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
- Graco Table2Table Premier Fold 7 in 1 Convertible High Chair
- Inglesina My Time High Chair
- Munchkin Float Foldable Baby and Toddler High Chair
- Best Chairtop High Chair: FisherPrice Spacesaver
- 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 Nomi 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 folding high chair. 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 Convertible High Chair
Graco Table2Table Premier Fold 7 in 1 Convertible High Chair
Yes, you read that right: 7 in 1! This high chair by leading baby gear brand features 7 configurations for different stages of growth. As a standard high chair, it has 5 height adjustments and a three-position removable footrest. When your child is ready to sit at the table, the legs come off to create a booster seat with or without the tray. The tray can also create a toddler-sized table and chair. And lastly, you can actually create two seats out of the one high chair!
Specs
- Dimensions: 24″D x 27″W x 44″H
- Max. Weight Recommendation: 50 lbs.
- Dishwasher-safe tray insert
“This is our third highchair and is far and above our favorite. The wheels are a GREAT Feature for easy moving around. I love that the seat [pad] is machine washable but is also very easy to wipe down after each use. The dishwasher approved tray is awesome. Though I usually just hand wash mine. The seat was very easy to put together. Love that the tray is SO big. Baby drops very little food in his lap. The only feature I find a little troublesome is getting the tray on. It seems hard to click into place but with baby buckled in it’s not a big deal and I would certainly still recommend this product! Easy one hand removable.”—Amazon review
Cons
Some reviewers share that the tray is heavy and difficult to attach. They also note some troubles with the leg divider design being attached to the tray. Some mention the leg holes and seat space are on the tighter size for their larger-than-average children. One reviewer also expressed her disappointment that this isn’t a freestanding folding high chair.
Best for Small Spaces
Inglesina My time High Chair
Designed to grow with your child, the Inglesina My Time High Chair is suitable for children up to 36 months (or up to 33 pounds). The removable tray is dishwasher-safe, and the leatherette padding easily wipes clean with a sponge. The Inglesina My Time High Chair features an ergonomic design with 4 adjustable height positions and 3 reclining positions. Best of all, this high chair is incredibly compact when folded—and it even stands on its own!
Specs
- Dimensions: 22″D x 30.3″W x 41.5″H
- Height of tray in highest position: 34.5″
- Height of tray in lowest position: 26.5″
- Seat dimensions: 11.5″ W x 19″ H
- Max. Weight Recommendation: 33 lbs.
- Free from BPA, BPS, flame retardants, phthalates, and lead
“I was looking for a comfortable high chair but easy to clean with a tray and movable around the house. This hit every want. We love the fabric of the chair, it looks so nice and comfortable and very easy to wipe clean. We love that the tray can be removed with one hand. We also love the harness for added safety. So much more to love….different heights, reclines and was very easy to assemble! Definitely buy this, you won’t regret it!”—Amazon review
Cons
Some reviews mention this high chair is a tight squeeze for bigger babies. Some still find cleaning difficult despite the brand’s promise of easy cleaning. The seat cover is washing machine-safe, but it must be air-dried, which some users say takes a very long time.
Best for Small Spaces Runner-Up
Munchkin® Float™ Foldable Baby and Toddler High Chair
Lightweight and great for small spaces, the Munchkin Float has a sleek, modern design and folds for your convenience. The one-piece seats is easy to clean, and the tray hooks onto the back of the seat for compact storage. Both the footrest and the 5-point harness are adjustable for the safety and comfort of your little one. Parents will also love that this high chair requires no tools for assembly!
Specs
- Dimensions: 25.2″D x 21.25″W x 33.8″H
- Max. Weight Recommendation: 33 lbs.
- All surfaces are easy to wipe with no crevices
“I ordered this highchair because it was good for small spaces and easy to clean and it is exactly that! Super lightweight, it folds for easy storage and it’s really easy to wipe down.”—Amazon review
Cons
Some reviews mention the straps are on the bigger side even when adjusted to their tightest position. They’ve found that smaller babies aren’t secure enough in this seat. There also seems to be some confusion about whether or not the straps are removable. One reviewer ensures they are removable and machine washable, though many others argue against that.
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 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 ReviewSpecs
- 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 Chair
Stokke Nomi High Chair
The rounded, seamless contours of the Nomi High Chair allow for comfortable, unrestricted movement to aid toddler development. Its unique design allows toddlers to sit up to the table with the rest of the family for mealtime or playtime, Clocking in just under 14 pounds, this high chair is light enough to move around easily but sturdy enough to hold up to 330 lbs. With features like an ergonomic backrest, five-point safety harness, and adjustable seat and footrest, your child's safety and comfort are ensure.
Specs:
- Weight: 13.8 pounds
- Weight limit: 330 pounds
- Dimensions: 26 x 21 x 33 inches
- Available in 3 colors with 5 different wood options
“This chair is so easy to clean and baby is very happy eating in it. We have a different chair from an older child but switched to this and everyone is happier. Baby will sit and eat for longer and is positioned properly (leaning forward, feet on foot rest). It has a wide footprint to keep it sturdy but it is very low-profile and doesn’t add a lot of visual clutter like other high chairs. I do not have a tray and haven’t missed it yet.“-Amazon.com review
Cons
Some customers find the Nomi high chair difficult to put together, saying it requires an extra set of hands.
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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