Family travels really matter especially if you want to build your relationship with each other. For parents who are traveling with their little ones, bringing their own portable travel high chair is an excellent idea.
It will give your babies a personal space to sit, relax, and enjoy their meals. You will no longer need to carry them or place your child on your lap in restaurants. This is a type of luxury that all parents should have!
In case you have no time to go through this article, here is a summary of the portable high chair seat that you can choose from for your child.
Check out our article on must have baby travel essentials that help simplify family travels.
Considering to travel with a stroller? Check out the TernX travel stroller, an innovative product that serves as a carry on luggage and a stroller in one.
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Most Popular and Best Travel Booster Seat: Hiccapop Omniboost Travel Booster Seat
Best Fabric Portable High Chair: Original Easy Seat Portable High Chair
Best Clip-On Portable High Chair: Inglesina Fast Table Chair
Best Budget Friendly Portable High Chair: The CozyBaby Easy Seat Portable High Chair
Best Pop Up Portable High Chair: Summer Infant Pop N’ Sit Portable Booster
Best Adjustable Portable High Chair: Chicco Pocket Snack Booster
Best Portable Camping High Chair: Baby Delight Go with Me Venture Deluxe Portable Chair
Also, if you are bringing a stroller with you for your next international trip, you may check this guide on how you can properly bring your baby's stroller on your flights.
What to Look for in a Portable High Chair
There are different factors that you may need to consider before buying a portable chair. These are some of the important factors that you will need to prioritise before getting one.
Style of Seat
Looking for a style that will suit your baby's needs? How about you consider one or some of these styles that are available in the market today?
Clip-on
If you have limited dining space or want to have a space-saving high chair, a clip-on high chair can be an option.
You can clip it on the side of your dining table and allow your baby to seat on the same level as everyone else.
Standalone Travel Booster Seat
This style is foldable and mostly comes with a travel bag. You can place this seat on the floor and use it like a normal chair with straps. It often comes with a tray that can be removed when used at a table.
Sling-like
This style is designed to strap onto almost any dining chair. It can be rolled to fit easily into your purse or diaper bag. It is padded which provides additional comfort.
High-chairs
A high chair is a free-standing chair for your baby up to three years of age that has a seating surface more than 15" or 38.1 cm above the floor. It is mainly used for feeding your child.
Remember, do not just prioritise how the chair will look or based on its designs, but also, the features that it can offer to address your needs.
Safety and harnesses
Most portable high chairs have their own safety features that can prevent any wobbles or shakiness once your child starts using them.
For younger children, choose a seat with a five-point harness to keep them secured and prevent them from falling off their chairs whenever they are being too energetic.
Fold and Portability
Families on the go will likely prefer a travel high chair that is portable and easy to carry around. Having a carry bag or tote that comes with the chair can be a huge plus.
Those brands that are foldable are also helpful for parents who do not have the energy or space to carry around a bulky portable high chair seat for their kids.
Easy to Clean
Cleaning up after meals can be a little bit demanding especially if you have a baby. You often need to wipe the area where they had their meals and wash the table tray and utensils for the next use.
Fabrics and surfaces that are easy to wipe down are perfect for dining out. There are already dishwasher-safe accessories and machine-washable fabrics that other brands are offering for their portable chairs.
16 Best Traveling High Chairs
For portability, put the weight of each product and dimensions then it'll be clear which is the smallest and lightest. You don't have to elaborate on it.
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Top 6 Standalone Portable Highchair with Feeding Tray
Summer Infant Pop n Sit Portable Booster Chair
Weight limit: It weighs around 37 lbs or 16.8 kgs.
Dimensions: 15" x 14" x 15" or 38.1 x 35.6 x 38.1 cms.
Portability: It can be used both indoors and outdoors by your little one. You can easily pack it and transport it from one place to another because it only weighs 4.5 lbs or 2 kgs.
