When our firstborn was a baby, we loved taking him with us wherever we went: pubs, restaurants, parks, you name it. Luckily, he was an easygoing baby and always seemed happy to travel along. At first we used his infant car seat as a carrier, but as he got older and more mobile, it was time to travel with a portable high chair so that he would have a comfy place to perch while checking out the scenery and having a snack. If you’re a family on-the-go, you’ll definitely want to check out the top 10 best portable high chairs available. Be sure to pick up a few of the top 20 best baby rattles to keep your little one entertained while you’re on the go. And if you live in a small space, these can easily pull double duty as your everyday high chair. Plus, if you’re in need of a traditional high chair, you can find our top 10 best high chairs for babies and toddlers here.
Another great piece of baby gear to have to keep baby snug and happy is a baby swing—we put together a list of our top 10 baby swings for any budget. Find one that works for you!
Keep reading to see the 10 best portable high chairs on the market right now: from clip-on chairs to boosters to standalones, I’ve pulled together the highest rated chairs in every category.
1. Best Outdoor Portable High Chair: ciao! baby Portable Highchair
(ciao! baby)
Designed just like an adult camping chair, the ciao! baby Portable Highchair works for more than just camping. You can keep it folded up in your car to bring into restaurants or bars with you; it’s just one piece, so no need to worry about finding the tray or cover—it’s all attached! There’s even a carrying bag included, and the chair is lightweight and portable at just eight pounds. Consumer complaints include that the food tray slants downward slightly toward baby, meaning food is prone to spilling. Plus, some consumers complain the leg openings and strap make it somewhat difficult to get baby in and out of the chair. This versatile chair is recommended for ages three months all the way up to three years!
Price: $53.96 (33 percent off MSRP)
Buy the ciao! baby Portable Highchair here.
Pros:
- One piece that folds up flat
- Carrying bag included
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Doesn’t work with restaurant chairs
- Tray dips down toward child and can cause food to spill
- Somewhat difficult to get baby in and out of chair
Find more ciao! baby Portable Highchair information and reviews here.
2. Best Clip-on Portable High Chair: phil&teds Lobster Highchair
(phil&ted’s)
If you’re looking for a clip-on high chair, phil&ted’s Lobster Highchair is a good choice. It folds up flat and is super lightweight, at just four pounds. The adjustable clips work on many different types of tables, although they are not designed to clip to glass tables or tables with a lip. This chair is safe for children three months to three years of age and up to 37 pounds. It’s a great option if you want to avoid restaurant chairs or if you have a tight dining space in your home—no need for a large, bulky standalone high chair. Some consumers report that the high chair is difficult to clean, as the fabric part does not detach.
Price: $89.90
Buy the phil&teds Lobster Highchair here.
Pros:
- Very light and compact, at under four pounds
- Lobster clips adjust to most table sizes with no need for a chair
- Globally safety certified design can accommodate a child from three months to three years and up to a max weight of 37 pounds
Cons:
- More expensive
- Doesn’t work with tables that have a lip or skirt
- Fabric doesn’t detach to go in washing machine
Find more phil&teds Lobster Highchair information and reviews here.
3. Best Rotating Portable High Chair: Chicco 360 Hook on Chair
(Chicco)
The Chicco 360 Hook on Chair is an innovative travel product that rotates into six different positions once it is clipped to a table. You can face baby any way she wants to be—so if she is done with dinner and wants to face out into the restaurant to people-watch, she can feel free. This chair comes with a snap-on serving tray to keep the mess off the surface of the table wherever you are dining. It folds up compactly and comes with its own carrying bag, but keep in mind it weighs a little more than other options, at 22 pounds. The travel chair is meant for ages six months to three years and maxes out at 37 pounds. Some consumers report that the chair is on the small side and can be somewhat difficult to get baby in and out of.
Price: $59.99 (20 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Chicco 360 Hook on Chair here.
Pros:
- Chair rotates 360 degrees into six different positions once clipped, so you can face baby any way she wants
- Comes with snap-on serving tray
- Folds up compactly and comes with a carrying bag
Cons:
- Somewhat small
- Somewhat difficult to get child in and out
- On the heavier side at 22 pounds
Find more Chicco 360 Hook on Chair information and reviews here.
4. Best Portable Booster High Chair: The First Years On-the-Go Booster Seat
(The First Years)
The First Years On-the-Go Booster Seat is a super affordable, self-inflating booster that gives your baby a height boost of four inches and secures her safely with a T-strap. Attach it to just about any chair for a comfortable way to get your child up to the height of the table so she can eat right alongside the family. The self-inflating feature is cool, but some consumers report it takes a little getting used to to figure out the optimal way to get it inflated. Although the manufacturer says it holds up to 50 pounds, some consumers report that larger babies cannot be safely secured in the chair. It’s definitely a great travel option for younger babies, and at only $12 it’s the most inexpensive option on the list.
Price: $13.92 (34 percent off MSRP)
Buy the The First Years On-the-Go Booster Seat here.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Self-inflates into a sturdy and comfy booster
- Holds up to 50 pounds
Cons:
- Needs a chair to be used
- Child can tip the seat over if not watched closely
- Inflating/deflating takes some getting used to
Find more The First Years On-the-Go Booster Seat information and reviews here.
5. Best Portable Booster High Chair with Tray: Bumbo Multi Seat
(Bumbo)
The Bumbo Multi Seat is a portable high chair that you can use on the floor or attached to a chair with the included straps. It also converts into a toddler booster as your baby grows. The chair should accommodate children up to three years of age. However, some consumers report their babies quickly grew too large for the leg openings on the padded insert. Many consumers report that the tray is quite difficult to clean and that food and water tend to get stuck in the seam. Although it is lightweight and closes up nicely for transporting, it doesn’t have a carrying case or handle.
