Best High Chairs

Plastic high chairs are easiest to clean

Among standard high chairs, the Fisher-Price Rainforest High Chair receives the most positive reviews. It has seven height adjustments, three recline positions and a fold-slim design. This high chair, which used to be known as the Rainforest Healthy Care High Chair, also has a T-bar safety seat (with a crotch post) and a five-point harness. The removable tray liner is dishwasher-safe, and the tray itself can be removed using only one hand. In addition, the Rainforest can later be used as a booster seat when your child is ready for the adult dinner table. It also has lockable casters on the legs, and the seat pad is both removable and machine-washable. The Rainforest high chair can be used with babies and toddlers up to 50 pounds.

The Rainforest High Chair features jungle-themed tethered toys, sounds, lights and music, as well as a detachable play center. Feedback at Amazon.com is excellent. Parents say the Rainforest is secure and easy to clean, and several say the toy is good for entertaining babies while mom or dad is making dinner. Several reviewers mention that the high chair is easy to put together. On the downside, one parent notes that it would be convenient if this high chair offered a place to store the tray when it's not in use, and several say it's necessary to remove the top tray in order to use the toy. A similar model, the Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium Healthy Care High Chair, which is also popular with reviewers, has been discontinued, but another similar model, the Precious Planet High Chair, is still available.

A variation is the Fisher-Price Space Saver High Chair (*Est. $55), which also garners enthusiastic reviews by consumers. This model is unusual in that it is not a freestanding high chair. Instead, it's a chair and tray meant to fasten to an existing dining room chair. The Space Saver chair has three recline positions; a removable, dishwasher-safe tray; a three- or five-point harness and a wipeable (but not machine-washable) seat cover. It also converts to a backless booster for older children.

The Space Saver is one of the more heavily reviewed high chairs on Viewpoints.com, with more than 80 consumer reviews and an average rating of 4.6 stars out of five. One parent mentions using the Space Saver when her daughter was only 3 weeks old in one of the reclining positions -- not for feeding, but for including her infant at the dinner table with the rest of the family. Other reviewers here love that this high chair doesn't take up a lot of space in cramped areas and can be easily moved. Some parents posting to Epinions.com report that the tray stays level no matter which reclining position is used, and most note that it's easy to use and to keep clean. The Space Saver seems to fit most dining room chairs very well, but we did find one or two comments that it didn't fit a family's particular chairs or the height didn't work well with some tables. The Space Saver High Chair comes in a subdued tan color scheme.

We found a smattering of good reviews for additional high chairs. The Graco Contempo Highchair is reportedly easy to fold and is surprisingly slim when folded. Reviewers at Amazon.com say they love its space-saving feature and easy setup. The infant cushion and reclining seat make it suitable even for younger babies, as several parents mention placing infants in it while they cook or do other chores. Two dozen parents posting reviews at Target.com give the Contempo near-perfect ratings, praising it for being easy to fold. The chair can also stand on its own when folded, making it easier to slip into a closet. The Graco Contempo Highchair has two trays, and the inner tray is dishwasher-safe. It has a three-position recline and height adjustment, along with casters for mobility. The Contempo comes in a variety of modern, calm colors, so it may be a good alternative if you're not crazy about the bright upholstery colors of the Fisher-Price Rainforest High Chair.

We found some interesting reviews for a plastic high chair with a totally different look. The Boon Flair Pedestal High Chair (*Est. $200) has a one-piece molded plastic seat atop a pedestal rather than on legs. A seat pad, five-point harness and crotch post are included. This high chair doesn't recline, but it is height-adjustable, with a pneumatic foot pedal. Six locking casters are under the pedestal base. Although it's expensive, parents seem to love this modern-looking chair. They say it's very easy to clean because of the molded design, although we did find one or two parents who wish the seat could recline. This company donates 10 percent of profits to children's charities, another unique aspect.

A more affordable alternative among standard high chairs is the Evenflo Expressions Plus High Chair (*Est. $65), although it's not rated as highly by consumers as the Fisher-Price Rainforest High Chair or the Graco Contempo Highchair. The features are similar to these more popular models, however, including a seven-position adjustable height and three reclining positions. The Expressions Plus also features a four-position tray and a slide-out organizer tray for baby-food jars or utensils. Reviewers on Viewpoints.com commonly complain that the tray doesn't stay securely on the high chair and can come off while a baby is sitting in the chair. Several parents also note that the wheels on this high chair lock too easily. On the plus side, parents appreciate the adjustable height and say it's easy to keep clean.

Parents like high chairs with casters and adjustable height. However, if what you need is a second high chair for grandma's house, you can get by with a no-frills model. The Graco Easy Chair Highchair (*Est. $50) is slightly less expensive than the Evenflo Expressions Plus and is even more basic in design. This model has a three-position recline, a removable tray, cup holders and a pull-out tray for parents. There is also a T-bar restraint and a safety belt. However, this chair does not fold or have casters, so it can be more difficult to move around and store. Reviewers are mixed about how easy this high chair is to clean, although its seat cushion is removable.

Graco's Harmony Highchair (*Est. $80) comes in some fairly neutral patterns and has features such as a slide-out dishwasher-safe tray, reclining seat and folding frame. The harness can convert from five-point to three-point to accommodate growing toddlers. Despite the attractive style, the reviews we found on opinion sites reveal that parents aren't overly impressed with this chair. Several say they encountered broken parts during assembly, and we read some complaints about overall durability as well. There's also some lukewarm feedback on the casters, and a number of parents say the seat cushion and straps are hard to clean. Finally, although this high chair does fold, reviewers say it's nearly as large folded as it is unfolded.

Described in detail earlier, the Fisher-Price Space Saver High Chair certainly qualifies as a budget chair as well, and it gets consistent and widespread high remarks for both its durability and ease of use.