The 11 Best Travel High Chairs If Your Take Your Kid Out for Meals Often

The portability will make feeding baby — sometimes a fraught endeavor to begin with — a bit easier.

carrying a travel high chair, toddler sitting in chicco quickseat hook on chair

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If you've never bought one before, you're probably overwhelmed by all of the options and don't know how to determine which travel high chair is best for you — but don't worry, we have you covered. They're a great thing to add to your registry because of their more affordable price point, and they make a great gift for new parents if you're shopping.

The Best Travel High Chairs

  • Best Overall: Cozy Seat Cover
  • Best Budget Soft Seat: Nuby Travel Seat
  • Easiest to Set Up: Chicco Travel Seat
  • Great Silicone Placemat: PandaEar Travel Seat
  • Most Stable for Baby: Ingenuity 2-in-1

What to Consider

Buying a travel high chair isn't a huge task, but there are a few things that you should look at when you're considering buying one. First and foremost, take into account portability , how easy it is to clean, and cost.

Portability

You want a travel high chair that's lightweight, easy to fold, and easy to stow away. If it doesn't travel well, is it even a travel high chair? We don't think so. Some come with a carrying bag, some have a strap for easy travel, and some fold up tight for small spaces.

Cleanability

Cleaning fabric on high chairs can be a pain. Is it machine-washable ? Thankfully, most travel high chairs are a cinch to clean. The more parts involved, obviously, the trickier cleaning it is, so keep that in mind if you're going to be using it a lot.

You could go with a classic high chair that attaches directly to a table, with arms that serve as cantilevers to hold the baby up safely. You can also opt for booster-style seats that strap onto a regular chair at a restaurant or someone's home.

Another option is pop-out foldable boosters, which are suited best for older children who don't need as much lift to get to the table. Rounding out the list are travel high chairs that are compact versions of the real deal. These are generally made with rugged nylon and aluminum posts and conveniently fold up like an umbrella.

How We Chose

We chose these high chairs based on extensive testing and real-parent reviews. We compared prices, materials, and overall quality to determine usefulness, durability, and value. We put them through their paces with several young and messy humans, and these are the best. Check out these picks if you're shopping for travel high chairs.

Cozy Cover The Original Easy Seat Portable High Chair

The Original Easy Seat Portable High Chair

Have a washing machine? Have a baby over six months or a toddler up to 35 pounds who wiggles a ton? Like to eat out and need a place to keep them contained? Meet the Cozy Cover Easy Seat.

It has a five-point removable harness for babies and a three-point strap for toddlers, and it just slides over a chair, secures at the bottom, and then you're off to the races. It comes with its own cover that is machine-washable (which is the biggest benefit that parents love about it), but they also remark on how durable it is. This chair can really take some abuse.

The only downside is that it doesn't work on all seats. Our tester noted that low backs on chairs or chairs of odd shapes don't work as well.

More: The Best Suitcases for Kids

Nuby Easy Go Safety Lightweight Travel High Chair Booster Seat

Easy Go Safety Lightweight Travel High Chair Booster Seat

This is a toddler seat designed for kids from nine months to 55 pounds. It can be secured to most chairs, but it doesn't fold as compactly as a slip model. That's not to say it's not compact —you can easily fit this in a standard Skip Hop diaper bag — but it's just a little bit bulkier.

Another great little option is that the high-density foam seat can be removed for comfort. It features a wipe-clean oil and water-resistant fabric, and a three-point harness. It’s a great travel high chair and it’s nice to have “just in case” in your trunk or under your stroller.

Even when we repeatedly used Lysol wipes on this chair while testing it out, the slick finish of the seat remained strong and unwarped. Lysol wipes can deteriorate finishes — and they didn't on this one.

PandaEar Portable Baby Seat Travel High Chair

Portable Baby Seat Travel High Chair

This product came as a personal recommendation from a few parents. It's a great option because it folds up tiny when you're not using it.

The chair itself is made of typical camp chair material that's easy to clean off. The tray has this wonderful silicone placemat that fits inside that you throw in your dishwasher. You could even throw the entire thing on the porch and hose it down with some dish soap.

Summer Infant Pop ‘n Sit Portable Travel High Chair

 Pop ‘n Sit Portable Travel High Chair

We get that a camp-style chair just doesn't cut it sometimes — so if you're on the hunt for one with a hard tray, this is the one for you.

It's good for babies six months or up to 35 pounds, and the fabric is removable and machine-washable.

It all folds up into a carrying case just slightly larger than an umbrella, save the tray. This chair has a fun zippered pocket on the side to hold whatever you want like plastic cutlery and wipes.

Parents love how much legroom this model has. It's good for chunky baby thighs or bulky sweatsuits. Plus, pretty much everyone loves the cheerful fabric and the grippy bottoms of the feet for stability.

Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat Travel High Chair

Pocket Snack Booster Seat Travel High Chair

You can be on the go or just in your dining room with this Pocket snack booster seat from Chicco. It folds completely flat, and it has a carrying strap. So no matter where you are or where you're going, you'll have a place for your baby.

Chicco made this utterly washable, multi-height position chair with a removable tray so that it works as a booster as well. Suitable for babies from when they can sit up unassisted to 50 pounds. And the easy 3-point harness? It takes a ton of effort to get it gunked up. (Our testers said not even grits could take it down!

Ciao! Baby Camping Travel High Chair

Camping Travel High Chair

If you go camping, spend a lot of time outside, or just want an ultra-light, collapsible high chair that doesn't need a table and chairs, this is our favorite .

This chair has a five-point harness, so it can be used for babies as soon as they can sit up on their own. It's made of a vinyl-coated canvas, which means it can easily be sprayed off with a hose, wiped clean with a cloth, or sprayed down with your favorite cleaning spray. It also has a cup holder for babies, which may not completely prevent them from flinging their bottle, but it may help. It collapses into a small bag and only weighs about eight pounds.

Users note that this is the perfect choice for the beach, the woods, or the backyard, thanks to the fabric's ease of cleanup and durability. It's an outdoor fabric, and it can take a beating.

Baby Delight Go with Me Venture Travel High Chair

Go with Me Venture Travel High Chair

Your child can start using this chair starting at 3 months of age, and they can use it virtually until second or third grade or until they reach 75 pounds. It’s not just a high chair or camp chair with a canopy — it’s also a beach chair for kids .

It has a five-point harness, removable tray, and cup holder, but the sneaky part is that the whole top piece and footrest come off to make it into a shaded chair for your kids.

Even better, the entire thing fits into a sling bag, and the extremely durable polyester can be hosed or wiped off easily.

Wiggly-butt babies have something to push against with the footrest, and you can rest easy knowing it’s safe and stable because they’re so close to the ground.

Chicco QuickSeat Hook-On Travel High Chair

QuickSeat Hook-On Travel High Chair

Chicco is good at making it easy for parents to remove their product covers for washing — and the Quick Seat is no different. With the unsnapping of just a few snaps, it's off and ready for the machine in a jiff.

It's suitable for babies from six months or up to 37 pounds, and the generously sized tray is also super easy to clean.

But that's not even the best part. Most claw-style chairs use some sort of twist or crank to attach them to the table. Not the Chicco — it does it with just a pull of a cinch in the back, making it the easiest travel high chair to set up by a mile.

And that's the biggest reason people love this chair: There's no guesswork. Users note they can hold the baby in one hand and easily get the seat attached using their other hand and their hip. (Your hip becomes a third hand when you're parenting a baby, it's true.)

Ingenuity Baby Base 2-in-1 Booster Feeding and Floor Travel High Chair

Baby Base 2-in-1 Booster Feeding and Floor Travel High Chair

You get a lot of mileage out of this travel high chair that also happens to double as a baby floor seat . It's a soft seat molded to help keep the baby in a comfortable seated position with a removable dining tray and straps to affix it to the seat at a restaurant or home.

It has a luxe feel and keeps babies from wiggling around so much while they eat. It's sort of like a hug around the lower torso and legs, rooting them into the seat. Think of any assisted-sitting chair, and this is a little like that, but not quite as high-backed.

It's easy to clean thanks to the non-porous surface, and though it would be better if it were easier to carry around, it's overall a great product.

Fisher-Price Healthy Care Deluxe Washable Booster Seat Travel High Chair

Healthy Care Deluxe Washable Booster Seat Travel High Chair

If you are a major fan of Lysol or Clorox wipes , this is the travel high chair for you.

It's not as compact as some of the others, though it does fold up. But the whole thing can be wiped down easily. The straps are even easy to clean. Plus, it stays clean, thanks to having such few spaces for food to get trapped in.

And it is meant for the long haul. Two different tray options click together for storage: One is plain and flat and the other is portioned out. It goes from a high back travel high chair and also transforms into a booster, giving it a second life. It can be used for babies from six months old until they no longer need it.

Phil & Teds Lobster Clip-On Travel High Chair

Lobster Clip-On Travel High Chair

More than a few parents use this narrow travel high chair as their everyday high chair. It's suitable for use from six months or up to 37 pounds, and because it takes up such little room, it can be a great option for smaller spaces.

The chair itself is extremely durable. The cover is machine-washable and the tray is dishwasher-safe. The only drawback of this chair is that it doesn't work with round tables or glass.

Parents love how small it is, fitting well in tight kitchens. They also love how easy it is to attach, noting that the clasps are simple and durable.

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The 15 Best Portable Travel High Chairs and Booster Seats [2023]

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Erin Miller

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Keri Stooksbury

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The 15 Best Portable Travel High Chairs and Booster Seats [2023]

The Different Types of Travel High Chairs

Things to consider with a travel high chair or booster seats, 1. find the right position for your baby with this adjustable booster seat, 2. a foldable travel chair with its very own carry case, 3. high chair complete with wipeable food tray and cute looks, 4. a fabulous, full-height folding high chair for meals on the go, 5. an award-winning booster seat from chicco, 6. compact storage on a wrap-style booster seat, 7. slip over adult dining chairs for relaxed meals, 8. inflatable booster seat that keeps your child close by, 1. let your little one eat with you using this portable booster seat, 2. a stand-alone high chair that feels just like home, 3. a hook-on high chair for discerning little diners, 4. this reclining high chair is great for toddlers, 5. store your infant’s extra items in the base of this booster seat, 1. best hook-on travel seat for curved tables and hungry babies, 2. award-winning high chair for those in the know, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Feeding on the go can be a messy business if you aren’t able to seat your little one at the table with you. A travel high chair or booster seat can make mealtimes far less stressful.

Don’t rely on restaurants, cafes, and other eateries to be able to seat your baby — take your own portable high chair with you instead.

Travel High Chair

Hook-on High Chairs

Perfect for babies 6 months or older, hook-on high chairs attach to the side of any table using rubber handles that can be securely tightened to remain stable and safe.

Your child will sit close to the table at the right height to enjoy eating and communing with you as you enjoy a family meal together. There are no folding trays to worry about or straps to attach to chairs. Although there is a maximum weight restriction of around 40 pounds depending on the chair, these are the most convenient way to seat your child when traveling.

Bottom Line: Collapsible and lightweight, you can take your hook-on high chair virtually anywhere.

Booster Seats

Booster seats do just that — raise the seat height of your child’s chair to enable them to reach the table. Compact enough to fit into their very own carry bags in transit, these easy-to-clean high chair alternatives are a popular choice for children 12 months or older.

The only thing you need to ensure the success of your booster seat at dinner time is a stable dining chair with a back to tie it to.

Bottom Line: Designed for children weighing up to 50 pounds, booster seats are a highly portable addition to your child-friendly vacation kit.

Made entirely from fabric, chair wraps are just about the most portable feeding devices ever made. Small enough to fit in any purse or carry-on , these oversized scarves are designed to harness your toddler to an adult chair.

While your inner hippie may be happy that you have chosen a natural and traditional way to help your child eat with the grown-ups, you need to be very adept at attaching the wrap to the chair by pulling a cover over the back and tightening the ends to secure your baby.

Bottom Line: Fantastic for those who know how to use them, a huge amount of stress for those that don’t.

When choosing the right travel high chair or booster seat for your next vacation, consider the following:

Travel High Chair Safety

Keeping your baby safe while sitting at the table is a crucial concern for every parent. While high chairs with straps and large plastic trays feel somehow more secure and sturdy, a child can still fall out if not securely strapped in.

When using a travel high chair or booster seat, be sure that it offers a durable and robust harness , and that the one you choose has enough support to suit the developmental age of your baby.

Hot Tip: To reduce the risk of falling, your child should not exceed the suggested maximum weight for the product.

Travel High Chair Cleaning

Wipe-clean fabrics and plastic cushions are best suited to the messy business of babies, and your travel high chair should be just as easy to clean. Foldable booster seats are incredibly easy to clean, and their flexible design makes it possible for you to reach all the tiny seams and creases where crumbs tend to gather.

Hot Tip: Hook-on high chairs with washable, fabric covers are pretty low maintenance as long as you can throw it in the machine.

Size and Portability

Travel High Chair Portability

Portability is the key to traveling light with a baby, so big, bulky folding high chairs are best left at home on this occasion. You should, however, look beyond the dimensions of any potential travel high chair, and instead focus on a combination of size, weight, and portability.

While wraps are the most lightweight and portable option out there, a compact booster chair that folds up small and weighs very little is still a good alternative. A hook-on that can be folded and kept in a carry bag should also be considered, especially if you are traveling by car or public transport where weight is less of an issue.

Ease of Use

Travel High Chair Ease of Use

Feeding time with your children can be stressful enough without having to worry about shoehorning your 1-year old into an overly complicated high chair harness. Likewise, holding a baby in your arms while you try to attach a wrap to a chair without any success is also likely to put you off taking your little one out to eat with you.

Whatever type of travel high chair or booster seat you decide to go for, make sure that it’s easy for you to use. Hook-on chairs are more fiddly as you need to screw the handles onto the table to ensure that they are safe, and wraps take some getting used to.

Bottom Line: Booster seats are straightforward to use and easy to insert your child into.

The 8 Best Travel High Chairs and Booster Seats Under $30

Summer infant deluxe comfort folding booster seat.

The Summer Infant Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster Seat is a convenient addition to your baby travel gear and one that will allow them to safely eat their food at the same level as you. Weighing just 3.66 pounds, this booster seat is suitable for children from 6 months to 33 pounds.  The compact folding mechanism makes it small enough to take anywhere with you.

Your little one will be safe in the 3-point harness, and you will be able to find the right height setting with 2 different levels of height adjustment. Use it without the feeding tray for a toddler booster seat at the table, or let your younger baby use the tray. Simple to use and highly portable, this little booster seat is brilliant.

What We Like

  • Has 2 height levels

What We Don’t Like

  • The chair cover isn’t great

Hiccapop Omniboost Travel Booster Seat With Tray

This very useful little travel chair is perfect for letting your little one eat with you wherever you may be. The folding frame pops open to form a low-level camping chair complete with a food tray that toddlers and small children will be happy to sit, eat, or play in. Wide, stable feet help to keep the chair balanced at all times, and the tray is removable so your child can join you at the table.

The 3-point adjustable harness will keep your little one safe as they eat, and when you are finished, simply fold the chair back down and pop it back into the carry bag . To ensure that the chair is always clean and hygienic, the cover can be machine washed and the tray is made from dishwasher-safe, BPA-free material.

Cute and completely portable, this is the perfect camping chair for junior diners.

  • Has a removable and washable cover
  • Tray table can be difficult to get on and off

Summer Infant Pop and Sit Portable Booster

Looking every bit as cute as a tiny camping chair, this incredibly portable booster chair from Summer Infant is a little bit different from the rest. Designed to be used on the floor, or a chair, your little one can eat independently or with you.

Featuring a lightweight, folding frame that can be erected in sections , this little booster seat even comes with its own carry case. The detachable, dishwasher-safe BPA-free tray is perfect for playing or snacking, and the 3-point safety harness will keep your precious little one safe and secure. By using the built-in safety straps to attach the seat to an adult chair, you and your child (ages 6 months and older) can eat and play together, everywhere you go.

  • Folds up small to save space
  • Harness straps sit very low

Summer Infant Pop and Sit Portable High Chair

With its lightweight design and full-height feeding chair, the Summer Infant Pop N’ Sit Portable High Chair is perfect for families on the go. Easy to fold down into its very own compact carry bag, this is an easy-to-use travel high chair for your baby.

Suitable from 6 months onwards, the chair comes complete with a removable, BPA-free tray that can be popped into the dishwasher for easy cleaning. The non-slip rubber feet will grip to most surfaces, making this a stable and safe place to feed your children. The easy pop-up unfolding mechanism makes it a dream to use on vacation, at Grandma’s house, or even just at home.

  • Has a rear storage pocket
  • Leg holes might be restrictive for some children
  • Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat

Having already been awarded 5 stars in the “Best Baby and Toddler Gear Awards,” this easy-to-fold portable high chair will transform the way you and your little one eat out. Your baby will be able to sit right at the table and join you for a meal using this easy-to-secure, super-safe booster seat from Chicco.

With 3 tray positions, your child can also enjoy a snack or meal independently, and the harness straps will keep them safe while seated. With a wide padded seat and an easy-to-clean, dishwasher-safe food tray, you can be sure that this booster seat remains hygienic at all times. The Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat is an excellent value for money.

  • Adjustable to 3 heights
  • Securing chair straps are quite short
  • liuliuby Travel Harness Seat

So portable it can roll up to the size of an umbrella, the liuliuby Travel Harness Seat is a functional fabric booster seat. Designed with safety in mind, this may look lightweight and unsupportive, but it incorporates a 5-point harness and comfortable straps for added reassurance and unrivaled strength and durability.

Suitable for babies approximately 6 months and older that can sit up unassisted, the simple design hooks over the back of an adult chair and supports your baby while they join you to eat at the table. Machine washable, wipeable, and incredibly stylish, this is the perfect compact travel seat for eating on the go.

  • Anti-slip pads mean your child will stay put
  • Doesn’t fit all chairs

Cozy Cover Easy Seat Portable High Chair

Suitable for babies from 6 months old up to 33 pounds, the portable Easy Seat is a convenient companion for families on the go. You and your child can avoid the questionable hygiene of restaurant high chairs and have your little one eat at the table with you.

Compact enough to carry in your bag (in its own matching carry bag), the Easy Seat simply slides over the top of your adult dining chair, and with just a quick click of the straps, your child is secured in a 5-point harness . The 100% polyester material is easy to clean in the washing machine, and the brightly-colored design helps this fabulous petite seat stand out from the rest. A great buy for busy parents.

  • Comes with a matching carry bag
  • Doesn’t include a tray for eating

The First Years On-The-Go Booster Sea t

Quite unlike any of the other high chairs and booster seats on our list, the On-The-Go Booster Seat inflates to keep your child comfy and ensures that they can always reach the table.

Simply pull out the valve and watch it self-inflate into a full-size booster seat,  then press out the air and fold back into its carry pack when the meal is over. This seat comes with an adjustable safety belt with a T-restraint to help hold your child securely and even has its own carry bag for taking it everywhere with you. A perfect addition to your baby kit.

  • Portable and inflates quickly
  • Not suited for extensive use

The 5 Best Travel High Chairs and Booster Seats Under $60

Fisher-price healthy care deluxe booster seat.

Designed to fit at the table so that your little one can eat with the grown-ups, this foldable and incredibly portable booster seat secures to most dining chairs, both at home and away.

With a snap-on feeding tray and cup holder that is completely removable and dishwasher safe, you can let your child eat at the table or eat independently. The 3 height adjustments and super-secure 3-point harness will help you to find the safest position for your baby while they eat.

With a shoulder strap for ease of mobility and a simple, ergonomic design made from easy-to-clean and durable materials, this is a clear winner for moms and dads on the go.

  • No crevices to trap crumbs
  • Tray table comes off too easily (infant may remove it)

Ciao! baby Portable High Chair with Tray

This stand-alone high chair is an excellent option for anyone who wants their child to feel totally at home in their high chair. Mimicking the height and feel of a regular full-size high chair , this little beauty folds up into a compact size, making it perfect for camping, keeping as a spare, or taking on vacation with you.

