IIHS Rates More Booster Seats

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced this week the results of the tests it conducted on no less than 72 booster seats, finding, without surprise, that most of them “are better than they used to be at fitting lap and shoulder belts on 4 to 8-year-old kids to restrain them in a crash.”

Out of the 72 models tested, the Institute decided to rate 21 of them with BEST BET and seven with GOOD BET. Of course, this still means that the bulk of the products tested are below what IIHS considers acceptable, as they “don't offer consistently good fit in all vehicles.“

"For the first time top-rated boosters outnumber ones the Institute doesn't recommend," said Anne McCartt, Institute senior vice president for research. "Now more than ever manufacturers are paying attention to belt fit, and it's showing up in our ratings."

The BEST BET boosters are: Britax Frontier 85, Chicco Keyfit Strada, Clek Oobr, Cosco Juvenile Pronto, Cybex Solution X-Fix, Eddie Bauer Auto Booster, Evenflo Big Kid Amp, Evenflo Maestro, Graco TurboBooster Crawford, Harmony Baby Armor, Harmony Dreamtime, Harmony Dreamtime, Harmony Secure Comfort Deluxe, Harmony Youth Booster Seat, Maxi-Cosi Rodi XR, Recaro ProBOOSTER, Recaro ProSPORT, Recaro Vivo, Recaro Young Sport, Safety 1st Boost Air Protect and The First Years Pathway B570.

At the opposite end, the IIHS does not recommend Eddie Bauer Deluxe, Eddie Bauer Deluxe 3-in-1, Evenflo Express, Evenflo Generations 65, Evenflo Sightseer, Harmony Baby Armor, Safety 1st All-in-One, Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite.

"Parents looking for top-rated seats now have more choices that include several affordable picks," McCartt added. "Consumers don't have to spend much money on a booster to get good all-around belt fit. In fact, shoppers can find several BEST BET boosters for $50 or less through online retailers."