Best High Chairs (April 2024) - Rated by CherryPicks' Experts

Best High Chairs 2023: Fit Your Budget And Your Baby’s Needs

A high chair is a chair that is designed to be used at a table and that has a tray or other device to catch food or liquid.

The first high chairs were invented in the late 1800s. The modern high chair was invented by Dr. Luther Holt in the early 1900s. Holt's design was revolutionary because he created a seat with straps and safety belts for the child, which was not common on previous designs.

The first time your baby will use a high chair will be when they are about six months old, but some babies can use them as early as four months old. . As your baby grows and gets stronger, they will be able to use the high chair for more things such as sitting on the ground with their legs stable.It's best that you make sure you have a high chair in mind before you start looking at different products.

The most important thing is that it has a tray that can fit securely under the seat of the vehicle and can also be attached to the back of it while not in use.

New Safety Standards Make High Chairs Safer

Manufacturers have known new safety standards were coming since the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published them on June 8, 2018. The requirements mirror voluntary standards that were already in place and made them mandatory effective June 19, 2019.

The new standards apply to high chairs sold on or after the effective date. They do not require anyone, including restaurants, to discard older high chairs so you’ll have to evaluate the chairs offered at restaurants for safety before trusting your child’s well-being to one.

Children who tried to climb into or out of a high chair and those who liked to rock back and forth in the chair caused most of the accidents although some were the result of equipment failures. The standards require high chairs to be sturdier in a way that will help prevent them from falling over backward. They also require a 3-point restraint system that will make it more difficult for a child to try to climb out.

The final requirement is a passive crotch restraint designed to help prevent the child from sliding down in the chair. Some small babies have suffocated after sliding down and being scrunched up too far in a way that impaired breathing.

Chairs that meet the new standards will also have warning labels that are visible when the chair is being used. If you buy a used chair, understand that it may not meet current safety standards. Saving a little bit of money isn’t worth risking an accident that could injure your child. If you absolutely can’t afford a new one, make sure the chair can’t tip over backward and that it has safety straps to protect your child.

Maintaining Your Child’s High Chair

Even if you buy the best high chair in the world, if you don’t maintain it in good condition, it can pose risks to your child. Many parents take high chairs with them when they take a car trip to visit relatives. Moving the chair adds more wear and tear than a chair left in your dining room receives, but in either case, you should routinely check the chair for issues, tighten any loose screws, and replace fraying straps. This is especially true if it is accidentally knocked over.

Look for:

• Broken frames, legs, buckles
• Loose screws (these can also be a choking hazard)
• Fraying, tears, cracks, or peeling
• Double check the locking mechanisms

Other safety precautions:

• Read the instruction manual before you trust your baby in the chair
• Use the harness.
• You want a 3-point harness at a minimum. A 5-point harness is better.
• Make sure babysitters and grandparents follow the instructions and use the restraints

Cleaning Your High Chair

While reading hundreds of reviews, I saw a lot of parents who said, “We just wipe it down with a Clorox®wipe.” This is a health and safety issue. And no, I’m not being an alarmist. The Clorox® website states that “hard surfaces that may come in contact with food” should be rinsed with clean water after using the wipes.

Even after learning about this warning, some moms said “Don’t bother. My child is X years old and nothing is wrong with him.”

There are two issues with this logic. One, just because one person does something dangerous and doesn’t get sick, doesn’t mean no one will.

Secondly, research on the development of gut microbiota and two types of health problems are receiving increasing attention: allergies and anxiety. Gut microbiota are non-human life forms that inhabit our digestive system. Humans have a symbiotic relationship with gut microbiota, and we cannot live without them. “An increased risk of allergic sensitization and allergic rhinitis, but not asthma, in the first 6 years of life is correlated with reduced bacterial diversity of the infant’s intestinal flora.” Therefore, killing every germ and bacteria before your baby comes in contact with it might predispose them to allergies, including life-threatening food allergies.

Best Features in a High Chair

Safety

Safety is the first consideration. If your baby isn’t safe in the chair, none of the other features matter.

