s slim profile makes it a great option for smaller cars (specifically, a Prius or Renault Scenic). Senior editor Courtney Schley found that the Cosco allowed her to get three seats (two Coscos and one infant car seat) across in her family’s car.

The Scenera Next’s low shoulder straps mean that a child may outgrow this seat well before they are ready for a booster. ( Shoulder straps should hit at or below the shoulders when a child is rear-facing; when forward-facing the straps should hit at or above the shoulders.) The low straps mean that many 3-year-olds with longer torsos may outgrow the seat in forward-facing mode, even though the seat’s height and weight limits indicate that it should fit an average-size kid up to age 4. With a long torso, the straps end up hitting below the shoulders, a situation that can compromise safety.

Though the Scenera Next is simple to install compared with other lightweight convertible car seats we tested, some of our testers still found it difficult to get a tight, secure install. It has hook LATCH straps that aren’t particularly easy to use—you really have to tug on the LATCH straps to get a tight fit, and getting them off can be an even bigger challenge. We preferred installing the seat with a seat belt in unfamiliar cars, which was an easier way to get a tight install (try the inside/outside trick with the shoulder belt), and made it much easier to uninstall.

Our testers also found that the chest clip on the harness wasn’t as responsive or easy to use as those on more expensive seats. The Scenera Next also has less padding than many seats, though Baer points out that the padding on most seats is highly compressible, meaning that just because a seat looks fluffier doesn’t mean it provides much more cushion.

This seat also has a few downsides if you bring it on a plane. Like most convertible car seats, it’s wider than the aisle, so you have to carry it awkwardly down the plane to get to your seat, which can be quite a challenge if you’re on your own and have other carry-on items (plus your child). Additionally, the plane’s seat belt buckle is going to be pushing into your child’s back if the seat is oriented forward-facing. Alisa Baer, co-founder of The Car Seat Lady, recommends installing any seat with this issue rear-facing, even if a kid is used to forward-facing. Or you can put a diaper or other soft item over the buckle to make it a bit more comfortable.

The Cosco Finale 2-in-1 is a solid option for kids who are no longer rear-facing but still benefit from a five-point harness. It’s affordable, weighs just 12 pounds, and is relatively easy to install using the car’s seat belt while in harness mode (it also comes with LATCH straps, though we didn’t find these as easy to use). Like other boosters, when in booster mode, this seat relies on the car’s seat belt to secure the child, so there’s no need to install it.

This bigger-kid seat can see a growing child through years of travel: It can be used as a forward-facing five-point harness booster seat from 30 to 65 pounds and then as a regular (harness-free) booster from 40 to 100 pounds (up until a child is 52 inches tall).

As a five-point harness, it’s FAA-certified and easy to install on an airplane using the plane’s seatbelt. However, when it’s in booster mode, like all boosters, it cannot be used on an airplane.

In harness mode, the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 performed well in an NHTSA crash test. And several Wirecutter staffers use or have used the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 while traveling after their child outgrew the Cosco Scenera Next—they liked the price and straightforward install. Converting the seat to a booster is fairly straightforward , and the seat has storage for the harness, crotch buckle, and chest clip. Once the seat is in booster mode, your child can’t use it on an airplane, but many airlines will allow you to check a booster seat for free (you may wish to check with your airline in advance).

A more expensive version of the Cosco Finale 2-in-1, the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 , is also available. The only difference between the two is the fabric—the DX has a tiny bit more cushion and a slightly less slippery texture. We asked several children to try each seat and then report their favorite (they wore blindfolds, to remove color preference as a factor). There was no clear winner between the two seats, and our adult testers could hardly distinguish a difference in the cushioning. For this reason, we don’t think it’s worth the extra $20 for the DX.

When using the Finale 2-in-1 in harness mode, you first have to install it in the car, which you can do either with the seat’s LATCH straps or with the car’s seat belt. We found the Finale 2-in-1’s hook LATCH straps difficult to use—it’s hard to get a tight fit in the car, and getting them off can be a big challenge. As we did with the Cosco Scenera Next, we preferred installing the harnessed seat with a seat belt; this was an easier way to get a tight install (try the inside/outside trick with the shoulder belt) and also made it much easier to uninstall. (When the harness is removed and the seat is in booster mode, you do not need to install it in the car, since the car’s seat belt holds it in place and secures the child.)

Our testers also found that the chest clip on the harness was a bit more difficult to open compared to those on more expensive seats like the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 . The straps have to be manually threaded through the car seat, which isn’t particularly difficult or time consuming, but you have to remember to do it before you install the seat. It also has less padding than many seats, though our child testers didn’t complain (however, we didn’t take it on any long road trips).

This seat won’t have as many years of use as other travel options, like the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1, because the Cosco has a maximum height of 52 inches (most boosters go to 57 inches) and does not convert to a backless booster.

If you need to travel with a convertible car seat, you can bring the one you already have to the airport and onto the airplane with the Britax Travel Cart . The main benefit of bringing your own is that you’ll have a seat that you (and your child) are comfortable with, and that you know how to install confidently.

There are a number of similar travel carts out there, but we think this one offers the most for the price. We like that when the car seat is strapped onto the cart using the car seat’s LATCH clips, you can use the whole thing like a stroller and push (or pull) your child through the airport. The frame is also studier than other models—it can hold a total of 100 pounds of car seat and child. Plus, when it’s time to get on the plane you can fold the cart to stow it in an overhead bin.

At about $100 for the cart, it is cheaper to purchase a budget convertible car seat like the Cosco Scenera Next. However, depending on your circumstances, the Britax Travel Cart may outlive the expiration of many car seats (which are between six and 10 years), and could be used for future car seats, or passed along without as much consideration as a used car seat.

For a cheap, no-frills booster seat, the Cosco Rise is a reliable option that weighs only 2.2 pounds. It’s simple to use: Like other backless booster seats, it does not need to be physically attached to the vehicle; a child simply sits in it and fastens the car’s lap belt over their knees (under the seat’s sides).

The Chicco GoFit Plus is our overall top pick for the best backless booster seat because it’s cushy, made with easy-to-clean materials, and includes two cup holders and a LATCH system to anchor the seat to the car. But it’s bulky, heavy, and not great for travel. The Cosco Rise has fewer bells and whistles, but it offers a key safety feature: Unlike many other boosters, this seat has a strap that attaches to a car’s shoulder belt to adjust the belt’s position for smaller riders (the shoulder belt should always rest on a child’s collarbone, and not against their neck).

The Cosco Rise can accommodate children as small as 40 pounds, as long as they are also 43 inches tall, meaning it will work for most kids 5 and up but may not accommodate some 4-year-olds.

This seat is a bit too large to fit easily into a carry-on suitcase or backpack (it takes up almost all the room top-to-bottom in a standard-sized carry-on, with only a little room left on the side). There is also almost no padding on this seat, merely a polyester cover, but for short rides, our testers didn’t complain.

If you want an upgraded infant seat that’s great for travel : We recommend the Clek Liing , one of our favorite infant seats . Like the Chicco KeyFit 35, the Clek Liing can be installed without its base using a European belt path, which is much easier to get secure than the standard American belt routing found on most infant car seats. And when you’re at home, we love how easy it is to install the Liing’s base, which includes an added safety feature: a load leg .

If you want a high-end infant seat and don’t own a car: The lightweight, easy-to-clean Clek Liingo is similar to the Clek Liing but without the base. In general, we think installing a seat with the base is an easier and more secure option with infant car seats. But if you don’t own a car, the Liingo can be installed without a base in several ways. It has the same European belt path that the Liing has, which routes the lap belt over the top and the shoulder belt around the back for more security than an install that just goes over the top of the seat. The Liingo also comes with a LATCH strap that routes in the same spot as the lap belt—though we found this was not nearly as secure as the European belt path routing.

If you want a longer-lasting five-point harness seat for older kids: The Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 is a good choice. This forward-facing-only seat has a five-point harness that holds kids from 22 to 65 pounds and up to 49 inches tall, and it can be adjusted without rethreading it, so it is easier to modify as your child grows. When your child is ready for a regular booster, you can remove the harness and crotch buckle, converting the seat to a high-back booster that can hold a child from 40 to 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall. Finally, you can remove the back and convert the seat to a lightweight backless booster that can also be used from 40 to 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall.

First off, a car seat must be FAA-approved—as all of our recommended infant and convertible seats are—for a kid to ride in one on an airplane. (Booster seats are reserved for older children and not intended for use on airplane seats.)

Both the Federal Aviation Administration and CPSTs believe it is safer for kids under 2 to ride in a car seat aboard a plane rather than in their parents’ arms. In the event of turbulence or rough air, a child is much safer if strapped in. Being injured in turbulence , though very unlikely, does affect a handful of American flyers each year, and recent research indicates that turbulence is on the rise due to climate change.

Many parents find that air travel is easier when their child has their own seat (though of course you have to pay for that additional seat). Children are allowed to sit on caregivers’ laps on planes until age 2, but few toddlers can sit still for a long period of time, and that extra harness and recline (as well as familiarity) provided by the car seat may keep a child seated comfortably longer, especially once they are mobile but still too young to fully understand how to sit still in a lap belt.

There are a number of challenges to bringing a car seat, especially a convertible seat designed for a toddler, onto a plane. Some smaller planes may have seats that aren’t wide enough for many convertible car seats. And even if the car seat is narrow enough for the plane, not many seats are narrow enough to easily fit down the aisle. The Clek Foonf , one of our convertible car seat picks, is one of them, but it is pricey and heavy. (The Clek Fllo , Graco SlimFit3 LX , and Graco True3Fit also fit on an airplane seat, but we did not test them.) You’ll generally have to lift a car seat above the seats to carry it to the rear of a plane.

Finally, unlike a car seat buckle, which sits on your hip, a plane’s seat buckle sits right in the middle of your lap. That means for many car seats, once you install them on the plane, there’s going to be a large metal buckle below your child’s legs or behind their back (the Clek seats are among the few without this issue). Alisa Baer, co-founder of The Car Seat Lady, recommends using convertible seats with buckle-in-the-back issues rear-facing, even with a larger child—they’ll likely be more comfortable if their feet have a place to rest, plus they won’t be trying to rest their feet on the passenger’s seat in front of them. You can also put a diaper or spare T-shirt over the buckle to make it a bit more comfortable.

Some parents may find it simpler to use a CARES harness (Child Aviation Restraint System) to help keep kids in their seats on a plane (and their kids may prefer sitting in an airplane seat over a car seat); you install this four-point harness around the child’s seatback and under the tray behind it.

Most airlines allow at least one car seat to be checked for free but doing so has several potential problems . The luggage can be handled roughly and tossed, damaging the car seat in the process. Seats, like any piece of luggage, can also be lost or misplaced in transit. Ultimately, the main reason you may want to have your child use a car seat on the plane is so that you are absolutely confident you’ll have the car seat when you arrive at your destination.

For people who do check in their car seats, Harrison recommends—ideally—using the original box and styrofoam that the seat came with if they are available or using Bubble Wrap and a garbage bag if not. Examine the seat for visible damage when it comes out at baggage claim, and be prepared to replace the seat if it’s broken or bent.

Infant travel seats

The Chicco Fit2 can accommodate infants as small as 4 pounds and toddlers as large as 35 pounds or 35 inches. Like the Chicco KeyFit 35 we recommend as the best infant car seat for travel, it can be installed with a European belt path. But because of this seat’s large size, some seat belts are too short to route over the car seat securely.

Convertible travel seats

We previously recommended the lightweight, foldable, forward-facing WAYB Pico (rhymes with “baby”) as a good travel car seat for kids who are too big for the Cosco Scenera Next but still need a five-point harness. Its adjustable seat back allows it to accommodate taller kids, and its slim design means it takes up less room in the backseat than other car seats. The 8-pound seat is exceptionally convenient to install, uninstall, and carry around, including through airports and onto a plane. In September 2019, however, WAYB announced it was recalling 4,558 Pico car seats manufactured between March 1 and May 12, 2019, due to reports of breakage in the aluminum tube connecting the headrest to the seat. You can read NHSTA’s report (PDF)  for details about the recall, how to identify your car seat’s date of manufacture, and how to inspect your car seat for damage. Since the recall, there have not been further reports of problems. Like all car seats sold in the US, the Pico was self-certified by WAYB to pass NHTSA standards (PDF) for safety testing.

The EvenFlo Tribute is a lightweight seat (9 pounds) similar to the Cosco Scenera Next and also has a weight limit of 40 pounds, but as our convertible car seat guide testing showed us, it’s not as easy to get a good install with this seat. CPSTs like Harrison recommend using a towel or pool noodle when using the Tribute to address this. It’s also more expensive than the Cosco Scenera Next.

Booster travel seats

We previously recommended the BubbleBum , an inflatable, portable backless booster seat for older kids. However, in February 2022, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety raised concerns about the safety of inflatable boosters. A study using a computerized model determined that an inflatable booster may not have the stiffness required to keep a child from sliding out from under the lap belt upon impact in a car crash.

The backless Cosco Topside is too large to fit into a carry-on or a backpack. Unlike the Cosco Rise , our favorite backless booster for travel, this booster seat also doesn’t have a belt-positioning clip, which can help the shoulder belt fit better on a smaller rider.

We liked the Graco RightGuide booster seat because it was small enough to fit inside a carry-on or backpack. But it was recently discontinued.

The Immi Go is a booster car seat with a five-point harness that folds conveniently into its own carrying bag. Due to low sales, it is no longer for sale in the US, but you may see this seat if you travel abroad.

The MiFold backless booster seat (currently unavailable) is small enough to fit into the back pocket of some pants and weighs less than 2 pounds. It works by moving the seat belt down to fit the kid (as opposed to raising the kid to fit the belt, as other boosters do). However, our testers found its hard plastic shell uncomfortable to sit on for long periods of time and said that the seat was complicated and unintuitive to set up. Also, a car seat safety expert we consulted noted that the design of the seat may encourage a child to use bad posture while they’re sitting in it—in an effort to find a more comfortable position, the child may tend to scoot forward, moving the slick-bottomed seat along with them, which could pose a safety concern.

Travel carts

The Torevsior Car Seat Travel Cart is about $25 less than the Britax Travel Cart we recommend, but it’s also less robust—the frame just doesn’t feel as sturdy. The weight limit is also lower than the Britax’s, at 70 pounds versus Britax’s 100 pounds. Like the Britax travel cart, the Torevsior cart has hooks for LATCH straps, to secure a car seat onto the cart so that your child can ride in it as you’re moving through the airport. It’s 6.4 pounds (Britax is 7.6 pounds), and extends up to 46 inches (Britax to 42 inches).

All of the guidelines for car seat care, use, and maintenance in our other car seat guides apply to travel car seats as well.

This guide was edited by Ellen Lee, Amy Miller Kravetz and Kalee Thompson.

Jessica Jermakian, vice president for vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety , email exchange , August 1, 2022

Alisa Baer, pediatrician, nationally certified child passenger safety instructor, and co-founder of The Car Seat Lady , phone interview, July 15, 2022 and January 9, 2023

Lani Harrison, CPST, Car Seats for the Littles , email interview , January 28, 2019

Meet your guides

Christina Szalinski

Christina Szalinski is a freelance science writer with a PhD in cell biology.

Rebecca Gale

Further reading

The Best Booster Car Seats

by Rebecca Gale

After researching over 50 booster car seats and testing 13, we’ve concluded that the convenient Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus is the best overall choice.

The Best Infant Car Seats

by Christina Szalinski

After extensive research and field testing, we found that the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX is the best infant car seat for most families.

The Best Travel Strollers

by Elise Czajkowski

After testing seven travel strollers on various trips and excursions, we’re confident that the Uppababy Minu V2 is the one to get.

Traveling With Little Kids Can Be Tough. The Right Gear Can Help.

by Kerry Davis McGuinness

From compact car seats and cribs to portable blackout shades and white noise machines, the right tools for travel can lead to less fuss—and more fun.

• What's My Car Worth?
• Buyer's Guide

Our car experts choose every product we feature. We may earn money from the links on this page.

Tested: The Best Booster Car Seats, According to Experts

The experts at Good Housekeeping have released their latest findings on child car seats. Here are their picks for the best booster seats for growing kids.

