High Chairs

Experts say you probably won't need a high chair until your child is close to six-months old, about the time a baby can sit up and lean forward on his or her own. Most high chairs on the market are comprised of metal and plastic rather than wood, but a relatively recent interest in "heirloom" products has seen an increase in the number of wooden high chairs hitting stores. Although wooden chairs have an old-fashioned appeal, plastic is generally easier to clean.

Modern high chairs offer a variety of features, including multiple adjustable and dishwasher-safe trays, height-adjustable seats, casters on the legs and compactly folding frames. Reviews differ about the usefulness of another common feature -- reclining seats. While these can be good for bottle-feeding infants, some experts say babies this small are too young for high chairs and are better off in your arms. Reclining seats are a frequent topic for complaints on opinions websites; many say the reclining mechanisms should be easier to operate. It’s helpful to try out features in person if you can.

Adjustable height positions, however, are a welcome convenience, allowing you 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.

Best high chairs

Among standard high chairs, the Fisher-Price Healthy Care high chair (*est. $90) gets the most positive reviews. The Healthy Care high chair has seven height adjustments, three recline positions, dual trays, locking casters and a fold-slim design. It’s worth noting, however, that the Healthy Care is only available in some very bright prints, which might not exactly fit the current cool-toned look in some kitchens and homes. Still, the Fisher-Price also has a T-bar safety seat (with a crotch post) and a five-point harness. The removable tray liner is dishwasher safe. In addition, the Healthy Care 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. Some models of this chair also come with a handful of toys that get mixed reviews. But overall, parents are extremely happy with this Fisher-Price high chair, and it gets the best reviews from the most parents.

A variation is the Fisher-Price Space Saver high chair (*est. $50) . This model is unusual in that it is not a freestanding high chair. Instead, it's a chair and tray assembly 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 wipe-able (but not machine washable) seat cover. It also converts to a backless booster for older children. Parent reviews on Target.com report that the Space Saver high chair straps securely to a chair and is easy to use. Parents like not having a huge freestanding high chair taking up space in a cramped kitchen, and the Space Saver chair is portable enough to take when traveling. Some parents posting to Epinions report that the tray stays level no matter which reclining position is used. We found a couple of comments that the chair also fits on a barstool. 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. The Space Saver high chair comes in subdued colors including sage and tan.

We found a smattering of good reviews for additional high chairs. The Graco Contempo high chair (*est. $100) is reportedly easy to fold and is surprisingly slim when folded. Reviewers on HighChairs.com say they love its space-saving features, but they wish the footrest were adjustable. A dozen parents posting reviews at Target.com give the Contempo near-perfect ratings, highlighting its easy fold. The chair can also stand on its own when folded, making it easier to slip into a closet. The Graco Contempo 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 Graco high chair comes in a variety of modern, calm colors, so it may be a good alternative if you're not crazy about the bright upholstery on the Fisher-Price Healthy Care high chair.

The Chicco Polly (*est. $100) also gets mainly good reviews. This chair's features are similar to those on the Peg-Perego Prima Pappa, with an adjustable height seat, rolling and locking casters, plush seating and a five-point safety harness. The Chicco Polly folds for storage, has seven height adjustments, and offers three seat-recline positions. User reviews at Target.com, along with a handful of early reviews at Epinions and Amazon.com report that the Chicco Polly is easy to keep clean and resists stains. On the downside, many parents say the dishwasher-safe tray is actually too big and bulky to actually fit in most dishwashers. An adjustable foot rest is a nice touch not found on most other chairs. Like the Contempo, the Polly comes in some sedate colors.

The Chicco Polly is also available with a double seat pad (*est. $130) , as well. We found more mixed reviews for this version, mostly because parents say the extra padding makes the whole chair harder to clean and use.

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. Under the pedestal base are six locking casters. 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 somehow recline. This company donates 10% of profits to children’s charities, another unique aspect.

