Want to compare the very best high chairs for 2020 for your little one?
Babies grow up so fast… it probably seems like he or she was only born yesterday! And now you’re researching the best high chairs, because your baby is ready to start eating solids.
So, no matter if you’re looking for the best budget high chairs or the best space-saving high chairs, this review will have you covered.
Do I Need A High Chair?
Yes, you need a high chair. You might be surprised by how much mess your baby can create at mealtimes – you’ll want that mess contained to a high chair.
A high chair will give your baby somewhere comfortable to eat their dinner. The seat is designed to keep your baby in an upright position to allow them to eat safely. And, best of all, they are designed with weaning babies in mind so you can be sure they will wipe clean!
How Do I Choose A High Chair?
Before you part with your hard-earned money, you’ll want to be sure you’ve found the best baby high chair. Ask your friends and family members for their high chair reviews and search online to find other trustworthy high chair reviews.
Here are some things to consider while choosing your high chair:
- Where It Will Go
Think about where the high chair will be used. Will it be permanently set up at the family dining table, or does it need to fold down between uses? Do you need a portable high chair or a foldable high chair? How big is the space it needs to fit in? Some high chairs have a particularly wide base which may not work in a tight space. Try to imagine how the high chair will be used and where it will be set up in your home.
- Safety
You will need to choose a high chair for baby with safety features that grow with your baby. While a six-month-old will probably be happy to sit in the chair at mealtimes, a toddler will be looking for ways to climb out. You will want a high chair with a safety harness to keep them strapped in. It’s always worth speaking to other parents to see what they do and don’t like about their high chairs. Go and look at your shortlist of high chairs in person, so you can get a feel for how sturdy they are.
- How Easy It Will Be To Keep Clean
High chairs are gross. By the end of breakfast, they are covered in mushed-up banana, dried porridge, and spilt milk. Your baby will use all food to express themselves artistically. Pasta sauce will end up in their hair and every crevice of the high chair. The high chair will need cleaning after every meal, so be sure to get an easy-to-clean high chair. Ideally, you want something you can quickly wipe down after every meal.
What Is The Best High Chair?
So, are you ready to know the answer to, “what is the best high chair for my baby?”
Searching online for the best baby high chair can be exhausting, so we’ve done the work for you.
Here are BellyBelly’s top picks when it comes to the best high chairs of 2020.
Practical Pick – Graco Blossom 6-in-1 High Chair
The Graco Blossom 6-in-1 is perfect for those who want a versatile high chair that will last your baby right through to toddlerhood.
You can alter the height of the seat and position of the footrest so the high chair can grow with your child. There are six different height settings so that the chair will go with most tables. You’ll be able to set your baby up at the right height so they can enjoy sitting at the dining table with the rest of you.
The high chair comes with a seat pad to provide a comfy place for your baby to sit. The fabric seat pad is machine washable or can be wiped clean to save time. The tray can be removed with just one hand – this will be ideal during busy mealtimes when you’re trying not to get food all over your clothes. The highchair has wheels so you can easily move it into position.
The Graco Blossom 6-in-1 Highchair comes with a booster seat that can be used separately. This is great for leaving at the grandparents’ for when they babysit. Or you can use it with your older child while your baby makes use of the high chair.
Cons:
Some parents find the seat pad hard to clean, with food getting stuck in hard-to-reach places. Though it is machine washable, this isn’t practical every day. The Graco Blossom 6-in-1 High Chair can’t be folded down between uses, so you’ll need room for it to stay up permanently. If you’re looking for a foldable high chair, this isn’t the one for you.
Find out more here.
Grab n’ Go – Inglesina Fast Table Chair
If you want a portable high chair that won’t take up much space and that will travel easily with you, then look no further.
The Inglesina Fast Table Chair is the best travel high chair; it doesn’t have a huge base or heavy legs; it’s simply a compact seat that clamps on to your table. The travel high chair’s fabric seat cover can be hand washed to remove any dirt.
It couldn’t be more convenient. You clamp it to the table, and you’re good to go. You can use this at your dining table, at your breakfast bar, and in restaurants.
The clamp is designed to attach to pretty much any table so that you can get plenty of use out of it. The portable high chair folds down and fits in a travel bag so you can take it with you wherever you go.
The seat doesn’t have legs or a base getting in the way, so it’s the best high chair for small spaces and breakfast bars. Your baby will be in on the action at the table with the rest of you. The style of the seat means your baby will always be at the right height for the table.
Cons:
The Inglesina Fast Table Chair attaches to an existing table, so it doesn’t come with a separate tray for your baby to eat off. This means all the mess your baby makes will be right on your table.
Find out more here.
Budget Buy – Ikea ANTILOP High Chair
The Antilop high chair is Ikea’s high chair. It is cheap and looks good, but you may be wondering ‘is the Ikea high chair good?’ Simply put, yes, the Ikea high chair is great.