This article was updated in September 2023 with new products and information.

We here at Car and Driver are car experts, and our readers trust us for insight and advice—about automobiles. Child car seats, however? While they are an essential automobile accessory if you're a parent of young kids, not many of us at Car and Driver are anymore. (Or yet.) We just didn't feel comfortable picking the "best" child car booster seats and sharing uninformed opinions with our readers.

Instead, we turned to the expertise of our colleagues at the renowned Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI). Good Housekeeping has been testing and evaluating products for the home and parents for more than a century, and their testing and evaluation processes are the industry standard.

The Best Booster Car Seats

Our top picks.

Best Overall Booster Car Seat

Diono monterey xt.

Best Value Booster Car Seat

Evenflo maestro sport harness.

Most Comfortable Booster Car Seat

Chicco kidfit 2-in-1.

Best Booster Car Seat with Seatbelt Positioner

Uppababy alta.

Best All-in-One Convertible Booster Car Seat

Graco 4ever dlx 4 in 1.

Best-Looking Booster Seat

Best Minimalist Value

Cosco topside backless booster car seat (leo).

Best Three-in-One Booster Car Seat

Graco tranzitions 3 in 1.

Best Backless Booster Car Seat

Graco turbobooster lx.

Best Luxury Booster Car Seat

So, your child has outgrown their car seat . What next? While it won't be long until you bid farewell to the car seat, you're not in the clear yet. Even as your kid grows taller and heavier, there's still a need for a booster seat, and here's why.

When it comes to crash simulations, manufacturers assume the vehicle's lap and shoulder belts fit snugly and correctly. For most children, that ideal fit doesn't happen until they reach around four foot-nine, or between the ages of eight and 12. Booster seats adjust for that difference by lifting the body, ensuring the seat belts cross your child's waist and chest, instead of lying in the uncomfortable and unsafe position of their bellies and necks, which could spell real trouble in case of an accident.

Our list of the best booster seats for your child results from rigorous testing from the Good Housekeeping Institute , which uses a blend of lab tests, parental feedback, and category expertise to choose the best options for you. The GHI assessed safety, ease of use, proper fit, ease of installation, angle and harness adjustments, cleaning, dimension, and even installation into various vehicles. And now, for the cream of the crop, the top recommendations from Good Housekeeping for the best booster car seats. The Car and Driver gear team distilled the findings into a digestible form for our purposes.

A particular favorite among GHI testers, the Monterey XT is also well-liked by Amazon reviewers. When used as a high-back booster, it offers height and width adjustments as well as two recline positions for a more custom fit than other boosters. The back can also be removed completely, to accommodate bigger kids.

This booster safely accommodates kids up to 63 inches tall and 120 pounds. It has a wider, more comfortable seat than most of the competition. It comes in a range of colors with removable covers for machine washing (though GH testers noted they wished the removal was easier). Aluminum-reinforced side-impact protection provides extra security.

Easily making the transition from a harnessed car seat to a high-back, the Maestro Sport Harness booster can suit your child from toddlerhood to big-kid status. As a five-point harness car seat, it holds kids up to 50 pounds; as a booster, it accommodates kids up to 110 pounds and 57 inches tall. The seat padding is machine washable . It also features dual cup holders to keep drinks and snacks within reach.

GHI experts found this seat to be lightweight, easy to install and remove, and, at its low price point, a great value. Shoulder guides and multiple harness slots make it easier for your child to get a secure fit. The headrest, however, is not adjustable.

In its high-back form, the KidFit 2-in-1 offers 10 height positions, adjusting along the waist rather than the neck to offer more protection down the side and along the head. The back is completely removable for bigger kids; this adds 10 pounds to the weight range limit as well. The two dishwasher-safe cupholders are foldable to keep the width of this seat manageable, while still offering a place to stash snacks and drinks.

Good Housekeeping 's testers loved the contoured seat , and their kids found the double-foam padding comfortable. Parent testers also appreciated that the seat and armrest covers are removable for machine washing .

The compact Alta sports a sleek look and high-quality construction without compromising functionality. It has seven(!) headrest positions and comes in four colors to suit any vehicle cabin. Plus, removable seat fabric and cupholders make it easier to clean.

Testers noted the specialized foam featured on the sides of the seat provides additional side-impact protection .

One of the most popular car seats on the market because of its versatility and longevity, this convertible car seat starts rear-facing for babies up to 40 pounds, transitions to forward-facing for toddlers, then converts to a high-back booster and finally to a backless booster that's suitable for bigger kids. It might be the last car seat you'll ever need to buy.

Experts loved its 10-position headrest, six-position recline, and no-rethread harness. It also comes with two cup holders and machine-washable seat pads that can be removed in minutes without uninstalling the seat.

Nuna's booster seats offer a vibrant luxury with it's attractive color options (pink, teal, and dark green), yet it remains reasonably priced.

The seat fabric is Greenguard Gold certified , making it ideal for granola parents. The headrest is highly adjustable, with nine different positions. As you raise the height, the shoulder width also expands, ensuring a comfortable fit. But they don't stop there— you can also choose from three seat depths and eight recline positions, making the Nuna one of the most adaptable choices for your child's growing body.

Vibrant color options can be a big plus for parents looking to win over a child. Additional features like the cupholders and seat fabric, which are removable for easy cleaning, make it appealing to parents who must clean up the grime. For safety, the seat is secured with the LATCH system and provides energy-absorbing foam pads on the sides to enhance side impact protection in high-back mode.

Perfect for travel, carpooling, and families with multiple cars (not to mention grandparent and babysitter vehicles) , the Cosco Topside is the simplest and best budget booster car seat GHI tested. The Cosco Topside is the epitome of minimalist—designed for older children who simply need a little boost for optimum belt placement.

The seat doesn't hook to the LATCH system but rather is held down by the weight of the child's body. The fact that this seat doesn't latch makes this ideal for those who frequently carpool or ride-share. The affordable price means you can keep one or two in your trunk for when an extra child needs a boost, ensuring everyone is safe. The seat weighs about two pounds, so it's easy to lug in and out of the car.

The simplicity of this car seat is what makes it such a find. There are more than 9000 five-star Amazon reviews, and it's easy to see why. It's convenient, lightweight, affordable, and installation is a breeze.

This option from Graco can grow with your child from 22-pound toddler to self-sufficient passenger with no car seat required. Transitioning easily from a forward-facing harness to a backless booster, it has an eight-position adjustable headrest , washable seat pads, and two removable cupholders.

GHI appreciated that the headrest and harness can be adjusted together at the same time. With the open-loop belt guides that you can easily thread the seatbelt through, buckling up is a cinch for most kids.

The LX Turbobooster is a portable booster seat that's easy to move between vehicles. It's also great for older kids who aren't quite ready to transition to sitting unaided in the car. The machine-washable seat pad makes it easier to clean, and the cupholder is great. Better still, this booster has a hidden storage compartment .

Several GHI testers noted how this seat made it easier for their kids to buckle themselves in. At $40, it's also more affordable than high-back models, while offering the height and seatbelt guidance bigger kids need.

Definitely on the higher end of the price range, this booster seat includes a variety of great features that make it worth the money. Made with a magnesium seat frame and a winged headrest , it has belt guides, a multi-position recline , an adjustable headrest, and the option to transition to a backless booster. Plus, it comes in a range of fabric and color options. The cupholder and seat cover are removable for easy cleaning.

Lab experts at the Institute were pleased to find the unique-looking Oobr constructed of durable, high-quality materials. They also liked that it received an extremely high safety rating from IIHS .

Britax Grow With You ClickTight

With ceilings of 120 pounds and 63 inches , both noticeably higher than the upper limits of most booster car seats, this is the best booster seat for bigger kids who are in the final stages of requiring one. It readily transitions from a forward-facing harness to a high-back booster. Good Housekeeping testers loved the nine-position headrest and multiple cup- and snack-holders; they also found it easy to install. With two layers of side-impact protection, SafeCell Technology helps absorb the energy from a crash.

The "athleisure fabric" upholstery that covers the seat is removable, and there are many colors and styles to choose from. However, this model is a bit more expensive than other options.

How the Good Housekeeping Institute Tested Booster Car Seats

The Good Housekeeping Institute 's engineering and parenting pros tested a dozen booster seats over the past year using a combination of in-Lab and at-home tests with both expert and consumer reviewers. They perform tests to evaluate car seats based on their ease of installation, perceived kid comfort, ease of getting kids in and out of the car, advanced features, harness adjustments, height and weight limits, stability, and more. Good Housekeeping works with real parents to test booster seats in a variety of vehicle sizes and types.

Do You Need a Booster Seat?

Booster seats do a great job of providing a safe way for bigger kids to ride around in the car before they're ready to sit directly in the seat. Depending on your state's car-seat laws, children may be required to use a safety seat until they're large enough to sit in the car with the seatbelt secured at the right areas of their body. Unlike other car seats, boosters help by ensuring the seatbelt is positioned correctly on your child to provide safety without injuring them.

A child is likely ready to sit in the back seat without a booster once they are tall enough (usually 57 inches), old enough (at least eight years old), and the seatbelt is positioned correctly on their body. The shoulder strap should go across the center of their shoulder and chest (NEVER over their neck or face), and the lap belt should go over their upper legs or hips. If they don't meet these requirements, a booster seat will be necessary.

Check your local regulations to ensure your child meets height, weight, and age requirements before transitioning them out of a booster.

High-back vs. Backless Booster Seats

High-back booster seats offer shoulder and head support similar to a car seat. Rather than a harness, they use your vehicle's seatbelt to clip your child in. The booster appropriately guides the seatbelt across your child's chest and over their legs at the top of the thighs. When your child is big enough that they no longer need the shoulder guide, they may be ready for a backless booster seat . Many booster seats transition from high-back to backless, which usually means they have a larger height or weight range and can be used for longer.

You can also purchase a convertible car seat , an all-in-one that adapts to be the only car seat you ever need to buy your child. Convertible seats can be used as an infant back-facing car seat, then a forward-facing car seat, and finally a booster seat.

What to Look For When Shopping for a Booster Car Seat

• Height and weight limits: All booster seats come with minimum and maximum height and weight specifications. To ensure proper seatbelt placement and optimal security, make sure your child fits within those ranges.
• Seat adjustments: For the safest and most comfortable ride, look for a booster seat that offers neck or back height adjustments. Some models also feature width adjustments to offer a more custom fit.
• Easy cleaning: Regardless of age, spills happen. Luckily, like many infant and convertible car seats, most booster seats offer removable machine-washable seat covers and padding.
• Design: Many seats come in a range of colors and patterns to choose from, as well as accessories like cupholders and snack trays that allow kids to keep their items close.
• Safety: If you want to get even more information on your seat, check its safety ratings on IIHS.

Why Trust Us?

The Good Housekeeping Institute provides expert reviews and advice on everything a parent needs, including infant car seats. For more than 15 years, the chief technologist and director of engineering at the Institute Rachel Rothman , who led the 2022 study of car seats, has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing, and writing about parenting products. She leads GH Lab efforts in both the auto space and most juvenile products, including car seats.

Hearst Autos combines the talent, resources, and expertise of three of the largest, most influential automotive publications in the world. The Gear Team has tested a wide variety of automotive products, parts, accessories, and gear, such as garage flooring , catalytic converter anti-theft devices , and foam cannons . We get our hands on each and every product we test. Most are purchased; some are supplied by manufacturers.

Hearst Autos doesn't need to game algorithms for traffic or promote lousy products to earn a buck. Instead, we're more concerned with our legacy, our reputation, and the trust that our readers have in Autoweek , Car and Driver , and Road & Track to deliver honest opinions and expert evaluations.

Visit our Tested & Trusted page to see the very best in automotive gear. Read more about our product testing and evaluation process here .

Katherine Keeler is Associate Testing Editor at Hearst Autos. By day she evaluates tools for your enjoyment; by night, she Frankensteins her ever-changing fleet of rustbucket oddities back to repair. Her dream is to open a roadside attraction where the public can view, drive, and learn repairs at her emporium of curious cars.

Jon Langston is an avid motorcyclist and gear collector whose work has appeared in Men’s Journal, Cycle World, The Drive, Rider, Iron & Air, Motorcyclist, and more.

Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years , overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. 

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Diono Monterey 5iST FixSafe High Back Booster Car Seat with Expandable Height and Width, Compact Fold to Full Size Booster, Foldable, Portable Booster for Go-Anywhere Travel, Black Jet

Purchase options and add-ons

About this item.

• 8 Years One Booster - for your big kid from 40 - 120 lb. It's all you will ever need.
• One-hand easy-adjust - SafePlus 12-position headrest and backrest that grows up with your child. Engineered for safety and comfort with 8 layers of Side Impact Protection.
• Built for comfort for every size - our backrest has deep padded cushioning.
• One built-in removable cup holder - keeps your big kid's drink close at hand.
• Our contoured premium soft fabrics - with layered foam padding that provide comfort and support can be easily removed for machine washing.
• SafePlus belt guides - easy access to seatbelt buckle help your big kid with self buckling -- don't forget to check though!
• Unbox, unfold, install, adjust and go - all in 2 minutes or less. Thanks to the SafePlus rigid LATCH connectors, all at a push of a button. Easy to move between cars, or to store at a push of the quick release latch button.
• Engineered with our most side impact protection - our rigid shell is reinforced with 8 layers of high-impact aluminum and EPS energy absorbing foam, to protect the head, shoulders, and torso.
• Folds to the size of a carry-on bag - great for storage in the trunk or at home. Perfect for trips by plane when you need a boost for your big kid.

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What's in the box

• Monterey® 5iST FixSafe™ Booster Seat, instruction manual, cup holder and carry straps

From the manufacturer

Safe+ Engineering

Take safety with you with a compact to full-size design. Expands in Height and Width for 85% Occupancy increase, 8 Layers of Safe+ Side Impact Protection, 12 Headrest Positions, Safe+ Energy Absorbing Shell, Safe+ Secure Belt Lock, Safe+ Secure Belt Guides, FixSafe Rigid LATCH Connectors and extensive Safe+ testing

Safety Information

Product description.

Introducing the next generation of expandable booster. Designed for ultimate portability, Monterey 5iST FixSafe transforms in seconds from a compact fold to a full-size booster seat, without compromising safety or comfort. At 25% smaller than the average booster, Monterey 5iST FixSafe folds down into a compact and convenient size and features an integrated carry handle and carry straps with designated storage compartment. So, whether youre on the daily commute, carpooling, storing in the garage or jumping in a cab, with Monterey 5 you can always take safety with you for the joy of the journey. Suitable from 40 - 120 lb Monterey 5iST FixSafe expands in height and width to provide up to 85% more room as they grow up to 63 tall. Featuring 12 headrest positions and expands up to 20 in width, Monterey 5iST FixSafe can adapt quickly to growing children, with plenty of room for shoulders, hips and legs. All of these great features have been combined with SafePlus engineering, with the Monterey 5iST FixSafe subjected to a combination of the most rigorous crash tests; front, rear, and side impacts, and rollover test to ensure the safest seat possible. The advanced SafePlus side impact protection features 8 layers of interlocking EPS and EPP foam and includes the SafePlus energy absorbing shell, to shield and protect with SafePlus airflow technology built in for optimum child comfort. The open design features easy to use SafePlus secure belt guides to eliminate misuse and SafePlus secure belt lock to ensure the adult seatbelt is always routed correctly. The seat base is contoured for child comfort and includes a cup holder for road trip drinks and snacks. Designed with a simple 4 step installation and adjustable rigid latch FixSafe connectors, Monterey 5iST FixSafe can be used straight out of the box, with no assembly required. When youre on the move or need to switch between vehicles, the FixSafe connectors offer a simple way to secure the booster to the vehicle latch system, for a safe and convenient installation every time.

Product information

Technical details, additional information, warranty & support, compare with similar items, videos for this product.

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Diono Monterey 5iST FixSafe Story

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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the compactness, ease of installation, appearance, comfort, and foldability of the infant toddler car seat. They mention that it makes for very easy travel, it could easily fit in an overhead compartment on an airplane and that it looks stylish. They also like the safety.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the infant toddler car seat portable, easy to install, and carry around. They say it's stylish and can fit in an overhead compartment on an airplane. Customers also say it is convenient to put in other cars.

