foldable travel car seat uk

7 Best Portable Car Seats for Babies, Toddlers and Big Kids

We prioritized lightweight car seats for travel by plane, rental car and rideshare.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Portable Infant Car Seat

Doona car seat stroller.

Best Value Portable Booster Seat

Graco turbobooster 2.0.

Best Portable Convertible Car Seat

Cosco scenera next.

Best Portable Foldable Booster Seat

Peg perego viaggio flex 120.

Best Portable All-in-One Car Seat

Graco 4ever dlx.

Best Lightweight Portable Car Seat

Wayb pico travel car seat.

Best Portable Travel System for Babies

Nuna pipa urbn + trvl stroller.

Aside from requiring a lot more gear, traveling with kids can be quite stressful, and in between packing your luggage and investing in a travel stroller , there's little mental energy for anything else. Fortunately our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting Lab have been testing car seats for decades, including the best convertible car seats and the best booster seats . We test based on safety features, functionality, ease of use and value. Our picks are based on tests done in-Lab by our experts, evaluations from our consumer testers and extensive research.

Head to the end of this guide to find more information on how we test, whether or not you should use a car seat on a plane, what to look for when shopping for the best portable car seats and more. Looking for more to make traveling with kids as easy as possible? Check out our favorite outdoor-ready stroller wagons , good diaper bags and the winners of our Family Travel Awards .

The Doona car seat is our pick for the best overall car seat and stroller combo and it's one of our past Parenting Award winners. A dedicated fan following backs it up; see its more than 12,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. The Doona makes it easy to switch between car seat and stroller mode in seconds even with your baby strapped inside. In short, you don't need a separate infant car seat and a stroller, because this is both.

"It's the easiest stroller to maneuver through airport security and around an airport terminal," says one tester who's a mom of two young kids. It goes into a rideshare vehicle using the seat belt (no stroller to put in the trunk!). It's also FAA-approved for use in an airplane cabin and fits on most economy airplane seats, which are often about 17 inches wide.

Rachel Rothman , the Good Housekeeping Institute's former Chief Technologist and a mom of three, is a fan of this for travel. But it's important to note that, as well as being pricey, the Doona is only for rear-facing use and for toddlers up to 35 pounds. Toddlers outgrow it typically at age 2. But if you'll travel a lot in those first two years — even if it's just catching Ubers around town — you'll be grateful for the Doona.

Big kids need a bit of help ensuring that the seatbelt is hitting their body just right, so this backless booster gives them that extra height. It's also exceptionally small, lightweight and easy to travel with; you might even keep several in your car's trunk for when you're carpooling other kids.

Because it's backless, it doesn't offer as much support as a highback booster (for that, see the Peg Perego on this list). It is okayed for ages 4 and up as long as they weigh at least 40 pounds and could be great for a quick trip when you don't want to lug something large. This fits into a tote bag!

With its two hideaway cupholders, machine-washable seat cushions and padded armrests, this tucks a lot of features into a (really!) affordable seat. It's no surprise that it has more than 59,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. While it isn't airline approved — all booster seats require a shoulder belt, which you won't find on an airplane — its compact size makes it incredibly simple to slide into your overhead bin to later use in taxis, Ubers or other vehicles once you get to your destination.

For a little more money there's a TurboBooster LX version that works with LATCH; nice if you'll be keeping this in one car for a length of time.

Got enough to carry already? At 10 pounds, this is the best lightweight convertible car seat for traveling and it won't break the bank. Five harness heights and three buckle locations help customize the seat to your baby or toddler's size, though it's the kind of harness you have to rethread each time you need to change it.

The Scenera can be installed rear-facing for babies and toddlers and forward-facing for preschoolers up to 40 pounds but lacks the cushioning and other comforts, like a recline mechanism, we've come to enjoy in an everyday toddler car seat . Still, with its deep bucket seat, this will keep your tiny passenger comfy enough and car seat compliant when you're traveling and in and out of other people's vehicles. It's especially great as a rear-facing travel option for 2- and 3-year-olds who have outgrown an infant car seat.

You can remove both the cupholder and seat pad for washing. The seat pad can even go in the dryer. The brand claims that three of these seats fit across a back seat and our tests were able to validate that in certain vehicles. It can be installed with the LATCH system or a seatbelt. It's approved for airplane seats and like our best overall pick it fits on most economy seats.

Kids who are at least age 4 and who weigh 40 pounds or more will appreciate the comfort of this belt-positioning booster seat just as much as parents will appreciate its ability to fold down to a fraction of its size.

The Flex 120 has an exceptionally large weight range, functioning for kids up to — you guessed it — 120 pounds. While it's a bit pricier than some other booster options, its ability to compact down makes it perfect for folding up and storing in a bag that you can then gate-check, or even fit into the overhead bin while in-flight. Note that no belt-positioning booster is certified for use in an airplane cabin because they're meant to be used with a car's shoulder belt, not an airplane lap belt. The big kids who fit this are good to use the airplane belt anyway! This is perfect for use in a rideshare, taxi or a far-off relative's vehicle when you land.

Customize this booster to your child by adjusting the headrest, upper backrest, side wings and seat. In addition to being an easy portable car seat, this is another great choice for grandparents or other caregivers who only occasionally drive big kids around because it so easily fits into a car's trunk when not in use.

This is larger and heavier than any of our other choices. However, this is the most portable all-in-one car seat that grows with your little one from a rear-facing infant car seat to a backless booster, from 4 to 120 pounds .

Its versatility means that it may be the only car seat you ever have to buy, and if you travel infrequently, you could manage to tote this on a few trips and avoid buying something separate just for travel. It is certified to work on an airplane seat with the harness (so, up to 65 pounds), but it's about 3 inches wider than many economy airplane seats so the fit isn't great; one Reddit user said they put it in the window seat and then just accepted squeezing themselves into the middle-seat position.

While testing, we appreciated how easy this car seat was to install and use, making it pretty difficult to mess up due to user error. We also love how highly adjustable it is, with a six-position recline and a no-rethread harness with 10 possible heights. The easy-to-remove washable seat pads make it simple to clean up after your little one. If you're taking it with you into a rideshare and can't use the LATCH installation system, there's an integrated belt lock off on the back of the seat that helps make seat belt installation as simple as possible.

This is a pricey option that has a fan following with frequent travelers who travel with a preschooler. It folds down into its own carrying case, which can be worn as a backpack, so you can easily get it through the airport and store it in a hotel. It's got a five-point harness and is meant for kids up to 50 pounds. The brand says it's for kids as young as 2 but because rear-facing is safest and this only faces forward, we would not recommend using it for a child until they are at least age 3, preferably 4.

The Pico does not have side-impact protection and other safety features we want on an everyday car seat, but for travel we agree that this has portability appeal. It also gets knocked in reviews for not being comfortable for long car rides if your child likes to nap, but again, we're putting it on this list for on-the-go families who are in "something is better than nothing" mode, even for short train, bus or van rides.

Our experts appreciate how lightweight this seat is (8 pounds), and that it easily fits even on the smallest economy airplane seat (it's FAA-approved). The seat can either be installed using the LATCH system or the seatbelt in a car or airplane.

If you're a city family that doesn't even own a car, there's a big reason to love the PIPA portable infant car seat: It's built to be installed without a base and is exceptionally easy to move between vehicles, including rideshares like Uber.

It's got a built-in rigid LATCH system or alternatively you can use the back seat seatbelt. Plus, the PIPA urbn only weighs 7 pounds, making it one of the lightest infant car seats we know of and an easy one to carry from place to place. The stroller, too, is lightweight at just under 14 pounds and can be folded down using just one hand. The car seat is built to ride on top of the stroller, for instance to get them both through an airport, and we named it our favorite lightweight travel system .

The infant car seat does not have a high weight limit, however. Your baby will outgrow it when they hit 22 pounds or are 29 inches tall, whichever comes first. For some that can mean by their first birthday. But the stroller will stay useful through the preschool years since it has a weight limit of 50 pounds. The car seat is airline-approved and will fit on most economy cabin seats.

How we test the best portable car seats

The Good Housekeeping Institute's engineering and parenting pros have reviewed dozens of car seats over the past five years, including portable car seats . Our Lab experts work with parents to test these car seats on a variety of vehicles of different brands and sizes to ensure that you can find the right car seat for your family.

Each car seat we consider has passed Federal Safety Standards. We perform tests both in the Lab and at home to evaluate each product's safety, ease of installation, stability, ease of adjustments, stroller compatibility and portability. To accomplish this, we set up each car seat in a variety of vehicles and strollers. We evaluate how easy it is to secure the harness as well as how difficult it is to install the car seats. For portable car seats we pay special attention to whether they can be installed without a LATCH system and to whether they are approved for use in an airplane cabin.

What to look for when shopping for a portable car seat

Whether you're going on a trip or often take your child places in a rideshare vehicle, if you need a portable car seat you should consider these things:

✔️ Height and weight limits : All car seats come with minimum and maximum height and weight specifications. To ensure proper seatbelt placement and optimal security, make sure your child fits within those ranges. Once they meet the maximum in either height or weight, it's time to switch. If you have an adjustable car seat that transitions to a booster look at the labels on the car seat, check the user manual or contact the manufacturer so you know when it's time to switch modes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can help you determine the right kind of car seat for your child based on their age, weight and height. That will help you figure out if you can use an infant car seat or if you need a convertible car seat and if you're ready to move on to a booster car seat for travel.

✔️ Weight : The lightest car seats are often the most portable. We get especially excited when we find any that are less than 15 pounds, though a few on our list are heavier than that.

✔️ Easy cleaning : Regardless of age, spills happen. Luckily, like many other car seats, most portable seats offer removable machine-washable seat covers and padding.

✔️ Design : Traditional car seats have a ton of padding, robust side-impact protection and extra features that are important for everyday but might be overkill for short trips. The best design for a portable car seat is a slim, streamlined one.

✔️ Ease of installation : Since you will be re-installing the car seat each time you put it in a new car or aircraft, it's important to find a car seat that is so easy to install it won't take more than a few minutes. The easiest car seats for traveling can be installed without a car seat base.

✔️ State laws : Before you bring your car seat across state lines, check state laws to be sure you'll be compliant. Often children through age 7 must be in a child-restraint seat. But if you're heading to Florida for Disney World, the laws there only apply to children through age 5.

Should you bring a car seat on the plane?

While it is not mandatory to strap your little one into a car seat on an airplane, many parents opt to do so since it can be both a safer and more comfortable for everyone . It's recommended to do so for children under age 2 by the FAA and AAP. Note: For your child to ride in a car seat, you'll need to buy them their own plane ticket so they're guaranteed to have the space. If your baby under age 2 is flying as a free "lap baby" you are not guaranteed space for your car seat.

Before you bring a car seat onboard, check that it has an FAA-approved sticker. It's also a good idea to bring along your car seat manual to help ensure that you're properly installing the seat on the aircraft. There are helpful videos on YouTube, too, that show how to buckle a car seat in with a lap belt. (This one from the FAA shows how to install a forward-facing car seat on a plane .) Watch some before your trip!

The average airline seat is about 17 inches wide and measures 30 inches from the back of the seat to the seat in front of you — but size can vary depending on which airline you are flying. Because of this, it's best to pick a narrow, compact car seat. Infant car seats fit better than most convertible car seats, though we find that the Cosco choice on our list generally fits well.

For those who are traveling with a car seat who don't plan to use it while on the plane, many airlines will check the car seat or booster seat for free at the check-in desk or at the gate. It might be a good idea to purchase a travel bag to fit it in, to help avoid damage.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Lab pros and journalists at the Good Housekeeping Institute provide expert reviews and advice on everything a parent needs, including portable car seats.

This article was overseen by Rachel Rothman , former Chief Technologist & Director of Engineering at the Institute, who was trained in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics. As a mom to three kids, she personally used many of the products we recommend.

In her former role as Parenting & Pets Reviews Analyst, Jamie Spain brought years of experience to the Institute and wrote the first iteration of this story. It has since been updated by contributing writer Jessica Hartshorn who has followed the car-seat market for 25 years, previously for Parents magazine and American Baby magazine. She's also a mom of two.

Jamie (she/her) is a parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute , where she spends her time testing, researching and writing about pet and family products. Prior to starting at GH in 2021, she worked at BuzzFeed and People , covering a combination of product reviews and lifestyle content. She's a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a master’s degree in journalism.

Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents .

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Want a folding car seat for travel? Here are your best choices by age (2023 reviews)

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This article about folding car seats for travel is written by certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Melissa Conn and may contain affiliate links.

The car seat game is changing quickly these days. Child safety seats for use at home are getting bigger and beefier with every new generation – steel frames, massive headwings, and extremely high weight and height limits.

But on the other end, there’s a new set of folding car seats for travel that are changing how families explore the world. Gone are the days when you had no choice but to stay within the confines of the US and Europe lest you risk your child’s safety on crazy roads (there are still places like that, for the record). No, in 2023 you have options .

There are some amazing foldable car seats for travel and car seat alternatives that will take you around the world and back again without breaking a sweat. Especially once your child is a mature enough, there’s now an entire ecosystem of foldable booster seat choices for you!

In this article will share our top picks for folding travel car seats at each stage, including the advantages and disadvantages of each. You’ll also learn what to consider when you’re choosing the right portable car seat for travel with your family.

Quick picks: which folding car seat for travel is right for you?

Read more: 10 things you NEED to know before flying with your car seat

How to choose a foldable car seat for travel

What should you look for in a collapsible car seat? In reality, you don’t have nearly the same choices as you do in more “traditional” car seats.

The most important feature to look at is what stage the car seat is and how that matches up with your child’s age and size. After all, it’s not safe to put a 2 or 3 year old on a backless booster no matter how convenient! Likewise, your 6 year old who still sleeps in the car might not fit into the folding car seat with a 5 point harness option.

Since this article is all about folding car seats, portability is the name of the game! You want a car seat that folds small enough to take out for the day so that you have it when you need it. So some of the options on this list may not be the lightest in their classes, but they’re the best for putting in the overhead bin of an airplane or toting around the city.

In the picture at the beginning of this article, you can see how our family rocks folding travel car seats (and car seat alternatives). That photo was taken at the beginning of our family’s gap year – we needed to travel extremely light while keeping our kids as safe as possible. We’re fortunate to live in an era when we could make that happen!

Reviewing the best foldable travel car seat options

Doona infant car seat stroller review.

*Ideal for birth to age 1-1.5 years old

Key stats: -Weight 16.5lbs -Rear-facing size limits: 4-35lbs, up to 32”

Pros: ✔ Integrated car seat/stroller ✔ Several installation options ✔ Car seat handle doubles as anti-rebound bar

Cons: ✘ High price ✘ Heavy ✘ Need to buy a new car seat and travel stroller when it’s outgrown

Do you want the Swiss Army knife of baby travel gear? You’ll find it in the Doona infant car seat stroller , one of the coolest baby products I’ve ever seen. In just a matter of seconds your very capable infant car seat deploys its own wheels and converts into a perfectly serviceable baby-friendly stroller! I’ve had the opportunity to play around with it in person (though it was released after our youngest was born) and I definitely let out a few “WOW”s during my test drive.

This is the perfect foldable baby car seat for families who live in or travel to big cities and need to hop in and out of taxis. You’ll never have to worry about your baby being safe on the road, but you also won’t have to wonder what to do with your car seat while you hit a museum or go into a store.

Likewise, a foldable car seat stroller is an easier solution than a two-piece travel system that has to be separated and stored in the car trunk. The Doona is even FAA-approved and you can just wheel is straight down the airplane aisle. (While this isn’t truly a “foldable” car seat for a 1 year old, it’s the closest option out there – not including the extremely unsafe unapproved knock-off contraptions you’ll find online).

So why wouldn’t every family put this foldable carseat on their baby registry ? There are three downsides to consider with the Doona, and it’s up to you how important they are.

First, it’s heavy compared to other infant car seats. The official Doona weight listing is 14lbs (some reviewers say it’s more like 16lbs). Most infant carriers weigh more like 10lbs, but of course they don’t have a whole stroller built in. If you prefer a lightweight infant car seat, you’ll find great options here .

Second, it ain’t cheap . The price tag may make it a non-starter for many families, though once you add the cost of a well-respected infant car seat and a car seat stroller frame the sticker shock might subside a little.

Third, once your baby outgrows the Doona as a car seat around 1 year old you’ll be on the hook to buy a new car seat and a new stroller. Obviously that’s a tough nut to swallow financially. But many families find that the stroller they love for the newborn and infant stage just isn’t ideal for the toddler stage and they wind up wanting a new stroller anyway. Especially if you’re focusing on lightweight, travel friendly products you’ll find that many of the best ultralight strollers aren’t ideal until at least 6-12 months anyway.

All those cons aside, the Doona really is an incredible option for families who want to travel extensively with a young baby. It’s the only collapsible car seat that rear faces to keep the littlest travelers safe!

Evenflo Shyft DualRide review

*Ideal for preemie to age 1.5 years old

Key stats: -Weight 8-9lbs without wheels, ~19lbs with wheels -Rear-facing size limits: 3-35lbs, up to 32”

Pros: ✔ Integrated car seat/stroller ✔ Several installation options ✔ Approved down to 3lbs ✔ Option to leave the wheels in the car if you want to carry the car seat alone ✔ Tensioning panel on base for easy seatbelt installation ✔ Anti-rebound panel on base ✔ Approved in Canada

Cons: ✘ High price ✘ Requires 1.5″ between car seat and front seats if not installing in the center ✘ Can’t be used with other strollers ✘ Need to buy a new car seat and travel stroller when it’s outgrown

The Evenflo Shyft DualRide integrated infant car seat/stroller is brand new for 2023. If it looks similar to the Doona above, that’s because it is. But the Evenflo has a few nifty tricks up its sleeve that are worth mentioning.

First, the Evenflo Shyft DualRide is approved for newborns as small as 3 pounds (just like most Evenflo infant car seats). No one outside of Evenflo has gotten to test one out with such a tiny baby so we’ll need to see how the fit is for preemies in the real world – sometimes the beefy headrests of no-rethread harnesses like this one can be challenging for newborn head positioning. Hopefully the fit will be just as good as it is with this excellent preemie car seat .

On the other end, many kids can use it until 15-18 months thanks to the extended headrest. It’s a very convenient option for travel with toddlers!

Second, while the Doona always brings its wheels (and their weight) the Evenflo Shyft DualRide can leave the wheels behind on the car seat base or at home if you don’t anticipate needing them. That brings the weight of the car seat itself down to just 8-9 pounds – in line with many other car seats on the market. But it’s nice to have the flexibility to use the wheels when you want them and leave them behind when you don’t.

Third, the base has an integrated anti-rebound panel to help manage crash energy and a tensioning arm for easy seatbelt installation. You still need to lock the seatbelt when you install – always read your manual – but you don’t have to worry about putting much force into installing it.

As with all products, the Shyft DualRide isn’t perfect. For starters, the Evenflo Shyft DualRide is not compatible with any of the company’s strollers. That’s a bummer since many parents with an older child might like the flexibility to sometimes use the car seat with the Evenflo Pivot Xpand single-to-double stroller .

Like all Evenflo car seats, the manufacturer wants 1.5″ of clearance between the car seat and the vehicle seat in front of it. Practically speaking this rules it out for some compact cars unless you will always install it in the center seat (where the rule doesn’t apply). Keep that in mind if you’re planning on installing it by the window so that you can install another car seat on the other side!

The 10lb weight of the wheel assembly is surprisingly high. Families already sometimes complain that the Doona is too heavy, and the Evenflo car seat stroller combo is even heaver; the trade-off, of course, is that if you plan to hand carry it you can leave the wheels behind… unless you’re traveling and taking a taxi followed by a lovely walk over cobblestones.

Moment of truth here: I’m also surprised by the price point of the Evenflo Shyft DualRide. There are several versions with slightly different features/accessories and they range from $500-600. Thankfully you can get a discount when you buy direct and sign up for the email list, and Evenflo runs frequent sales as well. There’s also a slightly less expensive Walmart version , which lacks the carry-all bag and leather accents.

It’s great to see more innovation in this space, and finally a competitor to the Doona. The Evenflo Shyft DualRide has a lot going for it and will definitely be a contender for car-free city dwellers and travelers alike!

Read next: Best portable car seats for a 1 year old

Wayb Pico review

*Ideal for ages 2-5

Key stats: -Weight 8lbs -Max harness height 16.5″ -Forward-facing size limits: 22-50lbs, 30-45″, recommended 2+ years old minimum

Pros: ✔ Compact ✔ Easy to install ✔ Keeps kids harnessed ✔ FAA-approved to use on flights ✔ Can install without top tether ✔ Narrowest car seat on the market

Cons: ✘ High price ✘ Low height limit ✘ Crotch strap too short for some kids ✘ Top tether strap too short for some cars (can request an extension)

One of the coolest kid travel products we’ve seen in a loooong time is the new Wayb Pico collapsible car seat. It was hard to miss as they plastered their Indiegogo campaign all over Facebook in 2018! The promise? An ultra-light, ultra-compact folding car seat with 5-point harness. Families would be able to travel with world with this foldable toddler car seat without compromising safety.

In many ways their promise has come true. For certain families the Pico is the perfect solution to a really tough question of what to do when they need a travel 5-point harness, while for others it isn’t quite the right fit. Read our in-depth expert Wayb Pico review here .

I’ll start with the advantages: the Wayb Pico is small and easy to use. The weight is about the same as the Cosco Scenera Next, but the genius is in how small it folds up (and even packs into its own backpack!) so that you can lug it around and have it when you need it for spur-of-the-moment taxi rides.

The Wayb Pico is by far the best foldable car seat for a 3 year old if you plan on lots of international travel. Why? The concept of a folding forward-facing harnessed car seat isn’t new. They’ve actually been made for years , including the current car seat used by Uber Family . The downside of prior seats is that they required use of a top tether. Without it, the seats don’t stay upright! If you’re traveling within the US, Canada or Western Europe that’s no problem.

But if you plan to venture outside those areas you may have an extremely hard time using those car seats. We’ve encountered so many cars in South America, Morocco, Thailand and more that don’t have top tethers – rendering a fold up car seat like the IMMI Go completely useless. While you’d ideally use the top tether all the time with the Wayb Pico , at least you have the option to use it without the top tether if absolutely necessary.

Because it doesn’t require a top tether, the Wayb Pico is also the only foldable car seat for airplane use. Your kids can even fully use the tray table, unlike most forward-facing travel car seats, since it’s so low-profile.

The major disadvantage of the Wayb Pico foldable child car seat is that the 45″ upper height limit and 16.5″ harness slots aren’t high enough for some families. Many kids will outgrow it around 5-5.5 years old, though if you’re buying it at 2 or 3 years old that’s a few years of good usage (and more if you can pass it down to a younger sibling). If you’re a family that prioritizes extended rear-facing and then you want an extended forward-facing harness, this isn’t the car seat for you! But if you’ll be doing a ton of traveling with a 2 or 3 year old (like our family gap year) then the Wayb Pico fold up travel car seat is the best option to keep your kid safe without lugging a full-size model. On the small end, the Pico is approved for kids at least 1 year old – but that’s not recommended, and in some places (like California and New York) it’s not even legal.

Finally, the price tag of the Pico may be tough for some families to swallow for a portable car seat for 3 year old. Of course, some families opt to use it at home too though it doesn’t offer the same creature comforts as typical forward facing car seats.

Is the Wayb Pico right for everyone? Maybe not. But if your family is going on an extended trip or relying on lots of taxis in your daily life and a folding travel car seat is on your must-have list, give the Wayb Pico a serious look once it’s available again.

Read next: Best travel car seats for a 2 year old

Ride Safer Travel Vest review

*Ideal for ages 3.5-6

Key stats: -Weight 2lbs -Size small: minimum age 3, fits best for 30+ lbs and 35-47″ -Size large: minimum age 4, fits best for 50+ lbs and 45-57″

Pros: ✔ Rolls up to the size of a 2L soda bottle ✔ Perfect for taxi rides ✔ Lowers seat belt to provide an appropriate fit for young children ✔ Keeps kids properly seated better than a traditional booster seat – even when sleeping ✔ Easy to fit 3-across since it’s only as wide as the child ✔ 5 year expiration

Cons: ✘ No side impact protection like a highback booster seat ✘ Takes practice to get belt fit right ✘ NOT permitted for use on planes

Several years ago the kind folks at Safe Ride 4 Kids sent us a Ride Safer Delight travel vest to review, and it hasn’t left our travel kit since. The Ride Safer travel vest (“Delight” has been dropped with the latest Ride Safer travel vest Gen 5 release) is completely different than the travel car seats above.

You could say that the Ride Safer travel vest is sort of in between a booster seat and a traditional forward-facing car seat. It relies on the car’s seat belt to handle most of the restraint, but also has an optional-but-pease-use-it-always top tether that minimizes head movement in an accident and keeps your child in the correct position even if they fall asleep (or drop a toy). While we won’t put our youngest child in a booster seat yet since she’s a car sleeper – especially when jet-lagged – we’re comfortable with her riding in the Ride Safer vest.

So comfortable, in fact, that we brought our Ride Safer vest on our year-long trip around the world! It’s seen action on six continents and served us well the whole time. Once we practiced a few times, we got very fast at putting her in the vest and getting her secured in the car. The biggest change from the Ride Safer Delight to the Gen 5 is an easier buckle in the front, so that should help many parents.

The Ride Safer Gen 5 is rated for kids beginning at 3 years old and 30lbs, but honestly we felt that the fit was better starting at 4 years old and other parents agree with us. Fortunately size small should last most kids until 6 or even 7 thanks to the adjustable shoulder strap length. Because there’s no side impact protection, it’s a good idea to put your Ride Safer in the middle seat if it has a top tether available. Read our in-depth Ride Safer review .

For families going on extended journeys like ours who just can’t take a traditional car seat or those heading somewhere like NYC or Paris, where they’ll mostly rely on public transportation but need an occasional taxi ride, the Ride Safer travel vest is a fantastic option. It is not approved for use on an airplane, so you may want to pair it with the CARES harness ( full review here ) to use on the plane.

For a more typical trip that involves flying and then renting a car for a week or two, we sometimes opt to bring our other travel car seat . But if you’re choosing between the Ride Safer travel vest or a backless booster seat, the vest is the better choice for younger kids and/or car sleepers .

While we generally think of the Ride Safer as one of the travel car seat alternatives, we also use it at home often. I keep it in my trunk at all times so that we can fit 3-across in our car for those unexpected carpools or for when Grandma comes for a visit! Since the vest is as narrow as the child in it, there’s no trouble fitting it between two big car seats in our compact SUV.

