By the time babies are a few months old, they begin to show interest in the family dining table. Maybe it’s the aroma of the food being served. Maybe it’s the allure of the faces gathered together. Your baby can join the group at the table with the help of the right booster chair.
Boosters chairs for the table give babies and toddlers the extra height they need to join the family. If you choose the right model for your child, a booster can keep baby safe and secure as well.
Boosters come in models that can be used for infants and those that are ideal for big kids. Some are feature-laden, and some are stripped-down and minimalist. We’ll be looking at a dozen of the best models, starting with those designed for infants and moving into those suitable for older kids. Keep in mind that the term “booster” is also used for a certain type of car seat. The seats we will be looking at are not for use in vehicles, although they are great for your little cruiser.
Here are the best booster seats for the table:
Our Top Picks
- Length of Use. The Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair is actually a booster that can accommodate children from birth until they reach 50 pounds.
- Adjustable Back. The chair back has three settings: upright, slightly reclined and fully reclined for infants.
- Handy Tray. The dishwasher-safe tray features a built-in cup holder.
- Comfy for Baby. The chair comes with a seat pad for extra comfort.
- Machine Washable. The seat pad and the straps are machine washable.
- Safety Harness. The chair has a five-point harness that converts to a three-point in big-kid mode.
- Easy to Assemble. Only minor assembly is required.
- Reasonably Priced. Although this chair is on the high end for boosters, it's cheaper than most high chairs and still a bargain considering all of the features it has.
- Versatile. The Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Chair will accommodate children up to 50 pounds and features three height settings and three tray positions.
- Portability. The chair is fairly lightweight at about 7 pounds, and the strap makes it easy to carry. With a folded size of approximately 17.5 X 14 X 4.5, it will also fit into some suitcases.
- Easy to Clean. The plastic construction means that it is easy to clean.
- Easy to Assemble. This chair requires very minor assembly.
- Sturdy Design. The metal legs with non-slip feet give chair a sturdy feel.
- Budget Priced. This booster comes with a budget-friendly price.
- Versatile. The Rainforest Healthy Care Booster Seat can be used with or without the removable back and with or without the tray.
- Grows With Baby. The chair has three height adjustments. Tray and back can be removed to create a big-kids booster suitable for kids up to 50 pounds.
- Easy to Clean. The seamless seat is easy to wipe clean, and the feeding tray can be put in the dishwasher.
- Fun for Baby. The busy-box style toy tray is fun for baby.
- Portability. The chair folds for easy toting, has a carry strap and weighs only five pounds.
- Moderately Priced. This chair is affordable but not super cheap.
- Length of Use. The Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair is actually a booster that can accommodate children from birth until they reach 50 pounds.
- Adjustable Back. The chair back has three settings: upright, slightly reclined and fully reclined for infants.
- Handy Tray. The dishwasher-safe tray features a built-in cup holder.
- Comfy for Baby. The chair comes with a seat pad for extra comfort.
- Machine Washable. The seat pad and the straps are machine washable.
- Safety Harness. The chair has a five-point harness that converts to a three-point in big-kid mode.
- Easy to Assemble. Only minor assembly is required.
- Reasonably Priced. Although this chair is on the high end for boosters, it's cheaper than most high chairs and still a bargain considering all of the features it has.
- Versatile. The Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Chair will accommodate children up to 50 pounds and features three height settings and three tray positions.
- Portability. The chair is fairly lightweight at about 7 pounds, and the strap makes it easy to carry. With a folded size of approximately 17.5 X 14 X 4.5, it will also fit into some suitcases.
- Easy to Clean. The plastic construction means that it is easy to clean.
- Easy to Assemble. This chair requires very minor assembly.
- Sturdy Design. The metal legs with non-slip feet give chair a sturdy feel.
- Budget Priced. This booster comes with a budget-friendly price.
- Versatile. The Rainforest Healthy Care Booster Seat can be used with or without the removable back and with or without the tray.
- Grows With Baby. The chair has three height adjustments. Tray and back can be removed to create a big-kids booster suitable for kids up to 50 pounds.
- Easy to Clean. The seamless seat is easy to wipe clean, and the feeding tray can be put in the dishwasher.
- Fun for Baby. The busy-box style toy tray is fun for baby.
- Portability. The chair folds for easy toting, has a carry strap and weighs only five pounds.