The Antilop high chair is arguably an iconic high chair of our time, but why is it so popular amongst modern parents? Firstly, it’s affordable. This high chair won’t break the bank. It has a simple design and modern look. This plastic high chair is easy to wipe clean after every meal and can be disassembled for a more thorough clean.
Unlike their other products, the Antilop is easy to put together and takes just two minutes to assemble. You don’t need any special tools or alan keys. The Antilop High Chair is lightweight and can easily be moved around the house. The wide base means it is sturdy and feels safe for your baby.
This high chair can be used with the tray, or you can use it without the tray and push the chair up against your dining table so that your baby can eat with the family. The best thing about this hair chair is the price. It is cheap and gets the job done. Many parents buy a second one to keep at the grandparents’.
Cons:
This is a basic high chair, so you don’t get any extras for your money. If you want a cushion to support a younger baby to sit up comfortably, you’ll need to fork out a little more money. However, this allows you to only spend money on the bits you need, so if you don’t need a cushion, you don’t pay for one.
There is only one height setting, so you won’t be able to alter the height of the seat as your baby grows. The seat also doesn’t have a footrest which may make it less comfortable for your baby. Some parents find the tray difficult to remove, though it can be left on between uses.
Find out more here. Also, check out these super cute Ikea Antilop high chair seat covers.
Easy to Clean – Boon Flair Pedestal Highchair
Weaning is a messy business, so an easy-to-clean high chair is a wise investment. The Boon Flair Pedestal High Chair has a sleek, modern design that will give your kitchen the wow factor.
The tray can be removed with one hand, making it the perfect high chair for those clingy baby days. And, if that wasn’t convenient enough, it also has a pneumatic drill so you can adjust the height easily. Press the button on the pedestal to adjust the height of the chair.
The Boon high chair baby tray is dishwasher safe, so you won’t have to scrub it by hand after every meal. The hair chair is designed to be easy-to-clean, so there are no nooks and crannies to attract crumbs and sticky foods. Instead, this high chair is smooth and easy to wipe down after each use. The seat pad is seamless and smooth, so there are no places for food to hide there either. The pad can be removed for an easy clean behind it, or it can go in the dishwasher for a more thorough clean.
The pedestal design means you don’t need to worry about anybody tripping over the high chair legs. This is an excellent design for use in smaller spaces. And, the Boon high chair is on castors which means it can be easily moved around the room. When it’s in the perfect spot, put the breaks on, and the chair will stay put.
Cons:
The Boon Flair Pedestal High Chair is one of the more expensive options when it comes to high chairs. You’ll need to decide whether the benefits are worth the extra price tag.
Find out more here.
Cute & Compact – Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair
This seat is great if you want to convert an existing dining chair into a high chair. You simply strap it onto the dining chair, and it provides a safe place for your baby to eat. It is a compact design, so it is excellent for taking on vacation.
This space-saving high chair turns a dining chair into a high chair, and this means it’s great for smaller houses. You don’t need to find extra space for a high chair; instead, you can turn a dining chair into your baby’s high chair.
There are two height settings, so this seat can grow with your baby. It is suitable from the newborn days right through to toddlerhood. The tray detaches and is dishwasher safe, allowing you to clean the tray easily after each use. The fabric seat pad can go in the washing machine. The deep tray is designed to try and prevent babies from hurling food onto the floor during meal times. The tray features a drink holder so your baby’s drink can stay away from the food mess.
The Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair is a great budget option for people looking to save space in their home.
Cons:
While the cover can be removed and placed in the washing machine, it’s not particularly convenient for an item that is guaranteed to get messy every single day. Some parents have found the seat and straps of this high chair hard to keep clean.
Find out more here.
Cool Convertible – OXO Tot Sprout High Chair
Parents rave about the tray on this baby high chair. The tray can be adjusted and removed with one hand, so you can sort the tray while holding your baby or a plate of food in your other hand.
Rather than tipping up on the worktop and spilling food all over your kitchen side, the OXO Tot Sprout High Chair baby tray stays flat, ensuring all food mess stays exactly where it should be. That might not sound overly exciting, but when there is dinner all over your floor and in your toddler’s hair, you’ll be thankful it isn’t also all over the kitchen worktop.
The Oxo high chair is a convertible high chair has a modern look and is arguably one of the best-looking highchairs on the market. It has a sleek, crisp aesthetic that will look at home in a contemporary kitchen. There are several different color options so you should be able to find one that matches your color scheme! The Oxo high chair even transforms into a big kid chair for older children.
The convertible high chair is easy to clean. The seat pads can be removed easily and wiped down to get rid of any stubborn food mess.
Cons:
This isn’t a folding high chair, so it will be a permanent fixture in your dining area. It also doesn’t recline, which means it’s not great for younger babies. The seat pad has a wipe-clean top, but the underside of the pad is fabric which means it isn’t as easy to keep clean. The seat pad is held in place with velcro which unfortunately also ends up covered in food mess.
Find out more here.
