Firstly we have our Silicone Suction Plate & Bowl, which is the ideal feeding set for your baby or toddler, whether you’re on a baby led weaning journey or traditional spoon feeding. With curved sides for scooping and a strong suction base, along with a completely BPA free, LFGB Silicone which is dishwasher-proof, freezer safe, oven safe and microwavable, this product is unbreakable and your ideal weaning companion. With our coverall bibs, this weaning combination is unstoppable! It can be used with the newborn set from birth, the baby set from six months (sitting unaided) and after three years or 15kg until adulthood and beyond, so it's great if you need a piece of furniture that will last and can be used by every member of the family. We also like that the tray is dishwasher-safe for particularly messy mealtimes! It's expensive but with a thriving second-hand market you should get a high resale value when you're finished with it.

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. The large and luxuriously comfortable Polly Magic Relax begins with a bouncer mode for newborns and then converts to a highchair with a generously-sized tray, which can be completely removed to allow a toddler to sit at the table. 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 Size: Finding the best fit for your baby is important to prevent any mess when they’re self-feeding. Keep your baby’s clothes and their surroundings clean by choosing a bib that is large enough to cover your toddler’s body and even their hands. You can also opt for a self-feeding bib that covers the highchair that your baby uses. Keep in mind that baby-led weaning can be messy and lasts until your baby is at least 24 months old, so choose a bib that you can use across this time frame.

2. Best budget highchair: IKEA Antilop

Multifunctional options might also include newborn accessories so you can use the chair before six months, or have a removable tray so the chair converts from a standalone chair to a table-side one. They usually fold away and often stand when folded for easier storage, and come with luxuriously padded cushions, which are comfortable for your baby to sit on but are crumb magnets for any dropped food.

Can’t be used without an adult dining chair to hold it – not convenient for everyone’s dining situation

We have the Mountain Buggy one for use away from home - it’s brilliant. A little big for our 8 month old still but it works fine." Recommended by Mumsnetter BerthaYoung Our verdict Is it comfortable to wear? Ideally, a bib should be lightweight and soft and not chafe where it meets any skin. Transitional-style chair – can be used from birth with a baby bouncer attachment, from six months with a baby set, and indefinitely as a chair after three years or 15kg How can it be cleaned and dried? They are going to get messy so how they can be cleaned is important. They can either be wiped clean, hand-washed, machine-washed or put in the dishwasher. You may also want to consider whether the fabric is suitable for tumble drying.

While it may just seem like just a place to pop your child while they eat, there's more to what makes the best highchair than just how it looks. Parents want one that is easy to clean after messy mealtimes - because food will get into every little nook and cranny! - as well as straps that are safe and a good size tray. But there are a host of other extra features that you can look out for too. Inspired by Scandinavian design, this Juice Highchair from Mamas & Papas comes in pastel green, cream or dark grey. The sturdy seat is wipe clean as well as comfortable, thanks to a cushioned inner.

6. Best portable high chair: Mountain Buggy Pod

Another Stokke chair to feature on our list, the Steps is a stylish highchair that can be used from birth. There's no doubt about it, it's a pricey piece of baby equipment but for the price tag you get a good quality high chair that your child will get plenty of use out of. Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about how we tested the products we recommend. We won't always recommend the cheapest products, or the ones with the most extra features. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the one's we'd recommend to our own friends and family. I love the IKEA antilop. Little ones make SO much mess when they eat and I loved how easy it was to clean." Recommended by Mumsnet user swaziscot Our verdict So, the decision comes down to the best fit for your family. Our Bib & Tray Kit is an essential for early baby led weaning and sensory playtime. Our coverall bibs are available in both long sleeve and short sleeve, giving you options for hot sunny days and making this easier for babies who just don’t like sleeves!

Big gap between tray and the baby, even in its closest setting – a little inconvenient for mealtimes A beautiful, intelligently designed chair with lots of thoughtful details, the Oribel Cocoon missed out on our transitional award as it’s still only suitable up to age three. But it’s a stylish and flexible model, available in four attractive colours, that will complement your kitchen and make mealtimes a breeze. This list has been narrowed down to the very best with thorough research and the following considered: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.