There’s a bittersweet milestone in every parent’s journey: the day you look at your child in their bulky, five-point harness car seat and realise they’re not a toddler anymore. They’re a proper little person, all legs and opinions, and they’ve officially outgrown their throne. This is where the “Great Car Seat Migration” begins—the hunt for the next stage, a high-back booster that will see them through from pre-school to the edge of their teenage years. For us, this wasn’t just about finding a new seat; it was about reclaiming our back seat. With one child moving up and the potential for family or friends to join us, space was suddenly at a premium. The challenge was finding a seat that didn’t compromise on the stringent safety standards we demand, while being slim enough to prevent a daily Tetris battle in the back of our car. The search for that perfect blend of uncompromising safety, long-term comfort, and spatial efficiency is what led us to test the Britax Römer Discovery Plus 2 i-Size Car Seat.
- The child car seat DISCOVERY PLUS can be used from 3.5 to 12 years and a body height of 100 to 150 cm.
- Made in Germany - developed and manufactured in Germany, the DISCOVERY PLUS meets the highest demands for comfort and safety on the road.
What to Consider Before Buying a High-Back Booster Car Seat
A high-back booster car seat is more than just an item; it’s a key piece of safety equipment for the final stage of your child’s car seat journey. Its primary job is to correctly position the vehicle’s 3-point seatbelt over the strongest parts of your child’s body—their shoulder and pelvis—while providing crucial head and side-impact protection. This is a critical transition, as a poorly fitting adult seatbelt can cause serious injury in an accident. The main benefits of a quality i-Size booster are enhanced safety through rigorous testing standards, improved comfort for a growing child on long journeys, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing they are properly protected until they are tall enough (150 cm in the UK) to use the adult belt alone.
The ideal customer for this type of product is a parent of a child who has outgrown their harnessed car seat, typically around the age of four (or 100 cm in height). They are looking for a long-term investment that will last for up to eight years, offering both safety and practicality. This is especially true for families with multiple children or smaller cars, where a slim design can be a deciding factor. However, this type of seat might not be suitable for those with children who are not yet mature enough to sit properly with a seatbelt or for those needing a seat for air travel, as most high-back boosters are not airline-approved. For parents of younger children or those who frequently travel by plane, a more specialised travel seat or a harnessed seat for younger ages would be a better alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Safety Standards & Installation: Always prioritise seats that meet the latest i-Size (R129) regulation. This standard includes more rigorous side-impact testing and uses height, not weight, for classification, ensuring a better fit. Consider your car’s compatibility—does it have ISOFIX anchors? An ISOFIX installation provides a rigid, stable connection to the car’s chassis, reducing the chance of incorrect fitting.
- Fit & Adjustability: A car seat is only safe if it fits your child correctly. Look for a model with an easily adjustable headrest that can be moved with one hand. The headrest should cradle their head, and the shoulder belt guide should position the belt correctly across their shoulder, not digging into their neck or slipping off their arm.
- Dimensions & Space: Measure your back seat! If you need to fit other passengers or multiple car seats, the width of the seat is paramount. A slim design, like that of the Britax Römer Discovery Plus 2 i-Size Car Seat, can be the difference between a comfortable journey and a cramped nightmare. As one user miraculously found, some slim models even allow for three seats across in a standard family SUV.
- Comfort & Materials: Think about the longest journey you’re likely to take. Generously padded seats and soft, breathable fabrics will prevent complaints and fidgeting. Removable and machine-washable covers are not a luxury; they are an absolute necessity for dealing with the inevitable spills and crumbs that are part of life with children.
Choosing the right seat is a significant decision, and the Britax Römer Discovery Plus 2 is a formidable contender in a crowded market. It represents a focus on core safety principles and practical design.
While the Britax Römer Discovery Plus 2 i-Size Car Seat is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- R129 highback booster car seat - Suitable from 100-150cm (3.5 to approx. 12 years)
- ✅ FUNCTIONAL: the car seat is suitable for children from 76 cm to 150 cm tall (approximately 15 months to 12 years or 9-36 kg). It is compliant with the latest R129 i-Size standard, it has...
First Impressions: Unboxing German Efficiency
Pulling the Britax Römer Discovery Plus 2 i-Size Car Seat from its box, the first thing we noticed was its surprising lightness. At just 5.9 kg, it felt substantial and solid without being cumbersome—a huge plus for those of us who occasionally need to switch seats between cars. The “Made in Germany” label isn’t just a point of origin; it’s a promise of quality that you can feel. The “Space Black” fabric is sleek and feels durable, yet soft to the touch. The padding throughout the seat, especially around the headrest and seat base, felt generous and supportive. There’s no complex assembly required; it’s practically ready to go straight out of the box. The ISOFIX connectors slide out smoothly, and the overall impression is one of thoughtful, no-nonsense engineering. It feels streamlined and purposeful, a tool designed to do one job—protecting your child—exceptionally well.