Command Center – Peg Perego Siesta Highchair
Peg Perego is a well-respected and long-established Italian brand that is well known around the world. The Peg Perego Siesta Highchair has the stylish and high-quality look you would expect from a popular Italian manufacturer.
The baby high chair folds down easily for storage. The faux-leather padded seat looks comfortable and stylish. The tray is big and has plenty of room for your baby’s food. The seat has five reclining positions and is suitable for newborn babies, so it’s a great place for your baby to relax while you eat your dinner. And, when your child is old enough to eat at the dining table, the chair boasts a whopping nine height settings so your child can sit level with the table.
The tray is easy to clean and doesn’t have any nooks and crannies where food could get stuck. It’s dishwasher safe, too, so you can stick it straight in the dishwasher after dinner.
Cons:
Some parents have found the 5-point harness fiddly to use, but it is crucial in keeping your baby safely strapped in during mealtimes. This high chair is quite bulky, so may not work in a tight space, but it can fold down small between uses.
Find out more here.
Folded High Chair – Joovy Nook High Chair
The Joovy Nook High Chair folds down small, which makes it perfect for families who like to travel. The portable high chair has a small footprint so it can fit in smaller spaces. It is a folding high chair and is lightweight, so it is great for taking to the grandparents’ house. It’s easy to fold down and open back up, which takes the hassle out of mealtimes when you need to put your high chair away after each meal.
The tray is nice and big, so it gives plenty of space for your baby’s dinner. The tray cover can be easily removed and is dishwasher safe, so it’s no hassle to clean it after use. The tray swings away from the chair on one side so that you can get your baby into the high chair. If you’d prefer to remove the tray entirely, you can do that too.
One of the best things about this high chair is that the tray position is adjustable. With a younger baby, you can move the tray closer to your baby to prevent excessive food spillage. With a toddler, you can leave them a little extra wriggle room between themselves and the seat, if you want to.
The high chair features a 5-point safety harness to keep your baby safely seated during mealtimes. It comes in a variety of colors so you can pick the one you love. The seat pad can be wiped-clean or, for a deep clean, you can put it in the washing machine. It’s an affordable high chair so it is a great option for anybody on a budget.
Cons:
The seat doesn’t recline, which means this seat is only recommended for babies who can sit up by themselves. If you’re looking for a baby high chair that can accommodate a newborn, then this isn’t the seat for you.
Find out more here.
FAQ Section
Why Should High Chairs Have A Footrest?
A footrest may make a toddler high chair comfier for your child. Most babies won’t be able to reach the footrest on their high chair, but a toddler with longer legs may benefit from having a footrest. Sitting in a high chair for long periods with their legs dangling may not be comfortable for your child.
Be aware that not all high chairs have footrests. If you plan to use the high chair long into toddlerhood, it’s worth investing in a baby and toddler high chair that comes with a footrest.
Even better, opt for one with a selection of footrest height settings so that the chair can grow with your child.
Are Old High Chairs Safe?
If you have a vintage high chair for baby, you may be wondering whether old high chairs are safe to use.
Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer to that question!
The gorgeous wooden baby high chair your sentimental parents have just brought down from their loft may be retro-chic, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. To figure out whether it’s safe, you need to research the safety guidelines for high chairs.
It is now recommended that high chairs have a permanent crotch restraint to keep children properly positioned and safe in the chairs. This has only come into effect recently, so your vintage high chair may not have this feature.
New high chairs also come with 3-point safety harnesses and are safety tested to ensure they are stable during use.
High chairs can be dangerous, so it’s essential you use one that meets all of the current safety standards. It may seem over the top to describe a high chair as dangerous, but accidents in the home do happen.
Between January 2011 and September 2017 there were 271 injuries and two fatalities related to high chairs. Always make sure that the baby products you use meet current safety regulations.
When Should A Baby Sit In A High Chair?
Wondering about what age you can put your baby in a high chair? High chair manufacturers will have a recommended age to use their products. Be sure to check the age recommendations before you buy a high chair, however generally this tends to be around 6 months of age.
Your baby will start sitting in their high chair when they’re ready to start eating solid foods (which is recommended at 6 months of age). You may find it helpful to start using a high chair just before so they can get used to the new arrangement.
Your baby will be able to use the high chair regularly when they master sitting up. If they can’t yet hold themselves up, they may end up slumped and uncomfortable in a high chair.
Sitting at a high chair at the dining table allows your baby to feel a part of family mealtimes, even before they have started eating! You could offer your baby toys to play with at the table if they’re not old enough to start eating solid food yet.
How Much Does A High Chair Cost?
If you’re looking to buy one soon, you may be wondering how much a high chair costs.
As with all baby products, high chairs come in all budgets. You can spend an absolute fortune or opt for one of the cheap high chairs. How much you spend will depend on many things, including your budget.
Don’t be tempted to spend more than you can afford on this purchase. Though you will want the right one for your needs, it’s not worth the stress of breaking the bank.