- Moderately Priced. This chair is affordable but not super cheap.
*All product links in this article will take you to the latest prices on Amazon.com, scroll down for our in-depth reviews below.
What Is a Booster Seat for the Table?
Booster seats are designed to be placed securely in a dining chair. Most have one strap that goes around the chair back and one that goes under the seat of the chair.
Most have a non-skid surface to keep the boosters from sliding out of position. Usually they have either a five-point or three-point harness.
Some models allow you to take out the harness when your child gets big enough to get into and out of the chair alone. The straps that secure the booster to the chair should always be used. although a few boosters designed for bigger kids don’t have them.
Booster seats are great solutions when floor space is at a premium and you really don’t have room for a stand-alone high chair.
They are also good for grandparents, babysitters and others who don’t need a high chair on a daily basis. Some families use high chairs or booster chairs exclusively, according to their preference. Some use a high chair until their babies get bigger and then switch to a booster.
Booster chairs are also typically very versatile pieces of baby equipment. When you’d like to rid your dining room of that “essence of baby,” you can store a booster chair out of sight.
Some boosters are designed to grow with your baby. Some come with a tray that can be omitted when the baby is big enough to be pulled up to the main dining table.
Many booster seats are compact and portable so they can be carried to a location that may not have a seat for baby. If you hate restaurant high chairs and the germs they may harbor, you may want to choose a portable model. Booster chairs are also more reasonably priced than full-sized high chairs, as a general rule.
The disadvantages of boosters are few, but they may be deal-breakers for your family. First, a booster ties up one of your regular dining chairs.
If you have five in your family and an extra chair for baby’s booster, you’ll be out of luck if you want to invite a friend or relative for dinner.
Second, if you have nice dining chairs that you want to protect, you may not want to use a booster. Even though the seat may be designed not to leave marks on your chair, eventually you may see some wear where the chair rests or where the straps go.
Third, booster seats are lower, so baby won’t be at your eye level as they can be in a high chair. And some parents report that their dogs like to snack from the lower booster chair tray!
Information About Booster Seat Safety
It’s difficult to find statistics about booster seat safety, especially as compared to high chairs. Common sense tells us, however, that the greater height of a high chair means falls may be worse.
If booster chairs are used correctly, the risk to your baby should be very small. Still, there are some steps you can take to keep baby safe.
First, look for a booster that is certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). This certification means that the product has been checked for safety by an outside agency. Second, check the website of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for any warnings or recalls.
Third, read the brochure that comes with the chair. Safety information should be the first topic. Read all warnings carefully.
Safe Practices With Boosters
Even if you choose a safe product, you must use it safely. Here are the instructions that typically come with booster seats:
- Always secure child with the restraint belts until a child is able to get in and out of the product without help (about 2½ years old).
- The tray is not designed to hold a child in the product.
- Never leave a child unattended.
- Always secure the product on a chair using the bottom and back attachment straps.
- Never use this product on a stool or bench that does not have a seat back.
It’s also important to choose the right chair to use with your booster. An appropriate chair would be sturdy, with widely spaced legs for good stability.
You should never use a folding chair, a bench, a stool or a lightweight plastic chair for your baby’s booster. You might be tempted to use a cushion under the booster to keep from scarring the bottom of your chair, but a cushion could destabilize the booster. Many boosters have non-slip bottoms that need a fairly smooth surface for good traction.
Most injuries that occur with high chairs and booster chairs can be traced to improper use of restraints. If the booster uses straps to secure the seat to the chair, don’t skip using them.
Also, be sure that the straps are snug. Adjust them if necessary, and check them periodically if a baby is moving around a lot. Always use the harness to secure your child, until he or she is able to climb into and out of the booster safely, which usually occurs between 2 ½ and 3 years of age.
One more thing: Babies should not be placed in such a position that they can push against the wall or the table with their feet. Doing so could allow them to topple over.
Of course, babies should not be left unattended while eating. Besides the risks of falls, they could choke on their food.
Features to Consider
Before you choose a booster seat, you’ll need to answer some questions to determine which features are most important to you.
- How old is your child? Some booster chairs come with reclining backs that accommodate children from birth onward. If your child is already a toddler, you can choose a simpler model.
