REASONS TO BUY
Compact
Lightweight
Lower price
REASONS TO AVOID
Lower crash test analysis
Low-quality
Harder to use
Uncomfortable
Hiccapop UberBoost Inflatable Booster Review
This travel choice is uncomfortable and harder to use than similar options that had lower prices and better crash test analysis
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Our Verdict
The Hiccapop UberBoost Inflatable Booster is an inflatable booster cushion with a compact design and lighter weight. It positions children up higher for proper shoulder belt alignment on the body and is suitable for travel or carpooling adventures where the ability to easily carry and transport a booster is key. Our model thought the cushion was comfortable and the price was appealing. However, the Hiccapop did not perform as well as many competitors in our crash test analysis metric, and the quality and design are lacking, in our opinion. The Hiccapop has a slippery fabric and struggles to provide long-term comfort as it slides about, and the passenger requires frequent adjustments. We also worry that the quality will impact long-term use, and it might not last as long as you hope for. In short, there are better, similar options in the lineup offering a lighter weight and better crash test results, making the Hiccapop an option we'd pass on.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Hiccapop UberBoost Inflatable Booster | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Better Crash Test Booster Car Seat on a Budget | Best Budget High Back Booster Car Seat |  Best Booster for Travel and Carpooling | ||
| Price | $40 List $39.92 at Amazon | $180 List $179.99 at Amazon | $160 List $159.99 at Amazon | $40 List $37.98 at Amazon | $29 List $28.98 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A similar travel option style has better crash test analysis and a lower price, making this one not as attractive | 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 | This basic booster offers disappointing results in most metrics, including crash test analysis, making the low price less appealing |
| Rating Categories | Hiccapop UberBoost... | UPPAbaby Alta v2 | Chicco KidFit Zip A... | BubbleBum | Graco TurboBooster... |
| Crash Test (35%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Weight/Size (15%) | |||||
| Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Hiccapop UberBoost... | UPPAbaby Alta v2 | Chicco KidFit Zip A... | BubbleBum | Graco TurboBooster... |
| Modes | Backless Booster | High Back Booster | High Back Booster, Backless Booster | Backless Booster | Backless Booster |
| High Back Booster Weight Range | N/A | 40-100 lb | 40-110 lb | N/A | N/A |
| High Back Booster Height Range | N/A | 38-57 in | 38-57 in | N/A | N/A |
| Width | 15.0 in | 15.5 in | 18.2 in | 11.3 in | 16.3 in |
| Weight | 1.1 lb | 17lb | 11.8 lb | 0.9 lb | 4.5 lb |
| Backless Booster Weight Range | 40-110 lb | N/A | 40-110 lb | 40-100 lb | 40-100 lb |
| Backless Booster Height Range | 38-62 in | N/A | 38-58 in | 40-57 in | 43-57 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 | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Recline Positions | N/A | None | 2 | N/A | N/A |
| Foam Type | None | EPS + EPP | EPS | None | None |
| Seat Lifespan | None | 10 Years | 8 Years | 4 Years from purchase date | 10 Years |
| Aircraft Certified | No | No | No | No | No |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Hiccapop got its name after one of the founder's grandmother's personal words for hiccups. According to the website lore, it also was a cheap URL on GoDaddy. The company claims to be inventing “cutting edge” baby gear and offers items from wipes warmers to inflatable accessories for travel.
Performance Comparison
The Hiccapop did not manage to score above average for the group in our crash test analysis.
Credit: MGA Research
Crash Test
The hiccapop did not impress during crash testing commissioned through MGA, the same facility used by NHTSA.
Our crash tests were run somewhat faster than the federal standard, using a more modern sled designed to mimic newer vehicles. The Hiccapop has passed federal safety guidelines and is therefore considered safe. Our tests are designed to single out boosters that are better than the average safety seat and potentially offer an additional margin of protection.
