Best highchairs
- Best highchair overall:Stokke Tripp Trapp
- Best wooden highchair:Abiie Beyond Junior Y Highchair
- Best highchair with footrest:Keekaroo Height Right High Chair + Tray
- Best compact highchair:Graco Slim Snacker High Chair
- Best cheap highchair:Cosco Simple Fold
- Best highchair for small spaces:Fisher-Price Spacesaver Simple Clean High Feeding Chair
- Best highchair for the grandparents’ house:Joovy Nook High Chair
- Best easy to clean highchair:Ikea Antilop
- Best convertible highchair:Graco Blossom 6 in 1 Convertible High Chair
- Best sustainable highchair:Century Dine On 4-in-1 High Chair
- Best simple highchair:Chicco Polly Highchair
- Best grow-with-me highchair:Evenflo Eat & Grow 4-Mode High Chair
- Highchair safety notes
A highchair is the key that unlocks years of family dinners, the shift between feeding your baby in your lap or a pillow and welcoming your baby to the table to eat along with the rest of your family.
But even though highchairs can bring joyful moments, they can also be a downright hassle: hard to adjust, the wrong height for your table, rickety, space-gobbling, and hard to clean. Not to mention, they come in a wide variety of styles and prices, making it even harder (though not impossible) to find the best highchair for your needs.
Since you'll be using your highchair every single day (at least until your baby can upgrade to a booster chair), it's worth putting in the effort given to find the right one.
Do you need a highchair?
If you want your child to sit still (or, at least, more still) at mealtimes, yes. Highchairs have safety straps and often a tray to keep your child in place and help them sit upright. They also make it so your child is at eye level with everyone around the table, allowing them to enjoy food and taking part in the conversation (even before they can talk!). Highchairs also help contain mess, and whenever babies and food are involved, there will be mess.
When can babies sit in a highchair?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, your baby may be ready for solidsOpens a new window between 4 to 6 months. This is usually when their digestive system evolves to handle foods other than milk. Some signs your child might be ready for solids include:
- Head control: Your baby should have good head control when sitting in a highchair or other seat.
- Size: In general, when babies double their birth weight (which usually happens at 4 months) and weigh at least 13 pounds, they're big enough for solids.
- Sitting: Babies ready for solids should be able to sit up in a highchair (they may still need some propping).
- Interest: Babies will intently watch you eat, reach for your food, and eagerly open their mouths when food comes near.
You can always ask your child's pediatrician if you have questions about your nutrition, including worries about how much (or how little) your child is eating. The AAP also recommends consulting your pediatricianOpens a new window about iron and vitamin D supplements and the right time to introduce peanuts. You should also talk with your child's doctor when starting solids if your baby has reflux, or you notice stools becoming loose, watery, or mucous-y (though bits of undigested food such as vegetable skin are normal).
What kind of highchair do you need?
Highchairs vary in material, structure, and size; the type you choose depends on your circumstances. The most common styles include:
- Wood: A more classic option, these sturdy and understated chairs are usually more expensive. But the price may be worth it, as many convert to chairs that can hold older kids or even adults.
- Plastic and metal: These models are generally less expensive than wooden highchairs, as well as lighter and more portable. Some are made to fold flat for storage; others are equipped with wheels to move easily around your house.
- Convertible: They can be made of any material, but these chairs are designed to fill more than one need. They may recline and function as an infant chair, or have parts that, when added or removed, can hold children at different stages.
- Booster: These space-saving chairs are made to fasten to your regular dining room or kitchen chairs and “boost” kids up to the right height to eat at the table.
- Clip-on or hook-on: Fastening onto your dining room or kitchen table, these chairs take up no floor space. Many come with travel bags for easy transport. The AAP does not recommend hook-on highchairs as a substitute for freestanding chairs. Opens a new window
- Portable: Made of fabric, metal, and/or plastic, these chairs are made to take with you to Grandma's or outings. They frequently fold flat or are very lightweight.
What to look for in a highchair
Highchairs these days have lots of bells and whistles, but what do you actually need? Here's what to consider:
- Type: Basic highchairs, full-feature highchairs, and portable highchairs can all work fine, so consider your needs and space constraints. Some highchairs fold up compactly or disassemble for storage.
- Tray: The most convenient option is one with a tray that detaches easily and fits in the sink or dishwasher for cleaning (some trays also have a removable, dishwasher-safe cover). Many chairs with detachable trays can be pulled up to the table so your child can join a family meal.
