As a parent, you want to keep your child protected from any and all possible danger, including in the car. As your child grows from a baby to a toddler, you may realize that baby car seats are no longer suitable. Still, your child isn’t quite ready to sit in a regular seat. So what do you do?
The best option? Booster seats with 5 point harness. As the name implies, a 5 point harness booster seat has 5 points of contact on the body—both shoulders, both sides of the hips, and the groin. This keeps your child locked in snugly, so they are protected from any impacts while keeping comfortable throughout the car ride.
Since figuring out which booster seats with 5 point harness are worth your money, we did the research for you.
**Note** – A quick hello to anyone reading this, I’m Alastair AKA Product Review Lad. I started this site to help people choose the best products to buy, and hopefully what you’re about to read will aid you in your choice. This page includes affiliate links to the likes of Amazon, which if you make a purchase I qualify to earn a (typically small) commission. Don’t worry as this won’t cost you anything, the likes of Amazon pay any commissions. Thank you in advance for your support as this helps Product Review Lad to create the best reviews.
Best Booster Seats With 5 Point Harness
Choosing the best 5 point harness booster seats is all about selecting the safest and most comfortable models. There are plenty to choose from, but we looked at several key factors, such as cost, adjustability, construction and durability, and additional features to figure out which safety booster seats take the gold.
Here are the five we highly recommend:
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Best 5 Point Harness Booster Seat: Pria 85 Convertible Car Seat from Maxi-Cosi
Maxi-Cosi offers a solution for every parent looking for a child car seat that is worth the money: the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85. This is a premium, top of the line model that supports a baby from their first car ride and well into their childhood. This car seat starts as a rear-facing model that accommodates a 14-40 pound child. After 40 pounds, it switches to forward-facing, fitting children up to 85 pounds safely. Parents love the magnetic clasp that makes unfastening and adjusting the harness a breeze.
With adjustable height and reclining, you can easily set up the seat to fit snugly into your vehicle and provide a better seat for your child.
Another plus is the plushy, highly breathable fabric, which keeps your child from becoming uncomfortable and fussy during long car rides.
Pros
- Two modes of use
- Uses patented Air Protect cushioning for superior comfort and protection, as well as enhanced side impact protection and LATCH
- The harness and headrest can be adjusted with one hand
- The seat pad and harness covers are removable and machine washable
- Comes with any easy to clean cup holder
- The fabric is very cool—great for sweaty babies
Cons
- Not for larger, older children
- Pricey
- This extra-comfortable, LATCH-equipped Maxi-Cosi car seat offers a first-class ride, rear-facing from 14 to 40 pounds and 22 to 85 pounds forward-facing.
- The five-point harness adjusts easily from the front of the seat and includes one-hand harness height and headrest adjustment for a precise fit.
- Your child rides safely with the innovative Fletch system for multi-directional energy Management and the revolutionary air Protect Advanced side-impact protection.
- Keep straps out of the way for easy boarding with the handy harness holders, and the flip away buckle wont get in the way while your child gets in and out.
- Easy to clean, The seat pad unsnaps and slips off the frame, ready to go into the washing machine and dryer.
- This car seat meets or exceeds federal, ASTM, and JPMA safety standards
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Runner Up: MyFit Harness + Booster Car Seat from Chicco
Easily one of the best booster seats with 5 point harness on the market, the Chicco MyFit Harness only loses to the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 model on one point: the weight range. The Chicco booster seat is made for children 25-100 lbs and has DuoGuard Protection, which is a rigid shell within an energy-absorbing foam. The seat reclines through 4-positions to ensure a secure fit within your car’s backseat while simultaneously keeping your child safe. The padding is just enough, and the wings of the headrest do not block the passenger’s view of the windows.
Pros
- Includes LATCH
- Extremely comfortable—features 2 layers of ErgoBoost Comfort technology
- Two modes: harness mode and booster mode
- 9 position headrest
- Easy installation
- Zip-off backrest and seat coves for easy cleaning
- Comes in 3 colors
- Detachable cup holders that are dishwasher safe
Cons
- A little on the pricier side
- The cup holder position can be problematic sometimes (flailing feet can kick out the cups)
- Converts from 5-point harness to belt-positioning booster
- Duo Guard side-impact protection for head and torso, and steel-reinforced frame
- 4-position recline, 9-position headrest, and deep Ergo Boost seat with padding/contour
- Premium LATCH connectors and Lock Sure belt-tightening system for easy installation
- 2 dishwasher-safe Cup Folders with push-button remo
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best Quick Fit: Nautilus SnugLock LX 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat from Graco
Aside from receiving raving reviews from parents everywhere, the name Graco alone is persuasive. Graco has been in the baby car seat and booster seat business for years, and their products are reliable. The Graco Nautilus SnugLock enables you to adjust the booster seat any number of ways to make sure your child is not only comfortable but safe. Although the steel reinforcements make the seat a little more bulky than your average booster seat, you never have to worry about whether your child is protected from harm.
The additional padding at the top of the seat is incredibly soft and comfortable, so even long rides will be no problem.