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. In reviews, the Graco Easy Chair (*est. $50) is most often recommended in the budget range. This model has a three-position recline, four-position removable tray, cup holder and a pull-out tray for parents. There is also a T-bar restraint and a safety belt. However, this chair does not fold very compactly and doesn't 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 High Chair (*est. $70) comes in several upholstery patterns and has now-standard features such as a slide-out dishwasher-safe tray, reclining seat and folding frame. More unique features include removable kitchen toys that rotate out of the way during feeding, plus a storage basket and a storage bar to keep bibs and towels within reach. The harness can convert from a five-point harness to a lap/crotch belt. Despite the attractive style, the reviews we found on opinion sites, especially Amazon.com, reveal that parents aren't overly impressed with this chair. Several say they encountered broken parts during assembly, and we read some complaints that the chair’s rear storage basket pops off too easily.

Described in detail earlier in this report, the Fisher-Price Space Saver high chair (*est. $50) certainly qualifies as a budget chair as well, and it gets consistent and widespread high remarks for both its durability and ease of use.

We found some mixed reviews for Evenflo high chairs. The Evenflo Expressions (*est. $60) doesn’t have a lot of frills, but the problem doesn’t seem to be a lack of features as much as an issue with the backrest. Several parents say the backrest refuses to stay in the upright position after a few months of use.

Wooden high chairs

One current trend is the re-emergence of traditional wooden high chairs. These nostalgic chairs feature several modern updates, like removable plastic trays and padded seats. However, wooden chairs aren’t as adjustable, and they generally aren’t as easy to clean. Some parents on review sites like Epinions report that one such chair, Cosco's Eddie Bauer Montecito Wood High Chair (*est. $120), is difficult to keep clean and can limit the amount of time some children want to stay seated in the chair because it is just not as comfortable as its cushy plastic counterparts. That hasn't stopped legions of consumers from buying these chairs, according to retailers, who suggest the popularity stems from purely cosmetic reasons -- wooden high chairs have a pleasing aesthetic and look like real furniture in today's well-dressed dining rooms.

The Eddie Bauer high chair comes with a plastic tray that is reportedly kick-proof. Owners posting comments to Amazon.com say this chair is stylish for the price, but the seat does not recline, and the seat cover can stain. Other complaints include difficulty assembling the high chair and the lack of casters. Still, many parents are more than willing to trade updated features for a classic style.

Another recent trend is European imports made in the vein of Scandinavian design. These expensive, wooden adjustable chairs are generally for toddlers (18 months and older), and many don't have padding at all (or the padding is sold separately as an accessory). One of these, the Svan High Chair (*est. $250) is made by Scandinavian Child. This funky yet elegant high chair has been mentioned in many U.S. parenting magazines and is already a best seller on some retail sites. The editors of Modern Mom list it in their 2005 Gear Guide, saying it's lightweight with no sharp edges.

Of the Svan High Chair's notable features, the most obvious is its style. The Swedish-design chair is made of solid wood. Kids can use the footrest to climb into the seat on their own, and parents report liking this feature in particular. While the chair may weigh only 12 pounds, it can hold up to an impressive 250 pounds, and the chair can be used as a stool for teenagers or adults. It’s built for toddlers 18 months and older, but you can buy an infant kit that makes the chair safe for babies as young as six months. The Svan High Chair's seat adjusts vertically and horizontally to match your growing child, and the footrest also adjusts vertically and horizontally. One downfall, besides the extremely high price, is that the seat padding is sold separately (*est. $30).

Another high chair that’s topping the trendy hit list is the Stokke Tripp Trapp. Although pricey (*est. $200), it comes in a variety of fun colors, ranging from red and orange to natural wood finishes, and users report the chair is an ideal way to scoot a child up to the table and include the entire family in mealtime. However, for this very reason, the Tripp Trapp does not have a tray, which is a real deterrent for some parents. The chair does have a five-point harness and a wider than average footrest. In addition, both height and seat depth are adjustable. A cushion costs extra (*est. $30), but it isn't necessary. The Stokke chair comes with a seven-year warranty, and it can be used by older children and adults up to 250 pounds.

