There are many great alternatives for space-saving high chairs if you do not have room for one more large piece of baby furniture. Before you commit to a large, solid high chair that will be the main feature in your eating space, check out these really great space-saving high chair options below.
Best Compact High Chairs
The Joovy Nook, the Slim Snacker, and the Cosco Simple Fold are all traditional looking high chairs that are able to be folded for easy and out of the way storage. The Fisher-Price SpaceSaver and the Summer Deluxe are able to be attached to any dining chair making it one less piece of baby furniture taking up space. The Go with Me and the ciao! both look like folding camping chairs that make them great compact high chairs for indoors or outdoors. However, the Inglesina is a foldable and portable chair that attaches directly to a table for a space saving option.
Inglesina Fast Table Chair
For those who are looking for a high chair that will clamp right onto the table, I recommend the Inglesina Fast Table Chair.
Why It’s So Great
Because of its universal twist-tight couplings, the Inglesina Fast Table Chair can fit on most tables that are up to 3.5″ thick. Plus, because of the design, it doesn’t leave any scratches or marks on the surface of your table.
Another plus to this high chair is that it is collapsible. Once you have finished using the high chair, it folds down and can be stored in a carry bag that is attached to the bottom of the high chair.
Also, this high chair seat is machine washable. This makes cleaning up after mealtime a lot easier.
This model also includes a tray that snaps onto the chair’s arms. The tray’s deep grooves can help keep your child’s food right in front of them.
Product Information
- Item Weight: 4.2 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 17 x 14 x 11 inches
- Maximum Child Weight: 37 pounds
Possible Issues
- There is a gap between the front of the chair and the table. Whether you are placing the food on your table or the tray, it can be swiped into the space between your table’s edge and your baby.
- Once your child can stand, they become a significant fall risk.
- There is always the possibility that your high chair could fall off of your table with your child secured within it.
- There is only a buckle that secures your child around the waist.
We’ve covered all the best hook on high chairs here at Experienced Mommy.
JOOVY Nook High Chair
Joovy has a strong following, and it’s not hard to see why. This minimalist and modern Joovy Nook High Chair is just another great product from a great brand.
Why It’s So Great
First, I want to talk about my favorite feature- the fold. This high chair really does fold up small. Not just in half, but into a small suitcase size. It does this by folding like a beach chair. The back of the high chair collapses over the tray, which collapses over the legs. It can even stand once folded!
The eating tray swings open for getting baby in and out. This is so nice because you can actually do it with one hand, instead of holding a baby in with one hand and struggling to get the tray on with the other. You can remove the tray fully for cleaning, and the tray can adjust to 4 different positions. It’s a large tray with a dishwasher-safe insert.
The seat pad is made from a leatherette material that cleans well and is comfy. It matches the 5 point safety harness that can be fully adjusted to fit baby. The seat pad comes off and goes in the washing machine when it gets dirty.
It’s BPA, BPS, phthalate, and lead-free. Plus, it has non-scratch floor pads and a simple and modern design.
Product Information
- Item weight: 15.4 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 40.5 x 32.5 x 23.8 inches unfolded, 23.8 x 9 x 28.5 inches folded
- Maximum Child Weight: 50 pounds
Possible Issues
- You can’t recline the seat, and you can’t adjust the seat height.
- There are a lot of nooks and crannies where crumbs can hide, and it’s not easy to clean.
- The one-size-fits-all design might not work for every baby.
Abiie Beyond Wooden High Chair
It’s a high chair! Wait, no, it’s a regular chair! The Abiie Beyond Wooden High Chair is actually both, plus more, in one product that saves a ton of space.
Why It’s So Great
For my first kid, we were naïve. We bought a big high chair that took up lots of space. All the while, there was empty space at our good-sized dining table. Well, this high chair capitalizes on that unused space. If you have room at the table, the high chair can go there. If not, it’s still a smaller high chair option.
This high chair uses what they call their EZ Seat system. This means that both the seat and the footrest can be easily adjusted to fit whoever needs to use it, be it an adult or baby. You don’t need any tools to do this, either.
When used as a high chair, there are two stain-resistant cushion pieces that make up the bottom and back of the high chair atop the wooden frame. These are waterproof and easy to clean. You’ll find an easy-to-adjust 5 point safety harness that can later become a 3 point safety harness. Then there’s a click on a plastic tray that goes on top of the attached 2-point adjustable wooden tray. This plastic tray piece is dishwasher safe.
