REASONS TO BUY
Budget-friendly
Nicer crash test analysis
Lightweight
Napping headrest
REASONS TO AVOID
Padding is disappointing
Hard for kids to buckle alone
Shoulder guide too close to child's neck
Diono Cambria 2 Review
The wallet-loving option is a good choice that won't break the bank with better crash test analysis than much of the competition and a comfy headrest
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Our Verdict
The Diono Cambria 2 is largely an average seat that is neither uber-impressive nor disappointing. It has a budget-friendly price most families can manage and higher, better-than-average crash test results that should be praised for a seat in this price range. It is lightweight for the booster seat group, and the headrest is very comfy for napping. It earned two thumbs up from our child tester. The downsides here are it is harder for kids to use and buckle on their own, the main body padding is only so-so, and the shoulder guide rests close to the neck. Overall, we think it is a good enough seat for the price, and the crash test results make it a shoo-in for those who have smaller budgets but don't want to sacrifice safety for the sake of price. It is perfect for families on a tight budget or those who need a second seat.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Diono Cambria 2 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Better Crash Test Booster Car Seat on a Budget | Best Budget High Back Booster Car Seat |  Best Booster for Travel and Carpooling | ||
| Price | $120 List $99.99 at Amazon | $180 List $179.99 at Amazon | $160 List $159.99 at Amazon | $40 List $37.98 at Amazon | $40 List $35.93 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A comfy headrest and better-than-average crash test results make this lightweight choice an option that won't break the bank | The better than average crash test analysis make the easy to use and budget seat worthy of consideration | Great choice for most families with better crash testing analysis, easy installation, and cozy seating for kids | Great for travel and carpooling, but the quality and average crash results make it less appealing as an all-the-time booster | A similar travel option style has better crash test analysis and a lower price, making this one not as attractive |
| Rating Categories | Diono Cambria 2 | UPPAbaby Alta v2 | Chicco KidFit Zip A... | BubbleBum | Hiccapop UberBoost... |
| Crash Test (35%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Weight/Size (15%) | |||||
| Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Diono Cambria 2 | UPPAbaby Alta v2 | Chicco KidFit Zip A... | BubbleBum | Hiccapop UberBoost... |
| Modes | High Back Booster, Backless Booster | High Back Booster | High Back Booster, Backless Booster | Backless Booster | Backless Booster |
| High Back Booster Weight Range | 40-120 lb | 40-100 lb | 40-110 lb | N/A | N/A |
| High Back Booster Height Range | 38-63 in | 38-57 in | 38-57 in | N/A | N/A |
| Width | 19.9 in | 15.5 in | 18.2 in | 11.3 in | 15.0 in |
| Weight | 12.0 lb | 17lb | 11.8 lb | 0.9 lb | 1.1 lb |
| Backless Booster Weight Range | 40-120 lb | N/A | 40-110 lb | 40-100 lb | 40-110 lb |
| Backless Booster Height Range | 38-63 in | N/A | 38-58 in | 40-57 in | 38-62 in |
| 5 Point Harness Weight Range | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 5 Point Height Range | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| LATCH Equipped | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Recline Positions | None | None | 2 | N/A | N/A |
| Foam Type | None | EPS + EPP | EPS | None | None |
| Seat Lifespan | 8 Years | 10 Years | 8 Years | 4 Years from purchase date | None |
| Aircraft Certified | No | No | No | No | No |
Our Analysis and Test Results
In Washington state, Diono began in 1999. The company won an award in 2002 for the Diono Mighty-Tite. Inspired by this award, Diono launched an operation in Staffordshire, England, to expand. In 2005, they created the first steel-reinforced folding car seat. In 2007, the Monterey won multiple awards. Winona Capital invested in Diono in 2015 to help them grow.
Performance Comparison
The Cambria 2 did well in our crash testing commissioned through MGA Research. Its combined sensor data resulted in an analysis score that was one of the best in the group.
Credit: GearLab & MGA Research
Crash Test
The Cambria 2 performed well in our commissioned crash testing, earning analysis results above the average in this lineup. While not the highest, it is in the upper echelon of options we tested using a slightly faster speed and more modern style sled. We suspect the better performance and lower sensor recordings (lower is preferred) indicate it potentially offers an additional margin of protection over the lower-scoring competitors.
