From booster seats to clip-on to floor chairs, travel high chairs come in a variety of styles. Regardless of the style, you’ll want to look closely at its durability, weight capacity, and how easy it is to clean. Many portable high chairs can be wiped down with a damp cloth or will have removable pieces that you can throw in the dishwasher or washing machine once you’re home. We researched the top options from trusted brands with these features in mind. Here are the best travel high chairs on the market. We love this booster because it’s affordable, durable, and easy to clean. Crafted with BPA-free materials in three adorable designs, this chair has two height levels and two separate straps that secure it safely to a standard chair. It also has a 3-point harness to buckle your baby in and keep them secure. It’s safe to use for babies 6 months and up and has a 33-pound weight limit. Other features include a removable tray and fabric seat cover. The tray can be used for eating or removed so your baby can scoot right up to the table. It has three different position options and is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. Meanwhile, the seat cover provides some soft support against your baby’s back. It can be removed and tossed in the washing machine when it needs to be cleaned. The bottom of the seat is made of durable plastic which can simply be wiped down if dirtied. Finally, this seat folds down neatly for easy carrying, transport, and storage. Price at time of publication: $28 There is a storage pocket on the back of the seat that can hold utensils or a small toy, and the seat is equipped with a strong three-point harness for extra safety. While it does not include a tray, this seat can accommodate toddlers weighing up to 50 pounds. Price at time of publication: $23 It’s made for babies and kids weighing up to 35 pounds and can be tossed into the washing machine whenever it gets dirty. When it’s not in use, this seat folds down to the size of a diaper and tucks away into a small bag, making it super portable.  It features a storage pocket on the back of the chair that’s just the right size for utensils and small toys, and it has a high-back design to offer full support to smaller babies. The chair can also be combined with a removable tray (sold separately). Price at time of publication: $79 Kids between 6 months and 4 years old (or up to 45 pounds) can safely use this floor seat, which is equipped with a three-point harness. When it’s not in use, simply fold the seat up like a camping chair and then pop it back up the next time you need it. Price at time of publication: $55 It’s equipped with a five-point harness and is safe for babies 4 months old (if they are sitting independently) up to 3 years old, while the play chair is made for kids at least 1 year old and weighing up to 200 pounds. Price at time of publication: $280 When it’s not in use, this seat folds down compactly and features a carrying strap for easy transport. It’s designed for babies 6 months old who can sit unassisted, to kids up to 3 years old or under 50 pounds (whichever comes first). Price at time of publication: $40 Booster
Typically, booster high chairs will sit on top of a standard chair and attach to its back with a clip or strap of some kind. Keep in mind that boosters should always be securely attached to a sturdy chair in order to be used safely. Also, be mindful of your child’s age and development before transitioning to a booster chair. Most babies are booster chair-ready by 18 months old while older toddlers are typically too big for them. The booster may come with a tray that can slide on and off of the front of the seat, much like a standard high chair, or it may be designed for you to push the chair right up to the table without needing a tray at all. These types of chairs are usually pretty bulky, so they aren’t great for restaurants but work well for visits to friends or family members’ homes.  Clip-On Chair Sometimes called “lobster chairs,” these chairs are usually super compact and attach to tabletops using clamps that can be adjusted to fit most tables. The clamps are what support the seat, and this type of chair is ideal for restaurants, counters, or high-top tables (as well as air travel) because it’s compact. However, many of these kinds of seats are designed for babies, so they aren’t good for families with toddlers.  Floor Chair Instead of pushing up to a table, this type of chair comes with a tray and sits right on the floor. They can be small or closer to the size of a standard high chair but easily break down for travel. Since there are multiple variations of floor chairs, there are a lot of different uses for them. They’re especially good for outdoors where there may not be a standard table and/or chair to attach a travel seat to. 

Safety

Safety is the most important thing to keep in mind when shopping for a travel high chair. If it’s a booster, you’ll want to make sure it has a strap that will securely attach it to the chair it’s sitting on and that it has a level bottom that will stay put even if your child is wiggling. For clip-on chairs, make sure the clamps are high quality and will not loosen as your child moves around. Also, make sure the seat’s fabric is strong and secure since it will be supporting your child’s weight. Different high chairs have different weight and age parameters so ensure your baby meets these and is showing signs of readiness for a high chair before buying. Finally, regardless of the type of high chair you get, it should have some kind of harness to keep your kid in the seat. Children shouldn’t be able to crawl or wiggle out of the chair due to the potential risk of injury. It’s also important to note that parents should never leave their babies unattended or let them sleep in any high chair. 

Portability

The whole point of getting a travel high chair is that you can easily transport it. Depending on how you plan to use the chair, you may want it to fold down compactly for easy storage or travel. No matter what style you get, though, you will want to be sure that it is light enough to carry (most likely when you’re also carrying a baby and a diaper bag).

Why Trust Verywell Family

Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. She has personal experience in researching and purchasing a variety of children’s products, and key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include materials, design, and user reviews.