We do not feel the Hiccapop is one of these seats. With HIC sensor data close to average and chest clip sensor data showing more g-forces than most competitors, it was not a standout seat in this review. Lower g-forces are better in these tests.
Ease of Use
The Hiccapop is easy enough to use, but it pales compared to boosters that do more and offer additional features to make life easier.
The Hiccapop is an inflatable booster seat that is easy to inflate.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
While it is easy to inflate and slide the shoulder belt through the positioner, it shifts continuously during use as there is nothing to hold it in place.
Our kid tester had no trouble buckling herself in the Hiccapop, in part due to the narrow and easy-to-move nature of the cushion.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The shoulder belt positioner is a clip on a longer strap that attaches to the cushion. It can slide and shift up and down the seatbelt, which means it can be frustrating for little ones to keep it comfortable in place, requiring frequent adjustments.
The shoulder belt positioner on the Hiccapop threads through a loop on the base and pulls the seatbelt down to the correct level on the child.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
It is lightweight and easy to transport as well as easy to install given the lack of any required installation. That said, we'd take a stationary and stable installation over a floating cushion, especially for younger kids who might squirm more.
The Hiccapop is one of the lightest options in the group, making it one parents might consider for carpooling, camp vans, or travel.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Weight and Size
The Hiccapop is appealing for its weight and size. It is an inflatable backless booster that weighs only 1.1 lb.
This makes it a contender for those looking for something lighter weight to carry in a backpack or for travel. Given that at least one competitor is closer to 26 lbs, it is light indeed, but not the lightest.
The width of the Hiccapop is only 15 inches. This is smaller than most competitors but not as small as the other inflatable we tested. However, it is small enough to be easy to carry and access the vehicle buckle.
Our kid tester thought the Hiccapop was a comfy cushion compared to the harder plastic high-back boosters.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Comfort
The Hiccapop didn't impress for comfort either, earning one of the lowest scores for comfort in the group.
The Hiccapop does a lot of shifting during use, making it less comfortable over time.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
While our test model thought it was nice and squishy compared to those with a hard plastic bottom, it is uneven and shifts depending on how inflated the cushion is.
The slippery fabric can make it hard to stay centered, and the lack of a back or headrest means your child is folding over or to the side if they fall asleep, which increases the risk of not being properly situated for the seat belt to function as intended.
The Hiccapop did not earn high marks in our quality tests.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Quality
The Hiccapop is not a high-quality option; even for the price, we weren't impressed. It earned one of the lowest-quality test results in the group. This option feels flimsy, and the materials do not feel all that durable.
The padding largely relies on inflation, and we worry it could pop or fail under regular use. The fabric is thin and has a somewhat slippery feeling. Overall, there isn't much to this option, and we think it is doubtful it can be passed down to other children if it even lasts for one.
The Hiccapop is an intriguing option, but we prefer other boosters over this choice, including a competing inflatable.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Should You Buy the Hiccapop UberBoost Inflatable Booster?
The UberBoost is a compact and inflatable backless booster designed for ease of transportability. As busy parents ourselves, we get why these features would be desirable, and as your child grows, it might feel like you've reached the finish line of car safety needs. However, there is still a need to boost children up for the right seatbelt alignment, and there is reason to believe that high-backed boosters offer more protection over backless choices. Even if you are on the backless train due to travel or carpool goals, the Hiccapop did not perform as well as similarly designed products and cost more, making it one we do not recommend.
What Other Booster Seat Should You Consider?
The Bubblebum is an alternative inflatable booster that we prefer. This less expensive option was more comfortable for our kid testers, and it earned a higher crash test analysis result. The Bubblebum is smaller, lighter, and easier to use. We've used this option with our own kids on travel and think it fills a niche, even if it isn't our favorite for full-time use. If you aren't even sure how you got in the backless booster world and what you really need is a main booster seat that is budget-friendly, the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 is a comfy, higher quality choice that is easy to use and has a higher crash test analysis than either inflatable choice.
Manufacturer Video
—Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz
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