High chair buying guide

Old-fashioned wooden high chairs still have a claim on the market. Eddie Bauer and Summer Infant both sell the classic, traditional chair with a removable wooden tray; Ababy.com features chairs with arms that lift the tray over a baby's head.

More modern in style are Badger Basket 's curvy Embassy chair (about $140); Keekaroo's Height Right chair (about $150); and Hauck's Alpha chair (about $130). All three feature removable trays. High-end style is trickling down to the lower-end, with simpler lines, and fabrics or materials in neutral rather than "baby" colors or motifs, that may have more appeal for adults.

Although most wooden high chairs hint at the past, many have modern conveniences, such as a cushioned, wipe-clean seat pad, a clear, dishwasher-safe, pullout tray insert that protects the wood finish, and most important, a center crotch post, which helps to prevent a child from slipping out.

Keekaroo's Height Right Chair can be adjusted for several sizes. It doesn't come with a crotch post, but the company does sell an optional "infant insert" that serves a similar purpose and helps it meet safety standards. There are also optional cushions.

But many wood high chairs aren't as comfortable for babies as the latest form-fitting models on the market, and many of them might not meet the latest safety standards.

Unless a wood chair is a hybrid of the old (timeless in design only) and the new (see Features), we don't recommend it.

You should look for high-chair safety features that include a crotch post; a safety-restraint system with a five-point harness; wheels that lock in place (or no wheels); and, when folding, chairs that don't scissor, shear, or pinch you or your little one's fingers.

Today's high chairs–whether they're made of wood, metal, or plastic--are loaded with features such as adjustable trays with dishwasher-safe inserts that make cleanup a cinch, seats that recline to multiple positions, and chair heights that accommodate your growing baby and give you flexibility to feed her at different levels.

Evenflo, Safety 1st Chicco, Graco, Baby Trend, Bright Starts, and Fisher-Price are among the many manufacturers that offer such models, with these features approaching standard fare. Others are basic models that don't even fold (such as Safety 1st's Posh Pod, about $70). At a minimum, you'll want a stable, sturdy high chair that can stand up to heavy use, spills, and regular cleaning for at least a year. Although they're intended for children from infancy up to about 3 years (the typical top weight is 40 to 50 pounds), some babies can't bear to sit in one once they become adventurous toddlers.

Many high chairs now convert to toddler chairs once your child is ready to sit at the table with the rest of the family, including models by Badger, Keekaroo, Stokke, and Svan. Others, such as Safety 1st's AdapTable line, Graco Peg Perego, and Mutsy Oxo, also feature chairs that grow with your child.

You usually make the switch by removing the tray and adjusting the chair height so you can scoot your toddler right up to the table. That's a good thing because a regular kitchen or dining room chair will probably put your child at chin level to the table. Since you'll need some kind of transitional chair, you might as well get the most mileage you can from a high chair.

Taking converting to another level, the Foundations Transitions high chair (about $100) turns into a table-and-chair set; the Tri-Chair high chair (about $140) can be a booster seat, rocking horse, and desk; and Baby Trend sells two high chairs that accept Baby Trend car seats, so your child can go directly from your auto to your table.

Look carefully at the high chairs you're considering to make sure that the one you choose will suit your needs. Do you want a chair that folds? Does the chair's look and design matter to you? Do you need it to take up as little space as possible?

Mid-priced high chairs (see Types) are generally the best value and have the best combination of useful features, so begin there.

You might not know what high chair will suit your child best until you try it. Keep your receipt or packing slip, or if you register for one, ask for a gift receipt to be included so you can return the chair if it doesn't work out.

Some high chairs that need to be assembled come with more parts than you might expect or can be tricky to put together. If you're not handy, you might want to buy a high chair that comes fully assembled.

Don't forget to look for a certification sticker. It shows that the manufacturer has voluntarily met standards set by ASTM International (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials), and that it takes part in a certification program administered by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). JPMA certification can provide some level of assurance that the product meets safety standards, but is not a guarantee that it does.