Pros
- Uses the LATCH system
- Detachable cup holders
- Easy installation
- Tons of adjustments options, including headrest and reclining
- Steel-reinforced frame and extra padding
- Convertible: 5 point harness car seat (22-65 lbs), highback booster (40-100 lbs), backless booster (40-100 lbs), and a slim backless booster (40-120 lbs)
Cons
- A little clunky and heavy
- SnugLock Installation Technology – installs in less than one minute with either vehicle seat belt or LATCH
- Converts from 5-point harness car seat (22-65 lbs.) to highback booster (40-100 lbs.) to backless booster (40-100 lbs.) to a slimmer backless booster (40-120 lbs.)
- Removable armrests for a better fit that keeps your child protected up to 120 lbs. for longevity of use, in keeping with American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations
- Simply Safe Adjust Harness adjusts the height of your harness and headrest, in one motion, to ensure that your child is always properly secured
- Integrated harness storage system holds unused harness straps while in the belt-positioning booster mode
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered: a combination of the most rigorous crash tests that helps protect your child in frontal, side, rear & rollover crashes; additional testing based on the New Car Assessment Program and for extreme car interior temperatu
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best Budget: Chase Harnessed Booster from Evenflo
The Evenflo Chase Harnessed Booster seat has some standout features that make it well worth its value and then some. The booster seat has been designed to meet all side impact protection requirements and also meets US standards for safety. In federal crash tests, this seat exceeded performance standards. Although designed for children 4 years and up, the seat can fit kids between 22-110 pounds and 43-57 inches tall.
If you’re child is growing rapidly, this is the seat to purchase, because you can either use the seat’s built-in harness or you can adjust to use the car’s seat belt as your child gets bigger.
Pros
- Size/weight range accommodates children of all sizes
- Comes with a machine washable seat pad
- Can be adjusted to use either the seat harness or the car’s belt
- LATCH installation
- 2-in-1 combination booster seat
- Available in four colors/patterns
Cons
- When children fall asleep, there is minimal support for their neck
- No shoulder pads
- GOES THE DISTANCE: Offers 3 stages for up to 10 years of use (4 to 120 lb) — Infant + Convertible + Booster
- INSTANT PEACE-OF-MIND: SensorSafe alerts you of four potentially unsafe conditions in the car — unexpected unbuckling, unsafe temperature, the child is left unattended, and the child is seated too long
- ROCK-SOLID INSTALLATION: EasyClick easily ratchets to give you a 3x tighter installation than the competition — in less than 60 seconds
- ADJUST ON THE FLY: With one hand, one step, the No Re-Thread harness easily slides up and down, allowing you to adjust the seat with no need to re-install
- NOGGIN SUPPORT: Low headrest adjustment feature keeps your baby’s head from slumping and ensures a comfier ride
- SAFETY ABOVE AND BEYOND: The EveryStage All-in-One Convertible Car Seat is impact and rollover tested, as well as tested for structural integrity at levels approximately 2X the federal crash test stand
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Kid’s Favorite: 2-in-1 Superhero Harness Booster Car Seat from KidsEmbrace
This is how you make safety fun. You have to admit that the thematic KidsEmbrace Harness Booster Car Seat is cool. Kids are going to love sitting with their favorite superhero. But for the parent, this is a great seat to purchase for a couple of reasons. First, you can use either the safety booster seat as either a 3 point or 5 point harness. As your child grows, you can convert it to a 3 point harness using the car’s seat belt. The seat has also been tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and exceeds federal standards.
Pros
- Amazingly intricate designs
- 5 point harness comes with padding for added comfort
- 3 position headrest made from energy-absorbing foam
- Comes with two conveniently placed cup holders
- Cover is machine washable
Cons
- The padding on the seat is less than other models, so this isn’t the best car seat for extremely long car rides.
- 5-POINT HARNESS SECURITY: Two position points at each shoulder, two position points at the childs hips, and one point where the harness buckles between the legs to give your child the best possible protection
- 3 HARNESS POSITIONS: There are three slots to position the harness shoulder straps depending on the age and height of your child. Shoulder straps should be at or just above the shoulders whenever using a forward-facing car seat
- TWO MODE OPTIONS: This forward-facing five-point harness car seat is made for children weighing between 22 and 65 pounds and 29 to 49 inches in height. Converts to a belt-positioning booster seat for older children weighing between 40 and 100 pounds and 38 to 57 inches in height. We recommend using the 5-point harness to the maximum recommended weight and height before using this car seat as a belt-positioning booster
- SAFETY CERTIFICATIONS: This seat exceeds Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 213). Side Impact Tested only when used with a 5-point harness. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Best Bet rating when used as a belt-positioning booster
- ADDED COMFORT: Three-position adjustable height headrest is equipped with energy-absorbing EPS foam. Two cup holders provide added convenience to hold drinks or store tre
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Maybe your child doesn’t want a superhero. If so, KidsEmbrace has other characters available, like Disney princesses. You are bound to find one that your kid will adore. Just make sure you double-check the specifications since not all booster seats have the same sizing as the superhero car seats.
