Portable Baby High Chair Infant Toddler Feeding Booster Folding Highchair Orange

Not only are travel highchairs and booster seats fabulous for when you're on the go, they're also great as an alternative to larger, bulkier highchairs for babies and toddlers, if you have less room.

Another great thing about booster seats is they include your child in mealtimes. As they get older they can sit around the table on their booster seat.

For more ideas to make eating and drinking enjoyable for your child, take a look at our roundup of the best plates and bowls for kids and best cups and beakers for babies and toddlers.

To compile this list of best travel highchairs and booster seats we've asked parents to tell us all about the ones they use with their children.

Best travel highchairs and booster seats at a glance

• Best budget booster seat: Venture Bubble Booster Seat, £19.99
• Best for playtime: Mamas & Papas Baby Bud, £55
• Best foldable seat: Chicco Pocket Snack, £19.99
• Best for high maximum weight threshold: Ingenuity Baby Base 2-in-1 Seat, £40
• Best for growing with your baby: Bumbo Multiseat, £66
• Best for fun colours and prints: Cosatto Grubs Up, £69.95
• Best for storage: Munchkin Travel Booster Seat, £24.99
• Best for toddlers: Bumbo Booster Seat, £48.50
• Best fabric harness: Totseat Seat Harness, £24
• Best for short trips: Baby Polar Gear Booster Seat and Placemat, £19.99

Types of travel highchair and booster seats

Travel highchairs – a bit like the seat part of a highchair, minus the long legs. They sit on top of a dining chair and are strapped on. They can be folded to a compact size for portability.

Booster seat – much like a travel highchair, it straps onto a dining chair. You can get either foldable or unfoldable booster seats. They're designed to give your child a boost in height so they can reach the table.

Clamp-on seats – a seat that attaches to the table's edge, rather than the chair.

Fabric seat harnesses – a piece of fabric you put around your baby with clip restraints that fasten at the back of a chair. They're easy to fold, but don't give your baby any additional height to help them reach the table.

What to consider when buying a travel highchair

Age suitability – travel highchairs and booster seats tend to not be suitable until 6 months and some backless ones may only be suitable for older toddlers. Make sure that the one you choose is age appropriate for your baby or toddler.

Maximum weight – much like age suitability, consider whether the travel highchair can hold the weight of your toddler. Also, if you want it to last a long time, think in advance, if your toddler is already nearly the maximum weight, it might be a good idea to choose a different one.

How long will your baby or toddler be sitting in it? – you need to think about how long your child will be sitting in the travel highchair. If it's a long time then comfort is key and you may need one that has padding or some kind of cushioning.

How you will have to carry it around – as it's a portable highchair this means you will be carrying it around with you. Bear this in mind when choosing which one you want. You may have to squeeze it into your bag, in which case, a fabric seat harness would be a good shout. However, you may be able to carry it around in a buggy basket.

Do you want up-to-the-table feeding? – you may be buying a travel highchair to have your child dine with you at the table. If you want up-to-the-table feeding a clamp-on seat ensures your child is table height. For up-to-the-table feeding it's a good idea to have a removable tray, that way the tray doesn't get in the way of the table.

Do you need height? – if you want to give your child some height, consider how much. Booster seats are a great option for boosting your child that little bit higher. However, as previously mentioned, if you want to ensure they're table height, a clamp-on one is your best bet.

Where are you going to use it? – Do you plan on using the travel highchair at lots of different places? If so, you need a flexible one that's suitable for different chairs and tables.

Safety – Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and use the harness. Keep reading at the bottom of this article for expert advice on how to use a travel high chair or booster seat safely.

How did we choose our 10 of the Best?

Our 10 of the Best lists are compiled by qualified and experienced parenting journalists. They rely on a number of sources, including our independent reviews, testing undertaken during the MadeForMums Awards, and feedback from our home testing panel and Top Testers Club. Each year thousands of products are put through their paces by hundreds of parents across the country on behalf of MadeForMums, to ensure we're bringing you honest and true reviews and recommendations.

With these booster seats we considered performance, comfort, age range, adaptability, design and appearance, quality and value for money.

Our list is not an ordered ranking from 1-10, instead it is a carefully selected group of tried-and-tested products, each of which we believe is best for a different situation or requirement. We don't just tell you what is best, we help you discover what is best foryour family.

Best travel highchairs and booster seats

1. Venture Bubble Booster Seat, £19.99

– Best budget booster seat

Age suitability: 6+ months | Maximum weight: 15Kg | Colours available: Blue, coral, grey, yellow

The Venture Bubble Booster Seat has an ergonomic design and a 3-point baby harness to secure your baby in. Its long adjustable chair straps mean it can be attached to different seats.

When it comes to cleaning, it can be wiped clean and the removable tray component can go in the dishwasher. The removable tray is telescopic and has 2 adjustable distances. If you wish to use the booster seat as a way to reach the table, simply remove the tray.