The wood is specially treated and sealed to be totally hygienic and averse to germs. It’s also super easy to just wipe down when it gets messy. The design is really sturdy and very hard to tip over. This chair is a favorite of special needs parents.
As your child grows, you can adjust the seat bottom and the footrest to accommodate their size. Eventually, your child can use this chair at the regular dining table. It also makes an extra chair whenever needed, since switching it is so easy.
Wrap this all in a 3-year warranty, and you can see why it’s the best compact wooden high chair!
Product Information
- Item weight: 17.5 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 21 x 17.6 x 34.5 inches
- Maximum Sitter Weight: 250 pounds
Possible Issues
- The highest setting only goes to table height, so it’s not very tall.
- Wooden tray is small and heavy and not easy to do with one hand.
- This is a VERY expensive high chair, but consider that you are basically investing in furniture.
Graco Slim Snacker High Chair
The Graco Slim Snacker High Chair is able to fold up easily for travel or storage, recline baby in the seat, and store baby’s go-to toys and things in the bottom storage basket!
Why It’s So Great
This high chair folds up so well, you can stick it in the closet or pantry when it’s not being used. With one hand, you can fold the chair down and push the legs together for a slim look. The high chair itself is easy to clean and can be reclined in three different positions to provide your baby with a relaxing way to drink a bottle.
Even though this high chair saves space, it still includes a full-sized tray with a cupholder so your little one isn’t missing out on “table” space. A 3- or 5-point harness keeps baby secure and safe while enjoying their meals.
A really cool feature of this high chair is the large mesh basket located beneath the seat. I love having places to keep my child’s things organized and easy to access. This is one of those places! Conveniently located near the highchair to grab bibs, small toys, or anything else you may need last-minute.
Product Information
- Item weight: 17.24 lbs
- Product Dimensions: 24 x 35.5 x 40.8 inches
- Maximum Child Weight: 40 lbs
Possible Issues
- Some folds may collect food that is hard to clean out
- Cannot take the tray off with one hand
Cosco Simple Fold High Chair with 3-Position Tray
If you love the look of traditional high chairs but need something that can collapse for storage, I recommend the Cosco Simple Fold High Chair with 3-Position Tray.
Why It’s So Great
The Cosco Simple Fold High Chair with 3-Position Tray looks like a traditional high chair. The main difference is that it’s able to collapse for storage. This frees up room in your kitchen or dining room.
Plus, this small high chair is easy to clean. The fabric is easy to wash with a washcloth and a little spray, and the tray insert can be cleaned in the same way. We’ve got a ton of high chairs that clean easily already reviewed here on EM.
The no-nonsense design does mean you do not get a lot of options but it works perfectly for older children. While not versatile, this high chair keeps your child seated safely with a buckle and a safety bar too. A footrest makes the seat more comfortable as well and it can support a weight of 50 pounds!
Three tray positions allow you to get a comfortable and safe position for your child. As this is the only adjustable feature, the bulk of your child is necessary but this should work for most children.
Finally, the stroller does not have wheels but it is easy to clean and takes just seconds to set up. Whether you’re moving the fold-flat high chair from room to room or wanting to collapse it and roll it into storage, this stroller works perfectly to fit in tiny kitchens or dining room to free up space so you can move around with ease. When not in use put it away.
Product Information
- Item Weight: 13.12 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 25.3 x 18.3 x 6.1 inches
- Maximum Child Weight: 50 pounds
Possible Issues
- Although many people were very satisfied with this high chair, some noted that it seemed cheaply made. They thought the materials, particularly the seat fabric, felt cheap and breakable.
- It can be a challenge to get your little one into the high chair because of the plastic piece that separates your child’s legs.
- Some people have said the tray was very challenging to get on initially and that the insert was very difficult to remove.
Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair
You might want the comfort and convenience of a big, fancy high chair, including the amazing recline that small babies need. But what if you don’t have space? The Fisher Price SpaceSaver High chair solves that problem with, as Fisher-Price puts it: all the features of a full-size high chair in half of the space.
Why It’s So Great
This best high chair for babies has some really handy features. First, it has a full-sized eating tray, not one of the mini trays often found on compact high chair seats. This tray is fully adjustable and has a bonus insert for easier cleanup. Both tray parts are dishwasher safe.
The seat itself is large and comfortable. It has large leg openings, which is great news for big babies and older kids (see below). The chair pad is machine washable. The 5 point safety harness can also be machine washed. The seat has 3 position recline and 2 height settings to grow with your child.
