20 New Booster Seats Are “Best Bets”: IIHS

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released its ratings for the best child booster seats.

Of the 23 new booster seats available this year, 20 were named "Best Bets" for children between the ages of 4 and 8 year olds. The others were rated as "Good Bets."

The institute's evaluation focuses on belt fit and does not involve crash tests. 

A correct belt fit means the lap belt lies flat across a child's upper thighs and the shoulder belt crosses snug over the middle of the shoulder.

The institute's study also includes six older booster seats that are "not recommended" but remain on the market. The IIHS is calling on child seat manufacturers to stop production of those models, and to phase out 31 other older models that didn't receive high ratings. 

The institute says parents  should check a booster seat's rating before purchasing. 

The following booster seats were rated "Best Bets":

Baby Trend Hybrid 3-in-1
Rating applies to backless mode only
Tested model: #FB58645

Baby Trend Hybrid No Back Booster
Available in backless only
Tested model: #LB10055

Britax Frontier Clicktight
Available in highback only
Tested model: #E9LH31A
Results also apply to: #E9LY71A

Britax Parkway SG
Rating applies to highback mode only
Backless mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #E9LM24V
Results also apply to: #E9LU74V

Britax Parkway SGL
Rating applies to highback mode only
Backless mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #E9LM44Y
Results also apply to: #E9LU84Y

Britax Pinnacle Clicktight
Available in highback mode
Tested model: #E9LL94P
Results also apply to: #E9LZ14P

Britax Pioneer
Available in highback only
Tested model: #E9M41A
Results also apply to: #E9LZ64J

BubbleBum
Available in backless only
Tested model: #BB0012
Results also apply to: #BB001US/BB0004-W2

Chicco KidFit
Rating applies to backless mode and highback mode
Tested model: #7079074710070
Results also apply to: #05079014430070

Clek Oobr
Rating applies to highback mode only
Backless mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #OBM1U
Results also apply to: #OB11U1

Cosco Pronto
Rating applies to highback mode only
Backless mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #22491
Results also apply to: #BC033/BC032

Cybex Solution X-Fix
Available in highback only
Tested model: #12-4100016

Diono Cambria
Rating applies to backless mode and highback mode
Tested model: #310000

Diono Monterey
Rating applies to highback mode only
Backless mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #15000
This rating applies to models built after July 2011.

Diono RadianR100
Available in highback only
Tested model: #US16600

Diono RadianR120
Available in highback only
Tested model: #US16700

Diono RadianRXT
Available in highback only
Tested model: #US16900

Diono Solana
Available in backless only
Tested model: #320000

Dream On Me Turbo Booster
Rating applies to highback mode only
Backless mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #375-R

Eddie Bauer Deluxe Belt-Positioning Booster
Rating applies to highback mode only
Backless mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #BC084

Eddie Bauer Storage Booster
Available in backless only
Tested model: #BC105

Evenflo Advanced Transitions
Rating applies to backless mode and highback mode
Tested model: #34411695
Results also apply to: #34411686

Evenflo Amp
Available in backless only
Tested model: #34111220

Evenflo Big Kid Amp
Available in backless only
Tested model: #3401913

Evenflo Big Kid Amp Highback
Rating applies to backless mode only
Highback mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #31911168A

Evenflo Big Kid LX
Rating applies to backless mode only
Highback mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #31411373

Evenflo Big Kid Sport
Rating applies to backless mode only
Highback mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #31911148A

Evenflo Chase
Available in highback only
Tested model: #30621355

Evenflo Maestro
Available in highback only
Tested model: #31011049
This rating applies to models built after April 9, 2010. Evenflo is recalling models made between 11/24/09 through 4/9/10, and 8/22/11 through 10/17/13 due to a problem when this combination seat is used as a child restraint with built-in 5-point harness. The remedy kit is available at www.evenflo.com or by calling 1-800-490-7591.

Evenflo Platinum Evolve
Rating applies to backless mode and highback mode
Tested model: #34411700

Evenflo Right Fit
Rating applies to backless mode and highback mode
Tested model: #31311542

Evenflo Secure Kid 300/400
Available in highback only
Tested model: #30811263
Results also apply to: #30811229
Evenflo has issued a safety recall on this combination model built from12/13/11 through 3/3/14 involving the harness crotch buckle. This is relevant when the seat is used with the built-in harness. The remedy kit is available at www.evenflo.com or by calling 1-800-490-7591.

