As children grow, they need a differently sized car seat, which can be tough on budgets for already stretched households. Baby brand Joie is helping to keep costs down while still ensuring kids’ safety with its new i-Provo high-back booster seat. We took i-Provo for a spin to find out if this budget-friendly option still ticked all the comfort and safety boxes. 

Pros
+ Lightweight and easy to move from car to car
+ Competitive price point

Cons
– It doesn’t fold for easier storage
– Doesn’t have Isofix, so it can move when children climb in

i-Provo high-back booster seat – what is it? 

Once your child has outgrown a rear-facing seat, the next step is something a little more grown-up. Joie’s i-Provo will fit them from around 3 and a half right up until they are 12 years old, and it should be the last child car seat you need to buy. 

i-Provo in parts

This high-back booster seat is lightweight, at just 3.2kg, so the days of lugging a heavy car seat when moving it between cars are gone. It comes in two sections that click together easily, and while it doesn’t fold for storage (if it isn’t a permanent fixture in your car), it isn’t difficult to take apart again. 

Is it easy to fit? 

i-Provo simply sits on the car seat, and the child is strapped in using the vehicle’s three-point seat belts. The upper strap feeds into a retaining section built into the adjustable head support so that the belt is always at the correct height, no matter the age or height of the occupant. 

The lap belt crosses the child’s body as normal, passing under the built-in arm rest and clicking into place, holding them securely. 

Unlike more costly rivals, i-Provo doesn’t have an Isofix to hold it in place. The downside of that is that the lightweight seat can move easily as the child climbs in and out of it, but the lack of need for extra engineering within the seat is reflected in the price. 

While Isofix can add a layer of reassurance, seats that use 3-point seat belts meet the same safety standards, provided they are fitted, used, and adjusted correctly. Joie makes it as easy as possible by clearly marking all fitting points on the seat, giving parents peace of mind that their child is safely seated. 

During our test drives, Mini Joe happily climbed into the seat and settled comfortably without any wobbles. Once the back height was adjusted and he was strapped in, i-Provo remained securely in place, with no movement in corners or under braking. 

How easy is it to adjust the seat? 

One of the things I love about this car seat is just how uncomplicated it is. There are no hidden adjustments or concealed clips. As the child grows, the seat back moves up to accommodate their extra height.

To do that, you squeeze the handle at the top of the headrest and pull it up to the height you want, where it clicks into place. The range of height adjustments is impressive, with 10 available heights. 

What other features are there? 

The i-Provo might seem fairly basic in its construction, but it isn’t basic when it comes to comfort. The fabrics used feel soft and durable, providing excellent cushioning and breathability to ensure every part, from the seat base to the side-impact wings, is comfortable to sit on or lean against. 

Another great feature is that all the seat covers are removable and fully machine washable. If you’re going to have a seat that lasts up to 8 and a half years, you need to keep it fresh and clean, particularly after a hot, sweaty, ice-cream-melting summer season. 

There are retractable cup holders at the front corners of the seat base, which is a lovely touch, particularly for older children. I’d probably keep those folded in until around age 5, since younger children need to lean forward to reach them, but as they get older, it’s a nice way to give them a sense of grown-up independence. 

i-Provo in car boot
It doesn’t fold, but it fits easily in the car boot in two parts

The one thing that it lacks is the ability to fold the seat. Being able to take it out of the car, fold it, and stash it in the boot would make storage a little neater.

i-Provo high back booster seat: The verdict

The i-Provo from Joie is an excellent, lightweight seat at an affordable price. It’s perfect for parents who don’t want a heavy seat permanently installed in the back of their car, or who frequently move a seat between cars. It’s also a cost-effective choice for grandparents who babysit regularly and want to get out and about while the little ones are with them.

i-Provo with mini Joe

The seat is highly adjustable to ensure the best fit for the occupant, and i-Provo, with its frontal and side-impact protection, has been rigorously tested to meet ECE R129 safety requirements and is i-Size certified, making every trip as safe as possible.

But by far the most compelling aspect of i-Provo is its price point. At just £50, it is extremely competitive, with well-known rivals coming in at almost £120External link for a very similar product. 

For parents who prefer the extra security of Isofix or prioritise a premium feel, the i-Provo is not the seat for you. We found the i-Provo to be secure and comfortable, and for cash-strapped parents, it’s a true bundle of Joie.

Reviewed: Joie i-Provo high-back booster seat
How much: £50External link
Average Janes rating: ★★★★☆

Sam Huff
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