Best Highchairs UK 2026: From Budget to Premium

This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support BumpSync.

Choosing a highchair is one of those deceptively tricky baby purchases. It seems straightforward — your baby sits in it, food goes on the tray, mess happens — but once you start comparing options, you quickly realise there's a lot to think about. Do you want something that grows with your child? Something ultra-easy to clean? A statement piece for your kitchen, or a no-fuss workhorse that you can chuck in the car when visiting the grandparents?

The good news: there's a great highchair at every price point. This guide covers the UK's best highchairs for 2026, from the legendary budget pick to the premium heirloom chair that parents genuinely keep for decades.

Already planning your full baby kit? Browse all feeding essentials on BumpSync — from highchairs and bottle warmers to breast pumps and bibs.

---

What to Look for in a Highchair

Before diving into the reviews, here's a quick checklist of what actually matters:

• Safety: Look for a five-point harness, a wide stable base, and compliance with UK/EU safety standards.
• Ease of cleaning: Babies are spectacularly messy. Wipe-clean surfaces, dishwasher-safe trays, and removable seat pads are a genuine quality-of-life win.
• Adjustability: A chair with height-adjustable legs and a footrest is better for posture and longevity.
• Longevity: Can it grow with your child? Some chairs convert to toddler chairs or even adult dining chairs, giving you far better value over time.
• Footprint: Be honest about your kitchen space. Some highchairs fold flat; others are substantial pieces of furniture.
• Budget: Highchairs range from under £25 to over £300. Both ends of the market have genuinely excellent options.

---

The Best Highchairs in the UK (2026)

🟢 Budget Pick: IKEA ANTILOP — From ~£25

If you've spent any time in parenting groups, you'll know the IKEA ANTILOP has an almost cult-like following — and for good reason. It is, by almost every measure, one of the best value baby products ever made.

The ANTILOP is easy to disassemble and carry along, so your child sits safely whether you're at home, at a friend's place, or at a restaurant. The wipe-clean plastic shell means cleaning up after mealtimes takes seconds. It comes with a three-point safety belt included, and an optional tray (sold separately, but widely recommended — don't skip it) clips on and off easily.

What parents love most about the Antilop is its simplicity. There are no padding crevices to trap mushed-up broccoli, no complicated adjustment mechanisms, and no wheels to trap under the dining table leg. The legs simply pull off for storage or travel.

The caveats? The ANTILOP doesn't have a footrest (which is important for posture during weaning — you'll want to buy a third-party one) and it lacks height adjustment. It's also not the most stylish option on the market. But if you're looking for a secondary chair for grandparents' houses, a travel option, or simply the most practical weaning chair going, it's hard to beat.

Best for: Budget-conscious parents, grandparents, travel, secondary chairs.

---

🟡 Mid-Range Pick: Joie Multiply 6-in-1 — From ~£100

Joie has built a strong reputation in the UK for making solid, feature-packed baby gear at realistic prices — and the Multiply 6-in-1 is arguably their highchair flagship.

As the name suggests, the Joie Multiply 6-in-1 genuinely does six different things: baby highchair, traditional highchair, booster, portable booster, toddler chair, and play table. It's suitable from approximately 6 months all the way to 6 years, making it one of the most versatile options at this price point.

The chair offers 5 different height positions to adapt to your dining table or kitchen counter, plus 3 recline positions and 3 footrest heights. The tray is dishwasher-safe, removes with one hand, and even doubles as a placemat when your toddler is ready to sit up at the big table. The whole thing folds compactly and stands upright when folded — handy for smaller kitchens.

For parents who want a highchair that evolves with their child well into the toddler years, the Joie Multiply is genuinely excellent value for money.

What to watch: It's a fairly substantial piece of kit when fully assembled. If you have a small kitchen, measure your space first.

Best for: Parents who want one chair to carry them from weaning to toddlerhood, those who want multiple configurations without the premium price tag.

---

For the Joie Mimzy Recline, another popular model in the range, Joie also offer a from-birth option with 5 recline positions, 7 height adjustments, and a fold-flat design for easy storage — great if you want to start using the highchair from the newborn stage.

---

🔴 Premium Pick: Stokke Tripp Trapp — From ~£229

Few baby products have achieved the iconic status of the Stokke Tripp Trapp. Designed by Norwegian designer Peter Opsvik in 1972, it has barely needed to change in over 50 years — a testament to how well it was conceived from the start. The Tripp Trapp has even been exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art and the Centre Pompidou.

The Tripp Trapp is not quite a highchair in the traditional sense — it's more accurately described as an adjustable chair that grows with your child from birth all the way to adulthood. The seat and footplate are both depth and height adjustable, meaning the chair provides an ergonomic, comfortable seating position at every age and stage.

For use as a highchair specifically, you'll need the Baby Set² (sold separately), which adds side and back support for when your baby can sit unaided from around 6 months. If you want to use it from birth, the Newborn Set is also available as an add-on. The Baby Set² includes a five-point harness with soft shoulder pads for security.

The chair is constructed from solid European Beech or Oak wood, comes in a huge range of colours, and carries a 7-year warranty when registered with Stokke. There's a reason parents who've had one for years end up buying another for a second child.

The honest cons: The upfront cost is real — you're spending £229+ on the chair alone, and the Baby Set², tray, and cushion are all extras. Over time the investment stacks up, but so does the longevity. Many parents find the Tripp Trapp outlasts multiple children and still fetches decent resale value.

Best for: Parents who want a long-term investment, those who prioritise design and ergonomics, families with multiple children who'll use it over years.

