The 3 Best Portable High Chairs

Best Overall Portable High Chair

Inglesina Fast Table

Folded Dimensions	14" x 17" x 4"
Product Weight	4.2 lbs
Usage Range	6 mo - 36 mo, Max 37 lbs
Tray	No
Pocket	Yes

The Inglesina Fast Table is a sturdy, travel high chair that keeps a baby's comfort in mind and doesn't skimp on user-friendly features for parents. The chair is relatively easy to attach to a table or bar using the twist-tight clamp system, and sleeve-like covers zip and enclose the hardware. We appreciate its lifted backrest, high-quality canvas, and sufficient seat padding, making the Inglesina experience a comfortable one for babies. Plus, it has a rear pocket to store thin and compact items, like baby bibs and utensils. The fabric is easy to wipe clean, but the canvas seat is removable for hand washing if a deeper clean is needed. Our tester says, “I cannot stress enough how great it is to be able to wash this seat cover.” Thanks to an attached carry bag hidden within the seat, the chair folds flat and is conveniently contained and ready for travel. A tray accessory is available for purchase.

The Inglesina compactly collapses, but its weight and dimensions are not the smallest in our lineup, so it might not be the right one for you if the smallest is your main criterion. If you want a similar style for a less expensive price, the Mountain Buggy Pod is a good option that costs less, hooks onto the side of tables and weighs less, making it more portable. Overall, we love the quality and functionality of this versatile seat and highly recommend it.

Read more: Inglesina Fast Table review

Best Budget-Friendly Chair

hiccapop OmniBoost

Folded Dimensions	17" x 7" x 7"
Product Weight	4 lbs
Usage Range	6 mo - 3 yrs
Tray	Yes
Pocket	Yes

The hiccapop OmniBoost is a travel booster seat that looks similar to a foldable camping chair but has some attractive features that can make mealtime away from home more enjoyable. It is easy to pop open and closed with very few steps, and it includes a handy carry bag to grab and go. The removable tray is easy to click on and conveniently fits in the carry bag. Our parent tester remarks, “I like the tray that makes feeding and cleanup easy.” There is a mesh pocket on the backside of the seat that we like to use for essentials, such as baby utensils or an extra bib. The chair includes “duck feet” that slide over the chair's standard feet for added stability. Use this chair outdoors or inside, on the ground, or at the dinner table, as it has straps that can attach to an adult chair. Not only is this option budget-friendly, but we think it is sturdy and functional.

The tray is wide yet narrow and will not catch everything your little one drops. The Mountain Buggy Pod could be more compelling if you don't have a separate chair for little ones, and hanging from a table or counter is more viable. Also, some users report the chair's fabric seat can stretch over time. While testing, we did notice some “give” in the fabric. However, the hiccapop will not be your primary highchair, and we think it is satisfactory for traveling needs. Plus, the price tag is attractive, making it a good option for those on a budget.

Best Light and Compact Hook-on

Mountain Buggy Pod

Folded Dimensions	13.5" x 13.5" x 2.2"
Product Weight	2.2 lbs
Usage Range	6 mo - 36 mo, Max 37 lbs
Tray	No
Pocket	No

The Mountain Buggy Pod is an easy-to-use hook-on chair compact enough to fit in a large diaper bag or a stroller basket. Coming in at only 2.2 lbs, it is one of the lightest portable chairs in our tests. The simple design is easy to attach and remove from tables by twisting or untwisting the clamps. The Pod has a solid aluminum frame and a zippered fabric cover that makes the chair highly portable, thanks to the winning combination of sturdy yet lightweight materials. Our tester says, “I love being able to clamp it on almost any table and still fit it in my diaper bag.”

This travel high chair only fits tabletops thinner than 1.8 inches, so it may not work in every location. Also, one of the significant downsides is the size of the leg holes. They are much smaller than we would expect with the weight limit. The problem becomes especially apparent if your baby wears shoes or has adorably chunky thighs. Alternatively, the Inglesina Fast Table is somewhat bigger overall, and we didn't have the same leg hole problems. Another drawback is that the fabric is not machine washable. Luckily, it is easy enough to wipe down, but you will have to unzip and wash it by hand when it requires a deep cleaning. Before each use, you will need to ensure the zippers are secure when putting them back on, as there have been reports of the cover unexpectedly unzipping. Overall, the Pod is one of the lightest and smallest seats, making it a handy travel companion.

