Britax Highpoint Highback Belt-Positioning Booster Review: The Next Generation

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2019 Britax Highpoint Highback Belt-Positioning Booster Review

Comfy fabric and smart features mark the redesign of Britax’s popular Parkway SGL booster. The Highpoint has new fabrics and better cup holders, but does not convert to a backless booster. The LATCH attachment design is also different, with the tensioning adjuster strap on the left side only. Britax has a mid-level booster, called the Midpoint, that does not have side impact cushions but does have unique breathable fabric. The Britax Skyline highback booster (formerly sold under the Essentials by Britax label) is similar to the Highpoint booster being reviewed here, but is the base model and as such, has fewer features and fashions available. Our review on that seat can be found here, but here’s a top-down pic to show the basic differences between the two seats.

 

Weight and Height Limits

40-120 lbs.; 38-63”

Highpoint Overview
  • 10 position headrest
  • Can be installed with lower LATCH connectors
  • Lined with EPP foam
  • External side impact cushions
  • Optional adjustable SecureGuard™ Belt Positioning Clip helps position lap belt properly
  • Two removable, dishwasher-safe cup holders
  • IIHS Best Bet Rating
  • MSRP $149

Measurements

Belt guide heights: 15 ¾”-23”
Inside shoulder width: 14”
Inside hip width: 11 ½”
Seat depth: 14”
External widest point: 20 ¾”
Seat weight: 12.1 lbs.

For more measurements, see our comparison database.

     

There are 2 fashions generally available, Asher (gray) and Seaglass (blue), while Mulberry (purple) is an Amazon exclusive. The Nanotex fashion (black with gray) is available only at Brixy local retailers. The Cool Flow fashions, Teal and Grey, are a mesh fabric designed to improve air flow and be cooler than standard fabrics.

The only assembly required for the Highpoint is adding the cup holders, if desired. The booster comes out of the box in once piece and cannot be used backless, so there is no putting the back onto the bottom piece. The bonus to this is that it stays together when you carry it!

Fit to Child

Seat belt fit is very good; lap belt fit is aided by thick armrests that push the lap belt forward onto the thighs. Shoulder belt fit is adjusted by squeezing a handle on the back of the headrest and lifting up or pushing down. The Highpoint is one of the tallest on the market, so it will be a good option for kids with tall torsos. Be sure to adjust the headrest so that the shoulder belt guides are above your child’s shoulders and his ears are inside the headrest. The label just above the shoulder belt guide helps you with placement. My model liked the Highpoint and found it comfy. Just for kicks, I’m throwing in a pic to show why he needs a booster for a very long time! S is 5.5 years old, 40 lbs., and 44″ tall.

   

Fit to Vehicle

Check your vehicle owner’s manual to see if you can install the booster using the lower LATCH connectors. This is an optional feature that keeps the booster in place when the child is not in the seat; otherwise, the child should buckle the booster in when getting out of it so it doesn’t become a projectile in a crash.

Center LATCH installations with Non-Standard Spacing:

Permitted only in designated LATCH positions

Inflatable Seat Belts:

Not allowed

Cover/Maintenance/Ease of Use

Britax suggests hand washing the cover and hanging it to dry. It is fairly easy to remove and has a couple of elastics.

FAA/Lifespan/Crash

Because belt-positioning booster seats require the use of lap/shoulder belts, the Highpoint cannot be used on an airplane.

The Highpoint has a lifespan of 10 years. Britax follows NHTSA crash guidelines for replacement after a crash.

Advantages
  • 10 position headrest
  • Can be installed with lower LATCH connectors
  • Lined with EPP foam
  • External side impact cushions
  • Adjustable SecureGuard™ Belt Positioning Clip helps position lap belt properly
  • Two removable, dishwasher-safe cup holders
Disadvantages
  • Made in China
  • Does not convert to backless booster

Despite not converting to a backless booster, the Highpoint scores as one of the tallest highback boosters on the market. It does a good job of positioning both the shoulder and lap belts on my model and the optional unique SecureGuard™ belt clip helps keep the lap belt low on kids who need that extra bit of help. The cover is comfy and colors are contemporary and ageless.

The Britax Highpoint sample used in this update was provided by Britax. No other compensation was provided and all opinions are my own.

This post and others at CarseatBlog contain affiliate links. Please read About CarseatBlog for our affiliate policy and see our Marketing Disclosure.

 

 

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