Combination seats, sometimes referred to as child/booster seats, are forward-facing seats with a 5-point harness that convert to a booster seat later on. Some convert to a high-back booster only, and some convert to a high-back and then a backless booster (see here for information on our favourite dedicated booster seats).
The combinations seats listed here tend to make very good tall harnessed seats, and then provide good belt fit as booster seats, but belt fit is very child-dependent so no guarantees. East of use also varies in booster mode.
Many convertible seats will last until a child is ready for a dedicated booster seat – and there is no safety difference between using a 5-point harness on a combination seat compared to a convertible seat.
A note about boosters: in order for a child to be properly protected by the adult seat belt, they must be a minimum of 40 lb (18 kg) AND developmentally mature enough to remain seated properly at ALL times, even when sleeping. Some kids are ready at 5, many by 6, and most by 7. Booster seats require a lap/shoulder belt and can never be used with a lap-only belt. Not sure if your child should remain harnessed or might be ready for a booster? This article might help you decide.
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In no particular order…
Chicco MyFit (read a review here)
Features:
- ~$400 at Amazon, Canadian Tire, Best Buy
- with the 5-point harness: 25-65 lb or 54″; minimum to use is 2 years old AND 25 lb
- as a booster: from 4 years old, 40-100 lb and up to 57″
- lock-off for seat belt installation
- no-rethread harness
- expires 8 years from date of manufacture
- top harnessed height of ~19.5″
Pros:
- can use UAS (LATCH) and top tether in booster mode to keep it from becoming a projectile when not occupied
- has a no re-thread harness to adjust harness height without undoing straps
- lock-off for seat belt installation
- narrower than many seats in this category
Cons:
- conversion between modes takes a bit of time
Harmony Defender (read a review here)
Features:
- ~$190 at Walmart, Best Buy, Babies R Us, directly from Harmony, sometimes at Amazon
- with the 5-point harness: 22-65 lb or 57″
- as a high back booster from 40-100 lb and up to 57″
- no-rethread harness
- expires 10 years from date of manufacture
- top harness height of ~19″
Pros:
- narrow
- lightweight
- no-rethread harness
- very smooth harness adjuster
- cushy, has harness pads for comfort at neck
Cons:
- requires assembly at purchase
- may be difficult for children to route lap belt in booster mode due to close spacing of arm rests to seat pan
- seat belt installation can be challenging
Graco Nautilus (SnugLock version discontinued)
Features:
- ~$380 at Amazon, Walmart, Babies R Us, Canadian Tire, Best Buy
- with the 5-point harness: 22-65 lb or 49″
- as a booster from 40-100 lbs and up to 57″
- no-rethread harness
- expires 10 years from date of manufacture
- top harness height of ~18.5″
Pros:
- no-rethread harness, multiple crotch buckle positions, multiple recline positions
- smooth harness adjuster
- can use UAS (latch) anchors and top tether in high back booster mode to keep it from becoming a projectile when not occupied
Cons:
- 49″ standing height limit in harness mode may not be enough for some children
Britax Grow With You ClickTight and Grow With You ClickTight Plus
Features:
- ~$450 (Grow With You CT) and ~$500 (CT Plus) at Best Buy, Babies R Us, Amazon, and specialty stores
- with the 5-point harness: 22-65 lb or 49″; minimum to use is 2 years old AND 25 lb
- as a booster from 40-120 lb and up to 63″
- CT Plus has “airbags” on the outer shell by the child’s head for extra side-impact protection
- expires 9 years from date of manufacture
- top harnessed height of ~20″
Pros:
- can use UAS (LATCH) and top tether in booster mode to keep it from becoming a projectile when not occupied
- has a no re-thread harness to adjust harness height without undoing straps
- exceptionally easy and fast seat belt installation method (“click-tight” technology)
Cons:
- width can make it harder to fit next to other seats, especially the CT Plus version
- booster fit is not as reliable as on some child/booster seats, and tends to fit best on larger kids
Evenflo Maestro
Features:
- ~$190 at Amazon, Walmart, Babies R Us, Best Buy
- with the 5-point harness: 22-50 lb or 50″
- as a high-back booster from 40-100 lbs and up to 57″
- expires 6 years from date of manufacture
- top harness height of ~18″
Pros:
- inexpensive tall seat ideal for lighter weight children (note maximum weight of 50 lbs in harness mode)
- narrow, ideal for tight seating arrangements
- can use UAS (latch) anchors and top tether in booster mode to keep it from becoming a projectile when not occupied
Cons:
- tends to be outgrown by height around the same time in both harness and booster modes because the belt guide for the shoulder belt does not adjust any higher
- closely spaced harness is too narrow for some kids and may bother their neck
Graco Tranzitions (read a review here)
Features:
- ~$260 at Amazon, Babies R Us, Best Buy, Walmart, Canadian Tire
- with the 5-point harness: 22-65 lb or 49″
- as a booster from 40-100 lbs and up to 57″
- no-rethread harness
- expires 7 years from date of manufacture
- top harnessed height of ~18″
Pros:
- can use UAS (latch) and top tether in booster mode to keep it from becoming a projectile when not occupied
- narrow
- lightweight
- no-rethread harness
- very smooth harness adjuster
- has harness pads for comfort at neck
Cons:
- seat belt installation can be challenging
- 49″ standing height limit in harness mode may not be enough for some children
Evenflo SureRide/Titan 65* This seat is included on this page even though it does not convert to a booster (it rear-faces and forward-faces and is a favourite in our convertible category). Its extremely tall harness height makes it long lasting, and one of these on sale plus a dedicated booster later on is often a good plan for families. Read a review here.
Features:
- ~$180 at Babies R Us, Best Buy, Canadian Tire, Walmart
- forward faces to 65 lbs or 54″
- expires 6 years from the date of manufacture
- top harness slot:* ~19-19.25″
- harness covers available for purchase directly from Evenflo
Pros:
- lightweight and medium-narrow
- very high top harness slots will fit even very tall children until they’re ready for a booster
Cons:
- Forward-facing children at the top end of the height or weight limits may find there isn’t enough harness length to comfortably or easily buckle. Smaller forward-facing children may find the lowest harness height uncomfortably high.
- Relevant to this category only: does not convert to a booster
