The Best Table Booster Seat Styles, Tested by a Mom of Two

First on our list of the best table booster seats is OXO’s Nest Booster Seat. This top pick stood out for an array of reasons, particularly because of its simple design that offers security and versatility. When I received this booster, it went from box to breakfast in less than one minute. The two chair straps were easily connected to the chair and felt very secure. The booster features a removable foam seat liner and a high back and sides that keep little ones in place, and thanks to a three-point harness and two side-release buckles, your tot will be secure no matter how much they squirm during mealtimes. Something about the shape of the buckle made me worry about catching my fingers. This didn't happen, luckily, but it’s something to keep in mind during use.

Designed for children 9 months or older, this versatile booster seat easily converts to support children as they grow. Simply remove the liner and straps to make any grown-up chair the perfect seat for your older child. Although it takes a little muscle to get the liner to budge, there’s no question that adaptability is an awesome perk. I also really like the shape of the seat, which feels armchair-like and very comfortable.

Another awesome feature is an under-seat elastic band to contain straps when the booster is not being used. Better yet, keeping this booster clean is a breeze. I’m a fan of the seat’s easy-to-wipe surfaces—including the foam insert, which sits flush against the base so it doesn’t catch crumbs. And maybe most importantly, kids love sitting in it—including my very particular 18-month-old daughter—and parents don’t mind looking at it. The white base comes with a gray, navy, taupe or hot pink liner, so you’re bound to find one that aligns with your home decor.

Dimensions: 14.3" (L) x 12.5" (W) x 11.3" (H) | Weight: 5.2 lbs. | Capacity: 50 lbs. | Age rating: 9+ months

Our community says:

After testing eight table booster seats in a week, both of my kids returned to their old favorite, this affordable, no-frills booster from Prince Lionheart. It was gifted years ago and we’ve been using it ever since. Their loyalty is evidence that you don’t need to break the bank to get a dependable, sturdy toddler booster seat for the table. For under $30, you can score a sleek and safe seat with a non-slip base and a non-slip seat that offers just a little bit of give for comfort. (I would know—I’ve often sat on it despite the fact that it’s as easy to remove as it is to plop right down on.)

While there’s no tray or cushion, additional features would take away from the ease of cleaning and simplicity that makes this seat great. The lightweight seat—which my 18-month-old likes to hold overhead as she parades it from kitchen to couch—comes in a variety of bright colors, including gray for parents who are color-averse like me. While I somehow ended up with one red and one blue, the colors haven’t deterred me from recommending this model again and again, in part because the three-point harness has never failed either of my kids.

While crumbs sometimes collect on the edges of the seat base, I remove and rinse the entire seat in my kitchen sink every so often to keep buildup to a minimum. For what it’s worth, I’ve never had trouble rinsing stains out of the white belts, although I’d appreciate a darker color, just in case. Now four, my son even enjoys strapping himself in and out since the booster’s sides are low enough for him to mount and dismount himself. So it’s a good thing this booster, ideal for kids 12 months and older, has a high weight capacity of 50 lbs. All that’s to say, there’s no question it will be a go-to for many mealtimes to come.

Dimensions: 14" (L) x 14" (W) x 8" (H) | Weight: 2 lbs. | Capacity: 60 lbs. | Age rating: 18 months to 5 years

Transitioning your little one from a high chair to a booster can be nerve-wracking at first, but the Bumbo 3-in-1 puts parents at ease. You’ll appreciate its high back and sides, plus a center plastic column that creates defined leg openings to truly envelop little ones with or without the clip-on tray. I found the design to be surprisingly smart and quite thoughtful; I liked how the seat feels quite cushioned while providing ample support for good posture while eating, which is especially helpful for younger toddlers.

This booster seat is packed with convenient features. These include a rear compartment to store the tray, a three-point harness with recessed nooks on either side to clip in the belt buckles when not in use, a removable non-slip base that can be rotated to increase or decrease seat height as needed and a hollow cavity to store the removable foam liner when your little one needs more room. The versatile seat can be used on the floor, strapped onto a grown-up chair for use at the table or on its own with its tray. While perfect for finger foods like Cheerios, puffs and peas, the tray is too tiny to keep such items off the floor—let alone accommodate a plate and drink let alone baby utensils. And it can’t be put in the dishwasher, unfortunately.

