Best High Chair for Babies in 2019 (Top 10 Extended Reviews)
A high chair is a part of the starter kit of all kind of different accessories you need to buy to make this new and wonderful experience better. Getting the best high chair is important because your baby will spend a lot of time in it when feeding so you need to find a model that is going to be durable and comfortable enough to offer the best experience for your child. Also, when deciding on the best high chair, you need to keep in mind that it needs to be versatile enough to accommodate your child as they grow older. You may feel overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the best high chair, however, you need to remember that this article is here to help you. Find your best high chair here!
When Should I Start Using a High Chair for My Baby?
It’s not a long period of time until your newborn will start using a high chair. Once they are able to sit themselves up entirely, it’s time to start looking for the best high chair for your little one. This being said, there’s no fixed age when babies start using high chairs. Some can be ready as early as 4 months while others will be able to properly sit in a high chair closer to 6 months of age.
Do I Need Multiple High Chairs?
Especially if you get the best high chair for your needs, you shouldn’t need more than one. You can get an extra one if you are planning to leave your kid with the grandparents or at a caregiver. Even in these situations you can still make it with only one high chair that you can fold up and transport easily. So, there’s another feature you should keep in mind when shopping for the best high chair. But you’ll see that most of the options presented in this article are easily foldable so you can transport them when needed.
What Types of High Chairs Are Available?
As previously stated, high chairs come in a lot of different shapes and sizes, materials and functions. There’s no telling directly which one is the perfect one for your needs and that’s why you need to know all the available options and decide for yourself.
Plastic or Metal High Chairs
Plastic seems to be more and more popular for weight considerations, however, a combination of the two materials is often present in the best high chairs. As you may expect, the metal ones are more durable than the plastic models so you need to find the perfect balance between durability and weight.
Wood High Chairs
If you’re still in love with the classic wood furniture and you want your infant to enjoy that quality from the earliest stages of his or her life, then a wood high chair is a good idea to go with. Also, after all the controversy surrounding some types of plastic, going with wood is the perfect alternative for durability and transport. Wood is also easy to clean and you can adapt a lot of different paddings for maximum comfort.
Hook-on High Chairs
A new type of what some think are the best high chairs, the hook-on models are the ones that attach directly to the table. This is a great option if you’re dealing with limited space or you don’t want to buy a full-size high chair. These are less expensive and you can transport them extremely easy.
The Best High Chair Buying Considerations
Now that we’ve established some of the different high chair types and their basic functions, it’s time to go through the things you need to check when buying a high chair. It may feel that some of these indications are natural and nobody will overlook them, however, it’s best to have everything out in the open.
Durability
We’ve already established that you’re going to use the best high hair for a long period of time so you need it to be able to withstand anything that comes at it. Even though it may cost more, getting a durable high chair comes very handy since you could use it for your second child as well, if you have plans for that, of course.
Removable Tray – Yes or No?
This comes extremely handy when it comes to cleaning the chair. Some models don’t have removable trays, they just slid a little outside to create more room for putting your baby in and that’s it. Besides making the cleaning process a lot easier, you can also use the tray for feeding your baby in other places as well.
Cleaning and Maintenance
You should know right from the start that things are going to get messy, no matter how well-behaved your child is. So, you’re looking for a folding high chair that is easily cleaned and does not store any food residue in the crevices of the seat or any other places.
Comfort
You may think that since your infant is so small, you do not need to focus that much on comfort. However, in your quest for getting the best high chair, comfort has to be a criterion as well. You want to do everything possible so that your baby likes the high chair because otherwise, you’re going to have a very hard time when it’s feeding time.
Safety Features
All high chairs are equipped with the minimum safety feature – the safety belt. As you may already know, all babies are master contortionists, being able to escape from any space. That’s why you should make sure that the minimal safety belt is present on the high chair you’re going to buy. If you want extra safety, then look for a 5-point harness and get the best high chair possible.
| Product | Materials | Safety System | Warranty | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wood |
5-point harness |
3 years |
|
|
Plastic & Metal |
3-point harness |
1 year |
|
|
Plastic and Padding |
Safety Belt |
Not Specified |
|
|
Plastic & Metal |
3-point harness |
2 years |
|
|
Plastic |
Safety Belt |
1 year |
|
|
Plastic |
3-point harness |
Not specified |
|
|
Plastic |
3-point harness |
2 years |
|
|
Plastic & Metal |
Safety Belt |
Not specified |
|
|
Plastic & Metal |
Safety Belt |
1 year |
|
|
Wood |
5-point harness |
2 years |
|
Top Pick: Abiie Beyond Wooden High Chair
If you’re looking for a modern chair with a great design then the Abiie Beyond is the model for you. One of the best high chairs on the market, with a skeleton made of wood, a plastic tray, and a padded seat for maximum comfort, this wooden high chair can also be converted to a toddler’s chair. The safety features of this high chair include a 5-point harness that can also be used as a 3-point harness as your child grows older. The built-in footrest is excellent for maximum comfort and quiet feeding sessions. The cushion is stain-resistant and also waterproof for maximum protection against dirt and stains.
PROS
Versatile, you can use it for more than a high chair Built in the USA – durable High-quality, scratch resistant wood Able to hold up to 250 pounds
CONS
No cushion of the head area
Best-Selling: Evenflo Convertible High Chair
This high chair model is extremely affordable but that doesn’t mean you need to make any sacrifice when it comes to quality. Made of plastic and metal, you can count on its durability as well and as your child grows older, you will be able to take some pieces apart and allow them to stand closer to the table. The maximum weight this chair can support is 50 pounds and in terms of padding, there’s nothing more comfortable as the sit of this Evenflo high chair. It’s extremely easy to assemble this baby high chair using the given instructions and perhaps the only con for it is that you can’t fold it for easy transport.
