High chairs are a staple in baby gear as they help contain your baby during messy feeding times. Once your baby is ready to start eating some solid foods, you are ready to start shopping for high chair options. Styles range from free-standing to ones that attach to the table edge so there is an option to suit every lifestyle.
Multi-Use Options
To function well, a high chair basically needs to be safe for your baby and make life easier for you. These high chairs feature options that make them more versatile. Some can change to a new form for each age group from baby to early preschool, others may function as more than a mealtime chair. Baby gear gets expensive, so you can save money and time by purchasing a high chair with multiple functions.
However, because these seats have great versatility, they can be more difficult to clean given the extra crevices needed to design multiuse chairs and you may need to keep track of multiple parts over the years.
Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair
If you're not locked into a traditional stand-alone chair and want something you can take anywhere, the Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair is for you. Named the Moms' Picks best high chair of 2017 by BabyCenter, this compact seat packs all the features you want into a budget-friendly option.
This plastic high chair sits atop most standard dining or restaurant chairs and latches on with adjustable straps. A five-point harness keeps baby safe and the removable tray is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. The chair can be adjusted to two different heights and has three reclining positions so you can find the perfect fit for your baby at any table.
As if that weren't enough, you can even remove the back of the chair to convert it to a toddler booster seat suitable for kids up to 50 pounds. For under $45, you choose pink/purple, pink/white, navy/white or gray/teal/white, each with a geometric pattern. This versatile chair helps your child feel like a grown-up because she can sit at the dinner table with the rest of the family in a safe, comfortable seat designed to fit her needs at any age.
Integrity Trio 3-in-1 High Chair
The Ingenuity Trio 3-in-1 High Chair is a best seller thanks to its price point and extreme versatility. You can customize the size in several ways making it possible to easily use this one chair as your child gets older. Parents with two or three kinds of different ages under 4 and day care providers can save money by choosing this one chair.
Use the standard high chair set up for young babies, then try the unique removable leg function to create a chair that sits atop a dining chair for older babies. When your child reaches toddler age, remove the tray and seat back to create a dining table height chair for toddlers. For under $70 you get three high chairs in one with a light brown color scheme in the Sahara Burst style. Other color options include Slate or the pink/gray Ansley. Reviewers note that it's difficult to clean, however, they praise that it is sturdy and won't move easily, has a removable tray and is easy to assemble.
Peg Perego Siesta
Hailed as "the Rolls-Royce of chairs" by Good Housekeeping, the Peg Perego Siesta reclines, uses one-touch brakes, and folds with the tray attached. Five reclining positions, including a full recline, along with three footrest positions and nine height positions make the Siesta one of the most versatile high chairs on the market.
Use the seat for mealtimes, as a comfy place to play up near your face, or as a napping spot. You won't see many other high chairs with this many customization options or full-size chairs that fold as compact as this. Locking caster wheels make moving the chair safe and easy. For just under $300 you choose from eight color schemes including olive green, tan, black, orange, berry, and gray each with a black and white frame.
Traditional Options
If you're after a high chair similar to the one you used as a child, with a seat and four solid legs, these styles are great options. Each one comes with modern conveniences, but features the basic structure of a classic high chair. What's great about traditional high chairs is the sturdy structure and ability to have baby sit a little higher to help you feed him while you stand or sit. On the downside, these chairs often take up a lot of space when set up.
Ikea Antilop
Function takes precedence above all else in the Antilop high chair from Ikea. The simple design and ultra low price point offer parents only what they need, without all the bells and whistles of other chairs. Four unique, removable steel legs hold up the white seat and tray for stability and portability. When you want to hide it or store it out of sight, take off the legs, and all the pieces will fit into a closet or large cupboard. The construction of the seat part as one unit means you won't have hidden cracks to clean, and the higher-than-usual tray rim helps keeps messes better contained on the tray. This chair is so easy to build, it's no wonder Parents Magazine lists it in their Top 10 easiest high chairs. For added safety, a three-point harness holds your baby in place. The best part of this basic high chair is the price tag as it sells for under $20.
