Evenflo Big Kid boosterBooster type: High back booster

Weight: 30 to 100 lbs.

Price: $35 to $55.

IIHS rating:
Big Kid LX: Check fit. 
Big Kid LX No Back: Best Bet.
Big Kid Sport high back: Check fit.
Big Kid Sport No Back: Best bet.
Big Kid Advanced: Not yet.

NHTSA ease of use rating: Big Kid LX only: Five out of five stars.

Pros: Low price, extras like reading lights, EPS foam.

Cons: Skimpy padding in low-end version.

Comments: As a head to head competitor to the Graco Turbo Booster, the Evenflo Big Kid adds a few bells and whistles that Graco doesn’t have. The Big Kid is adjustable in both height and lap depth (most boosters are just height adjustable). Like the TurboBooster, the back removes as kids grow bigger, adding a discreet boost to older kids without having them look “uncool.”

On the plus side, the Big Kid is less expensive than the Graco Turbo Booster (a $30 version called the Big Kid Amp is especially affordable). On the downside, the padding is a bit skimpier than the Graco, making this seat less comfy for longer trips. And the Big Kid has less side impact protection than other seats.

Like most Evenflo products, the Big Kid has come in several different versions, including an Advanced, LX, DLX (pictured) and Sport. These versions have been discontinued, but you may still see them for sale online. The only true differences are in padding or fabric.

Reader feedback on this seat has been positive, with parents lauding the many features and adjustments. And the government awarded this seat its top rating for ease of use. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety only gave this seat a “check fit” rating.

Meanwhile, Consumer Reports picked the Big Kid as their #1 booster seat, earning an “excellent” in crash protection.

Between the two seats, we’d give the Graco Turbo Booster the slight edge in overall quality—it tends to fit kids better than the Evenflo Big Kid. On the other hand, you can often find this seat for a lower price than the TurboBooster.

Rating: B