The Best Travel Car Booster Seats in 2023
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If you are flying with children who use car booster seats, investing in a portable version can be a smart move for safety during ground transit — especially if your plans include ride-sharing. If you are planning to ride-share or use a car service, booster seats may not be available even if you request them in advance. And if your travel plans include renting a car, the cost to reserve child booster seats through the rental car company is likely to well exceed the cost of buying and bringing your own.
When choosing a travel car booster seat, there are several decision factors to evaluate, including how frequently you plan to use ground transportation during your trip and what type of ground transportation you plan to use (if just going to and from the airport using a car service that confirms they can provide booster seats, it may be unnecessary to bring your own travel booster), safety standards (both yours and the manufacturers), the age/height/weight/stability needs of your children, portability (setup and installation, size/weight of the booster, size/shape when not in use), and comfort.
There are three main categories of travel car booster seats, each with different pros and cons:
Inflatable Travel Car Booster Seats
Offer great portability and some structure and comfort for younger children; require a bit more setup time than “grab and go” ultra-compact options
Ultra-Compact Travel Car Booster Seats
Convenient, highly portable, and easy to pack; typically better suited to older children
Latch / Tether System Car Booster Seats
The sturdiest option, but also the heaviest and bulkiest; typically need to gate-check; ideal if renting a car at your destination
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Below, find our complete round-up of the best travel car booster seats in 2023.
Looking for more family travel gear recommendations? Check out our latest best-of guides for travel strollers, travel pillows, cozy travel sets, and travel backpacks.
Best of the Best
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Inflatable Travel Car Booster Seats
Ultra-Compact Travel Car Booster Seats
Latch / Tether System Car Booster Seats
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Learn more about these top picks and other reviewer favorites below.
With the easy-to-inflate design (wide-mouth valve, 4 breaths and your done), non-skid base made from silicone beads, and side cushions for extra stability, this booster car seat emerged as one of our review team’s top picks and received top marks from both parents and kids during repeated field tests. Meets or exceeds all federal standards for car seat safety (FMVSS213 Federal Motor Safety Standard for USA). Roomy enough for most kids to sit comfortably while still able to fit 3 across in the car. It also comes with a convenient carry-case and patch-up kit in case of minor punctures. Suitable for children age 4-11 weighing 40-110 lbs.
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BubbleBum Travel Car Seat
The compact, lightweight design and soft fabrics of this well-reviewed inflatable travel booster seat impressed our review team. The lap belt positioners were also sturdier and a bit easier to use on the BubbleBum than other travel car seats we reviewed. Features internal memory foam (patented feature) which provides added stability in the event of a crash and comes with a convenient carry case. Meets & exceeds all US federal car safety standards & European regulations (FMVSS213 & R44/04). Notably, this is also the only inflatable car seat which can legally be used in Europe. However, the inflatable valve was a bit laborious and the booster did not stay put as well as other options due to the smooth bottom surface. While the compact size was a plus for fitting three kids across a row, the small size made it a less practical option for bigger kids during field testing. Suitable for children age 4-11 weighing 40-110 lbs.
Our review team loved the grab-and-go portability, ease of use, and comfort of this clever design that adjusts the seatbelt to the child, not the other way around. Has a soft, flexible padded cushion that rests directly on the car seat. FMVSS 213 certified and can be used with our without the car’s LATCH system. While it may not be the best fit for younger children who need more stability and structure in a booster seat, it was our review team’s top pick for school-age kids and received top marks during repeated field tests. Suitable for children ages 4-12, with a minimum weight of 40 lbs. and a height between 40–57”.
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mifold Comfort Grab-and-go Car Booster Seat
This clever booster adapts the seatbelt to the child and allows you to fold up the booster seat into a convenient, envelope-size pouch for travel. Our review team loved the compact, portable design, padded seat for extra comfort, and anti-slip design. Meets or exceeds NHTSA standard FMVSS 213 in the USA and is regulated for use in every country worldwide except Australia and Taiwan. Suitable for children ages 4+ weighing between 40-100 lbs. and a height between 40–59”. The downside is it is not as comfortable as some of the other items reviewed and requires a bit more set up than the other grab-and-go option.
This lightweight (6.2 lb.) travel car booster seat features an ergonomic base, energy absorbing EPE foam lining, 2-in-1 integrated lap and shoulder belt path guide and armrests, along with 2 cupholders. Conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 213). Integrated latch connectors and easy adjust latch adjuster straps. Also includes breathable fabrics and an easy to remove, machine washable cover. Suitable for children weighing 40-120 lbs. and 38.2-63” in height.
This lightweight (5.5 lb.) portable booster car seat features a quick-release design for one-handed removal and built-in carry handle for portability. ErgoBoost contoured seat with double foam padding and dual armrests in premium leatherette for comfort. Also includes 2 dishwasher-safe, fold-away cup holders, removable machine-washable seat pad and pop-out armrest covers for easy cleaning. Conforms to FMVSS 213. Suitable for children age 4+ weighing 40-110 lbs. and 38-57” in height.
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Graco® TurboBooster® LX Backless Booster with Affix Latch
Similar to the other options in this category, this lightweight (5.56 lbs.) portable backless booster seat works with the car’s LATCH system and features a one-hand front-adjust latch system. The seat has an integrated cup holder and hide-away “store anything” compartment to keep child's drinks and favorite things within arm's reach. Removable and machine washable cover. Conforms to FMVSS 213. The downside with this option is it is a bit more limited in child height and weight suitability than the other options reviewed in this category. Suitable for children age 4+ weighing 40-100 lbs. and 43-57” in height.
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Cosco Topside Backless Booster Car Seat
A great value option, this ultra-lightweight (2.2 lb.) backless booster from Cosco has extra-plush padding and is designed to leave car seats unmarked. Works with the car’s latch system, but latch is not required. Car seat cover is hand wash only, no cupholders. Appropriate for children between 40-100 pounds and 43-57” inches in height.
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RideSafer Travel Vest Gen 5
The world’s first wearable child restraint system, the RideSafer Travel Vest (Gen 5) is a great portable option for children in need of a higher level of structure and stability (noted by several reviewers as ideal for children diagnosed with autism). Tested and certified to the dynamic test requirements specified in FMVSS 213. Can use with or without a tether belt. Available in multiple sizes (XS-XL) accommodating children ranging in age from 2-10 years, weighing between 22-110 lbs., and between 30-62” in height.
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Birdee Backless Booster Seat Travel Bag
This heavy duty carry bag for backless car boosters is made of heavy-duty 900D nylon, uses special stitching techniques to protect tears at the seams, and the front zipper pocket transforms into a pouch to fold the bag into it. Attaches to rolling luggage or can be worn over the shoulder. Use for gate-checking your backless travel booster — item (and booster seats in general) not recommended for checked baggage. Also fits most lightweight compact folding strollers.
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Reperkid Booster Seat Travel Bag
This heavy duty carry bag for backless car boosters is made of heavy-duty 600D nylon and folds into a compact zippered pouch when not in use. Use for gate-checking your backless travel booster — item (and booster seats in general) not recommended for checked baggage. Also fits most lightweight compact folding strollers.
What has been your experience with travel car booster seats? Contact us — we’d love to hear from you and share your insights with our community of family travelers!
