Last Updated on December 30, 2023 by Natalie
I fly frequently with my young children. They have reached the limits the AAP recommends for children to safely use the lap belt in airplanes, so I decided it was time to stop lugging around their giant car seats. We did lug them through airports and used them on airplanes until our children were old enough to ride on planes using just the lap belt. I still highly recommend using car seats on the plane (so does the FAA)! While I prefer keeping my kids in a 5-point harness during every day driving and long road trips, what about plane travel where we won’t be spending much time in a car?
For travelers whose children meet the criteria: travel booster seats! They are lighter, smaller, often easy to pack (in a carry on, of course), and great for travel.
Convinced? Let’s look for the best travel booster seat for your child!
Please note: Booster seats cannot be used on airplanes. Car seats CAN be used on airplanes if they have the FAA approved sticker. If you are traveling with kids too small for a travel booster seat, check out great car seats for flying. We have traveled internationally with carseats and it’s worth it to keep the kids as safe as possible.
Disclaimer
Blissmersion a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain contain affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, I’ll receive a commission. I purchased my portable car seats with my own funds and have not received any free products or compensation of any kind.
Looking for the best and easiest to use travel booster seat? Try this one!
Best travel booster seat 2024
Please be advised that not all products will be approved in all countries.
Find the Best Travel Booster Seat
Best travel booster seats reviews
BubbleBum Inflatable Backless Booster Car Seat
We purchased the BubbleBum Inflatable booster seat for both kids expressly for travel. This travel booster seat is for ages 4-11, 40 lbs – 100 lbs (18.1 kg to 45.3 kg). BubbleBum says their product meets and exceeds US and EU safety regulations (I know it’s approved for use in the US. Also, it is designed to be used with a standard 3 point adult seat belt that has been approved to ECE Regulation 15 or equivalent). It has also been crash tested both while inflated and deflated. The seat itself only weighs 500 g.
The instructions seem straight forward and are easy to follow. During my first test, I was able to get it positioned on my 5 year old daughter correctly on the first try. Amazing. It was just as easy to use it correctly on my 6 year old son. The BubbleBum booster seat folds up to be around the same size at the travel vests for travel, though it many not squish down quite as much in your bag. It’s a really easy booster seat for travel!
After using these seats for several years, they are the easiest seats to use while traveling in different types of cars. Even thought they do take up 1/4 to 1/2 of a backpack when we travel, they are far smaller than carting a car seat or other type of booster. They are also very easy to use. Please see the note at the end of the description for the Hiccapop inflatable, as it applies to both inflatable seats that I’ve used.
Pro-tip: Always carry your booster seats in your carry-on luggage. These are items that you never want to have misplaced by an airline.
Best for: Easiest, Lightweight
Hiccapop Uberboost Inflatable Booster Car Seat
The Hiccapop Uberboost inflatable booster car seat is another great portable option. It functions similarly to the BubbleBum inflatable (blow it up for use and deflate it when you aren’t using it). This seat also meets or exceeds the US requirements for safety testing. It is for children who are ages 4-11 years old and 40 lbs – 110 lbs (18.1 kg – 49.9 kg). The Hiccapop Uberboost does fold up really small after being deflated, so it is still a good (and safe) seat for traveling.
It also can support kids up to 110 lbs (49.9 kg), which is helpful when you have older kids who aren’t quite ready to ride without a booster seat, but exceed the weight limits of other inflatable seat options. I’ve actually purchased this one for that reason! It’s a GREAT seat and my child really likes it. It’s just as easy to use as the BubbleBum. I needed the higher weight limit. The seat is slightly wider and quite comfortable. I definitely recommend this one, too!
We still use this from time to time for my younger child (age 10). The inner air cushion has had to be replaced, which the company did at no charge a few years ago. I’ve found they aren’t as durable as I’d hoped, but the ease of traveling with this and keeping them with me so that they can be used in different cars as needed far outweighs the inconvenience of having to replace the inner inflatable (only once!) This goes for this and the BubbleBum.
After several years of use, this one edges out the Bubblebum by a little bit. It’s wider, so it’s more comfortable for larger kids. I understand that many people will be able to let their kids go without a booster by the age of 9 or 10, but in our particular cars and the leg length of my children mean that my younger child is still needing a booster (unless she’s in the middle seat) and my older child needed one until around age 10, too.
