I recall being mid-mouthful during a bowl of steamed rice when my baby gave me the look. The ravenous, accusatory glare that communicated so clearly that which he could not yet convey with words:
“Where’s mine?”
Whether your baby has recently taken notice of the fact that adults chew and consume food, or they are reaching the age around 6 months and it’s time for them to start trying soft solids, you’ll want to set a positive tone for a lifetime of enjoyable mealtimes. One of the best places to start is finding the right high chair for your little one’s first experiences and attempts at eating solid food.
A high chair is more than just a seat for your baby—it’s their gateway to family life at the table. Eating together at mealtimes, especially when baby is just starting to eat solids, is a great way to help your baby feel connected to the family and start healthy eating habits.
Plus, there’s research to support the physical and mental health benefits for children when they eat meals together as a family. Make the most of these magical mealtimes by choosing the high chair that best suits your family’s lifestyle. And don’t worry–we’ll keep the magic in the process by bringing a full list of the best high chairs for babies right to you.
- Choosing a high chair for your baby
- Best High Chair for Small Spaces: Ikea ANTILOP High Chair with Tray
- Runner-Up for a Small Space High Chair: Graco Slim Snacker
- Best Chairtop High Chair: FisherPrice Spacesaver
- Best Converting High Chair: Graco Blossom 6-in-1
- Best High Chair to Table: Evenflo 4-in-1
- Best Portable High Chair: Chicco QuickSeat Hook on Chair
- Best Longterm High Chair: Stokke Steps High Chair
- Best Camping High Chair: Baby Delight Go with Me
- Best Lightweight Yet Sturdy High Chair: Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair
- Most Comfortable High Chair: Maxi Cosi Minla 6-in-1 Adjustable High Chair
- FAQs
Choosing the Right High Chair
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants double their birthweight before starting solid foods. This usually occurs sometime between 4-6 months. Although every high chair manufacturer will have their own recommendations, 6 months is the general consensus for when babies are strong enough to sit on their own in a high chair.
Before buying a high chair, be sure to review the American Academy of Pediatrics Safety Tips for high chairs. Look for one that’s sturdy and secure and never leave your baby unattended in one. Beyond that, there are a variety of features to be found in high chairs, and you can pick the ones of most value to your dining space, your baby’s needs and your budget. Some key features include:
- Freestanding vs. Hook-On Chairs. The typical high chair stands on its own, but if you have minimal dining space to work with, you may want to consider a chair that hooks onto a table or counter. Some seats also hook onto the top of adult dining chairs to save some room.
- Tray removal. Because you’ll be taking your baby in and out of their high chair for a long time, I guarantee you will develop a love/hate relationship with the high chair’s tray. Check for trays that are dishwasher-safe, removable, or easy to adjust and save yourself some heartache.
- Machine-washable padding. Things are going to be messy when it comes to your little one’s first meals, and many high chair manufacturers have graciously offered solutions for cleaning off food. Some offer easy-to-remove padding to easily whip off the seat cover and throw into the wash, so keep an eye out for that handy feature.
- Storage capability. If you want to avoid tripping over your high chair or simply want it out of the way when not eating, consider a high chair model that folds up. Many companies offer chairs with compact designs that can fit into a pantry easily.
Interested in a chair that can change along with your growing baby? Several high chairs convert to booster and toddler seats with different methods and designs.
If you’re paying for a more expensive seat, checking to see if it can convert to toddler seating is a good way to ensure you’re getting the most out of your investment.
Best High Chair for Small Spaces
Ikea ANTILOP High Chair with Tray
Beloved by families around the world, Ikea offers a minimalistic take on the high chair in both price and function. If the Ikea name alarms you with its “assembly required” reputation, fear not: this model is a breeze to break down and put back together. The sleek design of the ANTILOP high chair looks great in any dining space, and is a breeze to clean up after a messy lunch.