Certified high chairs that have a completely bounded opening (such as that created by the sides of the chair and the tray) are required to have a passive crotch restraint and at least a three-point harness. (We think a five-point harness is safer.) The harness must pass pulling tests, among others. To be certified, chairs must also meet the requirements for a locking device to prevent accidental folding; secure caps and plugs or other small parts (they can pose choking hazards); sturdy, break-resistant trays; legs wide enough to increase stability (but not so wide that you trip over them); and no springs or scissoring action that could harm little fingers.

JPMA-certified high chairs include models by Baby Trend, Baby Swede (Baby Bjorn); Chicco; Dorel Juvenile Group (Safety 1st); Evenflo Company; Fisher-Price; Graco's Children Products; Joovy; OXO International; Peg-Pérego USA; Scandinavian Child (Svan and lillebaby); Stokke; and Summer Infant.

Basic high chairs are simple and compact, and they generally work quite well. These models are essentially plastic seats on legs made of plastic or steel tubing, and may or may not allow tray and height adjustments. They tend to lack bells and whistles such as wheels, and they don't usually recline, a feature you might not use unless you're bottle-feeding. The seat is usually upholstered with a vinyl or plastic cover, and the pad can be removed for washing. Some have a rack to hold bibs, towels, and washcloths.

Plenty of companies offer basic high chairs, among them: Evenflo's Compact Fold, shown here (about $50); Baby Trend's Monkey Around (about $80); Cosco's Flat Fold (about $60); and Right Height (about $80); Fisher-Price's Healthy Care (about $90) and EZ Clean (about $90); and Graco's Mealtime (about $80) and Cozy Dinette (about $100).

The chairs at this level may be basic, but some of their names aren't. For instance, Bright Starts sells one called the Bella Vista Ingenuity Perfect Place High Chair (about $100), and Summer Infant has the Nature's Purest Complete Comfort Hug Me High Chair (about $100).

In our past tests, some basic models scored higher than some of the more expensive high chairs, proving that price isn't necessarily correlated to safety or ease of use.

Booster seats and portable hook-on chairs, discussed below, are other economical and space-saving choices.

A basic high chair can serve you and your baby well, but it pays to comparison shop because some brands might suit your needs better than others. It might be a good choice to keep at Grandma's house.

Be on the lookout for chairs with protruding or widely spaced legs because they can be a tripping hazard to parents and siblings. Avoid chairs with grooves in the seat's molded plastic, which can trap food and dirt; cotton seat pads rather than vinyl, which usually don't hold up as well; and trays with side-release buttons that are accessible to your baby. Some parents report that their babies can remove those trays--food and all--as early as 9 months old, so they might be of limited use.

Mid-priced high chairs can offer many convenience features, including multiple tray and chair heights; casters for mobility (with a locking feature for safe parking); a reclining padded seat for infant feeding; a tray that can be removed by the caregiver with one hand; a dishwasher-safe tray insert for easy cleanup; flip-out organizer compartments on the tray for utensils, dishes, or baby-food jars; easy folding for storage; and a five-point harness instead of a three-point one.

Most have vinyl seat pads that can be removed for cleaning. Although you might see some mid-level models with cloth covers, keep in mind that they're a challenge to keep clean. Frames and seats are usually made of plastic or steel.

Most mid-priced high chairs are traditional in style, such as Chicco's Polly line, shown (about $150); Graco's Duo Diner (about $140); Maxi-Cosi's Leila Reef (about $150); Peg Perego's Prima Pappa Newborn ($150); and Evenflo's Modern (about $120).

But it's also at this level that a bit more adventurous styling begins to come into play.

Dream On Me's Swivel 360 high chair (about $135) resembles a barber's seat in Day-Glo, while Valco's BabyAstro (about $150); Bloom's Nano (about $180); and Joovy's Nook (about $140) offer a spare look, and Mamas and Papa's Go Eat high chair (about $200) flaunts its black-and-white starkness.

These chairs are usually sturdier and have more features than basic high chairs. Fabric patterns tend to be more muted and sophisticated, if not playful. If you're looking for a high chair that fits your home décor or at least isn't covered with teddy bears or nursery figures, you'll have lots of options.

If you're looking for a simple chair that doesn't fold and has a wipe-clean cover, mid-level high chairs will probably have more features than you need.