Kettler Tipp-Topp High Chair (*est. $200) is another wooden high chair made of solid beech wood, fitting babies as young as six months as well as kids up to 150 pounds. There is a three-point safety harness, the seat and footrest adjust vertically, and it converts to a youth chair by removing the tray and lowering the seat. Seat padding is sold separately (*est. $30). Parents seem to like this high chair for its versatility and design. We did read one parent's complaint that there is no lip around the tray and that the tray is not removable.

Important Features: High chairs

Here's what the experts say about purchasing a high chair:

• Be wary of second-hand seats. Newer seats usually meet more stringent standards and have a greater number of features. In addition, after five years or so, plastic can degrade and crack. Be sure to check all structural aspects of a chair you are considering, if you decide to go the second-hand route.

• Make sure the high chair has a wide, stable base and is sturdy. Also, check for sharp edges or caps that could be removed by a child.

• Based on testing, reviewers recommend chairs with crotch posts in addition to traditional waist-and-crotch belts. Some experts also recommend purchasing optional shoulder straps, especially for active children. The best restraint systems connect low on the frame of the chair. Make sure any restraint system is easy to operate, since you will be using it every time your baby is in the chair.

• Folding high chairs (which allow you to store the chair in a closet or car trunk) need to have a secure locking system to prevent accidental collapse.

• Look for a tray that can be removed easily, preferably with one hand, but that secures tightly on both sides. The tray should also be lightweight and move smoothly without rattling. Wide-rimmed wrap-around trays help direct spills away from the baby. Experts also prefer adjustable trays, so the infant doesn't have to reach too far for food. Try out the tray in a store if you can; opinion sites are full of complaints that many "one-hand-removable" trays are far from easy to operate.

• If the chair has wheels, make sure the wheels can lock, and try pushing down on the footrest to see if the chair can be tipped over. Some experts say wheels are convenient, while others believe they make the chair less stable and can be dangerous if other children are around.

• The chair and seat should be easy to clean. Look for wipe-clean surfaces and removable padding. Experts also recommend sealed seams and minimal decorative trim to cut down on cleaning hassles.

• Look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) seal of approval. This means the high chair is certified for compliance with the American Society for Testing and Materials Safety specifications. Compliance is voluntary, but approved high chairs meet drop test criteria, have no sharp edges, and include warnings about proper use, among other things.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model	Details from Amazon.com
10	Fisher-Price Healthy Care (*est. $90)	details
6	Chicco Polly (*est. $100)	details
5	Cosco Eddie Bauer Wooden High Chair (*est. $120)	details
5	Peg Perego Prima Papa Diner (*est. $170)	details
4	Graco Contempo (*est. $100)	details
4	Fisher-Price Space Saver (*est. $50)	details
3	Svan High Chair (*est. $250)	details
3	Graco Easy Chair (*est. $50)	details
2	Combi Easy Glider (Discontinued)	details
2	Stokke Tripp Trapp (*est. $200)	details
2	Graco Harmony (*est. $70)	details
1 each	Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders , Fisher-Price Easy Clean (disc.), Chicco Mamma, Zooper Peas 'n' Carrots , 1st Years 4-stage Reclining Seat, One Step Ahead Grow with Me Booster , Evenflo Expressions , Million Dollar Baby Prairie Style High Chair, Lipper Natural Wood High Chair , Graco Meal Time High Chair , Geuther Family High Chair , Cam Campione, Jane Activa, Graco Tea-Time, Brevi Pony, Mamas & Papas Café Junior, Mothercare Pinecube High Chair, Evenflo Phases Playtop Multi-Use, Baby Trend High Chair , Boon Flair Pedestal High Chair

The Fisher-Price Healthy Care high chair gets the best reviews. Experts and parents agree that the Peg-Perego Prima Pappa is a practical and stylish choice, but other chairs like the Graco Contempo and Chicco Polly have similar features for a lot less money. The Graco Easy Chair is a good budget high chair, but it's lacking in convenience features compared to others. The Fisher-Price Space Saver high chair is unique in that it straps onto a regular dining room chair. Although we didn’t see it compared to others, the Boon Flair Pedestal high chair is in a class by itself, with a molded one-piece seat and pedestal base. The Svan and Stokke wooden high chairs are favored by some parents, but others say they aren’t as comfortable.

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