Read next: Best travel car seats for a 3 year old Best travel car seats for a 4 year old

Key stats: -Weight 10lbs -Highback booster size limit 4yo, 40-100lbs, 40-59″ -Belt guide 14-20″

Pros: ✔ Tons of size adjustments for great fit ✔ Folds down small ✔ Legal to use everywhere except Australia (in progress) ✔ Extremely narrow ✔ 7 year expiration

Cons: ✘ Expensive if you will only use for a few years ✘ No cup holders included ✘ Bigger than some of the other travel-specific car seats

Bubblebum booster seat review

*Ideal for ages 5+

Key stats: -Weight under 1 lbs ( really! ) -Backless booster size limit 40-100lbs, age 4+

Pros: ✔ Lightest booster seat ✔ Extremely narrow ✔ Good seatbelt fit in lots of cars

Cons: ✘ Can slide around if kids are wiggly ✘ 4 year expiration (from first use)

The best backless booster seat for travel is one with which we’re extremely familiar: the Bubblebum inflatable booster seat . We traveled full-time with this booster seat for the better part of two years. It’s my favorite folding travel booster seat!

The Bubblebum is a pretty amazing collapsible booster seat. It weighs about one pound and deflates/rolls to the size of a soda bottle. Setting it up takes just a few seconds, and there’s even a shoulder belt guide to give a great fit for kids of different sizes in all different vehicles.

Read more: My in-depth Bubblebum review

If you’re a family with a mature kid who doesn’t sleep in the car the Bubblebum gives you the paragon of portability. It’s the perfect option for taking around on days in a city when you think you might hop in a taxi to get home at night or if you’re taking lots of planes and trains for an extended trip.

The Bubblebum is so light that it may shift if your kid is very wiggly. But if your kid is very wiggly, they may not be ready for a backless booster yet. In that case, I’d go with the RideSafer travel vest for an ultra-portable option or the hifold folding booster seat . We also had an issue with one of our Bubblebums deflating after we left it inflated in a hot car for a month (oops!); we reached out to customer service and they sent us a whole new one for just the $7 shipping charge!

We started using this booster seat at 6 years old, and we think that’s about right. But it’s approved for 4 years old/40lbs and there are plenty of 5 year olds who can use it successfully, especially if your drives are short. This is a judgement call for each family and also depends on the specifics of your travels.

Read next: Best travel car seats for a 6 year old and best travel booster seat

hiccapop Uberboost booster seat review

*Ideal for ages 7+

Key stats: -Weight 1.25 lbs -Backless booster size limit 40-110lbs and 38-62″

Pros: ✔ Extremely light and compact ✔ Very narrow ✔ More stable than other ultra-portable booster seats

Cons: ✘ Frustrating shoulder belt adjuster clip

If you like the idea of an inflatable booster seat for travel, there’s a new option to consider these days. The newish hiccapop Uberboost follows the same basic concept as the Bubblebum but with a few pros and cons.

Read more: My in-depth hiccapop Uberboos t review

The hiccapop packs down slightly smaller than the Bubblebum but inflates to offer a larger seating seating area. Score! It also has a grippy layer on the bottom to prevent it from sliding around.

The biggest downside for us is that our leggy 48″ rider needs the shoulder adjuster clip in most seating positions but finds it very uncomfortable. The clip is much bulkier than on our other travel booster seats.

If your child is 48″+ or has a longer torso, you might be able to avoid using the clip – just be sure that the shoulder belt makes nice, complete contact with the middle of the collar bone. In that case the hiccapop Uberboost is a great choice for a traveling booster seat. For a smaller child, I’d stick with the Bubblebum for now.

Graco RightGuide

Key stats: -Weight 2 lbs -Backless booster size limit 50-120lbs, 43-60″, age 5+

Pros: ✔ Extremely light booster seat ✔ Very compact booster seat when folded ✔ Narrow option for 3-across with big kids ✔ Inconspicuous option for tweens ✔ 10 year expiration

Cons: ✘ Belt guide may not stay in place securely ✘ Incompatible with some seatbelt designs

If you have a big kid or tween who’s approaching readiness for the adult seatbelt (usually 10-12 years old) but not quite there, check out the Graco RightGuide . It’s ultra low profile and easy to throw in a backpack or clip to the outside of a carry-on suitcase. It does require that kids be at least 5 years old, 43″ and 50lbs – a weight many kids don’t achieve until they’re around 7 or even older.

The RightGuide offers a wonderful seatbelt fit even for kids at the bottom of the stated size range. It can be problematic with certain types of seatbelts, so be sure to read my Graco RightGuide review to know what you need to look out for.

Foldable Car Seat for Travel FAQs

Yes. All car seats sold in the US have to pass the same Federal testing. The most important factors in keeping your child safe in the car are choosing an age-appropriate car seat for and using it correctly 100% of the time.

The best car seat for traveling is the one that fits your child properly and that you’ll use every time you’re in the car. Check this list to find the best choices by age.

Need more ideas? Check out the best travel car seats for every age

What’s your favorite folding car seat for travel? Tell us in the comments below!

2 thoughts on “Want a folding car seat for travel? Here are your best choices by age (2023 reviews)”

Hi! I am just trying to clarify- can the WayB Pico car seat be used on international flights that don’t adhere to FAA regulations? Has anyone done this or had a problem? Specifically I am most concerned with TAP Portugal. Do they allow? Thanks!

TAP allows a car seat for children up to 5 years old as long as it’s FAA-approved (which WAYB is) and the bottom of the seat is physically small enough (which WAYB’s is as well).

Safe travels,

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• Travel Products
• Family Travel

The 8 Best Travel Car Seats of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We rounded up the best travel-friendly car seats to keep your kids safe wherever you go.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying

You May Also Need

• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Cassie Aulie

Traveling with children can be a gratifying and enriching experience, but family vacations are also challenging because of the extra items you need to pack (and carry), including a car seat, which adds quite a lot of bulk to your luggage. That's why we set out to find the most compact, travel-friendly, lightweight, and easy-to-install car seats on the market right now.

We combed through results and feedback from three different real-world car seat tests in which we tested a total of 57 car seats, looking specifically for portable, travel-friendly options. During testing, we looked at several factors like design, features, ease of cleaning, value, and — most importantly — safety. Below, we rounded up eight of the best travel car seats to consider for your next family getaway.

Best Overall

Graco contender slim convertible car seat.

It is an excellent fit for compact cars.

The chest buckle is large and bulky.

Lugging around a heavy car seat in addition to your luggage is not pleasant, but this car seat will make your life so much easier. Not only is it the lightest car seat on our list, but it is also the slimmest, making it an excellent choice for both compact and larger vehicles (or for larger families who need to fit more than one car seat in the backseat). Installation took us about 15 minutes, and then it was pretty intuitive to use. It has several inserts that help you customize it for your child, including an infant insert with extra padding, eight headrest heights, and two reclining positions.

It also has a removable cup for snacks and drinks that you can place on either side of the seat. And while we only had to spot-clean it, if you need to wash the entire cover, you can take it off and throw it in the washing machine. The fabric is breathable and has held up exceptionally well after over a month of use.

The Details: Weighs 16 pounds; holds 65 pounds | 24.75 x 18.9 x 21.5 inches | Rear and forward modes | Belt- and latch-compatible

Travel + Leisure

Best Rotating

Evenflo gold revolve360 convertible car seat.

It’s easy to install and rotates 360 degrees.

It would be nice if it had a built-in sunshade.

Four minutes: that's exactly how much time it took us to install this Evenflo car seat after watching the instructional video. It was an incredibly easy-to-follow process, and we found the audible click and level indicator super helpful. But the most impressive feature of this convertible car seat is its ability to rotate 360 degrees, which is a complete game changer for parents (seriously, our team member who tested this car seat said it spoiled them into "never using a car seat that doesn't have this feature"). This means that the seat can transform into rear- or forward-facing in seconds without the need to uninstall the entire seat and base. Just pull one of the two levers on either side and start rotating it. This feature also makes it super convenient to place your child in the seat and buckle them because you no longer have to bend at an awkward angle. 

Comfort is also a standout feature, and the upholstery fabric of this car seat felt soft, breathable, and very high-quality (cleaning it is also a breeze). The overall padding of the car seat and the generous recline positions also contribute to a more comfortable trip. And finally, while this is not the lightest car seat at 40.6 pounds, its design is quite compact, and even if you install it in a smaller vehicle, you will be left with a good amount of legroom and recline space for the seat in front. 

Shoppers should also note that the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) is currently evaluating this car seat .

The Details: Weighs 40.6 pounds; holds up to 120 pounds | 25.9 x 19.8 x 21 inches | Rear, forward, and booster modes | Belt- and latch-compatible

Best for Compact Cars

Diono radian 3rxt convertible car seat.

 Amazon

The seat folds, making it easy to carry.

The initial installation takes more time than some of the other options on this list.

When renting a large car is not always possible, this Diono car seat is the way to go. First, it's much easier to carry (and store) because of its slim, foldable design. And while the installation took us a while compared to others on this list (about 45 minutes to an hour), we found it to be a perfect match for a smaller vehicle similar to a Fiat 500. 

Second, buckling and unbuckling is super intuitive, and the straps never get tangled up. And even after a year of constant use, the fabric is in excellent condition with few signs of wear and tear other than some light fading. You can also remove the cover and machine wash it, another very convenient feature. 

Third, we love that even though the seat is about 17 inches wide, it features additional padding and side protection without compromising comfort. Lastly, this car seat is also FAA-approved, so feel free to fly with it.

The Details: Weights 30.6 pounds; holds up to 120 pounds | 17 x 28.5 x 16 inches | Rear, forward, and booster modes | Latch

Best With Stroller

Doona car seat and stroller.

The wheels fold up and attach to the seat.

There is no storage space, and you need to purchase the base separately. 

There is a reason the Doona car seat is a best-seller and an all-time parent favorite. It's all in the smart design that combines a car seat and a stroller in one compact product. Unlike other models, the wheels of this car seat collapse under it so you can latch it into its base (sold separately). Basically, you can bid adieu to lugging a stroller and a car seat. This is the ultimate travel-friendly stroller/car seat combo for infants and toddlers up to 35 pounds. We recommend you take your time to read the folding and unfolding instructions before you use it. It took us some time to figure out what each button was for and how to attach it to the base correctly, but it was smooth sailing once we got the hang of it.

The Doona is upholstered in a cooling bamboo fabric for added comfort, and it has a canopy for shade. The car seat also performed exceptionally well in our maneuverability category during testing — it was a breeze pushing it even with one hand. The brake was easy to engage and disengage, so this is the perfect option for a city vacation or a road trip that requires you to quickly transport your baby in and out of the car.

The Details: Weights 16.5 pounds; holds up to 35 pounds | 26 x 17.4 x 22.4 inches (folded) | Rear-facing | Latch and belt

Most Durable

Graco extend2fit 3-in-1 car seat.

This option proved to be most durable after we used it for more than two years.

The shoulder straps are difficult to adjust.

We tested this car seat for over two years, and it has held up exceptionally well against wear and tear, spills, and everything a toddler can (literally) throw at it. Graco makes some of the sturdiest, most durable car seats by focusing on quality and safety, and this is exactly why we included the Extend2Fit model in this list.

The car seat is easy to install (it took us about 20 minutes), and even if you're setting it up in a smaller vehicle, it leaves plenty of legroom and recline space. We appreciated the two deep cup holders that are perfect for holding sippy cups and snacks (and bonus points for how easy they are to clean). This car seat has a unique feature that accommodates growing kids — a retractable panel provides five extra inches of legroom, making it safer for taller infants and toddlers to ride in a rear-facing position.

The Details: Weighs 19 pounds; holds up to 65 pounds | 24.5 x 20.75 x 19 inches | Rear and forward modes | Latch

Most Comfortable

Safety 1st grow and go lx convertible car seat.

You can use the footrest in both rear- and forward-facing positions, making it comfortable no matter which way kids sit.

 It is a bit tricky to install.

Looking for a car seat to keep your little one comfortable during long road trips? This one performed well in almost all categories thanks to its easy use, design, durability, and overall value. Its size is generous (so it may not be a great fit for compact vehicles) and provides ample space for kids to grow into without compromising on padding and safety.

Safety 1st updated this model with a footrest that really impressed us because you can use it in rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster positions so your child's feet will not dangle for hours. We also love that the removable cups are dishwasher-safe and come with convenient lids to prevent messes (but in any case, the cover is removable and machine-washable). The car seat we tested still looks new, and the fabric seems spill-resistant.

The Details: Weighs 20 pounds; holds up to 100 pounds | 23.5 x 19 x 25 inches | Rear, forward, and booster modes | Latch and belt

Best for Multiple Age Groups

Graco 3-in-1 rotating car seat.

It is super easy to install and accommodates various age groups.

This rotating car seat works better in larger cars and may be a tight squeeze in smaller vehicles.

Your child should be all set for years to come with Graco's convertible car seat, which accommodates children up to 100 pounds. It rotates in a rear-facing position so you can get your baby in and out of it more easily. As for securing your child, the buckles are extremely easy to use, and the straps stay in sync — meaning that if you loosen one, the other will loosen automatically, too. And with four reclining positions, your child will be comfortable whether they are taking a nap, eating a snack, or playing.

We tested this car seat in a mid-size SUV, and it left plenty of reclining space for the seat in front. However, if you install it in a smaller vehicle, it might be a much tighter situation. And speaking of the installation, it only took us 17 minutes to read the instructions, watch the YouTube video, and install it. Finally, this seat grows with your child as it can accommodate kids weighing from four to 100 pounds. 

The Details: Weighs 30 pounds; holds up to 100 pounds | 19.1 x 24.4 x 20.8 inches | Rear, forward, and booster modes | Latch

Easiest Installation

Britax emblem 3-stage convertible car seat.

This no-fuss car seat is quick to install, and it only weighs 19 pounds.

There are no extra features such as cup holders or sensors.

If you're in the market for a no-fuss, easy-to-use car seat, this is it. Installation is standard (although you will still have to read the instructions to do it), and once you've practiced a couple of times, you will be able to install it pretty fast in any vehicle. We tested it in a sedan and an SUV, and it fits well in both (although the SUV was a slightly better fit). Thanks to the excellent design, using it is a breeze. Buckling your child, adjusting the harness, and reclining is intuitive and stress-free, which is exactly what you need when you're on the road. And while it may not have many bells and whistles, it provides excellent padding, and the fabric is soft and pillowy without feeling scratchy. 

The Details: Weighs 19.5 pounds; holds up to 65 pounds | 21 x 18.3 x 26 inches | Rear and forward modes | Latch

Other Car Seats We Liked

We tested so many car seats that we think there are a few more worth mentioning, although we didn't love them quite as much as the others on our main list.

Baby Jogger City Sights Travel System: This stroller and car seat combo is a good option for parents looking for a two-in-one. The stroller is easy to maneuver and collapses into a pretty compact and travel-friendly size. The car seat has a weight capacity of 35 pounds, so it can only be used in a rear-facing position.

Nuna Rava Convertible Car Seat : This rear-facing car seat can accommodate children up to 50 pounds, which is impressive (however, keep in mind that the seat itself is almost 28 pounds). The straps and the buckles are very easy to use and don't get in the way when you place your child in and out of the seat.

We used results from three real-world tests in which we reviewed convertible car seats, rotating convertible car seats, and car seat stroller combos to find our favorite travel-friendly options. We sorted through feedback from 57 car seats we tested, looking at weight, size, and performance in multiple categories, including ease of installation, ease of use, design, features, safety, value, and more.

We also consulted Ben Hoffman, MD, a pediatrician and nationally recognized expert in child injury prevention and education, to ensure the safety of the products we chose for real-life tests. In addition, every car seat meets the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) standards.

Tips for Buying a Travel Car Seat

Look for portability.

Portability is one of the major factors differentiating a standard car seat from one you'll mostly use while traveling. Consider its weight and size: opt for lighter and more compact car seats that you can carry without compromising safety features. Some car seats fold or feature collapsible stroller wheels — all features that come in handy when you're on the road or in transit. 

Consider ease of installation

When you're just getting off a long-haul flight and need to get in the car and drive for hours, the last thing you want is to waste time installing a car seat. That's why your travel car seat should be simple to install and use. Check if the vehicle you are setting it up in accommodates a latch or belt car seat, and make sure that yours can comfortably fit in the back seat of whatever size car you may be renting. Then, read through the installation instructions or watch the video, and make sure you don't need another adult to help you safely install it. 

Pay attention to your child's weight and height

Every car seat has strict weight and height limits to ensure your child's safety. Some might also have age restrictions, but they are not as important as children are different and grow at their own pace.Make sure you weigh and measure your child before purchasing a travel car seat. The good thing about convertible car seats is that you can use them in both rear- and forward-facing positions as your child grows so you don't have to invest in a new car seat every few years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but you must first ensure the car seat is FAA-approved (it will say so on the car seat). In fact, while using a car seat on a plane is not required, the FAA recommends it to ensure your little one's safety in case of turbulence, for example. If traveling on an international airline outside the U.S., check with that airline's policies, size limitations, and guidelines before your trip, as some international airlines do not allow car seats on board. Usually, using a booster seat during a flight is not an issue with airlines, and it doesn't count toward your carry-on luggage allowance.

The short answer is yes. Airlines will usually check in a car seat, stroller, or a child restraint system for free (one per child). However, the tricky part is that if you're not traveling with a child, you might have to pay to check in the car seat, so in this case, it's always best to contact the airline before your trip.

If your car seat is oversized, you will be asked to check it in at the airport, so it's essential to place it in a protective bag that will offer some sort of protection while in the cargo hold of the plane. Even if you plan on using your car seat during the flight, a travel bag can help make carrying it through the airport easier. Some car seats come with travel bags that have handles. If your car seat doesn't come with one, you can likely purchase it from the maker's website or find one that accommodates the size of your car seat on Amazon. Certain bags even feature wheels so you can roll the car seat through the airport.

Most car rental companies offer car seats as an add-on for a fee, so if you don't want to invest in one or carry it with you, you can always rent one. U.S. car rental companies must offer car seats that comply with state and federal laws. However, if you're traveling internationally, the risk is that you don't know if the car seat has been stored and cleaned properly or if it’s ever been in an accident. It also means you have to install it yourself, which can be challenging and time-consuming if you're unfamiliar with that particular brand or car seat model. 

If you're traveling with children, here are some other useful products that can help make your trip run smoothly.

Maxi-cosi Swift Lightweight Portable Play Yard : This was our absolute favorite travel crib out of 19 that we tested , with a detachable mattress and bassinet feature that you can use to adjust the crib as your newborn grows. The crib is easy set up and take down for maximum portability, and it proved to be sturdy and durable in the long run.

Cybex Coya Compact Lightweight Travel Stroller : After testing strollers in our lab , this was our favorite travel stroller for flying. We found that it folds up quickly and fits easily into airplane overhead bins. It also has removable seat padding for cleaning and a canopy that comes down for sun and rain protection.

JetKids by Stokke BedBox Kid's Ride-on Suitcase : We are expert luggage testers here at Travel + Leisure , and this ride-on suitcase was one of our favorites for kids . The ride-on design means that a kid can sit on top of the suitcase as their parents pull them using the adjustable strap. Parents can also use the strap to carry the lightweight suitcase like a shoulder bag.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, Dobrina Zhekova worked with T+L editors to round up the safest and most comfortable travel car seats for kids of all ages from real-world tests. As a mother, she has also tested several car seats in the past five years and has extensive knowledge of airline policies and regulations about traveling with car seats. She also referenced customer reviews and expert recommendations in this article.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter , and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

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• mifold Comfort

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mifold Comfort 

mifold Basic 

The mifold range features the world’s most compact and adjustable car booster seats, making them ideal for the needs of the modern family - "compact safety for every adventure."

Designed for children aged 4 and up, 40 to 100 lbs, and 40 to 59 inches tall, mifold Comfort is ideal for everyday use and compact enough to take with on every adventure!

mifold is the world’s most compact and portable backless booster seat. mifold is more than 10x smaller than a traditional booster and just as safe. mifold Comfort features the super comfortable, extra padded “Compact Comfort” seat cushion, anti-slip pads and an easy to fit shoulder guide.

mifold Comfort is safety tested to FMVSS 213 in the US and is globally regulated which means it can be used in every country except Australia and Taiwan.

hifold is the world's most adjustable highback booster. hifold is suitable for children aged 4 and up, between 40-100 pounds and 40-59 inches tall. 

With 243 individual settings hifold provides optimal safety and comfort whatever size your child. hifold is lightweight and folds down for easy storage, moving from car to car and for hassle-free travel.

introducing mifold Comfort

Introducing mifold hifold, the mifold range of boosters are great for everyday use and for:.

so compact, it's easy to fit in your hand luggage

always have a booster for every kid in your car

taxis never have booster seats, and that is not safe!

grandparents

no need to clutter up the back of the car

cheaper than renting a booster seat, and you get to keep it!

fits 3 in a row, even in the smallest cars

All mifold seats meet and exceed global safety standards

Our products.

shoppers in the USA can buy the mifold range of products here

This child car seat has passed the regulatory tests required by ECE R44/04 to be sold as a group 1 car seat suitable for children weighing 9-18kg, which is one to four years of age. But in our own tests, which are conducted at higher speeds and forces than the standard requires, this seat scores poorly for side-impact tests. The head of the crash test dummy hit the inside of the test vehicle. We also identified issues with installation and fitting which could mean the seat is not used as safely as it should be. Any car seat scoring 45% or less becomes a Which? Don't Buy.

Urban Kanga TV107 Portable travel car seat

• Integrated harness and vehicle seatbelt

Sign up to unlock the full expert review

The Urban Kanga Uptown TV107 is a portable and foldable group 1 travel car seat. The manufacturer claims it offers the perfect solution for parents and travellers with children, particularly for holidays, carpooling or taxis. We put this car seat through our tough crash tests, as well as installation and comfort tests with parents and children. Read our full review to find out how it scores.

What's included?

• What is it?
• How safe is it?
• Is it easy to fit?
• Is the seat comfortable?
• Is there anything else I should know?
• Should I buy it?
• Where can I buy it?

Full Access first month £5, then £10.99 per month, cancel at any time

• Apr 2024 Last checked by Which?
• May 2022 First reviewed by Which?
• Jan 2020 Released

Test results

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test baby and child car seats

Safety rating.

How we test safety rating

The overall safety score is made up of the results of crash testing (front crash; side crash) seat design, stability in the car and belt routing. Our crash tests go beyond the legal minimum requirements for UK car seat regulations and are conducted at higher speeds and forces than the regulations require. We feel our tests more accurately reflect what could happen in a real life crash.

Fitting in car

How we test fitting in car

Fitting and using includes: How easy it is to install the seat correctly in the car. How easy it is to strap a child securely into the seat. How well the seat is designed in order to prevent incorrect use. How easy the seat cover is to remove and wash. How little space the seat takes up in the car and how comfortable your child is in the seat.

How we test ergonomics

Our experts conduct an ergonomic assessment of each seat to make sure your child will be in the best position when travelling, along with the level of padding and support. Our tests also reveal how much space this car seat takes up in the back seat of a car and how easy it is to get your child in and out of the seat. Plus, our eagle-eyed car seat experts will check whether this seat affects how much space any front passengers have. This assessment was introduced to our site in May 2015. If a seat does not have this score, it was tested before May 2015.

Specifications

Best buys & don't buys.

TESTING IN NUMBERS

How this product's score compares with other child car seats we've tested

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Suggested Alternatives

Solution G i-Fix

• i-Size child
• Vehicle seatbelt and isofix connectors

• Group 2/3 High-back booster
• Isofix and belt installation possible

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We crash-test every baby, toddler and child car seat we review to reveal which ones give the best protection in a crash, and which you should avoid

We explain how to choose a car seat that fits your child, whether it's a newer i-Size car seat or an older group 0, 1, 2 or 3 car seat

Stop car seat confusion with our guide to how much you should spend, whether to go for a group seat or i-size and find out why car seat jargon, such as Isofix, should matter to you

7 best travel car seats – portable and foldable

Sharing is caring!

When it comes to holidaying abroad, it’s hard to know what’s best to do about your kids and car seats. The thought of not having appropriate car seats makes us really anxious so I researched and tried out a few portable car seats. In this blog post I compare 7 options of portable travel car seats and tell you which we bought and why.

Travel car seat options

We don’t mess about when it comes to our kids’ car seats. We take it seriously and do our research, following whatever is the best guidance at the time.

It is one area where we don’t try to scrimp, even for grandparent’s cars. To us, it’s just not worth it.

Our three year old has good extended rear facing car seats in both our car (Cybex Sirona, you can see our review here ) and in her grandad’s car (Concord Reverso – see our video review here ).

But for our recent trip to Spain we chose to take portable car seats.

Our daughter is too young for a booster seat at 3 and I would never put our 6 year old in a booster seat without a high back at home (they should be for over 22kg and 125cm tall) .

However, following personal research I felt a travel car seat option would be better for both than nothing at all.