Apart from that, my complaints are few and far between, especially since my 18-month-old daughter approved. I would have thought she would have found it too confining, since there’s no real way for a kid to get out without being lifted, but she didn’t even try to squirm out. (This was a feature my 4-year-old, who is technically too big for the seat anyway, didn’t love.) Oatmeal was no match for this booster, which was easy to wipe clean. There aren't too many nooks and crannies where food can get stuck, although there is a slit where the center strap connects that’s a magnet for food. The straps are dark gray and embellished with logos, which helped to conceal stains, leaving just one issue: Cleaning your actual child. Since the seat is so self-contained, I found that rogue bits of food were completely smushed into my kid's backside and the back of her thighs, a problem that might be solved by a catch-all bib.

Dimensions: 14.6" (L) x 13.4" (W) x 10.2" (H) | Weight: 4.2 lbs. | Capacity: 37 lbs. | Age rating: 6 months to 3 years

In my experience, children nearing the end of toddlerhood want more independence to come and go during meals as they please. This booster seat is perfect for older toddlers who don’t need or want a harness anymore but could still use a little extra height when dining at the table with everyone else. Available in neutral colorways, the minimal design won’t look out of place in an array of living spaces—and, thanks to the slip-proof base, it’ll remain sturdy on your dining chair.

I found the installation of this model to be quite satisfying—dare I say pleasant? With a single, thick strap that goes underneath the dining chair’s seat, the booster’s intuitive twist-and-lock mechanism is innovative compared to competitors. No tools or directions are needed, although you can rest assured that it’s too difficult for a child to turn it accidentally or on purpose.

As I mentioned previously, this booster seat is minimal. There’s no rear strap, seatbelt or seat back. The only notable features are some slightly raised rings around the seat to provide some friction against slips and a slightly raised rear and sides to kind of envelop the kid. In other words, it’s just fancier (albeit safer!) than a phonebook, but it certainly does the trick for older toddlers.

Dimensions: 14" (L) x 14.5" (W) x 5.6" (H) | Weight: 1.4 lbs. | Capacity: 50 lbs. | Age rating: 3+ years

Next on our list of the best booster seats for the table is this pick from Chicco. The compact, flat-folding booster features a high back, a clip-on tray and adjustable legs. This way, you can easily give your little one a boost so they can reach their meal on tables of any stature. Just unfold and strap it to a dining chair, whether you’re at home, at a restaurant, visiting family or anywhere else in between.

The chair was a big hit with Taylor R., our product tester, who told us it worked well for “various places inside and outside the house, including traveling.” While her one-year-old son could slump while seated, he remained safe and secure, thanks to the three-point harness. It also features anti-slip, non-marking feet for added stability. The seat’s legs have three height positions and can be used in two modes. While many choose to attach it to a grown-up chair, it can also be used on the floor as a standalone seat for kiddos.

One issue Taylor ran into when using this booster was tray removal. “It was easy to set up, but the hardest thing was getting the tray to snap in and out,” she told us. That said, Taylor appreciated how it was “adjustable depending on how much room your child needs.” Likewise, this seat’s durable, easy-to-clean plastic facade makes up for such friction. A match for even the messiest of eaters, this seat comes in two subtle colors and is a relative bargain for a versatile seat that can be used when traveling and at home.

For parents who are determined to maintain some semblance of an aesthetic in their home after baby arrives, this modern design from Lalo is sure to spark joy. Available in several contemporary colors, this booster seat for the table features a wide solid beechwood base and legs—a look you might like so much you’ll wish it came in your size. Luckily, you can purchase a conversion kit to transition the booster seat into a play chair with a weight capacity of 200 pounds. Also sold separately are the booster cushion, infant support insert and tray—all nice-to-haves if they fit within your budget. That being said, this booster seat is appropriate for little ones as young as 4 months old, so you can be sure it’ll be a staple in your home for years to come as your family’s needs change.

Without the extra attachments and despite its stilted design, the booster seat feels quite secure with its five-point harness—although it was a bit tricky to fish out of the seat and around a squirmy toddler. It’s super easy to clean, thanks to an airy, baby-swing-like plastic frame and removable, machine-washable straps. The seat is very roomy, which makes it a catch-all for food for better or for worse since it saves your floor but may soil your child. While the sturdy wooden base serves as a footrest and looks design-forward, beware that it’s another surface to wipe down should rogue Cheerios or even messier foods mysteriously take up residence. The bottom line: For families willing to pay more for style, this transitional booster seat is sure to check all of the boxes on your list.

Dimensions: 16" (L) x 16" (W) x 21" (H) | Weight: 8 lbs. | Capacity: 50 lbs. | Age rating: 4 months to 3 years