Best Portable High Chairs for Families on the Go
Parents’ homes are chock-full of useful baby gear—but what happens when you leave the house? Whether you’re dining at a restaurant, enjoying snacks at the park or beach or visiting friends and relatives, baby is going to need a safe, convenient place to sit and eat. Which is where a portable high chair can come in handy. (They’re even great for those looking to save space at home!) Not sure which is the best for your needs? We’ve rounded up our top picks for portable high chairs, including what to look for when shopping for one.
There are a few factors to consider when selecting the best portable high chair for your child:
- Style of seat. Portable high chairs come in a variety of styles, including clip-on, standalone, sling-like, booster types and unique pop-up travel high chair designs. It’s important to think about which style will be most convenient for your needs.
- Safety and harnesses. Take note of how a seat secures to either a chair or table; a tight fit prevents any wobbles or shakiness. For younger children, choose a seat with a five-point harness; older toddlers can get away with a three-point.
- Fold and portability. Families on the go will likely prefer a travel high chair that folds down, making it easier to transport from one place to another. Keep an eye out for special inclusions like a carry strap or tote bag, too, if you need to make easy work of hauling your high chair around.
- Ease of cleaning. Fabrics and surfaces that are easy to wipe down are perfect for dining out. If you want a deeper clean, look for features like machine-washable straps and covers or dishwasher-safe accessories.
Keeping these factors in mind, check out our top picks for the best portable high chairs.
Overall best portable high chair
- Lifted backrest and firm seat ensure baby is comfortable
- Fabric is removable for easy hand washing
- Large roomy back pocket is great for storing toys, teethers, bottles and/or binkies
- Not compatible with all tables
- Seat isn’t built to recline and shouldn’t be used by babies under 6 months
- Tray table is sold separately
The Inglesina Fast Table Chair and Tray checks all the boxes for the best portable high chair: It’s easy to carry, set up and clean. Whether you’re looking for a space-saving, counter-height option in your home or need something to take on-the-go for travels and dining, the Inglesina will fit your needs. It even earned a shout-out in this year's Best of The Bump roundup of best high chairs, where our product tester told us, “I felt confident by how fastened our 8-month-old was [when] strapped into the high chair… she fit comfortably and but not too tight.”
At just 4.2 lbs. and with an attached carry bag, this option is effortless to transport. It quickly clips on to nearly any surface—from 0.75 to 3.25 inches thick—without leaving any damage behind, and has a weight capacity of 37 pounds. Plus, the chair’s high backrest and padded seat will keep your little one comfy and secure during meal time.
Dimensions (open): 14" (L) x 17" (W) x 11" (H) | Dimensions (closed): 14" (L) x 17" (W) x 4" (H) | Weight: 4.3 lbs. | Weight capacity: Up to 37 pounds
Accommodating table measurements: Chair can fit on tables between 0.75" to 3.25" thick
Our product tester says:
“I would say this is truly a portable high chair and can attach to most, if not all, tables.”
Best portable travel high chair
- Carry bag doubles as a chair cover for extra seat protection
- Five-point harness converts into a three-point harness for older children
- Removable, machine-washable straps
- Expensive
- Some parents complain that the travel bag/seat cover did not come with their purchase
For families that love to travel, the Bombol Pop-Up Booster is a must-have. This travel high chair was also recognized in our Best of The Bump series, and no wonder—it folds down to the size of a book and weighs just 2 lbs., taking up next-to-no room in your luggage (or your carry on; the compact sizes and “fits almost all chairs” silhouette is wonderful to whip out when your little one needs a bite to eat at a crowded airport lounge or while you’re waiting to board at your gate). When needed, it pops up into a 3D structure that’s both sturdy and comfortable, with a padded, upholstered seat and backrest as well as a five-point harness. We also love how the fabric is stain-, abrasion- and odor-resistant—perfect for when you don’t have access to a washing machine.
Dimensions (open): 11.8" (L) x 11" (W) x 10.6" (H) | Dimensions (closed): 11.8" (L) x 11.8" (W) x 1.4" (H) | Weight: 2.1 lbs. | Weight capacity: Up to 75 pounds
Our product tester says:
“I love how easy it is to clean, and it's so compact to travel with.”
Best foldable portable high chair
- No tools required for assembly
- Tray can hang on the back of the chair when not being used
- Five-point harness for maximum safety
- Pricey
- Not a one-handed fold (some parents say there’s a learning curve to figuring out how to set up and collapse the chair)
If you’re looking for a high chair that excels in functionality and space-saving design, then you’ll definitely want to try the Munchkin Float Foldable High Chair on for size. Though it sports a sturdy A-frame for stability and safety, it’s the chair’s compact and foldable nature that makes it ideal for smaller spaces. Lightweight construction (at only 11 lbs.) means this portable high chair is incredibly easy to carry from room to room, so you can keep your baby close by during mealtime or other activities. And the Munchkin Float High Chair's versatility is on full display with its bespoke features, including a removable tray with multiple adjustable footrests to accommodate your child's growth. Although the chair doesn't include a heavily-cushioned seat pad, the easy-to-clean, stark white surface simplifies maintenance and prevents stains (we haven’t met parents who wouldn’t want to get on board with that!).
