Best Backless Booster Car Seats

Review & Comparison, Last Update February 12, 2024
Seek the most comfortable way to accommodate your growing toddler in a car for quick rides and city commutes? This is where a backless ...Read more
PROS

An innovational Quick-release LATCH system will let you take off the booster seat at a single pull of a handle. And a built-in carry handle makes it a breeze to move the seat when switching vehicles.

CONS

Cup holders are prone to scratches. 

OUR VERDICT

Created and constructed in compliance with NHTSA standards, the Chicco no-back booster offers the ultimate quality and meticulously thought-out design. A snap to install and remove, it comes fitted with a whole bunch of features to ensure the utmost kid's comfort and safety.

detailed parameters
Baby Weight and Height

40 - 110 lbs

38 - 57 inches

Age

4 years and up

Safety Features

Quick-release LATCH system, Lap belt guide for vehicle belt, meets NHTSA standard FMVSS 213 in the USA

Convenience

Armrests, 2 cup holders, Built-in carry handle, Contoured ErgoBoost® seat, Double foam padding, Non-marking underside, Machine-washable fabrics, Dishwasher-safe cup holders

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

Soft-padded armrests are height-adjustable to ensure maximum comfort for little sitters during longer rides. The cup holders can be hidden away and double as storage for snacks, toys, and other trifles.

CONS

Over time, stitches can fray a bit. 

OUR VERDICT

If you seek a backless booster to replace your full-scale baby car seat, this model from Graco is a good way to start the booster journey. Rigorously crash tested, the seat meets and exceeds the strictest US safety standards, so, you can rest assured your sweetie will be safe and duly protected.

detailed parameters
Baby Weight and Height

40 - 100 lbs

43 - 57 inches

Age

4 to 10 years

Safety Features

Сrash tested to meet or exceed US safety standards

Convenience

Padded, Height-adjustable armrests, 2 hide-away cup holders, Machine washable cushion

Warranty

1 year

PROS

Extra-plush padding along with a durable yet soft coating ensures great seating comfort during longer rides and quick trips, no matter how fidgety your kid is.

CONS

It will take some effort to put the cover back after cleaning. 

OUR VERDICT

The Booster from Cosco combines style and comfort with safety features to fit just about any vehicle and save your peace of mind about the kiddo's protection during car rides. Looking pretty simple, it boasts a federal safety certificate and comes in a variety of cover color designs to meet any taste. 

detailed parameters
Baby Weight and Height

40 - 100 lbs

43 - 57 inches

Age

4 years and up

Safety Features

Seat belt guides under the armrests, Tested to exceed Federal Safety Standards

Convenience

Extra-plush pad, Covered armrests, Fabric car seat cover (hand washable)

Warranty

1-year limited

PROS

Unlike common booster seats that raise a child to the proper seat belt level, this model will do just the opposite - it will bring the safety belt down to secure the child in three major points.  

CONS

The seat is a bit hard for long-time drives. 

OUR VERDICT

The Grab-and-go backless booster from mifold is a smartly designed model that is 10 times more compact than common boosters of this type. Folding to a fairly compact size, it will easily fit into your purse, a kid's backpack, or a glove box in your car. When unfolded,  it can be installed in any vehicle and will do exactly what a booster is meant for. 

detailed parameters
Baby Weight and Height

40 - 100 lbs

40 - 57 inches

Age

4 years and up

Safety Features

Optimal seatbelt fit, Quick-clip, Hard outer case (6061 aircraft-grade aluminum and Dupont™ Delrin® 100ST), Supportive DenseFoam with FrictionFabric, Meets NHTSA standard FMVSS 213 in the USA

Convenience

Three width settings, Model has won Mom’s Choice and Parents’ Picks Awards, Easy to clean with a mild solution of soap and water

Warranty

30-day money-back guarantee

PROS

The patented memory foam padding will closely follow your kid's natural body contours to provide comfortable anatomical support. 

CONS

It might turn out somewhat narrow for elder kids.