What We Like
- Meets the latest i-Size R129 safety standard for superior protection.
- Incredibly slim and compact design allows for three-across installation in many cars.
- Simple and secure installation with either ISOFIX connectors or the vehicle’s 3-point belt.
- Excellent comfort with generous padding and high-quality, soft-touch fabrics.
- Lightweight and easy to transfer between vehicles.
Limitations
- Lacks some premium features like a recline function found on more expensive models.
- The fabric, while comfortable, may not be as breathable as some mesh-panelled alternatives in very hot weather.
A Deep Dive into the Britax Römer Discovery Plus 2’s Performance
A car seat’s true worth is proven not on a spec sheet, but on the road, day in and day out. Over weeks of school runs, weekend trips, and one particularly long journey to visit grandparents, we put the Britax Römer Discovery Plus 2 i-Size Car Seat through its paces. We assessed it on the core pillars that matter most to parents: installation and safety, everyday comfort, and real-world practicality.
Installation and Security: The ISOFIX Advantage
The moment of truth for any car seat is the first installation. We’ve wrestled with confusing belt paths and stubborn connectors in the past, but setting up the Discovery Plus 2 was refreshingly straightforward. The seat offers dual installation methods, but for us, the star of the show is its ISOFIX system. The connectors extend easily from the base and click into the vehicle’s anchor points with a reassuring sound. Green indicators provide clear visual confirmation that the seat is locked securely, removing any guesswork. This is a critical safety feature; an improperly installed car seat can’t do its job. One user, a mother of twins, noted she could install it “simple and quick — even with a child in each arm, it (almost) works,” which perfectly captures our experience. It’s a 30-second job that inspires confidence every single time.
This rigid connection to the car’s chassis means the seat stays firmly in place, even when empty, so it doesn’t become a projectile in a sudden stop. For cars without ISOFIX, the seat can be installed using just the vehicle’s 3-point seatbelt, offering great flexibility. However, we found the stability and peace of mind offered by the ISOFIX connection is a feature that really sets it apart. The belt guides are also well-designed, ensuring the lap and shoulder portions of the seatbelt sit exactly where they should on the child, which is the entire purpose of a booster seat.
Comfort & Ergonomics: Built for the Long Haul
“Are we there yet?” is the dreaded refrain of any family road trip. A comfortable child is a happy (and quiet) child, and this is an area where the German engineering shines. Britax Römer has clearly invested in the ergonomics of the Discovery Plus 2. The seat base is what they call an “improved seat structure,” and in practice, we found it provided excellent support without being too firm. The padding is generous, particularly in the deep, protective side wings and the adjustable headrest. A German user perfectly captured the sentiment, stating, “Bequem zu sitzen, hier merkt man die Qualität von RÖMER” (Comfortable to sit in, here you can feel the quality of RÖMER).
Our little tester, who is prone to fidgeting, seemed content and comfortable, even on a three-hour drive. The soft fabric covers are a nice touch, feeling premium and cozy rather than synthetic and scratchy. Adjusting the headrest is a simple, one-handed operation from the back, allowing you to get the perfect height as your child grows without having to remove the seat. While it doesn’t have a recline feature, the headrest is ergonomically shaped to support a sleeping child’s head, preventing the dreaded head-slump. For a seat that will be used for up to eight years, this focus on long-term comfort is a significant benefit.
Design & Practicality: The Slim-Fit Solution for Modern Families
Perhaps the most celebrated feature of the Britax Römer Discovery Plus 2 i-Size Car Seat is its remarkably slim design. At only 44 cm wide, it is a game-changer for growing families or those with smaller cars. In many vehicles, installing two bulky car seats means the middle seat becomes completely unusable for anyone but a contortionist. This seat solves that problem. We were able to comfortably fit it next to an infant carrier with space to spare. This real-world advantage was brilliantly confirmed by one user who shared their “miracle” experience: they successfully fitted two Discovery Plus 2 seats and a newborn carrier across the back of their VW Tiguan. For families with three children, this feature alone can be the deciding factor, potentially saving them from having to buy a larger car.
This thoughtful design extends beyond just the width. The seat’s low weight (5.9 kg) makes it easy to move between cars, a scenario echoed by a reviewer with twins and multiple vehicles. The covers are also easily removable and machine washable, a practical necessity we were grateful for after an unfortunate juice box incident. The overall aesthetic is clean, modern, and unobtrusive. The “Space Black” colour is discreet and less likely to show stains. It’s a product that integrates seamlessly into your car and your life, solving problems rather than creating them.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, the feedback for the Britax Römer Discovery Plus 2 i-Size Car Seat is overwhelmingly positive, confirming our own findings. A common thread is the appreciation for its blend of safety, quality, and value. One French parent, who purchased four seats for their twins across two cars, praised the simple and fast ISOFIX installation and the excellent quality-to-price ratio. They were particularly reassured by the seat’s recommendation from Securange, a respected child safety organization in France, highlighting the trust that expert endorsements bring.