"... Perfect for traveling as it folds and can be stowed away in upper compartment of airplane." Read more

"...Not the mention, the seat looks stylish and is fairly compact ...." Read more

"...So easy. The chair itself is quite light which makes it convenient to put in other cars if necessary, it folds completely into itself and makes for..." Read more

"...My 3 and I love these car seat. Easy to install and portable , which was major part in my decision making...." Read more

Customers find the installation of the infant toddler car seat easy. They mention that it's safe and sturdy, and easy to snap in and remove.

"...The seat is very sturdy, easy to snap in and remove , and more importantly, comfortable for my child...." Read more

"...But then the install was a breeze . So easy...." Read more

"...It installed fairly easily and feels rock solid due to the rigid latch...." Read more

"...My 3 and I love these car seat. Easy to install and portable, which was major part in my decision making...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the infant toddler car seat. They mention that it looks cool and is an amazing car seat for their 4 years old girl.

"...Not the mention, the seat looks stylish and is fairly compact...." Read more

"This booster is not only nice to look at but it's comfortable...." Read more

"...I went with this one because it looks cool and in case we wanted to travel with it...." Read more

"...The look/design is amazing . I give it one star, because I feel they never tested the seat in a real world, day to day scenario...." Read more

Customers like the comfort of the infant toddler car seat. They say it's extremely comfortable for their kid.

"...sturdy, easy to snap in and remove, and more importantly, comfortable for my child ...." Read more

"This booster is not only nice to look at but it's comfortable ...." Read more

"...This is our third Diono car seat. It’s comfortable and my daughter loves it, however, it is a nightmare to install and uninstall...." Read more

"My kid loved this seat. It is extremely confortable for him ." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the compact fold of the infant toddler car seat. They mention that it is a great product with compact straps.

"...Perfect for traveling as it folds and can be stowed away in upper compartment of airplane." Read more

"...makes it convenient to put in other cars if necessary, it folds completely into itself and makes for very easy travel...." Read more

"We chose this model for the compact fold/straps because we were planning plane travel with driving on the other end for our 5yo who is not mature..." Read more

Customers appreciate the safety features of the infant toddler car seat. They mention that it's easy to install and sturdy.

"I love Diono because of all of the safety features . It feels like it’s a brand that has been well tested. This is our third Diono car seat...." Read more

"...another one for my 5 year old and he loves it and we love that it is safe " Read more

"Easy to install, safe and sturdy..." Read more

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Best Booster Car Seats of 2024

When your child has outgrown their rear-facing and forward-facing car seats, it’s time to move them to a booster car seat. They’re ideal for older kids, as they provide a step in between a typical car seat and only using a seat belt. Just like there is a range of car seats, there are plenty of booster models to consider, which is where we come in.

To help you choose the best booster car seat for your child, we considered safety features, weight and height limits, ease of installation, and price. Plus, with the input from experts in the field, you can count on these options as the best of the best.

Table of Contents

• Best Booster Car Seats
• Things To Consider When Buying
• How We Chose

Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat  »

Converts from high-back to backless

10-position adjustable headrest

Kids can use up to 110 pounds

ErgoBoost seat with double-foam padding

GreenGuard Gold Certified

Removable, machine-washable fabrics

Only two recline positions

Removable cup holders may pop out

The Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat has just about everything you need to keep your kid safe in the back seat. Approved by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), this model converts from high-back to backless mode, depending on your child’s weight and comfort. It features Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) connectors to make installation quick and secure. It also has a one-handed quick-release function so it’s easy to switch to another vehicle.

The Chicco works to grow with your child, boasting 10 height positions. It only has two recline positions, however, with the contoured ErgoBoost seat with double-layer foam padding, your kid will be plenty comfortable. The fabrics are machine washable and GreenGuard Gold Certified, meaning they’ve been tested for over 10,000 chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

With the two built-in cup holders, your little one will feel independent while you feel safe knowing you picked a solid option. This best booster car seat weighs just 10 pounds – and even less when in backless mode – so it can be used as a travel unit, too.

Graco TurboBooster 2.0 Backless Booster  »

Very affordable

Height-adjustable armrests

Machine-washable seat pad

Two built-in cup holders

Only weighs 5.1 pounds

Crash tested

No LATCH connectors

Backless design not for everyone

For an easy booster car seat that’s been thoroughly crash tested and won’t break the bank, go with the Graco TurboBooster 2.0 Backless Booster. A noteworthy detail is that it doesn’t have LATCH connectors. On one hand, that means it’s simple to use with just a seat belt and can be moved between vehicles quickly. But on the other hand, this affordable option might not sit as securely in place as you’d hope.

This backless model was designed to use with children who weigh 40 to 100 pounds, so it’s in it for the long haul. It features adjustable armrests, two built-in cup holders, and a machine-washable seat pad, making it a breeze to clean when a juice spill happens. Plus, at just 5.1 pounds, it is a smart choice for people who see the unit moving between cars on the regular.

This best booster car seat is Graco ProtectPlus Engineered, meaning it was tested to protect your child in the occurrence of frontal, rear, and rollover crashes. At a wallet-friendly price, you can’t beat this option.

Diono Solana 2 with LATCH  »

Backless with padded armrests

Only weighs 6.1 pounds

Kids can use up to 120 pounds

Machine-washable fabrics

Two built-in, retractable cup holders/snack trays

Quick-release LATCH

Pricey for a backless model

Too wide to fit three in the back seat

Set on a backless booster car seat? We recommend the Diono Solana 2 with LATCH. As the name suggests, it features durable steel LATCH connectors to offer a secure installation. The shoulder belt positioner ensures it’s set up correctly and allows your kid to hook themselves up on their own. This portable model also has a quick-release feature that allows you to remove the seat from the vehicle in no time.

Comfort is a prominent priority with the Diono, as it features layered foam padding and contoured soft fabrics. Better yet, they can be tossed in the washing machine for an easy clean. There are two cup holders that double as snack trays on each side of the unit, which makes road-tripping easier. They’re also retractable if you find they’re getting in the way of other back seat riders.

While on the pricier side for a backless car seat, we think that the LATCH connectors, washable fabrics, and additional features make it worth the investment. Also, when you consider that it’ll stay with your child up to 120 pounds, it’s a smart choice.

Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat  »

Detachable console is flimsy

Seat belt may slide out of shoulder guide when unbuckling

Your kid will live the life of comfort and luxury with the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat. Unlike most car seats, this one has an extended leg rest that hangs over the seat to offer even more support. If for some reason you don’t want the leg rest, you can zip it right off. This model also boasts three layers of foam padding that, along with the cushions and armrests, are machine washable, thanks to the zip-off design.

This best booster car seat was designed to begin using at age 4 and converts from high-back to backless mode, so comfort is top of mind at Chicco. This JPMA-approved unit features LATCH connectors for secure installation. It’s also a quick-release LATCH, so it won’t be a headache to remove it from the back of your car.

There are two built-in cup holders, as well as one detachable console where they can store snacks or other close must-haves. Some reviewers say the console is flimsy, but it’s still a useful feature, especially on long car rides.

Maxi-Cosi RodiSport Booster Car Seat  »

LATCH connectors for quick installation

Shoulder and lap belt guides for ease of use

Seven height positions

Detachable cup holder

Machine-washable and dryer-safe removable padding

Seat belt may slip out of guide

The frustrations that can come with installing a new car seat are real, but that won’t be the case with the Maxi-Cosi RodiSport Booster Car Seat. This model offers several features that make installation a painless experience. It has LATCH connectors, as well as shoulder and lap belt guides to make it easy for your little one to strap themselves in from the beginning.

Approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the RodiSport converts from high-back to backless mode. To ensure your child is comfortable and properly using the unit, it has seven height positions – and the headrest takes just one hand to adjust – along with multiple recline positions.

Accommodating kids up to 100 pounds, this best booster car seat goes one step further by not just being machine washable, but dryer safe, too. That means you don’t have to worry about the removable padding not being dry in time for your next day trip. Maxi-Cosi is known for its sleek designs, as we’ve seen in its baby swing and high chair , and that’s just what you get with this booster.

Nuna Aace  »

3D growth system grows in height, width, and depth

Eight recline positions and nine headrest/shoulder positions

Sleek design

GreenGuard Gold Certified and fire retardant-free

Small cup holder

The best baby gear products last for more than just a few months, and that’s the case with the Nuna Aace. This best booster car seat was designed to work with your child as they grow, which is one of the reasons why it’s worth the price tag. It adapts with a child from 40 to 120 pounds and converts from a high-back to a backless model.

Other ways that it keeps kids comfortable and safe as they grow are with its eight recline positions and nine headrest positions. When you adjust the headrest position, the unit automatically expands the width of the shoulder areas, meaning it grows both in height and width. It also has three depth positions to accommodate growing legs. Nuna refers to this as its 3D growth system.

Available in four colors, the Nuna AACE has an attractive design that won’t be an eyesore in the back of your car. And with its GreenGuard Gold Certified and fire retardant-free fabrics, it’s an environmentally friendly pick, too. The dishwasher-safe cup holder is just the cherry on top.

The Bottom Line

When shopping for the best booster car seat, the first thing you need to decide is if you want a high-back or backless model. If you’re not sure which style you want, our Best Overall pick, the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat, converts between the modes. It also has 10 headrest positions and machine-washable fabrics, making it a smart option. Once you decide on the design, decide which features, such as LATCH connectors for secure installation and built-in cup holders for convenience, are most important to you. Once you narrow down what you want, you can find a quality model within your price range. But remember, safety is the top priority, so being confident that your child is safe while riding in a vehicle should be the main consideration.

Things To Consider When Buying Booster Car Seats

Safety Certifications and Crash Test Results

According to Joe Colella, JPMA director of Child Passenger Safety and 2020 Child Passenger Safety Hall of Fame Inductee, all car seats sold in the United States follow the requirements set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). If a booster car seat meets those standards, it must be labeled with, “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.”

“Booster seats reduce the risk of nonfatal injuries by 45% among 4- to 8-year-old children when compared to the seat belt alone,” says Colella, citing a study in the Pediatrics journal . “The raised seating surface of a booster seat allows a child to bend their knees naturally over the front edge of the booster seat, belt guides position the lap belt snugly across the child’s hips and upper thighs, and either the child elevation or shoulder belt adjuster position the shoulder belt across the child’s chest and collar bone. Since booster seats do not provide restraint directly, but instead position the child to take full advantage of the vehicle seat belts and other safety features, these fit assessments are crucial.”

Weight and Height Limits

Don’t make the mistake of assuming every booster seat has the same weight and height limits. A child should use a booster until the vehicle’s seat belt fits properly on its own, which is typically between 8 and 12 years old. Proper seat belt fit can vary between vehicles, too.

“The latest booster seats require a minimum child weight of 40 pounds, and all booster seats will be required to have that same minimum child weight by late 2024,” says Colella. “Most booster seats have an upper child weight limit of 100 pounds, and some allow use until the child weighs 120 pounds. Because of design differences, it is crucial that families always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for height, weight, and age limits.”

Legally, children less than 57 inches tall must use a booster seat when traveling, says Samora Coles, founder and executive director of The Alex House Project , an organization that supports low-income families and young mothers with their transition to parenthood.

Ease of Installation and Compatibility

“Forward-facing booster seats should be placed in the back seat, ideally in the middle,” says Coles. Many of the best booster car seats come with LATCH connectors, but that’s not always the case. The good news is that most models work with most vehicles, but if you’re concerned, you can contact the manufacturer.

“For backless booster seats, ensure the vehicle's lap belt is flat, low, and tight across your child's hips while the shoulder belt is flat and snug across their shoulder, not touching their neck or face,” advises Coles. “For high-back booster seats, refer to the manufacturer's instructions to learn how to install the booster seat using your vehicle's LATCH system or seat belt.”

Adjustability and Growth Adaptability

All the booster car seats we included on this list accommodate up to 100 pounds, with many reaching a 110- or 120-pound limit. They’re designed to last through the years until your child can safely travel without it. So, booster seats are generally made to grow with your child.

Backless booster seats, however, tend to be for slightly older kids, so it’s smart to invest in a model that converts from high-back to backless mode. “If a child has outgrown a high-back booster seat harness, a backless booster seat can be used safely and will still provide the necessary support,” says Coles.

How We Chose the Best Booster Car Seats

At U.S. News 360 Reviews, we keep safety the top priority when reviewing baby gear. In addition to safety features, we considered style, growth adaptability, installation, comfort, and price. We didn’t just rely on our own expertise, though. The director of Child Passenger Safety at JPMA and the founder and executive director of an organization that helps young mothers with their transition to parenthood weighed in on what parents need to know when shopping for the best booster car seats. When it comes down to it, boosters are typically budget-friendly, lightweight, and support kids through years of their adolescence. So, it’s a matter of choosing one that meets your style and expectations for extra features.

WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST US?

As a mom herself, Caitlyn Fitzpatrick , the author of this piece, understands the importance of finding the safest baby gear products for your little one. While her daughter is too young for a booster car seat, Fitzpatrick has been professionally researching, testing, writing about, and editing content about the best products, including ones that parents buy for their children, since 2017. She knows what factors take a car seat from a fine pick to one of the top options you can choose.

Although there are several kinds of booster car seats, they all have the same goal.

“Booster seats take various forms, including those that have high backs, those that utilize the vehicle seat back for upper body support, and those that are part of a more comprehensive car seat (booster mode of combination harness booster seats or all-in-one car seats),” explains Colella. “All of these types must be used with a vehicle lap and shoulder belt. Their shared objective is to elevate the child, guide the lap and shoulder belt onto strong bony body structures, and ensure that the child can remain in a safe position for the duration of the ride.”

This heavily depends on your child’s specific age, weight, and height. Limits vary from brand to brand and seat to seat, so check what yours recommends.

“When a child becomes too big for a front-facing car seat, it's time for them to switch to a booster seat,” says Coles. “This transition usually occurs around age 4 but can go up to age 12, depending on the child's height and weight. Most children no longer need a booster seat once they reach the age of 8, but if they cannot safely fit in a vehicle seatbelt, they need to keep using the booster seat.”

The names kind of say it all, but here’s a deeper dive.

“The main difference between the two is that a high-back booster seat provides more support to the child's upper body. It offers extra head, neck, and side support to protect the child during sudden stops or impacts,” says Coles. “High-back booster seats also come with a harness seat belt in the front and can be installed with the vehicle's seat belt or latch system. In essence, a high-back booster seat is a longer, but slimmer, version of a forward-facing car seat designed for older children.”

About Our Team

Caitlyn Fitzpatrick

Contributor

Senior Editor

U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

Best Travel Booster Seats: For Kids Of All Ages

Are you planning a trip with your child, and need a good booster seat? Preferably one that’s portable and that doesn’t weigh 25 lbs? Lucky for you, you’re in the right place! You’ll only see the best travel booster seats here.

Ones that are used for travel by hundreds of parents just like yourself. All of the booster seats featured in this review are lightweight, portable, and most importantly, safe for your child.

At A Glance: Our Top 3 Picks for Travel Booster Car Seats

• Best With Harness Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat Jump To Review
• Best With High-Back Evenflo Big Kid High Back Booster Car Seat Jump To Review
• Best With Backless BubbleBum Inflatable Backless Booster Car Seat Jump To Review

I found several different types of boosters, which are suitable for children of different ages. Including travel harness seats that are perfectly safe for babies and young toddlers. So, I am pretty sure you will be able to find something that’s a good fit for your child in our detailed review!

Top Product Overview

The best travel booster seats for kids of all ages, best harness booster seats.

Harness booster seats are best suitable for babies and young toddlers. If you’re traveling with a child that is 2 or younger, we recommend one of these travel booster seats.

Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat

This Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat  is definitely one of our favorite harness boosters. It is very lightweight, so it’s fairly easy to carry around the airport. Also , it’s FAA-approved, so you won’t have any issues using it on the plane  – so long as you purchased a booster seat for your child. If you didn’t, you can just check it with the rest of your luggage.