Pop N sit Portable High Chair
Summer Infant's Pop N Sit Portable High Chair is a great option for families constantly on the go or eating outdoors. Similar to the mechanism of camping chairs, this full-size seat folds up in one quick movement and comes with a carrying case. A fabric seat with three-point harness holds your baby atop a sturdy frame. Cleaning couldn't be easier. Remove the plastic tray and throw it in the dishwasher, and remove the fabric chair cover to put in the washing machine. The chair is designed for ages 6 months and up. For just under $50, you get the ultimate in portability in aqua/white or green/gray/black. Thanks to its versatility, the Pop N Sit collection was named one of the best high chairs of 2017 by review website toys, tots, pets and more.
Joovy Nook High Chair
While the Joovy Nook High Chair looks like an ordinary standing high chair, it has the unique feature of a swinging food tray. This one feature alone is worth the nearly $75 price tag for parents who don't want to mess with the fickle nature of standard high chair trays. A black leatherette seat cushion rests on the white base, while the tray includes a removable liner. Using one hand you can fold the high chair into a compact position with a handle to take it anywhere baby goes. Features like these make the chair attractive to busy parents and comfortable for baby, so it's no wonder Baby Bargain lists the Nook as its number two high chair choice.
Modern Style Options
Caregivers looking for a functional high chair that fits seamlessly into high-end home décor will love these options. Whether you love modernism, minimalism, or conceptual styles, there's a high chair for you that incorporates one-of-a-kind features. While these options look great, they are often more expensive than other seat styles.
Svan Wooden Chair
To get the most modern style for your buck, check out the Svan Wooden High Chair. Its unique, modern design, paired with solid wood construction, fit right in with adult furniture as it looks like an expensive hand-carved sculpture. A U-shaped base, seat and foot tray create visual interest while supporting your baby. The wooden tray comes with a dishwasher-safe cover for easier cleaning. Seat depth can be adjusted to fit babies ages 6 months and older up through childhood. This style comes in espresso, mahogany, or whitewash finishes for just under $100. This futuristic-looking high chair gets high marks for appearance and is listed in Redbook Magazine as one of the most stylish and functional high chairs available.
Boon Flair High Chair
Get space-age style and features with the Boon Flair High Chair loved by parents and parenting magazines for its ease of use and sleek look. The features that set this seat apart seat are its one-piece seat that's free of tricky cracks and crevices, leaving you with a truly clean chair and the pneumatic lift. To change the height of the chair, push the button on the base with your foot.
With a large, pedestal shape, this seat rolls around the floor seamlessly so you can move baby wherever you are. The large seat also accommodates kids up to age 4, or 50 pounds, so you'll be able to use it for the long-haul. Choose between a white/orange or gray/green color scheme for just under $250.
Baby Bjorn
Because of its simple looking design and hidden safety features, the Baby Bjorn High Chair is a top pick by parents. The A-frame legs hold up a single elongated seat unit complete with footrest. A rounded back seat and locking tray keep your baby in place comfortably and promote proper posture without the use of a tricky harness system. Thanks to the expert minimalist design, the seat is completely washable with no cracks to catch crumbs. It folds up flat for easy storage, comes in black/white, and sells for under $300.
Shopping Considerations
With so many options available choosing one high chair to purchase can be overwhelming. Make your shopping experience easier by considering your needs before you start looking for products.
- What is your budget?
- How old is your baby and how capable is she of sitting up or holding her head up?
- Which features are most important to you?
- Do you have preferences for types of materials used in production?
- Is there a specific decorative theme or color you are looking for?
- Where will you be using the high chair most?
- How much time do you have to spend on mealtimes and cleaning?
- Who will be doing most of the feeding?
Once you've answered these questions you'll have a good idea of exactly what kind of chair you are looking for. When possible ask friends and family to share personal experiences with different high chairs and see if you can stop by and test theirs out with your baby. Now you can start searching for options that fit within your parameters.
Make the Most of Meals
The right high chair keeps your baby happy during meals and is convenient for caregivers. Different people have different needs, but finding the perfect high chair for your family is possible.