Portable car seats in the UK

After asking around and doing some research and it seems there are 7 options for travel car seats on the UK market at the moment:

• The BubbleBum  (affiliate link) – this is an inflatable booster seat that you blow up for them and then deflate to put in luggage. From the limited amount of safety reviews I’ve been able to find on travel car seats, this one seems to score the best. BubbleBum is crash test approved and meets and exceeds the EU ECE R44. 04 and the US FMVSS 213 safety regulations. This means we are able to use this one for our trip to Iceland. See below for more reasons we liked the Bubblebum seat and how we tested it. Bubblebum has not been reviewed by Which? at the time of writing.
• The Trunki BoostApak (affiliate link) – this is a hard shelled back pack that transforms into a booster seat. The h ard shell means that whatever you have put in the backpack can remain in it meaning it’s a good ‘two for one’ option . I’ve read some reviews that say it can be a bit heavy (3lbs without anything in it) for younger kids though and I know mine would complain about carrying it. ECE R44.04 – EU Certified for Group 2 and 3 (girls and boys weighing 15kg-36kg approx. 4 – 12 years old). Trunki BoostApak has not been reviewed by Which? at the time of writing.
• The mifold grab and go booster seat (affiliate link) – this is a foldable car seat that guides the seat belt into a more optimum position on the child. If you are looking for the most compact travel seat then this is the smallest I’ve seen on the UK market. These seem to be hard to get a hold of at the moment following a Which? safety warning review scoring 0% that says: ‘The MiFold backless booster seat is legal to be sold but offers virtually no side-impact protection. The regulation this car seat is approved to does not include a side-impact crash test.’
• The same company have also now launched the HiFold (below) which transforms into a higher back booster. This looks good but we haven’t personally tested it as it wasn’t available when I wrote this post originally. These also seem to be hard to get a hold of at the moment. The HiFold scored 50% on Which? safety testing with average to poor crash test results and is only recommended for occasional holiday use.
• NEW to the UK market is the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus (affiliate link) foldable car seat – this seat is for children aged 15 months to 4 years (or 67-105cm). It weighs 4.26kg so one of the heavier options however it is more like a traditional car seat with a high back and side impact protection which may make you feel less worried about using it compared to a backless option. You can adjust the safety harness and headrest as your child grows. It fits any car with best installation. It comes with it’s own (water repellant but not waterproof) carry bag. There is no Which? review of the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus yet but it is I-Size-compliant and conforms to the latest R129 regulations. The cover and harness shoulder pads are removable so you can machine wash when (not if) it gets dirty. Currently priced at £109.
• NEW to the UK market is the Urban Kanga Wallaroo Portable and Foldable Car Seat (affiliate link). This seat is ISOFIX i-Size 100-150cm meaning it lasts from about 4 to 12 years (or 15-36 kg). Its one of the heaviest seat in my list at 6kg which is a substantial weight if you are carrying around exploring. Like the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus it has side impact protection. The Urban Kanga Wallaroo is tested to ECE regulation R129/03 for 100-150 cm (i-Size). It has ISOfix or seatbelt installation. There are 8 adjustable height positions, recline options and memory foam seat padding. The included backpack-style carry bag ensures effortless portability. The most expensive car seat on the list at the moment at £129.90 at the time of writing. This car seat hasn’t been reviewed by Which? but the similar The Urban Kanga Uptown TV107 got a Which? don’t buy rating with 15% score for scoring poorly for side impact tests.
• NEW to the UK market is the Jovikids Portable Folding i-Size Highback Booster with ISOFIX (affiliate link). Like the previous seat this is heavy – weighing 7kg which isn’t going to be ideal if you are taking it out for a day of exploring. However, Jovikids’ highback child seat is certified to the latest European i-Size standard (ECE R129). Quality is strictly controlled, with a one-piece injection-molded frame, and has passed front, side, and rear collision tests, ensuring the safety seat provides all-around protection for your child, reducing the risk of injury to the head, neck, and shoulders. You can secure with ISOfix or seatbelt installation. The Jovikids seat can grow with your child. It’s suitable for children from 100-150 cm in height (approximately 3-12 years old). The backrest’s recline angle can be slightly adjusted for more comfortable support. The headrest is cushioned for extra comfort. The soft and breathable fabric cover of the booster seat is fully removable and easy to clean. This seat has not been Which? tested.

Travel car seat product comparison – pros and cons

• GROUP 1 CAR SEAT: this foldable toddler car seat is suitable from 15 months up to approx. 4 years (9–18kg) and is quick to install and easy to carry, so your child travels safely in comfort
• EASY TO TRAVEL EVERYWHERE: the Nomad Plus is built for travelling as
• High back and side impact protection
• i Size-compliant and conforms to the latest R129 regulations
• Removable washable covers
• Carry bag provided
• Only lasts up to 4 years old

• Portable Highback Booster: This seat’s backrest can be folded, saving space and making it easy to store, allowing you to switch between different modes of transportation, such as cars and airplanes. The ergonomically designed handle makes it easy to carry and move, providing a safe seat for your
• Long lasting at 3-12 years old
• certified to the latest European i-Size standard (ECE R129)
• ISOfix or seatbelt installation
• Covers remove and wash
• Very heavy at 7kg, can't see you being able to lug it around on a day of tourist exploration

• TAKE ANYWHERE CAR BOOSTER – The inflatable travel car booster seat for children aged 4 – 11yrs and weighing 15 – 36kgs. It comes with a Seat Belt Positioning Clip for optimum seat belt fit.
• ULTRA PORTABLE – The world’s lightest backless car booster seat. Folds away to
• Range of designs
• Very lightweight and compact for sightseeing and fitting in bags
• Can use until your child no longer needs a car seat
• Crash test approved and meets and exceeds the EU ECE R44. 04 and the US FMVSS 213 safety regulations
• Affordable option
• Not highback or side impact protection

• Quickly Transforms – Kid’s backpack to portable car seat in seconds, can also be used as a booster seat dining chair at home or eating out and as a cinema / stadium booster
• Lift Share – Always have a portable booster seat to hand for the school pickup
• Back pack option as well as seat so child can carry themselves
• ECE R44.04 – EU Certified for Group 2 and 3
• Cover is only wipe clean
• Heavier to carry for younger children (3lbs)

Our top pick – BubbleBum as a portable travel car seat

We chose to go with the BubbleBum for a several reasons:

• It seems good for safety (as I read  here) and meets EU and US safety testing regulations as described here .
• My kids both seemed better positioned with it than the mifold when testing them in it
• My kids said it was the most comfortable to sit on (as compared to the mifold)
• I liked that it had a case unlike the others. You can pay £15 for a case for the mifold but I think that’s a bit of a cheek when you just paid £50 for the seat itself.
• It was the lightest product at only 1lb . The mifold is 1.5lbs and Trunki BoostApak is 3lbs. If you have multiple children and therefore multiple seats to carry and are going to be out exploring all day and relying on taxis then this is going to really really matter.
• It was the cheapest product on the UK Market , coming in at around £30. The mifold is around £50 and the Trunki BoostApak is around £60. For the high back foldable travel seats you are looking at close the the £100 price range which is expensive if its not going to be their main seat and if you have multiple children. To get a safe product for the cheapest price seemed like a solid option.
• It lasts longer than the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus which you can only use until around 4, whilst being a lot lighter than the Jovikids and Urban Kanga seats that do last until around 12 years. (Updated to add: My children are now 9 and 12 and we are still using the Bubblebum for them in taxis etc.)

BubbleBum travel car seat – holiday review

We have now taken the BubbleBum with us to Lanzarote, Florida and Iceland when my children were a range of ages. They aren’t heavy at all and they fit inside the kid’s carry on luggage (kid’s size character suitcases). We’ve also used it on a number of UK trips for taxi rides.

We tried both the BubbleBum and the Mifold out in our car to see which we preferred. The kids seemed positioned better on the BubbleBum and told us it was much more comfortable.

I was surprised that something so small and light could make such a difference . It reassured me that whilst it’s not as safe as a high backed proper car seat, it’s certainly a lot better than just putting a seat belt on them.

If you usually don’t take car seats on holiday because of the hassle, then I would personally recommend the BubbleBum as a travel car seat for young children. Sure its not as good as a proper car seat but compared to using nothing, it’s an easy option to make their car journeys safer and give you some peace of mind .

Buy our recommendation for travel car seats

You can buy the BubbleBum for £34.99 on Amazon here  (affiliate link). This is a bargain to keep your kids safer.

Updated to add: This year we have used the Bubblebum for my 8 year old daughter on a 2 week holiday in America and for a trip to Iceland whilst there and it really helped position the seatbelt better for her and gave us reassurance. It was also very portable for carrying around with us when not in a car or taxis. We have really got years of our money’s worth out of this product.

Other options for kids portable car seats when travelling abroad

Just risk it.

It’s legal to not have car seats for taxis/transfers for many places in the EU so you won’t get into trouble for not using one.

Lots of people do this and generally it’s fine, after all, crashes aren’t super common.

We decided against this option though as we spend all this money to keep them safe at home, why risk it when abroad?!

Arrange for the travel company to provide seats

Our first port of call was to contact the travel operator to ask if they could provide car seats. After 2 emails, we weren’t making much progress though and there was a language barrier.

I was left with no confidence that there would be seats provided, and if they were, that they would be the right ones for the size of my children. This would be my preferred option though.

If anyone knows of any great European transfer companies that are good at providing car seats please let me know in the comments.

Take your own seats

Our second consideration, was whether or not we should take our own seats. This is something we decided against. We have our hands full with 2 kids and luggage at the airport anyway. The kids’ car seats are really bulky and heavy. Plus they are expensive and I don’t want to risk them getting damaged in the hold. There is also the issue that you aren’t going to be able to take them out and about on your daily excursions and taxi rides.

Buy cheap car seats to travel with

This is certainly an option, be it booster seats or just cheaper, more travel friendly seats than we have but for some of the reasons above, this again is something that we chose not to do.

Summary of the best portable travel car seat

There are 7 main options for portable car seats on the UK market – the BubbleBum, MiFold, HiFold, the Trunki BoostApak, Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus and the Jovikids.

We recommend the BubbleBum as our kids preferred it for comfort, it scored well on the safety scores we read, it was the lightest and cheapest. We were pleasantly surprised at the difference it made compared to belt only.

Are there any new options I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments if so.

If you liked this post about travel car seats you might also like:

• Cybex Sirona Review – extended rear-facing UK car seat
• Review Video: Concord Reverso – Extended Rear Facing Car Seat
• Abora Interclub Atlantic Gran Canaria review
• Occidental Margaritas, Gran Canaria, family holiday review
• HD beach resort, Costa Teguise, Lanzarote, review
• Getting the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam with kids
• 12 ideas for toddler busy bags for airplane travel on Amazon
• Toddler won’t brush teeth? 11 tips for brushing your children’s teeth

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Please note this post was originally written in May 2018 and was last updated April 2024. Some products in this post were press samples.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through an affiliate link you will not be charged any more for your purchase, but I will receive a small fee for referring you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For my full disclosure policy, please see my about page .

9 thoughts on “7 best travel car seats – portable and foldable”

Safety is worthwhile investing in.

This was really interest. I’m on the hunt for stage two car seats for my twins and traveling in Europe wasn’t something I’d considered!

Confused as bubblebum seat says from 4yo and your child was 3, which is how I came to this page by searching for travel seats for my 3yo. Can it be used for 3yo? Can’t see a weight guide.

Bubblebum’s FAQs says ‘EU law varies slightly between 135cm-150cm. Best practice for your child is to remain in a booster seat until the age of eleven AND/OR until they reach a height of 4ft 9 inches. This is when their body proportions are starting to be more like that of a small adult and they can sit properly in the vehicle seat. Never transition your child to a booster seat until at least the age of four AND weight of 15kg.’ But for us it was a case of Bubblebum or nothing at all and we felt that the Bubblebum provided a bit more protection than nothing for our 3 year old. We’d not have used it for her in the UK as a regular seat but it was better than nothing when travelling. The weight range from what I can see is from 15KG-36KG.

Can you please link to the safety reviews you mentioned you have found on portable car seats?

Hi Janet, sadly I can’t as it was on Which? and you need a paid membership to read them however if you head to the Which? website that’s where I read them.

Would any of these be suitable for a 2 year old?

You fail to mention that backless booster seats can only be used from 22kgs and above. Also the Milfold has a safety alert on the which.com review. I guess you’re just in the blogging game for the commissions from your affiliate links. None of these seats offer side impact protection.

Hi, I wasn’t aware of the Which? safety notice for the Mifold as my membership had lapsed but I renewed it to see and have added all the available Which? safety reviews to the piece. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I have also added a new statement about backless booster seats being for children over 22kg. Several of the seats do offer side impact protection, obviously none of these seats will be as effective or safe as a regular car seat used for everyday use. We do not use these seats as our main car seats. This post doesn’t constitute advice for a reader’s own personal circumstances but is talking about what we have done for occasional travel abroad where we need something very portable. It compares using a seat like these over using nothing at all (rather than regular car seats) which is the choice many are faced with when travelling.

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The Best Folding Car Seats For Traveling

by Rebecca Brown | Nov 11, 2020

Traveling with kids is stressful enough on its own – throw in a bulky car seat to carry around and you will regret your decision to ever leave the house!

The days of only having large, heavy car seats to travel with are over. There are now some incredible folding car seats available on the market to make traveling with your child a breeze.

From foldable car seats to foldable booster seats, there is a portable car seat to suit your child. There is a travel car seat for each age, and some that will last your child many years!

This article covers the best folding car seats for traveling, and how to make sure you are picking the right one.

Table of Contents

How To Choose The Best Folding Car Seat For Traveling

What you would look for in a foldable car seat is slightly different from what you would look for in a normal car seat, but you still need to choose one which offers safety to your child when traveling.

The first thing you should consider when choosing a portable car seat for travel is the stage of the car seat, and if it is the right one for your child’s age. There is no point in purchasing a portable car seat for a 2-year-old if your child has already turned 4.

Make sure the car seat accommodates your child currently, and that they will still get a few years of use out of it.

As you are wanting a foldable car seat for travel, you will need to choose one which is portable and easy to move around with. The lighter the car seat, the easier it will be to lug around the airport or the city when you are away from home.

While it is important to choose a light car seat, you might have to settle for something a little heavier if it folds up small. Small folding car seats are able to fit in overhead bins, and just make traveling around the city easier as well.

The Best Folding Car Seats Per Age

There is a foldable car seat to suit your child’s needs and age, and to make finding the right one easier, we have listed the best folding car seats to travel with for each age.

The Best Foldable Car Seat For Infants

Doona infant car seat & latch base.

For infants, the Doona Infant Car Seat & Latch Base is ideal to travel with. It can be taken to the city, be used as a portable car seat in a taxi, or used to keep your baby safe on a plane.

One simple motion transforms it from a car seat to a stroller in just seconds, so instead of having to carry the car seat around, you can push your baby around in it!

The car seat and stroller features a 5-point harness, an adjustable handlebar, 3-layer side-impact protection, as well as removable and washable fabric which is breathable and soft on your baby’s skin.

The Doona Infant Car Seat is suitable from 4lbs and can be used up to 35lbs, so it is suited for infants and very small toddlers. The car seat itself weighs 16.5lbs, which isn’t too much to carry around if you aren’t pushing it as a stroller.

For a more permanent feature in your own car, there is the Doona Latch Base, which can be used as a clip-and-go feature for when you don’t want to have to strap and unstrap the car seat daily in your own vehicle.

This really is the ultimate travel car seat for your infant. It not only folds up into a compact car seat, but it folds out to a convenient stroller as well!

Click here to check it out on Amazon.

The Best Foldable Car Seat For 2-Year-Olds

Baby trend yumi folding booster car seat.

The Baby Trend Yumi Folding Booster Car Seat is ideal for when your toddler needs a bigger chair. It has a minimum weight of 30 pounds, so it is perfect for toddlers aged 2-years-old and up.

With 8-position headrest options, the folding car seat will grow with your child and will be suitable for them to use until they weigh 100lbs. There are 3-position shoulder belt adjustments as well, keeping real sizing in mind to ensure your child is kept comfortable.

It has been engineered with patented side impact head control, to offer the best protection when traveling. The deep contoured energy-absorbing headrest and no-gap back offers superior body protection.

For comfort while traveling, there are dual cup holders and flip-up armrests. When folded, the Yumi Folding Booster Seat fits into overhead luggage and only weighs just under 12 pounds, to be easy to carry around.

To view the latest prices on Amazon, click here .

The Best Foldable Car Seat For 3-Year-Olds

Wayb pico travel car seat.

The WayB Pico has made waves as the ideal car seat to travel with. It folds up to a compact size and can be paired with the WayB Pico Travel Bag, which allows you to carry the folded car seat as a backpack or to attach it to the handle of your rolling luggage.

Whether you choose to use it as a portable car seat for a taxi or to keep your little one in their chair on a plane trip, the WayB Pico will ensure your little one is kept safe and comfortable.

You would need to get the WayB Pico for when your child is 3 years and older, and it should last them a good few years of traveling.

Weighing only 8lbs, it is an absolute breeze to transport this folding car seat, especially if you have purchased the travel bag to help.

The WayB Pico meets all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Standards for both cars and planes. It fits onto plane seats easily, being able to be strapped in securely using the lap belts.

When not in use, the folded car seat can be stored in overhead luggage as well. Made with AstroKnit material, the car seat is breathable and comfortable, and even easy to clean!

You and your child will love the convenience and comfort the WayB Pico offers, but it is only really worth it if you plan to travel often.

Click here to view this product on Amazon.

The Best Foldable Car Seat For 4-Year-Olds

Mifold comfort grab-and-go booster seat.

The MiFold Comfort Grab-And-Go Booster Seat is the most compact backless booster seat available. It folds up to a tiny carry case that can fit into your handbag or luggage.

It is a booster seat only suited for children aged 4 and up, but they can use it for many years after this. The booster seat was made for travel and has all the features you could possibly want.

The new version of the MiFold Grab-And-Go features a comfortable seat cushion, which creates a padded seat and anti-slip pads to make traveling more enjoyable for your child.

It includes an optimal seat belt fit which adjusts the adult seat belt by pulling it down to fit your child safely and securely, while not being uncomfortable for them.

There really is no comparison between the MiFold and other travel car seat boosters when it comes to folded size. The small pad can easily be stored away when not in use and is ideal to pack away in your child’s bag for ridesharing as well.

The Best Foldable Car Seats For 5-Year-Olds

Graco turbo go folding backless booster seat.

The Graco Turbo Go Folding Backless Booster Seat is available in a range of different colours, so your child can choose their favourite.

The booster seat folds down compactly to allow it to be easy to carry around, store away, or keep in the car if you need a spare. It is ideal for older children who weigh between 40 and 100lbs.

With a removable seat pad, you can clean the booster seat in the machine and finish it off in the dryer as well.

A steel-reinforced belt guide helps to properly position the vehicle seat belt safely across your child, and it can be used with the lap belts on an airplane as well.

Weighing in at a tiny 4lbs, it is an ideal foldable booster seat for older children that will keep them safe on their travels.

Check out this product on Amazon by clicking here .

The Best Foldable Car Seat For Older Children

Safe traffic system ride travel vest.

The Safe Traffic System Ride Travel Vest was created for older children who weigh up to 110lbs. The vest helps to reposition the seat belt to below the abdomen to protect internal organs and helps to relocate the shoulder belt away from your child’s neck.

There are two different ways to use the Travel Vest. The first is to use it with a vehicle lap belt and top tether or to use it without a top tether belt and with a lap and shoulder belt only.

It is certified safe to use on all motor vehicles and can be folded into a small size to be convenient to travel with. When folded, it fits into your child’s suitcase or backpack, and you can have three kids sitting in a row using them in the car without them feeling squashed.

It is the ideal car seat harness for carpooling and really helps when traveling by plane with your children as well.

Click here to check out this product on Amazon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to use a foldable car seat.

Yes, it is safe for your child to use a foldable car seat as long as it has passed all the necessary regulated safety standards.

In order to ensure that the car seat is able to keep your child safe, it should be the right car seat for their age. You should also educate yourself on how to use it properly.

Do I need a separate car seat for traveling?

If you travel often with your child and your normal car seat is too heavy and bulky to carry around, then it is worth purchasing a foldable travel car seat.

It really does just make life easier on the go while still keeping your child safe and protected.

There is a folding car seat to suit your child and your family, and the above are all great options depending on your child’s age.

Keeping a folding car seat on hand for when you need to travel, carpool, or run errands really does make life that much easier as a parent. You won’t regret the purchase!

Related Articles:

Rebecca Brown

Rebecca Brown is a mom to two and writer on all things parenting. She has been focussed on content creation and article writing for the last four years, drawing on the inspiration she gets from her own experience as a mother, and the expansive research the job requires.

When not writing, you can find Rebecca outside with the kids, or hidden away enjoying a good cup of coffee!

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Posted on Last updated: April 18, 2024 Categories Kids Travel Gear

By: Author Kate

The Best Portable Car Seat for Travel For Every Age!

This post may contain affiliate links.

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Are you looking for the best portable car seat for travel with your baby, toddler or child? Are you wondering about the best car seats for airplanes? One of the biggest pains of traveling with young kids is figuring out what to do about the car seats! Seriously, I have planned so much of our travel around “well, how are we going to travel with the car seats??!”  

Not only do we want to keep our kids safe on vacation, but we also want a lightweight travel car seat that isn’t going to break the bank. My car seat for my 3-year-old (although AWESOME) is super heavy and bulky – I needed a better toddler travel car seat option! In this post, we are going to teach you all the tips and tricks I’ve learned to make traveling with car seats a breeze.

The Best Travel Car Seat: Quick Comparison

Should you buy a separate portable toddler car seat.

We love the car seats we have at home and we also spent a lot of money purchasing them. We didn’t want to take the chance of having them ruined at the airport or while traveling which is why we decided to buy a separate portable carseat for travel. The portable car seats we purchased were all super affordable, which is why we weren’t too fussed if they got scuffed or damaged in our travels. We also bought the most lightweight portable child car seat we could find! It never hurts to lighten your load when you are traveling. One extra bonus to having separate travel carseat is that you don’t have to uninstall and reinstall your car seats at home! One time was hard enough to get it all perfect, I’m happy not to have to reinstall my seats every time we take a trip.

If you are looking for some excellent basic information about car seat travel, please check out this awesome article by the American Academy of Pediatrics which is a primer on Car Seat Safety and FAQs. 

Top Choices for Portable Car Seats

We’re going to be reviewing all of these car seats in massive detail below but in case you just want to get to the good stuff, here is our list of the best portable car seats for travel:

Top Choice: Portable Car Seat for 1 Year Old

Our top choice for a 1 year old (or less) is an bucket car seat. These seats are easy to travel with as they can be easily installed using a regular seat belt. We chose the Maxi Cosi Mico 30 for its lightweight design. This is provided that your one year old has not yet outgrown a bucket car seat. Our top choice infant car seat has a weight limit of 30lbs and a height limit of 32 inches. The reason we love bucket seats is that they usually connect to strollers really easily and that means one less piece of equipment on your trip. Read more reviews of the Maxi Cosi Mico 30 and compare prices on Amazon.

Top Choice: Portable Car Seat for 2 Year Old

In the two-year-old category, we are LOVING the Cosco Scenera Next car seat. This convertible car seat is one of the most popular travel car seats for a reason, literally, every single friend of mine owns the same one. The Cosco Scenera Next is super lightweight and you really can’t beat the price . Read more reviews of this travel car seat for 2 year old toddlers here.

Top Choice: Portable Car Seat for 3 Year Old

We still love the Cosco Scenera Next for most 3 year olds . The upper weight limit for this car seat is 40lbs, so most average sized 3 year olds will still fit in this seat. This seat can be used rear facing and forward facing, making it super versatile. If you are short on space or planning to travel for a long period, you may want to consider the Ride Safer Delight for this age group. This nifty ride safer travel vest is the perfect travel car seat for 3 year old and 4 year olds that are too small for travel booster seat options. Read more reviews here!

Top Choice: Portable Car Seat for 4 Year Old

For the 4 year old and up kids, a travel booster may be appropriate. This is all depending on the size of your 4 year old – keep in mind that the majority of boosters have a minimum weight of 40lbs. We love the mifold for its compactness and portability. We have been using this car seat with our now 5 year old son and it has totally changed our lives when it comes to traveling (safely) with kids. Read more reviews and see the weight and height restrictions here.

Should I bring my travel car seat on the plane?

One of the questions that I am asked most by readers is whether it is worthwhile to bring a car seat on the plane. If your child is over age 2 and you are already going to be bringing the car seat along, my answer is always YES!! We were actually late to the game in bringing our car seats ON the plane. I hadn’t really considered it until my second son was almost 2. We’ve now brought our Cosco Scenera Next on the plane for multiple trips and it has been an absolute lifesaver! Not only is it safer to have kids safely strapped into a car seat in the case of turbulence , it also makes flying with kids SO much easier! With my son strapped in, we didn’t have to worry about him constantly trying to bother the people in front of us or trying to hide on the seats. Our kids also sleep super well in the car seats, so it really helped the travel go as smooth as possible. Check out the latest prices on the super affordable Costco Scenra Next here.

One important thing to note is that having a forward facing car seat on a plane puts your kids’ feet at premium seat kicking range! We solve this problem by seating our older child in front of the car seat. It’s something to consider before you book your seats!

Now if your child is less than 2 years old, the decision whether to bring the car seat is entirely personal. If you want to bring your seat, you’ll usually have to pay for the seat. It is definitely safer to have a child strapped in the case of turbulence. Commercial airplanes travel at a speed of 250mph during takeoff and landing and a sudden stop or jolt could send your child flying no matter how tightly you are holding them. That being said, the majority of individuals I know do not buy a seat for their child under age 2. Air travel is one of the safest forms of travel, and in the majority of cases, an infant in your lap will be just fine. One pro tip is to ask the flight attendants whether the flight is full before you board. I have scored a free seat for my less than 2 year old infants twice using this method and both times was able to bring on my car seat without difficulty.

If you aren’t planning to use a travel carseat at your destination, you may consider using the CARES airplane travel harness. The CARES travel harness keeps your kids safe on the flight by strapping them in with an extra chest strap. It is rated for kids 22-44lbs and is approved by the FAA for travel. Not only does the Cares harness keep kids safe, but it also keeps kids contained in their seats. I love that my kids are happier to stay put in their seats when they are all buckled in and relaxed. One thing to note about the CARES harness is that you do need to secure it around the back of the seat behind you. I’ve never had anyone complain about it.

How do I know if my Airplane Car Seat is Approved?

Before you fly, you’ll want to know if your carseat is FAA approved for flight.  Please note that it is important to check your local car seat regulations as these may vary from country to country. In the US,  you will need FAA approved car seats . You can look for your car seat sticker to see if yours is approved, if approved, it should say “this restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft”

Our quick list of FAA approved car seats:

• Portable Baby Car Seat: Maxi Cosi Mico 30
• Best travel car seat for toddler: Cosco Scenera Next

Please note that booster seats are not FAA approved and cannot be taken on flights.

To check or to gate check?

If we aren’t planning to bring our car seats ON the plane (we almost always do now), we usually gate check out seats. I personally trust the gate checkers to be more careful with the objects than the regular luggage line. I have friends who have checked theirs at the desk and have had damage to the seats which made them unusable.

Should you use a car seat bag?

Check out the latest Car Seat Bags on Amazon here.

There are lots of travel car seat bags available to help you lug your car seats around the airport. Some even have backpack straps and some have roller wheels to make it even easier to bring them along. I have lots of friends who use (and rave!) about these accessories. Personally, I don’t use a car seat bag. For me, it’s just one more thing to bring along!