This car seat  comes with a cup holder, which is pretty convenient for a bottle . But it is also removable, in case you don’t need it, or if it takes up too much space.

You can use this as both a forward-facing and a rear-facing booster car seat. However, if you use it as a rear-facing seat on an airplane, the seat in front of it won’t be able to recline, which might be an issue. But if your child weighs less than 22 lbs, the manufacturer strongly recommends that you use this as a rear-facing booster car seat.

Another thing I have to mention is  the price point – this is without a doubt one of the more affordable harness boosters you can find.  Because of that, even if you only use it 2 times, you will pretty much get your money’s worth.

We wouldn’t really recommend this as an everyday booster seat – the harness is nowhere near as elaborate as it should be, and the booster car seat is not too comfortable. There’s not a lot of padding on the seat, and that could be an issue with prolonged use. But it is a really good option as a lightweight and portable seat.

• Very affordable
• Lightweight and small
• FAA approved
• Not a lot of padding in the seat
• Doesn’t restrict movement as well as a regular car seat

Product Information

• Recommended Age Range: Less than 18 months
• Min/Max Weight Recommended: Up to 40 lbs
• Product Weight: 10.4 lbs

Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat

The Evenflo car seat is a good choice for traveling with babies and young toddlers. It is FAA-approved, so you can use it in an airplane if you have purchased a seat for your child. It can be used both as a rear-facing and forward-facing seat. But, if your child weighs less than 30 lbs, it can only be used as a rear-facing seat.

This is one of the lightest high back seats in our review, at only 9.29 lbs. It is also one of the more affordable options, so it’s great for parents on a budget. You’ll get good value for your money, but don’t expect too much for some $55.

The straps on this booster seat are not the best, and that’s one downside. They don’t feature any pads, and there’s a good chance they’ll cut into your child’s skin – not the most comfortable feature of the chair. However, you can contact the manufacturer and ask them to send you shoulder pads – several customers did this.

This booster car seat is suitable for children that weigh 5-40 lbs, which is about 4 years old max. And it is a very safe booster seat – it meets all applicable Federal Safety Standards, which is one of the main reasons why we recommend it in the first place. Plus, it has a detachable cup holder, which is always convenient in a travel booster seat.

• Lightweight and affordable
• Detachable cup holder
• Harness doesn’t have pads
• Plastic edges are somewhat harsh
• Min/Max Weight Recommended: 5-40 lbs
• Product Weight: Approximately 9.29 lbs

Chicco MyFit Harness + Booster Car Seat

This Chicco car seat is definitely one of the best options out there. It is extremely versatile – it is a harness seat that transforms into a regular high-back booster car seat, so your child shouldn’t outgrow it for several years. And it’s also a really good option for an everyday seat, and not just for travels.

There is a slight issue of weight – this is one of the heavier travel car seats. But not by too much –  it weighs 12 lbs , which I think is still lightweight enough that you can use it for family travel. And the extra weight means extra features and more ways to use the booster seat. Perhaps the main reason for the extra weight is the steel frame inside the side, which significantly improves its impact resistance.

The harness mode is suitable for children that are at least 2 years old or weigh at least 25 lbs. This travel booster seat is also FAA-approved, but only in harness mode. As your child grows, you can easily transform the booster car seat to accommodate them.

Chicco MyFit features two dishwasher-safe cup holders, EPS energy foam around the head and torso, latches, dual-density padding, and a contoured design. It is comfortable, safe, easy to install, easy to clean, and pretty lightweight for everything it has to offer. But all of that Chicco goodness comes at a price – and it’s the highest one in this entire review.

• Very comfortable and secure
• Versatile – harness mode and booster mode
• FAA approved (in harness mode)
• Pretty expensive
• On the heavier side
• Recommended Age Range: 2y+ (harness) / 4y+ (booster)
• Min/Max Weight Recommended: 25-100 lbs
• Product Weight: 12.1 lbs

Best High Back Boosters (No Harness)

One thing to keep in mind about these boosters is that they are not FAA-approved. They don’t have a harness and airplane seats don’t have lap-shoulder straps that will keep your child safe. These boosters are a good option if you plan to check them at an airport, and not use them during the flight.

Chicco KidFit 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster

One thing that’s pretty cool about this travel booster seat is that it transforms into a backless booster easily. So, maybe you can use it as a full booster at home, and as a backless booster when you travel.

But because of its lightweight, it’s also perfectly fine as a high-back booster for travel. It is a bit bulky, so we recommend it only if you’re renting a car, and not hopping in and out of taxis and Ubers.

This booster features DuoZone side impact protection (head and shoulder) and latches attachment for the safety of your children. It can also be adjusted in 10 different positions, to accommodate for the growth of your child. The booster car seat is Ergo Boost with double foam padding, and it is actually very soft and comfortable.

There are two cup holders on the booster seat, which are removable, flexible, and dishwasher safe – just like on the Chicco backless booster I’ll show you a bit later. This booster seat is very easy to maintain since both the arm covers and the seat pad are machine washable.

The manufacturer recommends this booster car seat for children that are at least 4 years old. But, we don’t recommend this for younger children that move around a lot, because this type of booster doesn’t restrict their movement, as well as a harness, does. If you’ve only used harness car seats so far, consider whether or not your child is ready to graduate to this type of booster.

• Comfortable and safe
• Can be used as both a high back and a backless booster
• Machine washable
• Not FAA approved – no harness
• On the pricier side
• Recommended Age Range: 4y+
• Min/Max Weight 30/40-110 lbs
• Product Weight 10.2 lbs (high back mode)

Evenflo Big Kid High Back Booster Car Seat

If you’re looking for a budget high-back booster,  consider getting this one . It costs less than $40, and it weighs about 8.5 lbs. This is why it’s a good booster for travels – you will easily get your money’s worth even if you only use this on one trip. And it is light enough that you can carry it for hours without dislocating your shoulder.

This is not an FAA-approved high back booster, because it does not have a harness. So, you cannot use this during the flight, and you will need to check it at the airport because it is pretty bulky.

The height of this booster car seat is adjustable to 6 positions – as your child grows, the booster adjusts to accommodate them. And when they get really big, you can remove the back and transform this into a backless booster.

This booster seat has two elastic cup holders, but they don’t make it too wide. In fact, this is a pretty narrow seat (about 15”), and it is a great option for smaller cars. The booster also features seat belt guides on both sides, to ensure the safety of your children.

But the padding in this seat is pretty disappointing. Also, there’s no padding in the armrests – they’re just plastic. The booster is not comfortable enough for really long rides, and that’s why we don’t recommend this as an everyday car seat.

• Very lightweight and affordable
• Transforms into a backless booster
• Height adjustable to 6 positions
• Not FAA approved
• No padding in armrests
• Seat has little padding
• Min/Max Weight Recommended: 30-110 lbs
• Product Weight: 8.45 lbs

Graco Highback Turbobooster Car Seat

If you want a reliable brand, Graco is always a great option . The Graco Highback Turbobooster Car Seat features seat belt guides on each side, for the safety of your kids. It doesn’t have a latch system – the seat belt keeps it in place.

And that makes it super portable – there’s no messing around with buckles and latches. Just grab the seat and go. Which will be pretty easy, since the seat weighs only 9 lbs.

The booster seat is not padded too thickly, but it’s still pretty soft. And it should be comfortable for your kids even on longer rides. The adjustable headrest also helps keep your kids comfy.

There are dual cup holders on the booster seat, and they are great for regular bottles. Not so much for water bottles – the cup holders are a little shallow, and the water bottle might fall out when you’re turning.

The seat converts into a backless booster seat for longer use. But also for better portability and versatility. Actually, this is one of the few booster seats that is suitable both for traveling and for daily use. And it’s also pretty cheap, so you will get great value for money with this car seat.

But it’s not FAA approved, so you won’t be able to use the high back version inside an actual airplane. You can use the backless version though, provided that your child is old enough for it.

• Comfortable for the kids
• Lightweight and portable
• No latch system
• Recommended Age Range: 3-10 years old
• Min/Max Weight Recommended: 30-100 lbs
• Product Weight: 9 lbs

Trunki BoostAPak

Surely there’s a way to trick your child into being delighted to carry around their booster seat? Yes, there is, and it is called the Trunki BoostAPak .

It is a children’s backpack that doubles as a booster seat. So, even though it’s not FAA-approved as a travel car seat, you can still bring it on a plane as personal luggage. The backpack part of it has a capacity of 8 liters, which is enough to hold some of your kid’s favorite in-flight toys!

Just remember to take out any snacks or toys your child will need during transport. Once you strap them in this travel car seat, you don’t have access to the backpack.

The internal shell of the BoostAPak is hard, for maximum safety. It also protects the contents of the backpack part, and it is light enough that children can comfortably carry it. Trunki also has armrests and backrests, as well as seat belt guides. In terms of functionality, it does the exact same thing that a regular booster seat does. But it’s about 10 times more fun for the kids.

A downside to the Trunki booster seat is that it is not padded too much, so it won’t be comfortable on long rides. Also, it’s a little bit when it is in backpack mode. Consider the dimensions of the pack, to see whether or not it will be too big for your child.

• It can be your kid’s personal item on an airplane
• Fun for the children
• Versatile and portable
• A bit big in backpack mode
• Not heavily padded
• Recommended Age Range: 4-11 years
• Dimensions: 15.75” x 14.17” x 6.3”
• Product Weight: 3.75 lbs

Best Backless Booster Seats

A backless booster seat is without a doubt the most portable option. They’re a lot smaller than high-back car seats, and a lot lighter. But they only work with kids who are a bit older – at least 4-5 years.

Backless booster seats don’t do a lot, in terms of restricting the movement of your children, so they are not a good option for kids that move around a lot. But if your child is able to sit still, then this might be the best travel car seat option for you.

Chicco GoFit Belt-Positioning Backless Booster

This Chicco backless booster is  a very comfortable option.  The seat is very padded, and your children will stay comfortable even on longer rides. Actually, it features an Ergo Boost countered seat with double padding. Therefore, I think that this is a decent option not just as a travel seat, but also as an everyday seat.

This travel car seat is suitable for children that are older than 4, and weigh between 40 and 110 lbs. At least, that is what the manufacturer recommends.

It features armrests with pop-out armrest covers. The covers are machine washable, as are all the other fabrics on the car seat. And the cup holders are also dishwasher safe, so the entire booster seat is very easy to maintain.

One thing I really like about this portable booster seat is that the cup holders are flexible and removable. So, in case you’re a little bit tight on space, you don’t have to stress about the cups poking out.

As for portability, I’m a little bit torn. On the one hand, it’s definitely more portable than a high-back booster. It is lighter, it has a carry handle and it is fairly small. But then again it’s still a little bulky, and it’s nowhere near as portable as the inflatable booster I’ll show you a bit later. So, this one is up to you.

• Double foam padding
• Flexible and removable cup holders
• Easy to maintain (machine washable)
• Not the most portable option
• No latch connectors
• Min/Max Weight Recommended: 40-110 lbs
• Product Weight: 5 lbs

BubbleBum Inflatable Backless Booster Car Seat

As far as portability goes, this is a great booster car seat .  When deflated, this can easily fit into your purse or backpack, and that’s pretty great . That’s why  we recommend this for taxi rides and Uber – you don’t have to carry a booster seat in your hand when you’re walking around the town with your little one . Just deflate it and put it in your purse!

This inflatable booster seat is suitable for children that are 4-11 years old and weighs from 40 to 100 lbs. However, we do not recommend this booster seat if your child moves around a lot even in a high back booster seat – there is the issue of safety.

Another thing worth mentioning is that you can easily fit three of these in the back seat of pretty much any car. They don’t have plastic edges, so that makes it easy to fit three travel car seats even in some really narrow cars.

The booster seat has a valve that’s covered with plastic, and it inflates somewhat when you unscrew the valve. You only need a few breaths to fully inflate it, which is great. And when you are not using the travel car seat, you should always close the valve – unless you want it to partially inflate inside your bag.

This booster seat is great for short uses, or as a backup seat for impromptu playdates. But it’s not something your child will want to sit in every day, because it’s not too comfortable. It is lightweight, portable, and very affordable, so it’s worth trying out for your upcoming trip.

• Exceptionally portable – fits in your purse
• Fits in small and narrow spaces
• Easy to inflate and install
• Not comfortable for long car rides
• Some safety concerns
• Min/Max Weight Recommended: 40-100 lbs
• Product Weight: 1.2 lbs

mifold Grab-and-Go Car Booster Seat

Curiosity won me over with this one –  a car seat that folds into a wallet-sized pouch? And that fits into your kid’s backpack?  Sign me up!

Seriously though, the mifold seat is so  innovative and practical  that everyone should try it out. Because, if it turns out your child likes this, it could actually change your life.

In terms of portability, this is the best booster seat available . It’s  lightweight, small, and fits into every carry-on bag . This is also a great seat for narrow spaces since you can easily fit three of them on the back seat of a car. It is also good as an extra seat to have in your car, just in case.

But how does it work, since it is so thin and small? Well, a regular booster seat lifts your child to the position of an adult, so that the seat belt is safe for them. The mifold does the opposite – it lowers the seat belt with the belt guides on each side so that it accommodates the size of your child. And it’s just as safe as a regular booster.

There’s one downside to that – a plain booster seat allows your child to see out the window. This one does not. Also, this is a very thin seat, so it’s not too comfortable. Because of that, I wouldn’t really recommend it for longer rides. But for running around the town on a trip, in and out of taxis and Uber’s with your little one, this is one of the best things you can spend your money on.

• Innovative design
• Extremely portable and practical
• Just as safe as a regular booster
• No lift – kids can’t see out the window
• Recommended Age Range: 4-12 years
• Min/Max Weight Recommended: 40-120 lbs
• Product Weight: 1.7 lbs

Finding The Right Travel Booster Car Seat

If this is your first trip with your child, you probably need some guidance. And we some tips on how to choose the right booster car seat for travel!

Why Not Your Everyday Booster?

Because they are heavy. When you have to manage your child, a stroller, a diaper bag, your own bag, and a booster seat, weight plays a big part.

That’s why you want to get a booster seat designed specifically for travel. It is much easier to move around the airport with a 10lb booster than one that weighs two or three times more.

Backless booster seats would be the obvious choice if we were concerned only about the weight. But, we are also concerned about your child’s comfort, safety and age – you can’t really put a 3-year-old in a backless booster seat.

So, we found some lightweight high-back booster seats that you’ll love. Most of them are pretty affordable, weigh 10 lbs or less and you can bring them on an airplane without any issues.

And then we’ll also show you several backless, foldable, and even inflatable booster seats that can pretty much fit in your carry-on.

How Will You Use The Booster Seat?

Do you need a seat just for the airplane ride, or do you plan to use it multiple times a day while you’re traveling? While you are in and out of taxis or do you plan to rent a car? Do you expect your kid to carry their booster seat, or will you do that?

Those are all questions you need to consider if you’re not sure which type is right for you. If you’re renting a car and you’ll be driving around a lot, then I think you will be fine with a high-back booster seat. But if you’re going to take taxis, then definitely consider a backless booster seat – think of going sightseeing with your little one, and lugging around a high-back booster seat while trying to take cute photos.

Obviously,  that only applies to children that are actually ready for backless boosters. And that is really an individual thing – most manufacturers recommend their backless booster seats for children that are at least 4 years old.

But is your 4-year-old really capable of sitting still and not fidgeting around while you drive? That’s another question that should help you choose between high back and backless travel car seats.

Car Safety Laws

Most countries have pretty different car safety laws. That’s something you should always check before you travel.  Maybe the country you are going to requires a specific type of car seat, and maybe they don’t require children your age to be in car seats at all.

Did you know that the European Union prohibits rear-facing car seats in the passenger seat unless the airbag is deactivated? While only two US states have the same law. Anyway, here are som e useful links that could help you prepare yourself for your next trip:

• UK Car Seats Laws
• European Union Car Seats Laws
• USA Car Seats Laws (For Different States)
• Australia Car Seats Laws

And if you’re traveling to a completely different country, Google is your best friend! :>

Travel Booster Car Seats: Our Favorite Choices

All of the car seats featured in this review have very high ratings and are highly recommended. You’ll be okay whichever one you get. But, I still loved some more than the others, so here are my top three recommendations – one in each booster category.

