We've got a bebepod and it's been great! DD loves it, even now she pulls it out and sits down in it. We used it for a while before we got the highchair and we sometimes take it around to MIL if she is eating there. She had chubby thighs as does niece and they both have no problems sitting in it.

Definitely get the tray, we never used it with just the pommel thing as we could put toys on the tray and she wouldn't keep dropping them.