Best Booster Car Seats for Toddlers and Kids 2012

Car seats are the safest option, but once your child begins to overgrow them, weighs over 40 pounds, and is over the age of 4 it may be time to switch them to a booster seat. A booster seat is then typically used until your child reaches 4'9" tall and the seat belt fits properly. This is typically between 8-12 years of age.

For more information on car and booster seat information I recommend safekids.org as well as healthychildren.org.

For safety good fit is the key. Check out iihs.org for additional fitting information.

This seat is designed for use as a five-point harness car seat from 20-65 pound and 27-52 inches. As a high back booster seat, it can be used from 30-100 pounds and 38-57 inches. As a no back booster seat, it can be used from 40-100 pounds and 40-57 inches. You only need to switch from the five-point harness to the high back booster seat when the child's shoulders are higher than the top shoulder strap position. This provides maximum safety for your child.

The steel reinforced frame of the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 provides strength and durability. The three position reclining settings, the contoured armrests with cup holder and storage pockets provide a comfortable seat for your child. The headrest adjusts with just one hand, making it a breeze to use and keep your child safe. The online videos on Graco's website and the open loop belt guides make it easy for you to correctly install this car seat. The EPS energy absorbing foam gives impact protection and make for a more comfortable seat.

Check out this lens for more of the best convertible car seats.

Safety 1st designed this car/booster seat to be used with the 5-point harness from 22-65 pounds or without the harness (just the car's seat belt) from 40-100 pounds. Safety 1st has recently launched their new "air protect technology" %u2122 and this seat has it. It is a specially designed pad that sits on either side of the child's head. If involved in a side impact collision, the pads cushion the blow by releasing air through vents on the side. This extends the "ride down" and allows the force of the impact to spread out and move away from the child's head. Since this new technology only works if the parent adjusts the pads as the child grows, Safety 1st has designed an easily adjustable 12-position headrest. With no hassle, you can rest assured that your child's head and neck are well protected.

An important factor in forward facing seats is the correct position of the harness at the child's shoulders. When used as a car seat, the Quick Fit %u2122 harness lets you adjust the shoulder straps without having to rethread them through the seat. When used as a booster seat, the color-coded belt paths take away all guesswork, making for a quick, easy, and safe installation. For the child's comfort, the seat comes with an integrated cup holder and snack tray.

This combination seat can be used as a forward facing car seat with a five-point harness for children two years and older, weighing 25-85 pounds. It can be also be used as a booster seat for children 40-120 pounds. The True Side Impact Protection %u2122 distributes crash forces, shields child from the car on a side impact collision, and contains the head and body in an impact to prevent neck and spine injury. The energy absorbing base collapses in a collision; it absorbs some of the force from impact so your child doesn't have to. The energy absorbing foam liner also helps to distribute that force. With LATCH connectors, the Britax Frontier 85 is easy to install and with a quick adjust head restraint and no rethread harness, it is easy to adjust the settings to their proper position.

The integrated steel bars help protect your child and the integrated armrests and cup holders help keep him/her comfortable. The energy absorbing Versa Tether %u2122 keep the top of the seat anchored to the car, which helps your child from moving far in a collision. When used as a booster seat, the color-coded vehicle belt guides make installation and use easy. It is also compatible with Secure Guard %u2122, an easy to use device that prevents a child from slipping under the lap belt in a collision; helping to protect his/her internal organs. With a durable and washable cover, this seat provides maximum protection for a wide range in sizes, giving you a good return on your investment.

This seat can be used as a forward facing five-point harness car seat from 20-65 pounds. Once the child outgrows those settings it can be used as a booster from 40-100 pounds. The Tension Right %u2122 side knob allows you to tighten the harness with one hand. The Position Right %u2122 headrest has five position heights so this seat can grow with your child. The Comfort Touch %u2122 cushioning in the headrest, pad, and pillows as well as the multi-position recline make this seat more comfortable for your child.

The pivoting armrests allow for maximum comfort and easy entry and lap belt positioning. The harness adjusts to three positions and the crotch buckle adjusts to two. The removable washable cloth pad is a must for mom. The two removable, cup holders are a must have for child. This seat meets or exceeds all applicable federal safety standards in side impact testing. The structural integrity holds true at approximately 2x the federal crash test standard.  Read more here.

This booster seat is only a high back booster; it cannot be used as a forward facing car seat. It is for use with children up to 120 pounds and up to 63 inches tall. It expands in width up to 20 inches and in height with 11 positions. While not a 5-point harness seat, it does have LATCH connections, making the seat safer than regular boosters.

The sides are reinforced with energy absorbing foam to protect hips, shoulders, and head in a side impact collision. The Sunshine Kids Monterey Booster comes with two extra deep cup holders and two recline positions and an extra long seat bottom, all for the child's comfort. This booster can be packed flat for convenience in travel or storage. It can also be used as a backless booster seat.

In conclusion, there is no seat that will keep your child perfectly safe. Companies are coming out with new technologies every year. Find the one that you think will keep your child as safe as possible and USE IT CORRECTLY. That is the most important aspect to consider when buying a seat.