by Camilla Hutchinson

Things to consider when buying a highchair are: adjustable height, footprint (open and folded), comfort, ability to clean, safe and easy access for the child and, of course, style. Our top ten fall into two categories: smooth-lined, wooden highchairs, which can follow a child from six months to adult; and plastic, fully featured highchairs, which makes me think my baby is flying business class. Then of course I had to include the Mozzee Nest, which is in a division (and price bracket) of its own. If space is an issue buy a compact, folding plastic highchair, a portable wooden one that sits on top of a regular chair or a wooden one with a small footprint.

1. Mozzee Nest

Best Feature: a great piece of funky, modern design
Worst Feature: very expensive
Practical Points: solid highchair, removable tray and 3 configurations for baby, toddler and low chair
From age: best from 1-6 years
Price: £299.95
Stockists: www.babyconcierge.co.uk, www.babye.co.uk, www.freddysays.com,
www.funkidry.co.uk

2. Antilop

Best Feature: a great simple design
Worst Feature: the seat is not adjustable
Practical Points: lightweight, durable plastic highchair, includes safety belt, easily stored
From age: from 6 months
Price: £11.99
Stockist: www.ikea.co.uk, 0845 355 1141

3. Svan Adjustable Highchair

Best Feature: very compact seat
Worst Feature: quite complicated to adjust
Practical Points: adjustable height and depth, safety bar and includes padded, machine-washable cushion and plastic tray cover
From age: 6 months to adult
Price: £189
Stockist: www.bibsandstuff.com, 01293 774924

4. Prima Pappa Evo – Pure

Best Feature: the ultimate in highchair luxury
Worst Feature: takes up a lot of space
Practical Points: very spacious highchair with 7-seat height positions, recline design, footrest, 5-point safety harness, anatomically shaped padded leatherette seat, wheels, wide rim, removable, double tray
From age: from 4 months
Price: £150
Stockist: www.mamasandpapas.co.uk, 0870 830 7700

5. Handysitt

Best Feature: sturdy seat when you are on the move
Worst Feature: doesn’t fit all chairs
Practical Points: attaches securely to most kitchen and dining chairs, folds flat and includes a wipe clean cushion
From age: 7 months to 41/2 years
Price: £60
Stockist: www.cheekyrascals.co.uk, 0870 8732600

6. Stokke Tripp Trapp

Best Feature: the classic award-winning highchair
Worst Feature: a toddler can climb out of the seat
Practical Points: no tray so baby sits close to the table, adjustable seat and footrest, cushions and baby seat adapter, footprint is no bigger than a standard chair and easy to clean
From age: from 6 months to adult
Price: £129
Stockist: www.johnlewis.com 020 7629 7711

7. Küster Beech Highchair

Best Feature: looks great with a handy basket
Worst Feature: the tray is not that secure when stored at the back
Practical Points: comfortable and spacious seat, 5-point harness, removable tray, basket and funky, washable cushions for both babies and toddlers
From age: 6 months to 6 years
Price: £125
Stockist: www.johnlewis.com, 020 7629 7711

8. Hauck fun for kids mac baby

Best Feature: great value for money
Worst Feature: not height adjustable
Practical Points: simple and lightweight with appealing design: high backrest,
5-point harness and moulded tray
From age: from 5 months
Price: £29.99
Stockist: www.hauckuk.com, 0870 840 6727

9. Graco Contempo

Best Feature: the slimmest highchair on the market when folded – only 23cm
Worst Feature: quite a large footprint
Practical Points: suitable for young babies, 3 recline positions, 6 height positions, removable double tray, 5-point harness and padded wipeclean seat
From age: from 4 months
Price: £99.99
Stockist: www.graco.co.uk, 0870 90 90 501

10. Bebe Confort Woodline

Best Feature: very comfortable for an older baby
Worst Feature: no shoulder straps so the baby needs to be sitting up well
Practical Points: ergonomically designed to evolve with your child, adjustable seat, footrest and tray, cushions and safety belt
From age: from 6 months to 10 years
Price: £69.99
Stockist: www.bebeconfort.com, 0208 236 0707