High Chairs by Budget: Under £70 vs Under £110 vs Under £170

COMPARISON · FEEDING & WEANING

Every parent hits the same crossroads around the five-month mark: which high chair? The range runs from bare-bones folding frames at twenty-odd pounds to designer wooden thrones north of three hundred. Somewhere in between sits the sweet spot, but finding it means wading through a swamp of "6-in-1" marketing claims and suspiciously similar spec sheets.

We cut through the noise by lining up three chairs that genuinely represent what you get at each price tier in the UK right now. The Mamas & Papas Snax (around £65), the Joie Multiply 6-in-1 (around £100), and the Tutti Bambini Nova Evolutionary (around £160). No two share the same design philosophy, so the differences are real, not cosmetic. We checked current street prices, dug into parent feedback, and stress-tested each set of claims against what families actually say after six months of daily porridge warfare.

Here is what your money buys at each level, and where diminishing returns kick in.

Lil' Bubba's verdicts

• Best Value: Joie Multiply 6-in-1 · 8.5/10 - Six genuine modes including a play table, usable to age 6, dishwasher-safe tray
• Best on a Budget: Mamas & Papas Snax · 7.5/10 - Compact fold with tray attached, solid basics at the lowest price
• Best for Long-Term Use: Tutti Bambini Nova · 8.0/10 - Premium build, seven modes, usable to age 12 with stunning Scandi styling

	Mamas & Papas Snax	Joie Multiply 6-in-1	Tutti Bambini Nova
Price tier	~£65	~£100	~£160
Rating
Age range	6 months - 3 years	6 months - 6 years	6 months - 12 years
Modes	1 (highchair)	6 (highchair, booster, low chair, portable booster, toddler chair, play table)	7 (highchair, low chair, drawing table, play table, toddler chair, junior chair, adult stool)
Height positions	6	5	3
Recline positions	3	2	3
Folds	Yes, with tray attached	Yes, one-handed	Yes, 60 seconds (carry case included)
Max weight	15 kg	30 kg	50 kg
Tray dishwasher-safe	No (wipe clean)	Yes (insert)	No (wipe clean)
Weight	~8 kg	~10.4 kg	~8.5 kg

How we picked the three

We started with the full UK high-chair market and filtered for chairs that parents on our Nest lists are actually adding, not just browsing. Then we sorted by current street price and picked one representative from each natural price cluster: under £70, under £110, and under £170. Each had to come from a different brand, be in stock from a joined retailer, and have enough real parent feedback to paint an honest picture. We deliberately excluded both the ultra-budget tier (where the IKEA Antilop reigns alone) and the £200-plus premium tier (Stokke territory) to focus on the range where most parents actually agonise over the decision.

What to look for in a high chair

Before the product breakdowns, here are the questions worth settling first.

How long do you need it? A chair rated to 3 years covers weaning through toddlerhood. One rated to 6 years adds the play-table phase. A chair rated to 12 years becomes part of the furniture, literally. The longer the lifespan, the lower the cost per year, but only if the build quality holds up.

How much kitchen space can you spare? Folding is not folding. Some chairs collapse flat and stand upright in a gap beside the fridge. Others "fold" into a shape that still needs a cupboard. If you are short on space, test whether it stores with the tray attached or whether you need to remove and stash the tray separately.

How important is the tray? A dishwasher-safe tray insert is a genuine time-saver during weaning when every meal ends in a Jackson Pollock tribute. Wipe-clean trays work fine but add two minutes of scrubbing per meal, three times a day.

Do you need multi-mode versatility? A 6-in-1 chair that converts to a booster, a low chair, and a play table can replace three separate products. But if your dining table is the right height and you already own a toddler table, a single-mode chair with excellent basics might be smarter.

Harness and safety. All three chairs here have a 5-point harness. The differences are in how easy the harness is to clean (spoiler: straps are always the worst bit) and how escape-proof the buckle is for determined climbers.

