The Graco Energi is suitable from about 15 months to 12 years (76-150cm tall). It's an affordable high-back booster seat, with two options for forward-facing positions; when your child is about 15 months to four years old, use the seat with the harness for added safety and security; then, when they've grown and until they're about 12 years old, you can use the seat with your car's seat belt. The harness can be stored and tucked away behind the seat padding.
Find out what our mum-of-two tester and Mother&Baby writer Sophie Knight thought of this seat when putting it to the test.
Pros
- This booster seat is ISOFIX compatible
- 15 headrest heights
- Removable and machine-washable covers
- Also has a top tether
- Can be used with the integrated harness or the car's seat belt
- Features a five-point harness which can be stored away safely
- Long-lasting - suitable from about 15 months to 12 years
Cons
- Harness clasp is a little fiddly
| Model | High-back booster with harness |
| Suitable for | from about 15 months to 12 years (76-150cm tall) |
| Installation | ISOFIX |
| Testing certificate | i-Size and R129 |
| Dimensions | 44.8 x 44.7 x 59 cm |
| Weight | 7.2kg |
| ISOFIX compatible | Yes |
- Forward facing orientation
- 5-Point harness type
- Safety surround side impact protection
- Machine-washable covers
- Integrated harness storage
- Plush memory foam seat
- 2-in-1 car seat and booster
This Graco booster seat features ISOFIX fittings to install the car seat with even more safety; M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight commented: "The ISOFIX installation was one of the easiest to use, with simple click buttons to get the seat installed safely and by myself. Having ISOFIX when your child is older and using the booster with the seat belt, not the harness, gives extra peace of mind. There is also a top tether available to fix behind the main car seat, although my car wasn't compatible with this."
There are green coloured indicators to show whether the seat has been installed correctly, and the green fittings to slide the seat belt through are easy to use. The harness connector button can be a little fiddly, however; Sophie continued: "I did find the harness clasp tricky, as the two side sections didn't stay together very easily. It's a small thing but can make things more troublesome when you've got a wriggly child and you want everything to work quickly. But it just takes a bit of perseverance!"
The high-back headrest has 15 positions - that's more than most booster seats - and the handle for altering the height is easy to use. The seat weighs 7.2kg meaning it's easy to take out and swap between cars if you need to; Sophie said: "It's lightweight meaning it's a breeze to move it from my car to my husband's, and it was easy to re-fit."
Graco have made the seat from memory foam so it's comfy and soft on car journeys; plus, the covers are removable and machine washable for those inevitable spillages.
FAQs
How is the Graco Energi 2-in-1?
• The first mode is a harness booster, where you don't need the car's seat belt and is suitable for your child around 76 to 105cm.
• For the second highback booster mode (100 to 150cm), the harness is stored away and the car's seat belt is used to keep your child safe as they grow.
What are some of the other key features?
• One-click, colour-coded ISOFIX connectors and top tether installation so you know that they are correctly installed. Once you see green, you are good to go.
• Removable and machine washable covers. They recommend a delicate, cold water wash, drip dry, and no bleach or ironing.
• Safety Surround™ Side Impact Protection, memory foam seat, and padded armrest for secure comfort.
What is the maximum height and age for use?
This car seat can be used up to 150cm or approximately 12 years of age.
Sophie Knight is a journalist and mum of two, and previously edited motherandbaby.com before moving on to write about family cars for Parkers.co.uk. Sophie went on to become Commercial Content Editor for M&B, Closer, Heat, Empire, Yours, Garden News, and WhatsTheBest.co.uk before deciding to dedicate more of her time to her family and write freelance.