I also find that when the luggage attendant sees something in a bag they tend to be less careful about it! When they see a car seat out in the open they know they can’t just toss it around (hopefully!). Perhaps if I traveled with my more expensive car seats, I would be more inclined to use a bag, but for now, I’m not sold on the need for one.

How do you bring your car seat through the airport?

If you gate check you can use the seat to transport your child around the airport. Check out this neat product which straps the car seat right to a piece of luggage turning it into a stroller for the airport. Or you can even buy a travel car seat cart to turn your car seat into a temporary stroller at the airport. Read more reviews and compare prices of these travel car seat accessories here.

Personally, one of the reasons that we LOVE the Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat is that it fits in the basket of our Uppa Baby Vista stroller. With the car seat tucked in the bottom of our stroller, we still feel like we are traveling light! Check out the Cosco Scenera next in detail here.

Portable Travel Car Seat Rundown

Ok, now it’s time for the detailed reviews! Here are the best car seats for travel that I have tried and tested. These opinions are my own, and I was not paid or sponsored by any of these companies.

Infant Portable Car Seat: Maxi Cosi Mico

Weight and Height Restrictions:

• Up to 32 inches

FAA Approved?

Where to buy it:.

Check out prices at the following retailers:

Why we love it

Taking a car seat with an infant is the easiest and simplest. I have always used a bucket seat with my kids and I take the same bucket seat that I use at home with me when I travel. We have the Maxi-Cosi Mico 30 , and I think this is the most lightweight car seat around!  Any bucket seat , as long as it meets safety requirements, will do!

For the best car seat stroller combo,  our car seat attaches to our UppaBaby Vista which makes it great for use in the airport and also while we are on the trip. We never bring along our actual stroller seat until our little one has outgrown the bucket seat. It is too much to carry and our little ones have always been happy in the bucket seat with a few toys to play with. I LOVE traveling with my full-size stroller. Find out more about why I always bring my full size stroller here! 

Toddler Travel Car Seat: Cosco Scenera Next

• 5-40lbs (rear facing 5-44lbs, forward facing 22-40lbs)
• 19 to 40 inches

Why we love it:

For me, toddlers are the trickiest age for bringing car seats for travel. My 2-year-old certainly doesn’t fit into a bucket seat, but also is way too small for a more portable booster seat. A lot of the toddler car seats are so bulky and that makes them difficult to transport in the airport. At the advice of a friend, I purchased what I consider the ultimate portable car seat for my 2-year-old,  the   Cosco Scenera Next.   I use this car seat exclusively as my toddler travel car seat and I can not stop RAVING about it. This seat is seriously the best car seat for travel!  The car seat is SUPER lightweight, which makes it great for airplanes as it’s easy to transport and not a huge pain in the airport. It also fits perfectly in the basket of my Uppa Baby Vista Stoller (score!).

The biggest plus of this super portable car seat is the price!! It is the best value around, and with such a low price I am not afraid of it getting ruined when we travel.  We don’t use this car seat for anything but travel, and it’s also AMAZING not to have to uninstall our regular car seats from our cars because we have this one. If you are like me, installing the car seat the first time was challenging enough, I prefer to keep my regular car seats installed when I can! In the US, this portable car seat is FAA approved,  meaning that it is an airline approved car seat for travel. I prefer to take this car seat and risk it getting damaged than to take the expensive car seat that I use every day.

Portable Booster Seat: The MiFold

Best car seat for travel.

• 40 lbs – 100lbs
• 40 -57 inches

No! Booster seats are not permitted on airplanes.

My kids are still little but I recently learned about an amazing new product from my friend. The mifold car seat is a super thin and portable booster seat that was designed by a couple who also felt the pain of constantly traveling with their seats. The mifold is so compact, it can fit in your purse! The design is simple, yet safe, as it currently meets all of the safety requirements for booster seats in the US. The minimum weight is 40lbs (and 4 years of age).

My friends review? She loves it! The only complaint would be that she says her kids say the seat is not the most comfortable for long car rides. This usually isn’t a huge problem when we travel. Certainly, I would still be using my 5-point restraint car seat at home (as its safer until you reach the maximum weight!). Once my son is big enough I plan to just use the mifold for trips, carpooling, taxi rides etc. My son is soon to be 4, but far away from 40lbs. I can’t wait to try this for myself!

For those kids who are a bit small for their age,  another cool option is the Ride Safer Delight . Although a bit bulkier than the mifold, this safety restraint is rated for smaller children who are at least 3 years old and at least 30 lbs.  You can compare prices and read reviews of the Ride Safer Delight here . Check out my fellow blogger friend from The Family Voyage for a detailed review of The Ride Safer Delight .

*** Update *** My son is now almost 5 and we are LOVING the mifold! It is so great to have something that literally fits in my purse to take with us on our travels. We don’t typically use a car a lot when we travel so having this option is SO GREAT! It sure beats lugging a bulky car seat along for only 40 minutes of total drive time! At home, we use it for taxi rides as well, which is SUPER convenient on the go. Definitely, love having this option! You can read more reviews of the MiFold here.

Should you just rent a car seat for travel?

Sometimes even the most portable car seat is just too much of a pain to bring on your trip. On several occasions, especially when we have been renting a car, we have rented a car seat . A few times we had a car seat that was quite old and worn, and on one occasion we had a seat that wasn’t properly rated for my child’s size. These are the problems with renting travel car seats from a rental company. Renting from a car rental company is at your own risk, as they don’t reserve the seats ahead of time. We will still occasionally do this, especially if we aren’t planning on using the seats a lot during the trip.

There are also companies that rent out car seats specifically for travelers. These baby gear companies will tell you the exact model of car seat that you are renting. The main disadvantage to a company like this is that unless they deliver to the airport you will be left without the car seat for your trip to go pick it up! This is why we have never rented a car seat from a company like this in the past.

Don’t forget your car seat accessories!

This post would not be complete without a shout out to some of my favorite car seat accessories!

The Best Car Seat Fan

I love my Diono Stroller Fan that attaches easily to the handle of the bucket seat to keep my baby cool on a hot vacation. Check out my other favorite beach hacks in this post on what to pack for the beach with kids.

Car Seat Lap Support

If you are headed on a road trip with kids, a car seat lap organizer is a perfect accessory. This Lap Desk for kids has a spot for a drink and can easily hold a few coloring books and markers. It can be worn like a backpack which makes it easy to carry through the airport when travelling.

The Best Car Seat Head Support

If you are doing a road trip with kids, you may have concerns about ‘head slump’ in the car seat. Mostly because it was freaking me out to see my kid’s heads contorted in such ways, I bought this portable car seat head support . Now when we go on long trips my son doesn’t look so darn uncomfortable when he sleeps! And seriously, the panda face is super cute!

Best Car Seat Cover

I love this car seat cover particularly for travel. It comes with a UPF 50+ sun shade that is perfect for hot vacations where you want to keep your little one protected. Under the sun shade is a mesh layer that is perfect to keep the Mosquitos out at night. With all of the worry about mosquito-borne illnesses like Zika, I wanted to prevent my little ones from getting bit as much as possible! Check out the pricing for this car seat cover here.

What is the best stroller for travel with car seats?

We are huge fans of trying to bring our full size stroller whenever we can on vacation. We have an Uppa Baby Vista and absolutely love it. The only exceptions would be when we are really limited on space (e.g. cruise, small rental car etc ). I love our full-size stroller and I’ve found every travel stroller I’ve owned to be completely lacking in so many important features. The basket on our stroller is larger enough to carry our travel car seat – you would never see that on a travel stroller!

I’ve never regretted bringing my bigger stroller and I’ve also never had any damage to my full size strollers. I have, however, had a wheel break on a flimsy travel stroller during a flight! Check out prices on the Uppa Baby vista here .

We do have a travel stroller that we use occasionally when we are really short on space. We used the Zoe XL2 travel stroller when we went on a Disney cruise and there was no room for a full size. I like that the Zoe XL has a decent recline and a really large canopy. The storage space isn’t great but it’s the best travel stroller I’ve owned yet. You can read more reviews and check out prices of the Zoe XL2 stroller here.

Have any more travel car seat questions?

Drop your questions in the comments below and I will be sure to answer them in this post.

While you’re in trip planning mode, be sure to check out my other guides to the top  baby travel gear and toddler travel gear posts for more ideas.

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• Baby and kid

The Best Travel Car Seats

By Christina Szalinski and Rebecca Gale

Let’s face it: Traveling with little kids can be a slog. But a lightweight, compact, easy-to-install travel car seat is one tool that can make trips a bit easier.

We’ve tested 17 travel car seats for infants and up, and we examined how they performed in various circumstances, including during air travel and in rental cars. The Chicco KeyFit 35 , one of our picks for the best infant car seats , is an excellent choice for both travel and everyday use. For an affordable and easy-to-use convertible car seat for toddlers and preschoolers, we recommend traveling with the Cosco Scenera Next , which fits kids up to 40 inches tall for rear-facing or 43 inches for forward-facing. For kids bigger than that who still need a seat with a five-point harness, we recommend the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 , which also converts to a high-back booster. The backless, lightweight Cosco Rise is great for booster-age kids.

If you’ll be hopping in and out of taxis or ride shares with a baby, the Doona is a unique but expensive infant car seat that converts to a stroller. And instead of purchasing a dedicated convertible car seat for travel, another option is to bring yours along with the Britax Travel Cart .

Everything we recommend

Chicco KeyFit 35 ClearTex

The best infant car seat for travel.

If you’re a frequent traveler, the Chicco KeyFit 35 is easier than most infant car seats to install securely without its base.

Buying Options

An infant car seat and stroller in one

This unusual car seat has integrated wheels that pop out to turn it into a stroller. It’s best for parents who frequently need to move their car seat in and out of different vehicles.

Cosco Scenera Next

The best convertible car seat for travel.

This affordable and easy-to-use car seat weighs 6.8 pounds and can be used rear- and forward-facing. But kids can outgrow it quickly.

Cosco Finale 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat

The best harness booster car seat for travel.

This no-frills seat converts from a forward-facing five-point harness to a high-back booster. It weighs just 12 pounds.

Britax Travel Cart

A travel cart for lugging your own seat through the airport.

This sturdy, smooth-rolling travel cart helps you transport your own convertible car seat—and avoid buying a standalone travel seat. You can even strap your child into their seat and use it like a stroller.

The best backless booster seat for travel

This basic booster seat weighs only 2.2 pounds and can work for children as small as 40 pounds. But it has a rather large footprint and will be too big to fit in most carry-ons.

How we picked

A seat that’s lightweight is more manageable to carry between multiple locations. A more compact seat is also easier to pack.

We considered the seat’s comfort and ability to adjust straps and buckles.

Ease of installation is paramount, as the easier it is to do, the more likely it will be done properly.

We looked at crash-testing scores and ease-of-use ratings. Our infant, convertible, and harness booster picks are FAA-approved for use on a plane.

The Chicco KeyFit 35 is a great all-around infant car seat—and one of the ones we recommend for everyday use. But for travel it stands out: It has a European belt path that makes it easier to get a secure install without the base than for many car seats, and it’s cheaper than other seats that have this belt routing option.

Weight of seat: 10 pounds Orientation: rear-facing only Weight range: 4 to 35 pounds Height limit: 32 inches

Parents who can’t leave their infant seat base installed in a specific car but instead need to travel by taxi or rideshare frequently may find the innovative Doona to be a convenient option. This sleek infant car seat has integrated wheels and converts to a stroller that maneuvers easily, plus the seat is FAA-approved for use on an airplane. But the versatile Doona is much heavier and more expensive than a regular infant car seat.

Weight of seat: 14.3 pounds Orientation: rear-facing only Weight range: 4 to 35 pounds Height limit: 32 inches

The Cosco Scenera Next is a notably lightweight, affordable convertible car seat that is simple to install and carry on an airplane. It receives strong safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is FAA-approved for use on a plane. But many kids will outgrow it before they reach the height or weight limit because of the low position of the shoulder straps.

Weight of seat: 6.8 pounds Orientation: rear- or forward-facing Weight range: 5 to 40 pounds rear-facing; 22-40 pounds forward-facing Height range: 19-40 inches rear-facing; 29-43 inches forward-facing

For children using a forward-facing five-point harness, the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 is a lightweight and affordable travel option that is FAA-approved for use on a plane (in harness mode only). It also converts to a high-back booster. However, it has lower height limits than some boosters, so kids may not get as many years of use from it, in comparison with pricier options.

Weight of seat: 12 pounds Orientation: forward-facing only Weight range: 30 to 65 pounds for harness mode; 40 to 100 pounds for high-back mode Height range: 32 to 49 inches for harness mode; 43 to 52 inches for high-back mode

Bringing your own car seat to the airport has one big advantage—you don’t have to learn how to install yet another seat. But your own convertible car seat is likely to be heavy (our picks in our guide to convertible car seats range from 19 to 33 pounds). The Britax Travel Cart is compatible with most convertible seats, and when your car seat is secured to it with LATCH, you can use it like a stroller to push your toddler through the airport. The cart can then be stored in an overhead bin during your flight.

Weight of cart: 7.6 pounds

If you need a cheap, no-frills booster seat, we recommend the Cosco Rise . It’s a bit too large to fit into a carry-on suitcase or backpack, but it’s easy to attach with a bungee cord to a carry-on for plane travel. It’s also a great option if you just need a spare booster for carpools or to order ahead for use at the grandparents' house.

Weight of seat: 2.2 pounds Weight range: 40 to 100 pounds Height range: 43 to 57 inches

The research

Why you should trust us, who should get this, the best infant car seat for travel: chicco keyfit 35, an infant seat and stroller in one: doona, the best convertible car seat for travel: cosco scenera next, the best harness booster seat for travel: cosco finale 2-in-1, a great car seat caddy: britax travel cart, the best booster seat for travel: cosco rise, other good travel car seats, should a kid sit in a car seat on the airplane, what about checking a car seat, the competition, care, use, and maintenance.

The authors of this guide have collectively interviewed 40 industry experts, safety authorities, and physicians. Among them were certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) such as Lani Harrison, who installs more than 300 car seats each year; Dr. Aditya Belwadi, a biomechanics research scientist who previously led the child passenger safety research team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and now works at Tesla in Crash, Safety, and Occupant Protection/Biomechanics; and Bill Horn, head sled testing engineer at Calspan , one of the country’s top crash-testing facilities. The authors also talked with dozens of parents and representatives from leading car seat manufacturers.

The original version of this guide was written by Rebecca Gale, whose reporting on policy and parenting has appeared in outlets including The New York Times, Slate, and The Washington Post. Rebecca has also been certified as a CPST, completing a 40-hour training program through the Safe Kids Worldwide organization.

In 2022 and 2023, this guide was updated by Christina Szalinski, a science writer whose reporting on health and parenting has appeared in The Atlantic and Kaiser Health News . In addition to writing the most recent versions of Wirecutter’s infant and convertible car seat guides, Christina is responsible for Wirecutter’s guides to the Best Baby Formula and kids face masks .

Few people strictly need a separate car seat for travel as you can gate- or baggage-check any car seat for free with most airlines. But lugging your regular (likely heavy and bulky) seat in and out of the car and through the airport can be a major hassle. Investing in a smaller, lighter-weight option may be worthwhile, especially if you fly or use ridesharing services or taxis frequently.

Infant car seats for travel

If you’re traveling with an infant or baby, bringing along your usual infant car seat without its base (to cut down on weight and heft) is typically the best option. Our top infant car seat pick, the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX , is relatively lightweight and, like other infant car seats, can be safely strapped in with a seatbelt only and no base.

There are two possible ways to install an infant car seat without a base: either with the belt directly across the top, called “American routing,” or with the shoulder belt placed around the back of the seat in addition to the top, called “European routing.” It’s easier to get a secure fit with European routing, and two seats we recommend in our guide to infant car seats, the Chicco KeyFit 35 and the Clek Liing , are designed to allow for that type of install. If you know you’ll be traveling with your infant often, it may be worthwhile to choose one of these as your baby’s first car seat.

Many infant car seats are compatible with easy-to-fold stroller frames, such as the Chicco KeyFit Caddy , which turns an infant car seat into a stroller and can be convenient for travel. Most infant seats are FAA-approved for airplane use, should you decide to purchase an airplane seat for your infant.

Convertible car seats for travel

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, deciding on a car seat for travel can be trickier. Alisa Baer, a pediatrician, CPST, and co-founder of the website The Car Seat Lady , recommends bringing your own convertible car seat and using a travel cart . That way you have a seat that you’re already comfortable installing. But some people will prefer a dedicated travel car seat, as they can be significantly lighter than regular seats—as little as 7 pounds versus 20 to 30 pounds.

If you do buy a dedicated travel seat, it’s a good idea to practice installing it before your trip—you don’t want to be figuring it out for the first time when you, and your kid, are potentially jet lagged and feeling extra cranky. Installation can be the most time-consuming and frustrating part of using a car seat—and particularly a convertible car seat—and is often the point of failure for using a car seat correctly.

Booster seats for travel

If your everyday booster seat has a removable back (as with our top pick and runner-up pick, the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus and the Graco TurboBooster LX ), you may prefer to simply bring that seat for travel, leaving the bulky back at home. But like with convertible seats, it’s also an option to get a dedicated travel booster that may be significantly lighter and smaller than the one you rely on every day.

Jessica Jermakian, vice president for vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, offered several tips for bringing along a backless booster, especially if it’s not one that’s compact: “I bungee cord them to my luggage while traversing the airport. On most flights, my kids could shove them under the seat in front of them and still have room to throw their backpack on top. On some flights, I’ve put them in a tote in the overhead compartment.”

Travel car seat alternatives

If you’re headed to a familiar destination, you could look into borrowing a seat from friends or relatives. Or, you may be able to rent one through a baby equipment rental service.

Many car rental companies also offer car seats for a daily fee, but it can cost up to $15 a day—adding up to much more than the cost of a travel car seat, which can be less than $50. And though you can reserve one in advance, rental car seats are subject to availability, so there’s no guarantee that one will be available when you arrive. The car seat provided may also be difficult to install properly, especially in an unfamiliar car. That said, you may be able to find discounts or other benefits through programs such as AAA, which offers one free car seat rental for members when they book a car through Hertz, Dollar, or Thrifty. Ridesharing and airport and town car services may also provide a car seat with advance reservations.

There are hundreds of travel car seat options for infants, toddlers, and older kids. We began the whittling down process by examining online customer reviews and existing media coverage, which included going to Car Seats for the Littles , Lucie’s List , and the Car Seat Lady . We found the travel car seat category to be sorely lacking in an abundance of great options, so we also considered some “regular” car seats and alternatives.

We knew from our expert interviews that proper installation is generally a far bigger problem than the level of protection that a seat inherently provides, so we searched the NHTSA ease-of-use installation database to help determine which seats offer easy installation and come with clear instructions. We also relied on the personal experience of Wirecutter staffers, volunteer testers, and car seat techs who had used the car seats in the past.

Our research led us to conclude that the ideal travel car seat should be:

Lightweight and compact: A travel car seat will likely need to be carried between multiple locations, sometimes with a baby inside (if we’re talking about an infant). The less the seat weighs, the easier it is to deal with when combined with children and carry-on items. A more compact seat can also fit more readily in a wide variety of vehicles.

FAA approved: For parents who want to use their infant seat, convertible car seat, or harness booster on a plane, FAA certification is crucial.

Easy to install: As with all of our car seat recommendations, ease of installation is paramount, as the easier it is to do, the more likely it is to be done properly.

Easy to use: Straps should be simple to adjust to get a snug but comfortable fit in a five-point harness. The buckles should be easy for parents to clip and unclip but difficult to impossible for children to mess with. We considered the experience of both parents and kids in using the seats, as well as how easy each seat was to clean.

Safe: When it comes to travel, convenience can trump a minor safety advantage; a seat that you can bring along with you is vastly superior to no seat at all. Still, we did take the relevant government safety data from NHTSA into consideration.

Over the past five years we’ve tested 17 car seats with travel specifically in mind.

If you’re shopping for an infant car seat with travel in mind, we recommend the FAA-approved Chicco KeyFit 35 , one of our picks in our guide to infant car seats . It is lightweight and easy to use, and it can be installed securely without its base using the European belt path, a method that generally provides a superior install. (Any infant seat can be installed without its base, so if you already have an infant seat, using what you already own is likely the easiest choice.)

You can save on weight and bulk by leaving a car seat base at home when traveling. There are two ways to install an infant seat without its base. The most common is American belt routing, in which the seat belt goes over the top of the infant seat and the baby’s knees. We’ve found that it can be very difficult to secure an infant seat in the car securely using this method.

A few seats also offer the option to rely on the European belt path, the method we prefer, in which the lap belt goes over the top of the infant seat and the shoulder belt goes around the back. It’s easier to get a secure install with the European belt path, but it’s only found on a few car seat models. Of the four infant car seats we recommend, only the Chicco KeyFit 35 and Clek Liing offer the option of using the European belt path.

Beyond the advantage of the European belt bath, the Chicco KeyFit 35 has everything we love about the more popular Chicco KeyFit 30 with a few bonus features, such as an anti-rebound base as an added safety option. The KeyFit 35 can also accommodate a slightly larger baby (up to 35 pounds) than the KeyFit 30.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The KeyFit 35 is about $50 more than our top infant car seat choice, the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX . It probably doesn’t make sense to buy this seat just for travel if you already own a similar infant car seat. But if you plan to be jet-setting with your baby, it may be worth the additional $50 or so to get a better on-the-go install from the start.

The Doona is an FAA-approved infant car seat (rear-facing only) with built-in wheels that allow it to convert to a stroller. For travel, this is about as convenient as it gets, allowing caregivers to rely on a single piece of equipment to accomplish two goals: avoid gate-checking a stroller—assuming an airline seat is purchased for the infant—and hop in and out of cabs without having to stow anything in the trunk.

Compared with a regular infant car seat, the Doona has some drawbacks. For one thing, it did not perform particularly well in Baby Gear Lab’s crash testing (there are no government crash tests available yet for this seat). For this reason, and because it’s tricky to install without its base (as most infant seats are), one of our car seat experts does not recommend this seat. At 14.3 pounds, it’s heavy and bulky to carry and maneuver when in car seat mode. The Doona also has the steepest price of any of the car seats (including infant, convertible, and boosters) that we’ve reviewed. It does come with a traditional infant car seat base that allows for an easy click in and out of a car, but the extra width means it could be impossible to fit three across in a backseat. And it would defeat the point to use that base for travel.

Switching the Doona from car seat mode to stroller mode and back requires “both hands and concentration,” said one tester, as well as “quite a bit of practice for me. It takes a rather specific, subtle motion to collapse it back and tuck the wheels.” It’s harder than taking a regular infant car seat off of a stroller with an infant seat attachment. Plus, once your child outgrows this seat, you’ll have to buy another stroller.

As a stroller, the Doona maneuvers easily, and the brake is intuitive and easy to use. But though it comes with an attached storage bag, the Doona lacks a storage basket.

The inexpensive Cosco Scenera Next weighs just 6.8 pounds, is relatively easy to carry and install, and can be used rear-facing from 5 to 40 pounds and forward-facing from 22 to 40 pounds. It’s FAA-certified and easy to install on an airplane (using the plane’s seatbelt).

The Cosco sells for $60, which is a bargain compared with many convertible car seats (the Graco Extend2Fit , our favorite convertible seat for everyday use, is a little over $200). The seat gets strong safety ratings from NHTSA, and given its low weight and heft and easy-enough install, we think it’s the best option available for an on-the-go or backup car seat. We strongly prefer the (heftier) Graco Extend2Fit for everyday use. That’s because it’s easier to get a safe, secure install with that seat and to adjust it to fit the child. Plus, it can be used forward-facing until a kid is 65 pounds and 49 inches tall—a much longer usable life than the Scenera Next.

Several Wirecutter staffers use or have used the Cosco Scenera Next, appreciating its low cost, low weight, and small size. They’ve found that the seat’s slim profile makes it a great option for smaller cars (specifically, a Prius or Renault Scenic). Senior editor Courtney Schley found that the Cosco allowed her to get three seats (two Coscos and one infant car seat) across in her family’s car.

The Scenera Next’s low shoulder straps mean that a child may outgrow this seat well before they are ready for a booster. ( Shoulder straps should hit at or below the shoulders when a child is rear-facing; when forward-facing the straps should hit at or above the shoulders.) The low straps mean that many 3-year-olds with longer torsos may outgrow the seat in forward-facing mode, even though the seat’s height and weight limits indicate that it should fit an average-size kid up to age 4. With a long torso, the straps end up hitting below the shoulders, a situation that can compromise safety.

Though the Scenera Next is simple to install compared with other lightweight convertible car seats we tested, some of our testers still found it difficult to get a tight, secure install. It has hook LATCH straps that aren’t particularly easy to use—you really have to tug on the LATCH straps to get a tight fit, and getting them off can be an even bigger challenge. We preferred installing the seat with a seat belt in unfamiliar cars, which was an easier way to get a tight install (try the inside/outside trick with the shoulder belt), and made it much easier to uninstall.

Our testers also found that the chest clip on the harness wasn’t as responsive or easy to use as those on more expensive seats. The Scenera Next also has less padding than many seats, though Baer points out that the padding on most seats is highly compressible, meaning that just because a seat looks fluffier doesn’t mean it provides much more cushion.

This seat also has a few downsides if you bring it on a plane. Like most convertible car seats, it’s wider than the aisle, so you have to carry it awkwardly down the plane to get to your seat, which can be quite a challenge if you’re on your own and have other carry-on items (plus your child). Additionally, the plane’s seat belt buckle is going to be pushing into your child’s back if the seat is oriented forward-facing. Alisa Baer, co-founder of The Car Seat Lady, recommends installing any seat with this issue rear-facing, even if a kid is used to forward-facing. Or you can put a diaper or other soft item over the buckle to make it a bit more comfortable.

The Cosco Finale 2-in-1 is a solid option for kids who are no longer rear-facing but still benefit from a five-point harness. It’s affordable, weighs just 12 pounds, and is relatively easy to install using the car’s seat belt while in harness mode (it also comes with LATCH straps, though we didn’t find these as easy to use). Like other boosters, when in booster mode, this seat relies on the car’s seat belt to secure the child, so there’s no need to install it.

This bigger-kid seat can see a growing child through years of travel: It can be used as a forward-facing five-point harness booster seat from 30 to 65 pounds and then as a regular (harness-free) booster from 40 to 100 pounds (up until a child is 52 inches tall).

