Gear

The Best Baby High Chairs for Mess-Free Family Meals

It's your kid's dinnertime throne.

by Aaron Stern
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
The Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair in beige with a white seat

A high chair is the baby’s throne — a high point from which to survey their kingdom and to practice the mastery of new skills. The baby high chair is where children learn the foundations of basic table manners and start exploring the colorful, delicious and nutritious array of solid food before them. It’s the place where meals are consumed, thrown, and sometimes worn on the head. An easy to clean high chair transforms messy mealtimes into a series of hilarious discoveries and wonderful moments, like feeding your baby a lemon or watching them try bacon for the first time or presenting them with that little delicacy called a birthday cake.s

But before you buy a high chair, keep a few things top of mind. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, falls are the biggest dangers associated with high chairs. So when shopping for one, choose one with a wide base that won’t easily tip over. If you get a high chair that folds, ensure that the locking device is always secure when you unfold the chair.

Always, and we do mean always, strap your kid into his or her high chair. And position it so it’s away from the kitchen counter, so kiddos don’t push at it and tip themselves over. If you use a high chair that hooks onto a table, make sure the chair locks securely onto the table and can support the weight of the child.

You should also note that most high chairs are meant to be used only until your child weighs about 50 pounds (or is 3 years old). In terms of design, it helps to have one with a washable tray, and adjustable chair heights so you can use it longer.

Unfortunately high chairs serve essentially one purpose: house your baby safely during meal time for just a few years. That’s why picking one can feel tedious. We searched high and low for the high chairs that are best for parents: Ones that can fold up, are easy to get set up, and are equipped with machin-washable fabric, dishwasher safe tops, and most important, can grow with your baby. Here are our picks.

The Best Easy to Clean Baby High Chairs

4moms High Chair
$499.99
Oribel Cocoon 3-Stage High Chair
$229
Nuna ZAAZ High Chair

We can't say enough good things about this oh-so clever brand. It has a hidden gliding lift mechanism that adjusts the chair's height easily, without you having to overthink anything. When things get messy, just wipe the chair down or just remove the parts and throw them in the dishwasher. There's a removable tray, footrest, and arm bar. This is designed without any crevices, so no stray crumbs. And it turns into a big kid chair.

$300
SKIP*HOP Sit-to-Step Convertible High Chair

The thing about this high chair is the attention to detail. It has a back hook for bibs. A built-in storage space for utensils. And it transforms from a baby high chair to toddler kitchen helper stool. The weight limit for the high chair is 33 pounds; it's 200 pounds for the stool. The seat has three recline positions. And there's a wipe-clean seat cover that's machine washable. It folds up for storage.

$200
Abiie Beyond Wooden High Chair
$199.95
Nomi High Chair
$419.95
Inglesina Fast Table Chair
$79.98
Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair

This chair ain't cheap, either, but it also grows with your kid, from birth onward. Made of solid European beech wood that can support a 300-pound adult, this high chair has a height-adjustable seat and footplates. It can take a beating (make that many beatings) and look good as new. It's sturdy as hell. It's not ugly. And it wipes clean in a minute. And it's a great investment for your kid's entire childhood. Note that your baby needs a harness for it, and it's sold separately.

$350
Lalo High Chair

Let's be clear: With this chair, it's all about aesthetics. It's modern and chic. The height is not adjustable, and it's ideal for tables that are 28 to 30 inches high. The footrest flips over for added inches and better leg support as your baby grows older. You can use it from the time your child can sit up, until the age of three. The infant cushion is machine washable, and the straps can be spot-cleaned or washed in the machine on a gentle cycle.

$215
JOOVY Nook High Chair
$129.99
BEABA Up & Down High Chair
$279.95
Stokke Steps High Chair

Another wonderful option from the geniuses at Stokke, this chair goes from bouncer to high chair to a regular chair your kid can use for years. The caveat: The accessories are sold separately, but at least you don't need to buy 43 items and can stick with just one big purchase. It comes with an optional tray for easy feeding. It has a 187 pound weight capacity.

$369

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