Best high chairs: Which? Best Buys and expert buying advice

When shopping for a high chair, you want a model that's safe, easy to assemble and comfortable for your child. In our expert buying advice we explain which key features to look out for, and reveal some of our Best Buy recommendations. 

Our independent lab tests have uncovered some high chairs that are uncomfortable, difficult to store and that are potentially unsafe for your baby. Keep reading to see which baby high chairs we recommend, and take a look at our advice on shopping for second-hand models and high chair safety.

Check out our high chair reviews to compare all the models we've rigorously tested

Best Buy high chairs

We only recommend high chairs that excel in our tough lab tests. To save you time and money, we've rounded up our pick of the top Best Buy high chairs, including the cheapest Best Buy model.

Only logged-in Which? members can view our expert reviews. Join Which? to get instant access to our full list of the best high chairs in the table below.

Best high chairs

High chair reviews by type

• Lightweight high chair reviews
• Multifunctional high chair reviews
• Convertible high chair reviews

High chair reviews by price

• High chairs under £40
• High chairs under £80
• High chairs under £100
• High chairs under £200

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Why you can trust our high chair reviews

Making sure you get the right high chair is a big deal for you and your baby. High chairs have to pass numerous British Standards before they can be sold on the UK market. Which? is the only product reviews website that also carries out a range of these tests to check whether the high chair you're going to buy lives up to the manufacturer's claims. 

Whether you want a convertible, multifunctional or lightweight high chair, we perform the same independent lab testing and assessments, to make sure the results are accurate and comparable. We maintain our impartiality and independence by buying every single high chair that we test. Unlike other online reviewers, we do not accept 'free testing samples' from brands.

For more information on how we decide which high chairs are Best Buys, explore our guide on how we test high chairs.

Types of high chair

Standard or lightweight high chair

• Pros: Cheaper than other types, fold-flat design makes them easy to store, plastic mould is a breeze to clean.
• Cons: Don't always include a footrest, some lack padding, non-adjustable seat height, tray might not be adjustable.

Standard high chairs tend to be cheaper than other types. They're usually lightweight, too, and therefore a sensible option if you plan on moving the chair around the house.

Prices usually start from around £50, although our expert tests have found some for less than £20, including the Ikea Antilop. 

See all our lightweight high chair reviews and lightweight folding high chair reviews

Multifunctional high chair 

• Pros: Adjustable height, most are foldable, some have additional functions such as a newborn recliner. 
• Cons: Can be heavy, large chairs not ideal if you're short on space, padding can be fiddly to clean. 

These adjustable-height high chairs offer extra flexibility – you can feed your baby at a higher level, and toddlers can sit lower down when feeding themselves.

If you're tempted by a multifunctional high chair, expect to spend at least £130. We've tried out a selection of these, including the Chicco Polly Magic Relax.

See all our multifunctional high chair reviews

Combination and convertible high chairs

• Pros: Long lasting, some toddlers will prefer having their own chair and table. 
• Cons: Bulky, can be difficult to assemble, more expensive than other options. 

These high chairs last longer than standard chairs, as they can shapeshift to match the age of your child – many can be used as furniture for children up to five.

Prices usually start from around £100, but if you want to spend less, Kiddicare does a combination high chair that costs around £60. Meanwhile, a Stokke Tripp Trapp (shown above) will set you back at least £200.

See all our convertible high chair reviews

Portable high chairs

• Pros: Lightweight, easily transportable (some can fit in a changing bag), some can be used instead of a standard high chair at home.
• Cons: No fancy features such as trays and cup holders, some babies might not like using the fabric harness seats, not as sturdy as a standard high chair.

Travel or portable high chairs are a great choice for holidays or day trips out with your baby. They're ideal if you're off to a restaurant and can't be sure there are high chairs available, or if you're likely to be visiting child-free relatives or friends.

There are various types available, including chair harnesses and booster seats, such as the Baby Polar Gear On The Go booster seat (pictured above). Chair harnesses are made of fabric and attach to a dining chair using the straps supplied. Booster seats are fold-up, box-shaped seats which fold out to create a little booster seat that straps to a chair. Some even come with trays. 

How much do I need to spend on a high chair?

You don't need to spend hundreds to get a decent high chair, which might be a relief to hear – especially if you've already spent most of your baby budget on a pushchair, car seat and baby monitor.

The amount you spend will be largely dictated by the type of high chair you want. Lightweight, foldable models are cheaper options, while wooden convertible models cost more but are made to grow with your child.

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Are cheaper high chairs any good?

A cheaper high chair costing less than £40 can be perfectly adequate for many parents, as long as they’re not looking for snazzy features, stylish designs or lots of adjustment options.