Specs
- Weight limit: 33 pounds
- Dimensions: 22” x 22” x 34”
Simple and perfect. Easy to install and easy to clean. Great price and way better than some $100+ ones that are out there.”—Ikea review
Cons
Large space between tray and baby, padded cushions sold separately
Runner-Up for a Small Space High Chair
Graco Slim Snacker High Chair
The Graco Slim Snacker is designed to be sleek and non-intruding while offering all of the usual high chair features. At an extremely affordable price point, it’s hard to go wrong with this basic chair. It even has a storage basket—finally, a place to put those bibs!
Specs
- Mesh storage basket
- Dimensions: 24 x 35.5 x 40.8 inches
- Weight limit: 40 pounds
“Very easy to assemble and the tray easily snaps in and out. Would recommend to anyone who needs a high chair.”—Amazon review
Cons
Difficult to remove seat cover for cleaning; tray can be difficult to clean
Best Chairtop High Chair
Fisher Price Spacesaver High Chair
While marketed as a high chair, the Fisher Price Spacesaver is actually a booster seat for the table because it has to be placed on a chair for table dining. Still, this seat is easy to clean and provides the same high-back support most people rely on high chairs for—allowing for smaller babies to dine alongside their parents anywhere this seat may go. It easily straps fits most dining chairs and has an extra plush cushion for keeping babies comfortable and snug. And as the name suggests, this is a seat that provides the security of a high chair with the space saving benefits of a booster—the best of both worlds, as far as we’re concerned.
Specs
- Dishwasher-safe tray
- Dimensions: 47” x 24” x 21.65“
- Weight limit: 40 pounds
“The design is far superior to other seats that strap to a full-size chair.”—Amazon review
Cons
Base can be unstable when attaches to some chairs; some reviewers report issues with reclining feature
Best Converting High Chair
Graco Blossom 6-in-1 High Chair
While 6 different modes of conversion may sound intimidating, the Graco Blossom 6-in-1 chair offers a variety of options for your little one. The seating portion of the high chair comes off to convert to a booster and toddler seat while the legs support a seat for an older child, making it possible to seat two children at once.
Specs
- Dimensions: 41” x 22.5” x 29”
- Weight limit: 40 pounds (or 60 pounds for booster seat)
“Your child can grow with this chair. Perfect for young one starting out in a high chair for the first time.”—Amazon review
Cons
Can be bulky with wide legs
Best High Chair to Table
EvenFlo 4-in-1 Eat and Grow Convertible High Chair
You may have seen high chairs that convert, but I'm not sure you've seen one convert like this: this high chair can actually go from a regular high chair to a full-on table for kids. Use as a regular high chair for babies up to 40 lbs., then as a mini meal chair lowered to the ground for children up to 50 lbs. Next up: take off the tray and use as a chair for reading or playing. Last but not least, it will convert to a whole playtime table and chair for kids up to 50 lbs. as well. And of course, it features plenty of convenient features like a washable tray and seat pad and a 5-point safety harness.
Specs
- Adjustable height
- Dimensions: 37” x 21.75” x 24”
- Weight limit: 50 pounds
“The 4-in-1 feature is amazing! I sit on the floor a lot in my living room so I feed my 6-month-old in the chair and have my 4yo eating at the table part.”—Target review
Cons
Snapping tray causes potential punching to baby; bulky size
Best Portable High Chair
Chicco QuickSeat Hook On Chair
Featuring an easy-to-snap-on tray, the Chicco Quickseat Hook On Chair offers a clean solution to the tabletop mess for hook on chairs. The tray is easy to remove and adjust, keeping all baby’s food in one place whether you’re on-the-go or at home. The Quickseat easily cinches onto a table with a single pull of a strap as opposed to twisting knobs to fasten the seat to the table like the Inglesina model.
Specs
- Removable washable cover
- Dimensions: 24” x 14.5” x 6 “
- Weight limit: 37 pounds
“This chair is EASY. It takes legit 10 seconds max to install super securely.”—Amazon review
Cons
Difficult to clean, difficult to remove cover
Best Longterm High Chair
Stokke Steps High Chair
The Stokke Steps high chair is a a beautifully crafted piece of furniture. The adjustable, ergonomic features of this high chair make it a versatile piece that's built to last well into childhood. Recommended for babies from 3 to 36 pounds, this high chair can hold up to 187 pounds total. The Steps high chair is aptly named because once your baby outgrows it as a high chair, it can "step" into the next stage for your little one as a chair. Plus, in the early days, you can add in an optional clip-in bouncer to use it as a baby seat around the house as well.