Additionally, the tray comes with 2 highchair toys that can easily be removed.

The bright and bold plastic booster seat was a hit with our home testers who felt it was a great budget option. Tester Susan said, "overall we thought the quality was great and the seat feels very robust, secure and easy to use." It fastens to a dining chair with fabric straps, and has a harness and removable tray.

The colourful design with its little toys definitely appeals to toddlers, with MFM home tester Rachael saying, "my son loved this seat and was excited as soon as we unpacked it." Some testers commented on the fact there's no cushion, which could make it uncomfortable for long periods of time (if you're lucky enough to have a toddler who'll stay seated for more than 10 minutes). They also advised you check the dimensions carefully as it won't fit all chairs perfectly.

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Pros: Good value, removable toys, dishwasher safe tray,

Cons: No cushion, does not fit all chairs perfectly

Available from: Amazon, Venture, Tots and Lots

2. Mamas & Papas Baby Bud, £55

– Best for playtime

Age suitability: 6+ months | Maximum weight: 15Kg | Colours available: One design- white and grey

The Baby Bud is a table top feeding and booster chair that has four clip-on, non-slip feet that can be adjusted to three different height settings to fit to a variety of different chairs and tables. The cushioned seat insert can be removed as your child grows, to increase the longevity of the seat.

There's a safety harness to keep wriggly toddlers safe, and a removable tray. As an added bonus, you can also buy an activity centre to place on top of the tray to keep your baby occupied while food is being prepared.

To make carrying it around with you easier, it has a carry handle.

MFM home tester Maggie, mum of 3 year old said, "it lasts really well, my 7 year old can still fit in it without the insert, definitely worth the money we spent on it". She likes that it attached to a chair and you can either use the tray or have them pulled up to the table. She joked "the only trouble we had was getting the middle child out of it ready for the third".

Pros: Safe, sturdy, comfortable, easy to wipe clean, comes with attachable tray

Cons: Big, bulky, doesn't fold, expensive

Read our MFM review of the Mamas and Papas Baby Bud

Available from: Mamas & Papas, Boots and Amazon

3. Chicco Pocket Snack, £19.99

– Best foldable seat

Age suitability: 6+ months | Maximum weight: 15Kg | Colours available: Blue, grey, purple, orange

An award-winning compact booster seat, the Chicco Pocket Snack is easy to assemble and comes with adjustable straps and a base with multiple height settings designed to fit a variety of chairs. It also has a safety harness to keep baby wobble-free.

The Pocket Snack tray clicks on and off in three positions, and it has a cute spoon and fork design on the seat unit. The booster seat is highly recommended by our MFM reviewer, Katherine who said it offered "wonderful value for money" and claimed, "at home, it's replaced the old highchair."

It is also recommended by MFM home testers. Hayley uses it with her 3 year old and said, "it's brilliant for at home and for visiting family/friends too". Cat also loves it, "it's fantastic, I just binned the highchair and use this for my 10 month old". Finally, Louise was "very pleased with her Pocket Snack for her 15 month year old".

Read our MFM review of the Chicco Pocket Snack

Pros: Compact, comfortable, simple to adjust, lightweight, easy to clean, good value for money

Cons: Fiddly to wrap up the straps when transporting

Available from: Very, Boots and Amazon

4. Ingenuity Baby Base 2-in-1 Seat, £40

– Best for high maximum weight threshold

Age suitability: 6+ months | Maximum weight: 22.68Kg | Colours available: Cashmere, peacock blue, pink, slate, ultramarine green

The Ingenuity Baby Base 2-in-1 Seat is great for if you want to keep using your booster seat for a long time as it has a higher maximum weight than most of the others on this list.

The seat is wipeable, as is the removable tray. The safety harness keeps your baby secure inside the seat whilst the adjustable straps secure the seat onto a dining chair.

This seat can grow with your baby and toddler, like the Mamas & Papas Bud, this too has a removable cushioned insert.

One thing this seat has that not all the others on this list do is, a removable tray that stores neatly under the booster seat. This means you won't be searching high and low for the tray when you've removed it, it can be stored tidily together.

MFM home tester Kelly-Anne, mum of little girl said, "it's brill, I like that it has a toddler attachment that can be removed so older toddlers can use it too".

Pros: removable storable tray, toddler attachment, high maximum weight

Cons: Big, bulky, doesn't fold

Available from: Amazon, Argos and John Lewis

5. Bumbo Multiseat, £66

– Best for growing with your baby

Age suitability: 6+ months | Maximum weight: 15Kg | Colours available: Slate grey, mimosa, hemlock, cradle pink, cool grey, pink, powder blue | Awards: Silver – Weaning and feeding product, MadeForMums Awards 2022

The Bumbo Multi Seat comes in a large variety of colours for you to choose from. However, that's not the best thing about it. This seat grows with your child. It has two adjustable height settings to accommodate your growing toddler. It can be used as a floor seat, or it can be used as a booster seat when attached to a dining chair. Finally, as your toddler grows, it has a foam cushion which you can remove to allow for your child to fit.

