The Best Non-Toxic High Chairs for Messy (but Safe) Mealtimes

Non-toxic high chairs are a must, since your baby will eat right off the surface of their high chair (trust me). Here are our favorites!

One of the most exciting milestones is introducing your baby to solid foods. It’s exciting to share your love of food with your new baby, and it’s fun to see your baby experience solid food and new flavors all at once!

Of course, high chairs and introducing solids go hand in hand (although you can start using your high chair before introducing solids to give your baby a seat at the table).

But, since meal time with babies can be just a little messy (let’s just say their food will definitely make contact with the surface of their high chair), it’s wise to choose a non-toxic high chair to avoid exposing your baby to BPA, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals. I’ve listed the best non-toxic high chairs (including the best wooden high chairs) below for you to choose from.

Top Picks: Non-Toxic High Chairs

• Most Popular, All-Around Best Non-Toxic High Chair — Stokke Tripp Trapp
• Most Stylish Non-Toxic High Chair — Lalo “The Chair” High Chair without the cushion
• Best Non-Toxic High Chair on a Budget — IKEA Antilop with added aftermarket footrest

What To Look For In a Non-Toxic High Chair

Here’s what to look for when choosing the right high chair for your baby and your home:

Look for safety and stability. A high chair has to be safe for your baby to sit in. High chairs that don’t have a stable base (like restaurant high chairs, especially) can worry you because they are a tipping hazard. You also want to make sure that the chair has a stable, five-point harness to secure your baby in the seat; the buckle should also be strong enough to be toddler-proof.

It has to be made with safe materials. We look for high chairs that don’t contain polyurethane foam, BPA, phthalates, PVC, or any materials with the potential to release VOCs because you don’t want that your kids to be exposed to these chemicals during mealtime. All-wood high chairs are a great option, too, though most will come with a food-safe tray cover.

Make sure it has an adjustable footrest. For correct seating and positioning during mealtime, make sure that the high chair you choose has an adjustable footrest. If not, you’ll need to buy an aftermarket footrest (like with the IKEA Antilop).

Your high chair should be easy to clean. Some high chairs have fabric seats which can be thrown in the washing machine; while this may sound convenient, but some parents find it difficult to keep up with the laundry with a little baby so this isn’t ideal for everyone. We prefer high chairs that easily wipe clean, meaning that all parts and pieces will stay in the kitchen.

Also consider the size and footprint. If space is a concern, you’ll want to factor in size when choosing a high chair. Some high chairs can take up a lot of space. Consider a compact non-toxic high chair or a portable high chair.

Do you want a high chair that grows with your child? Some high chairs are convertible and can be used for years as your child grows. While this is nice, it’s not a huge factor for everyone because many kids are able to sit at the table when they are tall enough. But it may be an important factor for you, so keep this in mind as you are selecting a high chair.

Related: The Simple Guide to Starting Solids

The Best Non-Toxic High Chairs (Reviews)

Taking all of those factors into consideration, here are our favorite non-toxic high chairs.

1. Stokke Tripp Trapp

Buy on Amazon | Nordstrom | Stokke

Possibly the most popular among the non-toxic high chairs, the Tripp Trapp is made from solid beechwood and water-based paint. The chair is manufactured in Europe, and the tray is free of BPA and phthalates. It is sold in 14 different colors, meaning you can choose the best look for your home.

This chair will grow with your child, but that means that baby accessories are sold a la carte including the tray and baby seating set. I recommend using the seat without the cushion to avoid any water resistant treatments, but we did use it for a few months before I realized this.

It’s on the pricier side, and there are some less expensive alternatives on this list but you will truly use this seat for at least a couple of years. It is well made and durable. I also like that it doesn’t have the same risk of tipping over as some other high chairs.

So the second time around, we ended up getting this special edition Tripp Trapp from Nordstrom and I am really happy with it. It is a beautiful high chair that doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb in our kitchen. It fits in very nicely with our decor. The only complaint I have is that I find the straps to be a little difficult to adjust, but otherwise I still enthusiastically recommend the Trip Trapp!

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2. Stokke Steps High Chair

Buy on Amazon | Albee Baby | BuyBuy Baby | Stokke

If you like the Tripp Trapp but are looking for more of a traditional high chair design that will grow with your child, consider the Stokke Steps high chair. This is another wonderful non-toxic high chair for your child, from baby through toddlerhood. It can be used from 6 to 36 months+ as a chair, and even beginning from birth if you pair it with the Stokke bouncer.

I love the wide stance of this high chair, as it feels very sturdy. It also has Stokke’s polypropylene tray and seating. It also has a built-in 90 degree footrest for safe positioning. I think this is a really elegant and beautiful choice for a non-toxic high chair!

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3. Lalo “The Chair”

Buy on LALO

Lalo stands for “Love All Little Ones” — super cute.

Aside from having a sweet name, the Lalo high chair wins major points for not only being stylish and well-made, but for also being extremely functional. First, the chair itself is made from sustainably sourced beechwood, polypropylene, and ABS plastic (tray). But it converts into the cutest chair for future eating and playing during the toddler stage.

It comes in 5 stylish colors and comes with a built-in foot rest. Also a great high chair for smaller spaces. Please note: the cotton cover is washable and water resistant (using C6, a PFAS); our recommendation is to avoid using this and simply use the chair without the cushion.

