Clek Oobr Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
Clek Oobr | |||||
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Awards | Best Crash Test Booster | Best Booster for Most | Best Booster for Travel and Carpooling | Best Booster on a Budget | |
Price | $370 List $314.99 at Amazon | $300 List $299.99 at Amazon | $160 List $159.99 at Amazon | $40 List $37.98 at Amazon | $120 List $99.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | This expensive seat is uncomfortable and heavy, making it hard to love the better crash test rating | This booster offers the best crash test analysis results and performs well in all metrics making it a favorite among testers | 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 crash results make it less appealing as an all-the-time booster | A comfy headrest and good crash test results make this lightweight choice an option that won't break the bank |
Rating Categories | Clek Oobr | Peg Perego Viaggio... | Chicco KidFit Zip A... | BubbleBum | Diono Cambria 2 |
Crash Test (35%) | |||||
Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
Weight/Size (15%) | |||||
Comfort (15%) | |||||
Quality (10%) | |||||
Specs | Clek Oobr | Peg Perego Viaggio... | Chicco KidFit Zip A... | BubbleBum | Diono Cambria 2 |
Modes | High Back Booster, Backless Booster | High Back Booster | High Back Booster, Backless Booster | Backless Booster | High Back Booster, Backless Booster |
High Back Booster Weight Range | 40-100 lb | 40-120 lb | 40-110 lb | N/A | 40-120 lb |
High Back Booster Height Range | 38-57 in | 39-63 in | 38-57 in | N/A | 38-63 in |
Width | 17.6 in | 16.3 in | 18.2 in | 11.3 in | 19.9 in |
Weight | 17.9 lb | 15.7 lb | 11.8 lb | 0.9 lb | 12.0 lb |
Backless Booster Height Range | 40-57 in | N/A | 38-58 in | 40-57 in | 38-63 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 | Yes |
#REF! | #REF! | #REF! | #REF! | #REF! | #REF! |
Recline Positions | None | 5 | 2 | N/A | None |
Foam Type | EPP | EPS | EPS | None | None |
Seat Lifespan | 9 Years | 12 Years | 8 Years | 4 Years from purchase date | 8 Years |
Aircraft Certified |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Clek was started by one of the world's largest automotive suppliers. They base their designs on thinking about the product and the experience with the goal of creating uncompromising products that are safe, comfortable, convenient, and stylish. They manufacture all their car seats and boosters in North America to support business here and ensure better quality in the production process.
Performance Comparison
Crash Test
The Oobr earned an above-average result for the crash test analysis metric. This metric combines the dummy sensor date from the commissioned crash tests to compare to the other boosters in the lineup.
Our commissioned tests were run in the same facility NHTSA uses, and we had our performed slightly quicker and on a more modern sled. Our results are not comparable to others run by NHTSA or Consumer Reports, but instead, allow you to compare results side-by-side in an apples-to-apples way to identify those that offer more than the average boost.
Both the HIC and chest clip sensors for the Oobr dummy recorded G-force results below the average, with the chest clip sensor offering one of the best results in the group. Given the final analysis of these results, we believe this booster offers a potential margin of protection over the lower-scoring options in this review.
Ease of Use
The Oobr scored below average for ease of use in our tests. The main overarching problem is both the adult and child tester struggled to get the belt buckled. The shoulder guide is convoluted and hard to thread. It holds the belt so tightly it can enact the retraction mechanism, locking it in place when it is buckled and when it is not. We've had to stop the car, turn it off, and even uninstall the seat to get the belt to reset.
The headrest is similar to a car headrest, and you have to press a small button to get the headrest to release for movement. It is hard to press, and the movement is so hard it feels like you want to give up before you even get it going.
Luckily, you won't have to move it often, but when you do, it could lead to frustration. The back itself is short, and there will be a growing distance between the headrest and seatback as your child grows.
The Oobr has a rigid LATCH system, which we usually love, but these are harder to access, and they can be challenging to connect to the vehicle anchors. It takes a little finagling to get it just right. Depending on the test car, this was more troubling if the padding on the vehicle was thick or dense and the anchors were hidden.
This booster comes with one attachable cup holder. It works well, and our kid's water bottle fits. If you want a second holder, you can purchase one from the company website.
Weight and Size
If you are looking for lightweight, this is not the option for you. While it is marginally lighter than previous iterations, it is still a handful you won't want to carry through the airport. The Oobr weighs 17.9 lbs.
What it overdoes in weight, it excels in width with only 17.6 inches. While not the most narrow, it is narrow enough for multiple sets or passengers across.
Comfort
We hate to beat a dead horse here, but honestly, it is hard to imagine how this seat could be more uncomfortable. As one GearLab mom can attest, her kids hated this booster and complained for more than three years about how uncomfortable it was.
The seat padding is very dense; rock-hard is one way to describe it. The back is shorter than most, and while the headrest moves up as your kid grows, there is a bigger gap between the two with no support. While our kid testers felt the fabric was nice, it wasn't enough to override how hard the seat was in every area, headrest and back included. Our in-house kid tester remarked we should throw it in the garage.
Quality
What it lacks in comfort, it makes up for by using quality materials and a thought design that brings them all together in a way that has a lovely fit and finish. If you like minimalistic design that gets the job done, we think you'll like the look of the Oobr. The material fits the padding and shell nicely with no wrinkles or areas where it doesn't “look right.” The seat uses non-off-gassing EEP foam, and the shell and sides all look sharp and sleek. You can see the quality of this option easily on its own, but it shines even more when lined up with competitors who struggle to be this cool.
Should You Buy the Oobr?
We can't lie as some of us chose this booster for our kids in the past, and it isn't a bad seat overall, but there are higher-ranking options in this review that provide more while costing less. It isn't that the Oobr will fail you, but the discomfort for the passenger somewhat negates the better crash test score and left us feeling like we didn't love it as much as we once did. Outside of the crash test results, there isn't much to love here, and you can get a similar or better crash test analysis core in another seat that costs less and won't have your child complaining.
What Other Booster Seat Should You Consider?
The Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 is less expensive than the Clek, and it comes with an even better crash test score. The Peg is far more comfortable, and we felt it was an easier seat to use for parents and kids. We love that the side supports and headrest are highly adjustable and that the Peg is easy to buckle thanks to the lack of armrests. While some kids might want armrests, our tester felt she'd rather have no rests for her arms than sit in the Oobr ever again. If you want a quality option that potentially offers an extra margin of protection, the Peg is our choice.