2-in-1 booster
Diono Monterey 4DXT 2-in-1 High-Back Booster
| Mode | Weight | Height |
|---|---|---|
| High-back booster | 40–120 lb | 38–63 in |
| Backless booster | 40–120 lb | 38–63 in |
- Seat weight
- Not published
- Width
- Not published
- Usable life
- 8 years
- Aircraft
- Not certified
Diono does not sell this seat on Amazon. See its own site for photos.
Diono Monterey 2XT 2-in-1 High-Back Booster
A 2-in-1 booster seat with 2 modes: high-back booster 40 to 120 lb, 38 to 63 in; backless booster 40 to 120 lb, 38 to 63 in.
At a glance
- Fits children from 40 to 120 lb
- Up to 63 in tall
- 2 modes: high-back booster, backless booster
- 8-year usable life
Not sold on Amazon
Diono lists this seat on its US site. Buy from Diono or an authorized retailer, and confirm the exact model number before you buy.
Who is the Monterey 2XT 2-in-1 High-Back Booster for?
The Diono Monterey 2XT is a 2-in-1 booster used as a high-back or backless booster for children 40 to 120 lb and 38 to 63 in. Its manual adds a backrest width adjuster to the usual height adjustment, two-stage recline and LATCH/UAS connectors. It expires eight years from the date of purchase.
Reasons to consider it
- High-back and backless modes, both rated for 40 to 120 lb and 38 to 63 in
- A backrest width adjuster handle on the back of the seat
- A two-stage recline and LATCH/UAS connectors
- A swivel cup holder that tucks away
Things to weigh up
- Diono's manual does not publish the seat's width range, depth or weight
- The booster must not be used unless completely assembled
- The manual does not explain how it differs from the Monterey 4DXT
- Not certified for use in aircraft
My take on the Monterey 2XT 2-in-1 High-Back Booster
It suits a family that wants a high-back booster whose backrest width adjusts to fit the child, plus LATCH/UAS connectors and a recline, and that later converts to backless. The trade-off is that the manual publishes no width or seat weight to check against your back seat. The width adjuster is the clearest published difference from the Cambria 2, while the Monterey 4DXT manual repeats nearly the same instructions apart from the cover removal steps.
A research summary of Diono’s published specifications and manual, read . Not a hands-on test or a crash-safety rating.
Who the Monterey 2XT 2-in-1 High-Back Booster fits
This seat covers 2 stages, and a child has to meet every limit of the stage they are in. Diono gives it a 8-year life from the date of manufacture, so check the date label before using a hand-me-down.
- High-back booster40 to 120 lb · 38 to 63 in
- The seat’s own back and belt guide route the vehicle belt across the shoulder, and the sides give the child something to lean on when they sleep.
- Backless booster40 to 120 lb · 38 to 63 in
- Only the base is left, so the vehicle seat has to support the child’s back and head, and the belt guide sits at the hip.
What are the Monterey 2XT 2-in-1 High-Back Booster weight, height and age limits?
| Mode | Child weight | Child height | Minimum age | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-back booster | 40 to 120 lb | 38 to 63 in | Not published | — |
| Backless booster | 40 to 120 lb | 38 to 63 in | Not published | Child's ears must be below the top of the fully raised vehicle seat or headrest |
A child must meet every limit for the mode they use. The labels on your seat and its manual are the final word.
Monterey 2XT 2-in-1 High-Back Booster specifications
- Seat weight
- Not published
- Width
- Not published
- Usable life
- 8 years
- Aircraft use
- Not certified for aircraft
How the Monterey 2XT 2-in-1 High-Back Booster installs
- Lower anchors
- LATCH/UAS connectors. Check your vehicle manual for which seating positions have anchors, and switch to the seat belt once the child passes the anchor weight limit in the manual.
Every install is a fit between one seat and one vehicle. Read both manuals, and use a free inspection station if anything is unclear.
Will it fit your car?
Diono does not publish a width for this seat, so measure your back seat and compare it with the seat in a store before buying.
- Check your vehicle manual for lower anchor positions and any head-restraint rules.
- Rear-facing seats need front-seat room: try the install behind the driver before you commit.
- Not certified for aircraft use: plan on gate-checking it or using a different seat to fly.
What features does the Monterey 2XT 2-in-1 High-Back Booster have?
- LATCH/UAS connectors
What to know before you live with it
Assembly and installation
At first setup you press the head support adjuster upward and insert the head support all the way into the seat back; the manual says it should not be removed once inserted, and warns not to use the booster unless it is completely assembled. The backrest hooks onto the seat bottom. The LATCH/UAS connectors extend with the cam lock lever, clip to the lower anchors, and are tightened one at a time while you push the booster back. Diono recommends the connectors whenever the vehicle has lower anchors; otherwise, buckle the empty booster.