This chair is convenient in other ways too; it has retractable chair straps, a removable tray which can be stored away at the back of the chair. When the cushion insert is removed, this can also be stored inside the seat.

Our home tester Gail, mum of 2, said, ""Overall, this is a great booster: really easy to fit into chairs, stylish, well-made, and super-easy to clean: very important for a mum. I also loved how the padded cushion tidies inside the seat so it won't get lost."

Pros: storable removable tray and cushion insert, retracting straps, lots of colours, versatile, easy to clean, adjustable height

Cons: Bulky, expensive

Available from: JoJo Maman Bebe, Amazon, UberKids and Kidly

6. Cosatto Grubs Up, £69.95

– Best for fun colours and prints

Age suitability: 6+ months | Maximum weight: 15Kg | Colours available: Unicorn land, dragon kingdom, strictly avocados

Cosatto is known for its cute prints and fun baby kit, and the Grubs Up high chair is no exception. It's a clip-on seat that fastens to most tables and countertops, it comes in a number of adorable prints including avocados and eggs, dragons and castles, and pink unicorns.

But it doesn't just look cute, it also comes with a smart design that features an adjustable safety harness and a vice-style hold to keep it safely attached to the table.

It's also lightweight, folds up flat and comes with its own carry bag, making it a great portable chair to take with you on the go. MadeForMums writer Gemma has used this with her toddler son and loves how easily it folds down, and how quick it is to set up. "It looks great, feels sturdy and attaches quickly and easily. My son always seemed comfortable and very secure in it, and often asked if he could use it at home. The only downside is it won't work on glass tables, or round ones."

The seat is removable and machine washable in 30° hand wash setting, so it's easy to clean up any messes. The plastic "arms" can be easily wiped clean.

The Cosatto Grubs Up also comes with an industry-leading-4-year- guarantee.

Pros: Lots of fun designs, lightweight and folds up, machine washable

Cons: Can only be clamped to a rectangular table, expensive

Available from: Boots, Amazon and Cosatto,

7. Munchkin Travel Booster Seat, £24.99

– Best for storage

Age suitability: 12+ months | Maximum weight: 15Kg | Colours available: Blue

The Munchkin Travel Booster Seat transforms into a portable carry bag. It has room for storing essentials such as, bottles, nappies, snacks and more.

Even though it can be used for storage, this does not affect its ability of being a great travel highchair. It's got a stable internal frame and Xtra-Grip traction pads to prevent your child from slipping off chairs and increasing the stability. Its 3 point harness also secures your child into the seat.

The material is durable and easy to clean and it folds neatly with a convenient carrying strap.

MFM home tester Elisa, mum of 5 year old boy said, "we use the Munchkin portable one with the pouch in the bottom to store bits in because we could use that when we went out too and he was always comfy in it". MFM home tester Kirstie, mum of 2 girls also used the Munchkin Booster seat, "It's good, the storage space in the bottom is handy if you're taking it out". Robyn, another MFM home tester added, "it can all go in the washing machine too as the hard bit comes out".

Pros: Has great storage, very portable, easy to clean, good value

Cons: Only one design/colour

Available from: Amazon, OnBuy and Munchkin

8. Bumbo Booster Seat, £48.50

– Best for toddlers

Age suitability: 18+ months | Maximum weight: 15Kg | Colours available: Hemlock, cradle pink, cool grey | Award: Editor's Choice – MadeForMums Awards 2022

Designed to be used with toddlers over the age of 18 months, the Bumbo Booster seat can be quickly fastened to your dining chair, allowing your child to eat with the rest of the family. It's made from a slightly squishy but very strong foam-like material that feels comfy for the child and wipes clean easily in case of spills, it also won't scratch your furniture.

Due to its lightweight design, it is easily portable and easy to carry, but it doesn't fold down so does take up some space in a car boot or buggy basket.

MadeForMums writer Gemma tested the seat with her 2-year-old son and said, "Now he's older and tall enough, we've got rid of the high chair completely and just use the Bumbo booster seat. He seems really comfortable and will sit in it for play and craft time as well as meals. He's even learned to climb up onto it himself."

Pros: Comfortable, wipes clean, doesn't scratch furniture, lightweight and portable

Cons: Expensive, have to be 18+ months to use

Available from: Scandiborn, Amazon and Kidly

9. Totseat seat harness, £24

– Best fabric harness

Age suitability: 6-30 months | Colours available: Denim blue, fruit, jungle

The Totseat falls into the fabric seat harness group. It's light and compact because it's made of fabric, and can be folded down into a small pouch, ready to be thrown into your handbag/change bag/buggy basket for a quick mealtime solution while out and about.