- 5-POINT HARNESS SECURITY: Two position points at each shoulder, two position points at the childs hips, and one point where the harness buckles between the legs to give your child the best possible protection
- 3 HARNESS POSITIONS: There are three slots to position the harness shoulder straps depending on the age and height of your child. Shoulder straps should be at or just above the shoulders whenever using a forward-facing car seat
- TWO MODE OPTIONS: This forward-facing five-point harness car seat is made for children weighing between 22 and 65 pounds and 29 to 49 inches in height. Converts to a belt-positioning booster seat for older children weighing between 40 and 100 pounds and 38 to 57 inches in height. We recommend using the 5-point harness to the maximum recommended weight and height before using this car seat as a belt-positioning booster
- SAFETY CERTIFICATIONS: This seat exceeds Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 213). Side Impact Tested only when used with a 5-point harness. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Best Bet rating when used as a belt-positioning booster
- ADDED COMFORT: Three-position adjustable height headrest is equipped with energy-absorbing EPS foam. Two cup holders provide added convenience to hold drinks or store tre
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buyer’s Guide: Tips For Selecting the Best 5 Point Harness Booster Seat
Look for the following features:
Child Booster Seat Law Requirements
36 states have made it mandatory for children 7 and younger to be placed in a restraining system when in a car. Be sure to review the safety standards for your state to see what it is required of you.
Safety
Did you know that 5 point harness booster seats and baby car seats can reduce the risk of serious injury by 45 percent? That is because booster and car seats offer side impact protection and are crafted with cushioning foam to absorb impacts. Having the right booster seat means having peace of mind on the road.
Also, as of 2002, car safety seats may feature LATCH, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. It makes installation much easier. Also, it is now required by US law that car manufacturers have LATCH tethers and anchors. In the event your vehicle doesn’t have the LATCH system, make sure it meets the requirements.
Size and Age Range
Weight, height, and age are all very important when shopping for a safety booster seat. You want to make sure that the size of the booster seat is going to be supported by the dimensions of the backseat of your vehicle, but at the same time, you need to know if the booster seat model will fit your child’s height and weight.
Since no two kids are exactly the same (unless you have twins), most booster seats are adjustable. Still, keep in mind the maximum for height and weight to ensure your child is safely buckled in.
Comfort
Kids should feel comfortable in their booster seats. You can also easily adjust most booster seats and harnesses to accommodate your growing child. Also, you might want to look for a safety booster seat with additional features, such as hidden storage compartments, armrests, and cup holders.
Value
Since the booster seat is not going to be a permanent installation in your car, you want to be able to balance quality with a decent price tag. At the same time, you don’t want to get a booster seat so cheap that it offers no protection at all.
The best value 5 point harness booster seat is going to be one that safely and comfortably fits your child without breaking the bank.
Easy to Clean
Messes are always going to happen when you have a child in the car. Because of that, you should look for a booster seat that allows you to wash the fabric covering. Plastic areas should be accessible, so you can wash those down with soap and water.
Final points
Hopefully, this article has answered your 5 point harness booster seat questions. If you have any questions, recommendations, or anything else, please contact me via my contact page.
Product Review Lad
FAQs About 5 Point Harness Booster Seats
Still have questions? We gathered up some common concerns for you so you don’t have to go anywhere else.
What is a 5 point harness booster seat?
A booster seat with a 5 point harness is one that has 5 points of contact: 2 shoulders, 2 hips, and the crotch.
What is the weight limit for a 5 point harness?
Some states have different stipulations but here is the common guidelines:
If a child is under 20 pounds, they must be placed in a rear-facing car seat in the backseat.
A child that weighs more than 20 pounds can then be placed forward in a car seat.
A child who weighs 40 pounds or more can be placed in a booster seat, and they must remain in a booster seat until they are 60 pounds or more.
Most booster seats will tell you what the specific weight limit is on the packaging/labeling.
How long should a child be in a 5 point harness? How do I know they still need a booster seat?
When in doubt, answer the questions to the 5 Step Booster Test. If you answer any question with no, your child still needs a booster seat.
- Can you child sit back properly in a regular car seat?
- Does your child’s knees sit at the edge of the car seat comfortably?
- Does the sit belt touch their thighs (not the stomach)?
- Is the shoulder belt between the chest and shoulders?
- Can the child remain seated like that for the whole trip?
- Is your child 6 years old and do they meet the weight requirement (at least 60 pounds)?
How do I install a 5 point harness?
Start by reading the manufacturer’s guidelines on how to properly place the seat in your vehicle. Remember to place it on the backseat. The booster seat should fit flat against the backseat. Have your child sit in the seat then follow the instructions on buckling them in. The belts should be sung but comfortable. Adjust the shoulder and lap belts as needed. That’s it!
Are 5 point harness booster seats safe? How much safer?
Yes, 5 point harnesses are very safe. When a harnessed booster seat is tightened and fastened correctly, it prevents much freedom of movement. In the event of panicked braking or an accident, the harness will prevent the child’s body from being whipped around and jerked, thereby limiting the risk of injury.
