Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster vs. UPPAbaby Alta: Which is Better? (2024)

Compare the two car seats side-by-side

Hi there! We're here to help you decide between the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster and the UPPAbaby Alta.

Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to feel confident that you're choosing the optimal car seat for your family's needs and budget. Let us know if you have any other questions!

At A Glance

Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster UPPAbaby Alta
Type Convertible

Forward-Facing High Back Booster Backless Booster
High Back Booster
Current price
Currently unavailable
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Currently unavailable
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Rating 4.77 4.59

Our Thoughts

When it comes to transporting our precious cargo, the choice of the appropriate car seat often becomes an exercise in thorough research. Taking into consideration several factors such as comfort, ease of cleaning, safety ratings, and versatility of use, I have closely analyzed two products: The Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster and the UPPAbaby Alta booster seat.

Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 complements your child’s growth journey, transforming seamlessly from a harness booster suitable for children weighing 22-65 pounds, to a high-back and then to a backless booster for the weight range of 30-100 pounds. In terms of installation, although some parents find it frustrating, its lightweight construction (just 20 pounds) makes it adaptable for vehicle transfers. The car seat comes with a machine-washable fabric that is easy to clean, offering you convenience and longevity. However, some parents observed that when the car seat is unoccupied, the headset rattles and it can be somewhat challenging to install. This car seat is FAA approved only for the forward-facing mode, meaning you can't use it with the high back booster or backless booster when traveling by air.

On the other hand, the UPPAbaby Alta booster seat, designed for older children weighing between 40 and 100 pounds, has earned high marks for its emphasis on proper belt positioning and ease of use, ensuring your child’s safety and comfort. Its installation process, featuring a rigid LATCH system, has been appreciated by many parents as user-friendly and straightforward. The seat design is spacious with generous padding, thereby ensuring comfort during long trips. However, some parents experienced challenges with the shoulder belts staying put, a factor that can cause slight unease. Similarly to the Graco Tranzitions, this car seat is not FAA approved for air travel.

Based on a balanced evaluation, for parents needing a car seat with extended usage and a higher max weight capacity for forward-facing mode (65lbs compared to UPPAbaby's Alta which can't be used in this mode), the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster car seat would be a better investment. This car seat provides versatility, comfort, and it's a more affordable choice. But if you're looking for a nicely padded and aesthetically pleasing booster seat mainly for older children, with easy installation, then the UPPAbaby Alta may be the right choice, if the budget allows it. Rest assured, both car seats meet federal safety standards demonstrating their commitment to providing safety for your child.

Key Details

Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster Alta
Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster UPPAbaby Alta
Brand Graco UPPAbaby
Type Convertible

Forward-Facing High Back Booster Backless Booster
High Back Booster
Weighted Rating 4.77 4.59
1 yr Price Range $97.99 - $139.99 $179.99 - $179.99
Current price
Currently unavailable
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Currently unavailable
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Value

The price point combined with its 3-in-1 versatility offers significant savings over time.

Priced consistently at $179.99, it aligns with the market average for high-back boosters with similar features.

Safety

It meets Graco's ProtectPlus Engineered safety standards, which is a rigorous test for safety.

It's generally well-regarded by users for safety.

Features

The Simply Safe Adjust Harness System and portable design are standout features.

Offers unique features like rigid LATCH connectors and a SecureFit belt routing system, which are not standard on all boosters.

Installation

Some parents find the installation process difficult and frustrating.

Parents report easy installation, especially praising the rigid LATCH system, indicating a user-friendly experience.

Cleaning

Easy to remove and washable parts make cleaning a breeze.

The machine washable seat pad and removable cup holder are highlighted as positives for easy cleanup.

Size

The lightweight and compact design make it convenient for transfers between vehicles.

Its dimensions are standard for a high-back booster, accommodating the appropriate age and size range without being exceptionally compact or light.

Review Click here Click here

Comparison of Specifications

While features and reviews provide a sense of real-world use, the specs offer quantifiable details on sizing, limitations, and more. Comparing key measurements and ranges side-by-side is crucial for ensuring you choose a seat properly fitted for your child and vehicle.

We've compiled the weight limits, height limits, dimensions, and other vital statistics for the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster and the UPPAbaby Alta. This data will confirm whether each seat can accommodate your child's current size and projected growth. Specs like seat depth and width are also important for assessing fit with your car's backseat.

Review the following key measurements for both seats. Pay special attention to the height and weight limits to ensure your child falls within the safe ranges.

Height and Weight Limits

Rear-facing

Neither car seat has a Rear-facing configuration.

Forward-facing

Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster UPPAbaby Alta
Height Range 27 - 57 inches
Weight Range 22 - 65 pounds

Booster

Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster UPPAbaby Alta
Height Range 0 - 49 inches 38 - 57 inches
Weight Range 30 - 100 pounds 40 - 100 pounds

Dimensions and Weight

Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster UPPAbaby Alta
Width 19.0 inches 19.0 inches
Height 26.5 inches 33.0 inches
Depth 17.4 inches 20.0 inches
Weight 20.0 pounds 16.6 pounds

Core Specifications

Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster UPPAbaby Alta
Model Year 2018 2019
Made In China China
Frame Material Aluminum Unknown

Safety and Compliance

Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster UPPAbaby Alta
Federal Safety Standards Meets all standards Meets all standards
Configurations FAA-Approved for Airplanes Forward-Facing
High Back Booster
Backless Booster
High Back Booster
NHTSA Ease-of-Use Ratings Forward-Facing Mode
Overall 3 out of 5 stars
Labels 2 out of 5 stars
Instructions 4 out of 5 stars
Securing 3 out of 5 stars
Installation Features 3 out of 5 stars
Booster Mode
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Labels 3 out of 5 stars
Instructions 5 out of 5 stars
Securing 1 out of 5 stars
Installation Features 5 out of 5 stars
Not rated by NHTSA.
Previous Recalls This car seat has never been recalled. This car seat has never been recalled.

Features

Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster UPPAbaby Alta
Attachment Methods LATCH
Seatbelt
LATCH
Seatbelt
Harness Type 5-Point 3-Point
Cup Holders Has cup holders. Has cup holders.

Warranty and Durability

Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster UPPAbaby Alta
Manufacturers Warranty Length 1 year 2 years
Lifespan 7 Years 10 Years

Additional Links

See all Graco car seats See all UPPAbaby car seats
Full review of the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster
Full review of the UPPAbaby Alta