A lot of the reviews mentioned that the reviewer didn’t use the straps. We want to caution you to use the straps. You never know when your baby will do something for the very first time. If you’re even slightly distracted, not using the straps can lead to an emergency room visit.

Also, you should never leave your child unattended in their high chair.

BPAs – a lot of products have questions about BPAs. None of the products contain BPAs because the regulations prohibit their use.

Easy to Clean

Mothers of babies and toddlers often feel as if they spend all day cleaning. Young children are messy eaters. Little ones don’t understand the concept of not making a mess. A chair that is easy to clean will save time multiple times every day. Don’t make the mistake I made and buy a chair because you think it will make a nice family heirloom. Those nooks and crannies meant spending a lot of time cleaning the chair.

Washable trays reduce cleanup time after every meal. Fabric may look cute until the first meal. After that, fabric becomes a constant battle to keep it clean. Avoid chairs with seams and other areas where you’ll have to hunt for hidden food. If you miss spilled foods, it can expose your baby to toxic mold.

Ease of Use

Some chairs are so bulky they force you to lean at uncomfortable angles to feed your child. A chair that allows you to sit comfortably close to your child while you feed them will make mealtime more fun.

How easy is it to get your child into the chair? How easy is it to take the tray off?

Portability

Many parents are on the go. They take their baby with them to friends and relatives’ homes. If the homes you’re visiting don’t have a high chair, portability becomes important. There are some great portable options in our review.

Weight Limits

Some of the chairs have low weight limits. A 17-month-old child can easily top 30 pounds. If you’re okay with needing a new chair before your child is ready for a toddler chair, which might be the case if you’ll have another baby by then, a low weight limit chair may work well for you. A chair that will allow your child to use it until they are ready for a booster seat at the table should have a higher weight limit.

Converts to Toddler Chair

This feature can save you money in the long run but not if you’re going to have another baby by the time this one is ready for a toddler chair.

Quality

Although there are numerous high chairs offered for around $100, understand that you won’t get the best chair at this price. There are quite a few reviews from customers who were disappointed in the quality of their $100 high chair where it was apparent they thought that price point put them in the range where they should expect a product of the highest quality in every category.

Disappointment about the quality declined as the price increased, although not entirely, because expectations naturally rose along with the price.

You can get a serviceable, safe chair for around $100 but you’ll be disappointed if you expect it to be perfectly designed and expect every aspect of it to be designed for easy cleaning and ease of use.

The best high chairs begin around $200 and can cost considerably more than that, depending on the brand.

Weight Limits

Pay attention to weight limits. One chair had a maximum weight of 36 pounds and indicated it went up to 36 months. My first born was 33 pounds at 17 months. My second born didn’t hit 36 pounds until after she was in kindergarten.

Style

Do you want the chair to blend in with your décor? Do you care if it overpowers your home?

Footprint

The footprint refers to how much floor space the high chair consumes. The new safety features will make the footprints even larger on many models. It is very easy to stub your toe on a high chair leg, which is bad enough. If you trip over it when baby is using it, it could lead to an accident where you, baby, or both of you are injured.

You want a wide, stable footprint for safety but you also don’t want to constantly stub your toes.

Round Up of the Best High Chairs (Verified to Buy)

• 1. Graco Blossom 6 in 1 Convertible High Chair, Sapphire
• 2. Baby Trend Sit Right High Chair, Bobble Heads
• 3. Evenflo 4-in-1 Eat & Grow Convertible High Chair
• 4. Cosco Simple Fold High Chair with 3-Position Tray (Elephant Squares)
• 5. 3-in-1 Baby High Chair (Beige Old)
• 6. Dream On Me Portable 2-in-1 Tabletalk High Chair, Convertible Compact...
• 7. Century Dine On 4-in-1 High Chair, Grows with Child with...
• 8. Graco Made2Grow 6 in 1 High Chair | Converts to...
• 9. Ingenuity SmartClean Trio Elite 3-in-1 Convertible Baby High Chair, Toddler...
• 10. Fisher-Price SpaceSaver Simple Clean High Chair Baby to Toddler Portable...