For a booster seat  with a harness, it was either the Chicco MyFit or the Cosco . I decided to go with the Cosco Scenera because it is the lighter and more affordable option . And ultimately, better for travel. This car seat is FAA-approved, meaning you can use it inside the cabin.

It is suitable for children that weigh up to 40 lbs, so you could get several years of use out of it. Especially because you can use it with babies as a rear-facing seat as well .

When you’re considering if an object is portable, its weight is one of the first things you look at. The Evenflo Booster Car Seat is the lightest high-back booster we featured, and so it is our favorite . It’s also the cheapest one, and it actually costs less than some backless travel car seats .

The affordability, portability, and ease of use are definitely reasons enough to get this car seat for your upcoming trip. And it will keep your child safe in case of a crash, which is more important than everything else .

• 2 seats in 1 removable back for easy transition to a no-back booster
• One-hand, 6 position height adjustment to accommodate growing children longer

For me, it was a close call between the mifold and the BubbleBum boosters . But I think the BubbleBum is the better option because it is much more comfortable to sit on. It is an inflatable booster, so it’s super portable.

When you deflate it, it can easily fit in your purse, and you can carry it everywhere. And it inflates super quickly when you want to use it. It is definitely one of the best options for children that are old enough for backless booster seats.

• The Ultimate Travel Booster Car Seat - Unlock the convenience of the USA’s Original backless inflatable booster seat. BubbleBum is the only inflatable childrens booster seat for your car with a patented system to guarantee stability and comfort on every journey.
• Safety You Can Count On – BubbleBums patented ComfortMax technology exceeds all US federal car safety standards (FMVSS213) for booster car seats 40 lbs and up to 100 lbs. Your car booster seat comes with a seat belt positioning clip for optimal seat belt fit and comfort.

Head over to Amazon to see what other traveling parents are saying about these booster car seats, and check out their prices!

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The 15 Best Portable Travel High Chairs and Booster Seats [2023]

Erin Miller

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Keri Stooksbury

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The Different Types of Travel High Chairs

Things to consider with a travel high chair or booster seats, 1. find the right position for your baby with this adjustable booster seat, 2. a foldable travel chair with its very own carry case, 3. high chair complete with wipeable food tray and cute looks, 4. a fabulous, full-height folding high chair for meals on the go, 5. an award-winning booster seat from chicco, 6. compact storage on a wrap-style booster seat, 7. slip over adult dining chairs for relaxed meals, 8. inflatable booster seat that keeps your child close by, 1. let your little one eat with you using this portable booster seat, 2. a stand-alone high chair that feels just like home, 3. a hook-on high chair for discerning little diners, 4. this reclining high chair is great for toddlers, 5. store your infant’s extra items in the base of this booster seat, 1. best hook-on travel seat for curved tables and hungry babies, 2. award-winning high chair for those in the know, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Feeding on the go can be a messy business if you aren’t able to seat your little one at the table with you. A travel high chair or booster seat can make mealtimes far less stressful.

Don’t rely on restaurants, cafes, and other eateries to be able to seat your baby — take your own portable high chair with you instead.

Hook-on High Chairs

Perfect for babies 6 months or older, hook-on high chairs attach to the side of any table using rubber handles that can be securely tightened to remain stable and safe.

Your child will sit close to the table at the right height to enjoy eating and communing with you as you enjoy a family meal together. There are no folding trays to worry about or straps to attach to chairs. Although there is a maximum weight restriction of around 40 pounds depending on the chair, these are the most convenient way to seat your child when traveling.

Bottom Line: Collapsible and lightweight, you can take your hook-on high chair virtually anywhere.

Booster Seats

Booster seats do just that — raise the seat height of your child’s chair to enable them to reach the table. Compact enough to fit into their very own carry bags in transit, these easy-to-clean high chair alternatives are a popular choice for children 12 months or older.

The only thing you need to ensure the success of your booster seat at dinner time is a stable dining chair with a back to tie it to.

Bottom Line: Designed for children weighing up to 50 pounds, booster seats are a highly portable addition to your child-friendly vacation kit.

Made entirely from fabric, chair wraps are just about the most portable feeding devices ever made. Small enough to fit in any purse or carry-on , these oversized scarves are designed to harness your toddler to an adult chair.

While your inner hippie may be happy that you have chosen a natural and traditional way to help your child eat with the grown-ups, you need to be very adept at attaching the wrap to the chair by pulling a cover over the back and tightening the ends to secure your baby.

Bottom Line: Fantastic for those who know how to use them, a huge amount of stress for those that don’t.

When choosing the right travel high chair or booster seat for your next vacation, consider the following:

Keeping your baby safe while sitting at the table is a crucial concern for every parent. While high chairs with straps and large plastic trays feel somehow more secure and sturdy, a child can still fall out if not securely strapped in.

When using a travel high chair or booster seat, be sure that it offers a durable and robust harness , and that the one you choose has enough support to suit the developmental age of your baby.

Hot Tip: To reduce the risk of falling, your child should not exceed the suggested maximum weight for the product.

Wipe-clean fabrics and plastic cushions are best suited to the messy business of babies, and your travel high chair should be just as easy to clean. Foldable booster seats are incredibly easy to clean, and their flexible design makes it possible for you to reach all the tiny seams and creases where crumbs tend to gather.

Hot Tip: Hook-on high chairs with washable, fabric covers are pretty low maintenance as long as you can throw it in the machine.

Size and Portability

Portability is the key to traveling light with a baby, so big, bulky folding high chairs are best left at home on this occasion. You should, however, look beyond the dimensions of any potential travel high chair, and instead focus on a combination of size, weight, and portability.

While wraps are the most lightweight and portable option out there, a compact booster chair that folds up small and weighs very little is still a good alternative. A hook-on that can be folded and kept in a carry bag should also be considered, especially if you are traveling by car or public transport where weight is less of an issue.

Ease of Use

Feeding time with your children can be stressful enough without having to worry about shoehorning your 1-year old into an overly complicated high chair harness. Likewise, holding a baby in your arms while you try to attach a wrap to a chair without any success is also likely to put you off taking your little one out to eat with you.

Whatever type of travel high chair or booster seat you decide to go for, make sure that it’s easy for you to use. Hook-on chairs are more fiddly as you need to screw the handles onto the table to ensure that they are safe, and wraps take some getting used to.

Bottom Line: Booster seats are straightforward to use and easy to insert your child into.

The 8 Best Travel High Chairs and Booster Seats Under $30

Summer infant deluxe comfort folding booster seat.

The Summer Infant Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster Seat is a convenient addition to your baby travel gear and one that will allow them to safely eat their food at the same level as you. Weighing just 3.66 pounds, this booster seat is suitable for children from 6 months to 33 pounds.  The compact folding mechanism makes it small enough to take anywhere with you.

Your little one will be safe in the 3-point harness, and you will be able to find the right height setting with 2 different levels of height adjustment. Use it without the feeding tray for a toddler booster seat at the table, or let your younger baby use the tray. Simple to use and highly portable, this little booster seat is brilliant.

What We Like

• Has 2 height levels

What We Don’t Like

• The chair cover isn’t great

Hiccapop Omniboost Travel Booster Seat With Tray

This very useful little travel chair is perfect for letting your little one eat with you wherever you may be. The folding frame pops open to form a low-level camping chair complete with a food tray that toddlers and small children will be happy to sit, eat, or play in. Wide, stable feet help to keep the chair balanced at all times, and the tray is removable so your child can join you at the table.

The 3-point adjustable harness will keep your little one safe as they eat, and when you are finished, simply fold the chair back down and pop it back into the carry bag . To ensure that the chair is always clean and hygienic, the cover can be machine washed and the tray is made from dishwasher-safe, BPA-free material.

Cute and completely portable, this is the perfect camping chair for junior diners.

• Has a removable and washable cover
• Tray table can be difficult to get on and off

Summer Infant Pop and Sit Portable Booster

Looking every bit as cute as a tiny camping chair, this incredibly portable booster chair from Summer Infant is a little bit different from the rest. Designed to be used on the floor, or a chair, your little one can eat independently or with you.

Featuring a lightweight, folding frame that can be erected in sections , this little booster seat even comes with its own carry case. The detachable, dishwasher-safe BPA-free tray is perfect for playing or snacking, and the 3-point safety harness will keep your precious little one safe and secure. By using the built-in safety straps to attach the seat to an adult chair, you and your child (ages 6 months and older) can eat and play together, everywhere you go.

• Folds up small to save space
• Harness straps sit very low

Summer Infant Pop and Sit Portable High Chair

With its lightweight design and full-height feeding chair, the Summer Infant Pop N’ Sit Portable High Chair is perfect for families on the go. Easy to fold down into its very own compact carry bag, this is an easy-to-use travel high chair for your baby.

Suitable from 6 months onwards, the chair comes complete with a removable, BPA-free tray that can be popped into the dishwasher for easy cleaning. The non-slip rubber feet will grip to most surfaces, making this a stable and safe place to feed your children. The easy pop-up unfolding mechanism makes it a dream to use on vacation, at Grandma’s house, or even just at home.

• Has a rear storage pocket
• Leg holes might be restrictive for some children
• Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat

Having already been awarded 5 stars in the “Best Baby and Toddler Gear Awards,” this easy-to-fold portable high chair will transform the way you and your little one eat out. Your baby will be able to sit right at the table and join you for a meal using this easy-to-secure, super-safe booster seat from Chicco.

With 3 tray positions, your child can also enjoy a snack or meal independently, and the harness straps will keep them safe while seated. With a wide padded seat and an easy-to-clean, dishwasher-safe food tray, you can be sure that this booster seat remains hygienic at all times. The Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat is an excellent value for money.

• Adjustable to 3 heights
• Securing chair straps are quite short
• liuliuby Travel Harness Seat

So portable it can roll up to the size of an umbrella, the liuliuby Travel Harness Seat is a functional fabric booster seat. Designed with safety in mind, this may look lightweight and unsupportive, but it incorporates a 5-point harness and comfortable straps for added reassurance and unrivaled strength and durability.

Suitable for babies approximately 6 months and older that can sit up unassisted, the simple design hooks over the back of an adult chair and supports your baby while they join you to eat at the table. Machine washable, wipeable, and incredibly stylish, this is the perfect compact travel seat for eating on the go.

• Anti-slip pads mean your child will stay put
• Doesn’t fit all chairs

Cozy Cover Easy Seat Portable High Chair

Suitable for babies from 6 months old up to 33 pounds, the portable Easy Seat is a convenient companion for families on the go. You and your child can avoid the questionable hygiene of restaurant high chairs and have your little one eat at the table with you.

Compact enough to carry in your bag (in its own matching carry bag), the Easy Seat simply slides over the top of your adult dining chair, and with just a quick click of the straps, your child is secured in a 5-point harness . The 100% polyester material is easy to clean in the washing machine, and the brightly-colored design helps this fabulous petite seat stand out from the rest. A great buy for busy parents.

• Comes with a matching carry bag
• Doesn’t include a tray for eating

The First Years On-The-Go Booster Sea t

Quite unlike any of the other high chairs and booster seats on our list, the On-The-Go Booster Seat inflates to keep your child comfy and ensures that they can always reach the table.

Simply pull out the valve and watch it self-inflate into a full-size booster seat,  then press out the air and fold back into its carry pack when the meal is over. This seat comes with an adjustable safety belt with a T-restraint to help hold your child securely and even has its own carry bag for taking it everywhere with you. A perfect addition to your baby kit.

• Portable and inflates quickly
• Not suited for extensive use

The 5 Best Travel High Chairs and Booster Seats Under $60

Fisher-price healthy care deluxe booster seat.

Designed to fit at the table so that your little one can eat with the grown-ups, this foldable and incredibly portable booster seat secures to most dining chairs, both at home and away.

With a snap-on feeding tray and cup holder that is completely removable and dishwasher safe, you can let your child eat at the table or eat independently. The 3 height adjustments and super-secure 3-point harness will help you to find the safest position for your baby while they eat.

With a shoulder strap for ease of mobility and a simple, ergonomic design made from easy-to-clean and durable materials, this is a clear winner for moms and dads on the go.

• No crevices to trap crumbs
• Tray table comes off too easily (infant may remove it)

Ciao! baby Portable High Chair with Tray

This stand-alone high chair is an excellent option for anyone who wants their child to feel totally at home in their high chair. Mimicking the height and feel of a regular full-size high chair , this little beauty folds up into a compact size, making it perfect for camping, keeping as a spare, or taking on vacation with you.

Made from highly durable nylon, this high chair is built to last, and the clear vinyl food tray is wipeable and easy to keep clean. There is also a built-in cup holder for your little one’s bottle or cup. Suitable from infant to toddler (your child must be able to sit unaided to use this high chair), your baby will stay safe and secure with the lap belt and 5-point safety harness.

Easy to use and transport, this is the perfect portable high chair for children who want to be reminded of the one they have at home.

• 5-point safety harness
• The opening for the child is a bit of a squeeze

Chicco Caddy Hook-on Chair

In theory, this sturdy and durable hook-on high chair has plenty to offer both you and your baby. It folds down to take anywhere with you, it is made from high-quality materials, and the twist-and-tighten design fastens securely to most tables. In reality, it is very bulky and weighs a lot more than most portable high chairs, at a whopping 7 pounds, even without its carry bag.

That said, the rubberized arms are well-designed and will firmly grip any table without scratching , making it an excellent choice for parents who want their baby to eat with them. The seat cover is removable for easy cleaning and the cushioned back support adds comfort for your little one.

Suitable for 6 months onwards, we are not sure if the pure size and weight of this one prevents it from truly being a travel high chair, but it would still make a useful extra if you have room to transport it.

• Attaches directly to a table
• Not suitable for fidgety children
• Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair

Offering easy-to-clean, customizable seating for your little one, the Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair is an affordable, reliable, and well-made travel booster seat that will make eating out a breeze.

Offering full-size seating dimensions in a portable package that folds up super small, this seat fits on most adult high back chairs. Suitable from around 6 months, this booster offers 2 height adjustments and 3 recline positions . The removable and dishwasher-safe feeding tray is easy to clean, and the cushioned seat will keep your little one comfy at all times.

Designed to grow with your child, the tray can be removed, and the secure strap attachments are designed to stay safely affixed to your adult chair.

• Has a machine-washable seat pad
• Doesn’t slot under the table at certain heights

Brica GoBoost Travel Booster Seat

Perfect for dining on the go, the Brica GoBoost Booster Seat folds up small and comes complete with its own convenient carry strap. Stable and secure with a robust internal frame and wipeable, easy-to-clean material, this is the perfect booster seat for older infants on the go.

There is no 5-point harness on this seat, and it has a fixed position backrest, but with a built-in storage unit that can hold your bottles, wipes, cups, and even diapers. Xtra-Grip traction pads offer a non-slip grip on adult chairs.

• Includes storage for bottles, diapers, or other items
• Not machine washable

The 2 Best Travel High Chairs and Booster Seats Under $90

Inglesina fast table chair  .

Incredibly versatile and perfect for use at curved dining tables, this hook-on high chair really is one of the best on the market. With twist-tight couplings that secure the chair to virtually any table and a deep seat with an adjustable 3-point harness, this high chair is also incredibly secure to keep your little one safe while snacking.

With a deeply padded seat, high backrest, waist harness, and easy-to-clean, breathable polyester material , your little one will be super comfortable. With an additional storage pocket on the rear side of the seat for a pacifier and other essentials, and a carry case for journeys away from home, this is an excellent hook-on high chair that is well-suited to families who like to dine out often.

• Comes in a range of colors
• Not the easiest material to clean

phil&teds Lobster Clip-On High Chair 

Fans of the phil&teds stroller brand will already be familiar with their unique, high-quality designs, and the Lobster high chair is no exception. Super lightweight and incredibly compact, the Lobster has a first-class aluminum frame with padded support and a shoulder harness system that won’t let you down.

Suitable for infants 3 months old up to 3 years, or a maximum weight of 37 pounds, this high chair is still compact enough to fit into your travel bag for families on vacation. With stylish good looks and award-winning design, the world is your oyster with this high chair.

