In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

UPPAbaby Alta Review

This high-quality booster is super comfortable, with better crash test analysis and a reasonable price
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uppababy alta booster seat review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $180 List
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Manufacturer:   UPPAbaby
By Wendy Schmitz and the BabyGearLab Review Team  ⋅  Dec 21, 2021
71
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 8
  • Crash Test - 35% 7.0
  • Ease Of Use - 30% 7.4
  • Weight/Size - 15% 5.0
  • Comfort - 10% 8.0
  • Quality - 10% 8.6

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.
REASONS TO BUY
Reasonable price
Better crash test analysis
Super comfy
High-quality
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavier
Can't go backless
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

 
uppababy alta booster seat review
This Product
UPPAbaby Alta
Awards Editors' Choice Award  Best Value Award Top Pick Award  
Price $180 List
$179.99 at Amazon
$160 List$110 List
$99.99 at Amazon
$30 List
$34.99 at Amazon
$45 List
Overall Score Sort Icon
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52
46
Star Rating
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Pros Reasonable price, better crash test analysis, super comfy, high-qualityBetter crash test results, price, lighterEasiest to use, better crash test results, priceLightweight and portable, budget-friendlyPortable, nicer quality, lower price
Cons Heavier, can't go backlessLess padding, qualityAverage quality, widest seat bottomHarder to use, lower qualityLowest crash test results, hard to use, uncomfortable
Bottom Line This high-quality booster is super comfortable, with better crash test analysis and a reasonable priceBudget-friendly choice with better crash test resultsNicely priced, easy to use option with better crash test resultsAcceptable performance for a travel friendly, inexpensive choiceSuper easy to travel with but it has the lowest crash test results
Rating Categories UPPAbaby Alta Diono Monterey XT Chicco KidFit BubbleBum mifold
Crash Test (35%)
7.0
8.0
7.0
5.0
3.0
Ease Of Use (30%)
7.4
7.0
7.8
4.4
3.4
Weight/Size (15%)
5.0
5.4
5.0
8.8
10.0
Comfort (10%)
8.0
7.2
5.9
5.1
2.5
Quality (10%)
8.6
6.2
6.0
3.4
8.0
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

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



uppababy alta booster seat review - the alta has what uppababy calls sip protection. this is essentially...
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.


uppababy alta booster seat review - the uppababy alta earned top honors for the hic sensor result in...
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.


uppababy alta booster seat review - the alta did not perform as well in the chest sensor results with a...
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.


uppababy alta booster seat review - the alta has a rigid latch system that lets you secure it to the car...
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.


The rigid LATCH on the Alta is super easy to use and they tuck away...
The rigid LATCH on the Alta is super easy to use and they tuck away when not in use.
The seat on the Alta can be set at somewhat of an angle for comfort.
The seat on the Alta can be set at somewhat of an angle for comfort.

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 strap retainer on the Alta is easy to use, and...
The Shoulder strap retainer on the Alta is easy to use, and theoretically, only needs to be done once.
The lap belt retainer is fairly unique to the Alta, as we haven't...
The lap belt retainer is fairly unique to the Alta, as we haven't seen one before.

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.

uppababy alta booster seat review - the headrest moves up and down with the squeeze of the device on the...
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.

uppababy alta booster seat review - the alta is fairly narrow but it is heavier than the average seat...
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.

uppababy alta booster seat review - the seat bottom and back of the alta have nice firm but cushy...
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.

uppababy alta booster seat review - the uppababy alta booster is one of the highest quality options in...
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.


uppababy alta booster seat review - the shell of the alta is most self-contained for easy cleaning.
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
 

Honest, objective reviews. Led by a Pediatrician.

BabyGearLab was founded by a Pediatrician Mom with a mission to provide a reliable, independent, source of information to new parents. Our experts have tested thousands of baby and kids products to share key performance, health, and safety findings. We spend tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats to inform our ratings. And, we combine our review work with gobs of expert parenting advice. To assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing by people who care.

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