Best High-Back Booster Overall1. UPPAbaby Alta V2
Safety notice: No US recall names the Alta V2 (searched 19 Oct 2026). Check your seat's model number and date of manufacture at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- TypeHigh-back booster
- WeightAbout 17 lb (published figure)
- Child limits40–100 lb, 38–57 in
- InstallRigid LATCH
Bottom Line: The booster our testers scored highest, and the one that fits a narrow back seat. Broad-shouldered kids can feel the wings.
Pros
- Rigid LATCH with a front-mounted release lever
- SecureFit clip keeps the lap belt low across the hips
- Bottom of the seat is 15.5 in wide, so it fits tight back rows
Cons
- About 17 lb, so it is not a seat you swap casually
- The side wings widen as the headrest rises, so broad-shouldered kids may feel pinched before the 57 in limit
Who it's best for
Families with a tight back row. At 15.5 in across the bottom pan, widening to 19.5 in at the shoulders, it made three across possible in a mid-sized SUV for Maya and Rohan in Seattle.
Why we love it
It scored 80, the highest in this guide. The rigid LATCH connectors release from a lever on the front, and the SecureFit clip keeps the lap belt low across the hips instead of riding up toward the stomach. The seven-position headrest moved smoothly. The covers come off for the washing machine, and a pocket in the seat holds the manual.
What we didn't like
It weighs about 17 lb. The side wings also move outward as the headrest goes up, so a tall, broad-shouldered child may feel a pinch point at the shoulders before reaching the 57 in height limit.
Should you buy it?
Buy it if the back row is tight or you want the best all-round score. For a broad-shouldered child, look at the Diono Cambria 2 XL; for a lighter seat that folds, the Cybex Solution G2 is 12.8 lb.
Best Build Quality2. Clek Oobr
Safety notice: No US recall names the Oobr (searched 19 Oct 2026). Clek's recall of the Olli and Ozzi (NHTSA 22C-002) covers different seats. Check your seat's model number and date of manufacture at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- TypeHigh-back booster, converts to backless
- WeightAbout 20 lb (published figure)
- Child limits40–100 lb, 40–57 in
- InstallRigid LATCH
Bottom Line: The best crash score and the best build in the guide, in a seat that is hard to move. It suits one car.
Pros
- Best crash score in the guide, 8.5
- Rigid LATCH locks on with no play
- Cover shrugs off water, mud and juice
Cons
- About 20 lb, hard work to move between cars
- The heaviest booster here apart from the Britax
Who it's best for
Families who will fit it once and keep it there, and who want the strongest build and crash score in the guide.
Why we love it
It scored 78, tied with the Cybex Solution G2 and second to the Alta V2 on overall, but it holds the top crash score at 8.5 and the top quality score at 9.0. The rigid LATCH locked on with no play or side movement, the recliner slides forward up to 12 degrees to match the vehicle seat, and the headrest has deep, reinforced side wings. The cover repelled water, mud and juice box spills.
What we didn't like
It weighs about 20 lb, and Maya and Rohan called it a nightmare to swap between cars. The weight is where it loses points.
Should you buy it?
Buy it if it will live in one car and crash performance and build come first. If you move seats around, take the Cybex Solution G2 at 12.8 lb or the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120, which folds.
Best Reclining Headrest3. Cybex Solution G2
Safety notice: No US recall names the Solution G2 (searched 19 Oct 2026). Check your seat's model number and date of manufacture at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- TypeFolding high-back booster
- Weight12.8 lb (published figure)
- Child limits40–120 lb
- InstallRigid LATCH
Bottom Line: A folding booster with a headrest that reclines, so a sleeping child stays supported. It is the lighter way to a top-three score.
Pros
- Reclining headrest keeps a sleeping child's head supported
- Folds in half with two carry handles
- Rigid LATCH and a rating up to 120 lb
Cons
- Fold and recline add moving parts
- Cybex's side-impact figure is its own laboratory claim
Who it's best for
Families who move a booster between cars and drive long distances, where a child will fall asleep.
Why we love it
It scored 78. A rear slider changes the angle of the head pad itself, which kept a sleeping child's head supported inside the side wings instead of slumping onto the chest, according to Jessica and Mark in Denver. The side wings flex outward as the headrest rises, and the seat is rated to 120 lb. It weighs 12.8 lb, folds in half and has carry handles, so moving it between cars was easy.