Evenflo Symphony 65
Available in highback only
Tested model: #34511557

Evenflo Symphony 65 e3/ Symphony DLX
Available in highback only
Tested model: #34611106
Evenflo has issued a safety recall on this combination model built from 10/2/12 through 8/26/13 involving the harness crotch buckle. This is relevant when the seat is used with the built-in harness. The remedy kit is available at www.evenflo.com or by calling 1-800-490-7591.

Ferrari Beline SP
Rating applies to backless mode only
Highback mode rating: GOOD BET
Tested model: #FRB10067

Ferrari Dreamway SP
Rating applies to highback mode only
Backless mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #744138

Graco 4Ever All-in-1
Rating applies to backless mode and highback mode
Tested model: #1906082

Graco Affix
Rating applies to backless mode and highback mode
Tested model: #1831777

Graco Argos 80 Elite 3-in-1
Rating applies to backless mode and highback mode
Tested model: #1896354
Results also apply to: #1905603

Graco Atlas 65
Available in highback only
Tested model: #1946242
Results also apply to: #1946241

Graco Milestone All-in-One
Available in highback only
Tested model: #1909142
Results also apply to: #1910130

Graco Nautilus
Rating applies to highback mode only
Backless mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #1759245
This rating applies to models built after July 25th 2011.

Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 with Safety Surround
Rating applies to highback mode only
Backless mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #1878678

Graco Nautilus Elite
Rating applies to highback mode only
Backless mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #1866264
Graco has issued a safety recall on this combination model built from 10/1/07 through 7/31/13 and 8/19/13 involving the harness buckle. This is relevant when the seat is used with the built-in harness. The replacement buckle is available at www.gracobucklerecall.com or by calling 1-800-345-4109.

Graco Nautilus Plus
Rating applies to highback mode only
Backless mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #1850397
Graco has issued a safety recall on this combination model built from 10/1/07 through 7/31/13 and 8/19/13 involving the harness buckle. This is relevant when the seat is used with the built-in harness. The replacement buckle is available at www.gracobucklerecall.com or by calling 1-800-345-4109.

Graco Tranzitions
Rating applies to backless mode and highback mode
Tested model: #1947464
Results also apply to: #1951370

Harmony Defender 360
Rating applies to backless mode and highback mode
Tested model: #0302002

Harmony Dreamtime
Rating applies to backless mode and highback mode
Tested model: #0303002

Harmony Olympian
Available in backless only
Tested model: #0304005
This rating applies to models built on or after May 2010.

Harmony Transit Deluxe
Available in backless only
Tested model: #0304010

Harmony V6 Highback
Rating applies to backless mode and highback mode
Tested model: #0303003

Harmony Youth Booster Seat
Available in backless only
Tested model: #0304003

Jané Montecarlo R1
Available in highback only
Tested model: #4564US/R87
Results also apply to: #141G2IPUSR62/141G2IPUSR65/141G2IPUSR87

Kiddy Cruiserfix Pro
Available in highback only
Tested model: #51-520-CF

Kiddy World Plus
Available in highback only
Tested model: #51-100-WP

Kids Embrace Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
Available in highback only
Tested model: #65500LEO
Results also apply to: #65500SPD/65501DOR/65500SBS/71900BAT

Lil Fan Box Seat
Available in backless only
Tested model: #AD02

Little Tikes Backless Booster
Available in backless only
Tested model: #221250
Results also apply to: #23443/22737

Little Tikes Highback Booster
Rating applies to backless mode and highback mode
Tested model: #221300

Maxi-Cosi Rodi AP
Rating applies to highback mode only
Backless mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #BC090

Maxi-Cosi Rodi XR
Rating applies to highback mode only
Backless mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #22223-CIP

Maxi-Cosi RodiFix
Available in highback only
Tested model: #BC077

Peg Perego Viaggio HBB 120
Rating applies to highback mode only
Backless mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #IMVIO1US35

Recaro Performance Booster
Available in highback only
Tested model: #363.00

Recaro Performance SPORT
Available in highback only
Tested model: #386.01

Safety 1st Boost Air Protect
Rating applies to highback mode only
Backless mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #BC027

Safety 1st BoostAPak
Available in backless only
Tested model: #BC062

Safety 1st Store 'n Go
Rating applies to highback mode only
Backless mode rating: Check fit
Tested model: #BC069

Safety 1st Store 'n Go No-Back
Available in backless only
Tested model: #BC070
Results also apply to: #BC105