Best Booster Seats in Canada (2026)

There's no single best booster seat. Transport Canada tests boosters but doesn't rate or rank them, and says to test the fit in the car where the booster will be used. The best booster is the one that keeps the lap belt low on your child's hips and the shoulder belt across the middle of their shoulder, every ride, in your car. Below are the nine boosters we carry, our picks for carpools, three-across and long use, and the fit checks to do before you buy.

Is your child ready for a booster?

Transport Canada says a booster is for a child who has outgrown their forward-facing car seat and weighs at least 18 kg (40 lb). Outgrown means they've passed the seat's harness weight or height limit, not just a birthday. Check that your province allows the move too. Even if it does, Transport Canada says to keep using the forward-facing seat until your child outgrows its weight or height limit, and many forward-facing seats go up to 30 kg (65 lb), so there's no rush. Our car seat terms guide explains harness limits and the seat stages.

The nine boosters, side by side

Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this. All except the Solana have lower anchor connectors, which keep the booster in place, including when it's empty. Your child is always held by the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt. The weight minimum is the same across the list, but the height minimum varies from 38 to 43.3 inches, so check both.

Our picks

Best for longest use: Nuna AACE

The AACE goes to 110 lb as a high-back and 120 lb as a backless, with a nine-position headrest and three seat depths for longer legs. It's 11.8 inches wide. Our AACE vs Oobr comparison covers the two in detail.

Best for carpools and moving between cars: Maxi-Cosi Tanza or Cybex Solution G2

Both fold and have a carry handle. The Tanza is the lower price, and its rigid connectors show red to green when they're locked on. The Solution G2 weighs 12.8 lb, folds to 23.2 × 10.2 × 21.7 inches and goes to 120 lb. Neither converts to backless.

Best for three across: Nuna AACE, UPPAbaby Alta V2 or Maxi-Cosi RodiSport

The AACE is 11.8 inches wide, the Alta V2's seat pan narrows to 11 inches to leave room for buckles, and Maxi-Cosi says the RodiSport fits three across in most vehicles, depending on the seat shape. In a tight back seat, also check that your child can still reach and use the buckle. Bring your booster to the car, or your car to the store, before you decide. Our Alta V2 guide has more on that seat.

Best built-to-last: Clek Oobr

The Oobr has a metal base subframe, a reclining back that follows the vehicle seat, converts to backless and has a nine-year expiry. It's made in Canada. It's also the heaviest at 20 lb, so it suits a seat that stays in one car. See our Oobr vs Olli guide.

Best second booster for an older child: Diono Solana

At 3.1 lb and $49.99, the Solana is easy to keep in a grandparent's car or a carpool bag. It's backless, so Transport Canada's rule applies: the vehicle seat or headrest must reach at least the top of your child's ears. It suits an older child who sits still and fits a backless booster well, not a child who has just moved up from a harness.

High-back or backless?

A high-back gives your child head support and a shoulder belt guide. A backless booster is smaller and lighter but depends on the vehicle for head support: Transport Canada says the vehicle seat or headrest must reach at least the top of your child's ears. If it doesn't, or your seat has no headrest, use a high-back. A 2-in-1 like the Oobr, AACE, RodiSport or Shuttle Plus 120 lets you remove the back later. Our high-back vs backless guide goes deeper.

The fit test to do in your car

These checks come from Transport Canada. If any one fails, try a different seating position or a different booster.

1. The booster sits flat. A high-back should sit flush against the vehicle seat back. If the headrest pushes it forward, raise or remove the headrest.
2. Your child sits properly: straight, with their back against the booster and knees bent over the edge of the seat.
3. The lap belt sits low and snug on the hips, not on the stomach.
4. The shoulder belt crosses the middle of the shoulder, not the neck and not off the arm. Adjust the shoulder belt guide if needed.
5. The lean test. Pull out about 15 cm of shoulder belt, then have your child slide forward and lean into it until it's snug. Both belts should stay where they were.

And every ride:

• Always use the lap and shoulder belt together. Never use a booster with a lap-only belt.
• Never let your child put the shoulder belt behind their back or under their arm.
• Use the back seat, away from front airbags.
• Buckle the booster in when it's empty, or take it out, so it can't fly forward.
• In a puffy winter jacket, thread the lap belt under the jacket so it stays on the hips. Our winter car seat guide covers coats.

Boosters can't be used on a plane, because aircraft seats have lap belts only. Our guide to flying with a car seat explains what to do instead.

Need help choosing?

We offer car seat installation and check-ups by appointment at our Richmond and Burnaby stores, free for seats bought from us and $50 for other seats. Our guide to what happens at a car seat check explains what to bring. Browse all car seats online, and call ahead to ask which boosters we have on display.

Neo W. is a BCAA-certified Child Passenger Safety Educator at baby enRoute (BCAA CPS Educator II Course).