Once your child outgrows their 5 point harness car seat, it’s time to move up to a booster seat. If your shopping for a new booster seat, don’t leave the Diono Cambria 2 Booster Seat off your list. With all the booster seats on the market these days, it can be a little overwhelming figuring out which one fits your need the best.
There are certain criteria that can help you determine whether a booster seat is worth your consideration, including:
- Price
- Durability
- Safety
- Ability to Transfer
- Room to Grow
- Comfort
- Design
- Easy Installation
I’m going to break down each feature of the seat and let you know why the Cambria 2 should be on your shortlist when buying a new booster seat.
Important Benefits of the Cambria 2
As a mother of three, I tend to dissect every aspect of a car seat before I even consider using it for my children. I take car seat safety extremely seriously and, therefore, tend to be a bit of a critic of a lot of those currently on the market. So here’s my breakdown on how I feel the Cambria 2 ranks.
Reasonable Price
Compared to other booster seats on the market, the Cambria 2 comes at a very reasonable price. I’m a fan of any seats that come under $100 but provide me with the safety and comfort features I’m looking for.
Since a booster seat is not going to be the first car seat you buy for your child, you aren’t going to want to spend a ton of money on it.
8 Years of Use
When it comes to durability, you can expect to get up to 8 years of use with the Cambria 2. That means once you buy it, you should be golden until your child is old enough to only use a seatbelt.
In addition, the entire cover is removable and you can throw it right into the washing machine. My daughter easily gets carsick and I could never imagine living without the ability to throw her car seat cover into the wash.
LATCH Safety
The Diono Cambria 2 offers an integrated LATCH system and front adjusters, making it easy to secure in no time. I, personally, am not a fan of any boosters that don’t attach. If your child is not in the seat and you are in an accident, the booster can become a projectile and cause a major safety hazard.
In fact, the LATCH can be used all the time, regardless of your child’s weight. In addition, the booster seat is equipped with shock-absorbing expanded-polyethylene foam and extra-deep sidewalls. Two features you will want if you are ever in a car accident.
Lightweight and Portable
If you anticipate having to transfer your booster seat often, the Cambria 2 comes with some handy features. Its lightweight design and portability make it ideal for switching from one car to the next.
I find this to be especially important if, perhaps, an older grandparent will need to be in charge of installing the booster. The seat only weighs 12 lbs, making it easy to switch from one car to the next.
The seat also can fold flat in case you need to store it, which helps reduce wasted space.
Room to Grow
The seat on the Cambria 2 can go from the high back booster to backless when your child is old enough. The wide contoured seat base (15.5″ in width) allows for plenty of space for your child to grow into.
In addition, instead of a seat your child will outgrow within a year, it offers 6 different head positions, allowing you to adjust up to 6.5″. With just one hand, you can adjust the headrest for your growing child.
Plenty of Space for Your Child
If a booster seat isn’t comfortable, our kids will be the first to let us know. I certainly don’t blame them, but that’s why it’s important to look at the comfort level a booster seat provides.
The wide design of the Cambria 2, allows plenty of space for your child’s hips and shoulders. It also is extra-long to provide ample leg space. I really appreciate this feature because my children are all very tall for their age.
In addition, the Cambria 2 comes with an adjustable back recline, making it easier to fit the contour of your seatback.
I will say, the booster doesn’t provide as much padding as other seats on the market.
Stylish Design
The Cambria 2 provides a simple design, however, you can choose from three colors: black, blue, or pink. The seat is equipped with swiveling cup holders on both sides, along with a small storage compartment. Keep in mind, you can’t remove the cup holder but they do retract into the seat base.
In addition, the booster seat comes with a buckle-friendly fit design, which is meant to make it easier to reach your vehicle’s buckles. Some users still find it difficult based on the wide base of the booster seat.
Simple Installation
Installation is an overall simple process with the Cambria 2. The main part is correctly installing the LATCH system to your car’s seat. The LATCH system attaches to the anchors on your vehicle and while pushing the booster into the seat, pull the front adjuster straps to tighten. As a tip, work on the connector that is furthest from you, to begin with.
In addition, make sure to line up the booster seat so it has full contact with your vehicle’s seat. This is where the recline feature on the booster can come in handy if you need to adjust to the contour of the seat.
Finally, you can set the appropriate height of the headrest for your child by simply using one hand to pull up or down on the handle.
