Belt-positioning booster seats are an essential stage in the car seat journey. However, they’re misused 59% of the time and half the kids who should be in booster seats aren’t using them! This is because lots of parents are misinformed about the importance of boosters and see them as a “nice-to-have” instead of a must-have for kids who’ve graduated from their forward-facing car seat. Really, though, kids should be in boosters until they're about 12-years-old depending on their age, size, and proportions!
A properly used booster seat makes your child safer. Research finds they can reduce the risk of injury by 45% compared to seat belts alone! So, it goes without saying that your child should be in a booster seat for as long as possible. They’re so much safer! (You can find our favorite booster seats HERE.)
Booster car seats are pretty straight-forward they elevate your child so the shoulder belt sits correctly on the body. When the belts fit properly, the correct positioning of the shoulder and lap belts helps protect your child in an accident. However, there is one additional safety feature that can actually help keep the rest of your family safe in an accident. That is the car seat LATCH feature! We’re dedicating this post to exploring this key safety feature and why you should consider it when purchasing your next booster.
Booster Seat With LATCH System: Why They’re Safer For Your Whole Family
You’ve probably heard of the LATCH system being used on an infant or convertible car seat, but probably not a booster seat. It’s not a feature found on every booster seat, but it can be a game-changer when it comes to increasing vehicle safety!
Here’s what you need to know about booster seat LATCH systems:
What Is A Car Seat LATCH System?
LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. The system was created to standardize installation of car seat and make it easier for parents to get a tight fit. (We question whether or not this was effective, but that’s beside the point.)
Of course, you’re probably thinking, “But booster seats don’t need to be installed?” Yes, that’s correct! However, the LATCH system has another use on booster seats. It fastens the booster to the vehicle seat so that in the event of an accident, the booster doesn’t fly around the car, becoming a dangerous projectile!
Any hard-sided or heavy object can ping-pong around a vehicle at high speeds in a collision, increasing the risk of injury and death. A booster seat, especially when unoccupied, is the perfect projectile. This is why it’s such a good idea to have a booster seat equipped with the LATCH system!
Interested in a booster with LATCH? Here are some of our favorites:
Best Booster Seats With Latch System
Diono Cambria 2XT
The Diono Cambria 2XT is one of our favorite high-back booster/low-back booster combination seats with LATCH, because it’s suitable for use up to 63 inches and 120 pounds so it’s great for tall kids! Despite the fact this is a high-back booster with high height limits, it can be installed in vehicles with non-removable headrests.
We also like that this booster seat has snack and cup holders and can be used with various accessories like the Diono Ultra Mat Diono Super Mat. These accessories make the seat even more convenient for families!
Maxi Cosi Rodisport
Here’s another high-back booster option with lower anchors! It converts to a backless booster as well, and is made to take your child through the end of their car seat journey. It fits kids up to 57 inches tall and 110 pounds.
Outside the LATCH function, other features of the Rodisport you’ll appreciate include the removable cup holder, the multi-position headrest, and the machine washable and dryable seat pad. The one downside is that the seat is unsuitable for vehicle seats with non-removable headrests.
Nuna Aace
If you need another high-back option that does work with non-removable headrests, the Nuna Aace is a good pick! It actually fits kids up to 60 inches tall and 120 pounds!
Other stand-out features include its flame-retardant-free fabric, a multi-position headrest, various recline options, a removable cup holder, and additional side-impact protection. However, this is one of the wider seats on this list, so it wouldn’t work in most 3-across car seat situations.
Peg Perego Viaggio Flex
For families that travel frequently, you want a booster seat that’s lightweight and compact. That’s the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex! It only weighs 14 pounds and it’s only 17 inches wide and the whole thing folds up with a convenient carrying handle.
Whether you frequently switch vehicles, you often rideshare, you need to fit 3 car seats across, or you require something that fits in a plane’s overhead bin, the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex is one of the best options out there.