Made from highly durable nylon, this high chair is built to last, and the clear vinyl food tray is wipeable and easy to keep clean. There is also a built-in cup holder for your little one’s bottle or cup. Suitable from infant to toddler (your child must be able to sit unaided to use this high chair), your baby will stay safe and secure with the lap belt and 5-point safety harness.

Easy to use and transport, this is the perfect portable high chair for children who want to be reminded of the one they have at home.

  • 5-point safety harness
  • The opening for the child is a bit of a squeeze

Chicco Caddy Hook-on Chair

In theory, this sturdy and durable hook-on high chair has plenty to offer both you and your baby. It folds down to take anywhere with you, it is made from high-quality materials, and the twist-and-tighten design fastens securely to most tables. In reality, it is very bulky and weighs a lot more than most portable high chairs, at a whopping 7 pounds, even without its carry bag.

That said, the rubberized arms are well-designed and will firmly grip any table without scratching , making it an excellent choice for parents who want their baby to eat with them. The seat cover is removable for easy cleaning and the cushioned back support adds comfort for your little one.

Suitable for 6 months onwards, we are not sure if the pure size and weight of this one prevents it from truly being a travel high chair, but it would still make a useful extra if you have room to transport it.

  • Attaches directly to a table
  • Not suitable for fidgety children
  • Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair

Offering easy-to-clean, customizable seating for your little one, the Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair is an affordable, reliable, and well-made travel booster seat that will make eating out a breeze.

Offering full-size seating dimensions in a portable package that folds up super small, this seat fits on most adult high back chairs. Suitable from around 6 months, this booster offers 2 height adjustments and 3 recline positions . The removable and dishwasher-safe feeding tray is easy to clean, and the cushioned seat will keep your little one comfy at all times.

Designed to grow with your child, the tray can be removed, and the secure strap attachments are designed to stay safely affixed to your adult chair.

  • Has a machine-washable seat pad
  • Doesn’t slot under the table at certain heights

Brica GoBoost Travel Booster Seat

Perfect for dining on the go, the Brica GoBoost Booster Seat folds up small and comes complete with its own convenient carry strap. Stable and secure with a robust internal frame and wipeable, easy-to-clean material, this is the perfect booster seat for older infants on the go.

There is no 5-point harness on this seat, and it has a fixed position backrest, but with a built-in storage unit that can hold your bottles, wipes, cups, and even diapers. Xtra-Grip traction pads offer a non-slip grip on adult chairs.

  • Includes storage for bottles, diapers, or other items
  • Not machine washable

The 2 Best Travel High Chairs and Booster Seats Under $90

Inglesina fast table chair  .

Incredibly versatile and perfect for use at curved dining tables, this hook-on high chair really is one of the best on the market. With twist-tight couplings that secure the chair to virtually any table and a deep seat with an adjustable 3-point harness, this high chair is also incredibly secure to keep your little one safe while snacking.

With a deeply padded seat, high backrest, waist harness, and easy-to-clean, breathable polyester material , your little one will be super comfortable. With an additional storage pocket on the rear side of the seat for a pacifier and other essentials, and a carry case for journeys away from home, this is an excellent hook-on high chair that is well-suited to families who like to dine out often.

  • Comes in a range of colors
  • Not the easiest material to clean

phil&teds Lobster Clip-On High Chair 

Fans of the phil&teds stroller brand will already be familiar with their unique, high-quality designs, and the Lobster high chair is no exception. Super lightweight and incredibly compact, the Lobster has a first-class aluminum frame with padded support and a shoulder harness system that won’t let you down.

Suitable for infants 3 months old up to 3 years, or a maximum weight of 37 pounds, this high chair is still compact enough to fit into your travel bag for families on vacation. With stylish good looks and award-winning design, the world is your oyster with this high chair.

  • Quick to set up and pack down
  • Not compatible with all table types

Travel high chairs need to be portable, stable, and easy to clean. Younger babies need a secure harness, while older toddlers need a seat that won’t wobble about when they do.

From the simplicity of a sling-style high chair to hanging out in a hook-on, your next travel high chair or booster seat needs to be small enough to take with you, yet strong enough to hold your child safely. Make more of family mealtimes on your travels with any of the high chairs and booster seats on our list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are hook-on high chairs safe.

Hook-on high chairs are safe as long as you adhere to the manufacturer’s maximum weight restrictions. Some other tips are:

  • Make sure that the clamp is securely fastened
  • Don’t use a hook-on high chair on glass tables
  • Ensure all straps are securely fastened

What age can a baby sit in restaurant high chair?

Babies can use a high chair when they are able to sit up unassisted. For most babies, this will happen around the 6-month mark but can happen as early as 4 months.

What are the best travel high chairs?

Some of the best travel high chairs and booster seats include:

  • Summer Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster Seat
  • hiccapop Omniboost Travel Booster Seat
  • Summer Infant Pop ‘N Sit Portable Booster Chair
  • Summer Pop ‘n Sit Portable Highchair
  • The Original Easy Seat Portable High Chair
  • The First Years On-The-Go Booster Seat
  • Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat
  • ciao! baby Portable High Chair
  • Chicco Caddy Hook On Chair
  • Munchkin Brica GoBoost Travel Booster Seat
  • Inglesina Fast Table Chair
  • phil&teds Lobster Clip-On Highchair

Are travel high chairs portable?

While wraps are the most lightweight and portable option out there, a compact booster chair that folds up small and weighs very little is still a good alternative.

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About Erin Miller

An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publications.

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The 8 Best Portable High Chairs of 2024

From standalone versions to table-edge clamps

portable travel harness

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Unless you plan on eating one-handed with your baby on your lap for the first few years of their life, you’ll need to invest in a high chair. And, if you plan on traveling as a family or even just eating out regularly at restaurants and friends’ houses, a portable one makes life considerably more manageable. Portable high chairs come in many different styles, from space-saving fabric harnesses and table-edge clamp seats (great for storing in the car or as a backup at Grandma’s, respectively) to sturdy seats that grow with your baby and can be strapped to a chair or set on the floor for outdoor dining. 

As Lisa R. Trofe, managing director of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JMPA), points out, different models “have various attachment means and location requirements,” and choosing the one that best suits your needs is vital. Other things to consider include how long your baby will be able to use the chair; how easy it is to set up, clean, and store; its weight and dimensions; and above all, whether it has all the features necessary to keep your child out of harm's way. According to pediatrician Dr. Jonathan Jassey, these include “a harness to keep them secure, and high-quality straps or clamps to hold the chair in place.”

Final Verdict

  • What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, bumbo multi seat.

Three stages allow for versatile use

Removable parts stow away for easy transport

Low-maintenance

Not suitable for earlier developmental stages

Tray fills with water if submerged

If your little one can already sit up unaided, the Bumbo Multi Seat is a fantastic option that ticks several boxes. First, it’s designed to be used between the ages of 6 months and 36 months, affording good longevity and value for money. Second, it grows with your child’s changing needs. It can be used as a floor seat with a nonslip base that prevents tipping even if your baby is a champion wiggler. It also attaches easily to an adult dining chair for use as a traditional chair seat thanks to retractable straps. 

And when your toddler outgrows these stages, you can remove the soft foam pad and use the Bumbo as a booster seat. Removing the pad also makes the seat roomier for larger children. It has two height settings, a waist strap, and a feeding tray that attaches to the front of the seat but can be easily removed with one hand for storage in a slot behind the backrest. The entire Bumbo is easily cleaned using a damp cloth and mild detergent and comes in a full range of colors, from powder blue to cradle pink. 

Type: Floor seat, chair seat, booster seat | Weight: 4.4 pounds | Weight Limit: 35 pounds

Best Runner-Up

Hiccapop omniboost travel booster seat.

Designed for stability on uneven ground

Easy to clean

Great portability

Lower maximum weight than many competitors

Only available in three similar colors

Coming in at a lower price than the Bumbo, the Hiccapop OmniBoost Travel Booster Seat is an excellent alternative for parents who don’t need quite as much versatility from their portable high chair. Also designed for use from 6 months to 36 months, it resembles a foldable adult camping chair with a locking mechanism that ensures it can’t collapse once fully opened. Removable duck feet allow the chair to be used as a floor seat even on unstable surfaces (think grass or sand on your next trip to the beach ). 

The seat also has straps for attaching to an adult chair at the dining table, while a comfort-fit, three-point harness with an easy one-handed release keeps your baby securely in place. You can store bibs and utensils in the rear mesh pocket, and when it gets grubby, the removable swivel tray is entirely dishwasher safe. The fabric cover is designed to wipe clean but can also be removed and put in the washing machine. When not used, the chair folds into a carry bag that measures just 7 x 7 x 16 inches.

Type: Floor seat, chair seat | Weight: 4 pounds | Weight Limit: 30 pounds

Best Budget

Summer infant deluxe comfort folding booster.

Quality design at an affordable price

Dishwasher-safe tray

Limited to use as a chair seat

Does not include carry bag or strap

The Summer Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster is the cheapest option on this list—and almost a quarter of the price of the most expensive choice. Nevertheless, despite its budget price tag, reviewers praise its comfort, compactness, and ease of use. Intended for babies 6 months and older who weigh up to 33 pounds, it can be used in two stages. First, it is a chair-top infant feeding seat with the tray attached, and later it can be a chair-top toddler booster seat with the tray removed. Foldaway legs allow for two different height adjustments. 

Other features include a three-point harness, dual straps for securing to an adult dining chair seat, and a removable, machine-washable cover. The tray is conveniently large so that it can be used as a feeding surface in its own right or as a support for the baby’s favorite plate. In between meals, fold the booster up for easy transport and storage. There are three colors to choose from: gray/teal with an elephant motif, pink/cream with flowers, and tan/striped with multiple animals.

Type: Chair seat | Weight: 3 pounds | Weight Limit: 33 pounds

Best Clamp-On Seat

Seebaby z2 portable table side chair.

Easy to transport and store

Impressive weight capacity

Choice of seasonal materials

Requires a table for use

Not suitable for all tables

If you prefer the idea of a traditional clamp-on seat, we love the Seebaby Z2 Portable Table Side Chair. Its adjustable U-type clamps allow it to be fixed to the edge of any table with a thickness of between 0.8 and 3.1 inches, with reinforced, anti-skid pads for added peace of mind. And although it’s a common misconception that clamp-on seats aren’t as strong as their competitors, this one is designed for babies 6 to 36 months with a maximum weight of 40 pounds. A waist strap keeps wrigglers in place. 

The chair comes in a choice of winter (cotton) and summer (fully ventilated mesh) fabrics, in a variety of colors that range from gray to blue or pink. The cloth can also be fully removed whenever the seat requires a deep cleaning. Best of all, the Seebaby Z2 folds almost flat and can be neatly packed into its included carry bag. With folded dimensions of just 16.5 x 14.2 x 2.7 inches, it’s ideal for leaving at friends’ and grandparents’ houses or keeping handy in the car.

Type: Clamp-on seat | Weight: 4 pounds | Weight Limit: 40 pounds

Best Floor Seat

Upseat baby floor seat.

Suction-cup-friendly tray

Detachable booster seat conversion straps

Made in Canada

Only meant for children up to 24 months

Many of the other options on our list rely on the assumption that the child can already sit up on their own. Not the Upseat Baby Floor Seat. It was designed in collaboration with physical therapists to help train the muscles necessary for upright posture and allow hips to rest in a natural position. The seat is made of soft foam with enough give to provide a comfortable experience, making it an excellent choice for babies as young as 4 months. Parents of chunky-thighed infants appreciate the generous leg openings.

The included removable tray has a raised perimeter that functions perfectly for feeding times and as an activity space with toys. Detach it to clean and offer your child an obstruction-free seat to engage with their environment. It doesn't collapse down, but there is an integrated grab-and-go handle at the back for one-handed transportation.

Type: Floor seat | Weight: 5.4 pounds | Weight Limit: 30 pounds

Best Standalone Seat

Summer pop 'n dine se portable high chair.

Self-contained unit

Heavier and less compact than other options

Not suitable for babies under 6 months

Looking for an option that could realistically serve as your everyday, at-home chair as well? The Summer Pop ‘N Dine SE Portable High Chair differs from all the others on this list in that it brings your baby to table height without having to piggyback off any other furniture. This also makes it ideal for outdoor scenarios. The fold-and-pop design is easy to set up and pack away and features a wide stance and locking mechanism for added stability. Use the three-point harness to secure any child older than 6 months, with a maximum weight of 45 pounds. 

The chair is also easy to clean thanks to its machine-washable fabric and removable dishwasher-safe tray. The latter is BPA-free, so your baby can eat directly off it if you forget to bring a plate. Other highlights include a mesh storage pocket on the back of the chair and an additional wet/dry bag (perfect for storing dirty bibs, plates, and utensils). When not used, it folds into an over-the-shoulder carry bag. Choose yours in green, mango, or aqua sugar. 

Type: Standalone | Weight: 10.6 pounds | Weight Limit: 45 pounds

Most Lightweight

Dreambaby grab ‘n go travel booster seat.

Roughly half the weight of other picks

Easy to transport

Roomy storage space

Doesn’t include a tray

Better suited to older babies

If being lightweight is a priority (if you’re planning on packing the seat in your kids' luggage , for example, or carrying it with you when traveling by public transport), the Dreambaby Grab ‘N Go Travel Booster Seat tips the scales at just 2.3 pounds. It’s also exceptionally portable, featuring a booster seat base with a fold-out backrest and side/crotch panels. It resembles a satchel with a built-in shoulder strap for hands-free carrying when packed away, and it’s designed to fit most chairs with two adjustable securing straps. 

The chair is rated for babies between 6 and 36 months. However, several reviewers mention that despite the adjustable three-point harness, it can feel less secure for smaller babies, so it’s imperative to wait until your little one can sit up confidently by themselves. In addition to a removable, hand-washable polyester cover, the seat also boasts a zippered exterior pocket and a hollow interior big enough to accommodate baby bottles, toys, and snacks. This section is much more spacious than other storage options on this list.

Type: Chair seat | Weight: 2.3 pounds | Weight Limit: 33 pounds

Best Fabric Harness

Liuliuby travel harness seat.

One of the most affordable options

Very compact and easy to store

Couldn't be easier to clean

Suitable for younger and growing babies

Requires a chair for use

Only available in heather gray

For ultimate portability, it’s hard to beat the Liuliuby Travel Harness Seat. This fabric sling is designed to strap on to almost any dining chair with a seat back width of 21 inches or less, weighs in at just 8 ounces, and can be rolled to fit easily into your purse or diaper bag . Made from 100 percent polyester, it’s padded for added comfort and designed for babies older than 6 months and up to 35 pounds. Your baby must be able to sit up unassisted to use it. 

It includes two straps for attaching to the chair, with anti-slip pads on the top strap to prevent it from shifting and sliding as your baby moves. Use the five-point harness to keep them in place, adjusting it to three different height levels as your child grows. Parents of younger babies will appreciate the additional side loops at the waist, which are meant to keep little ones extra secure. In between uses, you can throw the whole harness into the washing machine without having to remove any parts.

Type: Fabric harness | Weight: 8 ounces | Weight Limit: 35 pounds

The best portable high chair for you depends on your baby’s age, size, developmental milestones, and what you plan on using it for. However, for a sturdy, simple to use, and clean option that can be deployed in multiple ways and grows with your little one to provide added value, we love the Bumbo Multi Seat . If you're looking for a cost-effective option to use for the infant through toddler years, reach for the Summer Infant Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster .

What to Look For in Portable High Chairs

Safety is the primary concern when choosing a portable high chair. Dr. Jassey sums up the essentials by advising parents to “make sure there is a buckle to keep them securely in the seat, and that there isn’t room to squirm out.” Beyond that, Trofe stresses the importance of purchasing a chair suitable for your child’s height, weight, and developmental milestones (e.g., the ability to sit unsupported): "Using a product for a too-small or too-big child can significantly impact their safety and may even cause incident or injury.” Choosing a chair that meets current safety requirements is also essential since these are revised regularly. For example, models marked with the JPMA Certified Seal have passed stringent laboratory safety tests. 

Ease of Cleaning

It’s easy to be tempted by portable high chairs with added gadgets, toys, or buttons designed to keep little ones entertained; however, the more complex the design is, the more difficult it is to keep the chair clean (and hygienic). It’s best to focus on the chair’s primary purpose, which is providing a secure place to sit while eating and choose the simplest design possible. Specifically, children’s food blogger, teacher, and mom-of-two Rachel Kidson recommends avoiding “lots of fabric that can stain easily, or places food can hide including tiny gaps or creases between materials.” Wipe-clean plastics or machine-washable fabrics are best for the main body of the chair, while removable trays that can be placed in the dishwasher are a lifesaver for busy parents. 

There are many types of portable high chairs, ranging from sturdy plastic seats that are meant to be placed on the floor to fabric slings that slip over the back of an adult dining chair to chairs that clamp onto the edge of a table. Each has pros and cons depending on your child's age and the circumstances you're most likely to use the chair for. Need something you can keep in your purse for impromptu meals at a restaurant or friend's house? A fabric sling is your best option. Planning a family camping trip with no chairs or tables to piggyback off? An ultra-stable floor seat or collapsible standalone chair might work better. As Trofe says, "Purchasing a chair for the correct need and use will ensure that your baby can enjoy meal time with you safely."

As long as you can fit your portable high chair into your checked luggage or carry-on bag, there’s no reason you can’t bring it on a plane. Ultra-lightweight, compact options such as fabric harnesses are best for this purpose since most airlines do not include a high chair as part of the free excess baggage usually allowed for infants and small children. You won’t be able to use the seat on the plane itself. That’s because little ones under 2 are typically required to sit on their parent or guardian’s lap or in their FAA-approved travel seat. High chairs (portable or otherwise) do not meet this classification.

Suppose you buy a portable high chair from a manufacturer that complies with the latest safety regulations (and use it only for the situations and child age/size stipulated). In that case, you can probably rest assured that it’s safe. Suppose you are considering buying secondhand or using a hand-me-down. In that case, Trofe advises making sure that the product “has not been recalled, is mechanically and structurally sound, that all parts (including restraining straps and buckles) are included and in good working order, that screws and fasteners are tight, and the product can still be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.”

As the mom of a 4-year-old with another child on the way, Jessica Macdonald has plenty of experience with portable high chairs. When her daughter was little, her Bumbo Multi Seat was an essential accessory for family road trips and camping adventures. For this article, Jessica also consulted the expert opinions of pediatrician Dr. Jonathan Jassey ; JPMA managing director Lisa R. Trofe ; and children’s food blogger, teacher, and mom-of-two Rachel Kidson . She read articles from industry experts reviewing the best options on the market before comparing prices and user reviews to come up with the final product selection.

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Anna in the House

Best Portable Travel High Chairs that Meet your Baby’s Needs

Finding the best travel high chair is an essential step to parenthood, especially if you plan to travel. Not every hotel or Airbnb will provide toddler necessities like a travel high chair so parents need to be prepared with the best travel baby items .

The right choice is greatly dependent on your unique child. This list will show you the criteria that we use for finding the best portable high chairs and then show you some highly recommended choices.

Top Factors Used to Find the Best Travel High Chair

portable high chair seat

#1: Ease of Use

Convenience is the primary concern when choosing a portable high chair. After all, what’s the point if it’s bulky and difficult to carry around? It’s essential that parents consider their own unique travel needs before making the final choice.

Even though booster seats are seen by many as the easiest choice, they don’t have the longevity of a traditional portable high chair. That makes it a good choice for parents who only travel once or twice a year but not optimal for parents who travel more frequently.

#2: Portability

When traveling with a portable high chair, portability is an important factor . Weight and size both play a vital role. Smaller high chairs are generally better but you have to consider your child’s size when making your choice .

I highly recommend that you choose the smallest size possible while ensuring that it’s large enough for your child. You want to be able to throw it under the travel stroller for restaurants or put it in a carry-on suitcase.

#3: Ease of Cleaning

How easy is the high chair to clean? Toddlers are messy eaters and many prefer to eat alone instead of being fed, which creates more mess.