What we didn't like
The fold and the recline are extra mechanisms that a plain booster does not have. Cybex says its Linear Side-Impact Protection cuts initial impact forces by up to 20% in laboratory simulations, and that is the maker's claim, not ours.
Should you buy it?
Buy it if you swap seats between cars or want the headrest recline. The Clek Oobr scored the same overall and better on crash, but it weighs about 20 lb.
4. Britax Grow With You ClickTight
Safety notice: No US recall names the Grow With You ClickTight (searched 19 Oct 2026). Britax's 2015 ClickTight convertible recall (NHTSA 15C-003) covers different seats. Check your seat's model number and date of manufacture at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- TypeHarness-to-booster
- WeightAbout 26 lb (published figure)
- Child limitsHarness 25–65 lb, booster 40–120 lb
- InstallClickTight in harness mode
Bottom Line: The seat that takes a child from harness to booster. It is the heaviest and widest in the guide.
Pros
- One seat from the harness stage to a 120 lb booster
- ClickTight install in harness mode, with no slack
- Steel frame and two layers of side-impact protection
Cons
- Over 25 lb
- About 21 in wide, so nothing sizeable fits beside it
Who it's best for
Families whose child has just reached the booster stage and who want one seat that does harness and booster, fitted once.
Why we love it
It scored 73, with crash 8.0 and quality 8.5. In harness mode, ClickTight is the easiest manual install our testers used: twist the release dial, the seat pan swings up, thread the vehicle belt, close it, and the seat locks in with no slack. Britax gives it a steel frame and two layers of side-impact protection, and Jessica and Mark point to the crumple zones built into the base.
What we didn't like
It weighs over 25 lb and is about 21.5 in wide, so it takes a whole seating position. That is the reason it scores 5.5 for weight and size, the lowest in the guide.
Should you buy it?
Buy it if you want one seat to cover harness and booster and it will stay in one car. If you only need a booster, the Alta V2 and the Solution G2 are far lighter.
5. Maxi-Cosi RodiSport
Safety notice: No US recall names the RodiSport (searched 19 Oct 2026). Check your seat's model number and date of manufacture at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- TypeHigh-back booster, converts to backless
- WeightAbout 13 lb (published figure)
- Child limits40–100 lb, 43.4–57 in
- InstallRigid LATCH
Bottom Line: A plain booster that does the basics well, with quick-clip LATCH. It does not lead on any score.
Pros
- Rigid-style connectors clip onto the anchors quickly
- Low-friction shoulder belt guide stops the belt twisting
- The cover strips off for washing
Cons
- Crash score 7.0, middle of the guide
- No standout feature, which is the point
Who it's best for
Parents who want a booster with no learning curve and a seat that is easy to move around.
Why we love it
It scored 73. The lower connectors clip onto the vehicle anchors quickly, and the open shoulder belt path has a smooth, low-friction guide that kept the belt from twisting or binding as it retracted. The side wings are deeply contoured without feeling restrictive, and the cover strips off easily for washing.
What we didn't like
It does not lead on anything. Its crash score of 7.0 is a solid baseline rather than a standout, and the listings put its weight near 13 lb, a little heavier than a basic booster.
Should you buy it?
Buy it for a straightforward, easy-to-fit seat. The Britax scored the same overall with a better crash score, but you would be buying a seat that weighs about 26 lb.
6. Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120
Safety notice: No US recall names the Viaggio Flex 120 (searched 19 Oct 2026). Check your seat's model number and date of manufacture at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- TypeFolding high-back booster
- Weight15.7 lb (our testers' figure)
- Child limits40–120 lb
- InstallRigid LATCH
Bottom Line: The booster that folds into a briefcase. It adjusts in four places, and it is heavier than it looks.
Pros
- The backrest folds in half into a carry-on-size shape with handles
- Headrest, backrest and side wings adjust separately
- No lower armrests, so kids buckle without frame interference
Cons
- 15.7 lb is heavier than most of the lightweight boosters here
- Four adjustments take a few minutes to set up
Who it's best for
Families who store the booster in a trunk or take it on trips and want it to pack small.
Why we love it
It scored 72. Its 4D Total Adjust system sets the headrest height (five positions), the upper backrest (three positions), the side wings (17 to 20 in wide) and the recline separately. The rigid LATCH snaps onto the lower anchors, and with no lower armrests a child can click the lap and shoulder belt in with no frame in the way. The backrest folds in half over the seat, and it carries by built-in handles.