- Ease of cleaning: Food will find its way into every crack and crevice of a highchair's seat and straps. These features should be simple to wipe clean or (ideally) come off so you can give them a thorough cleaning or even toss them in the washing machine.
- Versatility: Some highchairs have seats that recline fully, allowing you to give younger babies a bottle or let your newborn hang out there while you're cooking (though if they fall asleep, make sure to move them to a firm, flat, safe sleep surface Opens a new window as soon as possible, as the AAP recommends). And other highchairs convert to a booster seat or kid-size chair to use when your child is older.
- Adjustability: A highchair that grows with your child – with an adjustable height and footrest – is helpful, because you can keep moving the seat and footrest down as your child grows taller. And one with an adjustable tray will ensure that your child's tummy isn't squeezed as he grows. Each adjustment should lock securely into place.
- Comfort: Padded seats are easier on your baby's bottom.
- Sturdiness: A highchair with a wide base will be sturdy and won't tip easily.
- Safety: Your highchair should have an adjustable 3-point or 5-point harness or safety belt to keep your child from standing up or slipping out. Children can be badly injured by falling out of a highchair, so always supervise your child and keep safety straps buckled.
- Looks: It isn't the most important consideration, but you'll be looking at the chair your choose for some time, so make sure you can stand looking at it.
How we chose the best highchairs
We searched BabyCenter's Community for positive recommendations on highchairs from many different sources and over the past few years. Once we found the highchairs parents recommended to each other, we vetted each to find standouts for their portability, versatility, ease of cleaning, comfort, attractiveness, and other qualities.
The result? This list of the very best highchairs parents can buy.
Why trust us?
BabyCenter's reviews are created based on parents' real-life experiences using products - experiences of editors and writers who are parents themselves, and also of the millions of parents and pregnant women who make up the BabyCenter Community. Our editorial team uses these insights, as well as feedback from the doctors and other experts on our Medical Advisory Board, to give you accurate and fact-based information, including the pros and cons of different products. That way, you can decide what's best for you and your family. Learn moreBest highchair overall
Stokke Tripp Trapp
The iconic chair is a favorite of parents who appreciate fine design and function. Made of European beech wood, the Tripp Trapp is a sturdy highchair that has very few nooks and crannies for food to get stuck, making it a breeze to clean. It's an investment, but a worthwhile one if you can swing it, especially given the chair’s longevity. The Tripp Trapp transforms from a baby chair with a five-point harness to a sturdy kitchen-table chair that can hold adults up to 300 pounds.
Pediatricians praise the Tripp Trapp for encouraging proper posture; parents appreciate that their kids sit comfortably still in it. Available in 13 colors from neutral to bright, this is one chair you won't mind seeing every day.
Heads up
The chair we link to here is the version with the Tripp Trapp baby set, a small harnessed seat for babies 6 months and up. Other accessories are sold separately, including a cushionOpens a new window for the wooden seat, and a tray,Opens a new window which increases costs considerably.
Parents say
"If you can afford the Stokke go for it. I've seen so many pediatric dietitians recommend it because it can promote the correct posture/balance for children to eat."
"We have the Stokke Tripp Trapp that my toddler uses and will be getting a second for this baby. It’s so worth the money; my 2.5yr old loves his chair and it even supports my weight."
"It is amazing and turns into a usable seat when they get older. So well made. I was shocked at how many highchairs felt cheap and easily breakable."
Specs
- Dimensions: 19.29 x 18.11 x 31.1 inches
- Weight: Unavailable
- Maximum weight: 300 pounds
- Recommended for 6 months and up
Best wooden highchair
Abiie Beyond Junior Y Highchair
Many parents think of the Abiie as a competitor to the Stokke Tripp Trapp (many even prefer it!). It comes fully loaded with everything you need to seat your baby comfortably — footrest, back cushion, cushioned seat, and tray — instead of requiring parents to buy accessories separately, so it's a lot less expensive. It easily adjusts to hold a baby, toddler, little kid, or an adult weighing up to 250 pounds, and looks beautiful with its high-quality European beech wood construction and subtle colorways.
Heads up
Note that the Abiee doesn't fold compactly like other options on the list, and thus isn't as easy to store.
Parents say
"We have the Abiie and really like it. You can easily clean it and I like that it's wood and not plastic. She sits nice and straight and it grows with her. Would recommend it."
"Cheaper than the Stokke and better in my opinion."
