High Chair Review

High chairs: types, reviews, best picks

Baby-gear book "Baby Bargains" and ConsumerReports.org offer the best reviews and coverage of high chairs. Both publications compare high chairs based on factors such as safety and usability, including ease of cleaning. Unfortunately, coverage at both sources is significantly outdated. Although Consumer Reports says it continually updates its reviews, several discontinued high chairs remain on the list. And "Baby Bargains" hasn't been updated in more than two years. We also found excellent high-chair reviews in Which? and Choice magazines, from the U.K. and Australia, respectively. While these two magazines include some high chairs that aren't available in the United States, their comparison reviews are insightful and comprehensive.

It doesn't take any special technological expertise to know whether a high chair works well or not, so we found parent-written reviews to be especially helpful -- in many cases even more helpful than the professional reviews mentioned above. Amazon.com, Viewpoints.com and Target.com are all good places to find feedback on specific high chairs. Common points of contention include comfort (especially whether the product's seat is roomy enough for bigger babies), how easy a seat is to clean (whether there are too many nooks and crannies where food can lodge), maneuverability (how a child gets in and out) and how easily a tot can kick off the tray. Experts also say shoppers should also look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) seal of approval. This certification means the high chair is in compliance with the specifications set by ASTM International, which develops technical standards for materials and products.

Interestingly, we found a high chair's price isn't necessarily an indicator of satisfaction. For example, the Peg-Perego Prima Pappa Diner (*Est. $200) is one of the more expensive chairs on the market, yet the reviews for this model aren't any better than for high chairs that cost almost half as much. Although Peg-Perego high chairs in general get some good reviews from parents for ease of use, portability, stability and comfort, other users complain that the Prima Pappa is hard to clean, stains easily and scratches their wood floors. Overall, other high chairs, like the less-costly Fisher-Price Rainforest High Chair (*Est. $85) receive better owner feedback.

Additionally, the construction and design of a high chair is often an important factor for parents. Currently, most products are constructed of metal and plastic rather than wood, but you can still find more traditional-looking wood high chairs. Although wooden chairs have an old-fashioned appeal, plastic is generally easier to clean. Sleeker-looking, modern high chairs also appeal to many parents. These products offer a variety of features, including multiple adjustable and dishwasher-safe trays, removable seat covers, height-adjustable seats, casters on the legs and folding frames.

Reclining seats can also be a sticking point, since many of the reviews we found differ about the usefulness of this feature. While reclining seats can be a good option for bottle-feeding infants, some experts say babies this small are too young for high chairs and are better off in your arms. (Many experts say high chairs aren't needed for children younger than 6 months.) Reclining seats are also a frequent topic for complaints on opinion websites; many users say the reclining mechanisms on high chairs are often difficult to operate. To prevent this annoyance, experts suggest trying out this feature at the store prior to purchase. Locking casters can be another problem area. Many parents complain that they either don't work well enough or they work too well, forcing users to give up on the foot-release mechanism and lean down to release the lock by hand.

Adjustable height positions, however, are a welcome convenience, allowing parents to adjust the chair to a more comfortable feeding position and use it at dinner or as a play table with or without the tray. Some height-adjustable high chairs can also be used as booster seats. While a height-adjustable feature was once reserved for pricey imports, even moderately priced high chairs now offer this feature.