The Complete Guide On The Best Harness Booster Seats Of 2022

#1. Graco Tranzitions 3 In 1 Harness Booster Seat - Best Booster Seat with Harness

Our best pick choice goes out to the Graco Tranzitions.

If you are familiar with the previous Nautilus version of the seat, you will love the improved Graco Transitions booster seat.

The luxurious and narrow design allows you to install several car seats in the backseat.

This forward-facing booster seat is one of our favorite models when it comes to traveling. It's just the right weight, suitable for parents on-the-go. Plus, you won't have to splurge on it since it has a budget-friendly price.

The Graco Tranzitions 3 in 1 seat has a unique design.

Not only do you use it as a harness booster and a belt-positioning seat, but you can also use it as a no-back booster when the time is right.

That being said, the booster is equipped with SimplySafe to adjust the harness system that changes to the harness and the headrest in eight height positions.

The seat contains blow-molded plastic, which volumes down the seat's weight but still keeps the insides comfortable.

You might think that it's not as comfortable as heavily padded seats, this design proves to be an excellent energy absorbent component. 

Reportedly, the booster seat works impressively well in car crashes.

Several parents who had the experience commented that the seat was intact after the crash. However, you cannot use the seat from that point on. Always replace it after a collision of any sort. 

Depending on your vehicle, the installation can be tricky sometimes.

Since the booster is relatively narrow, the shoulder belt path is installed high up. Cars with a shoulder belt on the side or high up on the seat-back will experience some issues. 

Furthermore, the seat is equipped with a latch for top tethers and the lower anchors.

But, be aware that this is only suitable for children weighing less than 45 pounds, who need to be secured in a harness mode. 

#2. Chicco MyFit Harness + Booster Car Seat - Best Side Impact Protection

The well-known brand Chicco has earned the respect of its trustworthy customers worldwide. Even though some consider the products "too high," we feel that price justifies the quality of the product.

Here is why you should consider the MyFit Harness+Booster Car Seat.

The Chicco model is a favorite since it's packed with features that we all love to have in a booster.

Starting with the convertible car seat function, this booster is suitable for children who require a 5-point harness and for older ones secured via a seat belt.

When using the booster in a forward-facing position with the harness, weight requirements are 25 to 65 pounds. On the other hand, the belt-positioning booster can be used by kids weighing 40 to 100 pounds.

The benefits of using this kind of booster lie in its ability to accommodate a younger audience and those who are transitioning to a backless booster.

Uplifting comfort is a big plus on boosters.

The reclining function of the Chicco high back booster is not necessary for safety, but it's a must-have when it comes to comfortable rides.

There are four reclining functions of this model, and they can be adjusted to a preferable level. A padded harness with one pull-tightener will keep them comfortable and safe in their seats for growing toddlers.

As for safety, the Chicco forward-facing car booster takes the win.

The Duo Guard 2-layers shell protects your kids with the energy-absorbing layer and a side impact protection.

Your kid will be secured safely with the use of a Lock-Sure belt-tightening system that provides a snug fit during long rides.

#3. Britax Grow with You ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Car Seat - Best For Bigger Cars

Britax acclaims one of the strongest reputations in the car seats and booster world.

By continually pushing the boundaries on the innovations, Britax delivers one of the most impressive boosters/car seat combinations.

This booster can be used as a forward-facing for children between 25-65 pounds. It offers a 2-point harness that accommodates the children's growth.

The great thing is that you won't have to splurge on both the car seat and a booster. Britax has it all.

When your kid is ready for a high back booster, the car seat transforms into one and offers all the support and comfort a kid needs.

The high back booster mode offers a 22" belt path that is suitable for children up to 120 pounds.

The Grow with You seat is packed with safety features such as Click Tight installation and side-impact protection when it comes to safety.

You won't even have to worry about adjustment; the booster offers a harness that is quick to adjust and a multi-position recline technology designed to keep kids comfortable.

One of our favorites is that you don't need to take out the harness when you plan on using the seat as a high back booster.

Simply tuck the belt straps in the seat pocket and switch to a harness mode when you desire.

This has proved to be quite beneficial, especially if you have two toddlers by your side that require a seat switch each time.

The tricky part of the forward-facing booster seat is that it's not suitable for smaller cars or three across car seat installation.

It is on the lightweight and narrow side, but the expandable cup holders make it challenging to fit into a smaller vehicle.

#4. Graco Nautilus 3 In 1 Harness Booster Seat - Best Safety Features

We already talked about the upgraded version, but what about the original one?

Graco Nautilus car booster seat is a 3-in-1 system with a whooping 120 lbs weight capacity.

Still, keen on the upgraded version? Let's see why you should consider this one as well.