Dimensions (open): 21" (L) x 25" (W) x 34" (H) | Dimensions (closed): 21" (L) x 14.5" (W) x 37" (H) | Weight: 11 lbs. | Weight capacity: Up to 33 pounds
Best portable high chair that attaches to table
- Carry bag and dishwasher-safe dining tray are included
- Nearly-flat fold (stows nicely in the car trunk)
- Ergonomic seating and comfortable shoulder pads mean kiddos will stay content
- Fabric can be removed for hand washing only
- Pricey
Love the convenience and space-saving features of a hook-on high chair, but worried about it being anchored well? Enter Phil & Ted’s Lobster Portable High Chair, which goes the extra mile to ensure your child has a safe seat at the table. In a static durability test, its lobster jaw clamps held an 88-pound weight for a 48-hour period, so it’s safe to say even the wriggliest toddler won’t be going anywhere during mealtime (can we get a collective phew?). Other features like an aluminum frame and a five-point harness combine to make this one of the most stable hook-on high chair options available. Oh! Don’t worry, the rubber grips on the clamps (or should we say claws?) accommodate tables between 0.8 and 3.75 inches thick, and make this standout portable high chair scratch-free—and when you’re using it at a friend’s house or at a restaurant, no one ever wants to make waves with the host!
Dimensions: 13.8" (L) x 13.4" (W) x 3.2" (H) | Weight: 4 lbs. | Weight capacity: Up to 37 pounds
Best portable camping high chair
- Weight capacity is one of the largest ranges for portable high chairs
- Polyester fabric is resistant to fading, stains and mold
- Canopy is coated with UPF 50+; protects against 98 percent of UVA + UVB rays
- Sun canopy can be removed, but the angle can’t be adjusted
- Some parents say that the cup holders don’t fit baby/toddler/big kid water bottles
- Tray can be a challenge to put on/take off
Headed camping with your little one? The folks at Baby Delight have you covered with their Go With Me Venture Deluxe Portable Chair. This portable camping high chair features a protective sun canopy, a leg enclosure with netting to keep out bugs and other critters, a removable tray and cup holder and a flared leg system for extra stability. The design also features optional leg holes for when your child wants to stand, as well as a five-point harness to keep them secure. It all collapses into a tiny travel bag at the end of your adventure.
Dimensions: 23" (L) x 22.8" (W) x 24.5" (H) | Weight: 4.9 lbs. | Weight capacity: Up to 75 pounds
Best budget-friendly portable high chair
- Can be thrown into the wash after use
- Comes with a carry bag
- Since it fits over a regular chair, it can make your child feel more included at mealtimes
- Doesn’t come with a tray
- Parents are commonly frustrated that it doesn’t fit over all chairs
- Can leave smaller children sitting very low (depending on the height of the table)
It doesn’t get much more portable—or affordable—than the CozyBaby Easy Seat Portable High Chair. The fabric seat slides over the back of any chair and fastens with two buckled straps. From there, a five-point harness ensures your little one is extra secure while dining. Any messes can easily be wiped down, and the whole seat is able to fold away neatly in your bag. Best of all, when it comes to cheap high chairs (price that is, not quality), this one has everyone else beat. At just under $30, this thrifty travel high chair is super easy on the wallet.
Dimensions: 24" (L) x 6.8" (W) x 8.2" (H) | Weight: 5.3 ounces | Weight capacity: Up to 35 pounds
Best outdoor portable high chair
- Comes with a carry bag
- Detachable wet/dry bag is great for storage and to throw in used utensils, bibs, etc.
- One parent said it best with the quote “Always kept in my car everywhere we went I ended up pulling it out. Any area where putting baby on the floor was not a good idea”
- Only available in aqua and coral colorways, no neutrals
- Tray top is a little small
Designed with al fresco adventures in mind, the Summer Infant Pop ‘n Dine Highchair is the ultimate outdoor high chair for families seeking portability, practicality and safety. This high chair effortlessly folds into a compact size and comes with a convenient carrying bag, making it a total breeze to transport. Its sturdy frame and secure five-point harness ensure maximum safety, while the easy-to-clean fabric seat keeps messes at bay. The detachable, dishwasher-safe tray with a cup holder adds convenience during picnics and playdates at the park. And with its innovative pop-and-fold design, setting up a five-star dining experience for your tiny gourmet in the great outdoors is quick and painless.
Dimensions: 8.3" (L) x 8.3" (W) x 32.6" (H) | Weight: 10 lbs. | Weight capacity: Up to 45 pounds
Best portable high chair for restaurants
- Incredibly lightweight and totable
- Fabric can be wiped clean or thrown in the washing machine
- Carry bag is included
- Leg holes can be tight for older children
- Missing a reliable harness system (for wriggly kiddos, this might be a no-go)
It’s common to deal with unhygienic high chairs or trying to attach a booster seat to a booth when dining out. But the Mountain Buggy Pod High Chair manages to solve both of these problems. The adjustable C-shaped clamps fit on most tables (between 0.8 and 2 inches thick), its petite profile can squeeze into the tightest of spaces and the design provides postural support for your child at any table height. When it’s time to leave, fold it up and slide it into the neat carry bag for a quick and easy exit. Piece of cake, right?
Dimensions (open): 12.2” (L) x 13.4” (W) x 9.8” (H) | Dimensions (closed): 12.2” (L) x 13.4” (W) x 1.5” (H) | Weight: 2.2 lbs. | Weight capacity: Up to 33 lbs.
To help streamline your shopping and highlight the best portable high chairs for your family’s dining endeavors, we considered a list of criteria when sourcing products, including silhouettes and setup, quality and durability, ease to carry and clean and, of course, safety (i.e. the harness/buckling system). We read countless user reviews to get the low-down on how these portable high chairs work for families, never considering anything less than an average four-star rating. And, of course, we leveraged our editorial team’s own familiarity with leading brands, as well as our own experience as parents (because the chaos of eating out with little ones is universal, and any high chair that can keep up obviously earns our high marks).
Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.
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