Boosters that aren't recommended: The Institute doesn't recommend the Harmony Secure Comfort Deluxe backless with clip, Combi Kobuk dual-use highback, Evenflo Express highback (combination), Eddie Bauer Deluxe highback (combination), and Evenflo Sightseer highback. Also on the list are 3-in-1s including the Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite, Alpha Omega Elite, Eddie Bauer Deluxe 3-in-1, Safety 1st All-in-One, Alpha Omega Luxe Echelon, and Alpha Omega.
Half of the boosters that aren't recommended are 3-in-1s that leave the lap belt too high on the abdomen and the shoulder belt too far out on the shoulder. Another seat, the Harmony Secure, has armrests that push the lap belt away from the hips, way out on a child's thighs. Shoulder belt fit is the main problem for the rest — the Combi, 2 Evenflos, and the Eddie Bauer Deluxe.
Dorel Juvenile Group, the largest US children's gear distributor, makes 7 of the boosters that aren't recommended. Dorel seats sell under the names Cosco, Dorel, Eddie Bauer, Maxi-Cosi, and Safety 1st.
"Dorel has 3 BEST BETS and 1 GOOD BET, so this company knows how to make boosters that provide good safety belt fit," McCartt points out. "Dorel tells us it's working on new designs to address issues raised by our evaluations."
Thirty-four seats aren't BEST BETS, GOOD BETS, or on the list of boosters the Institute doesn't recommend. These seats can provide good protection for some kids in some vehicles, but not in as many cases as top-rated boosters. The top 23 in this category provide good lap belt fit across all vehicles. Some parents may find the shoulder belts fit their kids just fine in these boosters. If so, they should provide good protection. Lap belt fit is the problem for the bottom 9 boosters that just miss the not-recommended list. These provide poor lap belt fit most of the time.
How types compare: The Institute doesn't recommend backless over highback boosters and vice versa. Backless ones generally provide better lap belt fit, and highbacks generally do a better job of positioning shoulder belts correctly in all vehicle configurations.
Highbacks can keep fidgety kids upright, in position for good shoulder belt protection. Shoulder belt guides also deter kids from putting the belt under an arm. "Some companies claim their highbacks offer extra protection in side crashes," McCartt notes. "It makes sense that extra padding and reinforced structures would keep kids safer if the family car is broadsided, but so far research doesn't show a greater benefit for highbacks over backless."
When it comes to the not-recommended boosters, parents may want to reconsider 3- in-1s for their booster-age kids. The selling point for these is they grow with children, so parents don't have to trade up.
photo:Jupiter Images, IIHS
Half of the boosters that aren't recommended are 3-in-1s that leave the lap belt too high on the abdomen and the shoulder belt too far out on the shoulder. Another seat, the Harmony Secure, has armrests that push the lap belt away from the hips, way out on a child's thighs. Shoulder belt fit is the main problem for the rest — the Combi, 2 Evenflos, and the Eddie Bauer Deluxe.
Dorel Juvenile Group, the largest US children's gear distributor, makes 7 of the boosters that aren't recommended. Dorel seats sell under the names Cosco, Dorel, Eddie Bauer, Maxi-Cosi, and Safety 1st.
"Dorel has 3 BEST BETS and 1 GOOD BET, so this company knows how to make boosters that provide good safety belt fit," McCartt points out. "Dorel tells us it's working on new designs to address issues raised by our evaluations."
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Thirty-four seats aren't BEST BETS, GOOD BETS, or on the list of boosters the Institute doesn't recommend. These seats can provide good protection for some kids in some vehicles, but not in as many cases as top-rated boosters. The top 23 in this category provide good lap belt fit across all vehicles. Some parents may find the shoulder belts fit their kids just fine in these boosters. If so, they should provide good protection. Lap belt fit is the problem for the bottom 9 boosters that just miss the not-recommended list. These provide poor lap belt fit most of the time.
How types compare: The Institute doesn't recommend backless over highback boosters and vice versa. Backless ones generally provide better lap belt fit, and highbacks generally do a better job of positioning shoulder belts correctly in all vehicle configurations.
Highbacks can keep fidgety kids upright, in position for good shoulder belt protection. Shoulder belt guides also deter kids from putting the belt under an arm. "Some companies claim their highbacks offer extra protection in side crashes," McCartt notes. "It makes sense that extra padding and reinforced structures would keep kids safer if the family car is broadsided, but so far research doesn't show a greater benefit for highbacks over backless."
When it comes to the not-recommended boosters, parents may want to reconsider 3- in-1s for their booster-age kids. The selling point for these is they grow with children, so parents don't have to trade up.
photo:Jupiter Images, IIHS