And speaking of growing with your child, this seat can be converted into a booster seat. You’ll find a little compartment on the back of the seat where the eating tray can be easily stored when your big kid doesn’t need it.
But my favorite part of this high chair is that you can put the whole thing in the dishwasher. Yes, the entire seat itself can be placed in the dishwasher. Goodbye, stinky, sticky highchair with old food smells!
Product Information
- Item weight: 8 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 13 x 16 inches for the base, and about 20 inches tall
- Maximum Child Weight: 50 pounds
Possible Issues
- The tray likes to pop off the track.
- Booster seat sits up high, so little ones have to climb to get it.
- The chair pad doesn’t wash so well (starts falling apart).
- There are a few small spaces, like in between the trays, where baby’s fingers could get stuck.
Baby Delight Go with Me Chair
Similar to Ciao! baby Portable High Chair, the Baby Delight Go with Me chair offers more features as baby grows. Everything, including the snack tray and canopy, fit inside a bag making this chair easy to travel with and store.
Why It’s So Great
Starting from around 3 months, your little one can begin to use this portable and safe-saving high chair. There are essentially 3 stages that this chair can transition into:
3 to 6 months. Secure baby easily with the 5-point harness and allow your baby to comfortably sit in the wide seat. The legs of the chair sit wide, making the chair more balanced and less likely to topple over unexpectedly. Sunny day? A removable canopy can be pulled up for shade. Lay toys on the snack tray for play.
6 to 12 months. Baby will soon want to stretch their legs and even stand up — both of which can be done in this chair! While still being secured with the 5-point harness, your child can put their legs through two leg holes and allow their feet to rest or stand in the enclosed netting. No worries about bugs when you’re outdoors.
Up to 75 pounds. At this point you can remove the 5-point harness and the tray if you want, leaving a “big kid” chair with a canopy. Of course, the tray can still be used for snacks or lunchtime.
Product Information
- Item weight: 6.2 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 25 inches
- Maximum Child Weight: 75 pounds
Possible Issues
- Seems to be some issues with the snack tray sometimes (sits too high for babies; can be difficult to attach)
Summer Infant Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster
The Summer Infant Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster is a top-seller among baby booster seats and has an almost 5-star rating. It comes in Tan, Pink, or Grey so you have some color options.
Why It’s So Great
When you first start using the seat, you’ll enjoy the adjustable straps that help keep your little one secured in the seat. A removable tray sits high enough to not smush their legs but low enough for them to eat food easily.
The security straps help secure the booster seat to any regular kitchen chair. With a secure booster seat, you know that your child’s seat won’t slip off the chair when they wiggle.
There is a seat cover that is machine-washable so you can easily pull it off and wash it when it gets dirty.
When you’re finished using the seat, it collapses and has a carrying handle. This allows this booster seat high chair to easily go with you when you travel or eat out. Also, the feeding trays are dishwasher safe, so they can easily be disinfected on the bottom rack of your dishwasher.
Product Information
- Item Weight: 1.7 grams
- Dimensions: 14.5 x 17.5 x 13.5 inches
- Maximum Child Weight: 33 pounds
Possible Issues
- Check the measurements to make sure your baby will fit well if they are chunkier
- Some complain that it’s not very sturdy
Baby HighChair Harness
The Baby HighChair Harness is perfect for any on-the-go families because of its cushion, 5-point harness, and ability to be washed in the washing machine.
Why It’s So Great
This easy-to-carry Baby HighChair Harness folds neatly into a travel tote. Carry it with you and set it up in a flash!
It features shoulder and chair belts. This ensures that your high chair stays connected to the seat, and your little one remains in it, despite any wiggling.
This cloth high chair fits most standard chairs. Plus, whenever it gets dirty, you can toss it in the washing machine.
Product Information
- Item Weight: 7.7 ounces
- Product Dimensions: 21 x 7.8 inches
- Maximum Child Weight: 44 pounds
- Child Age Range: 6-30 months old
Possible Issues
- If your child is active during mealtime, the restraints may not be enough to safely secure your child.
- It may not be comfortable for your child.
- This high chair is not ideal for use on chairs with a rounded back or bar stools.
Primo Cozy Tot High Chair
If you want a sleek high chair that can also turn into a low chair or toddler chair, then the Primo Cozy Tot High Chair is for you!