- Is your child old enough to be pulled up to the dining table? If your child understands not to grab everything within reach, you can probably skip the tray and choose a model that allows your child to use the family dining table.
- How picky are you about cleanliness? If you are very picky, choose a model without seams and cracks. If you are more relaxed, feel free to opt for a chair with more features but one that also has more places for crumbs to hide.
- Do you plan to take the chair with you for visits or travel? If so, you will need to choose a chair that is lightweight and compact, or one that folds up for easy carrying.
- How long will your child use the chair? Some boosters are good for extended use, and some will be outgrown relatively quickly.
- Three-point or five-point safety harness? Five-point harnesses are safer, but they require a chair with a high back to work.
Other features that some moms want include soft surfaces for comfort and trays that can go into the dishwasher.
Best Booster Seats For The Table
Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair
Fisher-Price doesn’t label this model, the SpaceSaver, as a booster but instead calls it a high chair. That’s because it can truly take the place of a high chair, although it is designed for use in a regular dining chair.
The feature that will catch the attention of most moms is that this chair can be used for newborns. In fact, the chair is designed for children from birth all the way up to 50 pounds. That’s a lot of versatility!
Because the chair has a reclining back, it is suitable for infants. Remove the high back and its cushion, plus the tray, and you have a big-kid booster. The chair pad comes in several different motifs, mostly neutral geometrics that won’t clash with your décor.
Cons: It swivels to allow baby to face right, left, or to the center. That’s a handy feature that allows you to trade off baby-feeding chores without switching seats, or to give baby something different to look at. The position changes are accomplished with a simple-to-use lever. Graco advertises this as “the only booster with true infant cradle recline,” because it holds infants in a natural position and supports the head and neck with appropriate padding. The extra padding can be removed as baby grows, and then the seat back and seat pad are removed for full conversion to a big-kids booster. The seat pad comes in three patterns, two neutral and one featuring brighter tones. Cons: It features a pocket on the bottom for stowing away straps so that the seat will be level for floor use. As a booster, it’s suitable for babies from six months of age who sit unassisted for an extended period of time. As a floor seat, it can be utilized a little earlier, as soon as babies can hold their heads up for an extended period of time, usually around four months. The one-piece foam insert can be removed to convert the seat to a booster for bigger kids. Available in three bright colors, the Contour Twist is an attractive and versatile bit of baby gear. You may not have heard of the baby gear manufacturer Contours, but they have been in the business for 70 years. Headquartered in Chicago, Contours is family-owned and family-operated and specializes in strollers but also produces a bassinet, potty chair, baby carrier and booster. Contours has a helpful website where you can easily order replacement parts or check out your warranty. You can also learn about the world’s largest stroller! Cons: Suitable for children who can sit up unassisted, the Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Chair is a foldable, portable chair that’s also perfect for home use. With a push-button fold feature and a carrying strap, this chair is perfect for families on the move. This chair has other features that moms love. With three height adjustments and three tray positions, the chair will accommodate your growing baby. And the all-plastic construction means that it is super easy to clean. It’s available in three muted colors plus a bright green and turquoise. Cons: Available in pink or green, it’s recommended for babies who are at least six months old and will support up babies up to 37 pounds. It can be used on the ground or strapped into a chair. If you use it on the ground outside, be aware of what might be within arm’s length, especially if your baby is wiry and active. You wouldn’t want a bug to be on the menu! Summer Infant is a relatively new company, incorporated in 2004, that manufactures a wide range of baby products. Its Pop ‘N Play playard with optional canopy is also good for outdoor use. Cons: It comes with a toy tray featuring jungle creatures that slide and swing and bobble, to keep baby totally entranced while food is being prepared. The Rainforest Booster is packed with other features, like a removable back, height adjustments and a seam-free seat for easy cleaning. Other Healthy Care Boosters are available in different colors, motifs and featuring different toy trays. Cons: It doesn’t expand or swivel or transform. It’s simply a piece of hard plastic molded to fit a child’s bottom, with straps to fasten to a chair and a three-point harness. It’s available only in green. Safety 1st is the company that was launched by a single sign. Remember the Baby on Board signs that adorned so many cars back in the 1980s? That