13 of the best baby highchairs 2024
BY ANNABEL PORT
WHAT IS A HIGHCHAIR?
A highchair is a place to seat a baby when they start to eat solids.
DO YOU NEED A HIGHCHAIR?
Some feed their baby in the most upright position of a baby chair but this will get harder as they get older and a highchair will make weaning and feeding your baby a lot easier.
When do you start using one?
They are typically used when a baby is weaned at around six months old. For most highchairs, your child will need to be able to sit up on their own. Some models are very adaptable though and can be used as a place to put your baby from birth.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN TYPES OF HIGHCHAIRS?
Basic standalone chair: These are raised chairs that come with an attached tray. They cannot be adjusted. E.g. Ikea ANTILOP.
Adjustable standalone chair: These are raised chairs, usually with a tray, that are fully adjustable and often fold flat. E.g. Chicco Polly Magic Relax.
Convertible standalone chair: These are raised chairs, often with a tray, that have a much longer lifespan as they can be used from newborn up to adulthood. E.g. Stokke Tripp Trapp.
Booster seat: These can either be used low to the floor or strapped onto an adult chair. They sometimes also come with trays. E.g. Chicco Pocket Snax.
Clamp seat: These are fabric seats that clamp onto a table. They are very portable and sometimes also come with a tray. E.g. Phil and Teds Lobster.
Fabric seat: These are tied to a chair. They are great for travel as they are light and take up very little space. They do not come with a tray. E.g. totseat.
Which highchair should you get?
Which one you choose depends on a variety of factors. But the main ones are how much space you have at home, whether you need it to be easily portable, how long you want it to last and how much money you have to spend.
What features should you look out for?
Different height positions: So you can feed your baby from a variety of places and also position them at a table.
Under-seat storage: A shelf or basket under the seat can be handy for storing essentials.
A removable tray: These can be easier to clean, make it easier to get a baby in and out and enable a baby to also eat at the family table. Some are also dishwasher safe.
Tray inserts: Some trays also have removable, sectioned inserts which are good for baby-led weaning and dispense with the need for plates and bowls.
Adjustable tray: Check if the tray is also adjustable so you can change the distance between the tray and your child as they grow.
Cleaning: Look for a chair that’s easy to clean as they get very messy and avoid ones with little nooks and crannies where food can get trapped.
Storage: If you don’t have much space but want a standalone chair, make sure it folds flat. Some are free-standing when folded.
Harness: The chair should have a safety harness, which needs to be a minimum of a three-point harness and ideally a five-point harness.
Comfort: Some chairs are padded for extra comfort. This can also mean extra cleaning. Fabrics that are wipe clean or can go in the washing machine will make this easier. Armrests, footrests and calf support can make a chair more comfortable. It’s useful if any armrests are foldable.
Recline: A seat that can recline will be useful if your baby ever falls asleep in their high chair.
Castors: Some high chair legs have castors so they can be wheeled around.
How to check the safety of a highchair
All highchairs sold in the UK have to adhere to certain safety standards. These include that the base is wide enough that it doesn’t topple over, at least a three-point harness and no areas where little fingers can get trapped. To be sure these have been met, look for the British safety standard mark of BS 14988.
But of course, a baby should never be left alone in a highchair, especially when eating.
WHICH ARE THE THE BEST HIGHCHAIRS TO BUY?
Here are 13 of the best highchairs available to buy.
HOW WERE THEY SELECTED?
This list has been narrowed down to the very best with thorough research and the following considered:
Consumer reviews
Best-seller lists
Recommendations from industry experts
Award-winning products
Personal experience and the products loved by other parents
The list is updated annually. It was last updated on 31 January 2024.
If you buy through a link, we may earn a small affiliate commission. 5% of profits are donated to UK Baby Banks to help parents in need of essentials.
1. STOKKE TRIPP TRAPP®
A very popular, Scandinavian-designed chair can be used from birth (with the newborn insert) into adulthood.
It has been designed to fit at the dining table so a child can eat with their family.
A newborn insert, seat cushion, tray, placemat and safety straps can all be bought separately.
Made from beechwood and comes in a variety of colours.
This is one of the more expensive high chairs but it can last a lifetime.
2. IKEA ANTILOP HIGHCHAIR
A hugely popular highchair that is also excellent value for money.
Reasonably easy to take apart so it could lie flat in the boot of your car, for example.
Can be used from when a child is able to sit up unaided until they are 3 (or a maximum weight of 15kg).
Comes with a three-point safety harness.
Meets the requirements of safety standard EN 14988.
The tray has slightly raised edges to prevent things from spilling on the floor.
You can buy padded seat inserts separately to make it more comfortable.
3. JOIE BABY MIMZY SNACKER 2-IN-1
Grows with your child from 6 months until 15kg.
There are three seat reclines and three depths for the tray position.
The tray with a cup holder can be stored on the back of the legs when not in use.
The chair folds flat when not in use and this can be done with one hand.
SoftTouch five-point harness.
Oeko-Tex® certified fabrics.
There is a large storage basket underneath.
It weighs 6.25kg.
4. CHICCO POLLY MAGIC RELAX HIGH CHAIR
This chair can be used from birth until around 3 years old or a maximum of 15kg.
