If your child has outgrown their car seat, the best high-backed booster seat will keep your ‘big kid’ comfortable and safe during all car journeys. Your little one may not be so little anymore, but UK law requires all children to sit in a car booster seat until they are 12 years old. That’s why we’re here to help you transition your child to the next stage.
The best high-backed booster seats are perfect for school age children and above, and more often than not will last your child until they’re no longer legally required to sit in one. As the name suggests, this type of seat is made with a higher back compared to other booster seats for children, and they’re designed this way to provide plenty of neck and head support and many offer added protection in case of side-impact collisions and sudden stops.
In our FAQs, we’ve got everything you need to know about when exactly you should transition your child to a high-backed booster seat, as well as the added safety features that high-backed booster seats offer in comparison to backless seats. However, it is generally considered that your little one is too big for their toddler car seat once they’ve reached around 15kg. Take a look at our top picks for the best high-backed booster seats below.
Best high-backed booster seats at a glance:
• Best overall high-backed booster seat: Joie Baby i-Trillo i-Size Car Seat – Buy now on Argos
• Best high-backed booster seat for colour options: Cybex Silver Solution X-Fix Car Seat – Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best lightweight high-backed booster seat: Graco Junior Maxi Lightweight High Back Booster Car Seat – Buy now on Amazon UK
Best high-backed booster seats
Best overall
Customer review: “I bought this two weeks ago and so pleased I did….it is very comfortable and well padded for my daughter, also the seat is lightweight and easy to carry. We love the drink holders on either side of the seat. I would highly recommend.”
Pros
- Lots of protection
- Adjustable headrest to grow with your child
Cons
- One reviewer felt like the seat was quite wide so you should check the width if you’re planning on placing it next to another car seat
| Dimensions: | 39 x 55 x 69cm |
| Seat weight: | 4.43kg |
Best high-backed booster seat for colour options
Customer review: “We already had a group 2/3 car seat for our child but like most children our child ends up flopping everywhere when he sleeps and is quite dangerous for their necks. To my surprise there aren’t many group 2/3 seats that offer true recline and support for children’s neck until I found this seat. Now on long journeys we are safe in the knowledge that when our child sleeps his neck is supported and reclines slightly back so during braking etc his head doesn’t fly forward. Really recommended for all concerned parents”
Pros
- Height-adjustable headrest
- Multiple colour choices
Cons
- One reviewer found it difficult to recline once the child is in it
| Dimensions: | 64 x 47 x 41cm |
| Seat weight: | 7kg |
Best lightweight high-backed booster seat
Customer review: “The Graco Junior Maxi Lightweight High back Booster Car Seat for Group 2/3 offers a blend of safety and convenience. Its high-back design provides added protection and comfort, making it suitable for growing children. The lightweight construction makes it easy to install and switch between vehicles. With its adjustable headrest and intuitive belt guides, the car seat ensures a secure fit as your child grows. Overall, the Graco Junior Maxi Booster Car Seat is a practical choice for parents seeking a reliable and adaptable solution for their child's car safety needs.”
Pros
- Great price
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some reviewers thought it felt flimsy because of how light it is
| Dimensions: | 81.7 x 53.7 x 40.8cm |
| Seat weight: | 3.48kg |
Best high-backed booster seat for older children
Customer review: “You can't go wrong if you pick a maxi-cosi car seat. We upgraded from the baby/toddler seat to this and it hasn't disappointed. Slimline, sturdy, well thought out features and my daughter loves it.”
Pros
- Adjustable height and width
- Eco-friendly seat fabric
Cons
- Some reviewers found it hard to click in properly when installing the ISOFIX
| Dimensions: | 79 x 51 x 69cm |
| Seat weight: | 5.9kg |
Best high-backed booster seat for travel
Customer review: “Got an offer so much cheaper with Boots than other retailers. Britax does a narrow width seat of 44cm-essential with 3 seats in the back row.”
Pros
- Compact design, great for travel or for cars needing to fit in multiple seats
- Machine washable cover
Cons
- Some parents may feel it's too narrow
| Dimensions: | 63-83 x 44 x 42cm |
| Seat weight: | 5.9kg |
FAQs
When should I transition my child to a high-backed booster seat?
Many high-backed booster seats, also known as Group 2/3 car seats, are designed to be car seats for children aged four and up. However, you should always go by your child’s weight rather than their age when choosing a car seat as children of the same age don’t grow at the same rates so some may be ready for a new car seat at a different time compared to others in that age bracket. Therefore, you should transition your child to a high-backed booster seat when they reach approximately 15kg.
As high-back booster seats don’t have harnesses like baby and toddler car seats and rely on your car’s seat belt to secure your child in place, it’s important that you keep your child in an infant and toddler seat up to its maximum weight limit. If you put your child in a high-backed booster seat when they’re too light, it might mean that they’re not adequately restrained, which increases the risk of injury if you were to be involved in an accident.
Are high-backed booster seats safer than backless booster seats?
High-backed booster seats are generally considered safer than backless booster seats, mainly due to the fact they offer better head and neck support and protection, which is vital in side-impact crashes and if you need to brake suddenly. Many high-back boosters have guides to ensure the seat belt is in the correct position for your child’s height that way you can make sure your child is properly strapped in, stopping them from slouching forward and causing any injuries.
Rosie Floyd is a Commercial Content Writer for Parkers, specialising in baby seats and pet carriers. When she’s not tapping away at her laptop or endlessly scrolling Instagram and TikTok for content inspiration, you’ll usually find Rosie cuddled up to her three dogs, watching the Mamma Mia films on repeat or singing along to 90s and 00s pop.