All seats in the review pass federal guidelines and are considered safe, but we wanted to find those that offer more with fewer G-Forces recorded in the crash test dummy HIC and chest clip sensors. The sensor data for the Cmbria 2 combine into an impressive final analysis that is better than most of the options we tested.
Ease of Use
The Cambria 2 earned a below-average score for ease of use in our tests. The seat bottom covered our vehicle buckle, and we had to tilt and adjust the seat to find it, making us strangely grateful our installation was loose. We worry this will be near impossible for smaller cars where the booster base might cover more than it should for easy buckling, and little ones might need help. The shoulder belt positioner keeps the belt away from the passenger's neck, but it is closer than some competitors.
Releasing the LATCH on the Cambria starts by loosening the LATCH straps which is very easy.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Cambria has hook-style LATCH connectors, and the seat is lightweight enough to maneuver easily.
You have to free the connectors to use them, but we didn't have problems. We aren't fans of hook connectors, but the lack of a tight LATCH strap makes it easier to remove them when you need to.
The Cambria cup holders fit our test water bottle and include a smaller snack cup.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The seat has two cup holders, and you can miss them if you don't know they're there because they sort of spin-out from the sides of the seat. They passed our Thermos kid's water bottle test, and we had no problems with them.
The Cambria 2 can be turned into a back less version for easier travel.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Weight and Size
The Cambria is a somewhat lighter-weight option, but with kind of ruins it if your goal is to have something transportable or to use in smaller spaces.
This option weighs 12 lbs, which is about average in this lineup, with several weighing less. It measures 19.9 inches, making it one of the wider options in the group. While this might translate to a more comfortable seat area, it could be harder to use in smaller cars or multiple seats.
With a padded headrest, side wings, and armrests, the Cambria offers enough to keep passengers comfy.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Comfort
The Cambria earned a higher than average score for comfort, but just slightly over. We felt the foam padding was subpar, and it didn't offer much support or cushion, but our child tester didn't hate it. The fabric cover is soft compared to others and potentially cooling, with a tester-approved thumbs up for feel.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The headrest is really where this option impressed. It is deep set and allows little heads to rest at a comfortable angle, making it suitable for napping on road trips. It almost feels like a hug but there is plenty of room to see around it to take in the sights. It feels like there is a slight “scoop” in the design that better cradles the head than the competition.
The Cambria didn't perform well in our tests for quality. When the cover is removed, you can see some of the plastic shell that looks deformed.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Quality
Quality is not where the Cambria shines, but it does feel on par with the price and what you might expect for a seat that is inexpensive. However, there are higher-quality choices that will only cost a little more. It's something to consider, depending on your goals.
With the cover off, the comfort padding resembles packing material, in our opinion. This padding covers everything from the headrest to the seat bottom. The fabric cover has a nice feeling, but it doesn't fit the booster as well as we'd like, and no matter how we tried, it never looked like a snug and finished product. The headrest cover slides on, and there is no feature to get it in place or connected to the frame. It feels like an oversight or forgotten component. The headrest also jiggles about when driving, and it feels more like a child's play toy than a sturdy car seat.
If your budget is smaller, the Cambria offers a potential margin of safety over the average seat, so despite lower scores in other metrics, we think the Cambria is a good choice for some.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy the Diono Cambria 2?
The Cambria is not a stellar seat and has some obvious and less obvious hiccups we didn't love. However, for the price, the crash test results are hard to beat as they are better than average in this group. While the Camrbia performed slightly above average for comfort, it otherwise is largely average or slightly below. We don't think it is the best for everyone, but we do think parents on a budget who don't want to sacrifice safety because of their budget will be happy with this booster.
What Other Booster Seat Should You Consider?
If your budget can stretch somewhat, we prefer the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1. Depending on sales, they could be similarly priced, but you'll get a lot more for your money. Not only does the Air Zip have a slightly higher crash test score but it is also far more comfortable and higher quality that is easier to use. We think you can't go wrong with the Air Plus and believe it is a good choice for many families. If your budget is bigger and you want the best crash test analysis, the Nuna AACE is our favorite. This booster is easy to use, higher quality, and super comfortable. While the price is higher, we think it justifies the price and manages to still cost less than other high-ranking competitors.
—Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz
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