PROS
Safety belt with shoulder straps You can use it as a low chair or a toddler table Affordable price
CONS
The chair can’t be folded for transport or use in a different location
Good Price: Inglesina Fast Table Chair
This model is a bit different than what you’ve seen so far in our list. Going through all the high chair reviews, we noticed that there are a lot of parents that actually prefer a table-attachable chair rather than a stand-alone high chair. This is a great chair for trips and camping as it won’t take much room. The padding is thick and comfortable and you’ll definitely enjoy the waterproof materials that make it almost impossible for stains to adhere. Equipped with a rear pocket that is excellent for storing wet wipes or any other supplies, this travel high chair can also deal with 37 pounds of weight.
PROS
Light and perfect for transport It can fold flat for easy storage It can be attached directly to the table making it extremely versatile
CONS
Small gap by attaching to the table
Graco DuoDiner LX Baby High Chair
Built from a combination of metal and plastic, the Graco portable high chair can recline so that your baby gets maximum support until they are able to hold themselves in the needed position for a good meal. It comes with a safety harness that can be used in its 5-point locking system as well as only 3 points depending on the size and age of the baby. When you no longer need the high chair, you can easily transform it into a boost seat for nice family dinners. The cloth around the chair is washing machine ready so it doesn’t take a lot of effort to clean.
PROS
The tray can be easily removed The chair is easily folded for storage or transport to a different location Can be used as a booster seat as well
CONS
No braking system of the wheels
Ciao! Baby Portable Travel High Chair
Don’t get fooled by its looks, this is not a fishing chair. Even though it may look like it, it is extremely foldable toddler high chair so that you can take it with you everywhere. Nothing beats a nice family vacation with your child enjoying its favorite meals outdoors and enjoying the sun and fresh air. With this chair, you can basically recreate the comfortable feeling of your kitchen anywhere you go. It can be used for children up to 3 years old and there is no assembly required. Safety is also in check with this high chair, the 5-point harness providing all the needed safety.
PROS
Durable and flexible at the same time Easy to clean fabric Excellent for transport and camping trips Doesn’t require assembly
CONS
Difficult getting the baby out of the chair due to its light weight
Joovy Foodoo High Chair
As you may have noticed, toddlers come in various sizes depending on the way their bodies evolve. So, you should aim for an all-purpose high chair if you want to have a proper experience. This is exactly what the Joovy chair offers and it has proven to be very effective for infants of all ages. The tray it comes equipped with has two different positions and is large enough for you to use plates. The maximum weight is 50 pounds and if you need to move it around it comes with wheels for easy transport. Also, don’t let the size fool you, it can be folded and it will fit in the trunk of a regular-size car.
PROS
Great storage compartment on the back Easily-adjustable tray Easy transport from room to room using the wheels
CONS
Difficult to clear food because of the stitching areas
Ingenuity Smartclean Trio 3 in 1 High Chair
This plastic high chair is extremely easy to clean since there are not many areas where food can stuck in. You can also use it as a toddler chair or a booster seat later in the development of your baby and with the three different positions the chair reclines into, you will have no issues providing the most comfortable feeding position for your infant. The tray that comes with the chair can be placed in the dishwasher and the same goes for the seat pad.
PROS
Four different adjusting positions for the tray Easy to clean chair Five-point harness and locking wheels
CONS
A bit wobbly at times
Chicco Caddy Hook On Chair
Another excellent example of a hook-on chair, this time produced by one of the biggest brands in the baby industry, Chicco. The Italian manufacturer knows exactly what’s needed for a great meal and used the best materials to provide the best high chair. After use, it can be easily folded so that it doesn’t take much space in the room and the total weight of 7 pounds makes it extremely easy to store. Thanks to the rubber grips you won’t have to worry about damaging your table and its efficient system can hold a baby of up to 37 pounds.
PROS
No scuffs on your floor Seat belt for extra safety Rubber grips will be gentle on your table
CONS
Quite hard to clean since the fabric isn’t detachable
Cosco Simple Fold High Chair
If you’re looking for a high chair that is excellent on the folding side, then the Cosco is definitely worth a look. Even when folded, it can be placed standing up in your closet without any kind of propping up. It comes equipped with a 3-point harness that can accommodate children of up to 50 pounds. Also, the straps are adjustable so you get the best fit for your baby. Extremely easy to assemble, this high chair is perfect for when you leave your baby at their grandparents’ home.
PROS
Great for traveling since it’s flat and folds easily Attractive price It’s excellent for smaller apartments
CONS
The seat is not adjustable and can lean back a bit.
Summer Infant Classic Wood High Chair
This modern high chair is everything you’re looking for in terms of safety and durability. With its 5-point harness and the wood construction, you can be sure that it will last long enough for you to use it with the second or even third child, if that’s the plan. The reclining positions are adjustable so that you can find the perfect seating for your baby. The tray is also adjustable so you won’t have to worry about the food being too low or too high. This is an exceptional chair if you want to teach your baby to eat by themselves.
PROS
Different recline positions The tray comes with compartments for drinks and snacks Footrest perfect for older kids
CONS
Difficult to assemble.
Final Thoughts on the Best High Chair
By now we’re sure that you already know what’s the best high chair to get for your infant. We hope that all the instructions and tips helped you make the right decision on getting the best high chair for your lifestyle. If you want a versatile high chair, make sure to go for a foldable version as, at some point, you’ll have to take it somewhere else or you’ll want to travel with your infant without having to worry about how you’re going to feed them.
However, if you’re still not completely convinced that one model or the other is the best choice for you, let us warmly recommend the Abiie Beyond as the best high chair for its durable wood construction, the soft padding that is waterproof, and the 5-point harness that provides optimal safety even for the most agitated kids. Good luck shopping!