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4. Plan Toys High Chair

Buy at Target

Made from sustainably sourced rubberwood trees from a responsible toy brand, the Plan Toys high chair is a welcome addition to our list of non-toxic high chairs. This chair is suitable for babies 6 months and up. This high chair does not come with its own tray, so this is a good option for use at table with the rest of the family.

5. Keekaroo Height Right High Chair

Buy on Amazon | BuyBuy Baby | Target

The Keekaroo is an adjustable wooden high chair, and is a great lower-priced alternative to the Stokke Tripp Trapp.

It is finished with a low-VOC plant-based lacquer and comes in three colors, while the Stokke is made with a non-toxic water-based finish in 14 color choices. Overall, consider the Keekaroo if you’re looking for an adjustable wooden non-toxic high chair on a slightly lower budget.

This chair comes with the option of using a foam cushion but I would prefer to use it without the cushion to avoid foam altogether.

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6. Ikea Antilop High Chair

Buy on Ikea | Amazon

To our surprise, the IKEA Antilop high chair is quite a good option for an inexpensive non-toxic high chair. Made with polypropylene and really without any frills, this is a great option for your child’s high chair. However, please note that since this chair does not come with a foot rest, you would need to add your own. (Babies need a foot rest while eating for safest positioning and optimal support while eating.) To do so, I recommend buying an aftermarket foot rest for the Antilop.

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7. Nomi High Chair

Buy on Amazon | Albee Baby | BuyBuy Baby

Another beautiful Scandinavian high chair, the Nomi High Chair is a really unique concept. It comes in several colors and will make a beautiful addition to your kitchen. What’s kind of special about this high chair is that it comes without a tray and encourages shared mealtimes and socialization with the whole family.

Also very easy to clean and made with high-quality materials and manufacturing, the Nomi is a great choice for your baby’s non-toxic high chair.

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8. Abiie Beyond Wooden High Chair

Buy on Amazon | Walmart

Another great choice for a wooden high chair that grows with your child is the Abiie Beyond Wooden High Chair. It begins as a normal high chair that can be used from approximately 6+ months and then converts into a chair that can be used throughout toddlerhood and childhood.

The tray is made from transparent polypropylene, which is a food-safe material. The chair itself is made from sustainably sourced beech wood and while it does have a waterproof cushion, this can be removed if you prefer.

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9. Svan Signet Complete High Chair

Another convertible high chair, the Svan Signet Complete High Chair is made from bentwood and grows with your child from 6 months to young adult. This has been out of stock for some time; check for these secondhand.

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10. BABYBJORN High Chair

While this was one of our favorite non-toxic high chairs, the BABYBJORN has been discontinued. Search for it locally on marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, and others.

For compact spaces, the BABYBJORN high chair is an absolute winner. This ergonomic high chair is made from steel and plastic and contains no BPA, phthalates, cadmium/lead, or bromine.

Parents love it because it comes pre-assembled, it takes up little room (and folds up), the tray is snug and reaches right up to your baby, and babies seem to love it. It is well-designed and even folds down, making it a great option for use in smaller spaces. Some parents have commented that this chair feels a little snug for their kids who are in the higher percentile for height or weight, so keep that in mind when considering this chair.

11. Phil & Teds Lobster Clip-On High Chair

Buy on Amazon

Whether you’re looking for a low footprint high chair for convenience and travel or simply for use in your own home, you might want to consider the Phil & Ted’s Lobster High Chair. While technically a clip-on and less of a traditional high chair, this is a popular choice for on-the-go or for use in smaller spaces.

When Do Babies Need a High Chair?

You’ll likely begin using a high chair once your baby starts eating solid foods, although we started using ours before we introduced solids just so the baby could sit at the table with us. Starting solids usually happens anywhere between 4-6 months of age, depending on your pediatrician’s recommendation. (Though it’s important to note that a growing number of organizations now recommend waiting until 6 months of age to introduce solids.)

A few of the developmental readiness factors your pediatrician will look for include:

• whether your baby can sit up unsupported, and has good head control,
• that your baby expresses an interest in food and in what you’re eating,
• and that your baby is developing the pincer grip, where they hold items between their thumb and index finger. (source: kellymom)

I prefer to wait until a baby is 6 months old to give solid foods. Babies have immature digestive systems, and I see no reason to rush solid foods. I also like to give baby probiotics from birth, though you should run this by your pediatrician first.

So, if you’re wondering when to buy a high chair and you’re reading this page, let me say that it’s probably not too early. The first few months with your baby will go by really fast and your baby will be in a high chair before you know it!

(Bonus if you’re just putting together your baby registry — I suggest adding a high chair to the list.)

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Which one of these non-toxic high chairs did you choose? We love Tripp Trapp and when our kids got a little older, they really enjoyed sitting at the big table without having to use a tray. 

Related Reading:

• How to Introduce Solids (and Raise a Baby Who Likes to Eat)
• 40+ Best Finger Foods for Babies (Perfect for Baby-Led Weaning)
• The 6 Best Certified Organic Baby Food Pouch Brands
• Yumi Baby Food Review: An Organic Baby Food Subscription Service