What we didn't like
At 15.7 lb it is not light, and with four separate adjustments it takes a few minutes to set up for a growing child. Crash scored 7.5, behind the top four seats.
Should you buy it?
Buy it if packing small matters. The Cybex Solution G2 also folds, weighs 12.8 lb and scored 6 points higher overall.
7. Diono Cambria 2 XL
Safety notice: NHTSA recall 21C-002 covers the Cambria 2 (models 31200-US-01, 31201-US-01 and 31202-US-01), where a crack can form between the headrest and backrest in a crash. It does not name the Cambria 2 XL. Diono supplies a free replacement backrest and headrest. Check your seat's model number and date of manufacture at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- TypeHigh-back booster, converts to backless
- WeightAbout 12 lb (our testers' figure)
- Child limits40–120 lb
- InstallFlexible LATCH connectors
Bottom Line: The roomy booster for larger or stockier children. It is wide, and the LATCH is the flexible kind.
Pros
- Extra-wide seating area for larger children
- Six-position headrest on one rear lever
- Two swing-out cup holders
Cons
- Flexible LATCH, so you tighten the front straps yourself
- Broad shoulders add to the seat footprint
Who it's best for
Larger or stockier children, especially ones who find narrow European boosters pinch at the hips.
Why we love it
It scored 72. The seating area measures 15.5 in across by our testers' tape, so it gave a bigger child room that narrower boosters did not. The lower connectors are flexible and tighten with front straps, the headrest has six positions on a single rear lever, and two deep cup holders swing out of the way. The backrest comes off and it becomes a wide backless booster.
What we didn't like
Flexible LATCH means you pull the straps tight yourself, and the broad shoulder profile makes the seat take more room than a slim booster.
Should you buy it?
Buy it if your child is large for their age or you want a booster for years of growth. If your back row is tight, the Alta V2 is far narrower.
8. Graco TurboBooster 2.0
Safety notice: NHTSA recall 16C-004 covered original TurboBooster seats made 22 Dec 2015 to 5 Apr 2016, because the instructions left out that the seat must be buckled in when empty. It does not name the TurboBooster 2.0. Check your seat's model number and date of manufacture at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- TypeHigh-back booster, converts to backless
- WeightAbout 9 lb (published figure)
- Child limits40–100 lb, up to 57 in
- InstallBelt only, no LATCH
Bottom Line: The simple, light booster that has been around for years. It has no LATCH.
Pros
- About 9 lb, easy to carry and swap
- Open belt guides make self-buckling easy for young kids
- Hideaway cup holders save space
Cons
- No LATCH, so it must be buckled in when empty
- Plain build, with basic foam padding
Who it's best for
Families who move a booster between cars, carpools or grandparents and want something simple.
Why we love it
It scored 72, with the best weight and size score of any high-back at 8.0. It rests on the vehicle seat and has open belt routing channels that make buckling intuitive for a young child. Our testers found it easy to carry, and Maya and Rohan liked the cup holders that tuck into the base. The backrest comes off to make it a backless booster.
What we didn't like
There is no LATCH, so the seat has to be buckled in when nobody is sitting in it. The build is plain plastic with basic foam padding.
Should you buy it?
Buy it for a light, simple seat that moves easily. If you want an anchored seat that does not need buckling when empty, pick the Alta V2, the Oobr or the RodiSport.
9. BubbleBum Inflatable Booster
Safety notice: No US recall names the BubbleBum (searched 19 Oct 2026). Check your seat's model number and date of manufacture at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- TypeInflatable backless booster
- Weight0.9 lb (published figure)
- Child limits40–110 lb
- InstallBelt only
Bottom Line: The booster for rideshares and flights: 0.9 lb and flat when packed. It has no rigid sides.
Pros
- 0.9 lb, and it packs flat into a bag
- Inflates in about 20 seconds
- Belt clips hold the lap belt low across the thighs
Cons
- No rigid side-impact protection
- The air bladder can puncture if it is abused
Who it's best for
Rideshare, taxi and travel trips, and anyone who needs a booster that fits in a backpack.
Why we love it
It scored 68, on the strength of a 10.0 for weight and size. It weighs 0.9 lb, inflates in about 20 seconds and rolls flat into its tote bag. Metal side clips hold the lap belt low across the thighs, and a strap positions the shoulder belt, which met the federal belt-positioning requirement in our testing.