Safe to Use: It is safe to use by your baby from 6 months – 4 years until they reach the weight limit of this product.
Ease of Cleaning: You will not experience difficulty in cleaning up this Pop ‘n Sit Portable booster seat. It has a removable dishwasher-safe and BPA-free tray. This will keep your baby's tray clean for every meal.
Pros: Whether you need a booster seat at a restaurant, a chair for your baby in the park, or even a floor seat for activity time at home, this portable booster seat can be your go-to item.
Cons: Not enough color options.
Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat
Weight limit: It can hold a maximum weight of 50 lbs or 22.7 kgs.
Dimensions: 15" x 13.5" x 19.25" or 38.1 x 34.3 x 48.9 cms.
Portability: This product weighs 5.5 lbs or 2.5 kgs. It is compact fold and easy to transport.
Safe to Use: Sturdy metal legs adjust to three height positions. Your baby can start using it from 6 months old and above as long as they can already seat up straight on their own.
Ease of Cleaning: It is easy to clean. You can use sanitary wipes or wet cloth to wide away any dirt or stains.
Pros: This Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat is easy to set up. It also comes with an anti-slip and non-marking feet to keep the seat in position.
Cons: The Pocket Snack is designed to be used only on dining chairs.
Baby Delight Go with Me Venture Deluxe Portable Chair
Weight limit: It can accommodate a maximum weight of 75 lbs or 34 kgs.
Dimensions: 24.5" x 23" x 22.75" or 62 x 58 x 57.8 cms.
Portability: It all collapses into a tiny travel bag that you can easily carry and weighs only 4.9 lbs or 2.2 kgs.
Safe to Use: You can always use a 5-point removable harness to keep your baby secure and comfortable. Your baby can sit and relax in this portable chair from 3 to 6 months. Afterward, your child can stand and play from 6 months up until they reach the maximum weight limit.
Ease of Cleaning: It is made with fabric that is resistant to fading, stains, and molds which is a great feature for portable chairs.
Pros: The canopy is coated with UPF 50+ and protects your child against UVA + UVB rays. It also has a strong and stable flared legs system that keeps the chair in place.
Cons: Based on reviews, some parents say that the cup holders don’t fit some water bottles.
Ciao Baby Portable Booster
Weight limit: It has a weight limit of 50 lbs or 22.7 kgs.
Dimensions: 12" x 12" x 5" or 30.5 x 30.5 x 12.7 cms.
Portability: The ultimate space-saver that your child will surely love. The Ciao Baby Portable Booster unfolds easily, locks into place, and folds back up in just a matter of seconds without requiring too much effort. It weighs around 3 lbs or 1.4 kgs.
Safe to Use: It is one of the best portable high chairs for babies who can already sit unassisted, ideally 6 months and above.
Ease of Cleaning: The chair is made of durable nylon fabric and the tray is covered in clear vinyl that is very easy to clean just by using water and mild soap.
Pros: The Ciao Baby Portable Booster seat is a travel high chair that is compact enough for camping, beach days, vacations, and more. It includes a built-in feeding tray and cup holder that are great features for your baby during mealtime.
No assembly is required. With its slim design, you can easily store it.
Cons: The leg holes that are made out of fabric may be too small for other kids.
Fisher Price Healthy Care Deluxe Booster
Weight limit: Up to 50 lbs or 22.7 kgs.
Dimensions: 15.75" x 19.29" x 13.19" or 40 x 49 x 33.5 cms.
Portability: The product weighs around 4.24 lbs or 1.9 kgs. It has a folding frame and over-the-shoulder carry strap for easier transport.
Safe to Use: Suitable for babies from 6 months to 4 years old.
Ease of Cleaning: It is easy to clean with a dishwasher-safe feeding tray.
Pros: Portable infant to toddler booster seat that straps easily and securely to most dining & kitchen chairs
Cons: It is smaller compared to other booster seats.