"We have an Abiie Beyond chair and I loooove it. A bit pricey but worth it."
Specs
- Dimensions: 21 x 17.6 x 34.5 inches
- Weight: 18 pounds
- Maximum weight: 250 pounds
- Recommended for babies 6 months and up
Best highchair with footrest
Keekaroo Height Right High Chair + Tray
 $200 | AmazonOpens a new window |
 $200 | TargetOpens a new window |
If you're in the market for a wooden highchair of this style (great looking, high quality, long lasting, expensive), there will probably come a moment when you'll ask yourself "Stokke, Keekaroo, or Abiie?" So here are the reasons to consider the Keekaroo: At a lower price tag than the Abiie, the Keekaroo comes with a nice, wide, adjustable footrest, cushioned infant seat, and tray. You can adjust it instantly in one-inch increments to the perfect height for almost any occupant or table,
Heads up
Unlike the fabric parts of the Tripp Trapp or the Abiie Beyond, the Keekaroo's cushioned seat only comes in natural color. You can purchase, bundled or for about $40 separately, an infant insertOpens a new window that comes in several colors including aqua, lime, and red.
Parents say
"Keekaroo all the way! Once you see and feel both in person, you will feel the same way."
"We have this highchair from our first child and I didn’t spend that much on it, I used a 50% coupon. But our son is 3 and still uses it as a chair without the tray. We loved it. For this baby we are getting another one because our son isn’t ready to give it up. The best thing about it is it holds up to 250 pounds so your child takes a long time to grow out of it."
Specs
- Dimensions: 21.5 x 17.75 x 33.5 inches
- Weight: 14.5 pounds
- Maximum weight: 250 pounds
- Recommended for babies 6 months and up
Best compact highchair
Graco Slim Snacker High Chair
It's such a simple and pared-down option, but the Graco Slim Snacker truly has everything mission-critical for a dining station at a nice friendly price. But there’s one particular feature appreciated by parents who live in pared-down spaces: it folds in half into a self-standing column so slender that it can slide next to awkward spaces like next to the fridge. The big tray, cushy pad, and three-position recline are icing on the cake.
Heads up
The seat pad is machine-washable, but only on cold, and you must drip-dry it.
Parents say
"The Graco slim snacker high chair is actually really nice. My mom has it at her house for when she babysits and it’s awesome. And it folds up to put away when it’s not in use. It also is pretty affordable too compared to all these $100 high chairs."
"It's cushiony, comfy, and secure. It's easily foldable (with one hand) for compact storage, and easy to clean. My LO is a wiggleworm, so I wanted one that felt extremely sturdy, and this hits the mark. It also has two recline positions in addition to sitting straight upright. I did a lot of research on high chairs before I found the one that would work for us."
"We have this one, and love it! It folds up easily (you literally only need one hand to do it), and takes up very little space when folded. My LO loves it, too."
Specs
- Dimensions: 24 x 35.35 x 40.75 inches
- Weight: Unavailable
- Maximum weight: 40 pounds
- Recommended for children up to age 3
Best cheap highchair
Cosco Simple Fold
For a rock-bottom price (you can often find it on sale priced below its $47 MSRP), this highchair is a winner: It holds kids up to 50 pounds, has a comfortable adjustable footrest and fabric–padded seat, and reclines to three different positions for your baby's comfort. And when folded, this seat stands by itself and slides into very small spaces.
Heads up
The seat's fabric parts are not removable, and, parents say, not that easy to clean.
Parents say
"We use the Cosco Simple Fold high chairs. They fold up nice and small and they were $40 at Target."
"We love it! $35, easy to move around, folds flat for storage, and it goes up to 50 pounds."
"I got a fancy one for my shower with my son, but I ended up using the Cosco Simple Fold one as our daily driver."
Specs
- Dimensions: 24 x 30 x 33 inches
- Weight: Unavailable
- Maximum weight: 50 pounds
- Recommended for babies 6 months and up
Best highchair for small spaces
Fisher-Price Spacesaver Simple Clean High Feeding Chair
If your kitchen or dining room is on the small side, this ingenious and inexpensive parent favorite is a great option. It firmly straps to just about any chair at the table, and boosts your child up comfortably. The seat's fabric cushion is washer- and dryer-safe, and the whole chair is sleek and smooth, with few crevices to get gunky. The seat reclines for littler eaters, and the integrated tray is enormous enough to contain all manner of messes.
Heads up
Unlike earlier versions of this chair, the Spacesaver Simple Clean does not fold for travel.
