Top Picks for High Chairs in 2026

Starting around 6 months or so, your baby’s high chair will become a staple for meal times and snacks. Depending on the model, it can even be used through their toddler years. This means that whichever high chair you choose, it will most likely get a lot of (heavy, messy) use during your child’s first years.

When choosing the best high chair for your family, there are several factors you’ll want to consider, says Joan Muratore, the engineer who leads CR’s testing on high chairs.

Does it fit your budget? This is the most important factor for many parents. “High chairs in our ratings range from about $30 up to $600 or more, with an average of about $210,” Muratore says. 

Does it fit your space? Consider how much space you have in your kitchen, dining area, or any room where you’ll be using your high chair. “You may not want, or have space for, a large, bulky high chair,” Muratore says. We take note of the high chair’s footprint, rating each as small, medium, or large, and also highlight which chairs can fold up easily for storage.

Will it grow with your child? “Consider whether you want a chair that can continue to be used as your child grows—as a booster, a toddler chair, or even an adult chair,” Muratore says. “Or do you want just a basic high chair and you’ll buy a booster when you need it?” A convertible option can change as your child grows. 

Is it easy to clean? Simple is better when it comes to a cleaning-friendly design. “The busier the design of a high chair, the more difficult it tends to be to clean,” Muratore says. “Having no seat pad is best for ease of cleaning,” she says, “but if there’s a seat pad, make sure it’s machine-washable, as food and other messes are virtually guaranteed to get on the pad.” And don’t overlook the tray. Muratore recommends choosing a chair with a tray insert that can be put into the dishwasher for easy cleanup.

Consumer Reports tested more than 30 popular high chair models, from Chicco to Uppababy, assessing them for ease of use, ease of cleaning, and safety, to find the best high chairs. The three high chairs that impressed our testers the most are our Top Picks for high chairs for 2026. 

The Stokke Clikk high chair earned high scores across safety, ease of use, and ease of cleaning. This top-performing high chair has a modern, straightforward design that’s pretty ingenious. It assembles quickly by clicking together—no tools necessary—and is ideal for everyday use. More features that impressed our testers:

• It includes a smooth, molded tray and seat, meaning no seams or crevices where food can collect.
• The dishwasher-safe tray and machine-washable harness make for quick cleanup.
• It’s very lightweight, making it easy to move to another room or disassemble for transport. (A travel bag is sold separately.)
• An adjustable footrest with two positions can swing up or down as your child grows.

A machine-washable seat pad is sold separately. While the Clikk high chair doesn’t fold, it has a small footprint. The tray position isn’t adjustable, but you can remove it and pull it tableside when your little one is ready to join for family meals. “The Stokke Clikk is a lightweight, no-frills design that works well and is easy to clean,” Muratore says. 

Our testers’ value pick is a folding high chair that’s ideal for small spaces, but is a standout option for kitchens of all sizes. Our expert pick is a high chair with an easy-to-attach, dishwasher-safe tray and simple-to-adjust harness straps, which are machine-washable. Depending on your family’s needs and budget, one of these high chairs might be right for you.