In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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We tested top booster seats from Fisher-Price, Ingenuity, OXO Tot, and more to find the best
For this review, we purchased each product for hands-on testing and side-by-side comparisons.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
By Molly Bradac ⋅ Senior Review Analyst ⋅ May 29, 2024
The Best Table Booster Seats
Does your child need a boost? We dove into table booster seats to determine the top 7 contenders available today. We've researched the market and purchased worthy and popular options for hands-on testing. Although booster seats may vary in design and style, they share the same goal: boosting your child to join the family at mealtimes. But, not all seats share the same level of functionality and convenience. We believe a top-notch product should be easy to use and clean, plus provide a comfortable place for your child to sit, so we kept these factors in mind while evaluating the competition. Whether you plan on using a table booster seat in place of a high chair, need something for meals away from home, or your toddler needs a little boost to reach the table, we are sure there's a product in our lineup that will meet your needs and budget.
Don't let the basic appearance of the Prince Lionheart SQUISH fool you; this table booster seat is a favorite for many reasons. It is speedy and straightforward to install. It is also easy to clean with its material and 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. You can bring this booster on the road without the heft of some competitors.
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, reducing its cleaning score. 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.
The Prince Lionheart SQUISH was one of the easiest and quickest boosters to install.
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 pounds, 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. Therefore, 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.
The Fisher-Price Deluxe Booster Seat is a convenient option thanks to multiple extras. You could consider this seat an all-in-one product. It has three height settings adjustable to accommodate dining chairs and tables of varying heights or adjustments as your child grows. Thanks to its design with minimal crevices for food to hide, the entire product is relatively easy to clean, and the seat's hard plastic material is quick to wipe down. This booster includes a dishwasher-safe feeding tray, and, for a bonus, the chair's back folds down for convenient travel and storage.
Hard plastic may not be as comfortable as contenders with foam inserts, but if this is something you don't mind, we think this option is wallet-friendly and offers extras that may make mealtime more enjoyable for you and your little one. The OXO Tot Nest Booster Seat offers a more comfortable seating area with a softer tushie area and a more molded design with a higher back. It doesn't have a tray, but it could be something kids prefer for comfort.
The Fisher-Price is one of the few that comes with its own tray table more like a high chair.
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.
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.
The Ingenuity booster includes a tray table that is easy to use, but the leg areas are small.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Warning: For your child's safety, you must read and follow the manufacturer's user manual. Pay close attention to age and weight recommendations and limits, the required dimensions of the adult chair that you'll fasten the table booster seat, and other safety precautions. Be aware that boosting children could increase their ability to push on the table with their feet, leading to tipping chairs and possible injuries. We recommend children only use boosters under supervision.
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Credit: Abriah Wofford
How We Test Table Booster Seats
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.
Boosters vary in usage ages. Consider your child's age and needs, as these details will likely help narrow down the options.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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. Conducting this review is 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.
All products in our lineup feature an adjustable three-point harness.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How to Pick the Best Table Booster Seat
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.
Not all boosters in our lineup include a tray, but the Ingenuity Baby Base does.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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. Another wallet-friendly option is the Fisher-Price Deluxe Booster Seat. This booster offers multiple extras (height adjustability, tray, and foldability). In contrast, other contenders in our lineup don't provide these perks. 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.
The Chicco Pocket Booster Seat is height adjustable (offering three height levels). The mechanism to adjust the booster's height is located under the seat.
The Ingenuity Baby Base has some attractive elements, including a seat design that accommodates younger users, a stowaway tray for convenient storage, and foam inserts to amp up the comfort.
Ease of Use
A table booster seat 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.
Despite some effort to adjust straps, installing the Skip Hop Zoo Booster Seat was fairly easy.
The OXO Tot Perch and Straps materials are easy to wipe down and clean, but crevasses collect crumbs.
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.
The Fisher-Price booster is loaded with extras that we think are worth the cost.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Of course, one perk of using a table booster seat 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 Fisher-Price Deluxe Booster Seat and Chicco Pocket Booster Seat offer very useful height adjustability, which will be handy if you regularly dine at various locations with different chairs and tables.
The Chicco Pocket Booster Seat offers three height settings to accommodate growing children and tables of differing levels.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
A table booster seat may not collapse or fold down; however, a few contenders offer this ability, including the Chicco Pocket Booster Seat, Fisher-Price Deluxe 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.
The Ingenuity Baby Base is comfortable and supportive, especially for younger users; however, the middle horn can limit leg space, which may become an issue for older children or those with adorable chunky thighs.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
The Prince Lionheart SQUISH is hands-down one of the easiest to clean, thanks to its one-piece design.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
Tip: It is best to wipe your booster down after each use to keep your child's booster seat in good condition and clean.
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.
The OXO Tot Perch with Straps boosts children ages 15 months to 70lbs. Unfortunately, access to the chair straps is under the seat cushion, which is inconvenient if you need to make adjustments mid-meal.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