However, you’ll still get the basic folding design, chair padding, footrest and tray (though you might need to pay extra for this on some of the cheapest models). They’re usually made of plastic with an aluminium frame, so are lightweight and fold, which can be a real bonus.

We add our Great Value logo to high chairs that are at least 20% cheaper than the average typical price for a high chair, and score at least 60%. 

If you see a high chair with this logo, it's not as good as a Best Buy, but we feel it's good value and acceptable quality compared with other models we've tested. 

Some products with a Great Value logo might be Best Buys as well – so if you spot both logos, you know you've got a quality product at a good price.

See all our Great Value high chairs.

What high chair features should I look out for?

• Harness – most high chairs have a five-point harness, but some have a three-point one (so it fits around the waist and between the legs, but has no shoulder straps). You'll likely see a solid crotch bar (also known as a pommel) to help prevent your baby from slipping forward out of the chair.
• Tray – our tests found that the bigger the tray, the better. Some trays include a sippy cup holder, while others come with removable tray inserts – making cleaning up much easier. A tray that's adjustable and detachable is a useful feature to look out for, as it will allow your baby plenty of extra space in the high chair as he or she grows.
• Padding – this makes the high chair more comfy for your baby, but makes more work for you when it comes to cleaning. Save yourself as much scrubbing time as possible by opting for a high chair with as few seams, creases and crevices in the upholstery as possible. Watch out for textured fabrics or those that say handwash only.
• Adjustability – if you're shopping in-store, have a go at adjusting the tray, undoing the buckle on the harness and folding up the seat. You're likely to repeat these actions more than once a day – with a wriggly child in the seat.
• Folding high chairs – with some high chairs, you have to remove the tray before you fold it. This can become annoying if you have to do it several times a day, although some have handy spots on the frame where you can store the tray when it's not in use.
• Ease of cleaning – some high chairs have multiple nooks and crannies that your little one is just waiting to squish Bolognese into, or where you'll find raisins weeks later. Check out our high chair reviews to see which ones we rate as easy to clean. 

Where to buy a high chair

Shopping for a high chair in-store means you can check to see how easy it is to fold up and manoeuvre. But if you head online, you'll have a wider choice of brands and high chair types.

Wherever you decide to shop, take note of the returns policy in case you're unhappy with your purchase.

There are several popular online retailers that sell high chairs:

• Ikea stocks high chairs starting from as little as £19 for the Antilop. If your child wants to sit at the dining table without a tray attached to their chair, consider the £99 Graval Junior.
• Argos sells high chairs from various baby brands including Cosatto, Joie and My Babiie. Prices start from around £35 and rise to around £200.
• Mamas and Papas has a large selection of high chairs and often places certain models on discount. Expect to spend at least £60.
• John Lewis sells competitively priced high chairs and covers brands including Bugaboo, Maxi-Cosi and Stokke. Its own-brand offering, the £35 Geo Folding Highchair, has a built-in footrest and padded fabric.

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What age can a baby go in a high chair?

When your baby can sit up unaided and has control of their head and neck, you can start using a high chair – this is generally around six or seven months, coinciding with weaning.

However, some multifunction high chairs include a newborn attachment, which means your baby can be next to you at the table, at the same height as the rest of the family, even if they can't yet sit up unaided.

Can I buy a second-hand high chair?

It's easy to buy or sell a high chair from second-hand sites such as eBay, Facebook marketplace or Gumtree. You might find that typically more expensive brands, such as Stokke or iCandy, have a good selection of second-hand high chairs for a reasonable price.

If you buy a high chair second-hand, make sure you get plenty of photos of it before you hand over any money (or even check it over in person) to make sure it's in a good condition.

You should also check the following:

• Make sure the high chair has a working harness that's not frayed – ideally a five-point harness with over-the-shoulder straps.
• Check there's a crotch post fixed to the chair, either to the seat, bumper bar or the removable tray.
• Look over the seat pads or cushion. Stains or fading patterns are fine, but look out for holes where a nimble-fingered baby might pull out foam, as it can be a choking hazard.
• Ensure the folding mechanism is smooth and locks into place securely.
• Check the frame to see if there are any missing screws or bolts.
• Look out for any cracks or sharp edges, especially on the tray if it's removable.

How to dispose of an old high chair?

When your child no longer needs a high chair (and the age will vary depending on the style of high chair you buy), you can either sell it via an online marketplace; give it to a charity shop, friend or family member; or dispose of it.

If you decide to throw it away, it's likely you'll need to take it to your local council tip, as most local authorities won't collect something as large as a high chair in kerbside rubbish pick-ups.

Check to see if parts of the high chair can be separated out and put into recycling, but remember this will depend on the type of plastic it's made of.