OUR VERDICT

Ready to use in just about 10 seconds, this inflatable booster car seat from BubbleBum is a great portable model for trips and travels as well as for car pooling and taxis.  Keeping your kiddie safe during occasional rides when on the go, it easily packs into a convenient carry bag. 

detailed parameters
Baby Weight and Height

40 - 100 lbs

up to 59 inches

Age

4 to 11 years

Safety Features

High-density nylon webbing, Side positioning clips, Meets and exceeds US and EU safety regulations

Convenience

Patented memory foam technology (IIHS Award-winning innovation), Stretchy carry bag included, Machine washable outer cover

Warranty

1 year

With Every Tiny Detail in Mind

Backless boosters are the simplest type of car seats for kids. However, there is still a great number of perks and features making some models far better than others. And the no-back booster car seat from Chicco has them all.

First and foremost, Chicco is a reputed brand and a true leader when it comes to products for kids. Hence, the item quality is second to none. Designed to accommodate 4-year old kids and children up to 110 lbs of weight and 57 inches in height, the whole seat construction is sturdy and made of premium materials. All plastic parts are durable and resistant to physical impact while the fabrics can easily withstand wear and regular cleans.

The seat itself is specifically shaped to closely follow the kid’s body contours and boasts double padding for maximum child’s comfort. Notably, the padding is soft and resilient enough not to sag or deform during use. To further maximize the kiddie’s comfort, the seat comes fitted with two padded armrests and two cup holders. Speaking of which, the cup holders are made of flexible material that allows folding them inside when not in use, thus, saving the seat space in a car.

As far as the kid’s safety is concerned, meeting the NHTS standards, the Chicco booster excels here as well. Unlike models from other brands, this seat boasts a special Quick-release LATCH system that will lock the seat securely in place to keep the child seated in a proper position. Furthermore, lap belt guides along with a shoulder belt clip will make sure the vehicle's seat belt is adjusted correctly and secured.

Convenience features no parent will leave unnoticed include a pull handle to release the booster and take it off the seat in mere seconds and a carry handle to easily move it in between vehicles. More than that, all fabric parts are removable and machine washable, so, maintaining the booster neat and clean won’t be a hassle at all.

All things considered, though not the cheapest model, the Chicco is one of the best backless booster car seats that offer the utmost comfort and safety to your kiddo and the ultimate ease of use to you.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $49.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B07M7WXK9S

Tested Safety and Comfort

Once your kiddie has outgrown the regular car seat and is not eager to travel in it anymore, it means the little one is ready for a booster. And the backless TurboBooster car seat from Graco is hands down the best way for an older child to tap into the adult-like travel experience.

Right off the bat, this model has been rigorously crash tested and proved to meet and even exceed the strictest US safety standards. Standing strong against the side, frontal, rollover, and rear crashes and resistant to extreme car interior temperatures, the seat provides a reliably high level of protection cutting down the risk of injuries in case of accidents to the minimum.

With that, the Graco seat is no slouch in terms of comfort as well. Raising kids up to the correct seat belt height, the seat is distinguished by a heavily cushioned soft seat and hefty padded armrests. It’s notable that armrests are adjustable in height to provide ergonomic and comfortable arm support for those longer rides that might be rather tiresome for kids. Two cup holders on the sides have a hide-away design and can double as storage for snacks, small toys, and other trifles. Though the seat has no specific latch system, it is smartly shaped to neatly fit against the car seat backrest and won’t shift or fall out as your little one moves in it or gets out of it.

To resume, focused on little passengers' safety, the Graco TurboBooster is a good way to transition from regular seats to boosters and maintain your peace of mind when driving a car with your precious child.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $24.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B007UYBOJU

VIDEO

Affordable Seating Comfort

Backless booster models that are on the lower side in terms of price often come short of comfort, thus, making children much less eager to ride in them. Yet, it will definitely not be the case with Cosco. So, if you are in the market for a truly comfy and affordable booster car seat, this model will surely hit the spot.

At a price tag below $20, the Cosco seat lacks some bells and whistles of premium models and features a fairly simple no-frills design. However, when it comes to seating comfort and safety, it doesn’t trail behind the top-liners. Thus, a sturdy and firm booster base is fully covered with a soft fabric to prevent any marks or indentations on the car seat. Meanwhile, paired with extra plush padding all over the seat area and armrests, the fabric contributes to proper seat cushioning to keep your kiddie comfy for shorter and longer rides alike. Even if you have a fussy little sitter who tends to fidget in the seat, the padding won’t sag or get compacted and retain its cushioning qualities for long. Though the model has no specific latch system, it snugly fits into a car seat and smartly shaped armrests allow fastening the kid in a proper safety position.

