The headrest and seat covers of the UPPAbaby Alta are machine washable, but we found that brushing out the crumbs was enough to make the booster look like new. We didn’t have any challenges with cleaning the seat, and there were no deep or difficult-to-reach nooks and crannies. Plus, the plastic shell is a breeze to wipe down. For car seats without LATCH systems, they rely on the seat belts children use to install. So essentially, there’s no installation method. The booster seat sits directly on top of the vehicle seat, and children use the vehicle belt to secure themselves and the seat. Dr. Scott says you should only use booster seats with both the lap and shoulder seat belts, not the lap belts alone. The consensus among the kids who rode in this booster seat during our test was clear: They all thought it was super comfortable—and now we understand why. A seven-position headrest, multiple recline options, padded material, and armrests allow for a better fit and added comfort as kids grow. Like the other booster seats on our list, you push a handle on the top of the headrest to make it move up or down. Experts agree children should stay rear-facing until at least age 2. The recommendations from both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and NHTSA are that babies stay rear-facing as long as is allowed by the seat, and at the very least until they are 2 years old. Children can move to a booster as young as four years old. Still, despite the convenience of a booster, BabyGearLab agrees with the experts that children stay in their 5-point harness car seats as long as the manufacturer's recommendations allow. Depending on the car seat, this shift from a 5-point harness usually happens between 40-65 lbs. While parents love marking milestones as their little ones grow, transitions from one level of safety seat to another should not occur until your child has reached the maximum limits of the seat as defined by the manufacturer. Each time you move to a new level of safety seat, there is a reduction in the protection it provides. Don't be in a hurry!

Lastly, avoid inflatable booster seats, as they may deform under the forces of a crash, explains Dr. Jermakian. Inflatable booster seats are less stiff; if a collision happens, you need a unit that's stiff enough to keep the seat belt across the pelvis and shoulder. Under the forces of a crash, inflatable boosters may cause a child's hips to slip under the belt, which can cause the seat belt to move into the soft areas of the abdomen and result in serious injury, Dr. Jermakian adds. We appreciate the machine washable seat pad for when—not if—messes strike. The company says you can wash the seat pad separately in cold water on a gentle cycle. It’s also safe to tumble dry separately on low heat for 10 to 12 minutes.While we have other booster seats with LATCH systems on our list, our favorite is the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 because it's a dream to install with its rigid LATCH connectors. The manufacturer recommends this booster seat for kids weighing 40 to 120 pounds and measuring 39 to 63 inches tall. The seat weighs 14 pounds, which is about right for its size, yet doesn't feel heavy.

The UPPAbaby Alta Booster Seat boasts a feature no other booster we tested has: a lap belt positioner. This special piece helps kids 40 to 100 pounds and 38 to 57 inches tall find a proper fit easier. To find the best booster seats, we researched safety guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). We also spoke to parents and medical professionals. With this guidance in mind, we researched top-rated booster seats and considered their design, installation, ease of use, durability, safety features, and value. We then narrowed our list down to 19 booster seats that met our criteria and sent them home with our parenting editors to use with their children, ages 4 to 8, and in their personal vehicles. We appreciate the bright red seat belt guides beneath the armrests and under the headrest to help kids know where their seat belt goes. While kids missed having two cup holders (there’s only one), they didn’t struggle to fit or keep drinks in it.Many booster seats, like the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus and Maxi-Cosi RodiSport, feature colored seat belt paths so kids know where to put the vehicle belt for a proper fit. For older kids (and insistent young ones), look for a seat lightweight enough to carry from vehicle to vehicle. Lastly, consider a machine-washable seat cover for easy cleaning. Cost The Graco Nautilus 2.0 LX has several features for premium comfort, such as a 10-position headrest, a four-position recline, and padded seating. We had zero issues using any of the booster seat’s features; everything worked as it should, including the dual cup holders. A removable, machine-washable seat pad makes for easy cleanup every time. Unsnap buttons on the underside of the base and unhook tabs on the top of the seat to remove the padding. Wash the seat pad in cold water with gentle soap on a delicate cycle and drip dry. Shake crumbs and other loose debris out of the seat and use a vacuum for the rest.