Safety First: This booster has caught our attention mostly due to the safety features and capability to hold your loved ones snug throughout the ride.

It meets all the necessary requirements and even passes the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), proving it can withstand a car crash.

The safety is that much enforced by the energy absorbing layer and a 5 point harness system that keeps children in place during bumpy rides.

With its steel frame, the Graco car booster seat is bound to serve you for a long time. However, even though it is durable in construction, it's pretty bulky if you ask us. Taking it out of the car was quite the chore.

The 3-in-1 system is designed to fit the rear-facing babies to toddlers who need a backless booster seat.

When it's time to dismantle the seat, you can follow the detailed manual instructions and switch the mode within 5 minutes.

Getting the harness belt to loosen up and adjust was pretty easy. However, tightening them is where we struggled the most. But, the good news is that you do not need to rethread the belt.

For anyone who dealt with rethreading, you know the hassle of it. So, having a booster that requires an easy system of adjustment is truly a relief.

The bottom line is that it's one of the best choices for a 3-in-1 booster seat. The safety features, comfort, and style are all on point.

So, if you are deciding between Nautilus and Graco Transitions, we hope we solved your dilemma. 

#5. KidsEmbrace 2-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat - Impeccable Design For Marvel Fans

Are you willing to put a unique spin on the conventional booster seat for your youngest Marvel fan?

The Kids Embrace harness booster seat is a safe and comfortable option bound to make every ride as fun as it gets.

Be honest, how many times did your kid refuse to get in the booster seat?

With KidsEmbrace, you will have no such problems. The brand offers a variety of different designs, from Disney characters to Nickelodeon ones.

According to NHTSA's recommendations, kids should remain in belt-positioning seats until they reach 57 inches in height. This booster seat allows children from the age of three and up to use it. One of our favorite features is the functionality of the booster.

It converts from a harness to a high back booster as your kid grows.

You can either use it as a forward-facing seat, built for children weighing between 22 and 65 pounds or as a convertible car seat belt positioned seat.

However, it cannot transition to a backless booster. (If you need one, we have a separate article on that topic here).

Even though the attraction is unique, the KidsEmbrace harness booster is entirely safe for children. It meets all the necessary USA safety requirements by IIHIS.

With the patented energy absorption layer, the booster provides optimal safe rides and side-impact protection technology.

The high back booster offers a 5 point harness with three harness positions designed to fit your child's age, weight, and height.

Finally, we would not recommend this booster if you have a smaller car. The seat is quite cumbersome and does take up space in the back seat.

For all of you with extra backspace, this will be a great purchase.

The Evenflo Chase harnessed booster seat is a favorite among parents who value safety, style, and comfort for their kids.

It will follow all the full adventure rides through childhood and keep the young ones safe with many features and accessories.

The harnessed booster seat is thoroughly tested for structural integrity, ensuring your child is safe in vehicle transportation.

As it should be with all booster seats, the side impact protection meets all the applicable federal safety regulations.

Having in mind that the booster is tested for rigorous crashes, you can rest sure knowing kids are safe in the back seat.

The model offers a 5 point harness system that secures children up to 40 pounds. After the child has surpassed this weight, your next step is switching to a booster seat.

Most of the parents commented that the installation of this car seat booster is easy and straightforward. The lightweights of the product do the job that much easier.

We bet that most of you will be thrilled to know that the Evenflo Chase is quite the budget-pick compared to other booster seats.

It's considered the best pick for those who want to cut down on expenses at such a low price but still have a durable and safe booster.

The determining factor of whether children will like the booster is most definitely comfort.

The Evenflo booster offers ComfortTech technology. Moreover, the seat is constructed from three separate layers that help ease the pressure points as the kid grows.

The seat also offers four different buckle positions.

If you want to use it as a belt-positioning booster, know that the buckles are fit to accommodate the exceeding growth.

#7. Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat - Best For Smaller Children

2-in-1 car seats that offer both the harness support and seat belt safety have been all the rage over the past few years. However, they are known for their high prices. 

The budget will not stop you when it comes to the Cosco Finale booster car seat.

With a $60 price point, the forward-facing booster seat will fill all of your expectations and support your little one in the best way possible.

What surprised us the most is the minimal weight of 30 pounds for the harness mode. This weight limit is suitable for tinies passengers who are not just yet ready for a booster seat mode.

What might present an issue is the only one set of the crotch buckle mode. This could be an issue for smaller kids, leaving them with a bit of extra space. However, it's a perfect fit for bigger ones.

Also, the harness mode seems a bit shorter for kids weighing around 65 pounds. However, considering this is the limit weight, you might want to convert the harness setting into a booster seat belt.

As for the high back booster mode, the belt guide is tricky to install in some vehicles. 