What we didn't like
Because it relies on air for support, it lacks the rigid side-impact protection of a hard-shell booster. Quality scored 4.0, the lowest in the guide: the air bladder is tough, but it can puncture over time.
Should you buy it?
Buy it as a travel or backup seat, not a daily one. For a daily booster, choose any of the top four.
10. Cosco Topside Backless Booster
Safety notice: No US recall names the Topside (searched 19 Oct 2026). Check your seat's model number and date of manufacture at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- TypeBackless booster
- WeightAbout 2.2 lb (our testers' figure)
- Child limits40–100 lb, 43.4–57 in
- InstallBelt only
Bottom Line: The lightest hard booster and a good backup. It has no extras and the lowest crash score here.
Pros
- About 2.2 lb, takes almost no room
- Smooth cover that does not mark leather seats
- Nothing to adjust or break
Cons
- No LATCH, no cup holders and no height adjustment
- Lowest crash score in the guide, 6.0
Who it's best for
A spare booster for school drop-offs and carpools, or a car where a child only rides briefly.
Why we love it
It scored 68, with 9.5 for weight and size. It weighs about 2.2 lb, and its smooth, plush-covered shell is designed not to dent or mark leather seats. There is nothing to set up: place it on the seat, sit the child down and run the belt through the molded guides.
What we didn't like
It is spartan. There is no LATCH, no cup holder and no height adjustment, and its crash score of 6.0 is the lowest in the guide. Quality scored 5.0.
Should you buy it?
Buy it as a backup, not as the only booster. For a daily seat with proper side protection, take a high-back from the top of this guide.
11. Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus
Safety notice: No US recall names the KidFit ClearTex Plus (searched 19 Oct 2026). Chicco's MyFit Zip Air recall (NHTSA 25C-005) covers a different seat. Check your seat's model number and date of manufacture at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- TypeHigh-back booster, converts to backless
- Weight10 lb (published figure)
- Child limits40–100 lb, 44–57 in
- InstallQuick-release LATCH
Bottom Line: A booster with certified low-emission fabric and easy LATCH. The seat bottom is firm on long drives.
Pros
- GREENGUARD Gold certified fabric, with no off-gassing smell in a hot car
- Ten-position headrest
- Push-button LATCH makes mounting easy
Cons
- The seat bottom felt firm on long drives
- No zip-off cover and no leg lounger
Who it's best for
Parents who care about what the fabric gives off in a hot car and want a booster that mounts without fuss.
Why we love it
It scored 67. The ClearTex fabric is GREENGUARD Gold certified for low emissions, and Jessica and Mark noticed no smell in a hot vehicle in July. The push-button premium LATCH connectors made mounting it to the lower anchors easy, and the headrest has ten positions.
What we didn't like
The seat bottom felt noticeably firmer over long stretches on I-70, according to the kid testers. It also gives up the zip-off cover and leg lounger of Chicco's pricier versions. Crash scored 6.5.
Should you buy it?
Buy it if low-emission fabric is the priority. For better crash and build scores at a similar weight, the Maxi-Cosi RodiSport scored 73.
How We Tested
Every booster here went through our crash testing, which covers frontal and side-impact runs and is compiled by editors Sean and Emma Williams, and then through daily driving in two testing households: Maya and Rohan in Seattle, and Jessica and Mark in Denver. Each seat has three scores out of 10: crash test, weight and size, and quality.
The overall score out of 100 is the average of those three scores, multiplied by ten. It is not a separate verdict, so a very light seat can score close to a very strong one. Read the crash column first, then the other two.
Weights in the cards are the makers' published figures unless a card says they are our testers'. Where our notes and a maker disagreed on a figure, we used the maker's. Read more about how we test.
Which Booster Suits You?
| If you are... | Buy |
|---|---|
| Fitting three across or a tight back row | UPPAbaby Alta V2 |
| Wanting the strongest build and crash score, in one car | Clek Oobr |
| Moving a booster between cars, with a headrest that reclines for sleepers | Cybex Solution G2 |
| A child who has just left the harness | Britax Grow With You |
| Packing a booster into a trunk or a flight bag | Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 |
| A larger or stockier child | Diono Cambria 2 XL |
| Rideshare, taxis and travel | BubbleBum |
| A spare for carpool and school drop-off | Cosco Topside |
Our Analysis, Comparisons & Test Results
Crash Test
The spread in our crash testing runs from 6 to 8.5. The Clek Oobr leads at 8.5. The Alta V2, the Cybex Solution G2 and the Britax Grow With You share 8.0. The Cosco Topside is last at 6.0, with the BubbleBum, the Graco TurboBooster and the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus just above it at 6.5. Every booster sold in the US has to meet the federal standard, so the scores rank the seats against each other.