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	75	Inglesina Fast Table Best Overall Portable High Chair	$80
	74	Mountain Buggy Pod Best Light and Compact Hook-on	$60
	65	hiccapop OmniBoost Best Budget-Friendly Chair	$36
	65	OXO Tot Perch with Straps	$45
	62	phil and teds Lobster	$100
	50	Summer Pop 'n Dine SE Highchair	$70
	44	Chicco Pocket Booster Seat	$40

How We Tested

When choosing and ranking portable high chairs, we wanted to ensure we thought of everything. After over 70 hours of combined testing and research, we found the top contenders. We measured, used, cleaned, and compared. We conducted an extensive analysis of the products and, most importantly, used the seats with young children to help us determine our favorites. We then took all the information we gathered and condensed it into test metric results and helpful buying advice, so you can be confident in your purchase.

Why Trust GearLab

BabyGearLab has been purchasing and reviewing top-ranked baby gear since 2013. Leading the portable highchair review is our founder, Dr. Juliet Spurrier. Dr. Spurrier is a board-certified pediatrician and mother of 2. As a doctor, she has a background in childhood safety concerns and the potential results of poorly designed or inappropriately used gear. Dr. Spurrier approves all final competitors using this background and her time as a mother to guide her. The team also includes Senior Review Editor, Wendy Schmitz, mother of 2 and an invaluable team member at BabyGearLab. Between her scientific training and analytical background, plus knowledge of baby products and motherly experience, Wendy helps analyze test results and rank the competition. Providing additional support to the review is Senior Review Editor, Molly Bradac, who we consider the 'Mary Poppins' among the team. Molly has accumulated an impressive profile as a career nanny with over 15 years of experience. Most of her positions included national and international travel, allowing her to bring a unique perspective, experience, and knowledge base to identify qualities of top-performing products and provide recommendations to families based on their needs and budget.

Analysis and Test Results

We tested the chairs side-by-side to determine which options stand out and which fall short. Our hands-on testing provides you with the details required to make an informed decision.

What's the Best Value?

The hiccapop OmniBoost chair is wallet-friendly and a great value. It's versatile, use it outside or inside, and we don't doubt you'll get your money's worth. The Fisher-Price is another attractive low-cost product that is easy to clean. But, if your budget is slightly more flexible, the Inglesina offers higher quality and compatibility with various tables you may encounter when out and about. We realize there's a higher upfront cost with this option, but we believe there's value in this purchase, especially if you plan to use it frequently to dine out, take trips to the grandparents' house, or use it as your primary high chair. We think it is worth the cost if you meet these parameters. However, a cheaper option may better suit your needs if you don't.

Portability

There are several types of portable high chairs, and they all have different features that make them portable. To evaluate portability, we took a close look at weight and dimensions. These factors influence how easy a product is to transport; some might even fit in your diaper bag, stroller basket, luggage, or car trunk.

We consider weight to be an essential consideration when making your purchase. We suggest considering how and where you plan to use the chair and how weight might impact your daily use. Situations can include occasional visits to grandparents, restaurant outings, everyday home use, or far-away travel. We found the hook-on chairs to be more travel-friendly than boosters, as they fold down and usually fit inside an included carry bag. Honestly, folding the chair flat, slipping it in a travel sack, and tossing it over your shoulder is all too convenient.

Among the competition, the Mountain Buggy Pod ranks high in this metric. Compared to others, this hook-on style chair has an impressively low weight, is one of the smallest when folded, and includes a carry bag, making it travel-friendly for most scenarios. The OXO Tot Perch with Straps also ranks high compared to others, thanks to being lightweight (although it doesn't beat the Mountain Buggy) and folds up small for travel. Also, this option doesn't include a carry bag if this is a deal-breaker for you.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Summer Pop 'n Dine SE Highchair ranks the lowest. Compared to others, this travel high chair is one of the largest and heaviest, and these factors hurt its overall portability score. This option includes a carry bag with a handy carry strap, which adds convenience when transporting. Still, it will take up space in your vehicle's trunk, or if you're on foot, carrying your baby and a diaper bag, plus a heavy chair, is likely not something you want to add to the mix.