As a five-point harness, it’s FAA-certified and easy to install on an airplane using the plane’s seatbelt. However, when it’s in booster mode, like all boosters, it cannot be used on an airplane.

In harness mode, the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 performed well in an NHTSA crash test. And several Wirecutter staffers use or have used the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 while traveling after their child outgrew the Cosco Scenera Next—they liked the price and straightforward install. Converting the seat to a booster is fairly straightforward , and the seat has storage for the harness, crotch buckle, and chest clip. Once the seat is in booster mode, your child can’t use it on an airplane, but many airlines will allow you to check a booster seat for free (you may wish to check with your airline in advance).

A more expensive version of the Cosco Finale 2-in-1, the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 , is also available. The only difference between the two is the fabric—the DX has a tiny bit more cushion and a slightly less slippery texture. We asked several children to try each seat and then report their favorite (they wore blindfolds, to remove color preference as a factor). There was no clear winner between the two seats, and our adult testers could hardly distinguish a difference in the cushioning. For this reason, we don’t think it’s worth the extra $20 for the DX.

When using the Finale 2-in-1 in harness mode, you first have to install it in the car, which you can do either with the seat’s LATCH straps or with the car’s seat belt. We found the Finale 2-in-1’s hook LATCH straps difficult to use—it’s hard to get a tight fit in the car, and getting them off can be a big challenge. As we did with the Cosco Scenera Next, we preferred installing the harnessed seat with a seat belt; this was an easier way to get a tight install (try the inside/outside trick with the shoulder belt) and also made it much easier to uninstall. (When the harness is removed and the seat is in booster mode, you do not need to install it in the car, since the car’s seat belt holds it in place and secures the child.)

Our testers also found that the chest clip on the harness was a bit more difficult to open compared to those on more expensive seats like the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 . The straps have to be manually threaded through the car seat, which isn’t particularly difficult or time consuming, but you have to remember to do it before you install the seat. It also has less padding than many seats, though our child testers didn’t complain (however, we didn’t take it on any long road trips).

This seat won’t have as many years of use as other travel options, like the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1, because the Cosco has a maximum height of 52 inches (most boosters go to 57 inches) and does not convert to a backless booster.

If you need to travel with a convertible car seat, you can bring the one you already have to the airport and onto the airplane with the Britax Travel Cart . The main benefit of bringing your own is that you’ll have a seat that you (and your child) are comfortable with, and that you know how to install confidently.

There are a number of similar travel carts out there, but we think this one offers the most for the price. We like that when the car seat is strapped onto the cart using the car seat’s LATCH clips, you can use the whole thing like a stroller and push (or pull) your child through the airport. The frame is also studier than other models—it can hold a total of 100 pounds of car seat and child. Plus, when it’s time to get on the plane you can fold the cart to stow it in an overhead bin.

At about $100 for the cart, it is cheaper to purchase a budget convertible car seat like the Cosco Scenera Next. However, depending on your circumstances, the Britax Travel Cart may outlive the expiration of many car seats (which are between six and 10 years), and could be used for future car seats, or passed along without as much consideration as a used car seat.

For a cheap, no-frills booster seat, the Cosco Rise is a reliable option that weighs only 2.2 pounds. It’s simple to use: Like other backless booster seats, it does not need to be physically attached to the vehicle; a child simply sits in it and fastens the car’s lap belt over their knees (under the seat’s sides).

The Chicco GoFit Plus is our overall top pick for the best backless booster seat because it’s cushy, made with easy-to-clean materials, and includes two cup holders and a LATCH system to anchor the seat to the car. But it’s bulky, heavy, and not great for travel. The Cosco Rise has fewer bells and whistles, but it offers a key safety feature: Unlike many other boosters, this seat has a strap that attaches to a car’s shoulder belt to adjust the belt’s position for smaller riders (the shoulder belt should always rest on a child’s collarbone, and not against their neck).

The Cosco Rise can accommodate children as small as 40 pounds, as long as they are also 43 inches tall, meaning it will work for most kids 5 and up but may not accommodate some 4-year-olds.

This seat is a bit too large to fit easily into a carry-on suitcase or backpack (it takes up almost all the room top-to-bottom in a standard-sized carry-on, with only a little room left on the side). There is also almost no padding on this seat, merely a polyester cover, but for short rides, our testers didn’t complain.

If you want an upgraded infant seat that’s great for travel : We recommend the Clek Liing , one of our favorite infant seats . Like the Chicco KeyFit 35, the Clek Liing can be installed without its base using a European belt path, which is much easier to get secure than the standard American belt routing found on most infant car seats. And when you’re at home, we love how easy it is to install the Liing’s base, which includes an added safety feature: a load leg .

If you want a high-end infant seat and don’t own a car: The lightweight, easy-to-clean Clek Liingo is similar to the Clek Liing but without the base. In general, we think installing a seat with the base is an easier and more secure option with infant car seats. But if you don’t own a car, the Liingo can be installed without a base in several ways. It has the same European belt path that the Liing has, which routes the lap belt over the top and the shoulder belt around the back for more security than an install that just goes over the top of the seat. The Liingo also comes with a LATCH strap that routes in the same spot as the lap belt—though we found this was not nearly as secure as the European belt path routing.

If you want a longer-lasting five-point harness seat for older kids: The Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 is a good choice. This forward-facing-only seat has a five-point harness that holds kids from 22 to 65 pounds and up to 49 inches tall, and it can be adjusted without rethreading it, so it is easier to modify as your child grows. When your child is ready for a regular booster, you can remove the harness and crotch buckle, converting the seat to a high-back booster that can hold a child from 40 to 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall. Finally, you can remove the back and convert the seat to a lightweight backless booster that can also be used from 40 to 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall.

First off, a car seat must be FAA-approved—as all of our recommended infant and convertible seats are—for a kid to ride in one on an airplane. (Booster seats are reserved for older children and not intended for use on airplane seats.)

Both the Federal Aviation Administration and CPSTs believe it is safer for kids under 2 to ride in a car seat aboard a plane rather than in their parents’ arms. In the event of turbulence or rough air, a child is much safer if strapped in. Being injured in turbulence , though very unlikely, does affect a handful of American flyers each year, and recent research indicates that turbulence is on the rise due to climate change.

Many parents find that air travel is easier when their child has their own seat (though of course you have to pay for that additional seat). Children are allowed to sit on caregivers’ laps on planes until age 2, but few toddlers can sit still for a long period of time, and that extra harness and recline (as well as familiarity) provided by the car seat may keep a child seated comfortably longer, especially once they are mobile but still too young to fully understand how to sit still in a lap belt.

There are a number of challenges to bringing a car seat, especially a convertible seat designed for a toddler, onto a plane. Some smaller planes may have seats that aren’t wide enough for many convertible car seats. And even if the car seat is narrow enough for the plane, not many seats are narrow enough to easily fit down the aisle. The Clek Foonf , one of our convertible car seat picks, is one of them, but it is pricey and heavy. (The Clek Fllo , Graco SlimFit3 LX , and Graco True3Fit also fit on an airplane seat, but we did not test them.) You’ll generally have to lift a car seat above the seats to carry it to the rear of a plane.

Finally, unlike a car seat buckle, which sits on your hip, a plane’s seat buckle sits right in the middle of your lap. That means for many car seats, once you install them on the plane, there’s going to be a large metal buckle below your child’s legs or behind their back (the Clek seats are among the few without this issue). Alisa Baer, co-founder of The Car Seat Lady, recommends using convertible seats with buckle-in-the-back issues rear-facing, even with a larger child—they’ll likely be more comfortable if their feet have a place to rest, plus they won’t be trying to rest their feet on the passenger’s seat in front of them. You can also put a diaper or spare T-shirt over the buckle to make it a bit more comfortable.

Some parents may find it simpler to use a CARES harness (Child Aviation Restraint System) to help keep kids in their seats on a plane (and their kids may prefer sitting in an airplane seat over a car seat); you install this four-point harness around the child’s seatback and under the tray behind it.

Most airlines allow at least one car seat to be checked for free but doing so has several potential problems . The luggage can be handled roughly and tossed, damaging the car seat in the process. Seats, like any piece of luggage, can also be lost or misplaced in transit. Ultimately, the main reason you may want to have your child use a car seat on the plane is so that you are absolutely confident you’ll have the car seat when you arrive at your destination.

For people who do check in their car seats, Harrison recommends—ideally—using the original box and styrofoam that the seat came with if they are available or using Bubble Wrap and a garbage bag if not. Examine the seat for visible damage when it comes out at baggage claim, and be prepared to replace the seat if it’s broken or bent.

Infant travel seats

The Chicco Fit2 can accommodate infants as small as 4 pounds and toddlers as large as 35 pounds or 35 inches. Like the Chicco KeyFit 35 we recommend as the best infant car seat for travel, it can be installed with a European belt path. But because of this seat’s large size, some seat belts are too short to route over the car seat securely.

Convertible travel seats

We previously recommended the lightweight, foldable, forward-facing WAYB Pico (rhymes with “baby”) as a good travel car seat for kids who are too big for the Cosco Scenera Next but still need a five-point harness. Its adjustable seat back allows it to accommodate taller kids, and its slim design means it takes up less room in the backseat than other car seats. The 8-pound seat is exceptionally convenient to install, uninstall, and carry around, including through airports and onto a plane. In September 2019, however, WAYB announced it was recalling 4,558 Pico car seats manufactured between March 1 and May 12, 2019, due to reports of breakage in the aluminum tube connecting the headrest to the seat. You can read NHSTA’s report (PDF)  for details about the recall, how to identify your car seat’s date of manufacture, and how to inspect your car seat for damage. Since the recall, there have not been further reports of problems. Like all car seats sold in the US, the Pico was self-certified by WAYB to pass NHTSA standards (PDF) for safety testing.

The EvenFlo Tribute is a lightweight seat (9 pounds) similar to the Cosco Scenera Next and also has a weight limit of 40 pounds, but as our convertible car seat guide testing showed us, it’s not as easy to get a good install with this seat. CPSTs like Harrison recommend using a towel or pool noodle when using the Tribute to address this. It’s also more expensive than the Cosco Scenera Next.

Booster travel seats

We previously recommended the BubbleBum , an inflatable, portable backless booster seat for older kids. However, in February 2022, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety raised concerns about the safety of inflatable boosters. A study using a computerized model determined that an inflatable booster may not have the stiffness required to keep a child from sliding out from under the lap belt upon impact in a car crash.

The backless Cosco Topside is too large to fit into a carry-on or a backpack. Unlike the Cosco Rise , our favorite backless booster for travel, this booster seat also doesn’t have a belt-positioning clip, which can help the shoulder belt fit better on a smaller rider.

We liked the Graco RightGuide booster seat because it was small enough to fit inside a carry-on or backpack. But it was recently discontinued.

The Immi Go is a booster car seat with a five-point harness that folds conveniently into its own carrying bag. Due to low sales, it is no longer for sale in the US, but you may see this seat if you travel abroad.

The MiFold backless booster seat (currently unavailable) is small enough to fit into the back pocket of some pants and weighs less than 2 pounds. It works by moving the seat belt down to fit the kid (as opposed to raising the kid to fit the belt, as other boosters do). However, our testers found its hard plastic shell uncomfortable to sit on for long periods of time and said that the seat was complicated and unintuitive to set up. Also, a car seat safety expert we consulted noted that the design of the seat may encourage a child to use bad posture while they’re sitting in it—in an effort to find a more comfortable position, the child may tend to scoot forward, moving the slick-bottomed seat along with them, which could pose a safety concern.

Travel carts

The Torevsior Car Seat Travel Cart is about $25 less than the Britax Travel Cart we recommend, but it’s also less robust—the frame just doesn’t feel as sturdy. The weight limit is also lower than the Britax’s, at 70 pounds versus Britax’s 100 pounds. Like the Britax travel cart, the Torevsior cart has hooks for LATCH straps, to secure a car seat onto the cart so that your child can ride in it as you’re moving through the airport. It’s 6.4 pounds (Britax is 7.6 pounds), and extends up to 46 inches (Britax to 42 inches).

All of the guidelines for car seat care, use, and maintenance in our other car seat guides apply to travel car seats as well.

This guide was edited by Ellen Lee, Amy Miller Kravetz and Kalee Thompson.

Jessica Jermakian, vice president for vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety , email exchange , August 1, 2022

Alisa Baer, pediatrician, nationally certified child passenger safety instructor, and co-founder of The Car Seat Lady , phone interview, July 15, 2022 and January 9, 2023

Lani Harrison, CPST, Car Seats for the Littles , email interview , January 28, 2019

Meet your guides

Christina Szalinski

Christina Szalinski is a freelance science writer with a PhD in cell biology.

Rebecca Gale

Further reading

The Best Booster Car Seats

by Rebecca Gale

After researching over 50 booster car seats and testing 13, we’ve concluded that the convenient Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus is the best overall choice.

The Best Travel Strollers

by Elise Czajkowski

After testing seven travel strollers on various trips and excursions, we’re confident that the Uppababy Minu V2 is the one to get.

Traveling With Little Kids Can Be Tough. The Right Gear Can Help.

by Kerry Davis McGuinness

From compact car seats and cribs to portable blackout shades and white noise machines, the right tools for travel can lead to less fuss—and more fun.

The Best Infant Car Seats

by Christina Szalinski

After extensive research and field testing, we found that the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX is the best infant car seat for most families.

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Comfortable everywhere you go

• Adjustable headrest
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Easy to take everywhere | Fits easily into any car | Take safety with you | Comfortable everywhere you go |

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Nomad Plus is built for travel. Ultra-compact and lightweight (4,26 kg), it’s super-easy to fold up and has an integrated handle and travel bag.

Taxi, car rental or car share? No problem. Nomad Plus easily fits any car thanks to its belt installation, and is quick to install in less than 30 seconds.

Take safety with you

When you travel with your own car seat, you can relax knowing that your child is safe with Nomad Plus’s reinforced Side Impact Protection.

You may be on the move, but your child will be comfortable thanks to the soft fabrics and comfortable padding in the seat.

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Kore Pro i-Size detects when your child is sitting on it. The ClickAssist light illuminates the buckle up area, making it easy to click the buckle and the safety belt together in all circumstances.

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Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus Folding Car Seat - Black 194539

• Childs Height : 76 - 105cm
• Car seat direction : Forward
• Side impact protection : Yes

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Description

Maxi-cosi nomad plus folding car seat - black.

• Suitable from 76 – 105cm | 15 months to 4 years approximately
• Ultra compact and lightweight (less than 4kg)
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• Easily fitted into any car with belt installation
• Reinforced Side Impact Protection System
• Soft fabrics and comfortable seat
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• Easy harness and headrest adjustment
• Anti-slip shoulder pads
• Removeable and washable fabrics

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WayB Pico Foldable Travel Car Seat Review

Flying with a car seat is a pain. They’re large, and heavy and as airlines don’t really treat most items well and keep breaking strollers, many parents understandably don’t want to check their car seats.

With infant car seat it’s easy – you can take it with you on board if there’s an empty seat (although personally, I don’t like doing that).

Renting a car seat at the destination is an option, but it’s costly and you can never know what you’re getting – or if it’s even very clean.

In some places, you legally cannot take your baby or toddler on a short Uber ride without a car seat and if you’re roaming the city you don’t want to drag a giant car seat with you. On the other hand, if you plan on dragging your US or Canadian car seat to Europe don’t even bother, because they’re illegal there (and vice versa).

As frequent travelers, we struggled with the idea of having to bring a car seat. While we considered Doona, ultimately we decided it’s not worth the price and it’s not so great for the baby (a story for another time).

For older kids things are easier as there are so many options for foldable booster seats (eg. Mifold ). But, for toddlers there are none. Cosco Scenera Next is a lightweight and cheap car seat many parents opt for, but it doesn’t fold so it’s not like I can carry it with me here or there (also, it doesn’t work everywhere – read more under adaptability).

Once our older son Dylan was old and tall enough to hop into a standard car seat we got recommended WayB Pico foldable car seat. We’ve been using it for 1.5 years now.

Is this car seat ideal? Absolutely not, but it does the job for us. Below it’s my honest review of Wayb Pico car seat and whether it’s worth the price tag.

Disclaimer: This review is NOT sponsored in any way. I didn’t receive this product for free in exchange for this review. All opinions are entirely my own (well, and my husband’s).

Wayb Pico Car Seat Review

Wayb pico highlights.

• Forward-facing only
• For children 1 and older (WAYB recommends you wait until age 2); 22-50 pounds, 30-45 inches
• Seat is made with ASTROKNIT™ mesh, which takes the place of foam
• Pico is eco-friendly, with the majority of the seat being recyclable and made of aerospace-grade aluminum
• Width of seat: 14.75 inches at the widest point (middle of the torso)
• Height of seat with headrest in lowest position: 22.75 inches
• Height of seat headrest fully extended: 27.75 inches
• Depth of seat: 15.25 inches
• Harness (torso) height: 16.5 inches
• Weight of seat: 8 pound
• Easy install
• Lightweight
• Works everywhere

Not great for naps

Where to buy wayb pico car seat.

• Dillard’s
• Saks Fifth Avenue
• Amazon (with the travel bag)

Wayb Pico carseat is on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ 2020 list of approved forward-facing car seats, and works in a front-facing mode for kids between 22 and 50 pounds, who are 30 to 45 inches tall.

Which, in the case of my big child – made him eligible for it as early as 13 months if I remember his dimensions correctly (official minimum age is 1, the recommendation is 2). Our cousins also used it from about 15 months as they fly stand-by where it’s impossible to get regular car seats checked and dragging 2 full-size car seats through the airport on top of the 2 toddlers is simply impossible.

We encourage you to check your state’s laws. Some states, such as California, require children to remain rear-facing in most cases until age 2.

Pico is also FAA approved for in-flight use, so if you wish to keep your child contained on board you can bring it with you.

Important reminded here (as many aren’t aware) – car seats on board can only be placed on a window seat, so make sure you book a window seat if you wish to install it for your flight.

Pros of Wayb Pico Carseat

Size and portability.

The Pico will fit just pretty much anywhere you could put it in terms of width and height. It’s that small you can just bring it on the plane and put it in the overhead or under the seat. You can keep it under the stroller. It folds in seconds.

When you buy it comes with a travel bag, but my husband lost it instantly so can’t talk about the bag in much detail because I never got to see it, haha 😀

Easy installation

The  LATCH system  and the top rope on either side make it easier for you to strap and place the car seat into the motor vehicle. The seat belt installation is also possible; however, the process is a little more complex. But, by no means long or complicated.

Unlike in full-size car seats, on Pico you don’t have to pull on a single strap between your kiddos’ legs when you place them in.

While I didn’t get a chance to install the Pico on a plane, because we’re not fans of using car seats on planes for both babies and toddlers (kids aren’t fans either), from what I heard it’s not hard.

Adaptability

Many parents will tell you that they used their car seats all around the world. While I say that you CAN you might need to take some things into consideration. Europe is problematic.

I mentioned before that standard US car seats are illegal in Europe and vice versa because they have a chest clip. While you can technically bring it, if you get stopped and the police know the laws they might fine you and if (knock on wood) you get into an accident insurance has the right to refuse the payout if you don’t have the correct car seat.

In most other places you should be just fine. Many countries don’t require kids to be rear facing for long (eg. Australia only does for the first 6 months, but in most countries, by 12 months they can be front-facing ).

You can use it in Africa or Asia as it has a LATCH system, but it can be used without it. And the fact that it doesn’t require the top tether though. Carseats like Cosco Scenera wouldn’t be possible to use in cars without the top tether (and if you even traveled to South America or Africa you know that most older cars are lacking it).

Breathability

This seat seems to allow the airflow that our other car seats lack. It was super handy in Mexico in high temperatures, because Dylan was never sweaty.

WAYB recommends spot cleaning whenever possible, with a mild, wool-safe detergent, but you can remove the fabric and hand wash everything with warm water and wool-safe detergent.

Cons of Wayb Pico Carseat

Like I said before, Wayb Pico is great overall, but it does have some flaws. I don’t think any stroller , crib, or other baby item is ideal without flaws. Everyone should weigh pros and cons and decide what’s important for them and for their child.

The biggest real con of this car seat is naturally its price as it’s not a cheap seat. If you travel a lot or live in the city where you need occasional cab rides, it’s worth it in my opinion.

Especially if you have multiple kids, when Dylan outgrows it when he reaches 45″ (which for most kids is 5, but in his case might be 3.5 or 4), he can pass it to his younger brother.

Crotch Buckle is short

The crotch buckle is a bit short, and shorter than on other car seats. The crotch buckle sits approximately 4.5 inches from the back of the seat.

Dylan is a skinny dude, so he has no issues, but I wouldn’t be so sure how would it work on a chunkier child.

As Pico is meant for older kids, it’s not an ideal car seat for road trips or during nap times. The head support is more upright than a regular car seat though, so if your toddler falls asleep in the car his head will be sort of hanging.

Dylan doesn’t mind, if he wants to sleep he sleeps but some parents might get upset by this. We tried to adjust it with a neck pillow, but he’s not a fan of it.

Straps are not as soft

Apparently some kids might complain that the padded straps irritate their necks as they’re not that soft. Dylan removes them within seconds and prefers to ride without them for some reason. He does it on his other car seat (Graco) as well, so I guess he just doesn’t like the padding at all, but some other kiddos might not find it great.

WayB Pico FAQ & Other Things to Know

Why there are no crash tests is wayb car seat safe.

The Pico meets all U. S. federal safety standards and crash test requirements for forward-facing harnessed safety seats for use in passenger vehicles and the FAA requirements for use on commercial airplanes.

Unfortunately, there are no comprehensive crash test ratings for car seats like there are for new vehicles. Manufacturers generally self-certify to the minimum required government crash test standard,

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Thank you. I am really leaning toward the Pico but we are traveling in Europe. I know there are no US carseats that are legal in Europe, so…what car seat do you use for the in btwn toddler stage? My son is 2.5, 37 in and 30 lbs. Do you have a good, lightweight and possibly foldable travel car seat for Europe? Or do we just take our chances and bring Pico with us to Europe?

I can honestly say that most people just bring their American car seats to Europe, because they don’t know. We had our Pico with us for the past few months in Europe as a second car seat. If you’re planning on coming back to Europe you could buy him a European car seat (it also works for basically most places that aren’t the US) as they’re better.

Most European car seats for toddlers work mostly with seatbelts instead of harnesses or the one belt with an airbag (which is the best!). We got Nachfolger for the younger one as my friends raved about it in terms of traveling because it deflates so small and works fantastic, but unfortunately, it’s only rear-facing and my kids refuse to sit that way so it didn’t work for us. The only other foldable “American style” European car seat is Maxi Cosi Nomad.

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WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat with Premium Carrying Bag- Lightweight, Portable, Foldable - Perfect for Airplanes, Rideshares, and Road Trips - Forward Facing for Kids 22-50 lbs. and 30-45

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• To keep little ones safe, returned car seats with open boxes must be destroyed (per industry standards). So, before you unbox your Pico, please make sure it's the exact item you intended to purchase and wanted for your on-the-go needs. Thanks for doing your part to keep car seats out of landfills and on to new adventures with your family!
• ANYWHERE YOU GO: Pico travel car seat is ideal for kids ages 2+ and within the range of 22-50 lbs. and 30-45 inches. Whether you’re ridesharing or road-tripping, Pico’s 5-point safety harness has you and your little ones covered. Each bundle comes with a Carry Bag where Pico can be stored and carried as a backpack, with the carrying handle, or slipped on the handle of rolling luggage.
• DESIGNED FOR SAFETY: Pico meets all U.S. safety standards regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration, so it’s ready for road or air travel. FAA approved sticker is located on the bottom of the seat (see image for detail).
• LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN: Weighing just 8 pounds, the Pico travel car seat makes it easy to travel light. Our AeroWing aerospace-grade aluminum frame offers lightweight strength, and the AstroKnit performance wool/polyester mesh fabric cover keeps kids cool and comfortable. The Pico Carry Bag is responsibly made with 100% bluesign certified recycled polyester; no PU, EVA, or EPS foams
• FOLD & GO: Pico is easy to carry and stow! Folding down to a compact 11.6" L x 14.5" W x 18.9" H, the Pico car seat can fit into overhead bins and is easily carried while walking through the airport or to-and-from the car

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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the portability and quality of the carrier bag case. They say it's lightweight, easy to use, and perfect for traveling as light as possible. Customers are also happy with the size and ease of installation. They mention it fits great in the car and the backpack is great. Customers also say it is easy for traveling and great for short trips. However, some customers have reported issues with comfort. They feel it is uncomfortable and it hurts their privates.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the carrier bag case to be lightweight, easy to use, and perfect for traveling as light as possible. They also appreciate the clever design that eliminates the padded seat and has a very small footprint.

"...The Pico has a very small footprint coming in at 18.9” H when folded, 22.8” H in its lowest use position, and 27.8” H in its tallest usage position...." Read more

"...It literally went everywhere with us. It's light , easily portable, and easy to install. My husband could get this seat installed in under 60 seconds...." Read more

"...Overall we like the seat for travel because of how light it is, but I wish it was more practical so I could continue using it as my everyday car seat..." Read more

"...It fits perfectly in the overhead compartment and doesn’t weigh a thing . So light. Easy to use and sturdy...." Read more

Customers find the installation of the infant toddler car seat easy. They mention that the belt goes through the car and it's a snap to thread the lap belt. They also say that it'd be easy to use from car to car and that it makes it easy to be spontaneous.

"...LATCH/tether anchor integration makes this seat a breeze to install in a car and it’s a snap to thread the lap belt through it on an airplane...." Read more

"...It's light, easily portable, and easy to install . My husband could get this seat installed in under 60 seconds...." Read more

"...Important tip: Easy to quickly install into any vehicle and pack up as long as you practice doing it first. Otherwise, it will become very stressful." Read more

"... Easy and fast to set up in carCONS:- The belt that goes between the child’s legs to click onto the shoulder belts is very short...." Read more

Customers like the travel of the infant toddler car seat. They mention that it is easy to install, great for short trips, and hop and go travel. They also appreciate the carrying bag and the high quality of the product.

"...With that said, I have found the Pico to be the best option for TRAVEL- even with the requirement to use it forward facing...." Read more

"...It literally went everywhere with us. It's light, easily portable , and easy to install. My husband could get this seat installed in under 60 seconds...." Read more

"...Fits in airplane overhead compartment. It’s great for Uber/Lyft rides or when riding in other people’s cars with your toddler...." Read more

"...So light. Easy to use and sturdy ...." Read more

Customers like the size of the infant toddler car seat. They say it is compact, fits perfectly in the overhead compartment, and is small enough to travel with. Some customers also mention that the harness fits well and is comfortable to wear as a backpack.