Weight & Size
Weights run from 0.9 lb to 26 lb, a gap of more than twenty-fold. The BubbleBum is 0.9 lb and the Cosco Topside 2.2 lb. Among the high-backs, the Graco TurboBooster is lightest at about 9 lb, and the Clek Oobr at about 20 lb and the Britax Grow With You at about 26 lb are the heaviest. The Britax is also the widest, at about 21.5 in by our testers' measurement, which is why it scored 5.5.
| Booster | Weight |
|---|---|
| BubbleBum | 0.9 lb |
| Cosco Topside | 2.2 lb |
| Graco TurboBooster 2.0 | 9 lb |
| Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus | 10 lb |
| Diono Cambria 2 XL | 12 lb |
| Cybex Solution G2 | 12.8 lb |
| Maxi-Cosi RodiSport | 13 lb |
| Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 | 15.7 lb |
| UPPAbaby Alta V2 | 17 lb |
| Clek Oobr | 20 lb |
| Britax Grow With You | 26 lb |
Quality
Four seats lead on quality: the Clek Oobr at 9.0, and the Alta V2, the Cybex Solution G2 and the Britax Grow With You at 8.5. They are the same four that lead on crash. The two lightest seats are at the other end: the BubbleBum scored 4.0 and the Cosco Topside 5.0.
LATCH on a booster
On a booster the vehicle belt holds the child, and LATCH only anchors the seat so it does not slide or fly when empty. 5 of the 11 have rigid LATCH, 2 have flexible LATCH, and 3 rely on the belt alone. The Graco TurboBooster has no LATCH, so it has to be buckled in when nobody is sitting in it. The Britax Grow With You uses ClickTight in harness mode and the belt in booster mode.
| LATCH type | Boosters |
|---|---|
| Rigid LATCH | UPPAbaby Alta V2, Clek Oobr, Cybex Solution G2, Maxi-Cosi RodiSport and Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 |
| Flexible LATCH with front straps or quick-release | Diono Cambria 2 XL and Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus |
| None, seat belt only | Graco TurboBooster 2.0, BubbleBum and Cosco Topside |
All 11 products, side by side. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Product | Score | Type | Weight | Child limits | Install | Crash test | Weight & size | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPPAbaby Alta V2safety notice | 80 | High-back booster | About 17 lb (published figure) | 40–100 lb, 38–57 in | Rigid LATCH | 8 | 7.5 | 8.5 |
| Clek Oobrsafety notice | 78 | High-back booster, converts to backless | About 20 lb (published figure) | 40–100 lb, 40–57 in | Rigid LATCH | 8.5 | 6 | 9 |
| Cybex Solution G2safety notice | 78 | Folding high-back booster | 12.8 lb (published figure) | 40–120 lb | Rigid LATCH | 8 | 7 | 8.5 |
| Britax Grow With You ClickTightsafety notice | 73 | Harness-to-booster | About 26 lb (published figure) | Harness 25–65 lb, booster 40–120 lb | ClickTight in harness mode | 8 | 5.5 | 8.5 |
| Maxi-Cosi RodiSportsafety notice | 73 | High-back booster, converts to backless | About 13 lb (published figure) | 40–100 lb, 43.4–57 in | Rigid LATCH | 7 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120safety notice | 72 | Folding high-back booster | 15.7 lb (our testers' figure) | 40–120 lb | Rigid LATCH | 7.5 | 7 | 7 |
| Diono Cambria 2 XLsafety notice | 72 | High-back booster, converts to backless | About 12 lb (our testers' figure) | 40–120 lb | Flexible LATCH connectors | 7 | 7 | 7.5 |
| Graco TurboBooster 2.0safety notice | 72 | High-back booster, converts to backless | About 9 lb (published figure) | 40–100 lb, up to 57 in | Belt only, no LATCH | 6.5 | 8 | 7 |
| BubbleBum Inflatable Boostersafety notice | 68 | Inflatable backless booster | 0.9 lb (published figure) | 40–110 lb | Belt only | 6.5 | 10 | 4 |
| Cosco Topside Backless Boostersafety notice | 68 | Backless booster | About 2.2 lb (our testers' figure) | 40–100 lb, 43.4–57 in | Belt only | 6 | 9.5 | 5 |
| Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plussafety notice | 67 | High-back booster, converts to backless | 10 lb (published figure) | 40–100 lb, 44–57 in | Quick-release LATCH | 6.5 | 6.5 | 7 |
Booster Seat FAQ
When does a child move to a booster seat?