Britax Highpoint
The Britax Highpoint is another one of our favorite 2-stage belt positioning booster seats. Features you’ll appreciate include removable cup holders, a machine washable/dryable cover, flame-retardant-free fabric, and multiple color options. Of course, it also has those lower anchors.
It’s great for tall children with a max height of 63 inches due to its 10-position headrest. This does mean the seat itself is tall as well, so it wouldn’t be a great choice for a vehicle with non-removable headrests. Beyond the high height and weight limits, we also like that the Britax Highpoint has a unique two-step belt positioning system that makes getting the correct seat belt fit as easy as possible.
Chicco KidFit
This lightweight booster is a great choice for a LATCH-equipped seat! It is also a combination seat with the ability to go from a high-back booster seat to a backless booster seat. This seat has a 10-position headrest, temperature regulating fabric, multiple color options, and two removable cup holders.
There are also other versions of this seat with additional features like washable fabric and a storage console, so you can find the booster that suits your family best.
Cybex Solution B2-Fix+Lux
If you’re looking for a high-back booster seat with several additional safety features including lower LATCH connectors, you should consider the Cybex Solution B2-Fix+Lux. In addition to the LATCH system, it also has advanced side impact protection and a unique reclining headrest that prevents your child from slumping forward if they fall asleep. Additionally, with a 60 inch height max, it’s a good pick for tall children!
Diono Monterey 6XT SafePlus
The Diono Monterey 6XT SafePlus has lower anchor connectors, a 12-position headrest, and advanced side-impact protection. It’s a good high-back booster for parents looking for those added safety features, but it’s also a fantastic option for frequent travelers! The seat folds up completely to the size of a carry-on bag and includes carrying straps, which is perfect for storing your booster safely in the overhead bin when flying with your car seat.
The foldable feature could also come in handy if your rider frequently switches vehicles and needs a seat that’s easy to install, includes LATCH, and will fit for a long time! With a 63 inch height max, it’s one of the best seats on this list for tall kids! You’ll also appreciate the washable cup holders and seat cover.
Clek Oobr
If you have a car with non-removable headrests, the Clek Oobr is a great choice for LATCH-equipped boosters. It’s still suitable for kids up to 57 inches and includes both a high-back booster and backless booster modes. The seat back of this booster also has reclining capabilities, for safe and comfortable snoozing in the car.
The Clek Oobr has a removable cup holder, flame-retardant-free fabric on some models, and stain-resistant fabric on others! It’s compatible with several Clek add-ons like their car seat protector, as well.
Chicco GoFit Plus
Past the high-back booster phase? Here’s a simple backless booster option with those lower anchor connectors. This seat is super lightweight at just 5 pounds and it’s actually only 17 inches wide, meaning it’ll fit in some 3-across car seat scenarios.
Other standout features of this seat are its ergonomic seat, multiple color options, integrated belt guides, dishwasher-safe cup-holders, and machine washable and dryable covers. It even has a convenient carrying handle!
Diono Solana 2
Here’s a budget-friendly backless booster option with a max height of 63 inches that’s great for taller kids or longer car seat use as your child grows! This seat is lightweight, at just over 6 pounds, however, it’s 18.5 inches wide, so it likely won’t work in 3-across configurations. Beyond the LATCH system, other features of this booster include retractable drink and snack tray, an included shoulder belt positioner, and machine washable covers.
Booster seats equipped with lower anchors connectors are safer for the whole family!
All car seats on the market are crash tested and safe for use, however, there are seats out there with advanced features that can further reduce injury risk in a crash. The LATCH system inclusion in booster seats is important, because it prevents that seat from becoming a dangerous projectile in an accident.
That being said, if another booster from our Car Seat Finder Tool works better for your family, there’s a simple work around. Ensure that a child in a booster seats “buckles in” their booster when leaving the car. That way, when you drive without them, you and your other family members don’t have to worry about the heavy seats in the back of the car!
For more essential car seat safety information like this, browse the Safe in the Seat blog and follow us on Instagram. It’s our mission to make every member of your family safe in their seats on every ride!
As an Amazon Associate, Safe in the Seat earns from qualifying purchases.
