Types of Booster Seats

Drawings Courtesy of NHTSA

 

 

Children should use a booster seat when they are 4–8 Years Old or Older, 40 lbs. to 80–100 lbs., and less than 4 feet 9 inches (57 inches). There are 3 types of booster seats, backless, high back and shield backless. The shield backless is no longer used. This is due to a nearly eight fold increase in serious injury when riding in these seats. Based on studies of the American Academy of Pediatrics, crash tests showed that dummies weighing less than 40 pounds were likely to be ejected, and that babies had greater trauma to their upper body, abdomen, and head.

 

Booster seats are a crucial part of keeping kids safe while in the car, as they help to ensure that a child is at the correct height for the seat belt to fit properly. But with so many different types of booster seats available, it can be difficult to know which one is the best for your child. To help you make an informed decision, here’s a breakdown of the different types of booster seats.

 

1. High-Back Booster Seat This type of booster seat is designed for children who have outgrown their car seat but are still too small for the vehicle’s seat belt to fit them correctly. The high-back booster seat provides additional support to the child’s head, neck, and shoulders, while also raising the child to the appropriate height for the seat belt to fit snugly. High-back booster seats come in a variety of styles and designs, including ones with cup holders, armrests, and adjustable headrests.

 

2. Combination Booster Seat Combination booster seats are designed for children who are too small for a high-back booster seat, but who are also too large for a traditional car seat. With this type of booster seat, the child sits in a traditional car seat with a built-in harness, while the seat belt is used to secure the seat in place. Combination booster seats typically come with adjustable headrests and armrests, and some may even come with cup holders.

 

3. Backless Booster Seat Backless booster seats are designed for children who have outgrown their high-back booster seat, but are still too small for the vehicle’s seat belt to fit them correctly. This type of booster seat provides additional support to the child’s head, neck, and shoulders, while also raising the child to the appropriate height for the seat belt to fit snugly. Backless booster seats come in a variety of styles and designs, including ones with cup holders, armrests, and adjustable headrests.

 

4. Combination Harness/Booster Seat This type of booster seat is designed for children who are too small for a high-back booster seat, but who are also too large for a traditional car seat. With this type of booster seat, the child sits in a traditional car seat with a built-in harness, while the seat belt is used to secure the seat in place. Combination harness/booster seats typically come with adjustable headrests and armrests, and some may even come with cup holders.

 

5. All-in-One Booster Seat All-in-one booster seats are designed for children who have outgrown their car seat but are still too small for the vehicle’s seat belt to fit them correctly. This type of booster seat is like a combination of a high-back booster seat and a combination harness/booster seat, as it provides additional support to the child’s head, neck, and shoulders, while also providing the ability to use the seat belt. All-in-one booster seats come in a variety of styles and designs, including ones with cup holders, armrests, and adjustable headrests.

 

Whether you’re looking for a high-back booster seat, a combination booster seat, a backless booster seat, a combination harness/booster seat, or an all-in-one booster seat, there are plenty of options available that can help keep your child safe in the car. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to ensure you’re using the booster seat correctly and safely. 

 

Crash Protection Booster Seat Mounting