The harness is made of 100% cotton and is machine washable.

It's easily adaptable to fit all dining chairs, even wonky ones and it's really straightforward to use.

The harness complies to international standards that ensure its safety as a child support. Our MFM reviewer gave the seat four out of five stars for safety, style and value for money.

Pros: Should fit all chairs, folds up into a small pouch, machine washable

Cons: Does not give your child any height to reach the table, no tray, no padding

Read our MFM review of the Totseat seat harness

Available from: Amazon and Totseat

10. Baby Polar Gear Booster Seat and Placemat, £19.99

– Best for short trips

Age suitability: 12+ months | Maximum weight: 15Kg | Colours available: Hot air balloon

Folding down into a light and portable shoulder bag, the Baby Polar Gear Booster Seat comes with its own matching placemat and is great for keeping in your buggy or travel bag for a quick on-the-go solution for mealtimes. It fastens on quickly and easily with fabric straps, and has a harness for safety.

MFM home tester Amanda said, "the product is great to be able to take [kids] out for dinner or to family and friends houses who don't have high chairs, so you can all eat together." Home tester Sarah said, "This product is extremely handy and makes my life easier," and praised its budget price tag and ease of use. MFM home tester Sarah liked that it, "fits nearly any chair and is lightweight".

However it's worth noting that it may not be the best option for older toddlers and pre-schoolers. Amanda had concerns about the recommended age range and said of her 2-year-old daughter, "the straps didn't fit round her shoulders properly, like she had already out grown the seat."

Pros: Light and portable, comes with matching placemat, good value

Cons: Can grow out of it quickly, may not be great for toddlers/pre-schoolers, have to be 12+ months

Available from: JoJo Maman Bebe and Amazon

How to use a travel highchair or booster seat safely

We asked Dr. Harvey Karp, a paediatrician and child development expert who promotes children's rights to a healthy and safe environment, if he has any safety advice for using a travel high chair or booster seat. This is what he advises:

"Whether your child is in a regular highchair or a travel highchair, it needs to be sturdy, so they can't easily tip over. So when you're securing a travel highchair to a kitchen chair, that chair needs to be sturdy too.

"Whenever your kid is in their travel highchair, always utilise the child safety straps, including the crotch strap. Never forget to secure the safety straps that attach the booster to the chair it's sitting on. Before placing your child in the travel highchair, double, triple, quadruple check that the seat is fastened securely to your kitchen chair. You shouldn't see any movement in the booster highchair when properly fastened.

"Don't place your travel highchair near the counter or the table. Just one hard push against these surfaces can tip the chair right over.

"Never leave your child alone in a highchair, travel highchair or not.

"If you're considering using a travel highchair that hooks onto a table, they may not work well with round, thinner or lightweight tables. The table must be heavy enough to support your child's weight without tipping over and make sure it securely locks to the table. Once attached properly, there should be zero movement and your child's feel should not be able to reach the table support where they could push against it and dislodge the seat.

"Be very diligent about checking the age and weight limits before placing your child in a travel highchair".

Summary of Dr. Karp's safety advice

• Make sure the highchair is sturdy
• Utilise the child safety straps
• Secure the safety straps to attach the booster to the chair
• Check the seat is fastened securely
• Don't place travel highchair near the counter or table
• Never leave your child alone in a travel highchair
• Make sure the table can support your child's weight
• Make sure it's securely locked to the table (if using a clamp-on seat)
• Make sure child cannot reahc table support with their feet
• Check age and weight limits

Can you put a booster seat on a folding chair?

Dr Karp advises that you "Don't place your child's travel highchair on a folding chair. It's simply too unstable and risky."

When can I use a booster seat instead of a highchair?

"If it has a five-point harness, it's likely safe for babies who are old enough to sit upright in a regular highchair. But again it's very important to check the age and weight requirements before using," advised Dr. Karp.

All the booster seats included in this list are not suitable until at least 6 months. If your baby cannot sit upright by themselves they should not be using a booster seat.

About our expert

Dr. Harvey Karp is an American pediatrician and child development expert. He is also the founder and CEO of Happiest Baby and author of 'The Happiest Baby on the Block', 'The Happiest Toddler on the Block' and 'The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep'. For over 20 years Dr. Karp has been a tireless advocate and a national leader in the promotion of children's rights to a healthy and safe environment.

About the author

Chloe is a Digital Reviews Writer and Coordinator for Immediate Media's Parenting team. She researches and writes articles, recommending the best products for parents, ranging from best sleep aids to best playpens. She has a First-Class Honours Psychology degree where she developed a strong interest in child development.

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Source: https://www.madeformums.com/reviews/10-of-the-best-travel-highchairs-and-booster-seats/

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