Diono Cambria 2 Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
Diono Cambria 2 | |||||
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Awards | Best Booster on a Budget | Best Booster for Most | Best Booster for Travel and Carpooling | ||
Price | $120 List $79.99 at Amazon | $160 List $159.99 at Amazon | $140 List $109.99 at Amazon | $40 List $37.98 at Amazon | $29 List $20.49 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | A comfy headrest and good crash test results make this lightweight choice an option that won't break the bank | Great choice for most families with better crash testing analysis, easy installation, and cozy seating for kids | Easy installation and use make this a nicer seat, but there are some that offer better crash test analysis | Great for travel and carpooling, but the quality and 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 | Diono Cambria 2 | Chicco KidFit Zip A... | Chicco KidFit | BubbleBum | Graco TurboBooster... |
Crash Test (35%) | |||||
Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
Weight/Size (15%) | |||||
Comfort (15%) | |||||
Quality (10%) | |||||
Specs | Diono Cambria 2 | Chicco KidFit Zip A... | Chicco KidFit | BubbleBum | Graco TurboBooster... |
Modes | High Back Booster, Backless Booster | High Back Booster, Backless Booster | High Back Booster, Backless Booster | Backless Booster | Backless Booster |
High Back Booster Weight Range | 40-120 lb | 40-110 lb | 40-100 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 | 18.2 in | 18.4 in | 11.3 in | 16.3 in |
Weight | 12.0 lb | 11.8 lb | 10.3 lb | 0.9 lb | 4.5 lb |
Backless Booster Height Range | 38-63 in | 38-58 in | 38-57 in | 40-57 in | 43-57 in |
5 Point Harness Weight Range | N/A | N/A | #REF! | 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 |
#REF! | #REF! | #REF! | #REF! | #REF! | #REF! |
Recline Positions | None | 2 | 2 | N/A | N/A |
Foam Type | None | EPS | EPS | None | None |
Seat Lifespan | 8 Years | 8 Years | 8 Years | 4 Years from purchase date | 10 Years |
Aircraft Certified |
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
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 high-ranking in this group and significantly better than average. 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 very similarly priced, but you'll be getting 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.