Image courtesy of Sugar Pop Reviews

 

Whilst car booster seats are actually getting safer every year, a recent survey revealed that some, in fact, a large portion on the market are still not safe enough… to their standards anyway.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reviewed the 72 common booster seats available in the big stores on the high street and online. The institute has been reviewing child booster seats for 3 years now. Anne McCartt, vice president of the company stated that the booster seats are improving year on year, and this year is great for parents because of the vast amount of choice.

Out of the 72, they gave only 21 a ‘best bet’ rating. Leaving the rest either ‘average’ or not recommended.

In the ‘Not Recommended’ list were the following:

• Eddie Bauer Deluxe
• Evenflo Express
• Evenflo Generations 65
• Evenflo Sightseer
• Harmony Baby Armor
• Safety 1st All-in-One

The report states that parents need a little educating when it comes to buying Child Booster Seats. After speaking to many parents, the insurance institute for highway safety claim that most parents believe the most important feature of a booster seat is to boost the child up higher… Well, it turns out that actually the most important feature, is how it repositions the child in an optimal position for the seat belt.

After taking the IIHS survey and ratings into considerations, we have drawn up our own list of the top 5 child booster seats for your motor.

5. Britax Evolva 123 High Back Booster Seat

Image from Mothercare

The Britax Evolva 123 is a high end child booster seat that comes in many colours. With a high back and great padding, you can just feel confident in the quality by looking at it. Complete with a pull out drink holder and snack tray, you can see why the Britax Evolva is in our top 5!

Check it out on Mothercare.

4. BubbleBum Booster Seat

Image from Bubblebum

It would be a cop out for us to say we chose this in our child booster seat top 5 just because of the cost… but you can’t argue; £30 is a great cost, especially when it comes recommended as ‘best bet’ by the IIHS too! OK, the cost is great, but what else? It’s lightweight, portable, it deflates, and it’s just kinda cool, don’t you think?

Check it out on Bubblebum.

3. Graco Logico L Highback Booster Car Seat

Image from Mothercare

This particular model falls nicely in our top 5 with the price range. At below £50 you get a high back, padded, cool looking booster seat. It’s incredibly light too for it’s size… Complete with 2 cup holders, you can be assured you’ll have a booster seat to last you a few years with this Graco model.

Check it out on Mothercare.

2. Kiddy Cruiserfix Pro Car Seat

Image from John Lewis

At just short of £160, this is one the more expensive booster seats we recommend. It will grow with your child, meaning you can use this for your child from the ages of 3 right up to 12! And this seat will last that long too, constructed of strong material, designed to last through the ages. This particular booster seat will connect to your car’s Isofix fittings on the vehicle too, which is a great bonus. If you’re unsure about your own cars Isofix fittings, it may be an idea to talk to your car dealer.

Check it out on John Lewis.

1. Maxi-Cosi Rodi Air Protect Booster Seat

Image from Kiddicare

Coming in at number 1, we’ve gone for a mix of safety features (safety first, of course!) style, function and price. This chair is a reasonable £99.99. With extra padding around the head area and built in AirProtect technology, you can feel confident that the manufacturers number one concern here was the safety aspects of the booster seat. With a recline function and a great look, we think you can’t go far wrong with the Maxi-Cosi Air protect!

Go check it out on Kiddicare.

Choose carefully! You can’t put a price on safety, especially your children’s safety. If you have to pay that bit extra for padding and comfort go for it. reviews online can be helpful, and also parenting forums are discussing this stuff all the time.

I wish you luck in your search for a child booster seat!

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