"...While its compact size was a huge factor in my decision to purchase, it doesn’t appear to have come at the expense of safety which is even more..." Read more

"...The carry bag is also good quality and comfortable to wear as a backpack . Very happy with this purchase" Read more

"... Fits in airplane overhead compartment . It’s great for Uber/Lyft rides or when riding in other people’s cars with your toddler...." Read more

"...Love the backpack. It fits perfectly in the overhead compartment and doesn’t weigh a thing. So light. Easy to use and sturdy...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the infant toddler car seat. They mention that it is great, easy, convenient, and works as a great loaner seat. Some love the backpack and say it works great for traveling.

"...Took this car seat to the UK. It worked well in all vehicles . We had to buy car seat belt clips since not all UK vehicles have belts that lock...." Read more

"... Love the backpack . It fits perfectly in the overhead compartment and doesn’t weigh a thing. So light. Easy to use and sturdy...." Read more

"...He is 30 pounds and this seat is perfect ...." Read more

"...She weighs about 38lbs and stands at 39" tall. She is quite comfortable in the seat and the harness fits her well except for one detail...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the value of the infant toddler car seat. Some mention it's worth the money, has good quality, and is lightweight. Others say it'll break easily and is expensive.

"... Too Expensive for a seat your child won’t be able to comfortably use on a day to day-..." Read more

"It's expensive but totally worth it . Took this car seat to the UK. It worked well in all vehicles...." Read more

"... Expensive . At nearly $500, this travel carseat is not cheap...." Read more

"...Definitely worth the INVESTMENT ...." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the comfort of the carrier bag case. They mention that it's uncomfortable, not safe, and it itches. Some say that the seat is rough and it hurts their privates.

"...The one caveat is that using as an airplane seat is a little uncomfortable because there’s no easy way for them to lean back to nap and such...." Read more

"...It’s crazy uncomfortable . Whenever our daughter tried to sleep, her head rolled forward or to the side and she would startle herself awake...." Read more

"Not worth it in my opinion. For the price, this seat was just ok… it wasn’t comfy , especially if child falls asleep in it and the max height/weight..." Read more

"...than an hour without constantly complaining about how it was hurting his privates ...." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the adjustability of the infant toddler car seat. They mention that the crotch strap is too tight, the lower buckle is too short, and the shoulder straps require constant readjustment. They also say that the seatbelts tend to jam or go out of route getting tighter.

"...Unfortunately, because of the short belt between the child ’s legs this isn’t a car seat I could realistically use with my child for long as he’d be..." Read more

"...The child seatbelts tend to jam or goes out of route getting tighter , risking you to tight the seatbelt, but being too loose at the end...." Read more

"...The shoulder straps require constant readjustment and even then, our two-year-old daughter managed to maneuver out of them constantly...." Read more

"...Cons:- Very short crotch strap . My 5 year-old daughter is the smaller of the twins. She weighs about 38lbs and stands at 39" tall...." Read more

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5 Absolute Best Travel Booster Seats for 2024 (+Helpful Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 23, 2024

One of the most asked questions when it comes to road-tripping with kids is what kind of travel car seat is the best. The answer depends on so many different factors – how and where you travel, how old are your kids, and how light you want to travel. In my opinion, packing a high-back car seat on a plane is really not worth the hassle, so in this article, I will only focus on the best booster seats for travel – portable booster seats . Here’s why.

In my opinion, if you are traveling with a baby or a young child, you better just rent an appropriate car seat when you rent a car abroad.

Car seats for that age group cost a lot of money and are bulky to pack, while the price to rent one isn’t that high compared to what it costs.

Whereas if you travel with older kids who can use a booster car seat, it’s exactly the opposite. Travel booster seats are cheap to buy, easy to take with you, and renting one would often mean paying more.

TIP: At the moment of the last update, BubbleBum booster is the most popular travel booster seat choice among our readers in the USA. If I’m not mistaken, you now get an extra discount with this promo code on Amazon : 9DUCE9MT.

Ride Safer Vest is a distant second, on a much higher budget but also quite incomparable to any others safety-wise.

And now back to the best portable booster car seats . Below, you can see an overview of the information you can find in this article, including all the best travel boosters in our selection.

You can jump straight to the product information, but I strongly recommend that you also read practical tips and advice that should help you choose the right child booster seat for travel.

Update: We have done our best to update this article through the years. But there are so many changes all the time! Regulations change, products and companies disappear and new ones emerge. With the last update, we had to remove several products completely since they are not available anymore and there are no similar alternatives. So use this just as a guide to see what kind of different types of travel boosters there are, and be sure to always double-check the requirements and product specifications that are important to you!

Travel booster seats – overview:

• Our Experience with Travel Booster Seats

Booster Seat Requirements

• Other Things to Consider when Choosing Travel Booster Seat

1. The BubbleBum Booster Seat

2. ridesafer travel vest, 3. trunki boostapak, 4. hiccapop uberboost inflatable booster car seat, 5. belt-positioning backless booster, travel car seats & booster seats – our experience.

We have three kids and have traveled with them overseas ever since they were born. We always rented car seats for our kids when they were young. I just couldn’t imagine adding a big car seat to our travel luggage , not even to mention having to take two or three of them.

To us, traveling light is the best way to survive traveling with young kids.

LEARN MORE: Tips for Traveling with Kids

When our oldest was almost 5, we made a 5-week road trip in Australia . Twins were just 3 years old at that time. With three young children and multiple flights, there was just no way we would pack portable car seats for all of them. So we reserved car seats for the twins when we booked our rental car. With multiple rental cars at 4 different destinations in Australia, we spent a small fortune on those two car seats.

We, therefore, decided to at least look for an alternative solution for our 5-year-old. That’s when we started researching all available booster seats and realized that buying one would save us several hundreds of dollars.

But even a regular booster seat is not easy to pack with you. So we looked for the best travel booster seats – something that would fit all the safety requirements and at the same time would be easy to pack.

This was years ago and in the meantime, we have bought two more travel boosters for our twins as well. I am happy to say that we are still using the same travel booster seats today. We have used them on every single trip ever since and also on a daily basis at home. Buying a quality travel booster car seat was one of the best investments ever.

But before we talk about the specific travel booster seats, we should first cover some things you have to consider before buying a booster seat for your trip. Read on!

Booster seats are generally suitable for kids from around 4 years of age when children are no longer required to use a car seat with a 5-point harness. A portable travel booster seat ensures your child’s safety whenever you rent a car or use a taxi away from home.

However, the rules for the use of car seats and booster seats vary significantly from one country to another. So it’s essential to consult an official source for the country that you are traveling to in order to make sure that you have the right car seat for your child. More information about this below.

In some parts of the world – particularly much of Asia and northern Africa, there are hardly any laws requiring car seats or boosters of any kind. However, I’d still advise to rent one or bring your own. After all, you should be more concerned with your child’s safety than the (lack of) local laws.

We have rented car seats in South Africa and in Namibia for our kids and most of the time they looked completely ok to us. If in doubt, ask to change a car seat – quality car rental agencies usually have plenty of them available.

As I said before, the moment our kids were old enough for a booster car seat, we just bought our own and never had to worry about it again. Bringing your own booster seat gives you complete peace of mind and ensures that your children can travel safely wherever you go.

If you are traveling abroad, make sure to check the laws for booster seats in the country you are visiting.

Below you can find some links to the car seat and booster seat rules for a variety of destinations. Please note, however, that laws around car seat requirements change all the time , so it’s your responsibility to do proper research for the most up-to-date situation for the country you’re visiting.

Some countries require travel booster seats to carry specific labels in order to be legal for use, so it’s very important to read these regulations carefully.

• Children’s car seat rules in the USA (please note that the laws vary from state to state).
• Car seat rules in the UK .
• Car seat regulations in Canada .
• Car seat rules in Australia .
• While the rules about car seats and boosters for children are very relaxed across much of Asia , there are some countries that do have regulations. Our advice is to look up your specific destination and check the rules before you travel.
• Car seat requirements are now a bit different all over Europe . While in the past you could use a booster car seat for kids from around 4 years, the new law requires a minimum height of 125 cm (4ft1) and weight of at least 22 kg (49 lbs) in order to use a backless booster seat. In most European countries, kids can use a regular adult seat from 135 cm (4ft4) height (e.g. France, UK, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg…). However, some other countries require that kids under 150 cm (4ft 9) or under 12 years use a booster seat as well (e.g. Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Poland, Slovenia,…).

Since car seat requirements are different in every country and the situation might change again, I encourage you to research the laws of the specific country you’re planning to visit . You may also want to check if the booster you have is approved for use in the country you’re traveling to.

Other Things to Consider When Choosing Travel Booster Seat

In addition to local laws and regulations, there are a few other important things to consider when choosing the most suitable booster car seat for travel. Find out!

High-backed booster seats with ‘wings’ are the safest type, as they provide the best protection for your child’s head and neck in a side-impact crash. Unfortunately, though, it’s not always possible to carry this type of seat with you if you are traveling long distances.

The important thing to remember is that any approved booster seat is better than none at all.

Weight and Size

After safety, weight and size are probably the most important considerations when choosing the right (booster) car seat. Whilst some travel booster seats are ideal for local trips and days out and about, others are more suited to longer journeys where you are restricted on how much you can carry.

That being said, you might find that any extra baggage charges you incur from taking your own booster seat would be less than the cost of hiring a booster seat at your destination. Plus, of course, you will then have a portable booster seat for future use!

If you are traveling with 2-3 kids, consider if you can fit all the travel boosters next to each other (and hope they don’t fight all the time 😉 – see also our tips for how to handle long car rides with kids .

Versatility

Some seats are designed to serve more than one purpose, which is great if you have limited luggage space and want to get the most ‘bang for your buck’.

Important Tips

Wherever possible, we recommend sitting with your child and keeping an eye on them if using a backless booster, as it is a little easier for them to wriggle into an unsafe position.

Try to place your travel booster seat in the middle back seat if appropriate. Experts say that this is the safest position in the car.

Practice fitting the booster seat before you travel. While most boosters are pretty straightforward, some may need a little more expertise!

Best Travel Booster Seats: Comparison & Review

There are several good options when it comes to booster car seats for travel. So in order to give you the most complete guide to the best travel booster seats available at this moment , I not only based it on our experience, but also consulted other family travelers, and did extended research.

In the end, I selected portable booster seats that I think are the best options for those looking for a lightweight travel booster that doesn’t compromise on safety. In addition, I also included one high-back foldable booster seat. It’s obviously not as easy to pack as the backless boosters, but if you are traveling with a smaller child and still rather pack a car seat of your own, it might be a good option.

Below is our selection of the best travel booster seats. You can find a short review of each booster seat and a list of the main features that we think make them so useful. Of course, we also included our personal favorite – the travel booster seat that our kids have been using for years. Find out!

Here are the best travel booster seats:

The award-winning BubbleBum Booster Seat is described as an inflatable booster seat. However, it actually contains more memory foam than air, meaning that it will protect your child even if punctured in an accident.

BubbleBum Booster Seat takes just 20 seconds to inflate for use, then deflates quickly and folds to a small size, perfect for popping into your hand luggage or backpack.

The booster is designed for use with a 3-point adult seat belt (not a lap belt). The shoulder belt positioning clip and side lap belt clips help keep your child safe and comfortable.

At just 1.2 lbs it is the lightest travel booster seat we reviewed and it’s also the cheapest. But because it is a little smaller than some other travel boosters, we feel it’s more suited to shorter journeys than long road trips.

BubbleBum booster seat features:

• Suitable for children age 4-11 years, weighing from 40-100 lbs (18-45 kg).
• Inflates and deflates quickly.
• Lightweight and folds to a compact size and easy to store anywhere.
• Comes with its own bag.
• Made of a durable material.
• Narrow design allows you to use 3 across the back seat.

The compact and lightweight RideSafer Travel Vest is a brilliant alternative to a travel booster seat, but it comes with a much steeper price card. Weighing only 1.5 lbs (800 gr), it takes up very little luggage space and is particularly ideal for small cars, where bulkier car seats and boosters can be a tight fit. Fitting three of these vests in a row on the back seat is no problem whatsoever!

While the RideSafer may seem to offer less protection than booster seats at first glance, it’s actually the opposite. This is one of the safest solutions available!

Its clever design means that it maintains the car’s seatbelt in the proper position at all times. The shoulder belt is held in place, but away from your child’s neck, making him feel much more comfortable. It also positions the lap belt below your child’s abdomen, which best protects the internal organs.

This is the most expensive of the travel boosters we have reviewed in this article, but for the convenience and safety of your child, the RideSafer Travel Vest is invaluable!

RideSafer travel vest features:

• Available in 2 sizes, to fit children from 3-10 years, weighing from 30 to 80 lbs (15 to 36 kg).
• Certified for use in cars in the US.
• Small, lightweight, and easy to pack in hand luggage or backpack.
• Maintains proper seatbelt positioning at all times.

Trunki BoostApak is the travel booster seat that we chose for our kids. We bought one for our oldest son when he was 4 and used it till he didn’t need it anymore (around the age of 8-9). Our twins got the same Trunki boosters when they were 4 and used them until the age of 10.

I can’t even start to count the number of flights and road trips we have taken them on. The kids also used Trunki BoostApak boosters for their daily commute to school. Our high-back booster seats were only in use when we traveled big distances with our own car here in Europe. Since the new law in some European countries requires that booster seats are used till the kids are 150 cm tall, we used Trunki BoostAPak for our twins until the age of 10.

When we mentioned versatility earlier in this article, Trunki BoostApak is the booster seat we had in mind! The Trunki BoostApak is not just a booster seat, it’s also a hand-luggage approved child’s bag, with padded straps for comfort and a generous 8-liter capacity.

This means that you can use it to easily pack your child’s toys, books, games, and snacks for them to carry, then quickly convert it into an EU-certified travel booster seat whenever needed. You don’t need to unpack the Trunki before using it as a seat, as its hard plastic internal shell protects the bag’s contents. The shell is also designed to provide maximum strength in an accident.

It’s very easy to convert Trunki from a backpack to a booster seat, but if you (like many of us!) find some kids’ accessories a little challenging, be sure to practice with it before leaving home!

In addition to using it as a backpack and a car booster seat, the Trunki Boostapak with its wipe-clean cover makes a great booster seat for the movies too! We once even took our kids’ Trunkis to a theater.

The only minor issue we’ve had with this booster seat/backpack is that it’s slightly too heavy for younger children to carry – an empty Trunki BoostApak weighs 3.8 pounds (1,7 kg). So when our kids were just 4-5 years old, we usually had to help them with it at the airport. It’s not a big deal since the Trunki usually stays in the car for the entire duration of our trip.

Trunki BoostAPak travel booster features:

• Suitable for children age 4-11 years, weighing from 30 to 80 lbs (15 to 36 kg).
• Converts from a backpack to a booster seat in seconds.
• The fold-out seatbelt guides and seat belt adjuster help you ensure a perfect and safe fit.
• Approved as hand luggage by most airlines.
• EU certified for everyday car use.

Where to buy Trunki BoostApak. For some reason, Trunki BoostApak has always been a ‘European’ travel booster. Probably because it’s only been approved to be used in the EU and is not (yet) on the market in the USA. You can buy it on Amazon UK , but unfortunately, not on Amazon in the US.

Similar in principle to the Bubblebum, the Hiccapop Uberboost travel booster seat inflates and deflates quickly, so you can simply roll it up and pop it in your hand luggage, backpack, etc.

It’s cheaper than the BubbleBum, is made of a very thick, durable material and is comparable in weight.

The biggest difference is that – unlike the BubbleBum – there is no foam in the air bladder. Nevertheless, it feels as sturdy as a regular booster seat when inflated.

Hiccapop Uberboost features:

• Very compact and lightweight.
• Positions seat belt over the lap, not the stomach.
• Lifetime guarantee.

Update: The model reviewed below is not available during our last update, so check out these popular alternatives that offer pretty much the same functionality. Since this is the most popular portable booster design, there are so many brands selling similar models and they change the colors and the looks all the time.

Chicco GoFit Belt-Positioning Backless Booster is the only backless booster seat we reviewed that has dual cup holders, which are a huge plus on long journeys. The cup holders fold away, which is handy if you need to fit several car seats across the back seat. They can easily be removed and are dishwasher safe.

A little more expensive than other backless boosters, the Chicco GoFit feels very robust and well-made, whilst providing a lot more padding for your child’s comfort than many other seats of this type.

The seat has lap belt guides and a shoulder clip, which is attached to the back of the seat by a fabric strap. In some cars, you can fit three of these seats in the back – but you should only do this if you have a 3-point seat belt in the center seat, not a lap belt.

At 5 lbs it is heavier than the other travel booster seats in this selection and would also take up more luggage space. Nevertheless, it is still light enough to carry around and easy to move from one vehicle to another.

The only downside to this seat is that it doesn’t have latch connectors. Whilst this is a bonus in terms of travel, as it can quickly be moved to any vehicle, it does mean that it may shift a little during your journey and will also need to be stowed safely away when not in use.

Chicco GoFit booster seat features:

• Suitable for children age 4 and up, weighing from 40-110 lbs (18-45 kg).
• Double foam padding.
• Armrest covers and seat pad are machine-washable.
• Built-in carry handle.
• Smooth underside to protect vehicle seats.

So this is our complete guide to the best lightweight portable travel booster seats. I hope it helps you to find the best-suitable travel car seat for your kids.

Have you used any of these lightweight booster seats or have a favorite portable travel booster? Feel free to share your experience – you can leave a reply below.

READ ALSO : Best travel bags for kids

More tips for traveling with kids:

• Family travel: Tips for Travelling with Kids & Benefits of Family Travel
• Gear & luggage: Best Travel Gear for Kids & Best Kids Luggage
• Gift ideas: Travel Gifts for Kids (That They’ll Actually Use)
• Footwear: Best Travel Shoes for Kids
• Books: Travel Books and Destination Guides for Kids

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends who might be looking for a travel booster seat for their children. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

Some travel inspiration for families:

• Best Family Travel Destinations
• Best USA National Parks to Visit with Kids
• Lesser-known US National Parks for Families
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Saturday 27th of April 2024

Hi! Thanks for this helpful article! I'm from Spain and we are travelling to California this summer. Do you think that we could use trunki there with our 4 and 8 years old children?

Sunday 28th of April 2024

Hi Anna, we took and used Trunki BoostAPak to the USA for all three kids, but that was a few years ago when they were also sold in the US. It seems that they are not certified there at the moment and I really don't know what the implications would be. Here in Europe, you can usually use whatever car seats you use in your home country and they are deemed ok in other EU countries, even if the rules in regards to age/weight are different between those countries. But the USA is a different story. My reasoning with our kids was that we wanted them to be safe, so we bought products that were certified in the EU and approved for their age/weight. In our view, if it's safe here, it's just as safe anywhere. But whether it's legally ok, that's another question. I think that nobody will care what you use unless something happens. So it's really your decision. If you are not sure, just rent car seats. The irony is that the car seats/boosters you rent are usually of much lesser quality. But then you are legally ok.

Wednesday 24th of January 2024

Hi Jurga, I really appreciate your blog - it's been so helpful! I was looking to buy the Trunki BoostApak for our trip to Portugal and Spain later this year as our kids will be 6.5 and 4.5 years old. I noticed that the boosters are no longer available to ship via Amazon to the USA when logged under Amazon UK. I also tried their website which doesn't ship to the USA. It's not urgent since we don't travel until the Fall, but I was hoping to to buy the boosters ahead of time instead of trying to buy something when we arrive. Do you know if something has recently changed or if this is just a temporary thing with Amazon shipping? Thanks much! Kaylee

Thursday 25th of January 2024

Hi Kaylee, unfortunately, I don't know which products Amazon ships where and there might be tons of reasons why a specific product isn't shipped internationally. It might also depend on who the seller is - Amazon itself or some third party. Here in Europe, we use various Amazon websites from all different countries and it's very random what we can buy from which website, and what can be sent to one country is often not possible to another, plus, it changes all the time too. Indeed, the official USA website of Trunki doesn't even show this product, and the ones from Europe don't seem to ship to the USA. It's likely because they never asked for an official approval of this car seat in the US. So I really don't know what to tell you. Maybe try an alternative booster, or rent with a car. You may also want to check what the current rules in Portugal and Spain are depending on your kids' height/weight. I think that they might still be required to use a booster with back/head support at that age (depending on how tall they are and also on the country).

Tuesday 2nd of January 2024

Hi Jurga, happy New Year! I know from your blog your family has been to Portugal a few times including the islands and mainland but don't recall reading specifically on boosters for kids. We will be going to mainland Portugal this July and have 2 kids (both turns 7 & 9 this August). We are not sure what the best options on regarding booster seats for them and wanted to hear your insights. We are debating on renting the boosters with the car rental company but they seem to cost anwhere from $80 to $110 per booster seat which we can save. If we bring our own (backless boosters from the U.S.), we might not be able to use them right? Any suggestions? Thanks!

@Jurga, thanks so much for taking the time to reply to my inquiry! Yes the booster we use in the U.S. is sturdy (Chicco KitFit 2-in-1 Belt Positioning Booster Car Seat). We would bring just the bottom section w/o the back support and that's why I asked if that would meeting Portugal's guideline or law? You rented a car for ONLY 144 euro for 12 days?!?!?! I'm assuming it's manual? Unfortunately we need an automatic and the price seems to just a lot due to that. Thanks for the car rental site. Will check it out using your link!

Hi Athan, indeed, kids that age are officially required to use a booster in Portugal. And yes, some car rental companies charge ridiculous amounts for them - that's also why we always packed our own when our kids needed them... You have several options. Buy a booster at a local store once you get to Portugal (you should be able to find them at all major supermarkets) or bring one with you. Depending on the booster that you use at home, it might be EU certified - just check online. Also, if it's a sturdy, quality booster, it's likely going to be better quality than what you get from some car rental agencies... And normally nobody will care what you use - it's your kids and you want to make sure that they are safe. The only issue is if something happens and police checks car seats. But I can't imagine anyone would make an issue about them not being certified in the EU if they are safe and certified in the USA. But it's your decision. Yet another option is to order a EU-certified booster from Amazon UK or Amazon Germany/France/Spain... (if they deliver in the US) and bring it with you. Just check if it's not going to become more expensive that way. If you want to avoid all the hassle, renting one together with your car is the safest option. Just a thought - car rental is usually so cheap in Portugal that it may not be such a big deal to pay extra for the boosters. P.S. We always rent our cars via RentalCars website. In fact, we are here in Portugal at the moment and we have a nice, family-size car for about 144 euro for 12 days including full insurance. If we had rented the same car directly with the company (and paid insurance at the counter), it would have been over 700 euros...

Wednesday 31st of May 2023

I love this post! I actually read it years ago, then when I was looking at booster seats recently, I was so happy to find it back. I saw that it now has the comfiGO booster-type seat by ClypX. I was very interested in that seat, but when I started doing more research on it I found that US child passenger safety news site called Safe Ride News had an article stating that the booster is not actually classified as a booster in the US, so safety regulations don’t apply to it. Since it claims it complies with the regulations (deceptive), and because of how it is designed, I would be hesitant to use it or recommend it to anyone, whether or not they are in the US.

Tuesday 6th of June 2023

Hi Nanika, based on everything I find online, this seat is certified in the US at this moment, but they were asked not to call it a 'booster' anymore.

Saturday 27th of May 2023

Do you have any information on when and why mifold went out of business? Have their booster seats been recalled? When I purchased our mifold years ago, it was considered very safe, approved for use in the UK (which is where we mostly need to use it) and we have loved it, but I know that ratings can change with more information. Thanks!

Hi Lindsey, it happened rather recently and I haven't heard anything about recalls. The company just stopped from one day to the other; I don't think it had anything to do with the product safety. Maybe try searching online - I wasn't able to find much info when I checked when updating this article last time.

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Pico™ Portable Car Seat

Meet Pico, the car seat that’s actually portable!

Forward-facing car seat fits kids 22-50 lbs and 30-45 inches.

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The Pico Essentials Bundle

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• Learn more here

• Compact fold
• Easy to carry
• Easy to install
• Fit 3-in-a-row in most vehicles

• Breathable and temperature regulating mesh seat
• Ergonomic design
• Optional accessories for happier travelers

Parents Love Pico

Experience a way better car seat..

The Pico car seat is light and portable. It even fits in most airplane overhead bins!

Storage Position:  11.6” L x 14.5” W x 18.9” H

Lowest Use Position:  15.2” L x 14.5” W x 22.8” H

Highest Use Position:  15.2” L x 14.5” W x 27.8” H

Weight:  8 pounds

The Pico car seat passes all safety testing according to U.S. standards regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

We are giving parents a better choice  rather   than skipping the seat when traveling, the Pico can help keep kids travel safer wherever they go.

We take safety seriously at WAYB.  It’s in our heritage: our founders come from the outdoor gear industry and are known for their commitment to quality and safety.

WAYB  offers easy-to-follow installation videos on our support page, and recommends checking any car seat installation with a Certified Passenger Safety Technician in your area.

Frame Components:  Pico's AeroWing™ space-grade aluminum alloy is ultralight, super strong, and absorbs energy forces in a crash. Designed with the planet in mind, the Pico car seat uses minimal plastic components and no PU foam.

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The Pico car seat can be installed using a car’s LATCH system or a car or plane seatbelt. See our installation video here.

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In the Press

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• 4 Stars 53 Reviews
• 3 Stars 20 Reviews
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Mum on the Move

9 Best Car Booster Seats for Travel in 2023

With several travel booster seats on the market, we cover what to look for in a portable booster seat and review some of the best car booster seats for travel .

One of the challenges of travelling with kids is car safety – and in particular what to do about car seats and kids booster seats.

At home we are all very careful to ensure that our kids have top rated car seats installed, but when we travel in a foreign country – for example in a taxi from the airport to the hotel – this sense of caution can sometimes go out the window.

With several travel booster car seats on the market, however, there is no reason why we can’t be just as safety conscious when we travel as when we are at home.

In most countries, once a child is 4 years old they are able to use a booster seat instead of a 5-point harness car seat, making a portable car booster seat a great addition to your family travel accessories .

A travel high back booster car seat is the safest type of booster car seat to use as it provides back, neck and head support, in addition to ensuring correct seat belt positioning.

