When to Switch to a Backless Booster Seat
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Car seats and booster seats are the most important child safety choices you will make for your child. In addition to finding a safe seat, it’s also important to know when to switch from one seat to another.
If your child is in a convertible car seat or a harnessed high-back booster seat, you may wonder when to switch to a backless booster.
- Most children transition from their convertible car seat to a high-back booster seat at about four or five years old.
- Children usually switch from a high-back booster to a backless booster at around age six.
- Age isn’t the only way to determine whether your child is ready for a backless booster seat.
Our Top 3 Best Backless Booster Seats:
For more information on these seats and some other excellent choices, keep reading.
Related post: Travel Light With the BubbleBum Inflatable Booster
Do I Need to Use a Harnessed Booster Seat?
The short answer is yes.
You can’t skip straight to a backless booster when your child is ready to move out of their car seat. A high-back harnessed booster seat is important before transitioning to a backless booster.
The reason for choosing a harnessed booster before a backless one is because at three or four years old, a child isn’t likely to be developmentally ready, even if they fit within the size limit.
- Your child likely isn’t yet mature enough for just a seatbelt restraint. You want to ensure your child will always sit straight in their seat.
- Your child’s bones aren’t fully formed, and it is safer for them to be in a harness for as long as possible. Until they outgrow it, a harnessed booster is ideal.
The Britax Grow With You transitions from a 5-point harness to a belt-positioning high back booster, so your child can stay harnessed up to 65 pounds, and it can be used with a seatbelt up to 120 pounds.
When is My Child Ready to Move from a Harnessed Booster to a Backless Booster?
Once a child starts school, they might not want to remain in a “car seat,” but they are likely still not tall enough or mature enough for a seatbelt alone. This is when we might start thinking about when to switch to a backless booster seat.
The safest choice is to keep your child in a harnessed booster seat for as long as possible, but when is a child old enough and developmentally ready to make the switch?
Your Child is Ready for a Backless Booster When . . .
- Your child is at least 5 or 6 years old
- They can sit still without leaning forward or to the side, slouching, fooling around, etc.
- Your child is at least 40 pounds
- Your child is at least 38-43″ tall
- The seat belt strap sits across the collarbone and shoulder instead of the neck when in the booster
Give Your Child the Independence to Buckle Their Seatbelt
When transitioning to a belt-positioning booster seat, your child might want to buckle the seat belt by themself. Unfortunately, accessing and clicking the seatbelt can be difficult for kids (and adults, too, sometimes!) This Buckle Booster can help!
Why Does My Child Have to Sit Still in a Backless Booster?
Even if your child is old enough and fits within the height and weight range of a backless booster, that doesn’t mean they are ready to sit in one.
If your child can’t sit still, you risk sliding the seat belt off the collarbone and shoulder. If you are in an accident while your child is leaning, it could result in serious injury.
If your child is still wiggly in his or her seat, they should remain in a harnessed booster. Once they have reached a level of maturity where they sit and act appropriately in their seat, you may move them to a backless booster seat.
This typically happens around age five or six.
Click here to find out more about when to move your children up to the next car seat or a booster seat.
The Best Backless Booster Seats (in our opinion)
Our top picks for the best backless booster seats for your child.
Clek Olli
The Clek Olli is the booster seat we have used since our son was 5 1/2 years old. He is now 10 and still uses this seat.
Height & weight limits: 40-120 lbs and 40-57″
Seat life; expiration: 9 years
Pros:- Higher in price
- LATCH could make it difficult to fit three seats across in some vehicles.
Graco TurboBooster
The Graco TurboBooster is a top-rated choice by parents. This seat is rigorously crash tested and meets or exceeds U.S safety Standards.
Height & weight limits: 40-100 lbs and 43-57″
Seat life; expiration: 10 years
Pros:- Shoulder belt guide
- Dual cupholder
- Removable cushion for easy washing
- Inexpensive
- Lower weight limit than some other seats on the market
- Doesn't have LATCH
- Must be buckled in when not in use so it doesn't become a projectile in a crash.
Graco TurboBooster LX
The same Graco TurboBooster reputation with enhanced features. Most notably is the addition of the LATCH system to keep the seat firmly in place in a crash and while it's empty.
Height & weight limits: 40-100 lbs and 43-57″
Seat life; expiration: 10 years
Pros:- Front adjust LATCH so the booster will stay in place and is easy to remove
- Shoulder belt guide
- Removable cover for easy washing
- Cupholder and hideaway storage compartment
- Inexpensive
- Lower weight limit than some other seats on the market
- LATCH could make it difficult to fit three seats across in some vehicles.
Diono Solana 2 XL
Diono is known for its fantastic convertible car seats and their backless booster doesn't disappoint. Built with safety in mind, this booster seat is a great choice for your child.
Height & weight limits: 40-120 lbs and 43-63″
Seat life; expiration: 8 years
Pros:- LATCH so the booster will stay in place
- Wider seat for larger kids
- Comfortable; extra padding
- Removable cover for easy washing
- Shoulder belt guide
- Retractible dual cupholder
- Affordable, especially for the number of features
- LATCH could make it difficult to fit three seats across in some vehicles.
- Likely too wide for three seats across.
Chicco GoFit Plus
With the addition of the quick-release LATCH, the Chicco GoFit Plus is an improved version of the also excellent Chicco GoFit.
Height & weight limits: 40-110 lbs and 38-57″
Seat life; expiration: 8 years
Pros:- Quick-release LATCH for easy removal
- Double foam padding and contoured for support and comfort
- Removable cover for easy washing
- Dual soft-sided cupholders
- Carrying handle for easy travel
- Higher in price
- LATCH could make it difficult to fit three seats across in some vehicles.
Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle
The Peg Perego Viaggio is a high-end booster seat that will give your child a safe and comfortable ride. With a 12-year expiration date, this seat can be used for multiple children which could make it a more cost-effective option in the long run.
Height & weight limits: 40-120 lbs and 38-63″
Seat life; expiration: 12 years
Pros:- Blind lock rigid LATCH to protect against accidental release
- Double-layer padding for added comfort
- Removable cover for easy washing
- Breathable fabric that stays cool and absorbs moisture
- Removable cupholder for easy cleaning
- Shoulder belt guide
- Comfortable armrest
- Carrying handle for easy travel
- Can be used the longest of the seats on our list
- Larger size for bigger kids
- Pricey
- LATCH could make it difficult to fit three seats across in some vehicles
- Likely too wide for three seats across
Final Thoughts
There isn’t a good reason to rush your child from one seat to another. Switching to a new car seat should depend on your child’s size, where they are developmentally, and if they have outgrown the height and/or weight limit of their current seat.
Your child should meet all of these milestones regardless of age or state laws. State laws are often too soon to ensure that all children are riding safely in an appropriate restraint for their age, size, and maturity.
