Buying guide for Best Graco high chairs
When shopping for your baby, you want products that are safe for children, convenient for parents, and offer great value for the money. Graco high chairs tick all those boxes and more. You're likely to put your baby in a high chair several times a day for meals and snacks, so it's worth considering your options carefully and buying a model that truly works for you and your child.
When selecting a Graco high chair, you need to consider a range of features. Graco offers a large number of convertible high chairs that can be turned into boosters, youth chairs, and more to grow along with your baby. Other features to consider include height adjustability, materials, and the properties of the built-in tray.
Keep reading this guide to Graco high chairs to learn all you need to know to select the best model for your child. We've also included our top five Graco high chairs in case you need some inspiration.
Key considerations
Convertibility
Graco high chairs range from nonconvertible models to seven-in-one convertible options. The most basic convertible models can only be turned into one other thing — a booster that sits on top of a regular dining chair to give toddlers some extra height when it's time to move on from a high chair.
Six-in-one and seven-in-one convertible high chairs are much more versatile. Depending on the model, they can convert into a range of different items, including boosters without trays, boosters with trays, table and chair combos, youth seats, and step stools. That said, many parents find they don't use all these extra options and are fine with a model that simply converts into a booster.
Adjustability
Consider the adjustability of both the seat's recline and height.
Recline: Many Graco high chairs have seats that recline. This is especially useful when using a high chair to feed a bottle to an infant (which can be easier than holding them if you have other kids who are eating at the same time), since they shouldn't be upright at feeding time.
Height: Many Graco high chairs let you adjust the height to match your table, so your baby feels more part of meal time. This is particularly useful if your table is a nonstandard height. Plenty of Graco high chairs are height adjustable, but not all of them are, so check before buying if this is an important feature for you.
Materials
One of the things we love about Graco high chairs is that the company chooses materials that are easy to keep clean. We all know that baby and toddler mealtimes can be messy affairs, especially once they start feeding themselves, so you've got to be prepared for baby food mashed into the seat and crusty bits stuck in the nooks and crannies of the tray. Luckily, the seat padding in Graco high chairs is made from materials that can easily be wiped clean, and in most cases, it's also removable and machine washable for when a damp cloth just won't cut it. Likewise, most Graco high chairs have a removable tray that goes in the dishwasher for a more thorough cleaning.
Safety tip
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for safety, and remember to use safety straps and harnesses.
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Features
Colors
Graco high chairs come in fairly neutral palettes, which most parents and caregivers prefer to bright hues, especially since your baby's high chair might be sitting at the table all the time. In some models, you get an option of seat padding with simple geometric patterns that are subtle and classic.
Components
Footrest: The footrest on a high chair is for your child to rest their feet on once they’re tall enough. This increases comfort and can make your kid less likely to kick at the table during mealtimes. Most Graco high chairs have a built-in footrest.
Tray: The tray is a vital part of a high chair. It essentially gives your baby a mini table within easy reach. The tray is made from plastic that can be wiped clean and is often dishwasher safe, so you can easily keep it hygienic enough to put certain foods directly on the tray, though wetter foods are still best eaten from bowls or plates. Graco high chairs have well-designed trays with raised edges to help keep food on the tray rather than on the floor and a ridged "cupholder" area to keep liquid spills to a minimum.
Safety harness: A safety harness is vital for keeping your baby secure in a high chair. Five-point harnesses are ideal, but some Graco high chairs have three-point harnesses. Three-point harnesses are still safe, however, as long as you fasten them correctly.
DID YOU KNOW?
Some Graco high chairs fold, so you can easily store them out of the way when not in use, which is great if you're short on space.
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Accessories
Baby eating utensils
Grabease First Self Feed Baby Utensils
Once babies are ready to start feeding themselves, they need some suitable utensils. These have bulbous handles so they're easier to grip and a cloud-shaped protective barrier to keep children from sticking the utensils too far into their mouth.
Sippy cup
NUK First Essentials Fun Grips Sippy Cups
Your child will probably want a drink with their meal, and a sippy cup is the perfect transition between a bottle and a cup or glass. These inexpensive sippy cups come in a set of two and have curved bodies for easy gripping.
Bib
PandaEar Silicone Baby Bibs
If you don't want your baby to be covered in food by the time they’re finished eating, you need a selection of bibs. These silicone bibs have built-in pockets to catch dropped food. They’re adjustable, easy to wipe clean, and come in a set of two.
Graco high chair prices
Inexpensive
Basic Graco high chairs cost $60 to $90. These are either nonconvertible models or are convertible into a booster chair only. They're great choices if you want a simple high chair.
Mid-range
These Graco high chairs cost roughly $90 to $140. At the higher end of this price range, you can find some six-in-one convertible models, though those at the low end of the range may only convert into a booster.
Expensive
These Graco high chairs cost $140 to $180. All models in this price range are either six-in-one or seven-in-one convertible options. They also have handy features that cheaper models may lack, such as more height adjustability.
The fabric parts of Graco high chairs are easy to wipe clean or wash in the machine.
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Tips
- Check the space available for a high chair. If you don't have much space at the table, choose a Graco Slim Spaces model that won't take up more room than a standard dining chair.
- Think about the Graco high chair’s useful life. Some Graco high chairs can be used as chairs or step stools well into childhood. However, you might prefer to pass the high chair down to younger siblings in the future, in which case you won't be able to make the most of the convertible features.
- Check the weight of the high chair. It should be light enough for you to move easily. This is especially important if you intend to fold and store it between meals rather than leave it in place all the time.
- Make sure your baby is comfortable. All Graco high chairs have some padding, so your baby should be quite comfy, but you should also make any necessary adjustments for your child's comfort.
FAQ
Q. What makes Graco high chairs stand out from other brands?
A. Graco is a big name in baby and toddler products, so you know it’s trustworthy. The company has been producing baby products since 1942 and is an expert in its field. In addition to being safe and stable, all Graco high chairs we looked at are of excellent quality. They have features that are genuinely useful to parents, such as removable, dishwasher-safe trays and machine-washable seat padding.
Q. Do Graco high chairs have a maximum age or weight limit?
A. Graco high chairs have maximum weight limits rather than age limits, since kids can reach milestones at different times. In standard high-chair mode, most models have a maximum weight limit of roughly 30 to 40 pounds (though you should always check your chosen model to make sure). If you pick a model that converts into a booster or child’s chair, the weight limit will be higher.
Q. Do Graco high chairs have crotch posts?
A. Crotch posts are required for safety, to help keep little ones secure in their high chairs and prevent them from slipping out. All Graco high chairs feature crotch posts, so you can rest assured of your baby's safety.
