The 3 Best Booster Seats for Table

Overall Best Booster Seat for Tables

Prince Lionheart SQUISH

Weight	1.49 lbs
Age Range	12 mo to 5 yrs or 60 lbs
Tray	No
Fold	No

Don't let the basic appearance of the Prince Lionheart SQUISH fool you; this booster seat for tables is a favorite for many reasons. It is speedy and straightforward to install. During testing, it was easy to clean with wipeable material and a one-piece design, harboring no nooks and crannies for crumbs to hide. The seat is comfortable enough for mealtime and snacks, and without a center crotch post, legs of almost any size have plenty of room to spread (even those adorable chunky thighs). We also appreciate Prince Lionheart's lightweight design for travel. One tester states, “I love how lightweight this option is compared to others; it makes it much easier to take on outings.”

Since children can be messy eaters, there's no doubt that buckles and straps collect grime, and we very much appreciate options with removable straps to make the cleaning process more manageable. Unfortunately, this seat has a crotch strap that isn't detachable, making it harder to clean in our tests. However, the booster's simplistic design is one of the easiest overall to clean, and this alone makes up for the loss. The OXO Tot Nest Booster Seat has a similar design, but the seat is somewhat more molded, and it has a higher back design, which could be preferred by some kids. The Squish is an affordable booster that is a home run in this group. We think it is a good choice if it meets your child's age range.

Runner-Up Best Booster

OXO Tot Nest Booster Seat

Weight	3.89 lbs
Age Range	9 mo to 50 lbs
Tray	No
Fold	No

The OXO Tot Nest Booster Seat is a durable contender with one of the most extended usage ranges. It accommodates children from 9 months to 50 lbs, and once you finish using the three-point harness straps, you can conveniently store them in a compartment under the seat. Children are well supported and comfortable in this seat, thanks to its high back and sides, padded foam insert, and ample legroom with no center crotch post. After each meal, clean the booster by wiping the seat's lift-out cushion and smooth, plastic seat.

The foam insert does not catch all food crumbs; some find their way into nooks and crannies underneath. As one tester reports, “I wish food didn't have a chance to end up under the foam; it makes the cleanup process more involved.” As a result, we recommend frequently inspecting underneath the lift-out cushion to ensure a clean booster seat. The Prince Lionheart SQUISH is another award-winner that is smaller and could be easier to store if your little one doesn't mind a lower back. This option may meet your needs if you're looking for a well-rounded winner that offers support for a younger eater. Overall, the Nest is a great booster with a potentially longer lifespan than many competitors.

Super Versatile Booster

Ingenuity Baby Base

Weight	6.0 lbs
Age Range	6 mo to 36 mo or 33 lbs
Tray	Yes
Fold	No

The Ingenuity Baby Base is a grow-with-me chair that will last for years. Once your child can sit unaided (minimum six months of age), you can use this booster. The foam insert can be used during the younger years and then removed when your child no longer needs it or fits. You can use it on the floor as a tot chair or strapped to a chair in booster mode, and the seat includes a stowaway tray. The booster seat can easily be wiped clean with a damp cloth. Although the feeding tray is dishwasher-safe, we suggest hand washing it to extend its longevity, and the straps can be machine washed when a more serious cleaning is needed. Our tester said, “Unlike some of the competitors, I love that this option lets you remove and clean the straps so they don't get too gross.”

This versatile chair is not the most convenient option for portability. It will work in a pinch if you need something to bring to grandma's house, but given its weight and dimensions, the product is somewhat bulky compared to other products in our lineup. However, the higher-ranking Prince Lionheart SQUISH is smaller and could be easier to transport or carry into a restaurant. Also, the position of the crotch strap on the Ingenuity is placed directly behind the center crotch post, making it a little tricky to access if a baby is already seated. If you're looking for a chair to use at home, the Baby Base is a good-quality chair that will last through multiple childhood stages.

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	87	Prince Lionheart SQUISH Overall Best Booster Seat for Tables	$30
	83	OXO Tot Nest Booster Seat Runner-Up Best Booster	$60
	70	Ingenuity Baby Base Super Versatile Booster	$50
	58	Skip Hop Zoo Booster Seat	$36
	50	OXO Tot Perch with Straps	$45
	48	Chicco Pocket Booster Seat	$40

How We Tested

We purchased each product in our review, and each contender experienced hands-on testing and a side-by-side comparison to evaluate performance. We did lots of research, testing, and side-by-side comparisons to narrow down the competition and identify the top performers. We considered and tested metrics like ease of use, ease of cleaning, child comfort/enjoyment, and more when determining scores and awards.

Why Trust GearLab

Led by a pediatrician and mother of two, the BabyGearLab team has been testing gear since 2013 and holds incredible experience and knowledge. This review is conducted by Molly Bradac, Senior Review Editor and Nanny with over 15 years of experience. She has used various baby-related products over her career, including table booster seats. Therefore, there's no doubt that Molly is the perfect expert to guide your search.

Analysis and Test Results

We lined up the contenders for side-by-side comparisons and hands-on testing. Since we believe a top-notch product should be easy for parents and comfortable for children, we kept these critical factors in mind during testing. During our evaluation, we also looked for design flaws, hindrances, and pros that influence a table booster seat's overall performance.

What's the Best Value?