Read Review
Specs
- Dimensions: 24″ L x 17″ W x 28″ H
- Weight limit: 187 pounds
“It works perfect with our modern decor. It even matches our dining chairs. It’s easy to use, clean and does its purpose.”—Stokke review
Cons
Higher price end
Best Camping High Chair
Baby Delight Go With Me Uplift Deluxe Portable High Chair
If you’ll be camping, having a beach day, or eating on the go, bringing along a high chair has never been easier due to the Baby Delight Go With Me Uplift Deluxe high chair. Featuring outdoor safe fabric and a sun protection canopy, this high chair will ensure your baby can hang with the family on any mealtime adventure. It also includes a convenient travel bag for easy carrying and storage.
Specs
- Offered in a variety of stylish colors
- Dimensions: 33”(H) x 22”(W) x 21.5”(D)
- Weight limit: 75 pounds
“It folds up into a nice, small, lightweight carrying bag, so it doesn’t take up much room, and it’s easy to carry.”—Amazon review
Cons
Hand wash only
Best Lightweight Yet Sturdy High Chai
Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair
The Stokke is so good that it deserves not one, but two spots on our best high chairs list. This is actually the original Stokke design and like its predecessor, it can hold up to a 242 lb. adult and is made with 100% solid beechwood and non-toxic, water-based paint. It has many additional safety features and is designed ergonomically for safety for children 6 months-3 years old (recommended ages for use.) The Stokke also features a 5-point safety harness and weights only 15.4 lbs., so it's perfect for using around the house. The only difference between the Trip Trapp and the Steps is the Steps set offers additional seating options.
Specs:
- Weight: 15.4 pounds
- Weight limit: 242 pounds
- Dimensions: 36″ x 32″ x 8″
“We love our Stokke chairs. We had them in two houses we rented while on vacation and decided to splurge and buy them for our 2 year old and 4 year old. The quality is great, very easy to clean, and easy to adjust. Putting them together was a snap and the kids love them. One issue we have noticed is that they are easy to trip over (Grandparents tend to not notice the legs sticking out) and the price. It seems like something you could get at IKEA but again, we thought we’d splurge and we’re glad we did.”-Amazon.com review
Cons
Legs may stick out farther than you’d like; higher-end price
Most Comfortable High Chair
Maxi Cosi Minla 6-in-1 Adjustable High Chair
If you're looking for a high chair that goes above and beyond for comfort, the Maxi Cosi Minla is definitely for you. It comes complete with five different recline positions, four tray positions and nine heights so you can find the perfect fit for your baby. Plus, the reclining positions mean your baby can just hang out and chill with you when they're not eating--again, very comfortably. And in addition to creating a comfy spot for your baby, this high chair also has plenty of features for parents to love, including a zip-off, machine-washable seat pad and a compact fold for storage.
Specs
- 5 recline positions
- Weight capacity: 50 pounds
- High chair weight: 22 pounds
- Dimensions: 37 x 22.5 x 12.63 inches
- Newborn-6 years with conversion options
“After reading a lot of reviews, even buying some other highchairs (and returning those), and looking at price points….this was the highchair I decided on and I love it!! I love that the tray can be stored at the back as well making it take up less room. It’s easy to wheel around as well! And per the usual – getting is from baby cubby is the best! They are so good at answering questions and helping.”-Babycubby.com review
Cons
This high chair does feature a lot of fabric, so be warned that cleaning could be a bit of a process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are high chairs good for babies?
A high chair can be a great way to include your baby during mealtime or when they start to take solids. Babies should never be left alone in a high chair, and caregivers should review safety tips before using one.
Do babies need a footrest on their high chair?
Footrests on high chairs are meant to ensure balance as a baby develops their motor skills. Ask your pediatrician for more information on proper posture while eating.
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