REASONS TO BUY
Reasonable price
Better crash test analysis
Super comfy
High-quality
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavier
Can't go backless
UPPAbaby Alta Review
This high-quality booster is super comfortable, with better crash test analysis and a reasonable price
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price: $180 List
By Wendy Schmitz and the BabyGearLab Review Team ⋅ Dec 21, 2021
The Skinny
The UPPAbaby Alta is an impressive high-backed booster. This option is high-quality and ultra-comfy, with a wide shoulder and headrest that moves up and down for height preference. The Alta has better crash test analysis results than much of the best booster seat competition, and it earned one of the best HIC scores in the review. With a lower-than-average price, it is hard to beat this impressive booster. It is somewhat heavy if you plan to use your booster on travel or for carpooling, and it can't go backless to lower the weight. However, we believe this is a minor problem affecting a few users, and overall it is one of the best car seats around for most families.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on December 21, 2021. It now includes new details on metric testing, and the sub-tests run in highly weighted metrics.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
UPPAbaby Alta | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | $180 List $179.99 at Amazon | $160 List | $110 List $99.99 at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon | $45 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This booster has better crash test analysis results and is super comfy, it is somewhat heavy, but the price is good | Inexpensive option that is lighter with better crash test results | Better crash test results in an easy to use, inexpensive booster | Inexpensive easy to transport booster that is great for travel | Hard to use with poor crash test scores negates its great portability |
| Rating Categories | UPPAbaby Alta | Diono Monterey XT | Chicco KidFit | BubbleBum | mifold |
| Crash Test (35%) | |||||
| Ease Of Use (30%) | |||||
| Weight/Size (15%) | |||||
| Comfort (10%) | |||||
| Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specs | UPPAbaby Alta | Diono Monterey XT | Chicco KidFit | BubbleBum | mifold |
| Crash Test HIC Score | 390 | 556 | 557 | 603 | 733 |
| Crash Test Chest G Clip | 53 | 42 | 46 | 45 | 48 |
| Modes | High Back Booster | High Back Booster, Backless Booster |
High Back Booster, Backless Booster |
Backless Booster | Backless Booster |
| High Back Booster Weight Range | 40 - 100 lbs | 40 - 120 lbs | 30 - 100 lbs | n/a | n/a |
| High Back Booster Height Range | 38" - 57" | 38" - 63" | 38" - 57" | n/a | n/a |
| Width | 18.5" | 18.4" | 20" | 14" | 9.4" |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs | 14.2 lbs | 10.4 lbs | 1 lbs | 1.5 lbs |
| Backless Booster Weight Range | n/a | 40 - 120 lbs | 40 - 110 lbs | 40 - 100 lbs | 40 - 100 lbs |
| Backless Booster Height Range | n/a | 38" - 63" | 38" - 57" | 40" - 57" | 40" - 57" |
| 5 pt Harness Weight Range | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 5 pt Harness Height Range | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| LATCH Equipped | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Can you use LATCH in booster mode? | Yes | Yes | Yes | n/a | n/a |
| Recline Positions | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Foam Type | EPP | EPS | EPS | None | None |
| Seat Lifespan | 10 yrs | 6 yrs | 8 yrs | Not Listed | 7 yrs |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
America-born UPPAbaby has over a decade of combined juvenile-products experience. They are inspired by ordinary family life to develop and design products that are easy to use and safe. The company's goal is to improve functionality without losing usability or style. UPPAbaby's product lineup includes an infant car seat (read about it in our best infant car seat review, a booster, and top-ranked strollers.
Performance Comparison
The Alta has what UPPAbaby calls SIP protection. This is essentially extra impact absorption materials on either side of the Alta's shell. Whether or not it works as advertised is difficult to say.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Crash Test
The Alta has better than average crash test analysis scores, with one of the best HIC scores in the group.
The UPPAbaby Alta earned top honors for the HIC sensor result in crash testing.
Credit: MGA, BabyGearLab Staff
The Alta HIC (head sensor) test result was 390, where the maximum allowed is 1000, and a lower number is better. A comparison of the best results and the Alta is shown above. The chart below is a comparison of all the HIC results in the group.