You can count on the fact that you’ll be cleaning their high chair regularly. The best models are designed with cleaning in mind so they use a fabric that’s easily wiped and don’t have tiny crevices for food to get lost in . Not only is this more convenient, but it’s safer for your child since food particles can attract bacteria.

travel high chair

Finally, and probably the most important factor is the safety of the high chair . Does it have a stable design? The least safe option is hook-on high chairs since there is no way of guaranteeing their stability in every environment.

No matter what type of portable high chair you decide on, what’s important is that it’s safe for your child. As parents, you can eat in peace knowing the child is safe and can eat on his own.

The Best Portable High Chairs

1. liuliuby travel harness.

This high chair is designed with a safety-first approach, using five harnesses to secure the child. Plus it is quite portable, folding into a size equivalent of a diaper . So both portability and safety are huge with this model.

What makes it even better is that the My Little Seat high chair is also quite affordable. Plus its longevity can carry many toddlers through their third year . This is definitely a highly recommended portable high chair.

  • Five safety harnesses
  • Fits in a diaper bag
  • Budget-friendly

Check the price for the Liuliuby Travel Harness Chair here!

portable travel harness

2. Easy Seat Portable High Chair

The next portable high seat on our list provides security and high mobility so parents can rest easy . It also folds into a small size that’s easy to fit into a diaper bag or handbag . Plus it secures your child by using five high-quality straps.

The seat is also machine washable, which is perfect. Plus, it comes with a matching carry bag!

However, the only downside is that it can only be used by children under three (or under 35 pounds) . Once that benchmark is hit, this high chair will need to be replaced.

  • Five safety straps
  • Machine washable

See the cost of Easy Seat Portable High Chair here!

portable travel harness

3. Inglesina Portable High Chair

This is one of the highest-rated high chairs but it slightly lacks in some critical areas. First of all, the tray must be purchased separately so the overall cost of this high chair is higher. It’s also larger and heavier but doesn’t make up for that with longevity.

With that said, the Inglesina high chair is sturdy and can fit tables of up to 3 and a half inches thick . This is a good choice for parents who travel a lot and need something a bit sturdier.

  • Durable and washable
  • Handy storage pocket

Find prices for the Inglesina Portable High Chair here!

portable travel harness

4. Upseat Floor Seat and Booster Chair

This wonderfully designed portable high chair showcases its versatility by functioning at home and on the go as a floor seat. It can also be used as a booster seat when needed. Plus, it has a removable tray for meals.

It might be a bit bulkier, but it’s also one of the most durable high chairs on this list.

It provides the baby with the best sitting position which is a big bonus. For added safety, this chair comes equipped with non-slip grips so that it doesn’t slide off the surface. The downside is the price tag.

  • Promotes natural hip development
  • Developed with physical therapists
  • Non-slip grips

Upseat Floor Seat prices can be found here!

portable travel harness

5. Contours 2-in1 Travel Booster Seat and Backpack Diaper Bag

Love this super portable high chair and we’ve been using it for over a year. It weighs only 2 lbs but holds up to 60 lbs .

Contours can turn into a backpack if you wish to carry it around. It also fits under the stroller if you want to bring it with you to restaurants.

  • Also functions as a storage pack
  • Lightweight
  • Water repellent seats
  • 3-point safety harness

See the cost of the Contours 2-in 1 here!

portable travel harness

6. Hiccapop Portable Chair & Booster Seat Combo

This is another versatile choice because it serves as both a booster seat and a travel high chair. It’s perfect for saving space but it’s much larger than anything on this list.

The Hiccapop Omnibooster travel seat does come equipped with its own travel bag for convenience but it’s not small enough to fit inside of a diaper bag.

With that said, it fits all of our criteria as one of the best portable highchairs. The swivel tray is dishwasher safe. The cover is machine washable and durable!

  • Washable and durable

Check the cost of the Hiccapop Portable Chair here!

portable travel harness

Frequently Asked Questions

What should i look for with functionality.

There are two main factors: how easy is it to get the baby into and out of the highchair and how easy is it to set up? You don’t want a high chair that takes forever to set up or pack.

Finally, comfort is another factor that we can place in this same category. After all, what good is a high chair if your toddler is not comfortable using it?

What Safety Features are the Most Important?

High chairs with a harness are an absolute minimum . Of course, the more straps it uses, the safer it will be . But another concern with certain models is slip resistance. If the high chair sits on another surface, then test it to ensure that it cannot slip off.

How Important is Ease of Cleaning in a Portable High Chair?

It’s very important. Cleanliness can be a major safety consideration. Models that are difficult to clean can have food get stuck inside of impossible-to-reach areas, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. You don’t want that for your baby!

There are a lot of other models that are not mentioned in this post so if you are thinking about investing in a portable high chair that’s not listed here, then be sure you pay attention to its features . Safety and functionality are the two most important considerations when choosing the best portable high chairs.

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The 7 Best Travel High Chairs for Families on the Go

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel high chairs provide your baby with their own space to eat solid foods while you're on the go. The best travel high chairs are easy to set up, equipped with many safety features, and, above all, portable.

From booster seats to clip-on to floor chairs, travel high chairs come in a variety of styles. Regardless of the style, you'll want to look closely at its durability, weight capacity, and how easy it is to clean. Many portable high chairs can be wiped down with a damp cloth or will have removable pieces that you can throw in the dishwasher or washing machine once you're home. We researched the top options from trusted brands with these features in mind. A board-certified pediatrician on our Review Board also reviewed this article for medical accuracy and integrity surrounding travel high chairs, safety features, and size limitations.

Here are the best travel high chairs on the market.

  • What to Look For
  • Why Trust Verywell Family?

Best Overall

Summer infant deluxe comfort folding booster.

Dishwasher-safe removable tray

Removable machine washable cover 

Portable design

Not safe for use until baby is 6 months old

We love this booster because it's affordable, durable, and easy to clean. Crafted with BPA-free materials in three adorable designs, this chair has two height levels and two separate straps that secure it safely to a standard chair. It also has a 3-point harness to buckle your baby in and keep them secure. It's safe to use for babies 6 months and up and has a 33-pound weight limit.

Other features include a removable tray and fabric seat cover. The tray can be used for eating or removed so your baby can scoot right up to the table. It has three different position options and is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

Meanwhile, the seat cover provides some soft support against your baby's back. It can be removed and tossed in the washing machine when it needs to be cleaned. The bottom of the seat is made of durable plastic which can simply be wiped down if dirtied.

Finally, this seat folds down neatly for easy carrying, transport, and storage.

Key Specs: Product Weight: 0.82 pounds | Type: Booster | Weight Limit: 33 pounds

Best Budget

Nuby easy go booster seat.

Super lightweight

Has storage space

Folding design for easy transport

No food tray

Needs to be wiped clean

This seat is super lightweight and folds down compactly so it is perfect for travel. It features two straps to safely secure it to a chair as well as a removable pad for extra comfort and height.

There is a storage pocket on the back of the seat that can hold utensils or a small toy, and the seat is equipped with a strong three-point harness for extra safety. While it does not include a tray, this seat can accommodate toddlers weighing up to 50 pounds.

Key Specs: Product Weight: 1.83 pounds | Type: Booster | Weight Limit: 50 pounds

My Little Seat Travel Highchair

Machine washable

Securely attaches to the chair it’s sitting on

Does not provide extra height

It doesn’t get much simpler than this travel seat, which slides over the back of a chair and ties on for a secure attachment. Once the seat is secure, you just slip the baby through the five-point harness and let them sit directly onto the chair.

It’s made for babies and kids weighing up to 35 pounds and can be tossed into the washing machine whenever it gets dirty. When it’s not in use, this seat folds down to the size of a diaper and tucks away into a small bag, making it super portable. 

Key Specs: Product Weight: 0.7 pounds | Type: Booster | Weight Limit: 35 pounds

Best Clip-On

Inglesina fast table hook-on high chair.

Compact design is great for travel

Features storage pocket on the back

Might not be ideal for babies/toddlers with thicker thighs

Hand wash only

This lightweight seat uses adjustable, non-slip clamps to firmly attach to tables between 0.8 and 3.3 inches thick. When it’s not in use, it folds down compactly into the small carrying case that it comes with.

It features a storage pocket on the back of the chair that’s just the right size for utensils and small toys, and it has a high-back design to offer full support to smaller babies. The chair can also be combined with a removable tray (sold separately).

Key Specs: Product Weight: 4.2 pounds | Type: Clip On | Weight Limit: 37 pounds

Best Pop-Up

Summer pop ‘n sit portable highchair.

Easy set-up/tear-down 

Includes dishwasher-safe tray

Harness can be difficult to buckle/unbuckle

Available in several fun colors, this chair can be set up as a floor seat. It features a removable tray that is dishwasher safe and comes with a storage backpack for easy transport. The company also sells a nearly identical booster seat with a strap that will attach it to a standard chair.

Kids between 6 months and 4 years old (or up to 45 pounds) can safely use this floor seat, which is equipped with a three-point harness. When it’s not in use, simply fold the seat up like a camping chair and then pop it back up the next time you need it.

Key Specs: Weight: 5 pounds | Type: Floor | Weight Limit: 45 pounds

Best Traditional

Lalo the chair.

Removable cover is washing machine safe

Great longevity

Converts into play chair

On the pricier side

Does not include transport bag

If you want the option of traveling with a traditional high chair, this 10-pound option is perfect. It breaks down into several pieces (depending on the model you choose) so that it can be easily transported wherever you go. The high chair includes a removable tray that is dishwasher safe, comes with a removable pad, and has the option to convert into a play chair.

It’s equipped with a five-point harness and is safe for babies 4 months old (if they are sitting independently ) up to 3 years old, while the play chair is made for kids at least 1 year old and weighing up to 200 pounds.

Key Specs: Weight: 10 pounds | Type: Floor | Weight Limit: Up to 4 years old (Play chair weight limit is 200 pounds)

Best 2-in-1

Chicco pocket snack booster seat.

50-pound weight limit

Compact and easy to transport

Tray is not dishwasher safe

This chair attaches to a standard dining chair and features three height options to help your little one reach the table. It includes a removable tray with three position options and a three-point harness for safety.

When it’s not in use, this seat folds down compactly and features a carrying strap for easy transport. It’s designed for babies 6 months old who can sit unassisted, to kids up to 3 years old or under 50 pounds (whichever comes first).

Key Specs: Weight: 5.75 pounds | Type: Booster | Weight Limit: 50 pounds

Final Verdict

The Summer Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster ( view at Amazon ) ranks top on our list because of its versatility and overall portable design. Cleanup is easy with the removable tray and cover, and it can hold toddlers up to 33 pounds, meaning it offers a few years of use. 

What to Look for in a Travel High Chair

Set-up options.

There are various types of travel high chairs which can be set up in different ways. The one that is best for you depends a lot on how you plan to use it.

Typically, booster high chairs will sit on top of a standard chair and attach to its back with a clip or strap of some kind. Keep in mind that boosters should always be securely attached to a sturdy chair in order to be used safely. Also, be mindful of your child's age and development before transitioning to a booster chair . Most babies are booster chair-ready by 18 months old while older toddlers are typically too big for them.

The booster may come with a tray that can slide on and off of the front of the seat, much like a standard high chair, or it may be designed for you to push the chair right up to the table without needing a tray at all. These types of chairs are usually pretty bulky, so they aren’t great for restaurants but work well for visits to friends or family members’ homes. 

Clip-On Chair

Sometimes called “lobster chairs,” these chairs are usually super compact and attach to tabletops using clamps that can be adjusted to fit most tables. The clamps are what support the seat, and this type of chair is ideal for restaurants, counters, or high-top tables (as well as air travel) because it’s compact.

However, many of these kinds of seats are designed for babies, so they aren’t good for families with toddlers. 

Floor Chair

Instead of pushing up to a table, this type of chair comes with a tray and sits right on the floor. They can be small or closer to the size of a standard high chair but easily break down for travel. Since there are multiple variations of floor chairs, there are a lot of different uses for them. They’re especially good for outdoors where there may not be a standard table and/or chair to attach a travel seat to. 

Safety is the most important thing to keep in mind when shopping for a travel high chair. If it’s a booster, you’ll want to make sure it has a strap that will securely attach it to the chair it’s sitting on and that it has a level bottom that will stay put even if your child is wiggling. For clip-on chairs, make sure the clamps are high quality and will not loosen as your child moves around.

Also, make sure the seat’s fabric is strong and secure since it will be supporting your child’s weight. Different high chairs have different weight and age parameters so ensure your baby meets these and is showing signs of readiness for a high chair before buying.

Finally, regardless of the type of high chair you get, it should have some kind of harness to keep your kid in the seat. Children shouldn’t be able to crawl or wiggle out of the chair due to the potential risk of injury. It’s also important to note that parents should never leave their babies unattended or let them sleep in any high chair. 

Portability

The whole point of getting a travel high chair is that you can easily transport it. Depending on how you plan to use the chair, you may want it to fold down compactly for easy storage or travel. No matter what style you get, though, you will want to be sure that it is light enough to carry (most likely when you’re also carrying a baby and a diaper bag).

Frequently Asked Questions

There's no specific age when your kid should stop using a high chair. Instead, it depends on whether or not they're steady and strong enough to support themselves sitting through an entire (or most of) a meal. That said, generally, children use a high chair until anywhere from between 18 months to three years old.

So, your kid is finally ready to graduate from the high chair. Congrats! You can now move them to a booster seat, which secures to the top of a normal-sized chair and belts them in to enable them to reach the table comfortably and safely.

Ideally, your child's high chair should have a foot rest. This is because it gives them better support and stability while they're eating. (Bonus: This can also help develop their sense of balance.)

When it comes to our little ones, safety is rule #1. By buckling them into their high chair, you can help ensure they don't slip or fall out of it and end up hurting themselves. So, always be sure they're snapped in snugly, but not too tight—you should be able to fit two fingers in between their body and the belt, no more, no less.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. She has personal experience in researching and purchasing a variety of children’s products, and key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include materials, design, and user reviews.

Best Portable High Chairs

These small high chairs are convenient for travel and restaurants and are great space savers at home., by jen labracio.

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Love checking out new restaurants and going on weekend adventures? With the right gear, those things don’t have to stop once you have a baby.

Portable high chairs, sometimes also called travel high chairs, are designed to provide a safe and clean spot for your little one to chow down wherever you go. Most either latch onto a table or strap around a dining chair and, because they take up far less space than traditional high chairs , some parents even use them full-time to save space .

Both kinds of portable high chairs have a harness so your little one can’t push out of their seat or slip through the bottom, but don’t use them until your child can sit up independently without slumping over (around six months ).

Do You Need a Portable High Chair?

A portable high chair is great for eating out at restaurants that don’t provide any baby-friendly seating options or when you want to avoid the sticky, crusty broken-safety-belt loaners many places offer. (Another option is bringing a seat cover to place over the loaner high chair.)

If you plan on traveling frequently—whether to grandma’s house or overseas—having a portable high chair ensures your child always has a safe spot at the table. But you could also feed your child from your lap if you don’t mind the mess.

What Type of Portable High Chair Is Best?

Portable high chairs that clamp onto tables are small, light and easier to pack. But they might not work with round or oval-shaped tables, tables with thin lips or ones that aren’t solid enough to support your baby’s weight. Sometimes the fabric seats on these chairs are hand-wash or spot-clean only, making cleanup difficult. They also lack footrests, a feature recommended by most pediatric feeding specialists to help your little one facilitate a safe swallow.

Portable high chairs that strap onto dining chairs are often easier to clean, and sometimes more versatile—you can remove the tray to use them as a simple booster seat for toddlers. But this type of portable high chair can be bulky and a pain to tote around. And, depending on what type of table and chairs you’re working with, the high chair might not put your child at level height with the table or may not fit correctly on the seat.

Deciding what type of portable high chair to buy depends on what features matter most to you. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Usability: Is the seat safe and sturdy? Will it work with multiple types of tables or chairs? Is it easy to attach?
  • Portability: Can you pack it in a suitcase or diaper bag? Does it have a carrying case or strap to put over your shoulder? Is it lightweight?
  • Cleaning: Can you wipe it down? Is the fabric removable and washable?

Best Portable High Chair for Travel

Inglesina Fast Table Chair - Black - $79.00.

Inglesina Fast Table Chair - Black

There’s a reason this is called the Fast Table Chair: This portable high chair clamps onto tables in no time flat with a few twists of the knobs, making it perfect for travel but just as good to use at home, too. It’s even easier to pack up, with a drawstring carrying case that’s attached (and hidden) on the bottom of the seat. Just pull it out and package up the seat that folds flat when you’re ready to go.

The seat is removable and washable and there’s a small pocket in the back to stash a bib. There’s also a custom-fit dining tray , sold separately. The seat will fit most tables from about 0.8 inches up to 3.3 inches thick.

Additional Specs

Best Portable High Chair for Outdoors

hiccapop OmniBoost Travel Booster Seat - $39.92.

hiccapop OmniBoost Travel Booster Seat

If you’re headed to the beach, the pool or even adventuring to your yard or roof deck to dine alfresco, you could feed your little one on your lap—but odds are everyone will be more comfortable (and safer) in their own seat. This portable booster is the ideal solution. It’s lightweight, easy to open and close and packs up compactly in the included travel bag. There’s a tray and a three-point harness, and you can use the chair either on the ground or strapped to an adult chair. And it’s no match for any type of mess your baby or toddler can throw at it; the entire cover pulls off the frame in seconds and can be tossed right into the washing machine.

Another Outdoor Option

Baby Delight Go With Me Venture Deluxe Portable Chair - Grey - $59.99.

Baby Delight Go With Me Venture Deluxe Portable Chair - Grey

Baby Delight’s Go With Me Venture Chair is another option to consider if you’re looking for an outdoor seating solution—but there’s a lot more going on with this chair than just a picnic in the park. You’ll be able to use the Venture for a long time; three stages grow with your baby from about three months old until they hit 75 pounds. It’s also really stable, with a wide base that stays put even in grass and dirt. There’s a detachable canopy for shade and the whole chair folds up into the included carry bag quickly and easily.

Just note that although the polyester fabric is resistant to fading, stains and mold, it’s wipe-clean only.

Best Affordable Portable High Chair

Dreambaby Travel Booster Chair - Blue - $29.99.

Dreambaby Travel Booster Chair - Blue

This travel booster chair is easy to pack up and sling over your shoulder when you’re on your way to anywhere you’ll need a safe seat for your little one, and it won’t cost you a ton, either. The Dreambaby booster weighs under 2.5 pounds and fits most adult chairs using the long, adjustable safety straps. There’s a three-point harness, a built-in shoulder strap and a removable cover. (Just note that the cover is hand-wash only.) There’s even a storage compartment inside the seat that’s large enough to stash a bib, bottle and wipes.

Easiest to Install Portable High Chair

Chicco QuickSeat Hook On Chair - Graphite - $79.99.

Chicco QuickSeat Hook On Chair - Graphite

This seat does exactly what its name implies—attaches to your table in only a few seconds. The QuickSeat features a one-pull tightener that cinches the seat into place rather than the screw-on clamps used by most other portable high chairs. It folds down for travel and there’s a built-in carrying strap; just keep in mind that the seat isn’t super compact when folded and the cinching mechanism adds a good amount of weight. There’s also a snap-on tray included. The seat cover snaps off for washing without having to remove the seat from the table.

Most Compact Portable High Chair

Bombol Pop-up booster - Pebble Grey - $129.99.

Bombol Pop-up booster - Pebble Grey

Nope, this isn’t a cool piece of art—it’s a (very cool) portable high chair. This 3D seat is incredibly compact. It folds flat to about the size of a large book, so you can easily slip it into your diaper bag or tote and be on your way. It’s also incredibly light, weighing in at about two and a half pounds, so carrying it around is super convenient. It holds a child up to 75 pounds and the seat’s fabric is stain, abrasion and odor-proof.

Keep in mind that although it’s approved for babies six months and up, we found it works best once your little one is a bit older and more stable. It’s also expensive.

Best Full-Size Portable High Chair

Summer Pop ‘N Dine SE Highchair - $64.99.