Top 10 High Chairs Brands on Amazon

Here is the list of top rated brands that evaluated by CherryPicks.

• Graco
• Baby Trend
• Evenflo
• Cosco
• Mallify
• Dream On Me
• Century
• Ingenuity
• FISHER-PRICE BABY
• Tiny Dreny

Specific High Chairs Guides

For more personalized High Chairs guides to match for your different needs, check out the following pages,

high chair FAQs

• What factors should I consider when shopping for a high chair?

There are several factors to consider when shopping for a high chair, including safety, durability, ease of use, and versatility. You should look for a high chair that meets safety standards, such as having a wide base to prevent tipping and a five-point harness to keep your child secure. It is also important to choose a high chair that is made with durable materials and can withstand frequent use. Ease of use is another important factor, as you'll want a high chair that is easy to clean and adjust as your child grows. Finally, consider whether you want a high chair that can be used for more than just feeding, such as one that converts into a toddler seat or can be used for play.

• How much does a high chair cost?

The cost of a high chair can vary depending on the features and quality of the product. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $300 for a high chair. Basic models may cost less, while higher-end models with additional features, such as a recline or adjustable height, may cost more.

• What is the best type of high chair for a newborn?

It is generally recommended to wait until a child is at least 6 months old before introducing them to a high chair. Until then, you can use a bouncer or a seated infant swing to keep your child secure and upright while they are not being held. Once your child is ready for a high chair, you'll want to choose one that is fully adjustable and has a five-point harness to keep them secure. You may also want to look for a high chair with a recline feature to provide additional support for your newborn.

• How long will my child use a high chair?

Most children will use a high chair until they are around 2 or 3 years old, at which point they will be ready to transition to a booster seat or a regular chair. However, some high chairs are designed to be used for a longer period of time, such as those that convert into a toddler seat or can be used for play. If you want a high chair that will grow with your child, it may be worth investing in one of these more versatile options.

• How do I clean and maintain my high chair?

It is important to regularly clean and maintain your high chair to ensure it is safe and hygienic for your child. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and maintaining your high chair. This may include wiping down the seat and tray with a mild detergent and water, and drying thoroughly. You should also check the high chair regularly for any signs of wear or damage, and replace any worn or broken parts as needed.

Best High Chair Accessories

Teaching a child how to eat is a messy business. Your child, floor, high chair, and the child’s clothing can all be covered with puréed green beans or sweet potatoes, which means you spend their nap time cleaning up instead of getting the rest you need.

Some accessories help. Plates with suction bottoms can’t be flung across the room by a toddler who has suddenly decided they no longer love their favorite mushed peas.

The high sides keep more food on the plate and less in your child’s lap or on the floor.

Covering your floor with a non-skid waterproof mat can make cleanup much easier. Although you could use a tarp, they tend to get slippery when something spills on them. This mat will not make you slip and land on your backside in a puddle of strained applesauce.

There are two approaches to bibs. These silicon bibs are good at catching dribbles, but they won’t get it all. If you have more cute outfits than your child will be able to wear before they outgrow them, by all means, let the clothes get dirty. But if your supply of clean clothes is limited, protect them with a full cover bib that will reduce the incessant loads of laundry.

If it is winter and your little one has long sleeves, they have long sleeved versions as well.

The right accessories can help you enjoy this special time in your child’s life. You’re not going to have fun feeding a messy baby if you’re thinking about how much time it will take to clean up the mess.

What methods have you found to keep the mess manageable?

Other resources you might like:

• Best Crib Mattresses
• Best Massage Chair
• Best Bean Bag Chairs

Top 10 High Chairs Sellers: CPR Seller Rank List

CPR sellers rank is based on CherryPicks-AI bestselling ranking system that helps us analyze each seller's sales trends. The List of top seller ranks is our in-house data, essential for our product ranking to help you make the right shopping choice.