• Quick to set up and pack down
• Not compatible with all table types

Travel high chairs need to be portable, stable, and easy to clean. Younger babies need a secure harness, while older toddlers need a seat that won’t wobble about when they do.

From the simplicity of a sling-style high chair to hanging out in a hook-on, your next travel high chair or booster seat needs to be small enough to take with you, yet strong enough to hold your child safely. Make more of family mealtimes on your travels with any of the high chairs and booster seats on our list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are hook-on high chairs safe.

Hook-on high chairs are safe as long as you adhere to the manufacturer’s maximum weight restrictions. Some other tips are:

• Make sure that the clamp is securely fastened
• Don’t use a hook-on high chair on glass tables
• Ensure all straps are securely fastened

What age can a baby sit in restaurant high chair?

Babies can use a high chair when they are able to sit up unassisted. For most babies, this will happen around the 6-month mark but can happen as early as 4 months.

What are the best travel high chairs?

Some of the best travel high chairs and booster seats include:

• Summer Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster Seat
• hiccapop Omniboost Travel Booster Seat
• Summer Infant Pop ‘N Sit Portable Booster Chair
• Summer Pop ‘n Sit Portable Highchair
• The Original Easy Seat Portable High Chair
• The First Years On-The-Go Booster Seat
• Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat
• ciao! baby Portable High Chair
• Chicco Caddy Hook On Chair
• Munchkin Brica GoBoost Travel Booster Seat
• Inglesina Fast Table Chair
• phil&teds Lobster Clip-On Highchair

Are travel high chairs portable?

While wraps are the most lightweight and portable option out there, a compact booster chair that folds up small and weighs very little is still a good alternative.

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An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publications.

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9 Best Booster Car Seats of 2024

Your growing kids will ride safely in these high-back, backless and combination booster seats.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

The parenting and product experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested 15 booster car seats in the past two years to evaluate safety, ease of use and proper fit, narrowing them down to these top-performing favorites.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Booster Car Seat

Diono monterey 2xt.

Best Value Booster Car Seat

Cosco topside.

Most Comfortable Booster Car Seat

Chicco kidfit cleartex.

Best Long-Lasting Booster Car Seat

Britax grow with you clicktight+.

Best Backless Booster Car Seat

Graco turbobooster lx.

Best Booster Car Seat With a 5-Point Harness

Chicco myfit zip air.

Best-Looking Booster Car Seat

Best Booster Car Seat with Seat Belt Positioner

Uppababy alta.

Best Luxury Booster Car Seat

When determining the best booster seats, we consider ease of installation, angle and headrest adjustments, ease of cleaning, dimensions and overall fit for a child. This roundup of the best booster seats is based on Lab-tested picks, category expertise and real-life consumer feedback — we even tested booster seats in vehicles of various sizes to see how well they fit in different types of cars.

At the end of this guide, you'll find additional information on the best age to switch to a booster seat, as well as the difference between harness booster seats, high-back booster seats and backless booster seats. Looking for something for a new baby instead? Check out our reviews of infant car seats and travel systems .

Keep your little big kid safer and comfortable with this latest Monterey 2XT booster, a few inches larger than the old XT. It easily transforms from a high back booster to a backless booster seat.

It's a favorite among our pros because of the nicely padded headrest to ensure your child stays comfy during long trips. That cushy headrest can be set to any of 11 positions, moving up a total of 6.5 inches to grow with your child . "My children always appear comfortable in this comparative to other boosters where they have felt cramped or less supported," says GH Institute Chief Technologist and Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman , a mom of three and our lead tester for car seats and booster seats.

In fact, as a high back booster, this offers both height and width adjustments. It reclines a bit, only to be sure that the seat meets the pitch of your car's backseat. Once kids no longer require the added support, you can remove the back completely.

Kid testers appreciate both the arm rests and the two retractable cup holders. This seat comes in a range of colors, including all black, with covers that remove for machine washing (though we wish the removal was a bit easier). The Diono seatpad is slightly wider than some of the other options on this list and the aluminum-reinforced side-impact protection helps provide extra safety in the case of an accident. Finally, this can attach to your car using the LATCH system, though some online reviewers say they don't find the LATCH straps on this to be as easy to use as those on some convertible car seats.

Perfect for travel, car-pooling and families with multiple cars (not to mention grandparent and babysitter vehicles), this is the most minimalist and best budget booster car seat we tested. Ideal for older kids, it's got no bells and whistles so we won't pretend that it does, but it does boost a child up three inches so that they can buckle themselves in using the car's seat belt correctly — and 9K+ five-star Amazon reviews.

If you frequently car-pool kids to practices or meetings, it can be smart to keep extras of these in the trunk of your car so that everyone rides safely. This booster is also inexpensive enough that family members who drive your kid around can keep one in their vehicle too. And with it weighing only about two pounds, this is easy to put in a tote bag and take with you on trips so your child's always safe in their seat belt, in rideshares and elsewhere.

Note that unlike every other booster on this list, the Topside does not secure to your car with the LATCH system. This seat just sits on top of the car's backseat and the weight of your child holds it down. Even so, it has thousands of parents grateful for its convenience and price.

If you're a road-trip family that spends more than the average amount of time in the car, this exceptionally comfortable pick might be the one for you. Our testers loved the contoured seat and found the double-foam padding to be cushioning for kids . This version is made with the brand's ClearTex fabric, which is removable and machine-washable, and also boasts Greenguard Gold certification for textiles that are low in chemical emissions.

In its high back form, the KidFit offers 10 height positions, adjusting along the waist rather than the neck to offer more protection down the side of your child. Note that some of our younger tester kids did have some trouble buckling themselves in with the back on. But the back also removes completely for bigger kids, and then they have no trouble buckling themselves.

The KidFit connects to your car via a LATCH system and our Lab experts are fans of Chicco's SuperCinch one-pull tightener, which makes it very easy to get this seat fitting snugly. The two dishwasher-safe cupholders are soft and can fold in if you have to fit three people across your backseat and need every inch.

You can get a younger kid started in a booster seat if you use one that begins with a five-point harness, such as this Britax. It can accommodate children as small as 25 pounds with the harness, then up to 120 pounds as a belt-positioning booster with a noticeably wider spread than most booster car seats . You can expect to use it from preschool through elementary school, and those extra years of use help justify the higher price.

Our testers said the nine-position headrest was easy to adjust. Both our Lab experts and parent testers also love the Britax ClickTight system, which makes it a snap to lock this booster car seat in place in your backseat when it's in harness mode. The seat fabric is removable and it can even go in the washing machine and the dryer.

With three layers of side-impact protection and the brand's SafeCell Technology that helps absorb the crash energy, you know your little one will be protected. However, this a heavy, substantial booster car seat. Expect to keep it in your main vehicle; it doesn't lend itself much to swapping between cars.

If you're looking for something for an older kid that doesn't take up quite as much room as other booster seats, consider a backless booster like this popular Graco model. It uses the LATCH system to securely connect in the backseat, but it's also a super portable booster seat for kids who don’t need added neck and back support . It still does the job of offering the height needed to get the seat belt in the right place, but kids can feel "bigger" and you can take this on trips or move it from car to car.

The TurboBooster is great for preteens not quite ready to transition to sitting unaided in the car, but looking for more independence. Several of our testers noted how this made it easier for their kids to buckle themselves in. For parents, we found the machine-washable seat pad to be easy to clean. The integrated cupholder and hidden storage compartment are a way to keep a drink and snacks (or a small toy) handy.

This harness booster seat, which might not be out of place in the cockpit of a space ship, has kid appeal with the fun latching snack console, two cupholders, and mesh fabric that can help keep a kid's back cooler in hot weather. Parents like that the fabric can unzip to be washed in cold water (hang it to dry), and those cupholders can go in the dishwasher.

The MyFit can accommodate a child up to 54 inches tall in harness mode, making it a way to extend a tall little kid's time in a five-point safety harness if you prefer. In high back booster mode, it does not fit a child as tall or as heavy as some other seats on our list, so we mostly like this for preschool and early-school age kids. The headrest adjusts to nine positions and there are also four recline settings.

This is another substantially heavy choice; once you use the LATCH system to secure it into your main vehicle, you're likely to keep it there. As with the other Chicco choice, the SuperCinch tightener makes this one easier to install than many others.

Nuna's booster comes in some beautiful colors (pink, teal, dark green), giving it a high-end look without being on the far end of the price spectrum. The seat's fabric is Greenguard Gold certified too. The headrest adjusts to nine different positions; as you push it upwards, the shoulder width moves out as well, so it expands as your child grows (accommodating up to 120 pounds). You can even choose from three seat depths and eight recline positions, making this seat among the most customizable to your child's size .

If your child is most likely to be excited about their seat if it is in a fun color, this will help win them over. The cupholder is not integrated (it just hooks on), but because it removes easily, you can put it through the dishwasher. The fabric comes off as well for washing and the seat connects with a LATCH system. Energy-absorbing foam pads on the sides of the seat help with side-impact protection when this is in high back mode.

The seatback of the aptly named Alta goes higher than any other booster car seat on our list, stretching up to 33 inches tall at the top level of the seven headrest positions. Though it's only recommended for children up to 57 inches tall, that high back can work well for kids who have a long torso. A belt-routing system guides both the shoulder strap and the lap belt to rest safely and securely . This helps kids learn how to buckle up on their own and ensures that grown-ups put the straps in the right place too.

Secure the seat with rigid LATCH connectors that fit it tightly into your vehicle. Our experts appreciate the specialized foam featured on the sides of the seat that provides additional side-impact protection. Consumer testers could tell that this seat has high-quality construction. "We like the wide shoulder support and the adjustable head positioning," one said. The removable seat fabric is machine-washable, and the seat's one cupholder is removable as well and can be positioned on either side.

This unique and sleek-looking booster seat is on the higher end of the price range, but it includes numerous safety measures that impress our Lab experts. The Oobr, manufactured in North America, is made with rigid LATCH connectors and a winged headrest for increased stability . Plus, it has belt guides to make sure the seat belt rests over your child’s body in the correct places. It's also easy to tell whether or not the seat is properly in place since you'll hear an audible click when secure.

"This booster seat feels solid, though it's still comfortable for my child," says GH Institute Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Executive Director Lexie Sachs , a mom of two. The headrest adjusts to any of 11 positions and the seat can recline 12 degrees. It also has a removable cup holder and a removable seat cover for easy cleaning. When your child is ready, you can take off the back and use this as a backless booster. And when you're completely finished with it, you can look into Clek's recycling program in partnership with CarSeatRecycling.com.

How we test booster car seats

The Good Housekeeping Institute 's engineering and parenting pros have tested 15 booster seats over the past two years using a combination of in-Lab and at-home tests with both experts and consumer reviewers.

Our experts perform in-Lab tests to evaluate car seats based on their ease of installation, perceived kid comfort, ease of getting kids in and out of the car, advanced features, headrest adjustments, height and weight limits, stability and more.

We also work with real parents to test booster seats in a variety of vehicle sizes and types.

What to look for when shopping for a booster car seat

✔️ Height and weight limits : All booster seats come with minimum and maximum height and weight specifications. To ensure proper seat belt placement and optimal security, make sure your child fits within those ranges. If you have a convertible car seat with a booster-seat mode, or a booster that transitions from high back to backless, hold onto the user manual (or check on the brand's website) so you know when it's time to safely switch.

✔️ Seat adjustments : For the safest and most comfortable ride, look for a high back booster seat that offers neck or back height adjustments. Some models also feature width adjustments to offer a more custom fit.

✔️ Easy cleaning : Regardless of age, spills happen. Luckily, like many infant and convertible car seats, most booster seats offer removable machine-washable seat covers and padding.

✔️ Design : Oftentimes an older child may be more vocal about a seat that looks "cool." Many seats come in a range of colors and patterns to choose from, as well as accessories like cup holders and snack trays that allow them to keep their items close.

✔️ Safety : A highback build with robust side-impact protection will be safer than a backless booster model. We also prefer booster seats that attach to your backseat via LATCH connectors, so the booster does not slide around. If you want to get even more information on your seat, check its safety rating on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety site ( IIHS ).

✔️ Ease of use : You want to make sure that is simple to install and use. Lucia Sanchez, Director of Media Relations for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), stresses that, "The right car seat for your child is one that fits your child (appropriate for age and size), fits your vehicle, and that you will use correctly every time."

What age is best for a booster car seat?

Booster seats provide a safe way for kids to ride in the car before they're tall and heavy enough to sit directly on the seat. Many high back booster seats are meant to start at around age 4 and many backless booster seats are meant for ages 5 and up.

However, children vary by weight, height and readiness and many may be best off staying in their convertible car seat longer, moving to a booster seat (or booster mode, if their convertible car seat offers one) at age 7, 8 or older. Use the NHTSA's car seat finder to determine what's best for your child's current weight, height and age. Then double-check the manufacturer specifications to be sure your child is within a seat's size guidelines.

It's important that you don't rush a child into using the car's seat belt . They are safest in a five-point harness, whether that is via a convertible car seat or a booster seat, until they hit the Lower Anchor Weight Limit, which NHTSA sets at 65 pounds minus the weight of the car seat unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. Most manufacturers say you can use their five-point harness to 65 pounds.

"The best-practice recommendation is that children should remain in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether until they reach the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer," Sanchez says. " Once children outgrow the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it’s time to travel in a booster seat. A booster seat positions the child so the seat belt fits properly, with the lap belt worn low across the hips and the shoulder belt comfortably crossing the chest and shoulder and away from the neck and face."

Depending on your state's car seat laws , children may be required to use a safety seat until they're large enough to sit in the car with the seat belt secured at the right areas of their body. A child is likely ready to ditch the booster seat once they are tall enough (usually 57 inches), old enough (at minimum 8 years old) and, when they sit on the car's seat, the seat belt fits across their shoulder and over their upper legs or hips. Check your local regulations to ensure your child meets height, weight and age requirements before transitioning them out of a booster.

One final note from NHTSA: Kids are safest riding in the back seat up until age 13, so keep them buckled up in the back seat until then.

Harness vs high-back vs. backless booster seats

Your child has been riding in a car seat since birth. But just when you've figured out the infant car seats from the convertible car seats , you learn that there are multiple options for forward-facing booster car seats too. Actually many booster car seats have more than one mode.

These are the possible configurations:

✔️ Harness booster seats look the most like regular car seats because they secure your child in a five-point safety harness. For this reason, you can transfer your child to a harness booster seat at a preschool age. Note that you can only keep them in that five-point harness until they hit about 65 pounds or whatever the Lower Anchor Weight Limit is set by the seat manufacturer. After that, you'll need to transition your seat to high back mode.

✔️ High-back booster seats offer neck and head support similar to any regular car seat. However, with one of these, you use your vehicle's seat belt to secure your child rather than a harness. Expect to thread the seat belt through for your child at first, especially when they are still young. Most of our favorite high back booster seats have clear guides that help you find the path for the seat belt.

✔️ B ackless booster seats rely on your child leaning back on the regular car seat and using the car's seat belt. They are the closest thing to your child sitting like an adult; they're just boosted up from below so that the seat belt hits them in the right spot. By the time a child has graduated to a backless booster, they can likely buckle themselves in. Many high back boosters transition to a backless booster (you literally just remove the back), but you can also buy a backless booster on its own. Backless boosters are inexpensive and lightweight, great for travel and car pooling.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

The Good Housekeeping Institute provides expert reviews and advice on everything a parent needs.

For more than 15 years, GH Institute Chief Technologist and Director of Engineering Rachel Rothman has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing and writing about parenting products. She leads our testing efforts in both the auto space and most juvenile products, including car seats, meaning each year she installs over 100 car seats in vehicles. As a mom to three kids age 6 and younger, she's personally used many of the products we recommend in real life.

This article was originally written by Jamie Spain , a writer and product analyst who has reviewed a variety of parenting products for Good Housekeeping , from tricycles to toy organizers . This article was most recently updated by Jessica Hartshorn , who has covered the juvenile-products market for several decades, first at American Baby magazine and then at Parents . She also reviews toys for GH, such as the best water tables and best magnetic toys .