1. Mamas & Papas Snax / 10 · Best on a Budget

The Snax is Mamas & Papas' no-nonsense entry into the high-chair market. It does one thing, feeding your child at the table, and does it competently. Six height settings let you match it to a kitchen island or a low dining table, three recline positions help with younger babies who are not sitting bolt upright yet, and the whole thing folds flat with the tray still clipped on. That last detail matters more than it sounds: parents who fold and unfold daily know the pain of a detachable tray that needs its own storage spot.

The seat pad is made from 100% recycled polyester and wipes clean easily, which is a genuine plus during weaning. Underneath, a storage basket keeps bibs and wipes within arm's reach. It is a focused, practical chair that does not pretend to be anything else.

What parents love

• Compact fold with tray. One parent told us: 'It folds together but still stands, so it fits in the gap next to our fridge without toppling over.'
• Genuinely easy to wipe down. The seat pad resists staining better than fabric alternatives at this price. A damp cloth after each meal is all it needs.
• Six height settings. Parents with kitchen islands praised the range. We hear repeatedly from parents that being able to bring baby up to counter height makes a real difference to family mealtimes.
• Affordable entry point. At around £65, it undercuts most branded competitors while still offering a 5-point harness, recline, and a removable tray with three positions.

What to know before you buy

• Frame flex. A few parents noted the frame is not the sturdiest. It holds up fine for everyday use, but heavier toddlers can make it wobble at the highest setting.
• No dishwasher-safe tray. The tray wipes clean but does not pop into the dishwasher, which means manual scrubbing after messier meals.
• Limited lifespan. Rated to 3 years or 15 kg, it is the shortest-lived chair in this lineup. If your child is a fast grower, you may need a replacement sooner.

Best for

• Parents who fold and store their high chair after every meal
• Smaller kitchens where a compact footprint is non-negotiable
• Families on a tighter budget who want branded quality
• Grandparents looking for a second chair for visits

2. Joie Multiply 6-in-1 / 10 · Best Value

The Multiply is the chair that makes you wonder why you would spend more. Joie packed six genuine modes into a single frame: a full-height baby highchair, a traditional highchair, a booster seat, a portable booster, a toddler chair, and a play table. That is not marketing fluff. Parents confirm that each mode works properly without wobbly compromises, and the transitions are intuitive enough that you do not need to consult the manual every time.

The extra-large tray has a one-hand release (genuinely one hand, not "one hand plus a knee"), a built-in cup holder, and a full-coverage insert that goes straight in the dishwasher. The 5-point harness keeps even determined escape artists in place, and an adjustable footrest with three height positions supports proper posture as your child grows. It is rated to 30 kg, which comfortably covers most children up to age 6.

What parents love

• The play table actually works. A parent shared: 'We keep it as a table and chair throughout the day for snacking, drawing, and reading, then quickly convert back to a high chair at mealtimes. It replaced a separate toddler table.'
• Dishwasher-safe tray insert. During weaning, being able to pop the tray insert in the dishwasher rather than hand-scrubbing puree out of crevices is a daily win.
• Escape-proof harness. Parents we hear from regularly say the 5-point harness is one of the most secure they have tried. One parent put it best: 'My son is an escape artist and this is the first chair he can not wriggle out of.'
• One-handed fold. The folding system genuinely works with one hand, and the chair is compact enough to slide behind a door when folded.

What to know before you buy

• Strap cleaning. While the tray is a dream to clean, the fabric straps are not removable and can be fiddly to wipe down after messy meals.
• Heavier than the Snax. At around 10.4 kg, it is noticeably heavier to move between rooms, though not unreasonably so for a multi-mode chair.
• No tray catch when stored. When the tray is removed, there is no clip to secure it to the frame, so it needs its own storage spot.

