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Best high chairs 2024: Which? Best Buys and expert buying advice

Find out how to choose the perfect high chair for your baby and discover which models have soared through our rigorous tests
Matthew KnightProduct testing team leader

When shopping for a high chair, you want a model that's safe, easy to assemble and comfortable for your child. In our expert guide, we explain which key features to look out for, and reveal some of our top-scoring high chairs.

The high chairs on this page are Best Buys, so you can be confident they'll withstand messy mealtimes. We've split our selection of the best high chairs into five categories, including a brilliant travel high chair, our cheapest Best Buy and a convertible high chair that also functions as a toddler chair.

Keep scrolling to see which baby high chairs we recommend – we've tested big-name brands including Ikea, Joie and Stokke. You'll also find information on shopping for second-hand models, high chair safety and how much you should expect to spend.

Best Buy high chairs for 2024

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 exclusive reviews in the table below. If you're not yet a member, try Which? to get instant access.

Top-scoring Best Buy high chair

    • best buy
    • High chair safety
    • High chair features
    • Cleaning
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Cheapest Best Buy high chair

    • best buy
    • great value
    • High chair safety
    • High chair features
    • Cleaning
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Best folding high chair

    • best buy
    • High chair safety
    • High chair features
    • Cleaning
    Test score
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Best toddler high chair

    • High chair safety
    • High chair features
    • Cleaning
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Best wooden high chair

    • High chair safety
    • High chair features
    • Cleaning
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Table last updated: January 2024


To see our full selection of on-test high chairs, consult our high chair reviews.


Types of high chair

Standard or lightweight high chair – eg Ikea Antilop

Ikea Antilop high chair

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

  • 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.

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

Multifunctional high chair – eg Chicco Polly Magic

Chicco Polly Magic high chair

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.

  • 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. 

See all our multifunctional high chair reviews

Combination and convertible high chairs – eg Stokke Tripp Trapp

Stokke-High-Chair

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.

  • 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. 

See all our convertible high chair reviews

Portable high chairs – eg Baby Polar Gear On The Go

Baby Polar Gear On The Go

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.

  • 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. 
Two women feeding child in a high chair

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.

woman in a head scarf feeding her child

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.

High chairs in a shop

Which? Great Value high chairs

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?

Mum feeding baby finger food in high chair
  • 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. 

How to buy the best baby bottle, steriliser, warmer and other feeding essentials - see our pick of the top products to make feeding your baby easier.


Popular high chair brands

Ikea high chairs

Ikea Gravel high chair

Our research suggests that Ikea is one of the most searched-for brands for high chairs. The retailer has a small selection of high chairs and names the £19 Antiliop model as one of its bestsellers.

Ikea's priciest model is the £169 Graval (above) – you can fix it in place at three different heights to adapt as your child grows.

Read all our Ikea high chair reviews.

Joie high chairs

Joie Snacker 2in1 high chair

This baby and child brand sells a selection of multifunctional high chairs, many of which are foldable for easy storage. 

Among the sub-£100 high chairs we've tested are the Joie Mimzy Snacker, Joie Mimzy 2in1 and Joie Snacker 2in1 (above).

Explore all our Joie high chair reviews.

Stokke high chairs

Stokke Steps + Baby Set high chair

Stokke has a wide range of high chairs to choose from, but they're pricey. The cheapest model is the Stokke Clikk High Chair (above), which costs around £150. You can use it with or without a tray, and it’s suitable for use from six months up to 15kg.

We've also tested the pricier Steps + Baby set – it's a modular system, meaning you buy the chair for around £209 and then add on other elements. For our test, we added a high seat back, harness and crotch bar (£70) and the tray (£54). We also added a seat cushion (£42).

See our Stokke high chair reviews.

Two men feeding baby in a high chair

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.

To see which baby and child shops are rated highly, consult our expert guide on the best and worst shops.


What age can a baby go in a high chair?

Feeding a baby 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.

Woman in a wheelchair feeds a baby in a high chair

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.
Baby being strapped into a high chair harness

High chair safety

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.

Stokke Tripp Trapp safety

We've seen lots of reviews and comments from parents who think the popular Stokke Tripp Trapp is unsafe because, under certain circumstances, it's possible for a child to tip the chair over backwards. Reports suggest that some children are able to push against the edge of a table and force the chair to tip over. 

We've tested this model and it passed all our safety tests. It's possible to push over most high chairs, and manufacturers do say that children should not be left in a high chair unattended as it's unsafe. However, we know this is not always practical when you've got young children and you're trying to prepare dinner and get things done.

If you're worried about your child pushing over the Stokke Tripp Trapp or any other high chair, we suggest you place the chair with its back to a wall, which will stop it from falling over completely.

What can I do with old high chairs?

Recycling container

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.

Dad feeding twin babies in high chairs

How we test high chairs

To uncover the best high chairs for your budget, we pay attention to the features that matter the most.

We test how stable high chairs are, to make sure wriggly babies won't topple them over. Plus, we strike each chair with an impact hammer to see if it falls over or breaks, and we throw the trays on to the floor, from one metre up, on every side, to see if any bits break off. We also check for any sharp edges or poor-quality finishes.


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