High-end high chairs include European imports and traditional, custom-made models in solid wood. Not surprisingly, chairs at the top of the market tend to have a sleek, upscale appearance. And though some include fewer features than mid-range models--a lack of wheels, for instance--they command a higher price, in part because of better materials. Some manufacturers, on the other hand, go all out to justify the price of their product. Of course, at this level, you're buying status along with the chair.

Even Fisher-Price gets into the game with its Zen Collection high chair (about $150), which has an Asian style and wood accents.

For those who want a touch of "salon-from-outer-space" in your home, Boon, Bloom, and Mamas & Papas have chairs that appear to have recently landed. Boon's Flair High Chair (in kiwi, cherry, and coconut colors with a tangerine or blue pad), for about $230, features a modern-looking pedestal high chair that has a pneumatic lift so you can position it at any height. The Bloom Fresco Loft High Chair (about $500) comes in 12 colors.

More refined, futuristic design can be found in Peg Perego's Tatamia (shown here), for about $350; Phil & Ted's Highpod (about $300), and Inglesina's Zuma high chair (about $250). Mutsy's Easy Grow high chair (about $250) goes for a stark, industrial look.

Mamas & Papas describes its lime and white "Loop" high chair (about $500) as "sophisticated for you, practical for baby."

High-end high chairs should mean top quality, though we've found that's not always the case. Good quality is important if you want the chair to last, but that doesn't mean a mid-priced high chair won't last, either. And don't let looks be the deciding factor; safety and comfort should be at the top of your list.

Chairs at this level aren't necessarily the safest options. Our previous testing found safety issues at all price points.

Booster chairs are similar to high chairs, but without legs; you attach them to a regular dining room or kitchen chair. Some offer typical high-chair features, such as reclining and adjustable-height options, and padded seats and back. They're a great choice if you don't have room for a high chair, and they're easy to toss in a car for a jaunt to Grandma's.

Fisher-Price's Space Saver (about $60), shown here, comes in several colors. The First Years' miSwivel Feeding Chair (about $60) does indeed swivel, while Prince Lionheart's Booster POD (about $52) is, in the company's words, "soft and cushiony."

Some boosters are more bare-bones--you might see them sold as booster seats rather than booster high chairs. Some of them have an unpadded seat and back, others don't allow you to make adjustments for different heights, and some lack trays. On the plus side, they're lightweight and easy to clean, and many are inexpensive.

Models include First Years' Disney Simple and Secure Booster Seat (about $15); Fisher-Price's Deluxe Healthy Care Booster Seat with Tray (about $30); and Keekaroo's tray-less Café (about $60).

For parents traveling with little ones who don't feel like lugging booster seats along or aren't fans of so-called "restaurant-style" high chairs, portable seats that hook onto tabletops are an option. We haven't tested them but think they should be used with caution, if at all, because their safety depends not only on the integrity of the chair's structure and harness but also on the table. That's just too many variables for our liking. These lightweight seats vary in price, depending on features and materials.

For instance, Regalo's Easy Diner Portable Hook On High Chair (about $25) is one of the lowest-priced chairs. Joovy's black leatherette Hook (about $80); Phil & Ted's Lobster (about $80); and Chicco's 360 Degree Rotating Miro (about $70) are at the high end. In between are such models as Inglesina's Fast Table Chair (about $50); Zooper's Hook On (about $50); Chicco's lower-priced Caddy (shown here, about $40); and TravelSeat (about $50).

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association certifies the following portable hook-on chairs: Chicco, Dorel Juvenile Group/Safety 1st, Regalo International, and Summer Infant.

To prevent a baby from slipping under the tray and getting his head caught between it and the chair, models that have completely bound openings--a back, side, and a tray or grab bar--must have a fixed center crotch post to comply with the voluntary ASTM safety standards.

The post is not meant to replace the safety belt, though. A high chair needs both for safety. Check the leg openings that form between the tray/passive crotch restraint and the sides of the high chair. Children have been known to maneuver both legs to one side. The leg openings on the high chair shouldn't be large enough for a child to fit both legs in one.

This is an important feature. While the current ASTM standard only requires a 3-point harness, our experts say that a five-point harness, as shown here, is a must. Since the most common types of injuries associated with high chairs are falls, the shoulder straps on a five-point harness could keep a tenacious, on-the-go baby from standing up or climbing out, and falling.