Summer Pop ‘N Dine SE Highchair

Think a full-size high chair can’t be portable? Think again. This seat works for kids up to 45 pounds but folds compactly into the included carry bag. It sets up in seconds thanks to the pop-and-fold design and can be used either indoors or outside. (It can also be pulled right up to the table since the seat’s footprint is fairly small.) The fabric seat cover is machine washable and the included tray is dishwasher safe, and there’s a three-point harness for safety.

Easiest to Clean Portable High Chair

Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat - Grey - $39.99.

Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat - Grey

Being able to toss your high chair cover in the wash is an important feature to look for when you’re shopping for portable seats, but what if you don’t have to deal with the washing machine at all? This sturdy, portable seat has no fabric or sneaky crevices to worry about—simply give the entire seat a quick wipe after use and you’re good to go. It’s designed to work on top of a dining chair and features three height adjustments and three tray positions so you can find the position that’s most comfortable for your little one. It also folds up for easy portability.

Best Portable High Chair for Small Spaces

Fisher-Price SpaceSaver Simple Clean High Chair - $49.49 and up.

Fisher-Price SpaceSaver Simple Clean High Chair

The SpaceSaver High Chair proves that just because you have a small dining area doesn’t mean you have to compromise on cushy features. It sits atop a dining room chair—no need to make room for more baby gear—and provides a just-right seat for your little one with two height adjustments and three recline positions.

It’s a popular replacement for a traditional high chair and it’s easy to see why: the seat and tray are dishwasher safe, the seat pad and harness are machine washable, and later it can be turned into a booster seat. Also, unlike other portable high chairs, this one can be used from the newborn stage and features a five-point safety harness (the kind that goes over the shoulders). Just keep in mind that it’s not the best for taking with you to restaurants or for traveling since it’s bulky and doesn’t fold down.

Best High Chairs of 2024.

portable travel harness

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Best Portable High Chairs for Families on the Go

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Parents’ homes are chock-full of useful baby gear—but what happens when you leave the house? Whether you’re dining at a restaurant, enjoying snacks at the park or beach or visiting friends and relatives, baby is going to need a safe, convenient place to sit and eat. Which is where a portable high chair can come in handy. (They’re even great for those looking to save space at home!) Not sure which is the best for your needs? We’ve rounded up our top picks for portable high chairs, including what to look for when shopping for one.

What to Look for in a Portable High Chair

There are a few factors to consider when selecting the best portable high chair for your child:

  • Style of seat. Portable high chairs come in a variety of styles, including clip-on, standalone, sling-like, booster types and unique pop-up travel high chair designs. It’s important to think about which style will be most convenient for your needs.
  • Safety and harnesses. Take note of how a seat secures to either a chair or table; a tight fit prevents any wobbles or shakiness. For younger children, choose a seat with a five-point harness; older toddlers can get away with a three-point.
  • Fold and portability. Families on the go will likely prefer a travel high chair that folds down, making it easier to transport from one place to another. Keep an eye out for special inclusions like a carry strap or tote bag, too, if you need to make easy work of hauling your high chair around.
  • Ease of cleaning. Fabrics and surfaces that are easy to wipe down are perfect for dining out. If you want a deeper clean, look for features like machine-washable straps and covers or dishwasher-safe accessories.

Best Portable High Chairs to Shop

Keeping these factors in mind, check out our top picks for the best portable high chairs.

Overall best portable high chair

Inglesina Fast Table Chair and Tray

  • Lifted backrest and firm seat ensure baby is comfortable
  • Fabric is removable for easy hand washing
  • Large roomy back pocket is great for storing toys, teethers, bottles and/or binkies
  • Not compatible with all tables
  • Seat isn’t built to recline and shouldn’t be used by babies under 6 months
  • Tray table is sold separately

The Inglesina Fast Table Chair and Tray checks all the boxes for the best portable high chair: It’s easy to carry, set up and clean. Whether you’re looking for a space-saving, counter-height option in your home or need something to take on-the-go for travels and dining, the Inglesina will fit your needs. It even earned a shout-out in this year's Best of The Bump roundup of best high chairs, where our product tester told us, “I felt confident by how fastened our 8-month-old was [ when ] strapped into the high chair… she fit comfortably and but not too tight.”

At just 4.2 lbs. and with an attached carry bag, this option is effortless to transport. It quickly clips on to nearly any surface—from 0.75 to 3.25 inches thick—without leaving any damage behind, and has a weight capacity of 37 pounds. Plus, the chair’s high backrest and padded seat will keep your little one comfy and secure during meal time.

Dimensions (open): 14" (L) x 17" (W) x 11" (H) | Dimensions (closed): 14" (L) x 17" (W) x 4" (H) | Weight: 4.3 lbs. | Weight capacity: Up to 37 pounds

Accommodating table measurements: Chair can fit on tables between 0.75" to 3.25" thick

Our product tester says: “I would say this is truly a portable high chair and can attach to most, if not all, tables.”

portable travel harness

Best portable travel high chair

Bombol Pop-Up Booster

  • Carry bag doubles as a chair cover for extra seat protection
  • Five-point harness converts into a three-point harness for older children
  • Removable, machine-washable straps
  • Some parents complain that the travel bag/seat cover did not come with their purchase

For families that love to travel, the Bombol Pop-Up Booster is a must-have. This travel high chair was also recognized in our Best of The Bump series, and no wonder—it folds down to the size of a book and weighs just 2 lbs., taking up next-to-no room in your luggage (or your carry on; the compact sizes and “fits almost all chairs” silhouette is wonderful to whip out when your little one needs a bite to eat at a crowded airport lounge or while you’re waiting to board at your gate). When needed, it pops up into a 3D structure that’s both sturdy and comfortable, with a padded, upholstered seat and backrest as well as a five-point harness. We also love how the fabric is stain-, abrasion- and odor-resistant—perfect for when you don’t have access to a washing machine.

Dimensions (open): 11.8" (L) x 11" (W) x 10.6" (H) | Dimensions (closed): 11.8" (L) x 11.8" (W) x 1.4" (H) | Weight: 2.1 lbs. | Weight capacity: Up to 75 pounds

Our product tester says: “I love how easy it is to clean, and it's so compact to travel with.”

Best foldable portable high chair

Munchkin Float Foldable High Chair

  • No tools required for assembly
  • Tray can hang on the back of the chair when not being used
  • Five-point harness for maximum safety
  • Not a one-handed fold (some parents say there’s a learning curve to figuring out how to set up and collapse the chair)

If you’re looking for a high chair that excels in functionality and space-saving design, then you’ll definitely want to try the Munchkin Float Foldable High Chair on for size. Though it sports a sturdy A-frame for stability and safety, it’s the chair’s compact and foldable nature that makes it ideal for smaller spaces. Lightweight construction (at only 11 lbs.) means this portable high chair is incredibly easy to carry from room to room, so you can keep your baby close by during mealtime or other activities. And the Munchkin Float High Chair's versatility is on full display with its bespoke features, including a removable tray with multiple adjustable footrests to accommodate your child's growth. Although the chair doesn't include a heavily-cushioned seat pad, the easy-to-clean, stark white surface simplifies maintenance and prevents stains (we haven’t met parents who wouldn’t want to get on board with that!).

Dimensions (open): 21" (L) x 25" (W) x 34" (H) | Dimensions (closed): 21" (L) x 14.5" (W) x 37" (H) | Weight: 11 lbs. | Weight capacity: Up to 33 pounds

Best portable high chair that attaches to table

Phil & Ted’s Lobster Portable High Chair

  • Carry bag and dishwasher-safe dining tray are included
  • Nearly-flat fold (stows nicely in the car trunk)
  • Ergonomic seating and comfortable shoulder pads mean kiddos will stay content
  • Fabric can be removed for hand washing only

Love the convenience and space-saving features of a hook-on high chair, but worried about it being anchored well? Enter Phil & Ted’s Lobster Portable High Chair, which goes the extra mile to ensure your child has a safe seat at the table. In a static durability test, its lobster jaw clamps held an 88-pound weight for a 48-hour period, so it’s safe to say even the wriggliest toddler won’t be going anywhere during mealtime (can we get a collective phew?). Other features like an aluminum frame and a five-point harness combine to make this one of the most stable hook-on high chair options available. Oh! Don’t worry, the rubber grips on the clamps (or should we say claws?) accommodate tables between 0.8 and 3.75 inches thick, and make this standout portable high chair scratch-free—and when you’re using it at a friend’s house or at a restaurant, no one ever wants to make waves with the host!

Dimensions: 13.8" (L) x 13.4" (W) x 3.2" (H) | Weight: 4 lbs. | Weight capacity: Up to 37 pounds

Best portable camping high chair

Baby Delight Go With Me Venture Deluxe Portable Chair

  • Weight capacity is one of the largest ranges for portable high chairs
  • Polyester fabric is resistant to fading, stains and mold
  • Canopy is coated with UPF 50+; protects against 98 percent of UVA + UVB rays
  • Sun canopy can be removed, but the angle can’t be adjusted
  • Some parents say that the cup holders don’t fit baby/toddler/big kid water bottles
  • Tray can be a challenge to put on/take off

Headed camping with your little one? The folks at Baby Delight have you covered with their Go With Me Venture Deluxe Portable Chair. This portable camping high chair features a protective sun canopy, a leg enclosure with netting to keep out bugs and other critters, a removable tray and cup holder and a flared leg system for extra stability. The design also features optional leg holes for when your child wants to stand, as well as a five-point harness to keep them secure. It all collapses into a tiny travel bag at the end of your adventure.

Dimensions: 23" (L) x 22.8" (W) x 24.5" (H) | Weight: 4.9 lbs. | Weight capacity: Up to 75 pounds

Best budget-friendly portable high chair

The CozyBaby Easy Seat Portable High Chair

  • Can be thrown into the wash after use
  • Comes with a carry bag
  • Since it fits over a regular chair, it can make your child feel more included at mealtimes
  • Doesn’t come with a tray
  • Parents are commonly frustrated that it doesn’t fit over all chairs
  • Can leave smaller children sitting very low (depending on the height of the table)

It doesn’t get much more portable—or affordable—than the CozyBaby Easy Seat Portable High Chair. The fabric seat slides over the back of any chair and fastens with two buckled straps. From there, a five-point harness ensures your little one is extra secure while dining. Any messes can easily be wiped down, and the whole seat is able to fold away neatly in your bag. Best of all, when it comes to cheap high chairs (price that is, not quality), this one has everyone else beat. At just under $30, this thrifty travel high chair is super easy on the wallet.

Dimensions: 24" (L) x 6.8" (W) x 8.2" (H) | Weight: 5.3 ounces | Weight capacity: Up to 35 pounds

Best outdoor portable high chair

Summer Infant Pop ‘n Dine SE Highchair

  • Detachable wet/dry bag is great for storage and to throw in used utensils, bibs, etc.
  • One parent said it best with the quote “Always kept in my car everywhere we went I ended up pulling it out. Any area where putting baby on the floor was not a good idea”
  • Only available in aqua and coral colorways, no neutrals
  • Tray top is a little small

Designed with al fresco adventures in mind, the Summer Infant Pop ‘n Dine Highchair is the ultimate outdoor high chair for families seeking portability, practicality and safety. This high chair effortlessly folds into a compact size and comes with a convenient carrying bag, making it a total breeze to transport. Its sturdy frame and secure five-point harness ensure maximum safety, while the easy-to-clean fabric seat keeps messes at bay. The detachable, dishwasher-safe tray with a cup holder adds convenience during picnics and playdates at the park. And with its innovative pop-and-fold design, setting up a five-star dining experience for your tiny gourmet in the great outdoors is quick and painless.

Dimensions: 8.3" (L) x 8.3" (W) x 32.6" (H) | Weight: 10 lbs. | Weight capacity: Up to 45 pounds

Best portable high chair for restaurants

Mountain Buggy Pod Clip-On Highchair

  • Incredibly lightweight and totable
  • Fabric can be wiped clean or thrown in the washing machine
  • Carry bag is included
  • Leg holes can be tight for older children
  • Missing a reliable harness system (for wriggly kiddos, this might be a no-go)

It’s common to deal with unhygienic high chairs or trying to attach a booster seat to a booth when dining out. But the Mountain Buggy Pod High Chair manages to solve both of these problems. The adjustable C-shaped clamps fit on most tables (between 0.8 and 2 inches thick), its petite profile can squeeze into the tightest of spaces and the design provides postural support for your child at any table height. When it’s time to leave, fold it up and slide it into the neat carry bag for a quick and easy exit. Piece of cake, right?

Dimensions (open): ‎12.2” (L) x 13.4” (W) x 9.8” (H) | Dimensions (closed): 12.2” (L) x 13.4” (W) x 1.5” (H) | Weight: 2.2 lbs. | Weight capacity: Up to 33 lbs.

How We Chose the Best Portable High Chairs

To help streamline your shopping and highlight the best portable high chairs for your family’s dining endeavors, we considered a list of criteria when sourcing products, including silhouettes and setup, quality and durability, ease to carry and clean and, of course, safety (i.e. the harness/buckling system). We read countless user reviews to get the low-down on how these portable high chairs work for families, never considering anything less than an average four-star rating. And, of course, we leveraged our editorial team’s own familiarity with leading brands, as well as our own experience as parents (because the chaos of eating out with little ones is universal, and any high chair that can keep up obviously earns our high marks).

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here .

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The Best Travel Car Seats

Three of our top picks for the best travel car seats, shown side by side.

Let’s face it: Traveling with little kids can be a slog. But a lightweight, compact, easy-to-install travel car seat is one tool that can make trips a bit easier.

We’ve tested 17 travel car seats for infants and up, and we examined how they performed in various circumstances, including during air travel and in rental cars. The Chicco KeyFit 35 , one of our picks for the best infant car seats , is an excellent choice for both travel and everyday use. For an affordable and easy-to-use convertible car seat for toddlers and preschoolers, we recommend traveling with the Cosco Scenera Next , which fits kids up to 40 inches tall for rear-facing or 43 inches for forward-facing. For kids bigger than that who still need a seat with a five-point harness, we recommend the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 , which also converts to a high-back booster. The backless, lightweight Cosco Rise is great for booster-age kids.

If you’ll be hopping in and out of taxis or ride shares with a baby, the Doona is a unique but expensive infant car seat that converts to a stroller. And instead of purchasing a dedicated convertible car seat for travel, another option is to bring yours along with the Britax Travel Cart .

Everything we recommend

portable travel harness

Chicco KeyFit 35 ClearTex

The best infant car seat for travel.

If you’re a frequent traveler, the Chicco KeyFit 35 is easier than most infant car seats to install securely without its base.

Buying Options

portable travel harness

An infant car seat and stroller in one

This unusual car seat has integrated wheels that pop out to turn it into a stroller. It’s best for parents who frequently need to move their car seat in and out of different vehicles.

portable travel harness

Cosco Scenera Next

The best convertible car seat for travel.

This affordable and easy-to-use car seat weighs 6.8 pounds and can be used rear- and forward-facing. But kids can outgrow it quickly.

portable travel harness

Cosco Finale 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat

The best harness booster car seat for travel.

This no-frills seat converts from a forward-facing five-point harness to a high-back booster. It weighs just 12 pounds.

portable travel harness

Britax Travel Cart

A travel cart for lugging your own seat through the airport.

This sturdy, smooth-rolling travel cart helps you transport your own convertible car seat—and avoid buying a standalone travel seat. You can even strap your child into their seat and use it like a stroller.

portable travel harness

The best backless booster seat for travel

This basic booster seat weighs only 2.2 pounds and can work for children as small as 40 pounds. But it has a rather large footprint and will be too big to fit in most carry-ons.

How we picked

A seat that’s lightweight is more manageable to carry between multiple locations. A more compact seat is also easier to pack.

We considered the seat’s comfort and ability to adjust straps and buckles.

Ease of installation is paramount, as the easier it is to do, the more likely it will be done properly.

We looked at crash-testing scores and ease-of-use ratings. Our infant, convertible, and harness booster picks are FAA-approved for use on a plane.

The Chicco KeyFit 35 is a great all-around infant car seat—and one of the ones we recommend for everyday use. But for travel it stands out: It has a European belt path that makes it easier to get a secure install without the base than for many car seats, and it’s cheaper than other seats that have this belt routing option.

Weight of seat: 10 pounds Orientation: rear-facing only Weight range: 4 to 35 pounds Height limit: 32 inches

Parents who can’t leave their infant seat base installed in a specific car but instead need to travel by taxi or rideshare frequently may find the innovative Doona to be a convenient option. This sleek infant car seat has integrated wheels and converts to a stroller that maneuvers easily, plus the seat is FAA-approved for use on an airplane. But the versatile Doona is much heavier and more expensive than a regular infant car seat.

Weight of seat: 14.3 pounds Orientation: rear-facing only Weight range: 4 to 35 pounds Height limit: 32 inches

The Cosco Scenera Next is a notably lightweight, affordable convertible car seat that is simple to install and carry on an airplane. It receives strong safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is FAA-approved for use on a plane. But many kids will outgrow it before they reach the height or weight limit because of the low position of the shoulder straps.

Weight of seat: 6.8 pounds Orientation: rear- or forward-facing Weight range: 5 to 40 pounds rear-facing; 22-40 pounds forward-facing Height range: 19-40 inches rear-facing; 29-43 inches forward-facing

For children using a forward-facing five-point harness, the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 is a lightweight and affordable travel option that is FAA-approved for use on a plane (in harness mode only). It also converts to a high-back booster. However, it has lower height limits than some boosters, so kids may not get as many years of use from it, in comparison with pricier options.

Weight of seat: 12 pounds Orientation: forward-facing only Weight range: 30 to 65 pounds for harness mode; 40 to 100 pounds for high-back mode Height range: 32 to 49 inches for harness mode; 43 to 52 inches for high-back mode

Bringing your own car seat to the airport has one big advantage—you don’t have to learn how to install yet another seat. But your own convertible car seat is likely to be heavy (our picks in our guide to convertible car seats range from 19 to 33 pounds). The Britax Travel Cart is compatible with most convertible seats, and when your car seat is secured to it with LATCH, you can use it like a stroller to push your toddler through the airport. The cart can then be stored in an overhead bin during your flight.

Weight of cart: 7.6 pounds

If you need a cheap, no-frills booster seat, we recommend the Cosco Rise . It’s a bit too large to fit into a carry-on suitcase or backpack, but it’s easy to attach with a bungee cord to a carry-on for plane travel. It’s also a great option if you just need a spare booster for carpools or to order ahead for use at the grandparents' house.

Weight of seat: 2.2 pounds Weight range: 40 to 100 pounds Height range: 43 to 57 inches

The research

Why you should trust us, who should get this, the best infant car seat for travel: chicco keyfit 35, an infant seat and stroller in one: doona, the best convertible car seat for travel: cosco scenera next, the best harness booster seat for travel: cosco finale 2-in-1, a great car seat caddy: britax travel cart, the best booster seat for travel: cosco rise, other good travel car seats, should a kid sit in a car seat on the airplane, what about checking a car seat, the competition, care, use, and maintenance.

The authors of this guide have collectively interviewed 40 industry experts, safety authorities, and physicians. Among them were certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) such as Lani Harrison, who installs more than 300 car seats each year; Dr. Aditya Belwadi, a biomechanics research scientist who previously led the child passenger safety research team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and now works at Tesla in Crash, Safety, and Occupant Protection/Biomechanics; and Bill Horn, head sled testing engineer at Calspan , one of the country’s top crash-testing facilities. The authors also talked with dozens of parents and representatives from leading car seat manufacturers.

The original version of this guide was written by Rebecca Gale, whose reporting on policy and parenting has appeared in outlets including The New York Times, Slate, and The Washington Post. Rebecca has also been certified as a CPST, completing a 40-hour training program through the Safe Kids Worldwide organization.

In 2022 and 2023, this guide was updated by Christina Szalinski, a science writer whose reporting on health and parenting has appeared in The Atlantic and Kaiser Health News . In addition to writing the most recent versions of Wirecutter’s infant and convertible car seat guides, Christina is responsible for Wirecutter’s guides to the Best Baby Formula and kids face masks .