---

Quick Comparison Table

---

Stokke Tripp Trapp: Is It Worth the Money? A Closer Look

Given it's the highchair most UK parents agonise over, the Tripp Trapp deserves a slightly deeper look.

The case for buying it:

• The seat and footplate adjust in both height and depth, ensuring a healthy, ergonomic seating posture at every age — something few chairs in any price bracket can match.
• Built from solid wood, it can genuinely last decades. Many parents pass them down or resell them in excellent condition.
• It pulls right up to your dining table, bringing your baby to the heart of family mealtimes — which research consistently shows is beneficial for development and family bonding.
• The 7-year warranty (when registered) reflects how seriously Stokke stands behind the product.
• It comes in a wide range of colours and both Beech and Oak wood finishes, so it looks genuinely beautiful in a home.

The case against (or reasons to pause):

• Once you factor in the Baby Set² (needed from 6 months), the tray, and possibly a cushion, total costs can approach £350+.
• The Baby Set² and other accessories are all sold separately.
• It has no recline options, so it's not suitable for very young babies without the Newborn Set add-on.
• Some parents find a £100 mid-range chair performs the basic function just as well.

Our verdict: If you're planning to have more than one child, or if you love the idea of a piece of furniture that genuinely grows with your family and doesn't need replacing, the Tripp Trapp is worth every penny. If you need a straightforward weaning chair on a tight budget, the IKEA Antilop is a more sensible choice — and there's absolutely no shame in that.

---

Things Nobody Tells You About Highchairs

You'll use it more than you think. Once weaning starts around 6 months, your baby may be in the highchair three times a day. A chair that's annoying to wipe down or awkward to strap a wriggling baby into will grate on you quickly.

The footrest really matters. For healthy posture during mealtimes — and to help with swallowing — babies should ideally have their feet supported. This is a known consideration among paediatric feeding specialists. The IKEA Antilop has no built-in footrest, so if you choose it, budget for a third-party footrest attachment.

Padding is a mixed blessing. Padded seats look cosy but are considerably harder to clean. Many parents who bought padded highchairs end up wishing they'd chosen an easy-wipe option.

Think about your table height. Not all highchairs fit comfortably under all dining tables. Check the dimensions before buying, particularly if you have a counter-height table.

Second-hand is fine (with caveats). Highchairs are frequently sold second-hand in excellent condition. If buying used, check for recalls on the model, ensure all harness straps are intact, and check for cracks in any plastic or wood components.

---

What Else Do You Need for Weaning?

A highchair is just the start of your feeding setup. Once weaning begins, you'll want bibs (a lot of them — we're not being dramatic), muslins, weaning spoons, bowls with suction cups, and a splat mat for the floor if you have carpets.

If you're still breastfeeding or formula feeding, you'll also want to make sure your bottles, steriliser, and breast pump situation is sorted well before weaning begins.

Browse all feeding essentials on BumpSync — including breast pumps, sterilisers, bottle warmers, bibs, and muslins.

And if you're still building out the rest of your nursery, don't forget to check out the BumpSync Nursery & Furniture prep list for cots, mattresses, nursing chairs, and more.

---

FAQ

When can my baby use a highchair?

Most highchairs are designed for babies from around 6 months, or when they can sit unaided with good head control. Some chairs — like the Stokke Tripp Trapp with the Newborn Set, or the Joie Mimzy Recline — can be used from birth with the appropriate accessories. Always follow the manufacturer's guidance for your specific chair.

What's the safest highchair in the UK?

All highchairs sold in the UK must meet safety standards. Look for a five-point harness, a wide stable base, and no sharp edges or pinch points. The Stokke Tripp Trapp, IKEA Antilop, and Joie ranges all meet UK safety requirements. Regardless of which chair you choose, never leave a baby unattended in a highchair.

Is the IKEA ANTILOP really as good as everyone says?

For what it does, yes — it's an exceptionally well-designed, easy-to-clean, lightweight chair that has stood the test of time. Its main limitation is the lack of a footrest and height adjustment. For parents who prioritise function over form and want something portable, it's hard to argue against.

Do I need to buy the Stokke Baby Set separately?

Yes. The Stokke Tripp Trapp chair on its own is not configured as a highchair until you add the Baby Set² (suitable from around 6 months when your baby can sit unaided). The Baby Set² provides side and back support, plus a five-point harness. It is sold separately, so factor that into your budget.

Can I use a highchair for baby-led weaning (BLW)?

Yes — in fact, a highchair is essential for BLW. Look for a chair with a wide, easy-clean tray, a secure five-point harness, and ideally a footrest to support correct posture during meals. All three chairs in this guide are suitable for baby-led weaning.

How long will a highchair last?

It depends on the model. The IKEA Antilop is rated to 15kg (roughly 3 years old). The Joie Multiply 6-in-1 is designed to last from 6 months to 6 years across its various modes. The Stokke Tripp Trapp, with its adjustable seat and footplate, can technically be used from birth to adulthood — making it the most long-lived option on the market.

Is it worth spending more on a highchair?

It depends on your priorities. A more expensive chair like the Stokke Tripp Trapp offers superior ergonomics, longevity, and design — but a £25 Antilop can do the job brilliantly for most families. The sweet spot for many parents is a mid-range option like the Joie Multiply, which offers genuine versatility without the premium price tag.

---

Ready to Plan Your Full Baby Kit?

A highchair is a brilliant starting point, but there's a whole world of feeding gear to get sorted before your baby arrives. BumpSync helps you and your partner build your complete baby prep list together — tracking what you need, what you've bought, and what's still outstanding, all in one place.

Try BumpSync Free and start building your baby prep list today — it's completely free to use.