The reported problem regards the belt not retracting. Luckily, you only need the belt guide to adjust the right fit. Parents didn't even have to use it most of the time.

When your child reaches age 6 or 7, he/ she will probably need another booster since this one does not have an adjustable headrest.

You can do so using the latch system for the installation but only for children weighing around 50 pounds.

Please consult with the vehicle manual to determine the right way of securing the seatbelt.

#8. Evenflo Maestro Sport Harness Booster Car Seat - Best Car Crash Safety Tested

The booster seat by Evenflo Maestro Sport is not as glamorous as some of the other expensive models, but it will surely deliver the best quality for a safe ride.

You can select from a few color patterns and make sure your ride is just as stylish as comfortable.

The Maestro Sport forward-facing booster is designed for kids who have outgrown the rear-facing seats and are now ready for adequate protection.

Even though you will get a few years out of the use, the height selection is not as generous as with other models.

Our main issue with this booster car seat is that it offers only one belt guide position. 

This can be tricky when your kid is in the transitional phase regarding height. The headrest is not adjustable, and it does the job that is much more problematic.

It means as soon as your kid turns 6 or 7, it's time to get another seat. This is not in all cases, but many parents commented that they did not get further use out of it.

All Evenflo seats have been tested for 2x federal car crash safety. This includes side impact protection, flammability, temperature alterations, and structural integrity.

The latch system can be used for children up to 50 pounds, meaning it can sometimes serve for belt positioning rides. However, some had problems securing the latch system as well as tightening the harness.

We suggest keeping the manual handy at all times to track the child's height. Since the height and weight limitations are pretty low, chances of outgrowing a booster are high.

All in all, this is a suitable budget-friendly option. If you are carpooling or leaving the kids for a weekend at grandparents, this can be a great backup booster.

#9. Safety 1st Grand Booster Car Seat - Best for Three Across

What's so unique about the Safety 1st booster seat?

You will love it as the seat comes with extended use and design. Thus, you can use it for your younger and older kids.

Namely, the booster harness seat easily adjusts to your kids between 30 and 65 pounds with a forward-facing harness mode and to kids between 40 and 120 pounds when you use it as a belt-positioning booster seat.

Moreover, the booster seat is an ideal option, as it's created for superior comfort.

As you will find, the booster harness provides an excellent ergonomic design and support; hence, the headrest, back, shoulders part, and seat will provide the best support and softness for your little ones.

In addition, they can use it for an extended period, pressure-free and comfortably. Thus, all key points that might be problematic for your kid's comfort are solved with the seat.

The booster seat offers an effortless cleaning process since the dual dishwasher-safe cup holders are detachable and removable.

So, you can easily remove them and clean them for more robust use. Your kids can place their favorite drinks and snacks for more convenient rides.

Thanks to premium-quality content and fabrics, the seat offers a comfortable ride with numerous ranges, including smooth knit jersey, textured nylon, and lamination that provides a plush and soft feel.

Thus, your kids won't be pressured, sweaty or limited in the booster seat.

Since the booster seat comes lightweight and portable, it's effortless to move between motor vehicles, and it's an ideal option for carpooling, growing families, and on-the-go families.

Moreover, it fits three across, so you can adjust it as you like.

And, due to the 5-point harness system, your kids will be safe and protected for more prolonged use and longer rides.

#10. Cosco Highback 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat - Best for Flexible Design

Thanks to the safe two-in-one design, the Cosco booster seat works in two modes and easily adjusts to your kids between 22 and 80 pounds.

Thus, you can use it as a 5-point harness for more minor children and convert it to a belt-positioning booster seat as they grow.

As you can see, the 5-point harness offers additional stability and security for your kids while on the go. They will move freely but cannot slip away or get hurt, and the seat will be stable and secure as well.

The main reason for this is the LATCH safety system that you can adjust to the front. And, when your kiddo grows, you can effortlessly remove the harness and use it as a belt-positioning seat.

However, you have to follow the safety procedure.

Namely, when you use the car seat in the belt-positioning mode, the shoulder belt guides provide two options for threading the seat belt to manage the height and offer a better fit to growing children.

So, the belt won't limit or repress them, and they will be more comfortable while wearing it.

Mess is an unavoidable part of every journey. Thus, your kids can easily spill their drinks and snacks all over the seat and vehicle seat.

But, that's not a reason to worry since you can easily remove the seat pad and wash it in a washing machine. Next, you can leave it in a dryer to fully dry and be fresh and ready for more extended use.

Finally, the car seat is effortless to clean since it also includes a detachable and removable dishwasher-safe cup holder, and you can effortlessly clean it once it gets dirty.

So, the seat is ready for robust uses whenever you like.

#11. Baby Trend Hybrid Booster 3 In 1 Car Seat - Best for a Durable System

Finally, the last booster harness seat is an ideal choice for your needs since it offers three using stages and three different modes of use.