Jamie (she/her) is a parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute , where she spends her time testing, researching and writing about pet and family products. Prior to starting at GH in 2021, she worked at BuzzFeed and People , covering a combination of product reviews and lifestyle content. She's a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a master’s degree in journalism.

Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents .

Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years , overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. 

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• Car Seats /

Best Car Seats for Travel

Our favorite travel-friendly infant, convertible & booster seats for the baby days through the big-kid years., by jen labracio.

Ever try to lug a 20-pound car seat through an airport while thinking to yourself, “There has to be a better way?”

Traveling with babies and young children can be a great adventure, but it can also be a bit of a logistical nightmare. Where will they sleep? (A travel crib or a travel bed usually do the trick.) Can you fly with breastmilk ? (Yes.) How do you keep a toddler entertained on a long flight? (Thoughts and prayers.)

Car seats can be especially confusing when you’re away from home. Most present a bit of a conundrum: you want your to keep your little one safe and secure, but you don’t want to throw out your back lugging a big, bulky car seat around with you wherever you go. The good news is there are plenty of travel-friendly car seat options on the market—you just need to know what features to look for.

Babylist’s Top Picks for the Best Travel Car Seats

Best infant car seats.

• Lightest Infant Car Seat: UPPAbaby Aria Car Seat
• Best Affordable Infant Car Seat: Evenflo Litemax 35 Infant Car Seat
• Best Luxury Infant Car Seat: Nuna Pipa Rx Infant Car Seat with Relx Base
• Best Infant Car Seat + Stroller: Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller

Best convertible car seats

• Best Convertible: Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat
• Longer Lasting Convertible: Evenflo Sonus 65 Convertible Car Seat
• Most Compact Convertible: WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat

Best booster seats

• Best High-back: Graco TurboBooster 2.0 Highback Booster Car Seat
• Best Backless: Cosco Rise Backless Booster Car Seat

In This Article

• How We Chose the Best Travel Car Seats
• Our Top Picks

What Is a Travel Car Seat?

Do you need a travel car seat, features to look for in a travel car seat, babylist’s picks for the best car seats for travel, infant car seats, lightest infant car seat for travel.

UPPAbaby Aria Infant Car Seat - Jake

The UPPAbaby Aria, one of our top car seats for infants , hit the market in early 2024 and we couldn’t be more excited about it. The brand’s OG car seat, the Mesa , is a popular choice for expecting parents but is a few pounds heavier than many comparable seats. The Aria comes in much lighter, weighing just under six pounds without the canopy and inserts, making it the lightest infant seat currently on the market. This is great if you’re using the seat daily, but even better if you’re using it for travel.

The Aria is GREENGUARD Gold Certified and can be installed with or without its base, another travel plus. (It features something called a European belt path , a routing system that makes installing the seat without its base safer and more secure.) A no-rethread harness makes fit adjustments easy and there’s a load leg and an anti-rebound bar for safety and stability. We also love the XL canopy for shade and darkness and that you won’t need adapters if you’re connecting the seat directly to a Vista or Cruz stroller.

Additional Specs

Best affordable infant car seat for travel.

Evenflo Litemax 35 Infant Car Seat - Knowville Gray

You don’t have to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on a travel-friendly infant car seat. Evenflo’s LiteMax (another of our top baby car seats ) costs a bit over $100 and weighs only eight pounds, making it affordable and travel-ready. You can install it without its base—it even has a European belt path. There’s a full-coverage canopy and an ergonomically designed handle for easier carrying.

If you don’t mind spending a bit more and are looking for some extra safety features, check out the LiteMax DLX , which features a load leg. (Just remember that the load led extends from the base, so if you’re using just the seat you won’t have that benefit.) And for another affordable infant car seat for travel, check out Graco’s SnugRide 35 Lite LX Infant Car Seat . It weighs just over seven pounds and can be installed without the base when you don’t feel like bringing it along.

Best Luxury Infant Car Seat for Travel

Nuna Pipa Rx Infant Car Seat with Relx Base - Granite

The Pipa Rx is a stellar combination of safety + convenience and works just as well as an everyday car seat as it does for travel. It’s pricey, but it’s also a sleek, modern seat with two key features that make it ideal for travel: weight and ease of installation. The Pipa weighs just over seven pounds, making it one of the lightest infant car seats on the market—a huge plus when you’re carrying it through the airport or taking it in and out of your car. And like other seats on our list, you can install it without the base using your vehicle’s seat belt and the European belt path.

It’s also packed with high-end features that you’d expect in a higher-priced seat. It’s GREENGUARD Gold Certified and doesn’t contain any added fire-retardant chemicals, and there’s an oversized canopy for shade. Safety-wise, it excels, featuring both a load leg and an anti-rebound panel (both extra safety features that help absorb impact and rebound in the event of a crash).

For another high-end, travel-friendly seat, check out the Clek Liingo . It’s a bit heavier, but it features LATCH anchors built right into the car seat itself, meaning you can skip the base and the seat belt and install it securely in seconds.

Best Infant Car Seat Stroller Hybrid for Travel

Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller - Nitro Black

There’s nothing quite like the Doona. This one-of-a-kind hybrid stroller + car seat is a favorite of on-the-go parents and is a great item of baby gear to own if you’ll be traveling frequently with your little one during their first year or so.

The Doona transforms from an infant car seat into a stroller with the click of a button. When it’s time to get in the car, the stroller legs and wheels pull up and fold under the car seat. It’s a dream if you’re looking to cut down on the amount of gear you’re lugging around when you’re away from home and if you’re looking for a seat that’s easy to get in and out of ride shares or rental cars. (It’s a great seat for city dwellers too.)

Convertible Car Seats

Best convertible car seat for travel.

Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat

Most convertible seats aren’t designed for travel. Weighing in at an average of about 20 pounds, convertibles don’t snap into strollers and are heavy, bulky and meant to be installed in your car and stay there. For parents who travel frequently or don’t own a car, getting around with a convertible seat poses quite the challenge.

The Next, which is ranked as one of our best convertible car seats , solves for this dilemma. It weighs about 10 pounds—light for any car seat but especially so for a convertible. It’s easy to sling over your shoulder while you’re walking through the airport or install in an airplane seat or a ride share. (It’s FAA-approved for plane travel.) It’s totally no-frills and can be a bit tricky to get a secure install, but it’s slim, safe and affordable and can be used both rear- and forward-facing.

A Longer Lasting Travel-Friendly Convertible Pick

Evenflo Sonus 65 Convertible Car Seat - Rocco Red

The Sonus 65 is a travel-friendly convertible car seat and a good choice if you’re looking for a seat with a higher height and weight maximum than the Cosco Scenera Next. It weighs a bit more, but only by about a pound, and you’ll be able to use it until your little one reaches 65 pounds or 50 inches as opposed to the Next which maxes out at 40 pounds and 43 inches.

In addition to its extended use capabilities, the Sonos is an affordable seat with a few noteworthy features. It’s a fairly narrow seat, so it won’t take up much room across your back seat and can be used three across. There’s also a built-in ventilation system, a reinforced frame, five shoulder strap positions and two integrated cup holders for drinks and snacks.

Most Compact Convertible Car Seat for Travel

WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat

The WAYB Pico is like no other convertible car seat on the market. Designed specifically for families who travel or are frequently on the go, it’s one of the pricer options on our list but is a worthwhile investment if you’re looking for an innovative, safe and incredibly compact convertible car seat option.

The creators of the Pico were inspired to create a completely unique convertible-style seat after watching parents struggle trying to lug car seats through airports and in and out of taxis and ride shares. There’s no feature here that hasn’t been completely (and ingeniously) thought through. The Pico’s frame is made from lightweight, aerospace-grade aluminum; there’s a five-point harness and seat fabric made from a cool, breathable mesh; and the seat installs either via a seat belt or LATCH system. The Pico weighs just eight pounds and folds up for easy transport either by hand or in the brand’s carry bag .

One thing to keep in mind: the seat is forward-facing only, so if you’re looking for a rear-facing convertible for travel, this isn’t a good fit for you.

Booster Seats

Best booster seat for travel.

Graco TurboBooster 2.0 Highback Booster Car Seat

Booster seats use a vehicle’s seat belt as a restraint and were developed to help elevate children in a car’s seat, making adult seat belts fit better on smaller bodies. You’ll have to wait quite a while until you transition your little one from a convertible car seat into a booster; most experts recommend waiting to make the leap until your child maxes out their forward-facing car seat, meets the height and weight requirements of the booster and is mature enough to sit properly upright (no leaning, twisting, moving around etc.).

There are two types of boosters: high-back and backless. Graco’s TurboBooster falls into the first category, with a high back and a seat belt guide to thread your vehicle’s shoulder belt for a proper fit. Due to their height, no high-backs are particularly great for travel, but this one is one of the best you’ll find in terms of price (affordable) and weight (just over eight pounds). It’s also easy to install and fits a wide variety of children well, and transitions to a backless booster for years of use.

Best Backless Booster Seat for Travel

Cosco Rise Backless Booster Car Seat

Most experts recommend using a high-back booster for as long as possible , but once you’re ready to make the switch to a backless model, your life is going to get a whole lot easier (and a lot lighter!). Cosco’s Rise is a no-frills seat that’s affordable, lightweight and compact, making it ideal to toss into a bag or even a tote for travel. The wide base and high armrests make it easy for your child to buckle in themselves and there’s a shoulder belt positioning clip to ensure you’ll get the proper fit.

How We Chose Our Best Car Seats for Travel

• We analyzed results from Babylist’s Best Baby Products survey , which polled 6,000 Babylist users and asked them to share the baby products they love the most and why.
• We utilized insight from the Babylist editorial team, including Gear Editor Jen LaBracio, an expert in the baby space for over six years and a mom of two who has written hundreds of baby gear guides and personally researched and tested hundreds of baby products, including many travel car seats.
• We reviewed customer reviews from hundreds of real Babylist parents.

There’s no specific category or true definition for a “travel” car seat; instead, what defines a travel-friendly car seat is more about its features. Things like a light weight, compact design and ease of portability are all factors to consider when you’re shopping for this type of seat.

Determining if it’s worthwhile to invest in a car seat just for travel depends on your family’s lifestyle. If you’re a family who tends to stay close to home or use your own car when you’re traveling, you can likely skip a travel-friendly seat. But if you’re planning on hitting the road (or the skies) frequently with your little one in tow, then purchasing a car seat specifically for travel can make your life on the go a whole lot easier.

Also keep in mind that you don’t have to use a travel-friendly car seat just for travel. A compact, lightweight car seat is a great choice if you’re an urban family that doesn’t own a car, for example, if you need a seat for a grandparent or other caregiver or if plan to switch your seat frequently between cars.

There are some specific features to keep in mind when you’re shopping for a car seat that’s well-suited for travel.

• Weight. This is a biggie. Lugging around a heavy car seat isn’t a fun way to spend any part of your vacation. Choose the lightest seat you can within your budget—your lower back can thank us later.
• Design. A slim, compact seat is easier to transport than a big, bulky one. Keep this in mind when choosing what type of seat you’ll purchase for traveling.
• Ease of installation. Does spending 40 minutes trying to install a car seat in your rental car sound like fun? Make sure the car seat you choose for travel can be installed quickly and easily in the widest range of car makes and models.
• FAA-approved. This one’s important if you plan on doing a lot of travel via plane. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids ride in child safety seats on airplanes —but you’ll need to make sure your seat is approved for airplane use . Look for a label on the seat that reads “certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft” to be sure. This includes infant seats, convertibles, forward-facing seats and some harnessed boosters.

Jen LaBracio

Senior gear editor.

Jen LaBracio is Babylist’s Senior Gear Editor, a role that perfectly combines her love of all things baby gear with her love of (obsessive) research. When she’s not testing out a new high chair or pushing the latest stroller model around her neighborhood, she likes to run, spin, listen to podcasts, read and spend time at the beach. In her past life, she worked for over a decade in children’s publishing. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and their two boys, Will and Ben.

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

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• Best backless

Best booster seat for older kids

• Best adjustable
• Best lightweight
• Best for travel

Switching from a car seat to a booster seat is a major transition that hinges not just on the age of your child but also their weight, height, and maturity level. Booster seats are made for children who have outgrown their harnessed car seat but aren’t tall enough to safely use a regular seat belt. Seat belts and cars are designed to fit adults four feet nine inches and taller, so instead of sitting across the bony hips of an adult, the lap belt of a seat belt ends up going across the belly of a 4-year-old, explains Eli Gurock, founder and CEO of the baby-gear and toy retailer Magic Beans . Booster seats literally give your child the boost they need to ensure proper seat-belt placement. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , most kids should use either a high-back or a backless booster seat until they are between 8 and 12 years old.

The American Academy of Pediatrics echoes this recommendation, and 48 of 50 states have laws on the books requiring kids to use boosters until they reach a certain age, height, or combination of both. All booster seats also have a minimum weight requirement (typically 40 pounds) that your child must meet before they can safely make the switch from a harnessed car seat to a booster seat.

Finally, there is the question of whether your child is ready to use a booster seat from a behavior standpoint. Alisa Baer, pediatrician and co-founder of thecarseatlady.com , says parents and caregivers must consider their child’s ability to sit in a booster without slouching, leaning, or yanking on the seat belt.

As with car seats, every booster seat on the market in the U.S. has to pass strict Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards before it can be sold. So you can trust that all booster seats will provide a baseline level of protection. That means the best one for you and your family will likely come down to additional factors like the size of your car or your kid’s particular opinions about everything from color to how cushy the seat is under their butt. To help you get a head start, I talked to parents and experts about the booster seats they like best for a range of different situations.

What we’re looking for:

Height and weight requirements.

Most booster seats have a minimum weight requirement of around 40 pounds and a maximum weight limit of around 100 pounds. It’s crucial to respect these boundaries and not transition your child too soon or keep them in a seat once they have outgrown it. This is because all seats are tested to meet certain safety standards based on their specific size constraints.

Similarly, there are minimum and maximum requirements for height. These ensure a proper fit with a harness or the car’s seat belt. If your kid is on the tall side (or you just want the seat to last as long as possible), you’ll want to look for a booster seat with higher height limits or one that is adjustable or convertible. I listed the maximum weight and height limit of each seat below. For booster seats that can be used both with a harness and without, I listed the weight limits for each mode.

There are three main types of booster seat, and all of them serve the same purpose: to boost a child’s body and ensure proper seat-belt placement.

High-back booster: High-back boosters have more structure around the head and shoulders to position the shoulder belt, give your child a place to rest their head, and minimize forward head movement , side impact, and whiplash in the event of a crash.

Backless booster: Backless boosters are much lower profile and more portable. They usually have the same weight and height restrictions as harness-free high-back boosters and often work best for older kids who still need to use a booster but don’t want to be seen as babyish, or as a space-saving option to keep in your trunk for carpooling or when traveling. They are also generally less expensive and take up less space in the back seat of a car.

Convertible booster: To get the most use out of a booster seat you can buy one that starts out as a forward-facing car seat with a five-point harness that can be removed or stowed away once your child is ready to transition to the regular seat belt. In some cases, if you are buying a high-back booster seat for an older kid and won’t need to use the seat with a younger one, it’s easier to get the one without a harness. There are also some convertible seats that are designed to go from high-back to backless boosters as children get older and bigger. These convertible seats are often marketed as “grow with you” or “3-in-1,” “4-in-1,” or “all-in-one” convertible car seats and can be a good investment for families who would like to use the same car seat for many years and multiple children.

LATCH vs. seat-belt secured

The LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) is a standardized system that allows you to secure a car seat or booster seat to your vehicle via anchors located within the vehicle’s seats. LATCH-equipped booster seats connect directly to your car’s LATCH anchors, providing added stability and keeping a booster seat more secure, even if there isn’t a kid sitting it, so it doesn’t slide around when it’s not in use or become a projectile in the event of a crash.

LATCH-equipped booster seats come with either rigid or flexible LATCH connections. Rigid LATCH uses alligator-like clips that come directly out of the car seat or base without any straps or rotation. They provide a more secure connection. Flexible LATCH connectors are attached to a pull strap that can be tightened or loosened, either by hand or, depending on the seat, with some type of tightening mechanism. Both options are safe and meet FMVSS requirements, but rigid LATCH is easier to install and doesn’t require any manual tightening or adjusting, ensuring correct installation. Always check the LATCH weight maximums for both your vehicle and your booster seat, and ensure that the combined weight of your child and the seat falls within the published limits.

