The Dakota Backless Booster Car Seat is designed for children who weigh from 33 lbs. to 100 lbs. It is backless, unlike some booster seats for children, and I wasn’t sure about that part when I was researching which booster seats to purchase for my son. I had already purchased a car seat for our “main” vehicle, but wanted another one that was portable and could be moved from my husband’s car to my mother’s car as needed.

After reading the reviews, I decided to buy the Dakota Backless Booster Seat. I like the fact that it weighs just 4 lbs so it’s easy not just for me to transport but for my mother or mother-in-law to carry. It fits into any car easily, and the vehicle’s own seat belt keeps your child restrained while he sits in the booster seat. The only problem I could see would be with older cars, ones that don’t have shoulder belts in the back seat. This seat really needs to be used with both shoulder and lap belts for utmost safety.

If you are purchasing a booster seat for an older car with no back seat shoulder belts, this isn’t the seat for you. However, if you need a good, plush booster seat that’s portable, comfortable, and above all, safe, take a look at the Dakota Backless Booster seat at OneStepAhead.com where it retails for $29.95.

Now this is a very comfy and sturdy looking Strawberry Booster Chair. I really dislike using those booster chairs in the restaurants because they feel so flimsy. Another plus about this booster chair by Barefoot Bella is that when it’s not being used as a booster chair, it can serve as seating in your child’s bedroom or in the family room.

There are several styles to choose from at BarefootBella.net. The Strawberry Booster Chair is priced at $68.

One of the best purchases I made when my son was smaller is this Cooshee Booster Seat made by BabySmart. This booster seat is soft and comfortable, unlike the hard plastic booster seats of yesteryear. It is made of a special molded foam that fits to the child and helps the seat stay in place. The seat is also ribbed, which also helps to keep it from sliding (or your child from sliding off).

We used this constantly during travel - to restaurants, friends’ homes, and relatives’ homes. I much preferred using my own, clean booster seat to one of the plastic, grungy ones in a restaurant. The Cooshee is also 100% waterproof,  bacteria-resistant, and non-allergenic. It contains no latex and no pthalates. The seat also does not absorb spills, making it much easier to clean.

The Cooshee Booster Seat comes in a variety of cool colors. You can view and purchase it at Amazon.com, where it’s currently on sale for $31.95.

Recently, when my 4 year old son had just tipped the scales at 41 lbs. and had therefore outgrown his old car seat, it was time to shop for a booster seat. There are so many available, however, that it can be a tad confusing. After going to Babies ‘r’ Us, comparing the safety specifications, and feeling the padding on each seat, I chose this Evenflo Big Kid Harmony Booster Seat. Out of all of the average, mid-priced boosters, the Evenflo seemed to me (and to my son, who helped shop for his own seat) to have the most padding and therefore had the potential to be the most comfortable. I also liked the “side flaps” around the head to provide extra cushioning, almost like a car seat for a smaller child.

Other extra features included in this carseat are cupholders that slide out from each side of the base of the seat (and slide back in when not in use); and small lights around the head area, in case your little traveler wants to color, read, or just needs a light for security during nighttime traveling. The seat also has 5 position height adjustment, and will accommodate children from 30 to 100 lbs., so it really does grow with your child.

Another nice feature of the Evenflo is that it converts to a backless booster seat when the need arises. You can view this booster seat, which is priced nicely at $39.99, at BabiesRUs.com.

If you are looking for a hip booster seat that is anything but predictable, check out these Boosty Yea! booster chairs. I love the fun prints, the seat looks comfortable, and the laminated fabric seems like it would be super-easy to clean. This would look great in a breakfast nook or kitchen, and several different styles are available to match your decor.

You can purchase one for $68 at Pure and Honest Kids and bring a little style to your table.

When I was looking for a booster seat for my toddler, I couldn’t find a single one in the stores that I liked. So, I figured that if I had to have ugly, I might as well go with cheap, too. So maybe that means I can justify buying a nicer one now that I have stumbled on this incredible Grow Up! seat from Mutsy.

It looks chic and modern, and comes in a number of fun colors. It safely attaches to most adult chairs, and has no weight limit—so your child can use it for as long as he or she fits in it. The seat looks like it would be easy to clean, too, which is a big plus in my book. You can buy one for $59 at landofnod.com.