The 4 Best Booster Car Seats of 2025
Top pick
The Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus has the best combination of features we’ve found in a high-back booster. It’s user-friendly, our kid testers thought it was comfortable, and the fabric cover is easy to keep clean. We also like that it converts from high-back to backless, requires minimal assembly, and has a sporty, modern look. The KidFit ClearTex Plus is an updated (and improved) version of the Chicco KidFit, our previous runner-up pick in this guide. The old KidFit received a Best Bet rating from the IIHS for its ability to provide proper seat-belt positioning; the new model did not receive a rating.
It’s a cinch to install. The 10-pound KidFit ClearTex Plus is easy to install and remove, thanks to its alligator-style LATCH connectors, which are equipped with a clever tightening and release mechanism. Chicco calls its installation system SuperCinch; you clip the latches to the vehicle’s anchors; then you pull on a center strap at the front of the seat to tighten and snug the seat into place with one tug. The seat’s quick-release feature detaches the LATCH connectors with a single (one-handed) pull of a front handle — no need to jam your hand between the vehicle’s seat cushions, fishing for a clip to unhook.
The seat-belt threader has been improved. The KidFit ClearTex Plus has an updated seat-belt threader, which is clearly labeled and functions exceptionally well. On the previous KidFit model, the belt threaded into the loop from top to bottom, but now it threads from bottom to top; this configuration is easier to use. The threader also keeps the belt from getting twisted. The KidFit ClearTex Plus was better than any other seat we tested at securely and comfortably positioning the strap on the correct part of a kid’s shoulder.
Kids say it’s comfy. The seat is well padded (according to Chicco, it has two layers of foam and ergonomic support), and kids found it comfortable to sit in. As one kid put it, “It feels fine. Like a regular seat.” Our kid testers enjoyed the removable double cupholders, which are dishwasher-safe and made from a flexible material that can be pushed in and out. The headrest adjusts to 10 positions; the side wings are ample and comfortable, but they aren’t so big that they block kids’ sight lines. The backrest can be adjusted between two positions, to better fit the angle of the vehicle seat. The fabric feels smooth and substantial. And it has Greenguard Gold Certification, which promises low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs); the textiles used to make the seat are manufactured without any added chemicals.
It’s easy to put together and to take apart. The KidFit ClearTex Plus is quick and simple to assemble out of the box; you need only to attach the back and armrests to the base. To convert it to a backless booster, you detach the top half from the bottom part by pulling on a lever and lifting up. (When it’s in backless mode, it has a small carrying handle for easy transport, but there are no storage slots for the LATCH connectors.)
Cleaning it is simple. The fabric is easy to wipe down, and crumbs shake off easily enough. For a more-thorough wash, follow the manual instructions for machine washing. It can take a few tries to master putting the cover back on. But once you get the hang of it, it should take only a few minutes.
It’s narrow and will fit a child for years. In high-back mode, the KitFit ClearTex Plus has a narrow, space-saving frame, at 17 inches across at the base and 19 inches at the widest part of the backrest; this should allow for fitting three seats across in many vehicles. The narrow frame also allows kids to easily access the seat-belt buckle, which can be tougher with wider booster seats. The high-back mode fits kids from 40 to 100 pounds and 38 to 57 inches tall; the backless configuration has the same height range but a weight range of 40 to 110 pounds.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It’s not the best for bigger kids. Although we believe most kids will fit comfortably in the KidFit ClearTex Plus, its slender frame may be less appealing to bigger kids who prefer a wider seat.
You can’t store the LATCH connectors. Our only design complaint is that there’s nowhere to store the LATCH connectors when they’re detached. So if you’re carrying the seat around, they’ll flap, which could be annoying.
It’s a little pricey. We do think this booster seat’s price is reasonable, considering the quality. But you don’t need to pay this much to get a safe booster seat that works well.