Source: Diono Monterey 2XT manual (PDF)
Width, height and recline
Three adjustments set the fit. The backrest width adjuster handle on the back of the backrest is turned to fit the child. The headrest height adjuster lever sets the shoulder belt guide slightly above the child's shoulders, at least 1 cm. The two-stage recline lets the backrest move into a second position to match the vehicle seat, and a gap is fine as long as the head support touches the vehicle seat back or headrest. The manual does not give the width range in inches.
Source: Diono Monterey 2XT manual (PDF)
Backless mode
Remove the backrest and confirm the LATCH/UAS connectors are secure. Backless use is only for children whose ears are below the top of the vehicle seat or headrest, and the buckle should line up with the RED belt path guides. If the vehicle shoulder belt does not fit the child correctly, the manual says the seat must be used with the shoulder belt guide strap stored under the seat, with the RED guide adjusted to sit just above the shoulder.
Source: Diono Monterey 2XT manual (PDF)
Covers and cleaning
Detach the backrest first. Raise the headrest to its highest position and pull its flap out of the back cover to remove the headrest cover. The backrest cover pulls over the backrest shell, and the seat bottom cover comes off after you release the elastic tabs from the plastic tabs underneath. Machine wash separately in cold water on a gentle cycle with mild detergent, or hand wash, and dry flat away from direct sunlight. No bleach, ironing or dry cleaning. Spot clean the plastic shell with a damp cloth, warm water and mild detergent.
Source: Diono Monterey 2XT manual (PDF)
Is the Monterey 2XT 2-in-1 High-Back Booster recalled?
No campaign in the current NHTSA child-restraint data names this model family, and I have not run a separate review for it. Check your seat’s model number and date of manufacture before use.
Monterey 2XT 2-in-1 High-Back Booster: common questions
What are the Monterey 2XT weight and height limits?
The manual says 40 to 120 lb (18 to 54 kg) and 38 to 63 in (97 to 160 cm) in both modes. Backless mode also requires the child's ears to be below the top of the fully raised vehicle seat or headrest.
Does the Monterey 2XT get wider?
Yes. The manual includes a backrest width adjuster handle on the back of the backrest that you turn to fit the child. It does not publish the width range.
What is the difference between the Monterey 2XT and 4DXT?
The Monterey 4DXT manual lists the same 40 to 120 lb and 38 to 63 in limits, the same backrest width adjuster and nearly the same steps, apart from how the covers come off. Diono's manuals do not state a difference, so I would compare the current listings.
When does the Monterey 2XT expire?
The manual says it is expired over eight years from the date of purchase.
Can I use the Monterey 2XT on an airplane?
No. Diono states it is not certified for use in aircraft because aircraft seats do not have the shoulder belts it requires.
Answers refer to the model and manual version on this page. Check the instructions supplied with your seat.
Before you buy
- Weigh and measure your child. The limits above are the manufacturer’s, and a child has to meet all of them for the mode they will use.
- Confirm the exact version. Colors, retail exclusives and model numbers change limits more often than you would expect.
- Read the manual before you buy, not after. It is linked above and holds the fit rules, the install methods and the expiry.
- Check recalls by model number and date of manufacture, and register the seat with Diono so you hear about the next one.
Sources
Other Diono booster seats
| Model | Top child weight | Seat weight | Width | Usable life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey 2XT 2-in-1 High-Back Booster (this seat) | 120 lb | — | — | 8 years |
| Connect3 R 2-in-1 High-Back Booster | 120 lb | — | — | 8 years |
| Connect3 R Backless Booster | 120 lb | — | — | 8 years |
| Connect3 RXT 2-in-1 High-Back Booster | 120 lb | — | — | 8 years |
| Connect3 RXT Backless Booster | 120 lb | — | — | 8 years |
| Cambria 2 2-in-1 High-Back Booster | 120 lb | — | — | 8 years |
| Cambria 2XT 2-in-1 High-Back Booster | 120 lb | — | — | 8 years |
| Everett NXT High-Back Booster | 120 lb | — | — | 8 years |
| Monterey 4DXT 2-in-1 High-Back Booster | 120 lb | — | — | 8 years |
| Monterey 5iST FixSafe High-Back Booster | 120 lb | — | — | 8 years |
| Monterey 6XT SafePlus High-Back Booster | 120 lb | — | — | 8 years |
| Monterey 6DXT SafePlus High-Back Booster | 120 lb | — | — | 8 years |
| Solana Backless Booster | 120 lb | — | — | 8 years |
| Solana 2 Backless Booster | 120 lb | — | — | 8 years |