If you're looking for the best bang for your buck, the Prince Lionheart SQUISH is hands-down the best deal, the product's overall score is high compared to other contenders in the competition. If price is not a limiting factor and you plan on using a product for the long haul, consider the Ingenuity Baby Base. This versatile option grows with your child and includes a stowaway tray.

Ease of Use

A booster seat for tables should be easy to use; otherwise, you'll be more likely to keep your child on your lap during mealtime or skip assistance altogether. Plus, you'll breathe a sigh of relief using an easy and quick option to install. Who needs extra fuss, right? Therefore, while scoring this metric, we evaluated a booster seat's level of difficulty to install and its ability to make strap and harness adjustments.

Some contenders that rise to the top in the ease of use metric include the Prince Lionheart SQUISH and the OXO Tot Nest Booster Seat. Both options have straps that are easy to pull, adjust, and tighten. The Skip Hop Zoo Booster Seat is also easy to install; however, adjusting the straps takes slightly more effort than the products mentioned above, but the overall task is still easier than other contenders in our lineup. And once in place, we were able to achieve a sturdy installation.

We struggled the most with the Ingenuity Baby Base as it does not offer pull straps. Instead, you must adjust and shorten straps before buckling, which can be tricky. It takes effort and muscle to buckle a tight strap. Also, the OXO Tot Perch with Straps did not score well in this metric. The installation process was not as quick or straightforward. Access to the straps is under the seat cushion, and if you need to make further adjustments while your child is eating, you'll need to remove them to lift the seat. We also struggled to get a tight fit, taking longer than other options.

Of course, one perk of using a booster seat at the table is bringing your little one closer to the table so they can eat with the family. However, depending on the chosen chair, the height of the table, and your child's height, the booster may come just short of the actual table height or be too tall, not allowing enough space for a toddler's legs. Having an adjustable height feature can increase the chances of compatibility. The Chicco Pocket Booster Seat offers very useful height adjustability, which will be handy if you regularly dine at various locations with different chairs and tables.

A booster seat for tables may not collapse or fold down; however, a few contenders offer this ability, including the Chicco Pocket Booster Seat, and OXO Tot Nest Booster Seat. The Prince Lionheart SQUISH does not fold, but it is incredibly lightweight, making it portable for family road trips. These seats are not particularly space-saving, nor did they earn extra marks for being more portable; we think shedding some light on their ability may be helpful for those who value travel-friendly products.

Child Comfort

Considering how often your child will be sitting in a table booster seat for mealtimes and snacks, it is important to consider comfort. While scoring this metric, we looked at the seat's design, material, and quality. We also asked ourselves: Is the seat comfortable? Do you need to reposition your child regularly? Does the tray squish body parts? Is there enough legroom?

The OXO Tot Nest Booster Seat excels in this metric, thanks to its foam insert that offers enough padding and no center crotch post to limit legroom for children of varying sizes. It also has a high back and sides to provide support. The Prince Lionheart SQUISH was also a well-loved option among testers, providing enough lift and space. The Chicco Pocket Booster Seat ranks low in this metric. We think it offers the bare minimum, and the hard plastic also does not allow children to sit and relax while eating.

Ease of Cleaning

Children are messy eaters, and there's not much you can do about it. However, we suggest selecting a booster with a design that is easy to keep tidy and clean for your sanity. We compared and evaluated each contender's design to rank the competition in this metric. Boosters with one-piece construction and minimal places for food and grime to hide rank higher than those with multiple parts. Also, since straps can get dirty and stain, a good cleaning may be necessary, and we gave bonus points to seats with removable straps as this can help the cleaning process.

All contenders have removable straps, except for the Prince Lionheart SQUISH as it has a crotch strap that doesn't disconnect; this slightly lowered its score. However, this option is of one-piece construction and one of the easiest to clean among the competition, causing it to remain in good standing. The Ingenuity Baby Base and OXO Tot Perch with Straps did not score as well in this metric, mainly due to more areas for liquid and crumbs to hide. Regardless of which product you select, read the user manual's care instructions for cleaning details, as manufacturers can differ in guidance, and there's no right way across the products.

Important Safety Note

For your child's safety, you'll need to stay close by while they're in a table booster seat attached to a chair. There is always the potential for kids to push against the table and cause the chair to tip backward. This potential is even more likely if you have a particularly wiggly or rambunctious child.

How to Pick the Best Booster Seat for Tables

A table booster seat is a great alternative to a full-size high chair for older little ones who can sit independently. If your toddler can climb into or easily be placed in a booster, it might be an opportunity to ditch the high chair and reclaim some real estate.

Comfort

The more comfortable the booster seat, the longer little ones will sit without complaint. Finding one with a cushioning seat or some give, and a more ergonomic design could lead to higher compliance when sitting during meal times.

Ease of Cleaning

Because mealtime can get messy, we like seats that are easy to clean. Boosters that can be easily wiped clean or tipped over the sink to remove crumbs are ideal. Straps and attachments to the chair that wipe clean are also a bonus.

Conclusion

Graduating from a high chair to a table booster seat can be exciting for little ones, or it could be your first stop if you decide to forgo the high chair. It marks a transition from a high chair to the “Grown-up” table or closer inclusion when dining out by boosting little ones to table height. Selecting the best booster for your child will depend on many factors, including how often you will use it, ease of use, cleaning, budget, and more. We are confident our review can help you narrow your options so you can find the best choice for your table, family, and soon-to-be mini-person.