Few people strictly need a separate car seat for travel as you can gate- or baggage-check any car seat for free with most airlines. But lugging your regular (likely heavy and bulky) seat in and out of the car and through the airport can be a major hassle. Investing in a smaller, lighter-weight option may be worthwhile, especially if you fly or use ridesharing services or taxis frequently.

Infant car seats for travel

If you’re traveling with an infant or baby, bringing along your usual infant car seat without its base (to cut down on weight and heft) is typically the best option. Our top infant car seat pick, the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX , is relatively lightweight and, like other infant car seats, can be safely strapped in with a seatbelt only and no base.

There are two possible ways to install an infant car seat without a base: either with the belt directly across the top, called “American routing,” or with the shoulder belt placed around the back of the seat in addition to the top, called “European routing.” It’s easier to get a secure fit with European routing, and two seats we recommend in our guide to infant car seats, the Chicco KeyFit 35 and the Clek Liing , are designed to allow for that type of install. If you know you’ll be traveling with your infant often, it may be worthwhile to choose one of these as your baby’s first car seat.

Many infant car seats are compatible with easy-to-fold stroller frames, such as the Chicco KeyFit Caddy , which turns an infant car seat into a stroller and can be convenient for travel. Most infant seats are FAA-approved for airplane use, should you decide to purchase an airplane seat for your infant.

Convertible car seats for travel

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, deciding on a car seat for travel can be trickier. Alisa Baer, a pediatrician, CPST, and co-founder of the website The Car Seat Lady , recommends bringing your own convertible car seat and using a travel cart . That way you have a seat that you’re already comfortable installing. But some people will prefer a dedicated travel car seat, as they can be significantly lighter than regular seats—as little as 7 pounds versus 20 to 30 pounds.

If you do buy a dedicated travel seat, it’s a good idea to practice installing it before your trip—you don’t want to be figuring it out for the first time when you, and your kid, are potentially jet lagged and feeling extra cranky. Installation can be the most time-consuming and frustrating part of using a car seat—and particularly a convertible car seat—and is often the point of failure for using a car seat correctly.

Booster seats for travel

If your everyday booster seat has a removable back (as with our top pick and runner-up pick, the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus and the Graco TurboBooster LX ), you may prefer to simply bring that seat for travel, leaving the bulky back at home. But like with convertible seats, it’s also an option to get a dedicated travel booster that may be significantly lighter and smaller than the one you rely on every day.

Jessica Jermakian, vice president for vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, offered several tips for bringing along a backless booster, especially if it’s not one that’s compact: “I bungee cord them to my luggage while traversing the airport. On most flights, my kids could shove them under the seat in front of them and still have room to throw their backpack on top. On some flights, I’ve put them in a tote in the overhead compartment.”

Travel car seat alternatives

If you’re headed to a familiar destination, you could look into borrowing a seat from friends or relatives. Or, you may be able to rent one through a baby equipment rental service.

Many car rental companies also offer car seats for a daily fee, but it can cost up to $15 a day—adding up to much more than the cost of a travel car seat, which can be less than $50. And though you can reserve one in advance, rental car seats are subject to availability, so there’s no guarantee that one will be available when you arrive. The car seat provided may also be difficult to install properly, especially in an unfamiliar car. That said, you may be able to find discounts or other benefits through programs such as AAA, which offers one free car seat rental for members when they book a car through Hertz, Dollar, or Thrifty. Ridesharing and airport and town car services may also provide a car seat with advance reservations.

A person pushing a Doona stroller.

There are hundreds of travel car seat options for infants, toddlers, and older kids. We began the whittling down process by examining online customer reviews and existing media coverage, which included going to Car Seats for the Littles , Lucie’s List , and the Car Seat Lady . We found the travel car seat category to be sorely lacking in an abundance of great options, so we also considered some “regular” car seats and alternatives.

We knew from our expert interviews that proper installation is generally a far bigger problem than the level of protection that a seat inherently provides, so we searched the NHTSA ease-of-use installation database to help determine which seats offer easy installation and come with clear instructions. We also relied on the personal experience of Wirecutter staffers, volunteer testers, and car seat techs who had used the car seats in the past.

Our research led us to conclude that the ideal travel car seat should be:

Lightweight and compact: A travel car seat will likely need to be carried between multiple locations, sometimes with a baby inside (if we’re talking about an infant). The less the seat weighs, the easier it is to deal with when combined with children and carry-on items. A more compact seat can also fit more readily in a wide variety of vehicles.

FAA approved: For parents who want to use their infant seat, convertible car seat, or harness booster on a plane, FAA certification is crucial.

Easy to install: As with all of our car seat recommendations, ease of installation is paramount, as the easier it is to do, the more likely it is to be done properly.

Easy to use: Straps should be simple to adjust to get a snug but comfortable fit in a five-point harness. The buckles should be easy for parents to clip and unclip but difficult to impossible for children to mess with. We considered the experience of both parents and kids in using the seats, as well as how easy each seat was to clean.

Safe: When it comes to travel, convenience can trump a minor safety advantage; a seat that you can bring along with you is vastly superior to no seat at all. Still, we did take the relevant government safety data from NHTSA into consideration.

Over the past five years we’ve tested 17 car seats with travel specifically in mind.

Our pick for the best infant car seat for travel, the Chicco KeyFit 35.

If you’re shopping for an infant car seat with travel in mind, we recommend the FAA-approved Chicco KeyFit 35 , one of our picks in our guide to infant car seats . It is lightweight and easy to use, and it can be installed securely without its base using the European belt path, a method that generally provides a superior install. (Any infant seat can be installed without its base, so if you already have an infant seat, using what you already own is likely the easiest choice.)

You can save on weight and bulk by leaving a car seat base at home when traveling. There are two ways to install an infant seat without its base. The most common is American belt routing, in which the seat belt goes over the top of the infant seat and the baby’s knees. We’ve found that it can be very difficult to secure an infant seat in the car securely using this method.

A few seats also offer the option to rely on the European belt path, the method we prefer, in which the lap belt goes over the top of the infant seat and the shoulder belt goes around the back. It’s easier to get a secure install with the European belt path, but it’s only found on a few car seat models. Of the four infant car seats we recommend, only the Chicco KeyFit 35 and Clek Liing offer the option of using the European belt path.

Beyond the advantage of the European belt bath, the Chicco KeyFit 35 has everything we love about the more popular Chicco KeyFit 30 with a few bonus features, such as an anti-rebound base as an added safety option. The KeyFit 35 can also accommodate a slightly larger baby (up to 35 pounds) than the KeyFit 30.

The KeyFit 35 strapped into the backseat of a car with a seatbelt threaded across the lap of the car seat.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The KeyFit 35 is about $50 more than our top infant car seat choice, the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX . It probably doesn’t make sense to buy this seat just for travel if you already own a similar infant car seat. But if you plan to be jet-setting with your baby, it may be worth the additional $50 or so to get a better on-the-go install from the start.

An infant sitting inside the Doona secured in car rear seating.

The Doona is an FAA-approved infant car seat (rear-facing only) with built-in wheels that allow it to convert to a stroller. For travel, this is about as convenient as it gets, allowing caregivers to rely on a single piece of equipment to accomplish two goals: avoid gate-checking a stroller—assuming an airline seat is purchased for the infant—and hop in and out of cabs without having to stow anything in the trunk.

The canopy of the Doona extended over the head of the smiling infant sitting inside the stroller.

Compared with a regular infant car seat, the Doona has some drawbacks. For one thing, it did not perform particularly well in Baby Gear Lab’s crash testing (there are no government crash tests available yet for this seat). For this reason, and because it’s tricky to install without its base (as most infant seats are), one of our car seat experts does not recommend this seat. At 14.3 pounds, it’s heavy and bulky to carry and maneuver when in car seat mode. The Doona also has the steepest price of any of the car seats (including infant, convertible, and boosters) that we’ve reviewed. It does come with a traditional infant car seat base that allows for an easy click in and out of a car, but the extra width means it could be impossible to fit three across in a backseat. And it would defeat the point to use that base for travel.

Switching the Doona from car seat mode to stroller mode and back requires “both hands and concentration,” said one tester, as well as “quite a bit of practice for me. It takes a rather specific, subtle motion to collapse it back and tuck the wheels.” It’s harder than taking a regular infant car seat off of a stroller with an infant seat attachment. Plus, once your child outgrows this seat, you’ll have to buy another stroller.

As a stroller, the Doona maneuvers easily, and the brake is intuitive and easy to use. But though it comes with an attached storage bag, the Doona lacks a storage basket.

Our pick for the best convertible car seat for travel, the Cosco Scenera Next.

The inexpensive Cosco Scenera Next weighs just 6.8 pounds, is relatively easy to carry and install, and can be used rear-facing from 5 to 40 pounds and forward-facing from 22 to 40 pounds. It’s FAA-certified and easy to install on an airplane (using the plane’s seatbelt).

The Cosco sells for $60, which is a bargain compared with many convertible car seats (the Graco Extend2Fit , our favorite convertible seat for everyday use, is a little over $200). The seat gets strong safety ratings from NHTSA, and given its low weight and heft and easy-enough install, we think it’s the best option available for an on-the-go or backup car seat. We strongly prefer the (heftier) Graco Extend2Fit for everyday use. That’s because it’s easier to get a safe, secure install with that seat and to adjust it to fit the child. Plus, it can be used forward-facing until a kid is 65 pounds and 49 inches tall—a much longer usable life than the Scenera Next.

Several Wirecutter staffers use or have used the Cosco Scenera Next, appreciating its low cost, low weight, and small size. They’ve found that the seat’s slim profile makes it a great option for smaller cars (specifically, a Prius or Renault Scenic). Senior editor Courtney Schley found that the Cosco allowed her to get three seats (two Coscos and one infant car seat) across in her family’s car.

The Cosco car seat secured in rear car seating.

The Scenera Next’s low shoulder straps mean that a child may outgrow this seat well before they are ready for a booster. ( Shoulder straps should hit at or below the shoulders when a child is rear-facing; when forward-facing the straps should hit at or above the shoulders.) The low straps mean that many 3-year-olds with longer torsos may outgrow the seat in forward-facing mode, even though the seat’s height and weight limits indicate that it should fit an average-size kid up to age 4. With a long torso, the straps end up hitting below the shoulders, a situation that can compromise safety.

Though the Scenera Next is simple to install compared with other lightweight convertible car seats we tested, some of our testers still found it difficult to get a tight, secure install. It has hook LATCH straps that aren’t particularly easy to use—you really have to tug on the LATCH straps to get a tight fit, and getting them off can be an even bigger challenge. We preferred installing the seat with a seat belt in unfamiliar cars, which was an easier way to get a tight install (try the inside/outside trick with the shoulder belt), and made it much easier to uninstall.

Our testers also found that the chest clip on the harness wasn’t as responsive or easy to use as those on more expensive seats. The Scenera Next also has less padding than many seats, though Baer points out that the padding on most seats is highly compressible, meaning that just because a seat looks fluffier doesn’t mean it provides much more cushion.

This seat also has a few downsides if you bring it on a plane. Like most convertible car seats, it’s wider than the aisle, so you have to carry it awkwardly down the plane to get to your seat, which can be quite a challenge if you’re on your own and have other carry-on items (plus your child). Additionally, the plane’s seat belt buckle is going to be pushing into your child’s back if the seat is oriented forward-facing. Alisa Baer, co-founder of The Car Seat Lady, recommends installing any seat with this issue rear-facing, even if a kid is used to forward-facing. Or you can put a diaper or other soft item over the buckle to make it a bit more comfortable.

The Cosco Finale 2-in-1, our pick for best harness booster seat for travel.

The Cosco Finale 2-in-1 is a solid option for kids who are no longer rear-facing but still benefit from a five-point harness. It’s affordable, weighs just 12 pounds, and is relatively easy to install using the car’s seat belt while in harness mode (it also comes with LATCH straps, though we didn’t find these as easy to use). In booster mode Like other boosters, in booster mode this seat relies on the car’s seat belt to secure the child, so there’s no need to install it.

This bigger-kid seat can see a growing child through years of travel: It can be used as a forward-facing five-point harness booster seat from 30 to 65 pounds and then as a regular (harness-free) booster from 40 to 100 pounds (up until a child is 52 inches tall).

As a five-point harness, it’s FAA-certified and easy to install on an airplane using the plane’s seatbelt. However, when it’s in booster mode, like all boosters, it cannot be used on an airplane.

In harness mode, the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 performed well in an NHTSA crash test. And several Wirecutter staffers use or have used the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 while traveling after their child outgrew the Cosco Scenera Next—they liked the price and straightforward install. Converting the seat to a booster is fairly straightforward , and the seat has storage for the harness, crotch buckle, and chest clip. Once the seat is in booster mode, your child can’t use it on an airplane, but many airlines will allow you to check a booster seat for free (you may wish to check with your airline in advance).

A more expensive version of the Cosco Finale 2-in-1, the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 , is also available. The only difference between the two is the fabric—the DX has a tiny bit more cushion and a slightly less slippery texture. We asked several children to try each seat and then report their favorite (they wore blindfolds, to remove color preference as a factor). There was no clear winner between the two seats, and our adult testers could hardly distinguish a difference in the cushioning. For this reason, we don’t think it’s worth the extra $20 for the DX.

A closeup showing the five-point harness of the Cosco Finale 2-in-1.

When using the Finale 2-in-1 in harness mode, you first have to install it in the car, which you can do either with the seat’s LATCH straps or with the car’s seat belt. We found the Finale 2-in-1’s hook LATCH straps difficult to use—it’s hard to get a tight fit in the car, and getting them off can be a big challenge. As we did with the Cosco Scenera Next, we preferred installing the harnessed seat with a seat belt; this was an easier way to get a tight install (try the inside/outside trick with the shoulder belt) and also made it much easier to uninstall. (When the harness is removed and the seat is in booster mode, you do not need to install it in the car, since the car’s seat belt holds it in place and secures the child.)

Our testers also found that the chest clip on the harness was a bit more difficult to open compared to those on more expensive seats like the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 . The straps have to be manually threaded through the car seat, which isn’t particularly difficult or time consuming, but you have to remember to do it before you install the seat. It also has less padding than many seats, though our child testers didn’t complain (however, we didn’t take it on any long road trips).

This seat won’t have as many years of use as other travel options, like the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1, because the Cosco has a maximum height of 52 inches (most boosters go to 57 inches) and does not convert to a backless booster.

The Britax Travel Cart.

If you need to travel with a convertible car seat, you can bring the one you already have to the airport and onto the airplane with the Britax Travel Cart . The main benefit of bringing your own is that you’ll have a seat that you (and your child) are comfortable with, and that you know how to install confidently.

There are a number of similar travel carts out there, but we think this one offers the most for the price. We like that when the car seat is strapped onto the cart using the car seat’s LATCH clips, you can use the whole thing like a stroller and push (or pull) your child through the airport. The frame is also studier than other models—it can hold a total of 100 pounds of car seat and child. Plus, when it’s time to get on the plane you can fold the cart to stow it in an overhead bin.

A person pulling the Britax Travel Cart with a bulky convertible car seat on it.

At about $100 for the cart, it is cheaper to purchase a budget convertible car seat like the Cosco Scenera Next. However, depending on your circumstances, the Britax Travel Cart may outlive the expiration of many car seats (which are between six and 10 years), and could be used for future car seats, or passed along without as much consideration as a used car seat.

Our pick for the best booster seat for travel, the Cosco Rise.

For a cheap, no-frills booster seat, the Cosco Rise is a reliable option that weighs only 2.2 pounds. It’s simple to use: Like other backless booster seats, it does not need to be physically attached to the vehicle; a child simply sits in it and fastens the car’s lap belt over their knees (under the seat’s sides).

The Chicco GoFit Plus is our overall top pick for the best backless booster seat because it’s cushy, made with easy-to-clean materials, and includes two cup holders and a LATCH system to anchor the seat to the car. But it’s bulky, heavy, and not great for travel. The Cosco Rise has fewer bells and whistles, but it offers a key safety feature: Unlike many other boosters, this seat has a strap that attaches to a car’s shoulder belt to adjust the belt’s position for smaller riders (the shoulder belt should always rest on a child’s collarbone, and not against their neck).

The Cosco Rise can accommodate children as small as 40 pounds, as long as they are also 43 inches tall, meaning it will work for most kids 5 and up but may not accommodate some 4-year-olds.

A view of the Cosco Rise booster seat showing the strap that attaches to the vehicle's shoulder belt.

This seat is a bit too large to fit easily into a carry-on suitcase or backpack (it takes up almost all the room top-to-bottom in a standard-sized carry-on, with only a little room left on the side). There is also almost no padding on this seat, merely a polyester cover, but for short rides, our testers didn’t complain.

If you want an upgraded infant seat that’s great for travel : We recommend the Clek Liing , one of our favorite infant seats . Like the Chicco KeyFit 35, the Clek Liing can be installed without its base using a European belt path, which is much easier to get secure than the standard American belt routing found on most infant car seats. And when you’re at home, we love how easy it is to install the Liing’s base, which includes an added safety feature: a load leg .

If you want a high-end infant seat and don’t own a car: The lightweight, easy-to-clean Clek Liingo is similar to the Clek Liing but without the base. In general, we think installing a seat with the base is an easier and more secure option with infant car seats. But if you don’t own a car, the Liingo can be installed without a base in several ways. It has the same European belt path that the Liing has, which routes the lap belt over the top and the shoulder belt around the back for more security than an install that just goes over the top of the seat. The Liingo also comes with a LATCH strap that routes in the same spot as the lap belt—though we found this was not nearly as secure as the European belt path routing.

If you want a longer-lasting five-point harness seat for older kids: The Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 is a good choice. This forward-facing-only seat has a five-point harness that holds kids from 22 to 65 pounds and up to 49 inches tall, and it can be adjusted without rethreading it, so it is easier to modify as your child grows. When your child is ready for a regular booster, you can remove the harness and crotch buckle, converting the seat to a high-back booster that can hold a child from 40 to 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall. Finally, you can remove the back and convert the seat to a lightweight backless booster that can also be used from 40 to 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall.

First off, a car seat must be FAA-approved—as all of our recommended infant and convertible seats are—for a kid to ride in one on an airplane. (Booster seats are reserved for older children and not intended for use on airplane seats.)

Both the Federal Aviation Administration and CPSTs believe it is safer for kids under 2 to ride in a car seat aboard a plane rather than in their parents’ arms. In the event of turbulence or rough air, a child is much safer if strapped in. Being injured in turbulence , though very unlikely, does affect a handful of American flyers each year, and recent research indicates that turbulence is on the rise due to climate change.

Many parents find that air travel is easier when their child has their own seat (though of course you have to pay for that additional seat). Children are allowed to sit on caregivers’ laps on planes until age 2, but few toddlers can sit still for a long period of time, and that extra harness and recline (as well as familiarity) provided by the car seat may keep a child seated comfortably longer, especially once they are mobile but still too young to fully understand how to sit still in a lap belt.

There are a number of challenges to bringing a car seat, especially a convertible seat designed for a toddler, onto a plane. Some smaller planes may have seats that aren’t wide enough for many convertible car seats. And even if the car seat is narrow enough for the plane, not many seats are narrow enough to easily fit down the aisle. The Clek Foonf , one of our convertible car seat picks, is one of them, but it is pricey and heavy. (The Clek Fllo , Graco SlimFit3 LX , and Graco True3Fit also fit on an airplane seat, but we did not test them.) You’ll generally have to lift a car seat above the seats to carry it to the rear of a plane.

Finally, unlike a car seat buckle, which sits on your hip, a plane’s seat buckle sits right in the middle of your lap. That means for many car seats, once you install them on the plane, there’s going to be a large metal buckle below your child’s legs or behind their back (the Clek seats are among the few without this issue). Alisa Baer, co-founder of The Car Seat Lady, recommends using convertible seats with buckle-in-the-back issues rear-facing, even with a larger child—they’ll likely be more comfortable if their feet have a place to rest, plus they won’t be trying to rest their feet on the passenger’s seat in front of them. You can also put a diaper or spare T-shirt over the buckle to make it a bit more comfortable.