It's also important the harness adjustment be easy to use and adjustable enough to accommodate a small or large child occupant. Rubber or rubber-covered harness straps can be easier to clean.

The buckle, a critical part of the restraint, should be secure enough to contain a wriggling child and keep him from opening it, yet easy enough to be opened and closed by a caregiver.

Seats can be moved up or down to as many as eight height positions on some chairs, or, in the case of pneumatic pole-equipped chairs such as the Bloom Fresco Loft High Chair shown here (about $490), infinite positions. Others have no adjustments at all and are fixed at one height. Settings can range from nearly floor level to standard high-chair level. At the appropriate height, the chair (with the tray removed) can be pushed up to a dining table. In our most recent tests, some adjusters worked more smoothly than others. Audible clicks can be a reassuring feature, to be sure that the seat is clicked into a given height setting. Some high chairs also have numbered height positions, which can also help you be sure you're adujusting the seat correctly.

Some chairs also recline (in case your baby falls asleep right after eating). But except for bottle-feeding, don't use a seat in the reclining position while feeding your baby because it's a choking hazard.

Remember that it's not safe to adjust a high chair while the child is in it.

Wheels are handy if you'll be scooting the high chair from the kitchen to the dining room. Of course, don't move the chair when your child is in it. On the other hand, wheels can be a nuisance if they cause the chair to move as you're trying to pull a tray off or put your baby in. And older children might be tempted to take the baby for a joyride when you turn your back. If you decide on this type of chair, look for locks on the wheels, preferably on all four, like the Peg Perego Prima Pappa Diner High Chair, shown here (about $200).

You'll want a lightweight tray that you can take off with one hand but one that your child can't kick, push off, or otherwise remove. Or look for a tray that swings to the side when not in use, like the one on the Bright Starts Ingenuity Perfect Place shown here (about $100). (Just be careful about pinching with any moving parts.) Trays that are hard to put on or take off can be cumbersome for caregivers. Try them in stroes before buying. Many high chairs have a dishwasher-safe tray insert that snaps on and off for easy cleanup.

Tray-position adjustments to allow the tray to move closer or farther from the child can make eating more comfortable for a child as she grows, or a smaller or larger child. A high chair with one tray position may be uncomfortable if it is too far or too close for the child for the bulk of the time the chair is in use.

Some trays have compartments to hold utensils, dishes, jars of baby food, or sippy cups. Those are nice but not necessary.

Some high chairs fold for storage, like the Cosco Fold Flat, shown here (about $40). If that's important to you because your house lacks space, make sure that there's a secure locking system to prevent accidental folding while your child is in the chair or being put into it. Such a locking system should engage automatically when you open the chair. A lock to keep it folded is a good idea, too: It makes for easier carrying and also helps prevent pinched fingers for parents as well as kids.

Some high chairs have toy bars or toys that attach to the tray. The Fisher-Price Rainforest Healthy Care High Chair (about $125) is an example. This is an option your baby is likely to enjoy, although you can also buy toys with suction cups that attach to high-chair trays. But don't attach strings to them because strings and cords are a strangulation hazard. Make sure that the toys are securely fastened and have no small parts that could become detached. And be prepared to clean and disinfect them after meals.

Most models have seat coverings--or entire seat panels--that can be wiped clean or removed for more-thorough cleaning, a plus. Choose a seat cover with a pattern, like the one on the Safety First AdapTable shown here (about $60) rather than a solid color because patterns are better at concealing stains. Vinyl is easier to spot-clean than cloth, though it can crack as it dries and ages. And children can peel or tear off pieces, which can then become a choking hazard. If you note any tears or cracks, you should replace the seat cover or cushion (or in the worst case, get a new high chair). When removing a cover for cleaning, note how it was arranged so it can be replaced easily.

At least one high chair on the market, Natures Purest Complete Comfort High Chair by Summer Infant, (about $100), has claimed that it's good for your baby because its seat pad is made from organically grown, naturally colored cotton. It's supposed to be less irritating to a baby's skin than regular high-chair upholstery. To our knowledge, irritation from high chair seats is not a common complaint; your child won't be spending long periods of time in it anyway. In general, when considering "eco-friendly" products, including high chairs, buy with a skeptical eye.

