The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released its annual recommendations for booster seats.
The list for 2017 includes 16 new models, 13 of which received the highest rating of “Best Bet”.
To be considered a “Best Bet” by IIHS, the seat must provide a good safety belt fit for a typical 4-8-year-old in almost any car, minivan, or SUV.
Boosters may also be rated as “Good Bet”, “Check Fit”, and “Not Recommended”. Three of the 2017 models received a “Check Fit” rating; none are considered “Not Recommended”.
The seats range in price from $40 to $250 and come in backless and highback models. Some models are dual-use, meaning they can be used in either backless or highback mode.
To promote child safety, IIHS has been rating boosters since 2008 on their ability to provide optimal lap and shoulder belt fit.
According to the IIHS website, children ages 4-8 are 45% less likely to sustain injuries in crashes if they are in boosters than if they are using safety belts alone.
The list of booster seat models is listed below. To learn more about IIHS’s rating process, visit their website here.
IIHS New Booster Models for 2017
Best Best:
Chicco GoFit
Cosco Finale
Cosco Finale DX
Diono Monterey XT (backless and highback mode)
Evenflo Spectrum (backless and highback mode)
Graco Wayz (backless and highback mode)
Maxi-Cosi RodiFix
Nuna AACE (backless and highback mode)
Peg-Perego Viaggio Shuttle
Check Fit:
Harmony Folding Travel Booster
Kiddy Cruiser 3
Rider Safer Delighter Booster