Safety 1st Easy Care Swing Tray Booster Seat
Weight limit: Up to 50 lbs or 22.7 kgs.
Dimensions: 15" x 13" x 8.4" or 38.1 x 33 x 21.3 cms.
Portability: The item only weighs 4 lbs or 1.8 kgs which is easier for you to bring it around.
Safe to Use: It has a five-point harness for your baby. It can be used by your child once they reach 6 months until 4 years old or up to 33 lbs / 15 kgs.
Ease of Cleaning: Dishwasher safe and easy to clean.
Pros: Easy Care Swing Tray Feeding Booster features a tray that is fixed on one side and swings easily out of the way.
Cons: It does not have enough harness, unlike the other 5-point harness booster seats on this list.
Top 2 Sling-Like Portable Highchair
The Original Easy Seat Portable High Chair
Weight limit: It can hold weight up to 33 lbs or 15 kgs.
Dimensions: 7.99" x 1.5" x 5.98" or 20.3 x 3.8 x 15.2 cms.
Portability: It’s your baby's High Chair that you can take with you anywhere you go. With its matching carry bag, you can just store this in your diaper bag or purse. It only weighs 0.33 lbs or 0.15 kgs.
Safe to Use: It has a five-point harness for your baby. It can be used by your child once they reach 6 months until 4 years old or up to 33 lbs / 15 kgs.
Ease of Cleaning: The materials used for this product are machine washable. If it gets dirty simply pop it in the wash and use it again once it's completely dried up.
Pros: To use, simply slide the reinforced hood over the top of the chair wherever you are. Whether you are in a restaurant, cafe, or outdoors, you can use it together with a chair. It is also fast and convenient to set up.
Cons: It does not come with a tray table where you can place their plates and drink during meal time.
Liuliuby Travel Harness Seat
Weight limit: It has a maximum weight capacity of 33 lbs or 15 kgs.
Dimensions: 11" x 4.1" x 3.2" or 27.9 x 10.4 x 8.1 cms.
Portability: Easy to use, lightweight, and compact. Perfect for on-the-go moms like you because it only weighs around 0.525 lbs or 0.24 kgs.
Safe to Use: You can turn your regular chair into a Liuliuby Travel Harness Seat in just the snap of your fingers! Your little one can start using it from 6 months up.
Ease of Cleaning: It is machine washable. You will not be worried in case your child will accidentally stain this harness seat.
Pros: This product is durable and padded with cushioning for the baby’s extra comfort. The harness straps are also made from soft fabric to protect your child's neck when using it.
Cons: You will need to secure or get a separate chair in order for you to use this Liuliuby Travel Harness Seat. Your baby must also know how to seat unassisted to be able to use this product.
Top 4 Booster Seat Portable Highchair
Bombol Instant Popup Booster Seat
Weight limit: It has a weight limit of 75 lbs or 34 kgs.
Dimensions: 1.38" x 10.83" x 11.81" or 3.5 x 27.5 x 30 cms.
Portability: This portable travel high chair weighs only 2.5 lbs or 1.1 kgs. It is easy to carry around.
Safe to Use: This sturdy travel high chair has a five-point harness and elastic shoulder straps that still allow your little one to move around while being safely fastened on their seat.
Ease of Cleaning: The straps are removable and can be thrown in the wash. The rest of the booster can be wiped clean using sanitary wipes or a sponge.
Pros: This is a five-point harness that converts into a three-point harness for your older children. You can still use it in case you are planning to strap them on their booster seat while having their meals.
Cons: Based on reviews, some parents complain that the travel bag/seat cover did not come with their purchase or an incomplete package. It is also in the mid-range price.
The First Years on-the-go Booster Seat
Weight limit: It can hold weight up to 50 lbs or 22.7 kgs.
Dimensions: 11" x 9" x 12" or 27.9 x 22.9 x 30.5 cms.
