What Are The Different Types Of Booster Seats?

Booster seats are saviors to keep your baby safe and secure inside the car. But depending on your kid’s age and height, you need to decide on which booster seat you should get. Therefore, to decide on the type, you need to know exactly what the different types of booster seats are. 

Here, we have decided to make the choice easier for you. We have gathered and explained the main types of booster seats for you and the differences as well. You will get to know which booster seat will be perfect for your kid after reading today’s discovery. 

Alongside, we will share a detailed table on which type of booster seat you should get based on your kid’s age. You will also know how you should choose the booster seat. So, let’s dive into the main context! 

What Are The Different Types Of Booster Seats? 

If your child is growing up then you need to get a booster seat for his/her extended safety inside the car. But choosing a booster seat is quite a difficult job as there are hundreds of types of booster seats. So there are different types of booster seats. 

  • High Back Booster 

A high back booster includes back support and seat belts just like any regular car seat. These seats can raise your baby higher than the car seat.

  • Backless Booster

This is almost the same as the high-back booster, except for the back support. These seats do not contain any back support and the seat belt is shorter than the previous ones. 

  • Rear-facing–only Seats

Rear-facing-only seats are used for kids who weigh 22 to 35 pounds, and their heights should be 26 to 35 inches. They are small and come with handles. Interestingly they come with a base, that’s you don’t have to install this kind of booster seat every time you use it. 

  • Convertible

Until your child is about 2 years of old you should use Convertible booster seats. They should be set just above your child’s shoulder level.

  • Combination

Combinations are made for children who weigh 20 to 40 pounds. The specialty of this kind of seat is they can be converted into belt-positioning booster seats whenever you need them. 

  • Regular Booster

When babies are 4’9″ tall and are just a little away from fitting in regular car seats, that’s when you need a Booster. 

To sum it up, here’s a table which will make the different kinds of booster seats familiar to you. 

Age  Types of Booster seat Reasons behind getting 
Infants and toddlers Rear-facing-only &

Rear-facing-convertible

Since all infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing seat till they go to the highest weight and height, you should get the Rear-Facing or Rear-Facing-convertible booster seats for them.
Toddlers and preschoolers Forward-facing &

Forward-facing convertible with harness

If your child has outgrown and can’t be compatible with Rear-Facing-convertible booster seats then you should go with the forward-facing-convertible ones. Kids with the highest weight and height can fit into this kind of booster seat. a child weighing 65 pounds or more can fit into these seats. Moreover, they include harnesses as well.
School-aged children Regular Booster seats  Once your baby crosses the height and weight limit of Forward-facing-convertible booster seats, you should consider this kind as your choice. Actually, it will be your baby’s company until he fits in the car seat properly. 

 

How Do I Choose A Booster Seat?

Since there are uncountable brands and types of booster seats in the market it’s hard to get the right one for your kid. But take a chill pill because we are here to tell you how to choose the most perfect booster seat ever:

  • First of all the size of the booster seat should be compatible with your baby so that your baby’s chest and lower hip can comfortably fit into the booster seat. 
  • You should always be looking for a high back booster with a harness, that will make your baby feel comfortable and secured at the same time, no matter how speedy the car is. A booster with a harness also provides a better seat belt fit. With that, your child gets raised and fits with a seat belt perfectly. So, you can get the safest 5 point harness booster seat to ensure enough safety and become tension-free.
  • Good head and neck protection is another thing to be considered with great importance. 
  • Don’t forget to look for a booster seat that can incorporate energy management in the form of an internal system to reduce the force a child feels in a collision. 
  • Consider buying a booster with good materials and easy installment features. 

What Is The Difference Between A High Back Booster And A Backless Booster?

If you are confused about which one to choose between a high back booster and a backless booster then you should compare them and get the one that can meet your requirements. However, the biggest difference between a high back booster and a backless booster is the head support.

Since the backless boosters don’t include any back, the backless boosters can be used by you if you own a high vehicle seat or vehicle headrest. On the other hand, a high back booster can’t be installed in a car that includes a high vehicle seat and headrest. 

Another difference between a high back booster and a backless booster is the seat belt fitting feature. Backless boosters give you a feature that makes the seat belt shorter with your baby. On the other hand, the high back booster raises your baby to adjust with the seat belt. 

What Is The Difference Between A 3 Point Harness And A 5 Point Harness?

A 5-point harness has additional hip straps which help to spread the pressure of collision. This is the most important thing when your kiddo is seated on a front-facing seat. So the actual difference is A 5-point harness spreads a lot more force of the collision and offers more security than a 3-point harness.

The 5-point harness spreads the whole pressure on the seat and puts a lot less pressure on the child’s neck and hip. Rather than that 5-point harness and 3-point harness do not show any differences. They offer almost the same features.  Check out the safest booster seats with 5 point harness for you! 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does my child need a booster seat with a back?

If your kid can’t fit in the regular car seat and doesn’t get any ear and head support then you will need a booster seat with a back. Otherwise, there are plenty of chances of injuries in a crash. You should get a back booster right when you find out your child’s ears come up past the vehicle seat. The seat will save your kid from whiplash. 

Should my 7 year old be in a 5-point harness?

No, you should. Recent research says, your kid should be provided with a 5-point harness booster seat before crossing 8 years old. That’s the safest booster seat ever you can offer to your child. A 5-point harness seat will keep your kid safe and comfortable at the same time. 

How much does a child have to weigh to be in a booster seat? 

At least 40 pounds. There are different kinds of booster seats. Booster seats are made to be a companion for your kid when they cross 40 pounds weight. Booster supports your kiddo until he is ready to fit in actual car seats. 

Can a 5 year old go in a booster seat?

Yes, your baby can. But only if your kid weighs 40 pounds. Your baby should be provided with a 5-point harness seat when he is 5. That would be safer and more compatible with your baby’s age, height and weight. So it’s better not to switch from a 5-point harness seat until your kid turns 8. 

Do backless booster seats need to be anchored?

Yes, they need to be anchored. But actually, the whole thing depends on the model of your car. Check the manual from the manufacturers and you will get to know if your booster seat can be anchored or not. If your car supports then it’s better to do that. 

Wrapping Up 

Choosing the perfect booster seat should be considered as one of the important responsibilities of a parent. So now that you know what the different types of booster seats are, you can pick the perfect booster seat for your baby. Also, as we have given other information in detail, it will be suitable for you to make your pick. 

However, consider the material and specialties of the seat before you go for any booster seat. Also, for better safety, you can get one of the safest booster seats with 5 point harness as 5 point harness can ensure the incredible secured position and comfort for your kid. So make your choice and get the best booster seat for your baby soon!