Price: $44.99
Buy the Bumbo Multi Seat here.
Pros:
- Works as a floor, booster and feeding seat
- Wide base and wide leg openings for safety and comfort
- Adjust to accommodate kids up to three years old
Cons:
- Tray is difficult to clean
- No carrying case or handle
- Babies with chunky legs grow out of the chair quickly
Find more Bumbo Multi Seat information and reviews here.
6. Best Steel-Frame Portable High Chair: Inglesina Fast Table Chair With Dining Tray
(Inglesina)
The Inglesina Fast Table Chair is a strong steel-framed clip-on chair that is adaptable to most table types. However, it may not work on tables with lips, and it’s not safe to use with pedestal tables because it may throw off the weight distribution. The chair folds flat when not in use, and the carrying bag that comes with it stores nicely in a pocket on the back of the chair, so you don’t have to worry about losing it or carrying a separate piece. It comes with a plastic dining tray to avoid messes on the dining table. Some consumers take issue with the gap between the seat and tray when the tray is attached, which can cause food to drop onto the floor. This clip-on chair is on the more expensive side, but the price is justified based on the quality of materials.
Price: $84
Buy the Inglesina Fast Table Chair With Dining Tray here.
Pros:
- Tubular steel structure is strong and safe
- Folds flat when you’re done, and the carrying bag tucks into the chair
- Fits most tables and counter-tops
Cons:
- More expensive
- Doesn’t work with tables with lips or pedestal tables
- Big gap between the tray and seat, causing food to drop
Find more Inglesina Fast Table Chair With Dining Tray information and reviews here.
7. Best Affordable Portable High Chair: Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat
(Fisher-Price)
The Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat is another affordable option for dining on-the-go, at Grandma’s house, or in small-space dining areas. The tray is adjustable so the seat can grow with baby, and it snaps off and goes right into the dishwasher. This booster seat has a shoulder strap for easy transport. The seat is made of plastic, which isn’t as comfy for baby as foam or fabric, and it also tends to scratch dining chairs unless you put some kind of liner in between the chair and seat. Although it’s lightweight at just four pounds, it is on the bulky side.
Price: $26.99 (12 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat here.
Pros:
- Tray is adjustable for different size babies and dishwasher safe
- Shoulder strap for carrying on-the-go
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Plastic seat instead of fabric or foam
- Bulkier than other boosters
- Bottom can scratch chairs if you don’t use a buffer
Find more Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat information and reviews here.
8. Best Lightweight Portable High Chair: Mamas & Papas Baby Bud Booster Seat
(Mamas & Papas)
The Mamas & Papas Baby Bud Booster Seat is a super lightweight (just three pounds!) booster that can travel easily with its built-in carry handle. It comes with a removable soft-seat insert and a removable tray with three positions to ensure baby’s dining and playing comfort. This product is specifically designed without any crevices to trap pesky crumbs, and it wipes clean easily. There is an optional “play tray” that you can purchase, but many consumers report that its suction cups do not stay attached well and it tends to pop off. The dining tray is a bit on the small side, but you can easily remove it and pull baby right up the table when she is ready for a bigger plate. Overall, it has a lot of great features but is on the more expensive side and doesn’t have the ability to convert into a toddler booster (it is designed to handle up to 33 pounds).
Price: $52.95
Buy the Mamas & Papas Baby Bud Booster Seat here.
Pros:
- Removable soft seat insert and three-position removable tray for comfort and fit
- Easy to clean—no crevices to trap crumbs
- Super lightweight and comes with carry handle for portability
Cons:
- More expensive
- Optional play tray tends to pop off
- Tray is a little small
Find more Mamas & Papas Baby Bud Booster Seat information and reviews here.
9. Best Fabric Portable High Chair: Cozy Cover Portable Easy Seat
(Cozy Cover)
This innovative design is the most portable of all travel seats, weighing in at just under half a pound! The five point harness and dual straps that attach to just about any dining chair keep baby safe and snug. The seat is durable and easily washes clean in your washing machine. At under $20, the product is an excellent value. However, some things to keep in mind: there is no tray and no booster, so baby will most likely not reach the height of the dining table; you may have to get creative with feeding in this seat. Additionally, it’s not designed for use of babies under six months or for wriggly toddlers.
Price: $19.99 (33 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Cozy Cover Portable Easy Seat here.
Pros:
- Ultra lightweight at less than half a pound
- Five-point safety harness
- Durable and machine-washable
Cons:
- Not safe for babies under six months or who can’t hold up their own heads; not for use for toddlers
- No tray
- Doesn’t boost baby up to height of table
Find more Cozy Cover Portable Easy Seat information and reviews here.
10. Best Adjustable-Height Portable High Chair: Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat
(Chicco)
The Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat is another inexpensive and versatile booster seat that is pretty easy to travel with. The legs adjust to three different heights, and the tray fits in three positions so it can fit babies of many different sizes. It folds up flat for transport and has a carry handle as well as a shoulder strap. The tray is a bit on the small side and some consumers say it is difficult to remove, especially one-handed when trying to help a baby in or out. This chair is not designed for standalone use on the floor and should always be strapped to a dining chair before use.
Price: $29.99
Buy the Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat here.
Pros:
- Easy to set up and fold up for storing or travel
- Sturdy metal legs that adjust to three heights and removable three-position tray
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Some consumers say tray is difficult to remove
- Tray is on the small side
- Not designed for standalone use
Find more Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat information and reviews here.