Another Spanish-speaking user described it as “one of the safest and most comfortable car seats available,” noting its slim profile and ease of cleaning as major benefits. This sentiment was shared by a German user with a long history of using the brand, who stated, “Here, the safety of the children is really the priority.” They praised its comfort and quality, reinforcing the brand loyalty Britax Römer inspires. The only minor critique we could find was from a user who, while happy with the safety, noted that the material quality, while good for the price point, is understandably different from seats costing three times as much. This is a fair observation and positions the Discovery Plus 2 as a fantastic high-value option.
How Does the Britax Römer Discovery Plus 2 Compare?
No product exists in a vacuum. The Britax Römer Discovery Plus 2 i-Size Car Seat competes in a fierce market, and while it excels in many areas, certain alternatives might better suit different needs.
1. Maxi-Cosi RodiFix M i-Size High Back Booster Seat
- GROUP 2/3 CAR SEAT: offering years of safety, the Rodifix M i-Size car seat is built to last for a long-time: from 100–150cm (approx. 15–36kg), and from 3.5 up to 12 years
- I-SIZE SAFETY: this child car seat is tested and designed according to the highest EU safety standards (ECE R129) and is equipped with ISOFIX connectors, making it super-quick and easy to install in...
The Maxi-Cosi RodiFix M is a very close competitor, sharing a similar age range (3.5 to 12 years) and i-Size certification. Its key differentiator is the G-CELL Side Impact Protection, an integrated honeycomb structure designed to absorb crash forces. It also boasts an easy-to-adjust headrest. While it’s an excellent and highly-regarded seat, the Britax Römer often has a slight edge in terms of its slimmer profile, making it the superior choice for parents needing to fit three seats across or maximise back seat space. The choice between them may come down to brand preference or which model offers a better fit in your specific vehicle.
2. Cosatto Zoomi Group 1 2 3 Car Seat
- TODDLER CAR SEAT – This forward facing booster car seat is – Suitable from 9 kg-36 kg (9 months – 12 years approximately or Group 123).
- HASSLE-FREE INSTALLATION: Quickly & effortlessly installed, this car seat features a simple belted installation for a secure and stable fit
The Cosatto Zoomi serves a different purpose. As a Group 1/2/3 seat, it’s designed to be used from a much younger age (around 9 months) with an integrated 5-point harness, which is later removed to convert it into a high-back booster. While this offers incredible longevity, it is not an i-Size seat and is based on the older R44/04 regulation. It’s a great option for budget-conscious parents looking for a single seat to last a decade, or for grandparents’ cars. However, for parents prioritising the latest i-Size safety standards for their older child, the Britax Römer Discovery Plus 2 i-Size Car Seat is the more specialised and up-to-date choice.
3. Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus Foldable Travel Car Seat
- GROUP 1 CAR SEAT: this foldable toddler car seat is suitable from 15 months up to approx. 4 years (9–18kg) and is quick to install and easy to carry, so your child travels safely in comfort
- EASY TO TRAVEL EVERYWHERE: the Nomad Plus is built for travelling as it's super easy to fold, has an integrated handle and comes with a water repellent travel bag
The Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus is a niche product designed specifically for travel. It’s ultra-compact, lightweight, and folds down to fit in an overhead bin, making it perfect for families who fly frequently, use taxis, or car-share. It serves children from 15 months to 4 years using a 5-point harness. This is not a direct competitor for the Discovery Plus 2. A family might own both: the Nomad Plus for travel when their child is younger, and the robust, permanent Britax Römer for their primary vehicle once their child reaches the booster stage. If portability is your number one priority for a younger child, the Nomad Plus is unbeatable.
Our Final Verdict: Is the Britax Römer Discovery Plus 2 i-Size Car Seat Worth It?
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict is a resounding yes. The Britax Römer Discovery Plus 2 i-Size Car Seat is an exceptional high-back booster that masterfully balances non-negotiable safety with everyday practicality. Its adherence to the i-Size standard, combined with the rock-solid ISOFIX installation, provides the ultimate peace of mind. What truly elevates it, however, is the thoughtful design. The slim profile is not just a feature; it’s a solution for a real problem faced by countless growing families, and its lightweight build and comfortable padding make it a pleasure to live with.
While it may lack the reclining functions of ultra-premium models, it absolutely nails the fundamentals. It is safe, comfortable, easy to use, and brilliantly space-efficient. It represents outstanding value, delivering the quality and engineering prowess of a trusted German brand at a price point that is accessible to most families. If you are entering the high-back booster stage and need a reliable, safe, and space-saving seat that will last for years to come, we can recommend it without hesitation. It’s a smart investment in your child’s safety and your family’s comfort.
Ready to give your child a safe and comfortable ride? You can check the latest price and find more user reviews for the Britax Römer Discovery Plus 2 i-Size Car Seat here.
Last update on 2025-11-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API