This 22-year-old Canadian company is the inventor and exclusive manufacturer for several unique juvenile products, including high chairs. Available wherever juvenile products are sold.
www.babytrend.com

This is a 50-year-old Swedish family company whose products include bouncer seats, baby carriers, and feeding and bathroom items. Available at baby stores, Target, specialty stores, Amazon.com, and the company’s website.
www.babybjorn.com

For more than 65 years, Badger Basket Company has been manufacturing high chairs, bassinets, bassinet bedding, changing tables, and other items for babies and children. Check its website for a retailer near you.
www.badgerbasket.com

This company was founded by four dads wanting to bring innovation and contemporary design to a range of baby products that has “traditionally been functional but not in tune with the sense of style of today’s parents.”
www.bloombaby.com

Since 1969, Bright Starts has been producing high chairs, seat covers, play gyms and mats, and a variety of other juvenile products. Bright Starts is a division of Kids II. Available everywhere juvenile products are sold, and online.
www.brightstarts.com

Carter's Inc. is an Atlanta-based maker of apparel and related products exclusively for babies and young children. The company owns the Carter's and OshKosh B'gosh brands, with products available in department stores, national chains, and specialty retailers in the U.S. and abroad and through more than 400 company-operated stores. Its Child of Mine brand is available at Walmart, and its Genuine Kids, Just One You, and Precious Firsts brands are available at Target.
www.carters.com

One of the largest baby brands in Europe, this 50-year-old company is part of the global Artsana Group, a “holistic, innovative lifestyle” company that makes everything from baby feeding systems to cosmetics to medical supplies. Chicco (pronounced "kee-ko") products are now sold in more than 120 countries in six continents. Available wherever juvenile products are sold.
www.chicco.com

A member of Dorel Juvenile Group since 1988, Cosco manufactures high chairs, play yards, swings, car seats, strollers, and more, at low-to-midlevel prices. Available wherever juvenile products are sold.
www.coscojuvenile.com

Family owned and operated since 1988, the company is best-known for its crib and toddler bed mattresses.
www.dreamonme.com

For more than 85 years, Evenflo has been making products such as car seats, strollers, high chairs, play yards, and other baby-care products for children from birth to preschool age. Available at most retailers and online.

www.evenflo.com

Based in upstate New York since 1930, this company has been making learning toys, award-winning baby gear, and numerous licensed children’s products. Available everywhere juvenile products are sold, and online.
www.fisher-price.com

Based in Italy for more than 40 years, the company manufactures high-end strollers, prams, high chairs, and table chairs. Go to the company’s website for purchasing information in your area.
www.inglesina.com/us

This family-run, U.S.-based company manufactures strollers, high chairs, and play yards, and a full line of accessories for its products. It has centers in Dallas and Orange County, Calif. Available online and at Buy Buy Baby.
www.joovy.com

Founded by Tim Bergeron in the ’80s, the company designs and manufactures high-end high chairs, booster seats, comfort cushions, and infant insert seats. Visit the company’s website for purchasing information in your area.
www.keekaroo.com

This Wallingford, Conn., company sells woodenware (including high chairs), bamboo, ceramics, resin magnets, cast-iron cookware, and licensed products for M&M, Pillsbury, and Pfaltzgraff. Check its website for a store near you.
www.lipperinternational.com

Founded in 1981 in Britain by the entrepreneur Louisa Scacchetti, the company manufactures baby carriers, strollers, toys, infant seats, and high chairs. Go to the company’s website for purchasing information.
www.us.mamasandpapas.com

A division of the Dorel Juvenile Group, USA, Maxi-Cosi made its debut in 1968 in the Netherlands and quickly became a popular car-seat brand. See company website for purchasing information.
www.maxi-cosi.com

With its headquarters in New Jersey, this company manufactures high-end high chairs, child seats, strollers, and prams. 
www.mutsy.com

Founded in 1990 by Sam Farber, the company started out manufacturing kitchen tools. Today, OXO offers more than 850 products covering many areas of the home, including baby and toddler products such as high chairs, feeding utensils, and bathing accessories. Available at Babies "R" Us and other juvenile product stores.
www.oxo.com

This Italian company has been making strollers, car seats, high chairs, and kid-sized riding chairs for more than 60 years. These higher-priced products are available at Babies "R" Us, specialty shops, and online.
www.pegperego.com

