While there’s no set time or age for moving your child from a high back booster to a backless booster, we tend to suggest making this move when the child is able to sit properly all the time.
Since not all big kids are ready for the responsibility of sitting properly without the reminder that the shoulder and head sections of the high back booster can provide, members of our Facebook group ask which boosters might last the longest or be the best value.
While all of our favorite long-lasting options are on our Recommended Seats page, a few stand out as great options for families with particularly tall kiddos or with multiple booster riders. Most of these boosters fit both our 8 and 9 year old models well. They also fit our 5.5 and 6 year old models well, offering a glimpse into some options for families who need to hand seats down between children.
Graco TurboBooster
Graco TurboBooster LX: 9 years old, 63 lbs, 51 inches tall
Another workhorse of the booster world, the TurboBooster is an easy-to-use booster option for small-to-average sized booster riders. It fits such a range of sizes that we often suggest it for tiny 6+ year olds all the way up to average sized older children.
Our 9 year old model is at the top end of the 19.25″ height for high back mode, but the seat converts to a backless booster so she can continue to use the seat.
Graco TurboBooster: 6 years old
Our 6 year old model also fits in the TurboBooster. Both models have a nice belt fit. With an easy to use belt guide, deep headwings, and padding in all the right places, the reasonably-priced TurboBooster has a lot to offer.
Evenflo Big Kid Sport
Evenflo Big Kid Sport high back mode 9 years old
The Evenflo Big Sport is an updated take on the Big Kid Amp we’ve known and loved.
Evenflo Big Kid Sport — great for carpooling!
Both high back and backless modes offer a solid belt fit, the seat is portable enough to be a good option for carpooling.
Evenflo Big Kid Amp
Evenflo Big Kid 9 years old, 58 pounds, 51 inches tall
The Evenflo Big Kid is a budget-friendly option that converts to a backless booster. Both high-back and backless modes offer a solid belt fit. The high back portion of this booster isn’t as padded as our model here prefers but it offers a good belt fit on both the lap and shoulders.
Evenflo Big Kid Amp: 5 years, 7 months old, 48 pounds, 46 inches tall
With a 19″ top shoulder belt guide, the Big Kid isn’t the longest lasting option here, but it does fit both of our models. The high back portion of the seat locks into place so it doesn’t flop around when we’re moving it between cars.
Read more about the Big Kid in our review.
Maxi-Cosi RodiFix
Maxi-Cosi RodiFix: 9 Years old, 51 inches tall, 59 pounds
The Maxi-Cosi RodiFix is a well-appointed booster that features ISOFIX connectors (aka LATCH) to secure the booster in place even if it’s not buckled into the car. With a 21.5″ top shoulder belt guide, it’s another long-lasting option.
Our model here is at the top end of the RodiFix’s height limits. Since this seat doesn’t convert to a backless booster, it will be outgrown for her very soon.
Maxi-Cosi RodiFix: 5 years, 7 months old, 49 pounds, 46 inches
However, her little sister is 5.5 years old and has some room to grow in the RodiFix. The seat belt stays in the belt guide well, the flared sides and headrest remind both of these models to stay in position.
Diono Monterey
The Diono Monterey is another fan favorite at our house. Ours has seen steady use since my kiddo was 6.5 and new to booster riding. Today, she’s at the very top of the 21″ shoulder belt guide but still fits. The Monterey’s lone sticking point in our book is that the two parts of the seat don’t lock together so we need to use both hands when moving it between cars or the backless portion will flop around (but remain attached).
Diono Monterey 8 years old, 56 pounds, and 52 inches tall.
Here our older model is 8 years old, 56 pounds, and 52 inches tall. She’s got a little room to grow yet before she’d need to ride in the Monterey in backless mode.
Diono Monterey: 5 years, 7 months old, 48 pounds, 46 inches tall
Our younger model also has a great belt fit in the Monterey. Like some of the boosters we’re looking at today, the deep headwings and the flared sides remind this model to sit properly.
Lil Fan Club Seat
LilFan Club Seat: 9 years old, 51 inches tall, 59 pounds
Not only does the Lil Fan Club Seat come in a variety of sports teams, it converts to a backless booster that’s easy to carry. It’s extremely lightweight and the back locks into place so it’s a great option for both everyday use and carpooling kiddos in either high back or backless mode.
Our model here is at the top end of the Club Seat’s 21″ height limit for high back mode. However, it converts to a backless booster so she can continue to use it for some time.
LilFan Club Seat: 5 Years, 7 months old, 46 inches tall, 48 pounds
Our younger model also enjoys a great belt fit in the Club Seat. Because its lightweight, it’s a great option for carpooling or moving between children or between vehicles. The open belt guide is pretty easy for even our younger model to work with.
Many booster seats are great options for families with multiple children or for families who take an extra booster rider now and then. We hope that this brief summary highlights some options that might work for all of the Littles in your life!
