The high chair is one of the most-used pieces of baby equipment you'll own. From first tastes at around six months through to family dinners at age three or four, it sits at the centre of daily life — sometimes three times a day. Getting the right one matters.
Here's how to navigate the options.
The Main Types of High Chair
Traditional high chairs Freestanding, full-size chairs with a tray, safety harness, and usually some degree of recline for younger babies. These offer the most features and often the most comfortable seat, but they take up significant floor space and can be harder to clean around.
Best for: families with space who want a dedicated, fully-featured feeding chair from early weaning through toddlerhood.
Grow-with-me chairs Designed to adapt as your child grows — from a supported baby seat through to an independent chair that can be used at the family table. The Stokke Tripp Trapp is the defining product in this category and has been for over 50 years.
Best for: families who want a long-term investment that earns its place at the table for years rather than months.
Clip-on and hook-on chairs Attach directly to the edge of a table rather than standing independently. Compact, portable, and great for travel or smaller homes without space for a freestanding chair.
Best for: frequent travellers, families in smaller apartments, or as a secondary chair for grandparents' homes.
Booster seats Strap onto an existing dining chair to elevate your child to table height. The most space-efficient option and often the most affordable.
Best for: older babies and toddlers who have outgrown a traditional high chair but aren't yet ready to sit independently at the table.
The Questions to Ask Before You Buy
How long do you want it to last? A basic traditional high chair might serve you well for 18 months. A grow-with-me chair like the Tripp Trapp can legitimately be used from six months through to adulthood — the seat and footplate adjust as your child grows, and the chair eventually becomes a standard dining chair. If you're thinking in terms of value over time, the maths on a quality grow-with-me chair is often compelling.
How easy is it to clean? Weaning is messy. This is not a mild statement — it is a fundamental truth of parenthood. Before you buy, look carefully at the chair's surfaces, gaps, and crevices. Chairs with removable, dishwasher-safe trays and smooth surfaces are significantly easier to manage than those with fabric pads and hard-to-reach corners.
Does it fit your table and space? Measure your dining table height before buying a grow-with-me chair — most are designed to work with standard table heights but it's worth confirming. For traditional high chairs, measure the floor space you have available. High chairs are larger than they look in product images.
What age and weight is your baby now? Not all high chairs are suitable from six months — some require your baby to be able to sit independently, which typically happens between six and eight months. If you're buying before weaning begins, confirm the chair's minimum requirements and whether a newborn or baby insert is available.
Our Recommendations
Best long-term investment: Stokke Tripp Trapp There is a reason this chair has been in continuous production since 1972 and remains one of the best-selling high chairs in the world. The adjustable seat and footplate grow with your child, the design is genuinely beautiful, and the build quality is exceptional. It requires the Baby Set accessory for use from six months, which attaches easily and provides a secure seat and back support for younger babies. Available in a wide range of colours to suit any home.
Best traditional high chair: Beaba and Childhome options For parents who prefer a more traditional freestanding chair with a tray, both Beaba and Childhome offer well-designed, easy-to-clean options that balance practicality with considered design.
Best for travel and smaller spaces: hook-on options Compact, lightweight, and genuinely useful — particularly for families who eat out regularly or travel frequently within the region.
A Note on Safety
Whichever high chair you choose, always use the safety harness — even when your baby seems stable. Never leave your baby unattended in a high chair. And always ensure the chair is on a stable, flat surface away from walls, tables, or anything your baby could push against to tip it.
The Bottom Line
If you're buying once and want a chair that lasts, the Stokke Tripp Trapp is the standout choice — it's the most versatile, best-built, and most beautifully designed high chair available at any price point. If space, budget, or portability is a priority, there are excellent alternatives that will serve you well through the weaning years.
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