Booster seats without LATCH rely on the vehicle’s seat belt to hold the seat, and the child, in place. These types of booster seats are usually lighter and more portable. They are also less expensive and can be used in any car with a seat belt. This may be helpful for families with older cars that don’t have LATCH anchors.

Extra safety and specialty features

Every car seat and booster seat on the market in the U.S. must pass strict Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards before it can be sold. But those standards are contingent on you installing the seat in your car correctly and your child meeting the height and weight requirements for the seat. Outside of that, you might want to consider additional safety features, like side impact cushioning, and details that make a booster seat easier to use and more comfortable for your kid, like cupholders and extended footrests. I’ve highlighted the notable safety and convenience features of each of the car seats in our list.

Booster seats range from $40 to over $300 depending on the complexity of the seat and added features. I’ve sorted the seats on our list into one of four price categories listed as $, $$, $$$, and $$$$, respectively: under $100, under $200, under $300, and over $300.

Best booster seat overall

Max height and weight: Harness: 65 pounds, 49 inches; Booster: 120 pounds, 63 inches | Seat type: Convertible | LATCH type: Rigid or seat-belt installation depending on child’s weight | Extra safety and specialty features: Forward-facing harness-to-booster, ClickTight installation system, one-handed head and harness adjustment, 2 recline positions, 2 cupholders, 4 colors | Price: $$$$

This convertible booster from Britax can transition from a forward-facing car seat with a five-point harness to a high-back booster that uses the car’s seat belt. Strategist senior editor Winnie Yang has been using it for three years with her now 8-year-old daughter and bought it after using (and loving) a Britax car seat that also has the brand’s ClickTight installation system. ClickTight is a mechanical tightening system that allows you to get a very snug and secure install in your car without breaking a sweat.

Yang was looking for a booster seat that had a five-point harness option she could eventually stop using once her daughter was ready for the regular seat belt, since the harness provides more protection for smaller children in the event of a crash. She likes that the harness and headrest are easy to adjust one-handed and that the ClickTight makes it really easy to install. According to Yang, being able to remove the cover and throw it in the washing is a nice touch, and the ample cup and snack holders are a convenient feature even if they do end up mostly filled with rocks and other treasures.

Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio has also used this seat with her two kids, both in harness mode and booster mode, and along with Gurock recommends it as an easy and gradual way to transition from a bulkier harnessed car seat to a booster seat. Its combination of an easy install, streamlined design, welcome comfort and convenience features, and dual use as both a harnessed seat and a booster seat make it my pick for the best booster seat overall.

Best (less expensive) booster seat overall

Max height and weight: Harness: 65 pounds, 49 inches; Booster: 120 pounds, 57 inches | Seat type: Convertible | LATCH type: Flexible latch or seat-belt installation depending on child’s weight | Extra safety and specialty features: Slim enough to fit 3 across in many backseats, memory-foam cushioning, 2 cupholders, 11 colors | Price: $$$

For about $100 less, this convertible car seat from Diono also allows for use with a five-point-harness that can be removed once your child is ready to transition to the booster mode that uses the car’s seat belt. It is technically a 3-in-1 seat that can be used rear-facing from infancy, but New York deputy editor Alexis Swerdloff started using as when her son was 5 years old. She says he seems very comfortable in the seat even when sleeping and that the straps are easy to buckle and tighten. The headrest is adjustable, and the seat can be folded up so that the booster will fit in an airplane’s overhead compartment. The Diono is also one of the slimmest seats on the market and can fit three across the backseat in many cars. Because it can be used both rear-facing and front-facing, in addition to its being a high-back booster seat, it’s a fantastic value.

Best high-back booster seat

Max height and weight: 100 pounds, 57 inches | Seat type: High-back convertible | LATCH type: Rigid | Extra safety and specialty features: Slim enough to fit 3 across many backseats, 12 degrees of recline, 1 cupholder, 11 colors | Price: $$$$

Tot Squad founder Jennifer Saxton , a certified CPST ( child-passenger-safety technician ), likes that this seat has a rigid latch system and that it reclines so your kid can take a nap comfortably. Clek is known for making very durable, well-thought-out products but also expensive ones. This is the most expensive seat on the list by about $90. What you get for the extra cost is a stylish, slim, and minimal-looking booster seat that can be converted from high-back booster to a backless booster as your child grows.

Best backless booster seat

Height and weight requirements: 100 pounds, 57 inches | Seat type: Backless | LATCH type: Seat-belt installation | Extra safety and specialty features: Lightweight, shoulder cincher, ClearTex material, cupholders | Price: $

This backless booster weighs just five pounds, and since it rests on the back seat of your car while your child is secured by the car’s seat belt, moving it between cars takes just a few seconds. Trolio likes it for carpools and travel and appreciates that it has a clip for cinching the seat belt at the child’s shoulder to help achieve the safest possible fit. Because it also has cupholders, cushioning, and Greenguard Gold–certified ClearTex fabric, it’s a good-value backless booster for everyday use with older kids.

Height and weight requirements: 110 pounds, 57 inches | Seat type: Convertible | LATCH type: Flexible LATCH with SuperCinch | Extra safety and specialty features: Quick release button, ClearTex fabric, 2 cupholders, 9 colors | Price: $$

This harness-free option can be used as a high-back or backless booster. It comes recommended by Trolio, who previously used three-in-one and all-in-one editions of the Graco Extend2Fit convertible car seat for her now 6- and 8-year-old daughters. Trolio ultimately replaced the Graco seats because they were still quite bulky in booster mode. Both of her daughters have used this KidFit, which is more streamlined in the back seat. It has a flexible LATCH system to secure it to your car’s anchors with Chicco’s SuperCinch feature to ensure a snug fit. (SuperCinch is similar to Britax’s popular ClickTight system.) If you’re hopping between cars, you’ll like that the seat has a quick-release button to unlatch it. Other features include cupholders and Chicco’s Greenguard Gold–certified ClearTex fabric. (For slightly younger kids who would still be safer in a harness, Trolio recommends the similar Chicco MyFit Harness Booster with ClearTex , which her 6-year-old used with a harness until she was ready to transition to a seat belt.)

Best adjustable booster seat

Height and weight requirements: 120 pounds, 63 inches | Seat type: Convertible | LATCH type: Rigid | Extra safety and specialty features: Extended height limit, independently adjustable headrest and backrest, 1 cupholder, 3 colors | Price: $$$

For a booster seat to fit your child properly, it should guide the seat belt over their lap , across their chest, and between their shoulder and neck . This can be tricky for kids who are taller in their torso versus their legs. The Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle Plus 120 is unique in that its headrest, backrest, and side wings can all be adjusted independently of one another, making it easier to get the right fit. When your child is ready for a backless booster seat, the upper portion of the seat can be removed from the base.

Best lightweight booster seat

Height and weight requirements: 100 pounds, 57 inches | Seat type: High-back | LATCH type: Rigid | Extra safety and specialty features: Extra seat-belt routing at the crotch, 1 cupholder, 4 colors | Price: $$

While most rigid LATCH booster seats are on the heavy side, the Uppababy ALTA booster seat weighs just 16.6 pounds, making it easier to move from car to car or car to house. It is the second-lightest booster seat on the list, bested only by the inflatable travel booster seat below. It’s also more ergonomic with an adjustable headrest that has seven different positions and extra seat-belt routing at the crotch, and not just at the shoulder, to further ensure correct seat-belt positioning. The included cupholder can be removed to save space.

Best booster seat for travel

Height and weight requirements: 100 pounds, 57 inches | Seat type: Backless | LATCH type: Seat-belt installation | Extra safety and specialty features:  Inflatable, shoulder-cincher, 4 colors and patterns | Price: $

Trolio and Saxton, as well as Renee McCabe , injury-prevention and Safe Kids coordinator for Safe Kids Greater Augusta, and Jennifer LaBracio, gear editor at Babylist , all pointed us in the direction of this inflatable Bubblebum travel booster seat, which compresses into a stuff sack about the size of a two-liter soda bottle for easy portability. Trolio finds it especially helpful when she is going to have extra kids in her car on the way home from school or soccer practice. Like the Chicco GoFit backless booster, it also has a clip for cinching the seat belt at the child’s shoulder to help achieve the safest possible fit. Boosters are not approved to use on airplanes, but McCabe notes that the Bubblebum is ideal for hopping in cars or Ubers. While the seat requires a bit of extra belt threading at the lap, it offers peace of mind that you aren’t taking unnecessary risk, even for short trips.

Our experts:

• Alisa Baer , pediatrician and co-founder of thecarseatlady.com • Eli Gurock , founder and CEO of the baby-gear and toy retailer Magic Beans • Kecia Healy , CPST instructor and member of the New York State Child Passenger Safety Advisory Board • Jennifer LaBracio , gear editor at Babylist • Renee McCabe , injury-prevention and Safe Kids coordinator for Safe Kids Greater Augusta • Ashlee Neuman , deputy editor at the Bump • Jennifer Saxton , founder of Tot Squad and CPST • Alexis Swerdloff , New York deputy editor and parent • Jen Trolio , Strategist senior editor and parent • Winnie Yang , Strategist senior editor and parent

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Today’s Top Clicked

Taking a booster seat on an airplane? Here’s what you need to know in 2023

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This article about taking a booster seat on an airplane is written by certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Melissa Conn and may contain affiliate links.

While there’s plenty to know about flying with a car seat , flying with a booster seat is much more straightforward. As long as your child is big enough and mature enough to ride in a booster seat (often not until age 5 or 6), making the switch can make your travels a heck of a lot easier.

Many parents wonder “can you bring a booster seat on a plane?” There are a few details to know in advance for a successful trip! Be sure to read these quick tips for bringing a booster seat on an airplane before you go:

Flying with a booster seat is easy

Booster seats are generally lighter than harnessed car seats. In fact, there are tons of awesome travel booster car seats to choose from that or ultra-light or even fold up for easy carrying and storage! Some booster seats weigh as little as 1 pound, while others can fit in your child’s carry-on backpack.

If your child is at least 40 pounds but you think he might not be mature enough to ride in a traditional booster seat in the car, take a look at the Ride Safer Travel Vest . It folds up small and doesn’t weigh much, so it’s easy to take in a carry-on but will keep your kid safe.

Can you use a booster seat on an airplane?

A booster seat’s job is to position a lap-shoulder seatbelt correctly on a child’s body. Since airplane seatbelts only have a lap portion, you can not use a booster seat on an airplane .

Even with some of the new premium seats that have lap-shoulder belts, you likely won’t be allowed to install a booster seat.

If you’re thinking about using a combination car seat (sometimes called a harnessed booster seat) on a plane, you’ll probably see a sticker with the following language – which can confuse both parents and flight crews:

When used with the harness system: This restraint is certified for use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft. When used without the harness system as a belt positioning seat: This restraint is not certified for use in Aircraft.

That just means that if you’re using a travel car seat like this one , it’s fine to use it on a plane in harness mode but not in booster mode. That’s an example of “FAA approved booster seats” but only because it has a harness option. If your booster seat doesn’t have a harness mode, it’s not FAA approved. There’s no such thing as an airplane booster seat.

The vast majority of booster riders don’t need a car or booster seat on a plane since they’re over 40 lbs, the weight at which the FAA says airplane seatbelts fit kids well enough. But if it’s a choice between checking your harnessed booster seat or using it on board, I’ll choose using it on board with the harness every single time – find out why .

Want to know all my best secrets? Click here to learn how to travel with your car seat like a pro!

Can a booster seat be a carry on?

Yes, a booster seat can be a carry on! We’ve taken booster seats on airplanes many times… but it depends on the size. If you’re bringing a backless booster, it’s easy to stick under the seat in front of your child or in the overhead bin. For a traditional booster seat, we bring this one thanks to its integrated carry handle and road trip friendly cup holders. If we won’t be doing too much driving, we love this inflatable booster seat that packs down into our son’s backpack. Read my in-depth Bubblebum review here.

If your child isn’t ready for a backless booster seat, your best bet for taking a booster seat as a carry on is to pick up a folding booster seat. Sadly my favorite folding booster seat (pictured below) has been discontinued. The next best option is the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 , which should fit in most overhead bins but perhaps not on the smallest regional hopper planes.

There are plenty of other travel highback booster car seats to choose from, but many of them fold too big to take as a carry on. If need be, you can remove the back of a normal booster seat and check it in a hard-sided suitcase and bring the backless portion as a carry on. Even if your luggage gets lost, you’ll still be able to use the backless portion on its own in a pinch.

Do you need a booster seat bag?

There are a few travel booster seats that come with a “ booster seat bag ” or give the option to purchase one separately. Do you need one? It’s really a matter of personal preference.

If you’re bringing a full-size backless booster seat with you, it may be easier to take it through the airport in a booster seat bag . That’ll give you the option of carrying it with the shoulder strap or putting it over the handle of wheeled luggage. We don’t own one yet, but I might buy one before our next trip! We should be able to fit both our new Graco Turbo GO ( full review here ) and our Ride Safer Travel vest ( full review here ) inside.

Make sure a booster seat is the right choice for your trip

Before you commit to traveling with a booster seat, make sure it’s the right choice for your child and your trip. What exactly does that mean?

• Your child should meet the minimum size and age requirements of their booster seat – each seat has its own standards.
• Your child should be mature enough to sit correctly in the booster seat 100% of the times, even if they’re tired after a long flight across many time zones.
• Be sure that your child meets the booster seat requirements of whatever country you’re visiting. Some of them are much more stringent than in the US. Find more information on booster seat rules for Australia , Costa Rica and Europe .

Booster seat on airplane FAQs

You can take a booster seat on a plane to transport it, but you can’t use a booster on a plane unless it has the option to be used in a harness mode.

You can take a high back booster on a plane to transport it, but you can’t use a high back booster on a plane unless it has the option to be used in a harness mode.

If you are bringing a backless booster seat, the best option is to take it in (or as) your carry-on luggage. If you are traveling with a highback booster seat, the safest choice is to separate the seat and the back; put the back in the overhead bin or pack it in your luggage and bring the seat on board as a carry-on. Alternatively, you can bring a booster seat that folds small enough to fit in the overhead bin .

If you choose to check your booster seat, most airlines don’t count it against your checked luggage allowance. Passengers are generally allowed one (sometimes two) free “baby items” per child.

Usually you can check a booster seat for free, but it’s recommended to bring at least the bottom of the seat on board with you.

In my experience flying a wide range of airlines, flight crews do not count backless booster seats (or folded travel highback booster seats) as a carry-on or personal item. My kids have put them under the seat in front of them with a small back pack on top or next to it, and sometimes we’ve put it in the overhead bin.

2 thoughts on “Taking a booster seat on an airplane? Here’s what you need to know in 2023”

I’m wondering about the width of harnessed boosters in order to use on a plane. I can’t find any that are within the “16.5″ / 17.3″ “ width of Alaska Airlines seats. Can you install a seat with the arm rests up? Can it be wider than the seat? I’m so lost.

Thanks for stopping by! Yes, you generally CAN put the arm rest up to install. It only becomes an issue if you’re putting two kids side by side in very wide car seats. If you share your kid’s age/height/weight I’m happy to help you choose one that’ll work well 🙂

Safe travels,

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Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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• 1800-2121-225
• [email protected]

• Moscow Metro Tour

Activity Details

- moscow tour packages – russian fairy tale tour 6 night / 7 days, activity overview.

• Description
• The Moscow Metro is among the biggest and thickest metro networks in the world.
• This makes it easier for people to travel quickly in Moscow.
• The Moscow Metro is made up of 12 lines and 200 stations, and it is around 333 kilometers long.

Activity Important

• Important to know
• Certified English speaking local guide.
• Hotel/port pickup and drop.
• Tips and personal expenses.
• Instant package confirmation at the time of booking.
• This package does not qualify for any refund policy.
• You will need to present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Other activities in Russia

Senate Square Tour

Red Square Tour

Moscow Tour

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