Why It’s So Great
If I can pay for something once and use it many times over many years, then I consider that to be a good deal. When you consider that this high chair is in the same price range as most of the other big brand name ones, and your kid can use it up to age 4 or 5, then that just seals the deal.
The first way to use this is as a regular high chair, with long legs and all. The high chair has an eating tray that snaps into place. It has a washable tray insert and a safety horn on the bottom to keep baby from sliding through. It also has an adjustable 3 point safety harness. In this mode, the chair isn’t exactly space-saving because it is tall and it needs a lot of room for the legs. But the great news is that the chair can fold down flat. The back legs fold in like an easel and the tray folds up flat, so you could move or store it when not in use.
The next mode, which is the one that lands it on this list, is a low chair, aka the mini high chair. It’s just like a high chair, but…lower. The short legs on this high chair make it space-saving. It would be easy to place this on the floor near the table while baby eats, or even use it as a floor seat to play in. While this isn’t technically listed as one of the modes of this high chair, we think it would work really well!
The final way to use this product is as a toddler chair. The low chair, sans eating tray, becomes a modern little chair for babies or toddlers. With the purchase of a small toddler table, you could create a separate space for your toddler to play and eat on if you have a small dining table. Or, if you have a coffee table, you could have it pull double duty as a toddler table when you need it. It’s all about multi-function when space is precious!
Product Information
- Item weight: about 11 pounds
- Product Dimensions: Full high chair (from seat to floor): 22 inches tall, low chair (from seat to floor): 12 inches tall
- Maximum Child Weight: 30 pounds
Possible Issues
- There is no recline or adjustability for the high chair seat, so it won’t work for younger or smaller babies.
- Only one tray setting on this seat means that there is a large gap between the tray and the seatback, which again, is not going to work for small or young babies.
- The legs are skinny, but wide and will require some room to sit. The lower footprint of the highchair is about 26 by 21.5 inches.
- A weight limit of only 30 pounds means that bigger or heavier babies will outgrow this seat quickly; heavy toddlers may not be able to safely use this as a toddler chair.
Graco Swivi Seat 3-in-1 Booster High Chair
Have you ever put your baby in their high chair and then had to move the entire high chair to help them face a certain way? Maybe they’re sitting in there while you cook and they want to see you. Regardless of the situation, now you can easily swivel baby without moving the entire high chair to face you with Graco’s Swivi Seat 3-in-1 Booster High Chair.
Why It’s So Great
The best part of this high chair seat, other than its space-saving size, is the option to swivel baby from left to right without adjusting the entire seat. This helps baby bond with everyone at the table and get a good view of the room. Not only can you swivel this seat, but you can also recline the seat for baby when they are drinking their bottle.
As for cleaning, you can easily remove the padding to wash it and you can throw the tray into the dishwasher for a quick wash. Like most booster high chairs, you are able to strap this chair to a regular-sized table chair for a secure fit. The baby can eat safely with the adjustable harness straps.
As your child grows, you can transition this high chair seat to a simple booster seat by removing the back of the chair.
Product Information
- Item weight: 10.1 lbs
- Product Dimensions: 24 x 20.4 x 22 inches
- Maximum Child Weight: 50 lbs
Possible Issues
- Chair has a slight natural recline to it so may need to prop baby up with a pillow if they want to sit straight up
Ciao! baby Portable High Chair
Maybe you are traveling or having a picnic outside, and you need something that can just pop up when you need it. Or maybe you need something small to use at a friend or relative’s house. The Ciao! Baby Portable High Chair is a pop-up high chair with fun features.
Why It’s So Great
This high chair is basically a fold-up camp chair that is designed like a high chair. The baby sits in the seat part, and there is an attached tray for food. The whole thing locks into place. The best part of this design is that you collapse the chair, fold it up, and put it in its carrying sleeve, and you have a small and lightweight mini high chair that can go anywhere.
This small high chair is easy to clean because it’s made of durable nylon. You can easily wipe or hose it down when needed. The tray is covered in a vinyl coating and is easy to clean, including the drink holder portion.
You can use the 5 point safety harness to keep baby safely inside. It meets all required safety standards from ASTM, the EU, and CPSIA.
And even though it’s advertised as a travel/portable high chair, you could totally use this at home. It’s not as comfortable as a regular high chair, but I think that it would work well if you were really pressed for space and just wanted something for baby to use until they hit 2 and can use a booster at the table.