However, when you are travelling around town by taxi, using a hotel airport transfer, it is obviously not practical to take a high back booster seat with you.

Many countries don’t require you to use a car seat or booster seat in a taxi, and some countries in Asia and Africa don’t even have any car seat laws whatsoever. However, whenever we travel we try to ensure that we have a kids car booster seat with us.

In this article we cover what to look for in a portable booster seat and review some of the best booster seats for travel. We have chosen a selection of the top rated booster seats for travel and you can read the full reviews below.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a booking or purchase using one of these links, we may receive a small commission – at absolutely no extra cost to you. 

Mum on the Move is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

No time to read all the reviews? Here’s some of our top recommendations!

• Best inflatable booster seat – Bubblebum or Hiccapop Uberboost
• Best foldable booster seat – mifold
• Best high-back booster seat – mifold Hifold
• Best travel vest – RideSafer

Before we get into the reviews, here’s a quick glance comparison chart of our portable booster seats to sum up.

Table of Contents

Travel Car Booster Seat Comparison

What to look for in a travel car booster seat, car safety standards & legality.

Obviously car seat safety is the most important thing when choosing a child booster seat for travel. You also need to ensure that your travel booster seat complies with local car seat laws in the country you are traveling to.

All countries have different requirements and laws, with many countries requiring your child car booster seat to have a label showing that it conforms to local legislation.

Some useful websites for checking approved booster seats and car seats are below:

• United Kingdom car seat information
• Australia car seat information
• USA car seat information
• Europe car seat information

Note that booster seats are not approved for use on the plane. If you would like to use a car seat on the plane, you must ensure that it is FAA Approved. Read our article here for more information and recommendations of FAA Approved car seats .

Booster Seat Weight & Size

Consider how you will be using your on the go booster seat. If you plan to take multiple taxis during a day of sightseeing and store the portable booster car seat in your bag while you walk around, a lightweight and compact booster seat is the best option.

Likewise, if you expect the kids to carry their own child car booster in their hand luggage on the plane, then the booster car seat weight is an important consideration.

However if you plan to use rental cars on arrival in your destination, then you can go for a more sturdy option, such as a foldable high back booster.

For air travel, you will still want a small booster seat that can easily be checked in with your luggage, or fit in the overhead compartment on the plane, but weight is less of a consideration than if you plan to carry it around all day sightseeing.

Ease of Use

Equally important is how easy and quick your booster seat is to set up. Again, this depends on how you will be using it.

If you are hopping in and out of taxis throughout the week, then you will want a booster seat with a simple design that is quick and easy to set up and buckle your child into.

If you are just planning on setting it up once at the beginning of the holiday in your rental car, then a more complicated, adjustable booster seat might be more appropriate.

Travel Car Booster Seat Reviews

We have selected our pick of the best travel booster seats for car use and have listed them below. We have detailed all the most important features in our booster seat reviews to help you decide which is the best travel booster seat for you.

All of these top booster seats can be ordered on Amazon and delivered directly to your door.

BubbleBum Booster Seat Review

The BubbleBum is an award-winning inflatable booster seat suitable for children aged 4 to 11 (40 to 100 lbs), and many people swear by it as the best booster seat for travel.

This backless booster seat can be inflated in just 20 seconds and is just as easily deflated and folded to fit into any handbag or kids backpack. At just 1.2lbs, you or the kids would have no problem carrying it around all day.

This blow up booster seat is made from extremely durable material, similar to that used in making life vests, making it hard wearing and long lasting.

From a safety point of view, it has side clips to ensure correct positioning of the vehicle’s seat belt across the child’s lap and a shoulder-positioning clip for an accurate fit across the chest.

The BubbleBum inflatable booster seat is small enough to enable three kids to sit side by side in the back seat, as long as you have a 3-point seat belt in the middle. The Bubblebum car booster seat is not suitable for use with a lap belt.

• Weight : 1.2 lbs
• Dimensions : 5.9″ x 11.8″ x 3.9″
• Weight limit : 40-100 lbs
• Suitable for ages 4-11
• Suitable for children weighing 40-100 lbs
• Easily inflated and deflated
• Easily stored in a handbag or kids backpack
• Can fit three across the back seat
• Side clips for lap belt and shoulder positioning clip for chest belt
• Durable, hard-wearing material

Hiccapop Uberboost Inflatable Booster Seat Review

Inflatable like the BubbleBum, the Hiccapop Uberboost is another great booster seat that is quick and easy to set up and install. 

The Hiccapop booster seat inflates in around 10 seconds, using just a few breaths and deflates quickly too. It can be rolled up and stored in its own travel bag, which can easily fit into your purse or kids’ backpack. 

Its non-skid base is designed to sit on leather, vinyl or cloth seats and provides stability when riding in the car, in addition to limiting movement in the case of an accident. It is also designed to be gentle on your car upholstery.

The contoured design coupled with air-cushioned comfort makes it comfortable for the child to sit on, while the positioning clip ensures the car’s seat belt fits properly across the lap. 

Nicely compact, the Hiccapop car seat can fit three across the back seat or can be fitted in between two infant car seats, making it perfect for larger families or car pooling. 

• Weight: 1.25 lbs
• Dimensions: 5.5″ x 10″ x 4″
• Child weight : 40-110 lbs
• Suitable for children weighing 40-110 lbs
• Easily stored in a purse or kids backpack
• Positioning clips for lap belt
• Removable cover can be washed in washing machine
• Non-skid base ensures stable ride and is gently on car upholstery

mifold Review

The mifold foldable booster seat works differently from other booster seats. Instead of lifting the child up to reach the seatbelt like a regular booster seat, the mifold brings the car’s seat belt down into position to correctly fit the child.

The lap belt guides on this fold up booster seat can be adjusted to three different positions, depending on the size of your child, and the shoulder strap has a positioning clip to ensure the correct fit of the chest belt.

This foldable booster car seat is small enough to fit in a handbag or child’s backpack and weighs just 1.7lbs, making it light enough to carry around all day during sightseeing or for kids to carry in their carry-on luggage.

The mifold grab and go booster is made from super tough plastic polymers and aircraft grade aluminium, making it super durable and hardwearing.

When testing this collapsible booster seat, we found the first couple of times a bit of a fiddle to get set up – particularly if you are on your own with two kids in a taxi.

However, we use this portable booster for travel all the time now, packing them in the kids’ hand luggage so that it is easily reachable for our airport transfer.

You can read our full review of the mifold booster seat here.

Mifold Sport

For those looking for a sporty luxury version of this folding booster seat, check out the mifold Sport. With the same innovative fold-up design, this luxury version features a padded leather-style seat for extra comfort.

• Weight : 1.7 lbs
• Dimensions : 1″ x 13″ x 7″
• Suitable for ages 4-12
• Easily opened and folded
• Lap belt guides have three adjustable positions
• Shoulder positioning clip for chest belt

MiFold HiFold 

Using the same technology as its baby brother the MiFold, the HiFold is the world’s most adjustable booster seat.

With adjustments available in four areas (seat, body, head width and height), this foldable booster seat can be adjusted to 243 individual settings to perfectly fit your child.

This means not only does it grow with your child, but it will also be easily adjusted for a perfect fit to be suitable for any children who might need a ride in your car. 

Although it is foldable and portable, the HiFold provides high back booster seat protection. For this reason, we think this would be a good choice for a road trip or other long trips.

Its multi-fold system means it folds down into a compact package and comes with a handy carry strap. 

The HiFold is regulated for global use so you can use it in all countries you travel to – with the exception of Australia. 

Note that at 10lbs, this is the heaviest option in our portable booster seat reviews and it is also the most expensive. 

• Weight: 10 lbs
• Dimensions: 14.6″ x 13.4″ x 10.7″
• Weight limit: 33 – 100 lbs. 
• World’s most adjustable booster seat with 243 individual settings
• Suitable for children weighing 33 – 100 lbs
• Easily opened, adjusted and folded
• Provides high back booster seat protection
• Comes with handy carry strap
• Regulated for global use in all countries except Australia

Graco Turbo Go Folding Backless Booster Review

The Graco Turbo Go is a folding backless booster seat suitable for children aged 4-10 and weighing between 40-100 lbs.

This travel booster seat is easily folded and unfolded and when folded measures just 10.5″ x 15″, allowing it to be packed away into a backpack.

Integrated steel reinforced seat built guides ensure the seat belt is correctly positioned across the child’s lap and the shoulder positioner correctly positions the seat belt across the child’s chest.

We also love that the seat pad can be removed and is machine washable – always a great feature when you are traveling with kids!

• Weight : 4 lbs
• Dimensions : 14.8″ x 15.2″ x 8.9″
• Child weight : 40-100 lbs
• Suitable for ages 4-10
• Can fit three booster seats across the back seat
• Lap belt guides and shoulder positioning clip for chest belt
• Removable machine washable seat cover
• Easily folded and opened
• Folds small enough to fit into backpack

Chicco GoFit Backless Booster Review

Designed for kids aged 4+ and weighing between 40 and 100lbs, the Chicco GoFit lightweight booster seat features a contoured seat and double foam padding for added comfort and support in all the right places. 

Its removable seat pad and arm rest covers are machine washable, while the two foldaway cup holders are also removable and dishwasher safe. 

At 2.43lbs, this Chicco booster seat is lightweight and has a built in carry handle for easy transporting between cars. 

Note: For slightly more money, you can upgrade to the Chicco GoFit Plus, which features latch connectors with quick release technology, for quick installation and easy removal.

• Weight: 2.43 lbs
• Dimensions: 15″ x 17″ x 5″
• Child Weight: 40-110 lbs

Features: 

• Removable foldaway cup holders are dishwasher safe
• Removable machine washable seat pad and armrest covers
• Lap belt guides and shoulder belt clip
• Built-in carry handle

RideSafer Travel Vest Review

The RideSafer Travel Vest is a great alternative to a booster seat or car seat for younger kids, being suitable for children aged 3 to 8 years old.

The vest fits snugly on the child and positions the car seat belt down to correctly fit a child, in a similar way to the mifold belt positioning booster seat reviewed above.

Lap belt guides keep the seat belt properly positioned across the child’s lap, while Velcro fastenings ensure the chest belt is secured in the correct position at the child’s shoulder.

It can be folded up, and at 2.25lbs it is light enough to carry in your handbag or keep in the child’s backpack. Because this is a vest and not a seat, you can easily fit three children across the back seat even in smaller cars.

The vest is a good option for smaller kids who may not yet be big enough for some of the other car booster seats. The main downside to this vest is that it is expensive compared to our other recommended car booster seats.

• Weight : 2.25 lbs
• Dimensions : 15.5 x 12.2 x 4.4
• Child weight : 30-60 lbs
• Suitable for ages 3-8
• Suitable for children weighing 30-60 lbs
• Lap belt guides and shoulder fastenings ensure good custom fit

Baby Trend Yumi Folding Booster Car Seat Review

As the largest seat in our selection of best rated booster seats, this foldable car seat for travel is not suitable for carrying around sightseeing with you, but it is a great option if you are planning on hiring a car on your vacation.

You will likely find that buying this travel car seat is cheaper than hiring one with your hire car.

With its padded seat and adjustable head rest, plus flip-up arm rests, this is the most comfortable booster seat in our selection, which is important if your kids are going to be in the car for a long time.

With its 8-position height adjustment headrest, 3-position shoulder rest adjustment and side impact protection, this folding car seat for travel is probably the safest booster seat in our selection too.

This booster seat with back folds up small enough to fit into the overhead compartment of the plane or can easily be checked in with your luggage.

The one downside we found to this folding car seat is that there is no way to lock the seat when it is in its folded position. We therefore recommend a car seat travel bag for storing it, or a bag with a zip to keep it in place.

• Weight : 9.1 lbs
• Dimensions : 18.5″ x 21.2″ x 32.2″
• Child weight : 30-100 lbs
• Suitable for ages 3-11
• Suitable for children weighing 30-100 lbs
• 8-position height adjustable side-impact headrest
• Cup holders and flip-up arm rests
• Easily removable covers for washing
• Padded seat for comfort
• 3-position shoulder belt adjustment
• Can be folded small enough to fit in overhead locker

Trunki BoostApak Review

The Trunki BoostApak is a car booster seat that also doubles as a backpack. This booster seat backpack has a padded, breathable back pad and padded shoulder straps, making it comfortable to carry as a backpack.

Its hard shell protects contents of the backpack when using it as a booster seat.

The Trunki booster seat has fold out seat belt guides to help position the seat belt correctly on the child’s lap, while the shoulder belt positioning clip gives additional flexibility to ensure a proper fit.

This car seat backpack combo has 8 litres of storage, making it brilliant for airplane travel with kids or for days out sightseeing.

The only downside we have found when using this 2 in 1 booster car seat is that, at 3.75lbs when empty, it can be quite heavy for young children once you load it up with a water bottle, books, iPads etc for the plane.

A good tip when using this convertible booster seat on longer car journeys is to ensure that you take all water bottles, snacks etc out of the bag before you begin the journey – as once the child is using it as a traveling booster seat, you can’t access the contents of the bag.

Do you travel with a portable child car seat when you travel? What do you think is the best travel car booster seat?

You may also like the following articles:

• The Best Cabin Sized Strollers for Travel
• The Best Car Booster Seats for Travel
• The Best Toddler Travel Beds
• The Best Kids Luggage
• The Best Headphones for Kids
• The Best Kids Travel Pillows
• The Best Car Seat Travel Bags
• The Best Double Strollers for Travel
• The Best Backpack Diaper Bags
• The Best Baby Carriers for Travel
• The Best Hiking Baby Carriers

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This post contains affiliate links. If you make a booking or purchase using one of these links, we may receive a small commission – at absolutely no extra cost to you.

Village Hotel Sentosa Review

The best family hotels in singapore, 7 thoughts on “9 best car booster seats for travel in 2023”.

After reading your article on the Mifold we went ahead and purchased one. It was great for our trip to India for my 6 year old. This is a great round up and I will share the post on my facebook page, I think my readers will appreciate so the different options.

Hi Kaylie – I’m so pleased you found the mifold useful! We still use ours all the time too. Thanks for sharing this on your Facebook page 🙂

Have you seen that MiFold will soon be coming out with a folding high back booster that folds up s small as the Yumi seat, but that you don’t have to disassemble when you fold it?

Yes I have seen it although I haven’t had a chance to try it out yet – have you?

Great guide for choosing seats for our car. Thanks for sharing this.

Thank you so much for the incredibly detailed post!! It was super helpful for us as we are embarking on our full time travel adventure with 2 children. We are going to try the harness after reading several of your detailed posts. Thank you!

Ooh really useful! Thank you – I think we’re going to try the BubbleBum!

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Wallaroo i-Size (100-150 cm)

This is a foldable and portable carseat for children with a height of 100-150 cm. It is tested to ECE regulation R129/03 (i-Size) featuring the latest side impact protection technology. This booster seat weighs only 6 Kg and comes with a convenient back pack style carry bag so you can take it along with you in any situation. This ingenious foldable child seat makes travelling with children easier than ever before. Great for riding in taxis, car rentals, car sharing or every day use.

A foldable car seat for children with a height of 100-150 cm (about 3 to 12 years,15-36 kg). When not in use or when you are traveling, this portable booster seat easily folds up into a compact space that can easily be carried with you handsfree. 

Side Impact Protection

The side impact protection system features energy-absorbing material in the side wings and deeper headrests. The extra side impact protection further reduces the forces on the child’s head and neck area in a side impact.

The ISOFIX connectors on this portable car seat, ensure quick and easy installation in any modern vehicle fitted with ISOFIX connectors. Simply click in the connectors to the vehicle anchor points, buckle up your child and off you go.

8 Adjustable Height Settings

8 adjustable height positions, recline options and memory foam seat padding.

Breathable mesh backrest

The breathable mesh material on the back rest is designed to reduce sweating in hot weather providing extra comfort for your child. A 10 degree recline angle also contributes to a smooth and comfortable ride.

Memory Foam seat padding

We have also added soft memory foam to the seat pad which your child will surely thank you for.

LIGHTWEIGHT

Lightweight car booster seat for travel- Weighs only 6 Kg.

Rucksack Bag Included

This booster seat weighs only 6 Kg and comes with a convenient back pack style carry bag so you can take it along with you in any situation. This ingenious foldable child seat makes travelling with children easier than ever before. Great for riding in taxis, car rentals, car sharing or every day use.

Wallaroo Anthracite

Wallaroo Black

The car seat is recommended for children weighing 100-150 cm and grows with your child with 8 adjustable height positions. The headrest pillow reducer can also be removed to provide more room as your child grows. This is a forward facing car seat.

The breathable mesh material on the back rest is designed to reduce sweating in hot weather providing extra comfort for your child. We have also added soft memory foam to the seat pad which your child will surely thank you for. A 10 degree recline angle also contributes to a smooth and comfortable ride.

Product dimensions: Open: 54*44*61cm (lowest position), 59*53*78.5cm (max extension position) Folded: 48*48*24.8cm

Safety- Wallaroo i-Size (100-150 cm)

This child safety seat has been designed, tested and certified according to the requirements of the European Standard for Child Safety Equipment (ECE R 129 / 03). The seal of approval E (in a circle) and the approval number are located on the approval label (sticker on the child safety seat). This approval will be invalidated if you make any modifications to the child safety seat. Only the manufacturer is permitted to make modifications to the child safety seat.

Details of the certification can be found on the orange label with the unique approval license number, the type of approval, the mass group approved for and the details of the manufacturer.

• The product has been approved according to the strictest European safety standards (R 129 / 03) Height 100-150 cm, ISOFIX attachment +Vehicle 3 point belt. • The correct fitting of the ISOFIX attachment is of vital importance for the safety of your child. • For the future use of the seat, it is important that you keep the instruction manual in a safe place. • Never leave your child unattended in the car. • Do not use a child safety seat in the front seat if the vehicle seat is equipped with an active front air bag as this can be dangerous. This does not apply to side air bags. Please read the Instruction manual carefully before use. The product is a safety product and is only safe when used in accordance with the instruction manual. • This product should be used in the back seat of the car. • After an accident the seat may become unsafe to use due to damage that is not noticeable immediately. It should therefore be replaced. • It is recommended that car seats should not be used for more than 5 years from the date of production. The properties of the product may deteriorate due to aging of the plastic and may not be visible. • This child car seat must not be used without the cover. Please use an original cover, as the cover contributes to the safety of the seat. • The seat must be secured with a seat belt or the ISOFIX attachment even when it is not in use. An unsecured seat may result in injury to other passengers in the car in the event of an emergency stop. • In hot weather the plastic and metal parts of the product may become hot. You should cover the seat when the car is parked in the sun. • Take a short break on long journeys so that your child has some time to rest. • Any straps holding the restraint to the vehicle should be tight and any straps restraining the child should be adjusted to the child’ s body size. The straps should not be twisted. • Ensure that any lap strap is worn low down, so the pelvis is firmly engaged. • This product may not be used any more when it has been subject to violent stresses in the case of an accident.

Best 6 Foldable Car Seats for Travel with Newborns, Toddlers, and Big Kids

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Quick List: Best Foldable Car Seats for Travel

Few car seats can be folded and here are the best foldable car seats that are available on the market:

1. Best infant : Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller($499.99) -combine car seat and stroller into one, wheeled car seat.

2. Best narrow : Diono Radian 3R ($199.99) – 17″ width, 50-lb for extended rear-facing, budget price, and 5-point harness up to 120 pounds.

3. Best for toddlers : WayB Pico travel ($490) – 8 lbs lightweight, easy to store and carry.

4. Best for big kids – Ride Safer Travel Vest ($165) – 2.4 lbs ultra-lightweight, suitable for 30-110 lbs kids.

5. Cheapest foldable booster seat : BubbleBum ($32.99) – 1 pound overall, budget-friendly for most families with big kids.

6. Lightweight : hiccapop ($36) – 1.3 pound, cheap price under $50.

See Our Top Picks

Find the best foldable car seats for infants and toddlers

Best By Bonus

See the best foldable car seat by bonus (e.g. extended rear-facing, lightweight,, etc).

Short Review

Review key performance stats and specs to listed best foldable car seats.

One of the most challenging and also satisfying parts of doing CarSeatOn is figuring out which car seats will work best to meet your needs. 

If you’re looking for foldable car seats that are friendly for travel around, move on to read this guide, in which we narrow down the options and find the top 5 car seats with a folding design. 

Some foldable car seats are also lightweight, like the WayB Pico and  Ride Safer Travel Vest . Some foldable car seats are not, like the Diono Radian 3R . But it is still good enough for easy carrying or storage if needed.

Most portable car seats are designed for big toddlers at least 2 years old. But the Doona infant car seat is good for newborns and infants under 1 year old.

To make the list, a portable car seat must also meet the other criteria:

• Size and shape: folding design
• Easy to carry
• User-friendly installation with the seat belt
• High enough height and weight limits for a few years of use
• Roomy enough for comfort for growing kiddie

Best Foldable Car Seats

Birth- 1 yr

Doona Infant Car Seat

Birth- 10 yr

Diono Radian 3R

Ride Safer Travel Vest

We also make several lists of the best portable car seats according to their performance (rear-/forward-facing/booster weight/height limits), budget, and by bonus features (like lightweight, portable for travel)

By Weight Limit

See Our Top Picks Organized by Size Limits from 4 to 120 lb

By Height Limit

Best Choices Organized by Height Limits from up to 57 inches

See Car Seats Organized by Price (Prices Start under $100)

See Car Seats by Bonus features (e.g. for travel etc)

Foldable Car Seats by Bonus Features

All these foldable car seats are able to fit 3 across in most vehicles, only the Diono Radian 3R and Doon are a bit bulky with a normal car seat size. 

• Booster – BubbleBum ($32.99)
• All-in-one Car Seat – Diono Radian 3R ($199.99)

Further Information

Cheap car seats under $200

Lightweight

• Booster – BubbleBum (1 pound)
• Booster – hiccapop (1.3 pound)

Lightest infant car seat

Best lightweight convertible car seats

5-point harness

• Infant: Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller
• Forward-Facing: WayB Pico Travel Car Seat
• All-in-one: Diono Radian 3R

5-point harness car seat up to 120 pounds

Extendable Rear-facing:

• 50-lbs rear-facing weight limit: Diono Radian 3R

Best rear-facing car seat up to 50 lbs

Best Infant Foldable Car Seat

Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller

Key features.

• Weight Range: 4-35 lbs.
• Height Limit: 32 inches
• Lifespan: 6 years
• Type: Infant
• Suitable for: Birth to 1 year old
• Combine a car seat and stroller
• Easy in and out
• Support installation without a car seat base
• Smooth transition between car seat and stroller
• Compact size design for storage and carrying
• Friendly and portable to take for air travel
• The handle can be used as an anti-rebound bar
• 2 years manufacturer's warranty
• Short handle not friendly for tall people
• A little expensive
• Not include undercarriage basket for storage
• A bit heavy

Are you finding a foldable car seat for small infants? Looking no further but just try the Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller . It’s like the Swiss Army knife of baby travel gear. 

The Doona is one of the coolest baby products I’ve ever seen. It is also the only one infant car seat that has a folding design, making  it one of the best foldable car seats. This capable infant car seat can deploy its own wheels and convert into a perfectly serviceable baby-friendly stroller in seconds.

With the wheels folded up, it comes back as an infant car seat and works normally to provide optimal protection to your baby. Yes, the Doona is the only car seat with four wheels for rolling.

That’s really a brilliant design, at least helps to solve the portability problem for a car seat for families who live in or travel to big cities and need to hop in and out of taxis. This is the perfect foldable baby car seat that can be installed directly into a seating without the base, with the wheels folded up under the carrier. That means, you don’t need to take the base for installation.

You don’t have to worry about your baby being safe in the car, but you also won’t have to be bothered about what to do with your car seat while you go shopping or meet friends. This Doona foldable car seat can turn into a stroller in a matter of seconds. No more questions on how to place an infant car seat on a shopping cart!

We love Doona for another reason. A foldable car seat stroller is more convenient than a two-piece travel system. In old times, you had to separate them and store the stroller in the car trunk when riding your baby with the infant car seat part. Not the case for this foldable car seat stroller any more! It is actually a travel system, including an infant car seat and a stroller.

The Doona is even FAA-approved for aircraft use, making it one of the best foldable car seats for air trave l. You can just wheel it straight down the airplane aisle and navigate through between the airports. 

However, this foldable car seat is not a good option for all families. There are three downsides to consider with the Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller, and it’s up to you how important these factors are.

First, it’s pricey . It’s the most expensive infant car seat, even more expensive than all-in-one car seats on the market. But if you compare its price with a travel system , it’s not hard to accept this high price tag, especially if the portability means more than the price for you.

Second, it’s a bit heavy , compared to other infant car seats. The official Doona weight is 14 pounds (my friend Lily says it’s closer to 16 pounds or so). The average weight of most common infant carriers is around 10 pounds. You can imagine this because this foldable baby car seat has four wheels, while others don’t. If you prefer a lightweight infant car seat, you’ll find great options here.

Third, it ain’t long-lasting . The Doona foldable car seat has a 35lbs/32″ size limit. That is good among the infant car seats, but absolutely won’t go as long as those convertible car seats. Your baby will easily outgrow the Doona as a car seat around 1 year old . So does in stroller mode. Then you’ll be on the hook to buy a new car seat and a new stroller. Obviously this will increase your budget on baby gear.

All these cons aside, the Doona absolutely is an incredible foldable car seat for families who travel a lot and want to take the young baby on the go. 

It’s also a stylish collapsible car seat. Multiple color options are available. Pink is good for baby girls, but it’s the most expensive one. If you want cheaper pink car seats for baby and toddler girls, check other great options here .

Best All In One Foldable Car Seat

Diono Radian 3R - 17"

• Weight range (lb): 5-40 (RF): 22-65 (FF); 40-100 (Booster)
• Height limits: ~49" (RF&FF); ~57” (Booster)
• Stage: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
• Lifespan: 10 years
• Slim design to fit 3 across
• Cheaper price tag
• Going through three car seat stages
• FAA approved foldable seat with great portability
• Extended warranty up to 36 months
• Lacking head and body insert
• Less reclines
• Not fit well in small car seats in rear facing

The best all-in-one car seat for travel is one with which we’re extremely familiar: the Diono Radian 3R foldable car seat. You won’t believe that a regular car seat with all safety features for road trips can be folded up into a smaller piece and carried like a backpack . The Diono Radian 3R is very different from other folding travel car seats.