One more feature that sets the Cosco apart from the rivals is its slimmer and more compact design that not only makes it a breeze to handle but also will let you easily fit three boosters in a row on the back seat of most vehicles. As such, it is a real find for parents of triples or three kids born a year apart.

A fabric cover is removable and can be easily hand-washed. Just mind it might be a bit difficult to put back due to its single-item design.

Overall, the Cosco no-back booster car seat offers really good value for the money and will perfectly meet the needs of families with multiple kids.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $19.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B006ZISVSO

Smart Design

Casting a quick loot at the mifold booster that comes in a fairly small pack, you might feel skeptical about its efficiency and safety. Yet, don’t let the size fool you. The Grab-and-go booster car seat from mifold is really extremely compact. In fact, it is up to 10 times smaller than common full-scale models you’ll come across on the market and this is what makes it expressly portable. When folded, it is no bigger than an average notebook and, as such, it easily fits into a mid-sized handbag, kid’s backpack, or a glove box.

On the other hand, the item unfolds into a functional booster that does exactly what you expect from this sort of car safety gear. Thus, you’ll get an ample seat that can easily accommodate kids weighing up to 100 lbs or 57 inches tall just like any regular backless booster. Made of foamy material, though, it is not that high and not as much padded. However, the model is designed differently. Instead of raising the child up to the seat belt level, it brings the belt down. In the meantime, it will still secure the kid in a proper safety position, with the belt straps being fixed on the shoulder and hips. And for optimal comfort of older and smaller kids alike, it offers three width settings. So, the mifold booster meets the NHTSA standard FMVSS 213 not for nothing.

That said, a bit lacking in cushioning, this smartly designed foldable booster car seat from mifold might be not the best option for long-distance rides but it surely offers excellent grab-and-go convenience for short trips, taxi rides, and any other rides when away from home and your own car.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $29.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01H5VJJTE

A Travel-friendly Model

Most often than not, trips with kids are luggage packing. And you need far more than one bag to handle all the necessary stuff. Hence, a booster car seat (even the backless one) is probably the last thing you want to drag with you when traveling by plane or train. At the same time, it is the thing you really need when riding a taxi or renting a car abroad. This is where the booster from BubbleBum will come into play.

What you’ll get is a piece of safety gear that looks pretty much like a regular backless booster car seat that comes squeezed into a handy carry bag you can easily and conveniently take with you literally anywhere. Distinguished by an inflatable design, the item is not only compact but also fairly lightweight at 1.2 lbs. And it will hardly take you more than 30 seconds to inflate the booster when needed.

When inflated, the item makes up a full-scale car seat to comfortably accommodate a 4-year old or an elder kid up to 59 inches tall or 100 lbs in weight. The patented memory foam filling will further enhance the cushioning effect and closely follow your kid’s body contours to provide anatomical support. Meanwhile, two loops with special clips on the sides enable threading the seat belts for maximum safe kiddie’s positioning.

All made of durable and strong materials, the seat is not prone to punctures and will easily withstand extended use. Besides, the cover is removable and can be safely washed in a washing machine.

To sum it all up, if you need a reliable portable alternative to a rigid booster seat for international travels, taxi rides, carpools, or playdates, this inflatable backless booster car seat from BubbleBum will get you covered.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $29.99
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00AQYZCXK

What Is a Backless Car Seat Booster?

When it comes to the child’s safety in the car, there can be no compromises. Since you can’t protect or hold your kid when driving a car, it is essential to get the little one sitting in a maximum safe and, at the same time, comfortable and secure position. Both infant car seats, convertible car seats, and boosters work for that purpose. Yet, when your kiddie outgrows a harnessed seat but is still too small to sit with a vehicle belt properly fastened, a backless car seat booster is by far the best way to go.

Just like booster car seats, backless boosters are designed to accommodate children from 4 to about 12 years of age promoting correct seat belt positioning over the kid’s shoulders, chest, and hips. But, as the name suggests, backless models come without a backrest and are to be installed in flush with the vehicle seat backrest. Still providing good support and decent protection, backless boosters are far less bulky and more portable than their high-back rivals. As such, they are easier to transport and for elder kids, they look less “babyish”. No-back boosters are really great for daily car rides to the school or kindergarten as well as for short trips around the city or quick journeys to the suburbs. Meanwhile, for the sake of truth, it should be noted that high-back and backless models don’t differ too much in terms of the safety level they lend.

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