As a note, if your car is not equipped with anchors to utilize the LATCH system, you still can use the Cambria 2. It is recommended to buckle the seat belt when not occupied so it does not pose a hazard in case of an accident.
Overall Specs
Dimensions: 15.83 x1 19.29 x 8.78 inches
Child’s Weight: 40-120 lbs
Child’s Height: 38-63 inches tall
Car Seat Weight: 12.1 lbs
Orientation: Front-facing
Concerns About the Cambria 2
Seat Can Be Too Wide For Some Cars
While the wide design of the seat is ideal for the comfort of our children, it can make it difficult to buckle them, especially in smaller cars. This is especially true if you want your child to be able to buckle themselves. You may end up finding out the seat is too big for your car, so be sure to measure before ordering. As a reminder, the seat base measures 15.5″ in width.
If you do have a smaller car, consider picking out a narrow car seat that will fit your space better.
Not the Best Cushioning
The padding isn’t super thick, which may be more noticeable for older kids who naturally weigh more. While a quick ride in the car may not phase them, they may get uncomfortable for a long car drive.
The Cambria 2 vs The Graco Affix
Coming in cheaper than the Cambria 2 is the Graco Affix. Like the Cambria 2, the Affix offers a LATCH system, ensuring your booster seat is secure to the seat of your car. The seat base is not as wide on the Graco Affix, allowing it to fit more cars and make it easier for children to buckle and unbuckle themselves.
The Cambria 2 does have a higher weight limit than the Graco Affix, which fits children 40-100 lbs. In addition, the Graco only accommodates children up to 57″ in height. A whole 6 inches less than the Cambria 2.
The Cambria 2 vs The Monterey XT
Both booster seats are brought to you by the Diono brand but how do they stack up against each other? The Monterey XT offers 11 different headrest positions vs the Cambria 2’s six. However, both booster seats offer the same 6.5″ additional inches, despite having a difference in the number of headrest positions they provide.
The Cambria 2 does come in slightly lighter with the Monterey XT weighing 13 lbs. What I do like about the Monterey XT is the ability to expand the width, as opposed to the Cambria 2 that just comes extra wide. Finally, the Monterey XT will cost a bit more. However, if you are interested in the extra headrest positions and adjustable seat width, the Monterey may fit your needs better.
FAQs About Diono Cambria 2
When do I switch to the backless booster?
Car seat safety guidelines vary by state, so it’s always important to check for the latest information where you live.
In addition, each car seat has its own weight and height restrictions, which you should always make yourself familiar with. Typically, kids move over to a booster seat at the age of 5, but again, you should always look at the weight and height guidelines your personal booster seat provides.
You also want to make sure your child is mature enough to switch to a booster. If you think your child won’t sit correctly or will mess around the seatbelt, they aren’t ready yet.
You actually don’t have to switch to the backless booster if your child is still fitting properly in the high back booster seat. In fact, the high back provides more security than one without a back. It offers your child’s neck and head support.
In addition, it’s a reminder for your child to sit up straight. It has built-in support so they can’t slouch too much, which can be a dangerous position in a car crash.
On average, kids switch to the backless booster between 8 and 12 years old. If your kiddo is still years away from being in a booster, consider one of the best convertible car seats. They work for kiddos from infants to 10+ year olds.
When does my child no longer need a booster seat?
It is recommended to keep your child in a booster seat until they reach 120 lbs and 63″. Keep in mind, there is always a chance your child meets one requirement but not the other. Typically, kids are between 10-12 years of age when they say goodbye to a booster seat.
The good news is the Cambria 2 maxes out at 120 lbs and 63″, exactly when your kiddo can use just a seat belt. How’s that for timing?
How do I clean the Cambria 2?
The Cambria 2 can either be wiped clean or you can remove the cover and throw it in the washing machine on cold for better cleaning. It’s recommended to lay flat to dry and avoid using your dryer. The dryer has the potential to shrink your cover which may cause it to no longer fit properly on your booster seat.
Wrap Up
I highly recommend the Diono Cambria 2 Booster Seat. I appreciate the ability for my child to grow with it and not feel like I will have to buy another booster seat in a year. The latch system provides me with the security in knowing the booster seat isn’t going anywhere. Finally, I appreciate the reasonable price the Diono Cambria 2 is listed at.