First, it’s an all-in-one car seat . That means it can be normally used to protect your little one in the vehicle from newborns to preteen, beating other foldable car seats at the serviceable years. 

There are three modes to use this foldable car seat: rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster. If you’re a family that prioritizes the extended rear-facing for a foldable car seat, the Diono Radian 3R is the best choice. It has a 50lbs/44″ size limit, making the Diono Radian 3R one of the best car seats for extendable rear-facing . This rear-facing size limit is as good as the WayB Pico for forward-facing harness rides.

The 120-pounds booster weight limit is unbeatable among these foldable car seats. Even the Safe Traffic System Ride Safer Travel Vest is just 110 pounds at most. So no matter which mode you’d like to use it, the Diono Radian 3R is a good car seat for extended use.

The Diono Radian 3R should be the safest foldable car seat . It has a metal frame with plenty of padding. Also, it provides side impact protection. Only Doona can be competitive with it in this aspect because both are typical car seats for road trips but feature a folding up design . 

Most families use the Diono Radian 3R at home for daily commutes with the child, even though it’s a folding car seat with great portability, and slim fit design. This folding car seat is 17 inches wide and good to fit three across in most cars , including small car seats.

It’s just that you should pay attention to the installation if you’re planning to place it rear-facing. The high body will take a bit more space than expected while there are not many reclines to adjust for a perfect fit to change this situation about taking too much space from the front driver or passenger. 

Good news is that all car seats in the Diono Radian series are narrow enough to fit three across in the same row at the back seat. And they’re all foldable for convenient carrying.

The Diono Radian 3R is an entry-level model and it’s low-priced with a listing price under $199 normally. It is one of the best cheap car seats under $200 . 

But it’s heavy , just like any other convertible car seats . Weighing 25.9 pounds. That’s almost triple of the WayB Pico Travel Car Seat. The price is less than one third of the WayB Pico Travel Car Seat anyway. If you want a foldable car seat but don’t have much budget for it, try the Diono Radian 3R.

Diono Radian Foldable Car Seats

Best lightweight foldable car seat for toddlers.

• Weight range (lb): 22-50 (FF)
• Height limits: 30-45" (FF)
• Ultra lightweight and compact for easy carry
• Best travel car seat
• Great friendly for air travel
• Solid build and good design
• Narrow weight/height range
• Limited padding for max comfort

The WayB Pico collapsible car seat is one of the coolest child travel things we’ve seen in these years. It’s the best foldable car seat that has an expensive price as the Doona.

Different from the Doona, the Pico a is forward-facing car seat designed for toddlers at least 2 years old . It can be used forward-facing only, just like the Doona is for rear-facing only. If you want to travel with your little one in this collapsible car seat, make sure he or she is at least 22 pounds or 30 inches tall. It seems the WayB Pico is a next-step car seat when your little one outgrows the Doona (35lbs/32″). 

The upper size limit is 50lbs/45″, which should be the major down point of the WayB Pico foldable toddler car seat even though it would last a good few years. You start using the WayB Pico travel car seat for a 2-year old toddler , while most kids will outgrow it around 5-6 years old. There is only 3-4 year gap for usage.

The good point is that you can pass it down to a younger sibling, but if not, most parents probably think twice before spending almost $500 on this foldable car seat. 

The WayB Pico fold up travel car seat is preferable for families who are planning to travel with a 2 or 3 year old toddler. It’s the best recommendation to keep your child safe without lugging a full-size bulky car seat.

If you’re a family that prioritizes extended rear-facing and still wants an extended forward-facing harness, the WayB Pico isn’t the car seat for you! Just double check its size limit (50lbs/45″).

The Pico is FAA approved for toddlers at least 1 year old – but that’s not recommended, and in some states (like California and New York ), it’s not even legal (both states require a child to stay rear-facing until 2 years old ).

However, you don’t have to worry about your child being safe on the road. The WayB Pico comes with a 5-point harness, letting parents be able to travel around the world with this foldable car seat without compromising safety. 

The WayB Pico is an ultra-portable, ultra-lightweight foldable car seat . It’s small and easy to use. You can fold it up and store it in the included bag when not in use. Want to use it in the car or on the plane? Just unfold it and install using the LATCH connectors.

The more appealing part about the WayB Pico car seat is that you don’t need a tether to install it for use . Typical toddler car seats require a top tether for tight installation. That would be a big deal if you’re traveling in some countries where the taxis don’t have a tether on the top back. Luckily, that’s not a problem for the WayB Pico fold up travel car seat.

The WayB Pico is by far the best foldable travel car seat for 2-5 years toddlers . But why not all families on the go have it on the travel gear list?

We think the price should be the main reason . It’s highly priced, around $500 on Amazon . So if your family is going to travel around a lot or relying on lots of taxis in your daily life and a folding travel car seat is on your must-have list, and most importantly, if you have a lot of budget on it, give the WayB Pico a try.

Best Compact Foldable Car Seat

• Weight range (lb): 30-110 (Booster)
• Height limits: -
• Can fit well in most vehicles
• A bit pricey

The Ride Safer Travel Vest is kind of in between a booster and a traditional forward-facing car seat. From the design, it’s similar to the 5-point harness in a car seat without the backrest and bottom pad. But it’s more like a booster because of its installation method. 

It relies on the car’s seat belt to handle most of the restraint . You should install it using the lap-shoulder belt system, which is exactly required to install a booster seat in most states’ child safety seat laws. The Ride Safer Travel Vest provides a second method – you can also use the top tether to work with the lap belt if the seating has only lap belt. 

The easy-to-install design makes the Safe Rider Travel Vest super handy for families who have extended trips in the large cities and usually travel by rented cars, Uber, or taxis with your little one without needing to take a full-size car seat . It’s a real life saver!

You don’t have to worry about being safe on the road, the Safe Rider Travel Vest is tested and certified under the federal safety standards. But it’s not allowed to be used for air travel because there is no lap-shoulder belt system or the top tether on the plane. From this point, we believe this fold up travel vest is a booster-seat-alike thing, very similar to the backless booster if you want a more clear answer.

The Safe Rider Travel Vest is a must-have for families traveling with kids a lot. It’s an ultra-light, small, and foldable travel safety system. If your family has multiple kids in the car seats, the Safe Rider Travel Vest is good to fit 3 across. 

However, you should not use it to replace the everyday car seat. It lacks some additional features that a typical car seat has. There is no comfy padding and headrest. Your kid couldn’t even take a nap in it. There is no solid metal frame either, making it less protective in case of any crashes.

If you use the Ride Safer Travel Vest as a no back booster, it’s much more expensive than any backless boosters on the market, costing around $160. The more appealing point is that this foldable travel car seat is better for car sleepers than the backless booster.

There are multiple size and color options for choice. The Ride Safer Travel Vest is more suitable for big toddlers. The manufacturer suggests using it for a toddler at least 3 years old and 30 pounds until they reach the 110-pound weight limit. This travel car seat will last good years. The small size should last most kids until 6 or even 7 thanks to the adjustable shoulder strap length. It’s best to put your kids in the Rider Safer Travel Vest in the center seat because there’s no side impact protection. Make sure the rear middle spot has a top tether or the lap-shoulder belt system.

For families going on extended journeys but just can’t take a traditional car seat or those heading to large cities like NYC or Paris, where you’ll mostly rely on public transportation but need an occasional taxi ride, the Ride Safer travel vest is a fantastic option. 

Best Lightweight Foldable Car Seat

BubbleBum Inflatable

• Weight range (lb): 40-100 (Booster)
• Lifespan: 4 years
• Ultra lightweight, compact, portable
• Fast inflation
• Very short usable life - only 4 years
• Flip over the seating position

The Bubblebum inflatable booster seat is the best foldable backless  booster seat for travel, especially if you’re a family that has extended trips around the world .

Even though it’s as compact as other backless boosters, the BubbleBum can be folded and rolled to the size of a water bottle after deflating, saving space to store it in your luggage. Or you can just put it in your kid’s backpack. It’s ultra-light, only one pounds.

It’s a pretty amazing collapsible backless booster seat. Folding it up and setting it up can be effortless and takes just a few seconds. There is even a shoulder belt guide to give a great fit to growing kids of different sizes in different cars.

The BubbleBum is an ideal folding booster seat for kids at least 4 years old, weighing between 40-100 pounds. If you’re a family with a mature kid who can sit upright and does not sleep in the car, it gives you a good example of portability and long usable time. 

This folding travel booster is the perfect option for taking around when you’re traveling in a city and might hop in a taxi or take public transportation.

But this does not mean it’s 100% perfect. The BubbleBum is so light (only one pound) that it may shift if your kid is very hyperactive and wiggle a lot in the car seat. If this is your case, I’d recommend you to go with the Ride Safer Travel Vest or the hiccapop folding booster seat (heavier at 1.2 pounds).

There are four colors for choice if you want to purchase the BubbleBum folding booster seat for travel. The pink chevron is a good option for toddler girls. If you want more pink car seats, check our review here .

Best Lightweight Foldable Booster Seat

Hiccapop UberBoost

• Weight range (lb): 40-110 (Booster)
• No-flip grip bottom
• Wide after inflation and cannot fit 3 across in small cars
• A bit heavier and larger-in-size after rolling up

The hiccapop Uberboost is another folding booster seat for travel with an inflatable and foldable design . It follows the same concept as the BubbleBum but with a few advantages and disadvantages. 

The hiccapop Uberboost is a bit smaller after folding down but it is able to offer a larger seating area after inflating. That matches its objective to fit big kids . As I mentioned above, the hiccappo is slightly heavier than BubbleBum (1.3 lbs vs 1 lbs). Don’t misunderstand me! This is a pro for the hiccapop Uberboost. The seat will sit in the position without wiggling thanks to the grippy layer on the bottom (and the car seat itself’s weight).

Folding it up in seconds and getting it in easy storage in a travel backpack, the hiccapop allows you to carry it wherever you go. It’s a pity that you need to manually blow it up, but you can easily complete it with 5-6 deep breaths into the integrated blow up port (it’s big) and then run the seat belt through for safe riding.

The hiccapop Uberbooster should be the last travel booster seat you’ll have. Like the BubbleBum, it’s designed for big toddlers at least 4 years old and 30 pounds. The upper weight limit is higher: 110lbs vs 100lbs. This makes it a great folding booster seat for kids to stay up to 7 or 8 years old.

Best Foldable Car Seats by Size Limit

*Price may change on the e-commerce platform due to promotional sales.

Not all foldable car seats are lightweight. Check the car seat weight above, you’ll find that only booster seats and WayB Pico are under 10 pounds. If you want some lightweight convertible car seats, check this post here.

Foldable Car Seats by Price

Foldable car seats buying guide.

What are the factors you should consider before making the final decision to buy a foldable car seat? What’s more important to you and your child?

Here we list some tips in this short buying guide. You can keep them in mind when choosing a folding car seat or any other car seats to meet your own needs.

That’s the #1 factor to consider when we are finding a foldable car seat. Also, this is the primary reason to get a car seat, right?

The good news is that all car seats sold in the US, including these foldable car seats, have proved themselves to meet or exceed the federal safety standards FMVSS 213.

Some foldable car seats have extra safety features, for example, the Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller and Diono Radian 3R . They are also conventional car seats and can be used as everyday car seats for riding your child around the community or going for long road trips.

Both have metal frame , side impact protection , headrest , and most importantly plenty of padding to provide the max comfort.

You should NEVER ignore this factor because proper installation is the fundamental to make most of the car seat to provide protection. No matter how safe a car seat is, if you don’t install it properly, it does not work normally to deliver safety at all. On the contrary, it may result in bad effects that may cause your child’s death.

You may have gotten used to installing the Doona and Diono Radian 3R because you have done this many times to get them installed in the car, with LATCH connectors or seat belt system.

The WayB Pico, RideSafer Travel Vest, and Bubblebum are not daily used but they have included the user manual in the package and you may know how to install them via YouTube videos. A lot of travel moms shared their experience using these ultra-foldable car seats.

Size Limits

This decides what folding car seat you can use. Most foldable car seats are designed for big toddlers and older kids . 

For example, the WayB Pico is suitable for toddlers at least 2 years old until they are 50 pounds or reach 45 inches tall. 

The RideSafer Travel Vest is much like a booster seat for kids who are 30 pounds or heavier. 

Luckily, these foldable car seats can be used for good years.

Among these foldable car seats, the Doona has the lowest size limit: 35lbs/ 32″. It was designed for newborns and small infants and can be used around your kid’s 12 months or 18 months of age.

If you prefer a foldable car seat with the longest usable life, the Diono Radian 3R is a good option. It has a great size limit and wide range: 5-120 pounds and 57″.

Weight/Design

All these car seats have a folding design. Some are lightweight, some are heavy. Some are compact, some are bulky (that’s relatively).

If you need a foldable car seat that is lightweight and compact, the booster seats like the BubbleBum, hiccapop, mifold, and Graco Turbo Go are good options. BubbleBum is only one pound and can be rolled up into a soda bottle size.

The WayB Pico Travel Car Seat is also lightweight, only 8 pounds.

The Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller and Diono Radian 3R all-in-one car seat are heavy and bulky (actually they are narrow enough to do 3 across). The former is 16.5 pounds while the latter weighs up to 25.9 pounds.

Are there any foldable car seats that are safe and lightweight and cheap? Yes. 

These foldable car seats have various price tags from cheap to expensive. Check the table list of all foldable car seats ranked by price .

What foldable car seats to choose for an on-the-go family?

If you’re a family that loves adventures and exploring outside around the world and who may take a lot of air travels or rent car seats in the local tourist cities, you may need some foldable car seats that are lightweight and compact for carry and storage. 

However, there is no foldable car seat that can satisfy all the needs if you’re planning to travel with babies through toddlers time to older children.

Here is a suggestion for a combination of several folding car seats.

Newborns- 1 year old : Doona and Diono Radian 3R (Low size requirement but not lightweight);

2 year old – 4~5 years old : WayB Pico Travel Car Seat (Lightweight but expensive) and Diono Radian 3R (Low size requirement but not lightweight)

3 year or older : Safe Rider Travel Vest , Diono Radian 3R (Low size requirement but not lightweight)

4 year or older : BubbleBum , hiccapop , Diono Radian 3R (Low size requirement but not lightweight)

However, if you don’t insist on using a folding car seat for travel with your child, there are some lightweight and cheap car seats for choice.

Some convertible car seats are lightweight and have a great size limit to last for several years. They can be used in cars as well as on the plane. 

But they’re not foldable and need a travel car seat bag for carrying . This will definitely add luggage, not that convenient for international trips.

FAQs on Foldable Car Seats for Travel

Are foldable car seats safe.

Of course. These foldable car seats are manufactured and crash tested under the federal safety standards. They provide best portability without compromising the safety

Some foldable car seats may have additional safety features, like the side impact protection, for example, the Doona infant car seat stroller and Diono Radian 3R. 

The most important factor to keep your child safe in the car is choosing an age-and-size-appropriate car seat for and installing it correctly.

What is the best car seat for traveling?

That depends variously on your needs. The best car seat for traveling is the one that fits your child properly and is legal for use  in and outside the US or following local car seat laws .

Can a 3 year old use a Mifold?

Probably not. Mifold is a Group 2/3 seat and can be used by children who are at least 40 pounds. It works as a booster seat for big toddlers approximately the age of 4 years old.

Are Mifold foldable car seats legal in Australia?

No. Mifold car seats are globally legalised under the local car seats, except Australia . The MIfold Original that is sold in the US is slightly different from the version sold in the rest of the world and is only regulated for use in the US.

Is a Mifold car seat legal in California?

Yes. Mifold is legal to use in the US and in every country on earth that regulates backless booster seats, apart from Australia.

Is the Mifold crash tested?

Yes. All car seats sold in the US are crash tested before going for sale on the market. However, the Mifold car seat earned the lowest score overall for crash test results.

This booster earned the lowest chest sensor score (g) and one of the lowest head sensor score (HIC) on BabyGearLab . 

So we don’t list it on this roundup review for good foldable car seats. It’s not even available on most e-commerce platforms for sale.

Are Mifold car seats legal in UK?

Yes, the Mifold car seats are permitted under the ECE R44/04 safety standard. They are booster seats, suitable for children 4 years+, weighing between 40 pounds and 100 pounds.

Can a 7 year old travel without a car seat?

Better not.

In the most states of the US, the law requires all children traveling in the rear (best recommended) or front seat of any car, van or goods vehicle must use an appropriate child passenger restraint system (car seat or any safety things) until they are either 57″ in height or 8 years old (whichever they reach first).

After this they must use an adult seat belt.

Does a 2 year old need a carseat on a plane?

Yes. According to the rules of FAA and AAP, kids under two years old should have their own car seat on a plane, while kids over 2 aren’t required to use one. 

However, it’s strongly recommended to use a car seat to keep your child safe on the plane as long as possible (you can use the travel vest), especially through runway incidents or extreme turbulence. 

Please DO NOT use a booster seat on the plane , including these foldable car seats like the BubbleBum or hiccapop.

Booster seats are not allowed to be used on a plane because there is no lap-shoulder belt for a tight and correct installation.

Do you need a car seat in Germany?

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Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus i-Size review: a game-changing foldable car seat for travel

Unique in design, the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus is an ultra-compact, lightweight car seat that folds down seamlessly for travel. But how well does it actually perform for families on the go? After two weeks of in-depth testing abroad, parent and Mumsnet editor, Laura, reveals her verdict.

By Laura Westerman | Last updated Feb 19, 2024

Super lightweight

Foldable for travel

i-Size-compliant with Side Impact Protection

Integrated carry bag

Five-point harness

Universal installation

Forward-facing only

Installation can take time to master

Age range: From 15 months to 4 years (76 to 105cm or 9 to 18kg) | Safety credentials: i-Size (R-129), reinforced Side-Impact Protection | Fixing system: Seatbelt | Dimensions: ‎50 x 37.5 x 57cm | Weight: 4.26kg | Warranty: 2 years

Installation: 3/5

Safety: 4/5 

Stability: 3/5

Ease of use: 4/5 

Comfort: 4.5/5

Design: 4.5/5

Ease of cleaning: 5/5

Value for money: 5/5

One-third of the weight of your typical toddler car seat according to Maxi-Cosi, the Nomad Plus (launched in October 2023) is, quite frankly, a game-changer when it comes to family travel .

After recently taking it with me on a two-week holiday to Mexico, I was impressed with just how lightweight and adaptable this travel car seat is. 

It proved to be a reassuring bit of kit to have around, especially as my family were jumping in and out of different modes of transport while abroad. The fact that it’s foldable just adds to its charm.  

I-Size-compliant with reinforced Side Impact Protection for extra safety, the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus conforms to the latest R129 regulations. 

While simple, installation using your chosen vehicle’s adult seatbelt can take time to master, so I wish we had practised more before our travels. Once installed, the Nomad Plus is very comfy, with a five-point harness that kept my 22-month-old securely in the seat at all times while on the go. 

One major downside is that this car seat is forward-facing only, so it can only be used when your child is 15 months old to comply with the latest car seat regulations . That being said, it lasts till your child is around age four (or 105cm in height), so offers good longevity throughout the toddler years. 

How we tested the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus

Two weeks of in-depth testing

Used on a holiday abroad to Mexico

Used in different modes of transport including taxis, private transfers and SUVs 

Used on both long and short journeys of up to 2 hours at a time

Checked into the hold on an aeroplane

Tested with a 22-month-old toddler

As the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus has been designed specifically for travel, I tested it out on my recent two-week holiday abroad to Mexico. It was my first long-haul holiday with my toddler, so I was keen to see how it fared both in the hold on the aeroplane and at our destination. 

I knew we would be taking different modes of transport during our time away, so having a car seat that would work in any car was crucial. The Nomad Plus was used in two private transfers from airport to resort and back again, in multiple taxis and in an SUV on a long day trip to Chichen Itza, which included various stops along the way. 

During testing, I scored the Nomad Plus on a number of key criteria, including: installation, safety, stability, ease of use, comfort, design, ease of cleaning and value for money.   

Read next: Best car seats to take on the plane

Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus: what’s in the box?

Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus i-Size car seat (folded)

How easy is the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus to install?

The Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus is relatively simple to install, but it does take some practice. It comes with an easy-to-read installation guide, with clear pictures on how to correctly install it. You’ll also find the instructions on the side of the car seat should you lose the paper version, with further instructions available using the handy QR code.

With only eight steps to follow, the Nomad Plus should, in theory, be quick to install and Maxi-Cosi says it can be done in as little as 30 seconds. While it definitely took me longer than 30 seconds (installation time ranged from two to five minutes in most cases, much to the dismay of a  couple of grumpy taxi drivers), it got quicker the more I used the car seat. 

This universal car seat can only be installed using a seatbelt for use in different vehicles (it unfortunately isn’t ISOFIX-ready), however it’s clear that this choice has been made with travel in mind.

To install it, you need to unfold the car seat and pull the headrest up to the right height for your child. You then position the seatbelt over the car seat (passing it through the designated groove on the side of the seat), click the seatbelt into place and then pass the lower part of the seatbelt through the two hooks at the bottom of the car seat’s backrest. 

You then secure the top part of the seatbelt using the clips on either side of the backrest - you only need to use one clip depending on which side of the car the car seat is on. Once in place, you pull the seatbelt taut to ensure the car seat is tightly in position before putting your child into the seat. 

While the overall installation process is easy once you get the hang of it, I found it tricky to tighten the adult seatbelt enough to make the car seat feel fully stable, especially when in a rush. It’s possible that parents could install it incorrectly when on the go, which is one downside to a seatbelt-only car seat. 

Read next: The best car seats for 4-year-olds and beyond

Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus: how does it look?

The Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus is an update on the original Maxi-Cosi Nomad , so it now includes green belt hooks, a webbing puller and improved fabrics.

Sleek and compact, the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus is an attractive-looking car seat made of 100% recycled Eco Care fabric. While it’s only available to buy in black, this will still suit most families well. 

I was astounded at just how small the car seat is when folded (50.5 x 37.5 x 21.5cm), especially when I compared it to the ginormous toddler car seat another family of three was lugging around at the airport. 

Considering we had one large suitcase, two cabin bags, a backpack and a lightweight buggy with us, the Nomad Plus's compact size made such a difference. The same applies for day trips while we were on holiday. 

Read next: Best cabin-approved strollers

Is the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus safe?

Yes! The Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus conforms to the R129 European safety standard, which aims to improve car seat seat safety through mandatory side-impact testing as well as frontal. 

It has reinforced Side Impact Protection, which provides additional safety in the event of a side collision, a five-point safety harness with anti-slip pads, and a belt routine that’s always visible.

The five-point harness is the same as on other Maxi-Cosi car seats and is quick to secure, unclip and tighten, even in a hurry. You press a button underneath the crotch pad to loosen the harness then pull the pull-strap to tighten.

One key thing to note is that Nomad Plus is forward-facing only, which may be a dealbreaker if you want your child to rear-face for as long as possible. As such, it can only be used when your child is 15 months old to comply with the R129 regulations. 

Is the Maxi-Cosi easy to use while travelling?

As a travel car seat, the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus ticks a lot of boxes. It’s practically featherweight at just 4.26kg, so it was a breeze to cart around the airport and when on day trips abroad with our other baby essentials, including a changing bag and buggy .

It comes with a handle for easy carrying as well as an integrated carry bag, which sits underneath the seat and can be zipped away when not in use. A brilliant addition in my opinion.

While I would have preferred the bag to be waterproof (it’s only water-repellent so it got wet during our flight to Mexico), it was extremely convenient not to have to purchase a car seat travel bag separately. I did however put some bubble wrap around the seat when checking it into the hold to ensure it didn't get damaged on the way.

The car seat folds and unfolds easily using a pull bar at the back of the seat, and conveniently stands upright when folded. The headrest adjusts using a pull strap at the top, although I found that I needed to pull the headrest to its highest position to then push it down to its lowest so that the car seat folded as compactly as intended. 

Despite installation taking longer than we would have liked, the Nomad Plus fitted well in every vehicle we installed it in.

It does look small in the back seat compared to a regular toddler car seat and my daughter was lower than she would be in her day-to-day car seat, the Joie i-Spin 360 i-Size .

However, the Nomad Plus is the ideal car seat to use if you tend to hire a car while on holiday, especially if you need reassurance that you always have a safe car seat to hand.

Read next: The best car sunshades for babies

How comfortable is the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus?

I was pleasantly surprised at just how comfortable the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus is. It sadly doesn’t recline, but my daughter still fell asleep in it on the long drive back from Chichen Itza. The adjustable headrest ensures the car seat is the correct size as your child grows.

The plush and breathable padding allowed for a pleasant ride on both long and short journeys, however there are no arm rests for little ones to rest their arms.

It also doesn’t have a foot rest, however the car seat is small enough so that my 22-month-old was able rest her legs on the back seat instead.

Read next: Best 360 spin car seats

Is the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus easy to clean?

Yes! The reality of family travel is that it's usually filled with both highs and lows and, for us, the lows involved two bouts of travel sickness. As such, it was crucial that the Nomad Plus was easy to clean. 

Thankfully, the cover and harness shoulder pads are removable so we were able to get them machine-washed and dried quickly, and all the stains came out completely.

While I can see the seat has attracted some dust since we started using it, the benefit of its black cover is that small stains or spills are concealed fairly easily.  

Read next: The best baby carriers, wraps and slings

Does the Maxi-Cosi Nomad offer good value for money?

Without a doubt. For the convenience of knowing that you always have a lightweight car seat with you while travelling, the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus offers incredible value for money.

While it's certainly missing the extra features of larger car seats, such as arm rests and a recline, the fact that this foldable car seat is so well designed for travel makes it worth its weight in gold. 

I do think installation could be more intuitive and it does leave some margin for error. But overall, the Nomad Plus was invaluable during my recent long-haul holiday and I feel reassured knowing that I already have a high-performing travel car seat ready and waiting for the next one.

About the author

Laura Westerman is an editor, writer and Deputy Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet. Mum to a one-year-old, she’s always keen to make travel safe and fun for her daughter, so is fully invested in discovering the best and most affordable baby products on the market, and sharing her knowledge and findings with other parents.

With over seven years' experience as a full-time editor, five of which have been spent writing, commissioning and editing car seat reviews and round-ups, Laura has a keen eye for what parents love and likes nothing more than putting together honest reviews to make parents' lives that little bit easier. 

In addition to her work as a writer and editor, she has also appeared in a number of baby product videos for Mumsnet's YouTube channel.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.

Video credit: Maxi-Cosi