Graco TurboBooster 2.0 Review

The Graco TurboBooster 2.0 is a no-fuss, no-frills 2-in-1 booster at an accessible price point. When it comes down to it, the job of a booster seat is to boost a child up so they fit the adult seat belt correctly. We now see booster seats with all kinds of additional features, and while some of those can impact comfort, aesthetics, ease of use, and potentially performance, you don't always need all of that. Sometimes you just need a basic booster, and the TurboBooster 2.0 is just that.

I'm Carly, a CPST and mom of 3, including 2 booster riders. We have a TurboBooster 2.0 in our personal collection, and while it's not an everyday favorite for us, it does have its time and its place as a quick and easy seat to grab when needed.

Short on space? See our list of the most narrow booster seats.

Consider the Graco TurboBooster 2.0 If:

• You want a no-fuss seat at a lower price point. At $69.99 MSRP, it's a basic booster that does the job without extras you may not need.
• You need a relatively narrow seat. At just 17" wide, it can often work well next to another car seat, which might be a temporary solution to a tight setup that costs hundreds less than some other narrow seats.
• You want a seat that's easy to grab and move. With no lower anchor attachments, it's handy for quick transfers between vehicles or moving out of the way to reach other seating positions.

Keep Looking If:

• You want a seat with lower anchor attachments. The TurboBooster 2.0 doesn't attach to the vehicle seat in any way. (The TurboBooster 2.0 LX does.)
• Your vehicle has non-removable, protruding head restraints. In highback mode, this booster can't tolerate any interference from the vehicle head rest.
• You don't want to buy another booster later. Most kids will need an additional booster after this one before they can safely ride without a booster.

Highback or Backless? Two Ways to Buy the Graco TurboBooster 2.0

The TurboBooster 2.0 is a 2-in-1 booster. It comes with the back, and the back is removable, so the same seat works in both highback and backless modes as your child grows. If you only need a backless booster, you can also buy the TurboBooster 2.0 backless on its own.

Graco TurboBooster 2.0 Height, Weight + Key Specs

• MSRP: $69.99
• Expiration: 10 years (when do car seats expire?)
• Width: 17"
• Seat weight: Approximately 10 pounds
• Minimum age: 4 years old, but we recommend 5+ when possible
• Highback mode: 40–100 lbs and 43–57"
• Backless mode: 40–100 lbs and 43–57"

How do you know when your child is ready for a booster? Read all about booster seat requirements here!

Graco TurboBooster 2.0 Child Fit: A Good Belt Fit for Smaller Kids

The TurboBooster 2.0 tends to give a good belt fit even on smaller kids, though it isn't the roomiest as they get closer to the upper limits. It fits kids from 40–100 pounds and 43–57 inches in both highback and backless modes.

How Long Can You Use the Graco TurboBooster 2.0?

Your child can use it up to 100 pounds and 57 inches in either mode, but most kids will need another booster before they're ready to ride without one.

The height and weight maximums are very reasonable for highback mode and are consistent with many others on the market. But the same limits for backless mode aren't necessarily a realistic reflection of when a booster is no longer needed. Most kids will need an additional booster beyond this before they can pass the 5 Step Test to safely ride without a booster.

So, while the TurboBooster comes in at a very attractive price, consider whether an up-front investment into a longer-lasting booster may be the move. For just slightly more, the Joie Basil is a similar, but longer-lasting option.

Does the Graco TurboBooster 2.0 Work With Non-Removable Head Restraints?

Sometimes, but it's this seat's main compatibility issue. The TurboBooster 2.0 does not allow interference from the vehicle head rest, and its shape is not forgiving at all when it comes to vehicle seat shapes and head restraints.

Yes, I'm talking about those gosh darn non-removable, protruding head restraints that we always seem to be talking about. While many other boosters share this rule, some can still handle a bit of a bump. The TurboBooster 2.0 simply cannot tolerate anything other than a completely straight seat back.

All hope is not lost, though. At the lower head rest heights, the whole seat may sneak in under a head restraint, so if you have a child on the smaller end of the range who needs a highback booster and your head restraints are not removable, it may still work. Do be aware, however, that you may need to switch to backless mode sooner than you might prefer.

Can the Graco TurboBooster 2.0 Fit Next to Another Car Seat?

Often, yes. At just 17" wide, the TurboBooster 2.0 can often work well next to another car seat. This might be a temporary solution to a tight setup that costs hundreds less than some of the other narrow seats!

However, the boxier shape of the bottom may not sit happily on seats with deep bolsters designed for adult comfort. That would be a concern if the booster actively shifts or doesn't provide a good belt fit due to its position on the vehicle seat.

Does the Graco TurboBooster 2.0 Have LATCH?