The Alta did not perform as well in the chest sensor results with a result of 53 compared to the best in the group of 39 for the Peg Perrego.
Credit: MGA, BabyGearLab Staff
Its chest sensor result was less impressive with a 53, where the maximum allowed is 60. But combined, the results create a better overall picture than much of the competition. All seats that pass the federal minimum guidelines are considered safe. Still, the Alta earned better than average results overall, potentially indicating an additional margin of protection compared to the competition. Below is a comparison chart of the chest sensor results for each seat in this review.
The Alta has a rigid LATCH system that lets you secure it to the car so it isn't free-floating in your car.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
The Alta is better than the average seat when it comes to ease of use. It has a simple design with features that work as designed.
This booster has a rigid LATCH system (above left) that connects quickly and without the need for tightening. The LATCH keeps the booster in place and prevents it from moving when not in use. The bottom has a recline adjustment (above right) that is a little harder to use, but it does make the booster marginally more comfortable.
The shoulder belt retainer is easy to use and only needs to be done once, so even if little ones aren't sure what to do, it shouldn't have to be done often. This booster also includes a retainer for the lap belt that sort of mimics a crotch strap, and it is straightforward, but we were able to help a child from the front seat of the car.
The headrest moves up and down with the squeeze of the device on the back of the headset.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Alta's headrest is adjustable (above left), but unlike other headrests in this review, the back/shoulder portion also moves to ensure more comfort as little ones grow taller. Much like a vehicle headrest. The height of the headrest dictates the height of the shoulder strap retainer, so you'll need to adjust it over time when your child grows taller. The cover of the Alta is removable and machine washable. While it is a hang-to-dry, we love the idea of a fresh, clean set after accidental vomiting.
The Alta is fairly narrow but it is heavier than the average seat, so it may not be ideal for traveling or carpooling.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Weight and Size
The Alta isn't the lightest option in the group, but it is one of the narrower selections.
The UPPAbaby weighs 19.6 lbs, making it heavy to carry on travel or carpool with friends. And, unlike some of the competition, the back is not removable, so it is the smallest and lightest it will ever be. However, with a width of 18.4 inches, it is a relatively narrow, high-backed booster. This size makes it a potential contender for multiple safety seats across a vehicle backseat.
The seat bottom and back of the Alta have nice firm but cushy padding for comfort when traveling long distances.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Comfort
The Alta is one of the more comfortable seats in the group. The seat pad is wider with side support, and the entire back moves up and down for more comfort as your little one grows.
Little testers liked the padding and easily fell asleep with the support of the sides. The padding is firm but still gives under pressure for comfort that is supportive for longer trips. Our testers felt this seat was one of the best for overall comfort with well-placed armrests and shoulder belt placement.
The UPPAbaby Alta booster is one of the highest quality options in the review with nicer materials that come together with few, if any, defects.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Quality
The Alta is a high-quality booster with better materials than much of the competition.
The shell of the Alta is most self-contained for easy cleaning.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The UPPAbaby has a smooth shell, side-impact features, and soft fabric. The fabric fits the body well and looks smooth without wrinkles or random threads. The padding is firm but supportive, and the headrest moves along with the wider-spaced shoulder area in a way that shows attention to detail. We like the easier-to-use rigid LATCH system ad the addition of a cup holder.
Should You Buy the Alta?
Like many things UPPAbaby, we love the Alta. It is a high-quality, comfortable booster we think parents and kids will love. We like the unique belt holder in the crotch area and the side panels for sleeping upright. It comes complete with a better crash-test score and is easy to use at a reasonable price. It is definitely a booster we'd recommend to a friend.
What Other Booster Seat Should You Consider?
While the Alta is one of our favorites, we think some alternatives could better meet some families' needs or goals. If your budget is tight and the Alta is outside of it, we think the Chicco KidFit is an excellent option with a lot to offer. It is easier to use and has the same test result for crash test as the Alta. It also sports a much lower price tag half than the Alta. If finding the absolute best in crash testing is your top priority, we love the Clek Oobr and use it with our children.
Manufacturer Video
—
Wendy Schmitz and the BabyGearLab Review Team
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