Product Information
- Item weight: 7.9 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 23 x 23 x 32 inches when unfolded /li>
- Maximum Child Weight: 50 pounds
Possible Issues
- The tray slants towards the baby, so you’ll need one of those suction cup plates (like this SiliKong Silicone Suction Plate) to keep food in place.
- The leg hole openings aren’t that big and won’t fit chunky thighs.
- This chair sits low like a camp chair, so it won’t be quite up to tabletop height.
The Best Compact High Chairs Compared
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Abiie Beyond Wooden High Chair | 9.8 | 9.4 | 225.00 |
| JOOVY Nook High Chair | 9.3 | 9.4 | 129.99 |
| Primo Cozy Tot High Chair | 9.4 | 9.2 | 99.99 |
| Inglesina Fast Table Chair | 9.9 | 9.6 | 79.00 |
| Baby Delight Go with Me Chair | 9.3 | 9.6 | 59.99 |
| Ciao! baby Portable High Chair | 9.7 | 9.0 | 58.49 |
| Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair | 9.8 | 9.2 | 55.64 |
| Cosco Simple Fold High Chair with 3-Position Tray | 9.9 | 9.2 | 49.09 |
| Summer Infant Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster | 9.7 | 8.6 | 27.99 |
| Graco Slim Snacker High Chair | 3.9 | 9.4 | - |
| Baby HighChair Harness | 4.5 | 8.2 | - |
| Graco Swivi Seat 3-in-1 Booster High Chair | 7.3 | 9.6 | - |
Why You Need a High Chair
The use of the high chair is a sign of change. You’re moving away from bottles of milk or formula (or nursing, for that matter) and transitioning into solid foods. It’s glorious, all be it messy, phase of life.
With all of my excitement about this transition, I didn’t stop to think that maybe my son wouldn’t be as excited as I was. This was a mistake. So, when he was incredibly bored with the food I was trying to feed him, I got frustrated. We started incorporating small toys at mealtime so he could take a break from eating but still stay in the high chair.
While your child plays, you can eat. Plus, by keeping your child in the seat, he or she learns to eat at the table altogether as a family. No one hops off to leave as soon as they’re finished eating. Instead, everyone stays together throughout the meal. I love this early lesson.
FAQs – High Chairs for Small Spaces
How old should a baby be to put them in a high chair?
Never put a baby in a high chair before they can sit on their own and have good head control. Usually six months is the recommended age by most pediatricians. Once your child can sit on their own and are steady without wobbling their heads, you can slowly introduce them to a high chair. Make sure the back of their chair is at their shoulder height and that they are securely strapped in so that they will not slip out. There are recliner high chair options now which do lean back allowing younger babies to recline while drinking their bottles, but a traditional high chair would require your child to be about six months old.
How do you clean a high chair?
That is an important quality when looking for a high chair to purchase. Babies are messy and toddlers are even messier. Food gets spilt, spit out, thrown, and dropped so you will be cleaning your high chair FREQUENTLY! You can wipe off the chair with a wet cloth or wipe, non toxic wipes, after every meal. If there is fabric, look for ones that come off easily and can be thrown in the washing machine and dryer. Trays can be removed to be washed with hot water and soap and sometimes they can even be thrown into the washing machine. This is one of the most important things to consider when buying a chair because you will be cleaning it often!
What are the different types of high chairs available?
There are several different options available nowadays. There is the traditional high chair that is a standalone piece of furniture that has long legs to make the chair table level with a harness and tray for the food. There are space saving chairs that typically attach to a regular dining or kitchen chair and are different from a booster seat as they offer a higher back and removable tray. Hook on high chairs hook directly onto the dining table but you must make sure that the table is heavy and sturdy for this type of seat. Convertible high chairs can be used in multiple ways beginning with a reclining option for infants, a high back booster for older babies, booster seat for toddlers, and often can be a regular chair for an older child. Some families use their own baby, antique high chair for sentimental value but often the safety features are outdated so be careful to make sure your baby will not get injured in that type of chair.
What should I look for in safety features when purchasing a high chair?
A few things to look for are looking for a stable chair that won’t tip when the child is in or out of the chair. A wide bottom base often is a safety feature because it will keep the chair more sturdy. Look for a 5 point harness so they can not wiggle out of the chair. Just a waist belt is not secure enough for little ones as they can slip right out of that type of belt. Also make sure the high chair cannot move. If the chair has wheels, lock the wheels when the child is in it. And always supervise your little one as they eat for choking reasons but also so they don’t stretch and grab something they should not have.