Some parents may find it simpler to use a CARES harness (Child Aviation Restraint System) to help keep kids in their seats on a plane (and their kids may prefer sitting in an airplane seat over a car seat); you install this four-point harness around the child’s seatback and under the tray behind it.

Most airlines allow at least one car seat to be checked for free but doing so has several potential problems . The luggage can be handled roughly and tossed, damaging the car seat in the process. Seats, like any piece of luggage, can also be lost or misplaced in transit. Ultimately, the main reason you may want to have your child use a car seat on the plane is so that you are absolutely confident you’ll have the car seat when you arrive at your destination.

For people who do check in their car seats, Harrison recommends—ideally—using the original box and styrofoam that the seat came with if they are available or using Bubble Wrap and a garbage bag if not. Examine the seat for visible damage when it comes out at baggage claim, and be prepared to replace the seat if it’s broken or bent.

Infant travel seats

The Chicco Fit2 can accommodate infants as small as 4 pounds and toddlers as large as 35 pounds or 35 inches. Like the Chicco KeyFit 35 we recommend as the best infant car seat for travel, it can be installed with a European belt path. But because of this seat’s large size, some seat belts are too short to route over the car seat securely.

Convertible travel seats

We previously recommended the lightweight, foldable, forward-facing WAYB Pico (rhymes with “baby”) as a good travel car seat for kids who are too big for the Cosco Scenera Next but still need a five-point harness. Its adjustable seat back allows it to accommodate taller kids, and its slim design means it takes up less room in the backseat than other car seats. The 8-pound seat is exceptionally convenient to install, uninstall, and carry around, including through airports and onto a plane. In September 2019, however, WAYB announced it was recalling 4,558 Pico car seats manufactured between March 1 and May 12, 2019, due to reports of breakage in the aluminum tube connecting the headrest to the seat. You can read NHSTA’s report (PDF)  for details about the recall, how to identify your car seat’s date of manufacture, and how to inspect your car seat for damage. Since the recall, there have not been further reports of problems. Like all car seats sold in the US, the Pico was self-certified by WAYB to pass NHTSA standards (PDF) for safety testing.

The EvenFlo Tribute is a lightweight seat (9 pounds) similar to the Cosco Scenera Next and also has a weight limit of 40 pounds, but as our convertible car seat guide testing showed us, it’s not as easy to get a good install with this seat. CPSTs like Harrison recommend using a towel or pool noodle when using the Tribute to address this. It’s also more expensive than the Cosco Scenera Next.

Booster travel seats

We previously recommended the BubbleBum , an inflatable, portable backless booster seat for older kids. However, in February 2022, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety raised concerns about the safety of inflatable boosters. A study using a computerized model determined that an inflatable booster may not have the stiffness required to keep a child from sliding out from under the lap belt upon impact in a car crash.

The backless Cosco Topside is too large to fit into a carry-on or a backpack. Unlike the Cosco Rise , our favorite backless booster for travel, this booster seat also doesn’t have a belt-positioning clip, which can help the shoulder belt fit better on a smaller rider.

We liked the Graco RightGuide booster seat because it was small enough to fit inside a carry-on or backpack. But it was recently discontinued.

The Immi Go is a booster car seat with a five-point harness that folds conveniently into its own carrying bag. Due to low sales, it is no longer for sale in the US, but you may see this seat if you travel abroad.

The MiFold backless booster seat (currently unavailable) is small enough to fit into the back pocket of some pants and weighs less than 2 pounds. It works by moving the seat belt down to fit the kid (as opposed to raising the kid to fit the belt, as other boosters do). However, our testers found its hard plastic shell uncomfortable to sit on for long periods of time and said that the seat was complicated and unintuitive to set up. Also, a car seat safety expert we consulted noted that the design of the seat may encourage a child to use bad posture while they’re sitting in it—in an effort to find a more comfortable position, the child may tend to scoot forward, moving the slick-bottomed seat along with them, which could pose a safety concern.

Travel carts

The Torevsior Car Seat Travel Cart is about $25 less than the Britax Travel Cart we recommend, but it’s also less robust—the frame just doesn’t feel as sturdy. The weight limit is also lower than the Britax’s, at 70 pounds versus Britax’s 100 pounds. Like the Britax travel cart, the Torevsior cart has hooks for LATCH straps, to secure a car seat onto the cart so that your child can ride in it as you’re moving through the airport. It’s 6.4 pounds (Britax is 7.6 pounds), and extends up to 46 inches (Britax to 42 inches).

All of the guidelines for car seat care, use, and maintenance in our other car seat guides apply to travel car seats as well.

This guide was edited by Ellen Lee, Amy Miller Kravetz and Kalee Thompson.

Jessica Jermakian, vice president for vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety , email exchange , August 1, 2022

Alisa Baer, pediatrician, nationally certified child passenger safety instructor, and co-founder of The Car Seat Lady , phone interview, July 15, 2022 and January 9, 2023

Lani Harrison, CPST, Car Seats for the Littles , email interview , January 28, 2019

Meet your guides

A headshot of Christina Szalinski

Christina Szalinski

Christina Szalinski is a freelance science writer with a PhD in cell biology.

portable travel harness

Rebecca Gale

Further reading

Highway sign indicating meltdown ahead in half mile.

Traveling With Little Kids Can Be Tough. The Right Gear Can Help.

by Kerry Davis McGuinness

From compact car seats and cribs to portable blackout shades and white noise machines, the right tools for travel can lead to less fuss—and more fun.

Two infant car seats side by side, with baby toys.

The Best Infant Car Seats

by Christina Szalinski

After extensive research and field testing, we found that the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX is the best infant car seat for most families.

The two travel strollers we recommend, the Uppababy Minu V2 and the Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Stroller, standing next to each other.

The Best Travel Strollers

by Elise Czajkowski

After testing seven travel strollers on various trips and excursions, we’re confident that the Uppababy Minu V2 is the one to get.

Our three picks for the best booster car seat, arranged in a row.

The Best Booster Car Seats

by Rebecca Gale

After researching over 50 booster car seats and testing 13, we’ve concluded that the convenient Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus is the best overall choice.

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The 8 Best Travel Car Seats of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We rounded up the best travel-friendly car seats to keep your kids safe wherever you go.

portable travel harness

In This Article

Jump to a Section

  • Our top picks
  • Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

  • Tips for Buying
  • Why Trust T+L

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Cassie Aulie

Traveling with children can be a gratifying and enriching experience, but family vacations are also challenging because of the extra items you need to pack (and carry), including a car seat, which adds quite a lot of bulk to your luggage. That's why we set out to find the most compact, travel-friendly, lightweight, and easy-to-install car seats on the market right now.

We combed through results and feedback from three different real-world car seat tests in which we tested a total of 57 car seats, looking specifically for portable, travel-friendly options. We rating each of our picks on several factors like design, features, ease of cleaning, value, and — most importantly — safety. Below, we rounded up eight of the best travel car seats to consider for your next family getaway.

Best Overall

Graco contender slim convertible car seat.

  • Design 4.7 /5
  • Ease of Installation 4.8 /5
  • Durability 5 /5
  • Safety 4.6 /5

It is an excellent fit for compact cars.

The chest buckle is large and bulky.

Lugging around a heavy car seat in addition to your luggage is not pleasant, but this car seat will make your life so much easier. Not only is it the lightest car seat on our list, but it is also the slimmest, making it an excellent choice for both compact and larger vehicles (or for larger families who need to fit more than one car seat in the backseat). Installation took us about 15 minutes, and then it was pretty intuitive to use. It has several inserts that help you customize it for your child, including an infant insert with extra padding, eight headrest heights, and two reclining positions.

It also has a removable cup for snacks and drinks that you can place on either side of the seat. And while we only had to spot-clean it, if you need to wash the entire cover, you can take it off and throw it in the washing machine. The fabric is breathable and has held up exceptionally well after over a month of use.

The Details: Weighs 16 pounds; holds 65 pounds | 24.75 x 18.9 x 21.5 inches | Rear and forward modes | Belt- and latch-compatible

Travel + Leisure

Best Rotating

Evenflo gold revolve360 convertible car seat.

  • Design 5 /5
  • Ease of Installation 5 /5
  • Safety 5 /5

It’s easy to install and rotates 360 degrees.

It would be nice if it had a built-in sunshade.

Four minutes: that's exactly how much time it took us to install this Evenflo car seat after watching the instructional video. It was an incredibly easy-to-follow process, and we found the audible click and level indicator super helpful. But the most impressive feature of this convertible car seat is its ability to rotate 360 degrees, which is a complete game-changer for parents (seriously, our team member who tested this car seat said it spoiled them into "never using a car seat that doesn't have this feature"). This means that the seat can transform into rear- or forward-facing in seconds without the need to uninstall the entire seat and base. Just pull one of the two levers on either side and start rotating it. This feature also makes it super convenient to place your child in the seat and buckle them because you no longer have to bend at an awkward angle. 

Comfort is also a standout feature, and the upholstery fabric of this car seat felt soft, breathable, and very high-quality (cleaning it is also a breeze). The overall padding of the car seat and the generous recline positions also contribute to a more comfortable trip. And finally, while this is not the lightest car seat at 40.6 pounds, its design is quite compact, and even if you install it in a smaller vehicle, you will be left with a good amount of legroom and recline space for the seat in front. 

Shoppers should also note that the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) is currently evaluating this car seat .

The Details: Weighs 40.6 pounds; holds up to 120 pounds | 25.9 x 19.8 x 21 inches | Rear, forward, and booster modes | Belt- and latch-compatible

Best for Compact Cars

Diono radian 3rxt convertible car seat.

 Amazon

  • Design 4.8 /5
  • Ease of Installation 4.5 /5
  • Durability 4.9 /5

The seat folds, making it easy to carry.

The initial installation takes more time than some of the other options on this list.

When renting a large car is not always possible, this Diono car seat is the way to go. First, it's much easier to carry (and store) because of its slim, foldable design. And while the installation took us a while compared to others on this list (about 45 minutes to an hour), we found it to be a perfect match for a smaller vehicle similar to a Fiat 500. 

Second, buckling and unbuckling is super intuitive, and the straps never get tangled up. And even after a year of constant use, the fabric is in excellent condition with few signs of wear and tear other than some light fading. You can also remove the cover and machine-wash it, another very convenient feature. 

Third, we love that even though the seat is about 17 inches wide, it features additional padding and side protection without compromising comfort. Lastly, this car seat is also FAA-approved, so feel free to fly with it.

The Details: Weights 30.6 pounds; holds up to 120 pounds | 17 x 28.5 x 16 inches | Rear, forward, and booster modes | Latch

Best With Stroller

Doona car seat and stroller.

  • Assembly 4 /5
  • Portability 5 /5
  • Maneuverability 4.8 /5

The wheels fold up and attach to the seat.

There is no storage space, and you need to purchase the base separately. 

There is a reason the Doona car seat is a best-seller and an all-time parent favorite. It's all in the smart design that combines a car seat and a stroller in one compact product. Unlike other models, the wheels of this car seat collapse under it so you can latch it into its base (sold separately). Basically, you can bid adieu to lugging a stroller and a car seat. This is the ultimate travel-friendly stroller/car seat combo for infants and toddlers up to 35 pounds. We recommend you take your time to read the folding and unfolding instructions before you use it. It took us some time to figure out what each button was for and how to attach it to the base correctly, but it was smooth sailing once we got the hang of it.

The Doona is upholstered in a cooling bamboo fabric for added comfort, and it has a canopy for shade. The car seat also scored an almost perfect rating in our maneuverability category during testing — it was a breeze pushing it even with one hand. The brake was easy to engage and disengage, so this is the perfect option for a city vacation or a road trip that requires you to quickly transport your baby in and out of the car.

The Details: Weights 16.5 pounds; holds up to 35 pounds | 26 x 17.4 x 22.4 inches (folded) | Rear-facing | Latch and belt

Most Durable

Graco extend2fit 3-in-1 car seat.

  • Safety 4.8 /5

An extendable panel provides extra legroom.

The shoulder straps are difficult to adjust.

We tested this car seat for over two years, and it has held up exceptionally well against wear and tear, spills, and everything a toddler can (literally) throw at it. Graco makes some of the sturdiest, most durable car seats by focusing on quality and safety, and this is exactly why we included the Extend2Fit model in this list.

The car seat is easy to install (it took us about 20 minutes), and even if you're setting it up in a smaller vehicle, it leaves plenty of legroom and recline space. We appreciated the two deep cup holders that are perfect for holding sippy cups and snacks (and bonus points for how easy they are to clean). This car seat has a unique feature that accommodates growing kids — a retractable panel provides five extra inches of legroom, making it safer for taller infants and toddlers to ride in a rear-facing position.

The Details: Weighs 19 pounds; holds up to 65 pounds | 24.5 x 20.75 x 19 inches | Rear and forward modes | Latch

Most Comfortable

Safety 1st grow and go lx convertible car seat.

  • Ease of Installation 4 /5

You can use the footrest in both rear- and forward-facing positions.

 It is a bit tricky to install.

Looking for a car seat to keep your little one comfortable during long road trips? This one scored perfect ratings in almost all categories thanks to its easy use, design, durability, and overall value. Its size is generous (so it may not be a great fit for compact vehicles) and provides ample space for kids to grow into without compromising on padding and safety.

Safety 1st updated this model with a footrest that really impressed us because you can use it in rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster positions so your child's feet will not dangle for hours. We also love that the removable cups are dishwasher-safe and come with convenient lids to prevent messes (but in any case, the cover is removable and machine-washable). The car seat we tested still looks new, and the fabric seems spill-resistant.

The Details: Weighs 20 pounds; holds up to 100 pounds | 23.5 x 19 x 25 inches | Rear, forward, and booster modes | Latch and belt

Best for Multiple Age Groups

Graco 3-in-1 rotating car seat.

It is super easy to install and accommodates various age groups.

This rotating car seat works better in larger cars and may be a tight squeeze in smaller vehicles.

Your child should be all set for years to come with Graco's convertible car seat, which accommodates children up to 100 pounds. It rotates in a rear-facing position so you can get your baby in and out of it more easily. As for securing your child, the buckles are extremely easy to use, and the straps stay in sync — meaning that if you loosen one, the other will loosen automatically, too. And with four reclining positions, your child will be comfortable whether they are taking a nap, eating a snack, or playing.

We tested this car seat in a mid-size SUV, and it left plenty of reclining space for the seat in front. However, if you install it in a smaller vehicle, it might be a much tighter situation. And speaking of the installation, it only took us 17 minutes to read the instructions, watch the YouTube video, and install it. Finally, this seat grows with your child as it can accommodate kids weighing from four to 100 pounds. 

The Details: Weighs 30 pounds; holds up to 100 pounds | 19.1 x 24.4 x 20.8 inches | Rear, forward, and booster modes | Latch

Easiest Installation

Britax emblem 3-stage convertible car seat.

  • Design 4.5 /5
  • Safety 4 /5
  • Value 4.5 /5

This no-fuss car seat is quick to install, and it only weighs 19 pounds.

There are no extra features such as cup holders or sensors.

If you're in the market for a no-fuss, easy-to-use car seat, this is it. Installation is standard (although you will still have to read the instructions to do it), and once you've practiced a couple of times, you will be able to install it pretty fast in any vehicle. We tested it in a sedan and an SUV, and it fits well in both (although the SUV was a slightly better fit). Thanks to the excellent design, using it is a breeze. Buckling your child, adjusting the harness, and reclining is intuitive and stress-free, which is exactly what you need when you're on the road. And while it may not have many bells and whistles, it provides excellent padding, and the fabric is soft and pillowy without feeling scratchy. 

The Details: Weighs 19.5 pounds; holds up to 65 pounds | 21 x 18.3 x 26 inches | Rear and forward modes | Latch

Other Car Seats We Liked

We tested so many car seats that we think there are a few more worth mentioning, although we didn't love them quite as much as the others on our main list.

Baby Jogger City Sights Travel System: This stroller and car seat combo is a good option for parents looking for a two-in-one. The stroller is easy to maneuver and collapses into a pretty compact and travel-friendly size. The car seat has a weight capacity of 35 pounds, so it can only be used in a rear-facing position.

Nuna Rava Convertible Car Seat : This rear-facing car seat can accommodate children up to 50 pounds, which is impressive (however, keep in mind that the seat itself is almost 28 pounds). The straps and the buckles are very easy to use and don't get in the way when you place your child in and out of the seat.

We used results from three real-world tests in which we reviewed convertible car seats, rotating convertible car seats, and car seat stroller combos to find our favorite travel-friendly options. We sorted through feedback from 57 car seats we tested, looking at weight, size, and performance. Each car seat on our list was rated on a scale from one to five according to its performance in multiple categories, including ease of installation, ease of use, design, features, safety, value, and more.

We also consulted Ben Hoffman, MD, a pediatrician and nationally recognized expert in child injury prevention and education, to ensure the safety of the products we chose for real-life tests. In addition, every car seat meets the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) standards.

Tips for Buying a Travel Car Seat

Look for portability.

Portability is one of the major factors differentiating a standard car seat from one you'll mostly use while traveling. Consider its weight and size: opt for lighter and more compact car seats that you can carry without compromising safety features. Some car seats fold or feature collapsible stroller wheels — all features that come in handy when you're on the road or in transit. 

Consider ease of installation

When you're just getting off a long-haul flight and need to get in the car and drive for hours, the last thing you want is to waste time installing a car seat. That's why your travel car seat should be simple to install and use. Check if the vehicle you are setting it up in accommodates a latch or belt car seat, and make sure that yours can comfortably fit in the back seat of whatever size car you may be renting. Then, read through the installation instructions or watch the video, and make sure you don't need another adult to help you safely install it. 

Pay attention to your child's weight and height

Every car seat has strict weight and height limits to ensure your child's safety. Some might also have age restrictions, but they are not as important as children are different and grow at their own pace.Make sure you weigh and measure your child before purchasing a travel car seat. The good thing about convertible car seats is that you can use them in both rear- and forward-facing positions as your child grows so you don't have to invest in a new car seat every few years.

Some car seats come with travel bags with handles to make carrying easier. If yours doesn't have one, you can probably purchase it from the maker's website or find one that accommodates its size on Amazon. Certain bags even feature wheels to roll the car seat through the airport. If your car seat is oversized, you will be asked to check it in at the airport, so it's essential to place it in a protective bag and inspect it for damage as soon as you get it back.

Yes, but you must first ensure the car seat is FAA-approved (it will say so on the car seat). In fact, while using a car seat on a plane is not required, the FAA recommends it to ensure your little one's safety in case of turbulence, for example. If traveling on an international airline outside the U.S., check with that airline's policies, size limitations, and guidelines before your trip, as some international airlines do not allow car seats on board. Usually, using a booster seat during a flight is not an issue with airlines, and it doesn't count toward your carry-on luggage allowance.

The short answer is yes. Airlines will usually check in a car seat, stroller, or a child restraint system for free (one per child). However, the tricky part is that if you're not traveling with a child, you might have to pay to check in the car seat, so in this case, it's always best to contact the airline before your trip.

Most car rental companies offer car seats as an add-on for a fee, so if you don't want to invest in one or carry it with you, you can always rent one. U.S. car rental companies must offer car seats that comply with state and federal laws. However, if you're traveling internationally, the risk is that you don't know if the car seat has been stored and cleaned properly or if it’s ever been in an accident. It also means you have to install it yourself, which can be challenging and time-consuming if you're unfamiliar with that particular brand or car seat model. 

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, Dobrina Zhekova worked with T+L editors to round up the safest and most comfortable travel car seats for kids of all ages from real-world tests. As a mother, she has also tested several car seats in the past five years and has extensive knowledge of airline policies and regulations about traveling with car seats. She also referenced customer reviews and expert recommendations in this article.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter , and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

portable travel harness

liuliuby final without tagline.png

Dine out with baby anywhere, anytime!

This compact, easy to use, lightweight portable high chair is perfect to take along when eating on the go. Simply unfold and strap onto almost any dining chair. Assembly is super quick – just adjust the straps to accommodate the chair and the child and voila!