was created by Safety 1st, which went on to develop a variety of products with child safety in mind. Safety 1st offers a dozen or so booster seats, with the Sit! being the simplest and least expensive. Cons: Then they had their own baby explosion – 25 babies in 5 years – and realized just how important good baby gear is. OXO products are based on the concept of Universal Design, which means that products should be suited to as many users as possible. You can see that concept at work in this booster chair, which is a simple design that can be used by almost any child 9 months old up to a weight of 50 pounds. The plastic base features a soft foam cushion for comfort. It comes in a choice of five mod colors. OXO also makes a booster chair, the Tot Perch, for older kids. It is usable for children at least three years old and goes up to a weight of 70 pounds. Cons: Suitable for kids aged 9 to 36 months, the YummiGo is also great to use at home. It comes in two color combinations. With a design team made up of “kids who didn’t want to grow up,” BenBat endeavors to create products that are durable, multi-functional and fun. Cons: Suited for children aged 12 months and up, each booster features a cute face, a cushioned seat and a color-coordinated three-point harness. You can add to the fun with matching utensils, melamine dishes and bibs. The zoo collection motifs are also available in lunch kits, luggage and a host of other products. Skip Hop is a new brand. It originated in 2003 with a couple’s interest in designing a better diaper bag. Today the company aims to “re-think, re-energize and re-engineer products to infuse joy,” according to the company website. Cons: It’s lightweight and compact enough to throw in a suitcase, but it’s also great for using at home. The one-piece design means it’s easy to clean. It comes in six cool colors. Keekaroo products grew out of founder Tim Bergeron’s experiences designing therapeutic equipment for children. He knew that all children deserve comfort and support, and all moms and dads deserve equipment that’s easy to use and clean. Keekaroo is a member of the JPMA. Its products are made in the United States, and the Cafe Booster has a 5-year warranty. Keekaroo is also dedicated to creating products that are good for health and for the environment. The Cafe Booster is free of latex, PVC, BPA, phthalates, formamide and other possible toxins. Cons: Designed without a harness or straps, this is a chair for a big kid who can be trusted not to fall out of it. It’s made especially for restaurant use, but many parents are finding that it’s also perfect for home. It’s made of foam, so it’s soft for your child and won’t scratch your furniture, yet it’s also easy to clean and resistant to gouges and tears. It is created without flame retardants, lead, phthalates, and other toxic chemicals. It comes in six colors – four vibrant, two neutral. Prince Lionheart is a family-owned and family-operated business that manufactures its products in the United States. The business had its beginnings in a garage, and it strives to maintain a workshop mentality. Prince Lionheart also makes the Squish booster for babies who need a little more support – and a harness. Cons: Moms and babies are the winners, because they have such a lovely assortment of boosters to choose from. But for overall excellence, our winner is the OXO Nest. The bottom line is that feeding a baby is a very messy proposition. The number one thing that moms in the trenches want is a chair that’s easy to clean. The Nest meets that criteria with a seamless seat made of a material that wipes clean. The second thing that moms want is for their babies to be comfortable. Hard plastic seats may be okay for a short time, but if you want baby to be comfy for a leisurely meal, you’ll want a cushiony seat, which the Nest has. The Keekaroo Cafe Booster was a close runner-up, but the cost would be a deal-breaker for lots of moms. The Skip Hop Owl Booster is also hard to resist and would be a good choice for many families. If you want a chair that you can use from birth onward, the Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair will fill the bill admirably. But for overall ease of cleaning and comfort, coupled with good looks and functionality, the OXO Nest gets the nod. And as for that name – doesn’t every mom want for her babies the comfort and security that the word “nest” implies? At least that’s what we want until our fledglings are ready to fly. Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair, Multicolor
Like the Fisher-Price SpaceSaver, the Graco Swivi Seat 3-in-1 Booster can accommodate infants, toddlers and children up to 50 pounds. As you might guess from its name, however, the Graco has an additional feature. Contours Twist Grow-With-Me Seat
Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Chair
Pop ‘N Sit by Summer Infant
Prince Lionheart Squish Booster Seat, Berry Blue
If you’re looking for a chair that can keep baby entertained as well as be used for feeding, the Fisher-Price Rainforest Healthy Care Booster may be the ticket.Safety 1st Sit! Booster Seat
OXO Tot Nest Booster Seat
BenBat YummiGo Booster Seat
Skip Hop Owl Booster Seat
Keekaroo Cafe Booster
Prince Lionheart Soft Booster Seat
And the Winner Is!
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