A child moves to a booster once they outgrow the forward-facing harness on weight or height. Most boosters also set a minimum of about 4 years and 40 lb, so check the booster label as well.
Is a high-back or a backless booster better?
A high-back booster supports the head and torso and positions the shoulder belt, while a backless booster only lifts the child. 5 of the 11 here convert from high-back to backless, and the BubbleBum and Cosco Topside are backless only.
How do I know the belt fits?
The belt fits when the lap belt sits low across the hips and the shoulder belt crosses the collarbone and chest. Use the five-step belt fit test in every car, and never tuck the shoulder belt behind the back or under an arm.
Does a booster need LATCH?
No, because the vehicle belt is what restrains the child. LATCH only anchors the booster so it stays put when empty. 7 of the 11 boosters here have it, and the Graco TurboBooster does not.
How heavy is a booster seat?
A booster seat weighs from 0.9 lb to 26 lb in this guide. The inflatable BubbleBum is the lightest, and the Britax Grow With You, a harness-to-booster seat, is the heaviest.
Our Final Verdict: Best Booster Seat 2026
UPPAbaby Alta V2, 80. The best booster we scored, and the one for a tight back row: 15.5 in across the bottom, rigid LATCH and a SecureFit clip that keeps the lap belt low. It weighs about 17 lb, and broad-shouldered kids can feel the wings.
Clek Oobr, 78. The best crash score here at 8.5 and the best build at 9.0. It weighs about 20 lb, so it suits a car that stays put.
Cybex Solution G2, 78. The folding pick: 12.8 lb, carry handles and a headrest that reclines for a sleeping child.
Light and simple: the Graco TurboBooster at about 9 lb and 72 has no LATCH, and the Maxi-Cosi RodiSport at 73 is the plain seat that clips on fast. For travel, the BubbleBum weighs 0.9 lb, with no rigid sides, and the Cosco Topside at about 2.2 lb is the spare for the carpool.
Conclusion: Best Booster Seat
The short version: buy the UPPAbaby Alta V2 unless you move the seat between cars, in which case the Cybex Solution G2 gives up two points for 4 lb less.
And whichever you buy, check the belt fit in every car. The booster only works if the lap belt sits on the hips and the shoulder belt crosses the collarbone.
Related buying guides
- The best convertible car seats, the stage before a booster
- Find which stage your child is in with the stage finder
- Check when your car seat expires with our expiration tool
- Flying with a baby, and which car seats work on a plane
Who tested this guide
Maya Patel
Maya trained as a nurse and spent seven years as a UX researcher for medical-device companies before becoming an ergonomics consultant. She runs product testing the way she ran user research: fixed tasks, written observations, no leading questions. She tests from Seattle with five children, including newborn twins.
Rohan Patel
Rohan is a cloud security architect, which makes him the tester who asks what a connected product does with your data, and the one out in the rain checking whether waterproof means waterproof. He tests from Seattle.
Jessica Taylor
Jessica is a commercial quantity surveyor and materials estimator, and looks first at what a thing is made of and how long that material lasts. She tests from Denver with three children, the youngest a newborn.
Mark Taylor
Mark is a software product manager who takes gear on weekend mountain trips, which is where travel kit stops being a spec sheet. He tests from Denver.
Sean Williams, Editor-in-Chief
Sean is a former commercial outdoor copywriter and gear journalist who runs Top-Notch Outdoor as an independent publisher, and he checks every tester's field notes against the maker's claims before a score goes live. For Top Notch Baby Gear, he and Emma compile the crash test results.
Emma Williams, Editor
Emma is one of two editors at Top-Notch Outdoor, where she edits reviews with Sean before they go live. She is also a freelance outdoor gear photographer and a former outdoor retail equipment buyer. For Top Notch Baby Gear, she and Sean compile the crash test results.
Emma Wolbert, Editor
Emma is the editor of Top Notch Baby Gear. She signs off every guide before it publishes, and holds the line on the two rules the site runs on: we buy what we test, and we say plainly where a figure did not come from our own hands.