The 5 point harness is height adjustable and accommodates babies 6 months and up. It is nicely padded to ensure that baby is seated comfortably, and additional side loops at the waist ensure that smaller babies are extra secure. It also contains anti-slip pads along the top strap to keep the high chair in place.

The best part? There’s no need to worry about messes post dining – just throw it in the washing machine after mealtime is done!

Travel Harness Seat

Product info.

  • Accommodates babies 6 months and up (must be able to sit up unassisted)
  • 2 seat straps and 1 waist strap
  • Padded for baby’s comfort
  • Anti-slip pads along the top seat strap prevents it from sliding/shifting
  • 3 level-height adjustable harness
  • Side loops to provide extra security for smaller babies
  • Velcro closure strap for quick access
  • Machine Washable
  • 100% Polyester

RETURN AND REFUND POLICY

  • 30-day free return for a full refund

Travel Car Seat Mom

Want a folding car seat for travel? Here are your best choices by age (2023 reviews)

Want to get more personal advice? Join our  new Facebook group !

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This article about folding car seats for travel is written by certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Melissa Conn and may contain affiliate links.

The car seat game is changing quickly these days. Child safety seats for use at home are getting bigger and beefier with every new generation – steel frames, massive headwings, and extremely high weight and height limits.

But on the other end, there’s a new set of folding car seats for travel that are changing how families explore the world. Gone are the days when you had no choice but to stay within the confines of the US and Europe lest you risk your child’s safety on crazy roads (there are still places like that, for the record). No, in 2023 you have options .

folding car seat for travel: young girl in foreground in Ride Safer travel vest, young boy in background sitting on Bubblebum inflatable booster seat

There are some amazing foldable car seats for travel and car seat alternatives that will take you around the world and back again without breaking a sweat. Especially once your child is a mature enough, there’s now an entire ecosystem of foldable booster seat choices for you!

In this article will share our top picks for folding travel car seats at each stage, including the advantages and disadvantages of each. You’ll also learn what to consider when you’re choosing the right portable car seat for travel with your family.

Quick picks: which folding car seat for travel is right for you?

Read more: 10 things you NEED to know before flying with your car seat

How to choose a foldable car seat for travel

What should you look for in a collapsible car seat? In reality, you don’t have nearly the same choices as you do in more “traditional” car seats.

The most important feature to look at is what stage the car seat is and how that matches up with your child’s age and size. After all, it’s not safe to put a 2 or 3 year old on a backless booster no matter how convenient! Likewise, your 6 year old who still sleeps in the car might not fit into the folding car seat with a 5 point harness option.

Since this article is all about folding car seats, portability is the name of the game! You want a car seat that folds small enough to take out for the day so that you have it when you need it. So some of the options on this list may not be the lightest in their classes, but they’re the best for putting in the overhead bin of an airplane or toting around the city.

In the picture at the beginning of this article, you can see how our family rocks folding travel car seats (and car seat alternatives). That photo was taken at the beginning of our family’s gap year – we needed to travel extremely light while keeping our kids as safe as possible. We’re fortunate to live in an era when we could make that happen!

Reviewing the best foldable travel car seat options

Doona infant car seat stroller review.

*Ideal for birth to age 1-1.5 years old

portable travel harness

Key stats: -Weight 16.5lbs -Rear-facing size limits: 4-35lbs, up to 32”

Pros: ✔ Integrated car seat/stroller ✔ Several installation options ✔ Car seat handle doubles as anti-rebound bar

Cons: ✘ High price ✘ Heavy ✘ Need to buy a new car seat and travel stroller when it’s outgrown

Do you want the Swiss Army knife of baby travel gear? You’ll find it in the Doona infant car seat stroller , one of the coolest baby products I’ve ever seen. In just a matter of seconds your very capable infant car seat deploys its own wheels and converts into a perfectly serviceable baby-friendly stroller! I’ve had the opportunity to play around with it in person (though it was released after our youngest was born) and I definitely let out a few “WOW”s during my test drive.

This is the perfect foldable baby car seat for families who live in or travel to big cities and need to hop in and out of taxis. You’ll never have to worry about your baby being safe on the road, but you also won’t have to wonder what to do with your car seat while you hit a museum or go into a store.

Likewise, a foldable car seat stroller is an easier solution than a two-piece travel system that has to be separated and stored in the car trunk. The Doona is even FAA-approved and you can just wheel is straight down the airplane aisle. (While this isn’t truly a “foldable” car seat for a 1 year old, it’s the closest option out there – not including the extremely unsafe unapproved knock-off contraptions you’ll find online).

So why wouldn’t every family put this foldable carseat on their baby registry ? There are three downsides to consider with the Doona, and it’s up to you how important they are.

First, it’s heavy compared to other infant car seats. The official Doona weight listing is 14lbs (some reviewers say it’s more like 16lbs). Most infant carriers weigh more like 10lbs, but of course they don’t have a whole stroller built in. If you prefer a lightweight infant car seat, you’ll find great options here .

Second, it ain’t cheap . The price tag may make it a non-starter for many families, though once you add the cost of a well-respected infant car seat and a car seat stroller frame the sticker shock might subside a little.

Third, once your baby outgrows the Doona as a car seat around 1 year old you’ll be on the hook to buy a new car seat and a new stroller. Obviously that’s a tough nut to swallow financially. But many families find that the stroller they love for the newborn and infant stage just isn’t ideal for the toddler stage and they wind up wanting a new stroller anyway. Especially if you’re focusing on lightweight, travel friendly products you’ll find that many of the best ultralight strollers aren’t ideal until at least 6-12 months anyway.

All those cons aside, the Doona really is an incredible option for families who want to travel extensively with a young baby. It’s the only collapsible car seat that rear faces to keep the littlest travelers safe!

Evenflo Shyft DualRide review

*Ideal for preemie to age 1.5 years old

Shyft DualRide with Carryall Storage Infant Car Seat and Stroller Combo

Key stats: -Weight 8-9lbs without wheels, ~19lbs with wheels -Rear-facing size limits: 3-35lbs, up to 32”

Pros: ✔ Integrated car seat/stroller ✔ Several installation options ✔ Approved down to 3lbs ✔ Option to leave the wheels in the car if you want to carry the car seat alone ✔ Tensioning panel on base for easy seatbelt installation ✔ Anti-rebound panel on base ✔ Approved in Canada

Cons: ✘ High price ✘ Requires 1.5″ between car seat and front seats if not installing in the center ✘ Can’t be used with other strollers ✘ Need to buy a new car seat and travel stroller when it’s outgrown

The Evenflo Shyft DualRide integrated infant car seat/stroller is brand new for 2023. If it looks similar to the Doona above, that’s because it is. But the Evenflo has a few nifty tricks up its sleeve that are worth mentioning.

First, the Evenflo Shyft DualRide is approved for newborns as small as 3 pounds (just like most Evenflo infant car seats). No one outside of Evenflo has gotten to test one out with such a tiny baby so we’ll need to see how the fit is for preemies in the real world – sometimes the beefy headrests of no-rethread harnesses like this one can be challenging for newborn head positioning. Hopefully the fit will be just as good as it is with this excellent preemie car seat .

On the other end, many kids can use it until 15-18 months thanks to the extended headrest. It’s a very convenient option for travel with toddlers!

Second, while the Doona always brings its wheels (and their weight) the Evenflo Shyft DualRide can leave the wheels behind on the car seat base or at home if you don’t anticipate needing them. That brings the weight of the car seat itself down to just 8-9 pounds – in line with many other car seats on the market. But it’s nice to have the flexibility to use the wheels when you want them and leave them behind when you don’t.

Third, the base has an integrated anti-rebound panel to help manage crash energy and a tensioning arm for easy seatbelt installation. You still need to lock the seatbelt when you install – always read your manual – but you don’t have to worry about putting much force into installing it.

Shyft DualRide with Carryall Storage Infant Car Seat and Stroller Combo

As with all products, the Shyft DualRide isn’t perfect. For starters, the Evenflo Shyft DualRide is not compatible with any of the company’s strollers. That’s a bummer since many parents with an older child might like the flexibility to sometimes use the car seat with the Evenflo Pivot Xpand single-to-double stroller .

Like all Evenflo car seats, the manufacturer wants 1.5″ of clearance between the car seat and the vehicle seat in front of it. Practically speaking this rules it out for some compact cars unless you will always install it in the center seat (where the rule doesn’t apply). Keep that in mind if you’re planning on installing it by the window so that you can install another car seat on the other side!

The 10lb weight of the wheel assembly is surprisingly high. Families already sometimes complain that the Doona is too heavy, and the Evenflo car seat stroller combo is even heaver; the trade-off, of course, is that if you plan to hand carry it you can leave the wheels behind… unless you’re traveling and taking a taxi followed by a lovely walk over cobblestones.

Moment of truth here: I’m also surprised by the price point of the Evenflo Shyft DualRide. There are several versions with slightly different features/accessories and they range from $500-600. Thankfully you can get a discount when you buy direct and sign up for the email list, and Evenflo runs frequent sales as well. There’s also a slightly less expensive Walmart version , which lacks the carry-all bag and leather accents.

It’s great to see more innovation in this space, and finally a competitor to the Doona. The Evenflo Shyft DualRide has a lot going for it and will definitely be a contender for car-free city dwellers and travelers alike!

Read next: Best portable car seats for a 1 year old

Wayb Pico review

*Ideal for ages 2-5

portable travel harness

Key stats: -Weight 8lbs -Max harness height 16.5″ -Forward-facing size limits: 22-50lbs, 30-45″, recommended 2+ years old minimum

Pros: ✔ Compact ✔ Easy to install ✔ Keeps kids harnessed ✔ FAA-approved to use on flights ✔ Can install without top tether ✔ Narrowest car seat on the market

Cons: ✘ High price ✘ Low height limit ✘ Crotch strap too short for some kids ✘ Top tether strap too short for some cars (can request an extension)

One of the coolest kid travel products we’ve seen in a loooong time is the new Wayb Pico collapsible car seat. It was hard to miss as they plastered their Indiegogo campaign all over Facebook in 2018! The promise? An ultra-light, ultra-compact folding car seat with 5-point harness. Families would be able to travel with world with this foldable toddler car seat without compromising safety.

In many ways their promise has come true. For certain families the Pico is the perfect solution to a really tough question of what to do when they need a travel 5-point harness, while for others it isn’t quite the right fit. Read our in-depth expert Wayb Pico review here .

I’ll start with the advantages: the Wayb Pico is small and easy to use. The weight is about the same as the Cosco Scenera Next, but the genius is in how small it folds up (and even packs into its own backpack!) so that you can lug it around and have it when you need it for spur-of-the-moment taxi rides.

The Wayb Pico is by far the best foldable car seat for a 3 year old if you plan on lots of international travel. Why? The concept of a folding forward-facing harnessed car seat isn’t new. They’ve actually been made for years , including the current car seat used by Uber Family . The downside of prior seats is that they required use of a top tether. Without it, the seats don’t stay upright! If you’re traveling within the US, Canada or Western Europe that’s no problem.

But if you plan to venture outside those areas you may have an extremely hard time using those car seats. We’ve encountered so many cars in South America, Morocco, Thailand and more that don’t have top tethers – rendering a fold up car seat like the IMMI Go completely useless. While you’d ideally use the top tether all the time with the Wayb Pico , at least you have the option to use it without the top tether if absolutely necessary.

Because it doesn’t require a top tether, the Wayb Pico is also the only foldable car seat for airplane use. Your kids can even fully use the tray table, unlike most forward-facing travel car seats, since it’s so low-profile.

The major disadvantage of the Wayb Pico foldable child car seat is that the 45″ upper height limit and 16.5″ harness slots aren’t high enough for some families. Many kids will outgrow it around 5-5.5 years old, though if you’re buying it at 2 or 3 years old that’s a few years of good usage (and more if you can pass it down to a younger sibling). If you’re a family that prioritizes extended rear-facing and then you want an extended forward-facing harness, this isn’t the car seat for you! But if you’ll be doing a ton of traveling with a 2 or 3 year old (like our family gap year) then the Wayb Pico fold up travel car seat is the best option to keep your kid safe without lugging a full-size model. On the small end, the Pico is approved for kids at least 1 year old – but that’s not recommended, and in some places (like California and New York) it’s not even legal.

Finally, the price tag of the Pico may be tough for some families to swallow for a portable car seat for 3 year old. Of course, some families opt to use it at home too though it doesn’t offer the same creature comforts as typical forward facing car seats.

Is the Wayb Pico right for everyone? Maybe not. But if your family is going on an extended trip or relying on lots of taxis in your daily life and a folding travel car seat is on your must-have list, give the Wayb Pico a serious look once it’s available again.

Read next: Best travel car seats for a 2 year old

Ride Safer Travel Vest review

*Ideal for ages 3.5-6

portable travel harness

Key stats: -Weight 2lbs -Size small: minimum age 3, fits best for 30+ lbs and 35-47″ -Size large: minimum age 4, fits best for 50+ lbs and 45-57″

Pros: ✔ Rolls up to the size of a 2L soda bottle ✔ Perfect for taxi rides ✔ Lowers seat belt to provide an appropriate fit for young children ✔ Keeps kids properly seated better than a traditional booster seat – even when sleeping ✔ Easy to fit 3-across since it’s only as wide as the child ✔ 5 year expiration

Cons: ✘ No side impact protection like a highback booster seat ✘ Takes practice to get belt fit right ✘ NOT permitted for use on planes

Several years ago the kind folks at Safe Ride 4 Kids sent us a Ride Safer Delight travel vest to review, and it hasn’t left our travel kit since. The Ride Safer travel vest (“Delight” has been dropped with the latest Ride Safer travel vest Gen 5 release) is completely different than the travel car seats above.

You could say that the Ride Safer travel vest is sort of in between a booster seat and a traditional forward-facing car seat. It relies on the car’s seat belt to handle most of the restraint, but also has an optional-but-pease-use-it-always top tether that minimizes head movement in an accident and keeps your child in the correct position even if they fall asleep (or drop a toy). While we won’t put our youngest child in a booster seat yet since she’s a car sleeper – especially when jet-lagged – we’re comfortable with her riding in the Ride Safer vest.

So comfortable, in fact, that we brought our Ride Safer vest on our year-long trip around the world! It’s seen action on six continents and served us well the whole time. Once we practiced a few times, we got very fast at putting her in the vest and getting her secured in the car. The biggest change from the Ride Safer Delight to the Gen 5 is an easier buckle in the front, so that should help many parents.

The Ride Safer Gen 5 is rated for kids beginning at 3 years old and 30lbs, but honestly we felt that the fit was better starting at 4 years old and other parents agree with us. Fortunately size small should last most kids until 6 or even 7 thanks to the adjustable shoulder strap length. Because there’s no side impact protection, it’s a good idea to put your Ride Safer in the middle seat if it has a top tether available. Read our in-depth Ride Safer review .

For families going on extended journeys like ours who just can’t take a traditional car seat or those heading somewhere like NYC or Paris, where they’ll mostly rely on public transportation but need an occasional taxi ride, the Ride Safer travel vest is a fantastic option. It is not approved for use on an airplane, so you may want to pair it with the CARES harness ( full review here ) to use on the plane.

For a more typical trip that involves flying and then renting a car for a week or two, we sometimes opt to bring our other travel car seat . But if you’re choosing between the Ride Safer travel vest or a backless booster seat, the vest is the better choice for younger kids and/or car sleepers .

While we generally think of the Ride Safer as one of the travel car seat alternatives, we also use it at home often. I keep it in my trunk at all times so that we can fit 3-across in our car for those unexpected carpools or for when Grandma comes for a visit! Since the vest is as narrow as the child in it, there’s no trouble fitting it between two big car seats in our compact SUV.

Read next: Best travel car seats for a 3 year old Best travel car seats for a 4 year old

portable travel harness

Key stats: -Weight 10lbs -Highback booster size limit 4yo, 40-100lbs, 40-59″ -Belt guide 14-20″

Pros: ✔ Tons of size adjustments for great fit ✔ Folds down small ✔ Legal to use everywhere except Australia (in progress) ✔ Extremely narrow ✔ 7 year expiration

Cons: ✘ Expensive if you will only use for a few years ✘ No cup holders included ✘ Bigger than some of the other travel-specific car seats

Bubblebum booster seat review

*Ideal for ages 5+

portable travel harness

Key stats: -Weight under 1 lbs ( really! ) -Backless booster size limit 40-100lbs, age 4+

Pros: ✔ Lightest booster seat ✔ Extremely narrow ✔ Good seatbelt fit in lots of cars

Cons: ✘ Can slide around if kids are wiggly ✘ 4 year expiration (from first use)

The best backless booster seat for travel is one with which we’re extremely familiar: the Bubblebum inflatable booster seat . We traveled full-time with this booster seat for the better part of two years. It’s my favorite folding travel booster seat!

The Bubblebum is a pretty amazing collapsible booster seat. It weighs about one pound and deflates/rolls to the size of a soda bottle. Setting it up takes just a few seconds, and there’s even a shoulder belt guide to give a great fit for kids of different sizes in all different vehicles.

Read more: My in-depth Bubblebum review

If you’re a family with a mature kid who doesn’t sleep in the car the Bubblebum gives you the paragon of portability. It’s the perfect option for taking around on days in a city when you think you might hop in a taxi to get home at night or if you’re taking lots of planes and trains for an extended trip.

The Bubblebum is so light that it may shift if your kid is very wiggly. But if your kid is very wiggly, they may not be ready for a backless booster yet. In that case, I’d go with the RideSafer travel vest for an ultra-portable option or the hifold folding booster seat . We also had an issue with one of our Bubblebums deflating after we left it inflated in a hot car for a month (oops!); we reached out to customer service and they sent us a whole new one for just the $7 shipping charge!

We started using this booster seat at 6 years old, and we think that’s about right. But it’s approved for 4 years old/40lbs and there are plenty of 5 year olds who can use it successfully, especially if your drives are short. This is a judgement call for each family and also depends on the specifics of your travels.

Read next: Best travel car seats for a 6 year old and best travel booster seat

hiccapop Uberboost booster seat review

*Ideal for ages 7+

portable travel harness

Key stats: -Weight 1.25 lbs -Backless booster size limit 40-110lbs and 38-62″

Pros: ✔ Extremely light and compact ✔ Very narrow ✔ More stable than other ultra-portable booster seats

Cons: ✘ Frustrating shoulder belt adjuster clip

If you like the idea of an inflatable booster seat for travel, there’s a new option to consider these days. The newish hiccapop Uberboost follows the same basic concept as the Bubblebum but with a few pros and cons.

Read more: My in-depth hiccapop Uberboos t review

The hiccapop packs down slightly smaller than the Bubblebum but inflates to offer a larger seating seating area. Score! It also has a grippy layer on the bottom to prevent it from sliding around.

The biggest downside for us is that our leggy 48″ rider needs the shoulder adjuster clip in most seating positions but finds it very uncomfortable. The clip is much bulkier than on our other travel booster seats.

If your child is 48″+ or has a longer torso, you might be able to avoid using the clip – just be sure that the shoulder belt makes nice, complete contact with the middle of the collar bone. In that case the hiccapop Uberboost is a great choice for a traveling booster seat. For a smaller child, I’d stick with the Bubblebum for now.

Graco RightGuide

portable travel harness

Key stats: -Weight 2 lbs -Backless booster size limit 50-120lbs, 43-60″, age 5+

Pros: ✔ Extremely light booster seat ✔ Very compact booster seat when folded ✔ Narrow option for 3-across with big kids ✔ Inconspicuous option for tweens ✔ 10 year expiration

Cons: ✘ Belt guide may not stay in place securely ✘ Incompatible with some seatbelt designs

If you have a big kid or tween who’s approaching readiness for the adult seatbelt (usually 10-12 years old) but not quite there, check out the Graco RightGuide . It’s ultra low profile and easy to throw in a backpack or clip to the outside of a carry-on suitcase. It does require that kids be at least 5 years old, 43″ and 50lbs – a weight many kids don’t achieve until they’re around 7 or even older.