No. While many boosters on the market now have lower anchor attachments, or even rigid LATCH systems that seem to mimic harnessed car seat installations, the TurboBooster doesn't get attached to the vehicle seat in any way, and that is perfectly fine!

Unlike with a harnessed car seat, the seat belt is what restrains the child when they use a booster, and the booster lifts them up to help them fit the seat belt correctly. The purpose of using lower anchors for a booster seat is to keep the unoccupied seat from becoming a projectile, and therefore a danger to the driver or other passengers.

Buckle It When No One Is Riding

The solution when there are no attachments, which you'll find in the manual, is to simply buckle the booster when no one is riding in it.

The Perks and Trade-Offs of a Booster Without LATCH

A booster without LATCH can be useful for:

• Quick transfers between vehicles
• Moving the booster out of the way to access other seating positions in the vehicle
• Saving on cost if you'll be using it in a seating position that doesn't have lower anchors anyway

Aside from needing to buckle the booster when it's not in use, another potential downside is that the seat may move as the child is getting in and out. Extra care must be taken to make sure it's centered on the vehicle seat each time your child uses it.

Graco TurboBooster 2.0 vs. TurboBooster 2.0 LX: What's the Difference?

The TurboBooster 2.0 LX is a similar seat with a couple of upgrades:

• Same limits for use: Both seats share the same height and weight limits.
• More room, but a wider footprint: The LX is wider on both the inside and the outside. It may be a better option for kids who need more room in the seating area, but it won't fit the same next to other car seats if needed.
• Lower anchor attachments: The LX version includes them; the TurboBooster 2.0 does not.
• Slightly upgraded fabrics on the LX.

Is the Graco TurboBooster 2.0 as Safe as a More Expensive Booster?

Just like with harnessed car seats, a booster that fits the child, fits the vehicle, and is used correctly every single time will do an excellent job of protecting a child in a crash. The protection that a booster seat offers primarily comes from ensuring that the seat belt is positioned correctly on the strongest parts of a child's body.

One difference, generally speaking, between less expensive boosters and more expensive ones is the comfort features. Comfort is subjective, but when you look at a booster such as the Nuna Aace, it includes features like a more padded, contoured, and adjustable seat bottom, side wings that expand as the child grows, a robust head rest, and the ability to recline for comfort.

Some of those things might just be "nice to haves," but some can impact how well a child may be able to maintain their position, especially on longer drives or while sleeping. A booster can still be very safe without these features, but it may take more practice, more maturity, and more reminders to achieve the same result.

Is the Graco TurboBooster 2.0 Worth It?

Sometimes you just need a basic booster, and the Graco TurboBooster 2.0 is just that. It's not an everyday favorite in our house, but it does have its time and its place as a quick and easy seat to grab when needed. At 17" wide, it can also be a budget-friendly, temporary fix for a tight setup next to another car seat.

Just go in knowing its limits: it can't handle protruding head restraints, it doesn't attach to the vehicle seat, and most kids will need another booster before they're done with boosters altogether. If you'd rather buy once, it's worth weighing a longer-lasting option like the Joie Basil. You can compare more options on our booster seats page.

Graco TurboBooster 2.0 FAQs

What are the Graco TurboBooster 2.0 height and weight limits?

The TurboBooster 2.0 fits kids from 40–100 pounds and 43–57 inches in both highback and backless modes.

What age can a child use the Graco TurboBooster 2.0?

The minimum age is 4 years old, but we recommend waiting until 5+ when possible.

How wide is the Graco TurboBooster 2.0?

It's 17" wide, so it can often work well next to another car seat. Just know the boxier bottom may not sit well on vehicle seats with deep bolsters.

Does the Graco TurboBooster 2.0 have LATCH?

No. It doesn't attach to the vehicle seat in any way, so buckle it whenever no one is riding in it. If you want lower anchor attachments, the TurboBooster 2.0 LX has them.

Can you remove the back on the Graco TurboBooster 2.0?

Yes. It's a 2-in-1, so the back comes off and the seat converts to a backless booster. You can also buy the TurboBooster 2.0 backless on its own if that's all you need.

Does the Graco TurboBooster 2.0 work with non-removable head restraints?

In highback mode, it can't tolerate any interference from the vehicle head rest. At the lower head rest heights, the whole seat may fit under a head restraint, but you may need to switch to backless mode sooner than you'd like.

Will my child need another booster after the TurboBooster 2.0?

Most kids will. The backless limits aren't necessarily a realistic reflection of when a booster is no longer needed, and most kids need an additional booster before they can pass the 5 Step Test.

When does the Graco TurboBooster 2.0 expire?

It has a 10-year expiration.