Thus, as you can see, the first stage covers children between 22 and 50 pounds with a maximum height of 48 inches; the second one is ideal for kids between 40 and 100 pounds with a maximum height of 50 inches, and the final one supports kiddos from 40 and 100 pounds and up to 57 inches high.

All parts are effortless to clean and maintain since the content is hand-washable and removable. Thus, you can effortlessly detach the body inserts, seat pads, and harness covers, wash and refresh them for more extended use.

Also, the booster will wow you since the unit comes with extra-large cup holders, suitable for drinks and snacks, and it's also easy to clean and maintain for more prolonged use.

Thanks to the multi-position head support, your kids will have extra comfort since their heads remain in the perfect posture, comfortable and pressure-free.

Also, the headrest will adjust to their body shape and position, follow it and make them cozy and soft.

Of course, the seat is extraordinary as the headrest contains complete side-impact protection along with the base shell.

In addition, as you will see, the base and frame in general offer layers of energy-absorbing foam; therefore, the seat absorbs all external forces, impacts, energy, and power that might hurt your little one.

Thus, even if the base cracks, your baby remains intact, safe, stable, and secure inside the booster car seat.

Finally, the booster car seat is an ideal option since it offers a one-hand front harness adjuster; therefore, you can easily manage the harness system and adjust it to your kids' needs.

1. 5-Point Harness Vs. 3-Point Harness: Which One Is Better?

You want a harness booster seat, but you are still debating whether a 5-point or a 3-point harness is better? Let's sum it down.

The whole logic behind the issue is the more straps, the merrier.

A 5-point harness is designed to protect the kid's neck, shoulders, and hips. Two straps are covering the hips, two shoulder belts, and one between the legs.

On the other hand, a 3-point harness booster lacks the two straps that protect the hip area.

Right then and there, you can assume that 5-point booster harness car seats are better for optimal protection. And guess what? You're right.

There have been numerous situations where a kid simply wiggles their way out of the strap. However, the odds are less likely if you secure them in a 5-point one.

2. What Are the Benefits of Harnessed Booster Seats?

Getting harnessed booster car seats is not only a smart decision, but some state's car seat laws also require it.

Booster seats with harness are designed to keep your little one in place during bumpy rides.

By restraining kids in harness, the crash's effects will less likely strike them, since this technology works towards protecting them as best as possible.

During a collision, the movements are limited. 

Any applied force will be spread into the booster seat, covering the kid's soft areas such as the abdomen.

3. Weight and Height Requirements

As you can notice, most of the harness booster seats have a threshold of 40 pounds as the ultimate weight limit. But, this is not the situation for all of them.

Booster seats with a harness can sometimes secure around 65 pounds of weight while still keeping the child snug.

We recommend you wait a bit before turning your harness booster car seats into a convertible car seat with belt restraint.

Always read the car seats manual to check the right weight and height for a seat belt booster.

According to the NHTSA, children should remain in a harness seat until they are at least five years old.

If the child wiggles and slips out of the seat belt booster, it's not the right time to move from a harness one.

Once the child overgrows the harness seat, he/she is ready for a seat belt booster. As long as you install it adequately, you have nothing to worry about.

4. Safety Requirements

Picking the best harness booster seat goes beyond just having cup holders and colorful designs. Always check if the booster seat meets all the necessary safety requirements.

For starters, check if the seat follows The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards.

Then, inspect if the booster is still in good shape or expired. Yes, booster seats have a limited life span.

Just like regular car seats, the booster can usually last up to 6 years or more.

The best solution is to buy a new one, but if you are going for a second-hand one, make sure it hasn't been in an accident or expired.

5. Installation

Installation is the key if you want a stress-free ride.

Though it can't always be guaranteed, you can choose from two options: The first one is installing the booster by using the vehicle's seat belt. The second is using the well-known LATCH system (tethers and lower anchors).

The system works pretty quickly, and it's recommended as the safest installation route. You need to attach the seat to the anchors in the back and the ones behind the seat.

Don't worry if you don't get it right the first time. 

The best thing is to practice several times before your child uses the booster. In this way, you avoid the stressful situations of installing the seat in a rush.

Here is a link we hope you will find helpful.

6. Accessories Make All the Fun

You will find a lot of harness booster car seats on the market that have extra features. They are not essential, but it sure is fun to have them as an additional feature.

Our favorite one is the cup holders.

Of course, we cannot use them enough for being a nifty little helper for toys and beverages. Children love them!

Since harness limits their movements, cupholders act as their own storage space where they can sneak in a snack or two.

You can also look for adjustable armrests and headrests since they can significantly elevate the entire booster seat's comfort.