Portability: This booster seat is extremely lightweight. You can bring it anywhere you go. It only weighs 0.99 lbs or 0.45 kgs.
Safe to Use: It comes with an adjustable safety belt of the booster seat with T-restraint to help hold your child securely. Suitable for babies ages 9 months old and up.
Ease of Cleaning: You can clean it using a wet cloth or sponge. It is easy to clean.
Pros: On-The-Go Booster Seat Self-inflates with an adjustable height of up to 4 inches with an easy inflating valve. It is a sturdy and comfortable full-size booster seat that your child can enjoy.
Cons: The straps may loosen up from frequent use. You may need to double-check it from time to time to ensure that your child is still properly fastened.
Munchkin Brica GoBoost Travel Booster Seat
Weight limit: It has a weight limit of 50 lbs or 22.7 kgs.
Dimensions: 11.5" x 11.5" x 5.5" or 29.2 x 29.2 x 13.97 cms.
Portability: This product weighs 2.54 lbs or 1.15 kgs. It is a portable dining booster seat with a strong and stable internal frame.
Safe to Use: It can be used by your child from 12 months up to 36 months as long as he or she is within the weight limit.
Ease of Cleaning: The Munchkin Brica GoBoost Travel Booster Seat comes with easy-to-clean materials. You can also use a wet cloth in cleaning this product.
Pros: The product is durable and no tools are required to assemble it. It is a good option in case you want something more robust than a fabric high chair that you normally see in the stores.
Cons: It only comes with an adjustable 3-point harness system. It may seem inadequate for your baby in case he or she needs more straps to be properly secured.
Nuby Easy Go Safety Lightweight High Chair Booster Seat
Weight limit: This product can accommodate up to 50 lbs or 22.7 kgs.
Dimensions: 14.5" x 11" x 9.38" or 36.8 x 27.9 x 23.8 cms.
Portability: The Easy Go Booster Seat is made to go where you and your little one want to go because it only weighs 1.54 lbs or 0.70 kgs. It has a lightweight design that conveniently collapses in case you are going out or traveling.
Safe to Use: From 9-12 months up to 5 years old considering the weight limit.
Ease of Cleaning: Wipe all surfaces every after use with a damp cloth or sponge using mild liquid soap to keep your baby's chair clean especially if there are any food stains.
Pros: The Easy Go Booster Seat combines safety and convenience. It features a pocket for easy access storage to be able to get your baby's essentials in case you will be needing them.
Cons: This product is not suitable for babies under 9-12 months old because it only comes with a 3-point harness that is suitable for babies that can sit properly on their own.
Top 4 Clip-On Portable Highchair
Inglesina Fast Portable Highchair
Weight limit: It has a weight capacity of 37 lbs or 16.6 kgs.
Dimensions: 17" x 14" x 11" or 43.2 x 35.6 x 27.9 cms.
Portability: At just 4.2 lbs or 2 kgs with an attached carry bag, this option is effortless to transport especially if you are always travelling with your baby.
Safe to Use: It can be used from 6 months to 3 years old. Your baby should be able to sit up unassisted before he or she can use the product.
Ease of Cleaning: Fabric is removable for easy hand washing. Just a piece of cake right?
Pros: It has a lifted backrest and firm seat that ensures the baby's comfort. Also, it has a large back pocket that is great for storing toys, bottles, and other baby essentials whenever you are outside.
Phil & Ted’s Lobster Portable High Chair
Weight limit: It can hold weight up to 37 lbs or 16.8 kgs.
Dimensions: 13.39" x 13.78" x 3.15" or 34 x 35 x 8 cms.
Portability: This product weighs around 3.8 lbs or 1.7 kgs. You can fold it easily and store it in your car trunk.
Safe to Use: Your baby can start using this from 6 months and above as long as they can sit on their own.
Ease of Cleaning: You can use sanitary wipes or cloth to remove any dirt. It also has a removable tray that you can clean separately in the sink.
