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.
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Hi, I’m not sure if you’re still answering questions to this blog post. I just put my 5 year old, who is 46lbs and 47″ inches into the Highpoint booster. the shoulder strap fits great, but I feel like the lap positioner makes the seat belt fit more on his upper thighs than his low hip. Is that normal? Or dangerous. Without the seat positioner the belt fits where his hips/thing meet.
Hi Kim. It sounds like the SecureGuard clip is adjusted too short. Have you lengthened it at all? I would start there. If that doesn’t help, then you can remove it. Optimal lap belt fit would have the bottom of the lap belt touching the tops of his thighs.
Does the high point come with a tether up top?
Hi Kat. No, it only has lower connectors to attach it to the vehicle seat.
Hi, just curious where the secure clip is located on the seat as far as seat depth? From where it comes out, how many inches of room does the child have to the back of the seat?
Hi Dusty. It’s about 8″ from the seat back. It’s a lot of space, unlike most buckles on harnesses.
Just an update for those reading this great, in-depth review that I read while deciding which booster to get – Britax has come out with a new version of the Highpoint that is a 2-stage and can now be a backless booster! I’d link to it here, but I’m not sure if that is allowed, but the official name to search for on most sites is “Britax USA Highpoint 2-Stage Belt-Positioning Booster” Just make sure the one you’re looking at has “2-stage” in the name. We just got one for Christmas and it is a great seat!
Glad you like it, Scott! I’ll be sure to update the review soon. Thanks!
Can you remove the crotch clip? I know it optional for use, but is it a permanent placement or can you take it off so it’s not in the way?
Randa, yes, it’s optional to use. It’s great for younger or smaller kiddos because it helps keep them in position.
Hi, I’m choosing between the Britax High Point and the Clek Oobr. If price wasn’t a factor, what would you do for your child? I have a 7 year old that would be in it who isn’t mature. I’m nervous to transition over from the 5 point harness to a seatbelt. Help please. Thank you.
If you have a chance to try both out, I suggest doing that. The Oobr is a great seat and has many advantages, including recline and being able to convert to a backless booster, but it’s pretty shallow which some kids find uncomfortable.
Both seats are great, though, and it is a big step, more for us parents than it is for the kiddos. Your 7 yr old will be fine :).
Like the OP above, I am also trying to decide between the Britax High Point and Clek Oobr for my small yet mature 7-year old. He is 41.5 lbs and 43.5 inches. My main (really only concern is safety). What would you lean towards (or is there a different one you would lean towards)? If it turns out he is not comfortable, we will try the next safest option. Thank you for your input.
Hi Jodi. Both are very safe boosters so it falls to which works best for you and your child in your vehicle. The main issue I find with boosters is making sure the shoulder belt slides freely through the shoulder belt guide. If you’re looking for a booster with LATCH, we have a list here: https://carseatblog.com/45879/belt-positioning-boosters-with-latch.
I’m a bit overwhelmed on choosing the best seat for my just turned 5 yro daughter (65lbs/46″ tall). She’s outgrown the Britax Boulevard and I need something ASAP. If ordered the Pinnacle
Hi Amanda. I answered your other comment on the CR post!
My kiddo is very large ! 65lbs @ 3.5 years old. I want to keep him as safe as possible. Canada has no seats over 65lbs with 5point harness 🙁 do you think the Highpoint would work ?
Gosh, Krystal, this is a really tough situation. If you’re in a province that has an age 4 and 40 lbs. requirement to use a booster seat, you’re in a pickle. In that case, you may be able to import a carseat from the US with a higher weight harness. I’m actually not sure who you would contact about that, but finding out your law should be relatively easy.
For booster choices, the Highpoint should be a fairly good one because of the SecureGuard clip. Is he tall to go with his weight? If so, you may be able to go with a Harmony Dreamtime. It allows you to lock your seat belt retractor, so it feels more like a snug harness. But, the Harmony seats have longer seat pans, so kids’ legs need to be a little longer to use them otherwise they tend to slouch down to bend their knees at the edge. A Diono booster may be good as well, but it doesn’t have a crotch clip or allow you to lock the seat belt.
