The Best High Chairs We Tested to Withstand Your Child’s Messiest Meals

Best for Lifetime Use

Stokke Tripp Trapp

$299 $255 at Amazon $299 at Nordstrom $255 at Target

Why We Like It

The ergonomic design of the Tripp Trapp is both functional and stylish—it looks like an actual chair, rather than just a high chair—plus it allows you to use a tray or bring your baby right up to the table to join the whole family at mealtimes. Made from sustainable beech wood, this chair is super sturdy and can hold up to 300 pounds. It can even be adjusted for use by adults! The Tripp Trapp comes in 11 colors.

Overall, it’s a great chair for all ages: easy to clean, looks great, and adapts as your little one grows. The Stokke Tripp Trapp keeps its value well if you ever want to resell it, too. With the added newborn set (sold separately), you can use this chair as soon as your baby is born. Note that it won’t actually be a highchair if you’re using it with a newborn, but rather a comfy seat to place the baby safely.

I own an older Tripp Trapp, but the new version, released in 2024, features one big change: a much easier-to-use harness with a handy new quick-release buckle. It's definitely an upgrade in terms of user-friendliness.

But Take Note

One thing I don’t love about my Tripp Trapp is that the harness straps stain easily and are difficult to clean. Still, because I only used the harness until both of my babies were about 16 months, this wasn’t a dealbreaker. One tester had a similar experience: “There are so many little cracks and crevices for food to get into.” Also, since the tray is made with textured plastic, silicone bowls and cups don’t adhere easily.

The Details:

• Dimensions: 32.5 x 18.1 x 22.4 inches
• Weight: 15.6 pounds 
• Age range/weight limit: 6 to 50 months
• Configurations: High chair, toddler chair, kid chair
• Dishwasher-safe tray? Tray is not dishwasher safe

Best Budget

Chicco Zest 4-in-1 Folding Highchair

$70 at Amazon $70 at Target $69 at Walmart

Why We Like It

Earning high marks for versatility, ease of cleaning, and general awesomeness, the Chicco Zest offers considerable bang for your buck. A simple design means it’s also a breeze to use and assemble—our tester said it took her under five minutes. Designed to be folded for easy storage, the Zest is ideal for small spaces and will grow with your child from a high chair to a toddler chair to a stool. It comes in three understated colors.

Our tester stressed how easy the chair was to clean compared to others she’d tried because it’s essentially all one piece. We also heard good things about how sturdy the chair feels and how simple it is to move from place to place. The overall takeaway from our tester is that this chair is wildly functional for everyday life with a little one and, at just $69, won’t break the bank. 

But Take Note

Our tester said the lack of a footrest on the Zest was her main concern because she’s “heard having a footrest instead of dangling feet may be better for feeding time.” When babies’ feet are supported at mealtime, it allows for better body positioning and core stabilizing. 

The Details:

• Dimensions: 26 x 21.5 x 34.25 inches
• Weight: 9.5 lbs
• Age range/weight limit: 60 pounds
• Configurations: High chair, toddler chair, stool
• Dishwasher-safe tray? No

Best for Toddlers

Ergobaby Evolve

$300 $240 at Amazon View on Ergobaby.com View on Babylist.com

Why We Like It

Beautifully simple and functional, the Ergobaby Evolve can take you from the first days of solid foods right up to kindergarten. Where it really shines is during the toddler years, due to its robust footprint and low-maintenance vibes. The Evolve converts from a standard high chair to a toddler seat to a kitchen helper stool (sometimes called toddler towers). Made from beech wood and plastic, this chair comes in two colors and is Greenguard Gold certified, which means it meets strict standards for low chemical emissions.

Our staff tester appreciated the attractive look and amazing ease of cleaning this chair, and what a breeze it was to get a child in and out of it quickly. Our home testers also mentioned the hassle-free cleanup, including the dark straps that don’t show food stains. One tester emphasized the stability, durability, and high quality of the chair, saying, “I feel it's a very good deal for the price point.”

But Take Note

Although most reviews were glowing, our tester commented that the height of the high chair wasn’t adjustable. Note that if you want the option to convert this chair to a kitchen helper, it will cost an extra $50 at the time of purchase (on top of the $239 price). 

The Details:

• Dimensions: 31 x 23 x 35.4 inches 
• Weight: 23 pounds 
• Age range/weight limit: 50 pounds
• Configurations: High chair, toddler chair, kitchen helper 
• Dishwasher-safe tray? Yes, the removable insert to the tray is dishwasher-safe
• Washing machine-safe features? No