If feeding your baby on the go wasn’t already stressful enough, seating them properly when you’re away from home certainly can be. For one thing, restaurant high chairs aren’t guaranteed–and even if they are provided, who knows if they’ve ever been cleaned. If you’re traveling or visiting family and friends, it’s unlikely they’ve got one stashed away either. Your best bet? Invest in baby’s own mobile throne–aka a portable high chair.
Related: The lightweight travel baby gear you need for your next vacay
Travel high chairs are lightweight and compact and easy to set up and take down in just a minute or two. Many styles are designed with transport in mind and some can even fit in a suitcase for air travel. That said, they certainly don’t skimp on durability and some make a worthy replacement for standard high chairs–an option that’s great for families who are short on space.
When it comes to portable high chairs, there are two main styles to choose from: Clip on versions that attach directly to a table or counter and booster seat styles that connect to a chair. Across both categories they can be used with or without a tray. Some booster styles can even be used solo.
Whether you’re looking for something to use on your travels or searching for the perfect portable high chair to keep at grandma’s, we’re rounded up some of the top-rated options to make it easy.
Best Portable High Chairs
Inglesina
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$79.99
With a near-perfect rating, it’s no surprise the Inglesina is a popular pick. It’s lightweight but sturdy, boasts an attractive Italian design and securely attaches to the table or counter with just a few twists. And while the collapsable construction makes it ideal for travel, the durability allows you to use it as your daily at-home high chair as well. It comes in a variety of fun colors and tucks inside its own carry bag for storage or transport and weighs in at only 4.2 pounds. Wiping it down after meals keeps it clean enough, but when it gets extra crusty, it’s easy to disassemble and throw right in the washing machine. Since the clip-on design allows baby to belly right up to the table, it doesn’t come with a tray–but one can be purchased separately if you’d prefer
Weight limit: Up to 37 pounds
hiccapop
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$37.92
An Amazon #1 Best Seller and dubbed “the best $35 you’ll spend this summer” by Motherly’s Trending News Editor, it’s safe to say the hiccapop OmniBoost has fans. The foldable camp chair-esque design quickly becomes indispensable once you realize how versatile it really is. It’s got a wide, stable base that makes it perfect for use on grass or at the beach–or even grandma’s living room floor. In addition, it comes equipped with straps to secure it to a chair and use at the table. The fabric is washable, it sets up in seconds, and it’s easy-peasy to clean.
Weight limit: Up to 45 pounds (though it can technically support 250!)
Chicco
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$29.99
Grow-with-me baby gear is always a win. After all, they seemingly grow overnight those first few years! This innovative style from Chicco offers three different height adjustments and three tray positions to keep them at just the right level over the years. (It also makes it a great choice for multiple kiddos.) The frame is a combination of sturdy metal legs and wipeable plastic and can fold flat when not in use. It’s designed only to be used with dining chairs, but can be used at the table with or without the tray attached.
Weight limit: Up to 50 pounds
Fisher-Price
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$28.49
Another top-rated and affordable design, the Fisher-Price Healthy Care Deluxe Booster Seat offers a few extra bells and whistles we love. In addition to three height adjustments, a removable back rest and a portable construction, we love the awesome tray design. It features a deep, open tray at the bottom, a dishwasher safe insert with a sippy cup holder as well as a cover for travel. There’s no questionable crevices to trap every crumb and it’s super easy to wipe down when they’re done. The only minus is that even when folded, it’s still quite bulky so best to reserve this one for short car trips or grandma’s house as opposed to air travel.
Weight limit: Up to 50 pounds
Nuby
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$19.99
If just the basics is all you’re after, check out the Nuby Easy Go Booster. The ultra-light compact design is made of coated nylon and removable foam padding to customize the fit for your little one. Simply attach it with the back and bottom straps to most dining chairs to give baby a seat at the table. When you’re ready to pack it up, it folds down and zips up resembling an oversize lunchbox. There’s a safety harness to keep tots secure and the fabric cleans up easily with a damp cloth. Pro-tip: It’s also one of the only options that allows you to push the chair it’s attached to all the way into the table.🙌
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