Babble Best: High Chairs

Fisher Price Space Saver - $50

Good news: it isn't impossible to find a functional high chair for less than a hundred dollars. This delightful little workhorse exceeded my expectations. The Space Saver works as both an infant high chair and a toddler booster seat. It comes with many of the same features (adjustable height positions and a couple of recline settings) as the standard models, but it won't overpower your dining room and can be attached to most chairs. Simply snap the two adjustable straps around the chair's base and back, and you're ready for business. When you're done feeding your pint-sized family member, toss the removable tray in the dishwasher, and either tuck the chair discretely into the table or unsnap the Space Saver and store it out of sight.

Chico Polly High Chair - $129

Thanks to splashy new prints, this familiar Italian brand now appealing to design snobs. The well-priced Polly compares favorably to the more expensive brands (like Peg Perego and Zooper) in the freestanding plastic high chair category. Like it's brethren, the Polly has a dual-tray eating surface, easy-clean padded seat and seven height positions. The wheels offer flexibility, so you can transfer your child's meal easily from kitchen to dining room. When she's done chowing on her nuggets and applesauce, just collapse this chair and roll it into the closet.

Svan High Chair - $250

Part old-fashioned wooden high chair, part modern feeding station; the Svan refuses to neatly fit into any category. Though the chair is aesthetically odd and a bit unwieldy (for some reason, it feels larger than it is), it's hard to ignore the legions of devotees who swear by the Svan. And the tireless Swedes behind the brand are doing their best to win over new disciples. Recent improvements include a plastic tray cover and sophisticated finishes such as dark espresso (the number one seller).

Starck Portable Highchair by Maclaren - $200

If you're adamant about your baby's furnishings coordinating with your contemporary home, you'll love this creation from hyper-productive Frenchman Philippe Starck. Clearly, a bachelor designed this chair; the sample I received had a vanilla (white) cover -- hello? But despite Starck's pristine and somewhat rigid design constraints, this chair is functional. Thankfully, there are more food-friendly options -- carbon (grey) and nectarine (orange). The chair comes largely preassembled and includes two plastic trays (snack and large) and a handsome carrying tote.