Best for: Higher weight limit, most compact of the inflatable variety, Lightweight
Peg Perego Carry Viaggio Flex 120 Child Booster Seat
This high back booster from Italy is on the list because it folds. There are no armrests, which allow children to buckle the buckle by themselves. Since it folds, it does make traveling with it easier. It weights 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg), so it’s not a back-breaker, either. It’s also easy to install. The only complaint is the lack of padding on the seat which may make some seating configurations uncomfortable. It meets or exceeds all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 requirements for use in motor vehicles.
This booster seat has a lot of advantages, including a 12 year expiration. It folds for travel (and can fit in the overhead bin). It can also be adjusted quite a bit to fit older kids. It can be used with children weighing 40lbs – 120lbs, up to 63” tall (18.1 kg to 54.4 kg, up to 160 centimeters tall). I didn’t use this, but I wish I had. The weight limit is one of the higher limits available on a portable booster and that’s definitely something to consider!
Best for: Longest lasting, those who need a portable high back booster, narrow footprint
mifold Grab-and-Go car Booster seat
The mifold grab-and-go car booster seat is (as far as I know) the most compact booster seat ever invented. It folds up incredibly small and is designed for kids ages 4 and up, from 40 lbs – 100 lbs (18.1 kg to 45.3 kg), and who are 40 inches to 57 inches tall (101.6 cm to 144.78 cm). It does meet or exceed the US requirements for safety testing.
I have not personally used the mifold because I didn’t buy one. Why? I didn’t buy it because the current design doesn’t seem to be easy to use correctly in a consistent manner. The mifold isn’t consistent with belt positioning (which is a big safety concern). It could be because the slim design works best with a stand seat bight (where the horizontal and vertical parts of the seat meets) and different styles of seat bights throw that positioning off. This can lead to errors in use. Additionally, since it’s a harder seat, it can dig into kid’s legs and become uncomfortable quickly.
I do not recommend this seat. Your mileage may vary.
Best for: Smallest seat available
Ride Safer Travel Vest
When I first started looking for portable booster seats, I found the Ride Safer Travel Vest! Yes, it’s approved to use in a car in the USA, though the current version has not yet been certified for use in Europe, as additional accessories may be needed to comply with the laws. While it states ages 3-6 on the smaller size, it is definitely better for 4.5 and up, in my experience.
The travel vest a little confusing during the first use. It took me some time (and searching for YouTube videos) to use correctly, but I realized with continued use that it was right. The company claims that it’s easier to use correctly than a typical car seat. Practice before you travel, in order to get the positioning correct. The ride safer travel vest cannot be used on an airplane currently (apparently the accessory that would allow it to be used on an airplane is still in the FAA approval process).
My kids have used these vests for travel for around a year and I like them. It’s also been true for me that they are easy to use correctly, once you understand how they are supposed to be used. My children can put them on and only need my help for getting the waist buckle and crotch strap on correctly. Once in the car, they are able to thread the seat belt themselves. I do have to help adjust for the proper position. I prefer these for younger kids, since they can’t wiggle out very easily.
There are two sizes, with different age and weight limits. Buy the size your child fits into now, do not size up too early. These do also take up quite a bit of backpack space, probably about the same (or a little more) as any of the inflatable booster seats.
Best for: Wiggly kids
Can booster seats be used on an airplane?
No. Keep them in your carry on bag so they are ready to use when you arrive at your destination.
Are travel booster seats safe?
When used properly, car seats and booster seats will keep your child safer than no car or booster seat. Make sure to use a booster seat that is approved in the country where you’ll be traveling.
Can kids be on an airplane without a car seat?
According to the AAP, children over 40 lbs are safe to use the lap belt.
Travel with a lightweight booster seat
Keeping kids safe is always a family’s priority. When traveling, stick with using a car seat or booster seat appropriate for your child. Make sure they are sitting properly in their booster seat and use it every time. It just may save their life.
My older child switched to a highback booster just before his 8th birthday. My daughter is about to be switched from a 5-point harness to a highback booster at 8 and a quarter years. I’m not paying lip service to safety – I’m living it.
Do you have feedback on this list of booster seats for travel? My best recommendations come from readers! Please share your thoughts in the comments.
