Read about our favorite car seats in our Best Car Seat review.
Editor's Note: We updated this booster review on December 21, 2021, with additional information on the boosters we would recommend to a friend and how they compare to this booster. This Product
mifold | |||||
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| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | $45 List | $160 List | $180 List $179.99 at Amazon | $110 List $99.99 at Amazon | $30 List $34.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Portable, nicer quality, lower price | Better crash test results, price, lighter | Reasonable price, better crash test analysis, super comfy, high-quality | Easiest to use, better crash test results, price | Lightweight and portable, budget-friendly |
| Cons | Lowest crash test results, hard to use, uncomfortable | Less padding, quality | Heavier, can't go backless | Average quality, widest seat bottom | Harder to use, lower quality |
| Bottom Line | Super easy to travel with but it has the lowest crash test results | Budget-friendly choice with better crash test results | This high-quality booster is super comfortable, with better crash test analysis and a reasonable price | Nicely priced, easy to use option with better crash test results | Acceptable performance for a travel friendly, inexpensive choice |
| Rating Categories | mifold | Diono Monterey XT | UPPAbaby Alta | Chicco KidFit | BubbleBum |
| Crash Test (35%) | |||||
| Ease Of Use (30%) | |||||
| Weight/Size (15%) | |||||
| Comfort (10%) | |||||
| Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specs | mifold | Diono Monterey XT | UPPAbaby Alta | Chicco KidFit | BubbleBum |
| Crash Test HIC Score | 733 | 556 | 390 | 557 | 603 |
| Crash Test Chest G Clip | 48 | 42 | 53 | 46 | 45 |
| Modes | Backless Booster | High Back Booster, Backless Booster |
High Back Booster | High Back Booster, Backless Booster |
Backless Booster |
| High Back Booster Weight Range | n/a | 40 - 120 lbs | 40 - 100 lbs | 30 - 100 lbs | n/a |
| High Back Booster Height Range | n/a | 38" - 63" | 38" - 57" | 38" - 57" | n/a |
| Width | 9.4" | 18.4" | 18.5" | 20" | 14" |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs | 14.2 lbs | 16.1 lbs | 10.4 lbs | 1 lbs |
| Backless Booster Weight Range | 40 - 100 lbs | 40 - 120 lbs | n/a | 40 - 110 lbs | 40 - 100 lbs |
| Backless Booster Height Range | 40" - 57" | 38" - 63" | n/a | 38" - 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 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Can you use LATCH in booster mode? | n/a | Yes | Yes | Yes | n/a |
| Recline Positions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Foam Type | None | EPS | EPP | EPS | None |
| Seat Lifespan | 7 yrs | 6 yrs | 10 yrs | 8 yrs | Not Listed |
The mifold booster was invented by Jon Sumroy after having children and experiencing the problems that inevitably arise with carpooling and having his children driven in other people's cars. Jon set out to create a small, tough booster seat that could easily be transported and moved from car to car that would still keep children safe and allow for three children to sit across in most back seats. They call the invention the "Grab-and-Go" booster, and it was officially released in 2015.
The mifold earned the lowest score overall for crash test results. This booster earned the lowest chest sensor score (g) and one of the lowest head sensor score (HIC). The sensors in the crash test dummy record the forces to the dummy that result from the impact of the sled crash.
The front chest sensor (g) for the mifold recorded a 48. This amount of g's is above the average for the group of 44. The maximum allowed result is 60 to pass Federal guidelines. The lower the score, the better. No other product had more forces than the mifold. The best outcome for this sensor in this group is 39 (see above).
The head sensor or HIC score for the mifold is 733. The maximum allowed by Federal law is 1000, where a lower score is better. The group's lowest (best) result is a HIC of 390. The chart above shows the results of the mifold compared to the top performer.
The mifold is the most challenging option to use in the best booster seat review. The mifold is hard to use and keep positioned correctly, with the lap belt retainers sliding in and out when you don't want them to. Adjusting the seatbelt positioner is also tricky, and our little testers had significant trouble buckling the seatbelt because the mifold bottom gets in the way of the buckle. Overall, the children in our tests struggled to use the mifold when they didn't have trouble with the competition.
The best thing about the mifold is its ability to be easily and quickly moved from car to car or carried in your purse for travel, and this is likely why parents are attracted to the product.
This booster is spot clean only, and there are minimal parts to clean.
The mifold is small and very lightweight. This metric is where the mifold shines. With a weight of only 1.5 lbs, it is one of the lightest in the group. This product is the smallest in the group, with a width of only 9.4 inches. This width makes it ideal for fitting three across for multiple children and carpooling, and it makes it small enough to fit in your child's backpack for travel in cars other than your own.
The mifold isn't comfortable; it lacks a true cushion with just a small firm base and relies on the vehicle seat for support, unlike the competition. The seat feels nice, but the anti-slip fabric isn't soft and still slips out from under kids while driving, negating the reason for the less-than-desirable material. It has little in common with any of the best car seats.
The mifold booster feels like a durable and quality seat. There just isn't much to it. The seat bottom is thermo-molded with thin, firm padding and a slip-resistant back. The exterior is simple and easy to wipe clean, with few places for gunk to hide.
We can see how parents looking for a travel-friendly or lightweight booster for carpooling would be attracted to the mifold. We see the appeal of "grab and go" safety seats, especially for little ones who manage their own seat in a backpack at school or camp. However, this seat's crash test results were so far below the average we think most parents would rather have a heavier or larger option that is safer.
If you are in the market for a lightweight uber travel-friendly booster seat, the BubbleBum is the one we'd recommend. This unique booster inflates for use and is small and light, perfect for a child's backpack. The BubbleBum is easy to use and has better crash results.
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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