Comparison highchairs

— Regular (unfoldable). The simplest type of highchair is a high seat on its own legs without any unnecessary design features. These highchairs can be used as separate feeding chairs or can be attached to a table; the latter option is especially convenient if the tabletop of the highchair can be removed (see "Removable tabletop"). Such highchairs are inexpensive and quite reliable due to their simplicity, however, unlike the foldable ones (see below), they constantly take up space and are less convenient to store and transport - they can be recommended if the free space in your apartment allows you not to put away the chair once placed anywhere at all. As a consequence, not many unfoldable highchairs are produced.

— Foldable. These highchairs are similar in appearance to the regular highchairs (see above), but unlike them, they can be folded for storage and transportation. They are comfortable and only a little more complex in design than the unfoldable ones. They are particularly useful for those who want to save space in the room.

— Convertible. Thanks to the convertible design, these models are suitable not only for babies, but also for preschoolers. When assembled, they are similar to regular highchairs — a design with a high seat — and are used in a similar way. And later, when the baby grows up, such a chair can be disassembled, turning the seat into a low chair for kids, and the l...ower part of the stand — a table for food, creative activities, games, etc. The downside of such versatility is a significant weight and size — convertibles are not only the bulkiest, but also not foldable. In addition, they are poorly adjustable: the seat height is not adjustable, adjustable backrest tilt is rare, etc.

— Swing highchair. For this purpose, the seat is mounted on a special hanger that allows it to swing back and forth; during feeding, the seat is held in place by a special lock, and to turn the highchair into a swing — just remove this lock. Most of these models have an electric motor for automatic swinging; however, the seat can be swung manually. Anyway, swing highchairs allow not only to feed, but also to entertain or lull the baby; their main disadvantage is their rather high price.

— Universal. The term "universal" in this case refers primarily to the age range. The seats in such models are adjustable in height, and tabletops, backrests, stoppers are made removable. In this way the highchair can be used as intended for the most part, and if necessary, the stoppers can be removed and the seat can be lowered, turning it into a complete furniture. Some models make it possible to use the chair for adults, but most are limited to school age.

— Booster. These chairs are technically not separate pieces of furniture, but additional accessories: they do not have their own legs and are designed to be mounted on ordinary chairs. Boosters are much more compact and lighter than most types of highchairs, so they are convenient for trips; many of them are equipped with their own tabletops and can be used in the absence of a table. On the other hand, special attention must be paid to the chair for the booster — it must be stable, otherwise there is a risk that the child will fall.

— Hook-on. These chairs do not have their own legs - instead they are attached directly to the table. This makes them very compact (especially the foldable models) and easy to transport, so it is easy to take the highchair with you on trips. On the other hand, foldable chairs have a number of limitations: so, the weight of the child in most cases should not exceed 15 kg, in addition, the chair can not be fixed on every table — some of them simply can not withstand it.

The ability to change the distance between your own tabletop and the back of the chair. Adjusting the tabletop allows you to adjust its position so that your baby will be as comfortable as possible to sit in the chair.

The seat height can be adjusted (meaning the entire unit, with footrest and tabletop). This function is especially useful if you want to adjust the height of the highchair to match a regular table, and in some models it converts the highchair into a rocking chair, for example. Variable seat height is a mandatory attribute of universal highchairs (see "Type").

Height adjustment can be either smooth or stepped; if the characteristics indicate the number of levels (see "Seat height") — it means that the adjustment is stepped, if not — smooth. Each option has its own advantages: smooth adjustment allows you to set the height as accurately as possible, stepped provides higher durability and reliability of the design.

The number of individual levels on which the seat of the high chair can be installed. The more such levels, the wider the possibilities for choosing the installation height and the more accurately you can choose the height for specific conditions.

It is possible to adjust the tilt of the highchair backrest. This makes it possible to set the backrest in the optimal position, which is various for different situations: for example, when eating it is desirable to sit upright, and if the baby falls asleep in the chair, the backrest can be lowered. Backrest tilt adjustment is a mandatory feature for models with the possibility of converting to a carrycot (see the relevant paragraph below).

The number of positions in which the adjustable (see above) highchair backrest can be installed. The more such positions, the wider the possibilities for adjusting the backrest.

The tilt of the footrest can be adjusted in relation to the seat itself. This adjustment provides the possibility to change the position of the baby's legs according to different situations. This is especially convenient considering that sitting in one position for a long time tires the knees - to relax them, you can adjust the footrest. The tilt adjustment is also useful for babies who sometimes sleep in the seat.

Theleg stropper keeps the baby in the chair and allows you not to worry that the baby will slip between the tabletop and the seat and fall out of the chair, which is fraught with bruises and injuries. Today, these types of stoppers are used:

— Plastic. The most common type of stopper is a ledge on the seat or a partition between the seat and the tabletop. It can be fixed or removable, but is usually not adjustable. It is not considered appropriate for boys, so it is worth looking for a chair with a removable stopper or harness (see below).

— Wooden. Rigid stoppers, generally similar to the plastic ones described above, but used in highchairs made of wood (see "Material") — mainly for aesthetic reasons.

— Metall. Another analogue of the plastic stopper used in chairs, the bases of which are also made of metal. The advantages of this material over plastic are high durability and solid appearance. However, it costs considerably more, and the difference in durability is not great enough to compensate for the difference in price. Therefore, this option is rare.

— Harness. Harnesses are less common than plastic. On the other hand, they are softer and can be removed, which makes such chairs more appropriate for boys. In addition, in convertible highchairs (see "Type"), harnesses are usually used due to design features.

— Removable tabletop. The ability to remove the chair's own tabletop, turning it into a regular seating area. This feature will come in handy when the child grows up and can be seated at a regular table.

— Removable tray. The removable tray in highchairs is usually installed on the tabletop and follows the same shape as the tabletop. This accessory can make life much easier for parents: for example, if the tray gets dirty after a meal, it can be quickly removed and washed, while the tabletop can be used for the child's playtime.

— Tabletop with edge. Tabletop equipped with a convex edge around the perimeter. This reduces the risk that the child will drop the dishes on the floor, accidentally hitting them; in addition, spilled liquid from such a tabletop will not fall on the floor, and it will be much easier to clean it up. Most modern chairs have a tabletop with an edge.

— Harnesses. Special harnesses that secure your child to the seat. Thus, you can safely remove the tabletop, leg stoppers, etc., without worrying that a baby will jump out of the chair (which, given the high height, is fraught with troubles).

— Lockable wheels. Highchairs on wheels are convenient for moving within the apartment, however, on the other hand, they can move from the slightest push. The...wheel locks allow the chair to be positioned securely and prevent accidental movement.

— Toy basket. A special container for toys provided in the design of a highchair; may be a basket itself, a tray or even a fabric bag. It is usually placed under the seat. Such a basket makes it possible to always have a set of toys on hand to cheer up the baby if he or she cries or gets moody.

— Lying position. The backrest of the highchair can be set horizontally, turning it into a carrycot. This allows the chair to be used from the first days of the baby's life, when he/she is not yet able to sit up (chairs without this function are suitable for kids from about 6 months of age). Theoretically, such a carrycot can even replace a crib in the first months of life, although later a separate sleeping place is needed anyway.

— Arc with toys. A special arc that is placed above the chair seat. Such toys are designed to entertain babies, and therefore the arc is usually mounted on the chairs that provide for conversion into a carrycot (see the relevant paragraph above). For feeding, the arc can be removed.