Parents say
"We love ours! It doesn’t take up much space, it’s easy to clean, comfy for her and it grows with our girl. We bought one for my parent’s house too."
"I am planning on using the Fisher Price Spacesaver Simple Clean high chair which is more like a large booster. The tray can be put directly into the dishwasher. The whole system converts as the child ages and it is more portable and does not take up much space. The padding can be removed and cleaned."
Specs
- Dimensions: 20.4 x 20.4 x 20.8 inches
- Weight: Unavailable
- Maximum weight: 50 pounds
- Use upright position only for babies who can sit up unassisted
Best highchair for the grandparents’ house
Joovy Nook High Chair
| $140 | AmazonOpens a new window |
| $140 | TargetOpens a new window |
A simple highchair that folds compactly in between uses, the Joovy Nook is perfect for parents and caregivers who just want a chair that works well and isn't a pain to store. It's assembled right out of the box; just unfold, fasten your baby in, and you're good to go. The tray swings open and shut one-handed, the leather-look cover wipes clean and comes in sophisticated colors, and in between meals, it folds flat and stands by itself so it slides easily into a pantry or closet.
Heads up
Note that the Nook's fabrics are wipe-clean, not washable.
Parents say
"Joovy Nook folds to the size of a lawn chair."
"I went with the Joovy Nook. It folds super small (and with one hand), which is what I was after because I needed two and have no space in my small apartment."
Specs
- Dimensions: (unfolded) 41 x 23.5 x 32 inches; (folded) 9 x 23.5 x 28.5 inches
- Weight: 15 pounds
- Maximum weight 50 pounds
- Recommended for children from 6 months-5 years
Best easy to clean highchair
If you're looking for something sleek, modern, and extremely affordable, the Ikea Antilop is your best bet. It's easy to disassemble and store or take with you, and the removable tray allows you to sit your little one at the table with the rest of the family. Parents of multiples appreciate that you can stack one Antilop on top of the other, which helps keep them out of the way. Since it's made from smooth plastic, cleaning up the Antilop is a breeze. (The safety belt is removable and washable, too.)
Heads up
The tray can be difficult to remove at first, but does get easier the more you use it. Also, you may want to buy Ikea's support pillowOpens a new window ($6) with a removable cover Opens a new window($5) to make this more comfortable for your little one.
Parents say
"The Ikea Antilop chair is the only one I've ever used for my kids. It's a really easy chair to clean. You can hose it down in the garage in the summer!"
"We used the IKEA ANTILOP with our first and will be using again with this one. It’s so easy to clean and you can buy a seat insert if you want more cushion for your LO. The only con is that it doesn’t have a footrest, but you can find them on Etsy. I’ve also seen some Instagram accounts that make and sell footrests & other accessories for it."
"We have it and love it! I'm so happy I didn't spend $200 on another highchair."
Specs
- Dimensions: 22 x 24 3/8 x 35 3/8 inches
- Weight: 8 pounds
- Maximum weight: 33 pounds
- Recommended for children up to 3 years
Best convertible highchair
Graco Blossom 6 in 1 Convertible High Chair
| $200 | AmazonOpens a new window |
| $200 | TargetOpens a new window |
Versatility is the name of the game with the Graco Blossom. It has six configurations: infant highchair with recline, regular highchair, infant booster seat, toddler booster seat, youth chair, and two kids (you can use different parts of the same highchair to seat two children at once). There are six height adjustments and three recline positions, and a one-handed removable tray with a dishwasher-safe insert.
Heads up
This is a heavy chair with a larger footprint, and it doesn't fold down, so make sure you have the room for it. Some parents say that it's difficult to clean.
Parents say
"Super sturdy, tons of options including ability to pull up to table, comfortable enough even when they grow, my 3-year-old still sits in it when he wants to sit for a long time to paint or color. Highly recommend."
"The fabric easily comes off to wash and you can use it through all their stages!"
"It has great padding and the material is super easy to wipe down."
Specs
- Dimensions: 22.5 x 41 x 29 inches
- Weight: 32.56 pounds
- Maximum weight: (highchair) 40 pounds; (toddler booster) 60 pounds
- Recommended for infants to age 3
Best sustainable highchair
Century Dine On 4-in-1 High Chair
When parents recommend the Century Dine On to each other (and they do!), they focus on three things: the chair's versatility, the sustainable/environmentally friendly design, and the moderate price. The Dine On transforms from mode to mode as your baby grows, from an infant highchair to a booster that straps on to your dining chairs, to a countertop stool, to finally a big kid chair to use at a low table. It's a whole lot of use for the price, particularly since the fabrics are made of recycled plastic water bottles.