Founded in 1973 and based in Santa Maria, Calif., the family-owned-and-operated company manufactures baby accessories for the nursery, feeding, travel, safety, play, and more. Available at specialty shops and on the company’s website.
www.princelionheart.com

A division of Dorel Juvenile Products, Safety 1st entered the juvenile market in 1984 with its now classic and internationally recognized "Baby on Board" sign.  Fueled by the immediate success of the sign, the company claimed a market niche in child safety and became the first brand to develop a comprehensive line of "childproofing" products. Available everywhere juvenile products are sold, and online.
www.safety1st.com

Begun in 2003 and based in Raleigh, N.C., Scandinavian Child is the exclusive North American distributor of children’s products that “meet the highest style, function and safety standards of discriminating parents.” Includes brands such as Svan, Anka, Cariboo, lillebaby, Micralite, and Beaba. Available at buybuyBaby, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and online.
www.scichild.com

A Norwegian company founded in 1932, Stokke has been family owned and operated since its beginning. Historically, Stokke has produced a wide range of furniture for different needs and target groups through the years, focusing on ergonomics, uniqueness and functionality. Visit the company website for purchasing information.
www.stokke.com

The founder of this company invented the baby bouncer seat for his new daughter in 1985. Since then, the company has been making baby care products such as bathtubs, nursery products, high chairs (under the Carter's name), health and grooming kits, and travel gear. Available everywhere juvenile products are sold, and online.
http://www.summerinfant.com

A division of RC2, a designer, producer, and marketer of toys, collectibles, and infant and toddler products, The First Years offers products for every stage of a child's development, including feeding, playing, traveling, sleeping, health, and safety. Available wherever juvenile products are sold.
www.thefirstyears.com

This 30-year-old, family-owned-and-operated company operates out of Australia, with an order fulfillment center in New York. It offers high chairs, strollers and doll strollers, and parts and accessories.
www.valcobaby.com

Owned by Lan Enterprises LLC in Hillsboro, Oregon, a private company established in 1998. It imports its products (mostly strollers and accessories) from China.
www.zooper.com

This New Zealand-based company makes strollers, travel systems, sleep-and-go carriers, on-the-go child seats, backpack carriers, and accessories. Products are available on its website.
www.philandteds.com

Make sure you can easily operate the harness fastener but your child cannot. If it's not easy for you to use, you might be tempted not to use it every time your child is in the seat, which is a mistake. Although the current voluntary industry standard set by ASTM International doesn't call for a five-point harness (a waist and crotch restraint with shoulder straps), a three-point harness (waist and crotch restraint) is required for certification. On some chairs, you can convert a five-point harness to a three-point one, but we don't recommend it. Five-point harnesses are safer because they can prevent a child from standing up in a high chair and possibly falling.

It should be easy for you to engage and disengage, but not for your baby. Tray latches shouldn't be accessible or visible to your baby.

The voluntary industry standard requires high chairs with completely bounded openings to have a passive crotch restraint, which is usually a fixed post attached to the tray or the seat of the chair.

Not all chairs have this feature, and some parents might not feel that it's necessary, but some come with as many as eight possible heights, along with the pneumatic-equipped chairs with infinite settings. Adjustable seat heights allow the high chair to be used at the level of your dining room table, so your baby can eat with the rest of the family.

Look for a chair with upholstery made to last. The seat cover should feel substantial, not flimsy. And make sure that upholstery seams won't scratch your baby's legs. Seat covers should be easy to wipe clean or be machine washable.

If you're buying a model with wheels, make sure they lock or become immobilized by the weight of your baby in the seat.

Examine the underside of the feeding tray to make sure there's nothing sharp that could scratch your baby. And look for small holes or hinges that could trap little fingers.

Make sure the caps or plugs that cover the ends of metal tubing are well secured. Parts small enough for a child to swallow or inhale are a choking hazard.

If you plan to fold up your high chair every day, practice in the store. Some chairs that claim to be foldable have stiff folding mechanisms, making them less user-friendly.

Push contenders around to see how well they hold their ground. A chair should feel stable and sturdy, not wobbly. Look for a high chair with a wide base for stability.