Hello! Do you know if using the SecureGard crotch strap is required? We have a 9 year old daughter who would be using this seat and having a crotch strap would really impede her feeling comfortable wearing skirts (she says it would make her feel like she was in a carseat rather than a booster and would be embarrassing having a skirt hiked up by the crotch strap, especially with friends in the car!) I’m wondering if it’s either removable (my guess is no) or if it could simply not be used? Thanks!!
Hi Jennifer. The SecureGuard clip is optional :).
Hello Heather,
I’m considering both the Britax Highpoint Coolflow and a Chicco KidFit Zip and I’m having trouble picking. They both seem to have pluses and drawbacks and I wondered if you could give me your perspective. I notice that the Britax has a crotch strap that other non-harness high back boosters don’t have. Do you know if this makes it easier/harder for kids to fasten, and if there have been any complaints about its comfort or utility? The Chicco has a leg rest. Is that safer or less safe? And the Chicco seems to have some complaints about ease of threading the belt, especially for kids buckling themselves.
Thank you!
Hi Erin. I know some kids find the SecureGuard clip to be cumbersome, but as long as it’s behind the lap belt when the seat belt is being put on, it’s easy to slip onto it—it’s just an extra step. Comfort shouldn’t be an issue because it’s adjustable to some extent; you do want it in the position Britax wants it in, but it’s not fixed in length.
I haven’t seen any complaints about the KidFit re: threading the belt. Shoulder belts can be challenging to thread on some seats, but you don’t do that on a regular basis and good booster design makes it easy for kids to buckle themselves in because they can get the shoulder/lap portion next to the buckle threaded easily. Between these 2 boosters, I’d say let your child have a choice, but if s/he is on the small side, I’d lean toward the Britax because of the SecureGuard clip.
Hi Heather! My 4.5 year old is 43″ tall and over 40lbs. Is this the booster that you would recommend for a taller child?
Hi Jamie. The Highpoint is a great seat for a tall child because it has one of the tallest adjusting backs. If your 4.5 yr old still fits in his/her current seat, though, I would suggest using it for a while longer since most kids that age don’t do well in boosters because of maturity issues. They’re still so wiggly and impulsive at that age! A harness to booster (combination seat) is a good alternative and will have taller harness slots with a higher weight limit. We have suggestions here: https://carseatblog.com/safest-recommended-car-seats/#COMBINATION.
I’m due with twins so will soon have to move my 6 year old to the 3rd row and my vehicle does not have the latch in the 3rd row. Can this be used and not move without using the latch system?
Congrats on the twins, Megan! The Highpoint can be used without LATCH, but for safety, your 6 yr old should buckle it in after getting out so it doesn’t become a projectile.
Do you know if this booster can be used with/without a headrest?
Mary, do you mean a vehicle head restraint? Yes, it doesn’t need vehicle head support behind it.
Can it fit in a civic honda? I would love to try before buying but it is only available online where i live. With no refund of course! 😑 thank you 😊
Abby, what year Civic? I can’t imagine that it wouldn’t, but I’ll try and find out for you.
Do you feel the newer Britax highback boosters are as safe as the Parkway? I read where the newer ones are not steel reinforced.
Yes, these boosters are very similar to the Parkways. They made some slight redesigns but that’s all. I don’t believe the original Parkway had steel reinforcement either; it would have made for a very heavy booster.
Hi, Is the Highpoint wider than the Parkway SLG or is it the same?
Elisa, it is wider by a couple of inches all over: https://carseatblog.com/compareratings/5/292,162/britax-highpoint-vs-britax-parkway-sgl/
One of the negatives you listed is “made in China.” Based on the companies website, it appears they’re made in the US. https://us.britax.com/why-britax/about-us/
Just a heads up, otherwise, great review!
Thanks, Max! I’ll double-check with our rep. because they may have moved production of boosters to the U.S. since I wrote the review and I’ll update it.