Pros: It comes with ergonomic seating and comfortable shoulder pads. It provides comfort for your baby while seated.
Cons: It is not affordable compared to other products in this list.
Mountain Buggy Pod Clip-on Highchair
Weight limit: It can hold weight for up to 33 lbs or 15 kgs.
Dimensions: 27.56" x 11.81" x 7.87" or 70 x 30 x 20 cms.
Portability: Incredibly lightweight and portable. It only weighs 2.2 lbs or 1 kg.
Safe to Use: Use for babies that can sit unassisted and up to the maximum weight limit.
Ease of Cleaning: Fabric can be wiped clean or thrown in the washing machine for faster cleaning.
Pros: The adjustable C-shaped clamps fit on most tables. It has a petite profile that can squeeze into the tightest spaces. It can also provide postural support for your little one at any table height.
Cons: The leg holes in this highchair can be a little tight for older children.
Guzzie+Guss Perch Clip on High Chair
Weight limit: It has a weight limit of 33 lbs or 15 kgs.
Dimensions: 18" x 14" x 14" or 45.7 x 35.6 x 35.6 cms.
Portability: Compact for travel and you can easily store it in its nylon travel bag. It weighs 4.5 lbs or 2 kgs.
Safe to Use: It has an adjustable harness that helps keep your child in place. Suitable for 4 months and above.
Ease of Cleaning: The fabric is machine washable.
Pros: The Guzzie+Guss Perch Clip-on High Chair has a high-back design that provides comfort and support especially when your baby is fond of leaning backward. It is easy to install too.
Cons: Your baby can use this item up to a certain weight limit which is smaller compared to other brands.
What Age is Portable High Chair For?
It is recommended that your baby can sit on their own before using a portable high chair. Typically, those who are around 6 months to 3 years can enjoy using it.
You can also monitor the progress of your child if he or she can sit up straight and enjoy their own meals. Proper supervision is always needed.
There are also brands that offer a reclining seat for a toddler chair.
What Can You Use Instead of a High Chair?
If your baby can sit properly unassisted, booster seats and travel harness are also some of the alternatives that you may consider.
For older kids, they can opt for a regular step stool or a toddler tower. These are considered good options instead of using a high chair.
Are Table Mounted High Chairs Safe?
Yes, table-mounted high chairs are safe to use at home or even in restaurants. It is important that you purchase a quality product.
Do not forget to securely attach it to a strong table top before sliding your baby in. However, it is not suitable for glass tables, tables with a loose tabletop, tables with narrow base, and lightweight tables. Thus, it is important to ensure that the table where you are planning to mount your baby's high chair is compatible and sturdy enough to hold the weight of your little one.
Can You Use a High Chair Before 6 Months?
No, using a high chair is not recommended for those under 6 months old because they have not developed enough strength in their trunk to hold their body up independently. Research shows that it takes about 6 months for a baby to be able to sit unsupported for short periods of time. [1] [2]
In order to know when is the suitable age for your baby to experience being in the high chair, there are some key developmental milestones to look into.
Sitting up without support and starting to enjoy their meals on their own are just some of the early signs that can help you decide whether your baby is ready for a high chair or not.
Pick the Best Portable High Chair for You
Depending on which of the travel high chairs for toddlers and babies you choose in this article, you will also find them useful for out-of-town trips or quick getaways with your family.
Choosing the right products and investing in good materials can benefit you and your family in the long run.
If you are flying or having a road trip with your little one, do not forget to include your Baby's Travel Essentials in your suitcase.
It is also important to know what are the different tips for packing and traveling light to be able to bring everything with you.
References:
[1] Karasik et al. Places and postures: A cross-cultural comparison of sitting in 5-month-olds. J Cross Cult Psychol. (2015)
[2] WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group. WHO Motor Development Study: windows of achievement for six gross motor development milestones. Acta Paediatr Suppl. (2006)