Ease of Use

For this metric, we determined that the complexity of assembly and disassembly are the two main factors at play in addition to the baby's comfort. Therefore, we kept these factors in mind when evaluating the lineup. We also asked things like: How many parts does it have? How long does it take to put together and pack up every time? Are there any features that add to the chair's ease of use?

In our opinion, less is more, and a product that can be ready to go in seconds is invaluable, especially when you toss a hungry toddler into the mix, creating the perfect recipe for a meltdown.

Among the competition, the the Inglesina ranks high in this metric. This contender has qualities of luxury that we admire, such as a high-quality canvas that offers more padding and a cockpit with more support than others, which collectively create a more comfortable sitting experience for babies. Ranking right below the Inglesina, yet higher than many others, are the hiccapop OmniBoost and Summer Pop 'n Dine SE Highchair. These options don't offer impressive comfort like the Inglesina, but they have super quick and straightforward folding systems, whereas many others take more time to set up and takedown.

The Chicco Pocket Booster Seat ranks low in this metric for many reasons. Although it offers height adjustability, which can be helpful, we believe the chair's hard plastic and bare minimum design lack comfort for babies compared to other contenders. Plus, we struggled with getting the tray on, leaving us feeling frustrated because the task should be easy. We noticed ourselves preferring to use other options over the Chicco.

Ease of Cleaning

Babies are messy, especially during mealtime, so finding an easy-to-clean chair is a big plus. Conquering mealtime mess with a quick wipe-down can simplify your life, and we prefer chairs with smooth surfaces and minimal cracks and creases for crumbs to collect and hide. After all, if you are cleaning up after little ones by the hour, why not make it as painless as possible?

The Summer Pop 'n Dine SE Highchair and the hiccapop OmniBoost are both easy-to-clean options, thanks to their removable, machine-washable canvas covers, making the overall cleaning task more manageable.

On the contrary, many hook-on portable high chairs rank low in this metric. The phil and teds Lobster ranks the lowest, and the Inglesina Fast Table and Mountain Buggy Pod rank slightly higher but still low. These hook-on portable high chairs have hard-to-clean areas, particularly where the canvas sides meet the padded seat. Food crumbs love to accumulate in this area, which is easy to overlook. Using a slightly dampened cloth, you can brush the crumbs out of this area, but you'll need to remove the canvas and hand wash it for a deep clean. We consider this task more time-consuming compared to hard plastic options or those with machine-washable covers. Also, removing the canvas covers varies among this small group of hook-on chairs. The Mountain Buggy Pod has a zipper system that makes removing the canvas more accessible and relatively quick. The Inglesina's cover is easy to remove, but it takes longer to thread it back on the frame, and the phil & teds seat requires the most effort as it requires a tool, which isn't as handy.

How to Pick the Best Travel High Chair

Multiple portable high chairs are on the market. Considering a few key factors can help you find the perfect option for your family.

How Will You Use It?

The most important consideration is how you plan to use your portable chair. Are you taking it to a local restaurant? On a cross-country road trip? On an international flight? Each option might indicate a different style or kind of portable high chair. A more solid booster is unlikely to be the best for long-distance air travel. However, a small foldable option might be frustrating if you head down the road. Choosing the right option for the right job is important.

Features

If you were hoping for a specific feature like an included food tray, then what features it has can help you narrow the field. Features to consider might be if it has a tray, the seat attaches to the table or the chair, how small it folds, and what the weight limits are.

Conclusion

When it comes to baby travel gear, a portable high chair is a good move if you like to dine out or travel. Take it on the road, use it for trips to the grandparents, or as an excellent space-saving solution for those living in tight quarters. A portable high chair can also help your little one eat more comfortably from baby to toddlerhood. In the end, comfort, functionality, and portability are critical elements you should consider before selecting a product. Lucky for you, our review includes the information and details to help you make your decision. We are sure you'll find a seat that can tag along wherever you and your baby roam. Happy dining!