When families start nailing down travel plan, it also means figuring out which travel gear to prioritize packing. Space-saving items are essential when planning time away from home with the kiddos. A portable high chair is an absolute must if you’ve got a baby or toddler in tow. We’ve rounded up some excellent travel high chair options for you to pick from.
What is a Portable High Chair, and Why Do You Need One?
A portable high chair is designed for on-the-go use. It’s compact, lightweight, and easy to travel with. Whether you’re a frequent flier family, visiting the grandparents who live 10 minutes across town every week, or escaping to warmer weather for an annual getaway, you need a portable high chair. Trust us.
They can save you space in your luggage with its small size, be brought along to your great aunt’s tiny apartment or a crowded restaurant, and help make all your family’s trip — or everyday — adventures go much more smoothly. Plus, they’re typically much more cost-effective than renting a full-size seat.
What To Look for in a Portable High Chair
There are several factors to consider when shopping for a portable high chair. Here are some to consider:
- Convenience: Make sure it is easy to pack up and travel with — the more lightweight and the less bulky, the better.
- Functionality: It should be easy to open, set up, and break down. It should also include features you know you’ll need to get the most out of using it, such as a removable tray.
- Safety: Like any product for babies and small children, safety should be a top concern. It should have easy-to-buckle (and unbuckle) straps and a clearly stated size range suitable for your little one.
- Cleanliness: Look for one that’s easy to wipe down when you’re out and about. Since not all travel accommodations have easily accessible laundry facilities, your travel high chair should be relatively simple to keep clean.
- Comfort: A supportive back and enough room for your baby to sit comfortably in their portable seat can significantly affect how successful mealtime is.
Different Kinds of Travel High Chairs
Travel high chairs come in several styles. The most common are hook-ons, foldable, portable booster seats, sling-like seats, and pop-up portable ones. Let’s look at what makes each kind unique.
Hook-on Style
This type of portable high chair is also known as a clip-on high chair. It’s small and compact and attaches to tables with built-in clamps. No other full-size chair is needed for your baby to use this high chair, so it’s incredibly convenient for tight spaces.
Foldable Style
A foldable high chair is typically a full-size high chair that folds to a compact, space-saving size. While this type of high chair is not quite as simple to travel with as others, you might prefer it for longer stays away for the sense of familiarity (and comfort for your kiddo).
Portable Booster Seat
A portable booster seat can often be used as a stand-alone or atop a regular, full-size chair. This is a convenient option for families planning to spend plenty of time in and out of dining settings while traveling.
Travel Harness Seat
Sometimes known as a sling-like high chair, this portable high chair accessory is made of lightweight cloth material and harness straps. It attaches directly to the back of a full-size chair, allowing your tot to sit virtually anywhere everyone gathers.
Pop-up Portable Style
This type of travel high chair is self-explanatory; it pops open anytime, anywhere (and folds down just as easily). Depending on the make you go with, a pop-up portable high chair can either be used as a stand-alone seat or attached to a regular, full-size chair.
Which is the Best Portable High Chair for Your Baby?
With so many kinds of travel high chairs, choosing the perfect one for your tiny human can be a head-scratching task. We’ve selected some top picks to help take the load off your plate.
1. Keekaroo Café Booster
This is arguably the best portable booster seat out there. It’s soft to the touch and known for its comfort. It features a skid-free, non-toxic material that conforms to odd surfaces and has a three-point safety harness and a high back for proper posture. Keekaroo’s Café Booster is perfect for toddlers and comes in many bold colors.
2. Evenflo Eat and Grow Four-Mode High Chair
This versatile, four-in-one adapts to your child’s needs from 6 months old to 50 pounds — so you won’t have to worry about replacing it by next year. It features a five-point harness, a machine-washable seat pad, wipeable surfaces, and a removable tray. You can use the Evenflo Eat and Grow Four-Mode High Chair for infants, toddlers, or big kids, and its configuration is an incredibly convenient, lightweight solution for on-the-go use.
3. Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair
At just over 7 ½ pounds, this portable high chair straps onto any regular dining chair. It features a five-point harness with two height adjustments and three recline positions, and you have the option of using it as either a portable high chair with a tray or a booster seat. It also includes a deep, easy-to-clean tray and a cushioned seat pad for added comfort.
4. Nuby Easy Go High Chair Booster Seat
This uber-lightweight, compact booster seat is made of stain-resistant coated nylon and fully collapses for a portability that’s hard to beat. It features a three-point harness, adjustable security straps, and an easy-access storage pocket. This booster seat also includes removable foam padding — and folds into a handy carrying case.
5. Summer Infant Pop ‘N Sit Portable High Chair
This pop-up portable high chair is an excellent choice for indoor or outdoor use. Its pop-and-fold design, quick and compact fold, and included travel bag make it suitable wherever your travels bring you. It also features a three-point harness, a rear storage pocket, and an easy-to-clean removable tray. Children between six months old to 4 years (or up to 37 pounds) can use this portable chair.
6. Chicco QuickSeat Hook-On Chair
This compact hook-on seat offers a simple solution to dining anywhere with its one-pull setup. It features a three-point harness, a snap-on and snap-off seat cover for easy washing, and a removable tray. This hook-on high chair features a compact fold with an attached carrying strap. It’s suitable for toddlers up to 37 pounds.
7. Liuliuby Harness Seat
This incredibly lightweight harness seat features adjustable back straps for various dining chairs and Velcro strap closures for hassle-free setup. It also offers three height options, additional side security loops for smaller babies, and anti-slip straps for added safety. The padding is soft for babies, machine-washable, and a budget-friendly option perfect for traveling with.
8. Regalo My High Chair Portable Travel Fold and Go High Chair
This foldable option features an oversized, removable tray, a simple fold-and-go design, and non-skid, non-scuff feet. This chair offers sturdiness and safety with an all-steel frame, reinforced stitching, and a safety lock feature. It’s simple to open (and close), and you can use it indoors or outdoors. Recommended for use from 6 months to 45 pounds.
Whether you’re brainstorming your packing list for your family’s travel or want to take your general baby travel gear to the next level, a portable high chair should be at the top of your must-haves. Your options are endless, from foldable ones to hook-on ones and everything in between. We hope this list helps you find the best travel high chair for all your family’s travel needs.