The backrest has three reclines, including near flat for newborn babies and there is a toy bar to entertain and stimulate.
Can fold flat and stand on its own.
The seat pad is leatherette and it also comes with a reducer for babies that is double-sided. One is a breathable mesh for summer and the other is a soft, warm fabric for winter.
There are four wheels to make it easy to move.
It can be adjusted to 8 different heights.
It has foldable armrests and a five-point harness.
The tray is removable and has a liner that is dishwasher safe.
The downside is that it has been described by some as quite bulky.
5. MAMAS & PAPAS SNAX HIGH CHAIR
Suitable from 6 months until 3 years old (or 15kg).
There are six height and three recline positions.
The seat has a wipe-clean pad and a five-point harness.
The back legs have lockable castor wheels.
The tray has a removable insert with different sections.
The tray itself is also removable and can be placed at three different distances from the child.
Folds flat and is self-standing.
A storage basket under the seat is handy for mealtime essentials.
The downsides are that the footrest is not adjustable and it is still quite bulky when folded down.
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6. CHICCO POCKET SNACK
A slightly different chair as it’s designed to be used low to the floor or strapped to an adult chair.
It can be used from six months until 3 years old (or 15kg).
The tray is adjustable and removable.
The chair has three height levels, a three-point harness and armrests.
A variety of colours are available.
One downside is that there is no seat pad so it’s not the comfiest of chairs.
7. COSATTO NOODLE 0+ HIGHCHAIR
Suitable from birth until 3 years old (or 15kg) as it has a cradle-like recline for newborns.
Available in a variety of lovely patterns.
There are 7 height adjustments and five recline positions.
It folds flat and is compact and freestanding.
The seat has a five-point harness and a PVC-lined seat pad that’s wipe-clean.
The removable tray is dishwasher safe on an eco-setting.
It has an adjustable footrest and calf support.
8. MAXI-COSI MINLA HIGHCHAIR
An award-winning high chair that can be used from birth with the newborn inlay up until six years old (or 30kg).
There are five reclines, nine heights, four tray positions and two footrest positions.
The seat has a water-repellent cover that is machine-washable and comes in three colours.
There’s a five-point harness that can be converted to a three-point harness.
The tray is removable with one hand.
The front legs are wheeled.
Folds flat when not in use.
The downside is it’s quite expensive and it doesn’t have an especially compact fold.
9. silver cross buffet highchair
Can be used from newborn until 15kg (around three years old).
Compact one-handed fold.
Four different reclines, seven height positions and three calf rest positions.
Comfy seat cover which is removable and wipe clean.
Detachable tray with dishwasher-safe divider.
Five-point safety harness.
The rear legs have wheels.
Weighs 6.9kg (7.9kg including the tray).
Comes with either a pink or grey seat.
10. Joie Multiply 6-in-1 highchair
Award-winning highchair which can be used in six different ways including booster, portable booster seat, toddler chair and play table.
Five different heights and the footrest has three heights.
The removable tray can adjust to four positions.
There is a dishwasher-safe non-slip tray insert.
Compact fold and stands when folded. The tray can be stored on the back legs.
For babies, there is a removable and washable seat insert. The standard seat pad is removable and wipeable.
Five-point harness.
The front legs have wheels.
Can be used from 6 - 72 months old.
Weighs 12.2kg.
11. Mamas & Papas juice highchair
Scandi-inspired high chair available in green and grey. It can’t be folded.
Suitable from six months until 15kg or around 5 years old. Part of the legs can be screwed off and the crotch post removed to convert it into a junior chair. Apart from this, it is not very adjustable.
Five-point harness.
Built-in carry handles on the seat.
The removable tray is dishwasher-safe.
Plastic foot caps on the legs prevent wooden floors from getting scratched.
The seamless seat pad can be removed for cleaning.
Includes a footrest.
Weighs a very light 5.4kg.
The downsides are that is it not adjustable for babies and some reviewers have complained that the straps are too long for smaller babies.
12. Munchkin 360˚ Cloud highchair
Stylish highchair which can swivel a full 360˚. Other than this movement, it is not adjustable.
Removable, dishwasher-safe tray.
Five-point harness.
The seat and cushion insert can be wiped clean.
Suitable from six months up to 15kg.
Measures H102cm x W71cm x D71cm.
Includes a footrest.
Weighs 7.3kg.
13. TUTTI BAMBINI NOVA EVOLUTIONary HIGHCHAIR
An award-winning highchair that can be used from newborn with the rocker attachment (sold separately) until twelve years old as it converts to a toddler chair and table and also an older child’s chair.
It has oak legs and three reclines, three tray positions and two footrest positions.
There is a five-point harness and the stain and water-repellent chair fabric can be wiped clean or put in the washing machine.
The tray has a cup holder and is dishwasher safe.
It comes with a travel bag and can be folded down or assembled in just 60 seconds.
A shelf under the seat provides handy storage.
Some baby products are useful for longer than others. If you’re in two minds about whether to buy something, it can be worth considering its lifespan. The longer you use it, the better the cost per use and the more it will justify its place in your home. Here are thirteen baby products that are still in active service with my now five-year-old.