Best for

• Parents who want one product to replace a highchair, booster, and toddler table
• Families who prioritise easy cleaning during the weaning phase
• Value-conscious buyers who want maximum versatility per pound spent
• Households where the high chair needs to serve from 6 months through to school age

3. Tutti Bambini Nova Evolutionary / 10 · Best for Long-Term Use

The Nova is the chair you buy once and keep for a decade. Tutti Bambini designed it with seven modes that span from a baby highchair to a junior chair rated to 50 kg, which realistically means your child can still be using it at age 12. The Scandinavian-inspired oak and white finish looks genuinely good in a modern kitchen, not just "acceptable for a baby product." The cushions use Nanotex stain-resistant fabric that is thick, padded, and comfortable enough that children will happily sit for an hour.

It folds in around 60 seconds and comes with a carry case, making it the only chair in this lineup you could realistically take to a holiday rental or a grandparent's house. The optional Nova Rocker attachment (sold separately) unlocks four additional modes from birth, turning it into an 11-mode system if you go all in. The build quality is a clear step up from the budget tier, with solid oak legs and metal hardware where the cheaper chairs use plastic.

What parents love

• Longevity. One parent told us: 'We still use the table and chair with our five-year-old and it is holding up brilliantly. Worth every penny when you divide the cost by the years.'
• Premium cushioning. The Nanotex-coated seat pads are noticeably thicker and more comfortable than the competition. Children sit happily for longer stretches.
• Carry case included. A parent shared: 'We take it to my mother-in-law's every weekend. Fold it up, sling the case over your shoulder, done. No other high chair travels this easily.'
• Aesthetic design. Parents we hear from regularly say it is the only high chair they have owned that they do not want to hide when guests come over.

What to know before you buy

• Small tray. The tray is the most common complaint. A standard suction plate does not fit on it, and the depth is tight for a plate, cup, and cutlery together. Plan to use the tray for finger foods and move to the dining table for full meals.
• Not a quick daily fold. It folds for transport and storage, but the process involves partially disassembling the chair. This is a "fold for the weekend trip" chair, not a "fold after every meal" chair.
• Fabric is not waterproof. The Nanotex coating resists stains but is not fully waterproof. Liquids left sitting will eventually soak through.

Best for

• Design-conscious parents who want a chair that looks good in a modern kitchen
• Families planning to use one chair from weaning through primary school
• Parents who regularly transport a high chair between homes
• Buyers who see cost-per-year as more important than upfront price

What about the Stokke Tripp Trapp?

At around £260 for the chair alone (before you add the baby set, tray, and cushion), the Tripp Trapp sits above our £170 ceiling. It is an outstanding chair with a decades-long track record, and if your budget stretches that far it deserves serious consideration. But once you add the accessories needed to use it from 6 months, you are looking at £350-plus, which is a different conversation entirely. The Tutti Bambini Nova offers a similar "grows with your child" promise at a significantly lower total cost, albeit without the Tripp Trapp's iconic design heritage.

What about the IKEA Antilop?

The Antilop at around £15-20 is the elephant in the room. It is light, easy to clean, and millions of parents swear by it. We left it out because it occupies a category of its own: the ultra-budget tier where you accept a no-frills plastic seat in exchange for spending almost nothing. If you are genuinely weighing the Antilop, the Mamas & Papas Snax represents the minimum step up that adds recline, height adjustment, and a padded seat.

How to choose

If you fold your high chair daily and space is tight, the Mamas & Papas Snax is the pick. It is the lightest, the most compact when folded, and the simplest to operate. You give up longevity and multi-mode tricks, but if you need a solid chair that stays out of the way when it is not mealtime, nothing in this lineup beats it.

If you want the most product for your money, the Joie Multiply 6-in-1 is the standout. Six working modes, a dishwasher-safe tray, and coverage to age 6 make it the chair we would recommend to most parents. The play table mode alone can replace a separate piece of toddler furniture, and the cleaning convenience during weaning is a genuine daily quality-of-life upgrade.

If you are thinking long-term and want something beautiful in your kitchen, the Tutti Bambini Nova justifies its premium. The cost per year drops below both competitors if your child uses it through primary school, the carry case makes it uniquely portable, and it is the only chair here that guests will compliment rather than step around.

Whichever you choose, add it to your free BubsNest registry so friends and family can contribute, turning a solo purchase into a shared gift.