Heads up
Some parents say that assembly is a bit of a pain
Parents say
"I love it cause as they get older you can change the highchair."
Specs
- Dimensions: 23 x 25 x 41 inches
- Weight: Unavailable
- Maximum weight (highchair and booster): 40 pounds; (stool and chair) 60 pounds
- Recommended for children up to age 3 (highchair and booster) or age 6 (stool and chair)
Best simple highchair
Chicco Polly Highchair
| $140 | AmazonOpens a new window |
| $140 | TargetOpens a new window |
Parents like the Chicco Polly because it has all the features of a more expensive highchair, plus a clean and modern look. It also folds very compactly – to just 8 inches wide – so you can easily roll it into a corner of your kitchen when it's not in use. The seat has three recline positions, so you can use it for younger babies who are taking bottles but not eating solids yet. There are seven height adjustments, making it simple to place the highchair at the table. The tray pops off with one hand and has a removable liner that can go in the dishwasher.
Heads up
Parents say there are too many crevices for food to get stuck in.
Parents say
"We have the Chicco Polly, and this will be my third child using it. It has held up great."
"I love the Chicco Polly. It folds for easy storage, has easy-to-clean seat padding, and is on wheels that roll really nicely."
Specs
- Dimensions: 33 x 21.5 x 41 inches
- Weight: 23.2 pounds
- Maximum weight: 40 pounds
- Recommended for children who can sit upright unassisted or weigh over 20 pounds to age 3
Best grow-with-me highchair
Evenflo Eat & Grow 4-Mode High Chair
"How can this highchair do so much and cost so little?" is what you'll be asking yourself once you get a load of the Eat & Grow. It seamlessly converts from a high chair for infants to a toddler dining chair that sits on the floor. Once your child's outgrown that, the tray and harness comes off to make a comfy toddler chair, and then, when your child is ready, the highchair's footrest and lower legs become a table, with a matching chair to sit in. We also like the machine-washable fabric seat, which comes in interesting patterns and colors.
Heads up
This highchair has a polarizing appearance: some find it pleasantly vintage-look, others think it's cheesy. It's also worth noting that this chair does not fold for storage, so you'll be looking at it a lot.
Parents say
"I had the Evenflo 4-in-1 a few years back. My little boy still uses it since it can be used as a table and chair. I'm thinking of going down that route for my next baby."
Specs
- Dimensions: 21.75 x 37 x 24 inches
- Weight: 11.6 pounds
- Maximum weight: 50 pounds
- Recommended for children from 6 months to 50 pounds
Highchair safety notes
When used correctly, highchairs are safe for children. But they carry with them a danger of falls, so the AAP recommends parents watch out for the following:
- Use safety straps, including the crotch strap, to keep your child from slipping down and potentially strangling.
- Never allow your child to stand up in the highchair.
- Place your highchair where your child cannot kick against a table or other surface and tip over.
- Ensure that your highchair is stable and doesn't tip easily.
- If your chair folds, lock it each time you store it.
- Supervise your child when in the highchair.
- Do not allow older children to play on or climb your highchair.
- Highchairs that are freestanding are preferred over styles that hook onto a table. If you do use a hook on style, look for one that locks onto a table, ensure that the table won't tip with your child's weight on it, and fasten your child where they can't kick against a table support, which could dislodge the seat.
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Our research
AAP. 2022. American Academy of Pediatrics. "Starting Solid Foods." https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Starting-Solid-Foods.aspx [Accessed September 2002]
AAP. 2022. American Academy of Pediatrics. "6 Quick High Chair Safety Tips." https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/High-Chair-Safety-Tips.aspx [Accessed September 2002]
AAP. 2009. American Academy of Pediatrics. "Self-Feeding." https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/nutrition/Pages/Self-Feeding.aspx [Accessed September 2002]
AAP. 2018. American Academy of Pediatrics. "Bite-Sized Milestones: Signs of Solid Food Readiness." https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Bite-Sized-Milestones-Signs-of-Solid-Food-Readiness-.aspx [Accessed September 2002]
AAP. 2022. American Academy of Pediatrics. "How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained." https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/A-Parents-Guide-to-Safe-Sleep.aspx [Accessed September 2002]
