They are also, of course, the most expensive – and be aware that, in this group in particular, you’ll need to pay extra for everything except the chair frame itself (including newborn accessories, baby seats, trays and even safety harnesses), so make sure this is included in your budget. Equally useful for six-month-olds trying solid food for the first time and wriggly toddlers needing a place to eat without distractions, highchairs come in a variety of sizes, functionalities and prices. To find out which highchairs are the best, our parent tester put some of the UK's top-rated models their paces. We also consulted the Mumsnet forums for advice on which products they recommend and use with their own children, as well as seeking out expert advice from the NHS on what to look for in a highchair. Keep reading as we take you through the best-performing products, as recommended and tested by parents. How we chose our recommendations Babies and toddlers are easily distracted, and the sight of a tempting toy can throw the whole meal off. It’s a good idea to read up on their specs before choosing one to make sure you’ll be able to use it safely. It’s helpful when travel chairs collapse to a portable size and many come with their own carry cases or shoulder straps to help with this. We all know how much babies and toddlers can wriggle. That's why it's important to choose a highchair with a 5-point safety harness, to keep them safe and secure. What age is a baby ready to use a highchair?

Can’t be used without an adult dining chair to hold it – not convenient for everyone’s dining situation I had a mimzy highchair and it was fab, but it was recommended to me as little one has hip dysplasia and its really wide. It could be a pain to clean but all the padding comes off and goes in the washing machine which I used to do once a week (normally Sunday after dinner and then it would be dry by Monday dinner time after nursery)."(Recommended by Mumsnetter ItsSnowJokes) Our verdict Once your child has outgrown their highchair, the next step is moving them to a booster seat at the dining table. It will allow your little one to feel more grown-up sitting around the dinner table and will take up less space than a highchair. Your child should be ready to use a booster seat at home and in restaurants anywhere from 18 to 24 months. A multifunctional highchair is a step-up in functionality and price. It has been designed to include features that make life easier or that adjust the chair to suit your child. We had the Oribel Cocoon. It was brilliant, so sturdy, height adjustable and it will recline if you need to keep your baby out of the way of the dogs while you cook and they nap or something." hubbletelescope Our verdict

These are the big guns of the group – the chairs intended to last as standalone models in babyhood and then convert to table-side models that can be used in toddlerhood, childhood and even beyond. As reliable as it is ubiquitous, in our extensive tests the IKEA Antilop excelled, living up to its reputation as the king of all highchairs. While it may not look like anything special, our Mumsnet users rave about this highchair for being budget-friendly, functional and easy to clean up after mealtimes. There’s no such thing as ‘one perfect high chair’. Depending on both you and your child’s specific needs and the setup of your home, differences in style, materials and size are required. That said, we hope the variety of chairs outlined within this article helps steer you in the right direction – and makes the thought of a family sit down dinner less chaotic.

At the inexpensive end of the spectrum are the budget chairs. These tend to be standalone highchairs (intended to be used by themselves using a plastic tray, instead of being pulled up to a table), short on adjustability features and elaborate design – favouring instead a functional simplicity that often, incidentally, means they’re much easier to clean. Type: Plastic booster seat with tray that attaches to adult chair with straps | Materials: BPA-free plastics; canvas straps | Suitable from: 6 months+ | Harness: Yes | Wheels?: No What we loveHighchairs have come a long way in the last couple of decades as companies have begun to apply intelligent design to baby equipment. There are several broad types on the market, so consider which functions are important to you before making your choice. 1. Budget highchairs Type: Freestanding, fold-away highchair | Materials: Not stated | Suitable from: 6 months+ | Harness: Yes | Wheels?: No What we love