The RightGuide offers a wonderful seatbelt fit even for kids at the bottom of the stated size range. It can be problematic with certain types of seatbelts, so be sure to read my Graco RightGuide review to know what you need to look out for.

portable travel harness

Foldable Car Seat for Travel FAQs

Yes. All car seats sold in the US have to pass the same Federal testing. The most important factors in keeping your child safe in the car are choosing an age-appropriate car seat for and using it correctly 100% of the time.

The best car seat for traveling is the one that fits your child properly and that you’ll use every time you’re in the car. Check this list to find the best choices by age.

Need more ideas? Check out the best travel car seats for every age

What’s your favorite folding car seat for travel? Tell us in the comments below!

2 thoughts on “Want a folding car seat for travel? Here are your best choices by age (2023 reviews)”

Hi! I am just trying to clarify- can the WayB Pico car seat be used on international flights that don’t adhere to FAA regulations? Has anyone done this or had a problem? Specifically I am most concerned with TAP Portugal. Do they allow? Thanks!

TAP allows a car seat for children up to 5 years old as long as it’s FAA-approved (which WAYB is) and the bottom of the seat is physically small enough (which WAYB’s is as well).

Safe travels,

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7 Best Portable Car Seats for Babies, Toddlers and Big Kids

We prioritized lightweight car seats for travel by plane, rental car and rideshare.

7 best portable car seats for traveling with the whole family

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Our top picks:

Car Seat Stroller

Best Overall Portable Infant Car Seat

Doona car seat stroller.

TurboBooster 2.0

Best Value Portable Booster Seat

Graco turbobooster 2.0.

Scenera NEXT

Best Portable Convertible Car Seat

Cosco scenera next.

Viaggio Flex 120

Best Portable Foldable Booster Seat

Peg perego viaggio flex 120.

4Ever DLX

Best Portable All-in-One Car Seat

Graco 4ever dlx.

Pico Travel Car Seat

Best Lightweight Portable Car Seat

Wayb pico travel car seat.

PIPA urbn + TRVL Stroller

Best Portable Travel System for Babies

Nuna pipa urbn + trvl stroller.

Aside from requiring a lot more gear, traveling with kids can be quite stressful, and in between packing your luggage and investing in a travel stroller , there's little mental energy for anything else. Fortunately our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting Lab have been testing car seats for decades, including the best convertible car seats and the best booster seats . We test based on safety features, functionality, ease of use and value. Our picks are based on tests done in-Lab by our experts, evaluations from our consumer testers and extensive research.

Head to the end of this guide to find more information on how we test, whether or not you should use a car seat on a plane, what to look for when shopping for the best portable car seats and more. Looking for more to make traveling with kids as easy as possible? Check out our favorite outdoor-ready stroller wagons , good diaper bags and the winners of our Family Travel Awards .

The Doona car seat is our pick for the best overall car seat and stroller combo and it's one of our past Parenting Award winners. A dedicated fan following backs it up; see its more than 12,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. The Doona makes it easy to switch between car seat and stroller mode in seconds even with your baby strapped inside. In short, you don't need a separate infant car seat and a stroller, because this is both.

"It's the easiest stroller to maneuver through airport security and around an airport terminal," says one tester who's a mom of two young kids. It goes into a rideshare vehicle using the seat belt (no stroller to put in the trunk!). It's also FAA-approved for use in an airplane cabin and fits on most economy airplane seats, which are often about 17 inches wide.

Rachel Rothman , the Good Housekeeping Institute's former Chief Technologist and a mom of three, is a fan of this for travel. But it's important to note that, as well as being pricey, the Doona is only for rear-facing use and for toddlers up to 35 pounds. Toddlers outgrow it typically at age 2. But if you'll travel a lot in those first two years — even if it's just catching Ubers around town — you'll be grateful for the Doona.

Big kids need a bit of help ensuring that the seatbelt is hitting their body just right, so this backless booster gives them that extra height. It's also exceptionally small, lightweight and easy to travel with; you might even keep several in your car's trunk for when you're carpooling other kids.

Because it's backless, it doesn't offer as much support as a highback booster (for that, see the Peg Perego on this list). It is okayed for ages 4 and up as long as they weigh at least 40 pounds and could be great for a quick trip when you don't want to lug something large. This fits into a tote bag!

With its two hideaway cupholders, machine-washable seat cushions and padded armrests, this tucks a lot of features into a (really!) affordable seat. It's no surprise that it has more than 59,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. While it isn't airline approved — all booster seats require a shoulder belt, which you won't find on an airplane — its compact size makes it incredibly simple to slide into your overhead bin to later use in taxis, Ubers or other vehicles once you get to your destination.

For a little more money there's a TurboBooster LX version that works with LATCH; nice if you'll be keeping this in one car for a length of time.

Got enough to carry already? At 10 pounds, this is the best lightweight convertible car seat for traveling and it won't break the bank. Five harness heights and three buckle locations help customize the seat to your baby or toddler's size, though it's the kind of harness you have to rethread each time you need to change it.

The Scenera can be installed rear-facing for babies and toddlers and forward-facing for preschoolers up to 40 pounds but lacks the cushioning and other comforts, like a recline mechanism, we've come to enjoy in an everyday toddler car seat . Still, with its deep bucket seat, this will keep your tiny passenger comfy enough and car seat compliant when you're traveling and in and out of other people's vehicles. It's especially great as a rear-facing travel option for 2- and 3-year-olds who have outgrown an infant car seat.

You can remove both the cupholder and seat pad for washing. The seat pad can even go in the dryer. The brand claims that three of these seats fit across a back seat and our tests were able to validate that in certain vehicles. It can be installed with the LATCH system or a seatbelt. It's approved for airplane seats and like our best overall pick it fits on most economy seats.

Kids who are at least age 4 and who weigh 40 pounds or more will appreciate the comfort of this belt-positioning booster seat just as much as parents will appreciate its ability to fold down to a fraction of its size.

The Flex 120 has an exceptionally large weight range, functioning for kids up to — you guessed it — 120 pounds. While it's a bit pricier than some other booster options, its ability to compact down makes it perfect for folding up and storing in a bag that you can then gate-check, or even fit into the overhead bin while in-flight. Note that no belt-positioning booster is certified for use in an airplane cabin because they're meant to be used with a car's shoulder belt, not an airplane lap belt. The big kids who fit this are good to use the airplane belt anyway! This is perfect for use in a rideshare, taxi or a far-off relative's vehicle when you land.

Customize this booster to your child by adjusting the headrest, upper backrest, side wings and seat. In addition to being an easy portable car seat, this is another great choice for grandparents or other caregivers who only occasionally drive big kids around because it so easily fits into a car's trunk when not in use.

This is larger and heavier than any of our other choices. However, this is the most portable all-in-one car seat that grows with your little one from a rear-facing infant car seat to a backless booster, from 4 to 120 pounds .

Its versatility means that it may be the only car seat you ever have to buy, and if you travel infrequently, you could manage to tote this on a few trips and avoid buying something separate just for travel. It is certified to work on an airplane seat with the harness (so, up to 65 pounds), but it's about 3 inches wider than many economy airplane seats so the fit isn't great; one Reddit user said they put it in the window seat and then just accepted squeezing themselves into the middle-seat position.

While testing, we appreciated how easy this car seat was to install and use, making it pretty difficult to mess up due to user error. We also love how highly adjustable it is, with a six-position recline and a no-rethread harness with 10 possible heights. The easy-to-remove washable seat pads make it simple to clean up after your little one. If you're taking it with you into a rideshare and can't use the LATCH installation system, there's an integrated belt lock off on the back of the seat that helps make seat belt installation as simple as possible.

This is a pricey option that has a fan following with frequent travelers who travel with a preschooler. It folds down into its own carrying case, which can be worn as a backpack, so you can easily get it through the airport and store it in a hotel. It's got a five-point harness and is meant for kids up to 50 pounds. The brand says it's for kids as young as 2 but because rear-facing is safest and this only faces forward, we would not recommend using it for a child until they are at least age 3, preferably 4.

The Pico does not have side-impact protection and other safety features we want on an everyday car seat, but for travel we agree that this has portability appeal. It also gets knocked in reviews for not being comfortable for long car rides if your child likes to nap, but again, we're putting it on this list for on-the-go families who are in "something is better than nothing" mode, even for short train, bus or van rides.

Our experts appreciate how lightweight this seat is (8 pounds), and that it easily fits even on the smallest economy airplane seat (it's FAA-approved). The seat can either be installed using the LATCH system or the seatbelt in a car or airplane.

If you're a city family that doesn't even own a car, there's a big reason to love the PIPA portable infant car seat: It's built to be installed without a base and is exceptionally easy to move between vehicles, including rideshares like Uber.

It's got a built-in rigid LATCH system or alternatively you can use the back seat seatbelt. Plus, the PIPA urbn only weighs 7 pounds, making it one of the lightest infant car seats we know of and an easy one to carry from place to place. The stroller, too, is lightweight at just under 14 pounds and can be folded down using just one hand. The car seat is built to ride on top of the stroller, for instance to get them both through an airport, and we named it our favorite lightweight travel system .

The infant car seat does not have a high weight limit, however. Your baby will outgrow it when they hit 22 pounds or are 29 inches tall, whichever comes first. For some that can mean by their first birthday. But the stroller will stay useful through the preschool years since it has a weight limit of 50 pounds. The car seat is airline-approved and will fit on most economy cabin seats.

How we test the best portable car seats

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The Good Housekeeping Institute's engineering and parenting pros have reviewed dozens of car seats over the past five years, including portable car seats . Our Lab experts work with parents to test these car seats on a variety of vehicles of different brands and sizes to ensure that you can find the right car seat for your family.

Each car seat we consider has passed Federal Safety Standards. We perform tests both in the Lab and at home to evaluate each product's safety, ease of installation, stability, ease of adjustments, stroller compatibility and portability. To accomplish this, we set up each car seat in a variety of vehicles and strollers. We evaluate how easy it is to secure the harness as well as how difficult it is to install the car seats. For portable car seats we pay special attention to whether they can be installed without a LATCH system and to whether they are approved for use in an airplane cabin.

What to look for when shopping for a portable car seat

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Whether you're going on a trip or often take your child places in a rideshare vehicle, if you need a portable car seat you should consider these things:

✔️ Height and weight limits : All car seats come with minimum and maximum height and weight specifications. To ensure proper seatbelt placement and optimal security, make sure your child fits within those ranges. Once they meet the maximum in either height or weight, it's time to switch. If you have an adjustable car seat that transitions to a booster look at the labels on the car seat, check the user manual or contact the manufacturer so you know when it's time to switch modes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can help you determine the right kind of car seat for your child based on their age, weight and height. That will help you figure out if you can use an infant car seat or if you need a convertible car seat and if you're ready to move on to a booster car seat for travel.

✔️ Weight : The lightest car seats are often the most portable. We get especially excited when we find any that are less than 15 pounds, though a few on our list are heavier than that.

✔️ Easy cleaning : Regardless of age, spills happen. Luckily, like many other car seats, most portable seats offer removable machine-washable seat covers and padding.

✔️ Design : Traditional car seats have a ton of padding, robust side-impact protection and extra features that are important for everyday but might be overkill for short trips. The best design for a portable car seat is a slim, streamlined one.

✔️ Ease of installation : Since you will be re-installing the car seat each time you put it in a new car or aircraft, it's important to find a car seat that is so easy to install it won't take more than a few minutes. The easiest car seats for traveling can be installed without a car seat base.

✔️ State laws : Before you bring your car seat across state lines, check state laws to be sure you'll be compliant. Often children through age 7 must be in a child-restraint seat. But if you're heading to Florida for Disney World, the laws there only apply to children through age 5.

Should you bring a car seat on the plane?

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While it is not mandatory to strap your little one into a car seat on an airplane, many parents opt to do so since it can be both a safer and more comfortable for everyone . It's recommended to do so for children under age 2 by the FAA and AAP. Note: For your child to ride in a car seat, you'll need to buy them their own plane ticket so they're guaranteed to have the space. If your baby under age 2 is flying as a free "lap baby" you are not guaranteed space for your car seat.

Before you bring a car seat onboard, check that it has an FAA-approved sticker. It's also a good idea to bring along your car seat manual to help ensure that you're properly installing the seat on the aircraft. There are helpful videos on YouTube, too, that show how to buckle a car seat in with a lap belt. (This one from the FAA shows how to install a forward-facing car seat on a plane .) Watch some before your trip!

The average airline seat is about 17 inches wide and measures 30 inches from the back of the seat to the seat in front of you — but size can vary depending on which airline you are flying. Because of this, it's best to pick a narrow, compact car seat. Infant car seats fit better than most convertible car seats, though we find that the Cosco choice on our list generally fits well.

For those who are traveling with a car seat who don't plan to use it while on the plane, many airlines will check the car seat or booster seat for free at the check-in desk or at the gate. It might be a good idea to purchase a travel bag to fit it in, to help avoid damage.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Lab pros and journalists at the Good Housekeeping Institute provide expert reviews and advice on everything a parent needs, including portable car seats.

This article was overseen by Rachel Rothman , former Chief Technologist & Director of Engineering at the Institute, who was trained in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics. As a mom to three kids, she personally used many of the products we recommend.

In her former role as Parenting & Pets Reviews Analyst, Jamie Spain brought years of experience to the Institute and wrote the first iteration of this story. It has since been updated by contributing writer Jessica Hartshorn who has followed the car-seat market for 25 years, previously for Parents magazine and American Baby magazine. She's also a mom of two.

Headshot of Jamie Spain

Jamie (she/her) is a parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute , where she spends her time testing, researching and writing about pet and family products. Prior to starting at GH in 2021, she worked at BuzzFeed and People , covering a combination of product reviews and lifestyle content. She's a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a master’s degree in journalism.

Headshot of Jessica Hartshorn

Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents .

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    Portable Baby High Chair---Dine out with baby anywhere, anytime! ! ! The Portable Easy Seat Harness is a safe, comfy and convenient companion for on-the-go parents. You can easily take this portable high chair harness anywhere you go,This item is for baby's 6 months or older and up to 38lbs. Traveling . Restaurant . Coffee shop

  5. 11 Best Travel High Chairs for 2023

    Cons. Only good for up to 37 pounds. More than a few parents use this narrow travel high chair as their everyday high chair. It's suitable for use from six months or up to 37 pounds, and because it takes up such little room, it can be a great option for smaller spaces. The chair itself is extremely durable.

  6. The 15 Best Portable Travel High Chairs and Booster Seats

    liuliuby Travel Harness Seat. So portable it can roll up to the size of an umbrella, the liuliuby Travel Harness Seat is a functional fabric booster seat. Designed with safety in mind, this may look lightweight and unsupportive, but it incorporates a 5-point harness and comfortable straps for added reassurance and unrivaled strength and durability.

  7. Cozybaby Portable Washable Cloth Travel Easy Seat High Chair W ...

    Shop CozyBaby Portable Washable Cloth Travel Easy Seat High Chair w/ 1 Click Setup, Reinforced Harness, and Machine Washable Fabric, Charcoal Yellow at Target. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup. Free standard shipping with $35 orders. Save 5% every day with RedCard.

  8. The 8 Best Portable High Chairs of 2024

    Not suitable for all tables. If you prefer the idea of a traditional clamp-on seat, we love the Seebaby Z2 Portable Table Side Chair. Its adjustable U-type clamps allow it to be fixed to the edge of any table with a thickness of between 0.8 and 3.1 inches, with reinforced, anti-skid pads for added peace of mind.

  9. Best Portable Travel High Chairs that Meet your Baby's Needs

    The Best Portable High Chairs. 1. Liuliuby Travel Harness. This high chair is designed with a safety-first approach, using five harnesses to secure the child. Plus it is quite portable, folding into a size equivalent of a diaper. So both portability and safety are huge with this model.

  10. The 7 Best Travel High Chairs

    The best travel high chairs are easy to set up, equipped with many safety features, and, above all, portable. From booster seats to clip-on to floor chairs, travel high chairs come in a variety of styles. Regardless of the style, you'll want to look closely at its durability, weight capacity, and how easy it is to clean.

  11. 9 Best Portable High Chairs of 2024

    Amazon$20.29. This travel booster chair is easy to pack up and sling over your shoulder when you're on your way to anywhere you'll need a safe seat for your little one, and it won't cost you a ton, either. The Dreambaby booster weighs under 2.5 pounds and fits most adult chairs using the long, adjustable safety straps.

  12. Best Portable High Chairs of 2024

    Bombol Pop-Up Booster at Maisonette, $129 Jump to Review. Jump to Review. Jump to Review. Jump to Review. Best budget-friendly portable high chair. The CozyBaby Easy Seat Portable High Chair at Amazon, $29.89 Jump to Review. Best outdoor portable high chair. Summer Infant Pop 'n Dine SE Highchair at Amazon, $64.99 Jump to Review.

  13. What's the best travel booster car seat? (2024 reviews)

    Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 - age 5-10; folding highback booster seat with tons of great features ( also available here) Bubblebum - age 6-9; inflatable booster seat for mature kids who don't sleep in the car ( full review here) Cosco Rise LX - age 6-10; lightweight, affordable option. DEAL ALERT!

  14. The 5 Best Travel Car Seats of 2024

    The best infant car seat for travel. If you're a frequent traveler, the Chicco KeyFit 35 is easier than most infant car seats to install securely without its base. $230 from Amazon. The Chicco ...

  15. The 8 Best Travel Car Seats of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

    Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Convertible Car Seat at Amazon ($344) Jump to Review. Best for Compact Cars: Diono Radian 3RXT Convertible Car Seat at Amazon ($280) Jump to Review. Best With Stroller ...

  16. Newroutes Child Airplane Safety Travel Harness

    Child Airplane Safety Travel Harness is meant only for travel in airplanes and not in cars or any other sort of motor vehicle. Designed for children 1 year and older up to 40 inch high and weighing 22 to 44 pounds. Made of premium material. Because the child's safety is more important than any other thing.

  17. Easy Seat Portable Baby Chair Safety Washable Cloth Harness Travel

    Amazon.com : Easy Seat Portable Baby Chair Safety Washable Cloth Harness Travel Harness Seat for Infant Toddler Feeding with Adjustable Straps Shoulder Belt (White) : Baby

  18. Travel Harness Seat

    Dine out with baby anywhere, anytime! This compact, easy to use, lightweight portable high chair is perfect to take along when eating on the go. Simply unfold and strap onto almost any dining chair. Assembly is super quick - just adjust the straps to accommodate the chair and the child and voila! The 5 point harness is height adjustable and accommodates babies 6 months and up. It is nicely ...

  19. Want a folding car seat for travel? Here are your best choices by age

    For certain families the Pico is the perfect solution to a really tough question of what to do when they need a travel 5-point harness, while for others it isn't quite the right fit. ... Finally, the price tag of the Pico may be tough for some families to swallow for a portable car seat for 3 year old. Of course, some families opt to use it ...

  20. 12 travel car seats for families on the go

    CARES Harness. Amazon. The Cares Kids Fly Safe Airplane Harness is a compact car seat alternative for air travel. Approved for kids 12 months and older — and between 22 and 44 pounds — it acts ...

  21. The Original Easy Seat Portable Safety Harness Chair Accessory

    Baby Portable High Chair Travel Harness Seat for Toddler Feeding, Safety Washable Cloth Harness with Adjustable Straps Shoulder Belt. Portable Baby High Chair Safety Seat Harness for Toddler, Baby Travel Essential Easy High Booster Seat Cover for Infant Eating Feeding Camping with Adjustable Straps Shoulder Belt,Holds Up to 38lbs.

  22. 7 Best Portable Car Seats 2024

    Doona Car Seat Stroller. $550 at Amazon $550 at Nordstrom. Credit: Doona. Pros. Stroller and car seat in one with fast conversion. Slim stroller easy to push through airports. Simple to install in ...

  23. Portable Travel High Chair, Safety Seat Harness Accessory for Toddler

    Portable High Chair, OUNUO Travel Harness Seat for Toddler and Babies, Travel High Chair Essential Accessories Washable Cloth Harness Chair for Infant Feeding, Foldable Baby Chair Seat Belt. $19.99 $ 19. 99. Get it as soon as Wednesday, Sep 27. In Stock. Sold by Bedi Fun and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.