High chairs are one of the most researched baby purchases (next to stroller/carseats, diapers and cribs) and there’s good reason for it. As I was thinking about why I ultimately bought the IKEA Antilope chair, there were 6 things that stood out in my decision making, and I believe most parents consider these as well.

1. They’re in Use Multiple Times a Day, For Years

High chairs become a mealtime mainstay from 6 months to at least 2–3 years (and sometimes longer with toddler conversions like the Stokke Tripp Trapp). That longevity makes the purchase feel more like an investment, so parents want to get it right.

2. Feeding Is Messy, So Design Matters

Parents are on the hunt for a high chair that’s easy to wipe down, has minimal nooks and crannies, and doesn’t require a toolkit to clean. Cleanability is one of the top deciding factors in high chair purchases.

3. Safety Concerns Are Top of Mind

A product that elevates a wiggly baby several feet off the ground better be sturdy, stable, and up to current safety standards. Harness design, tipping risk, and footrest adjustability are all major consideration points.

4. They Take Up Prime Real Estate

High chairs are big. And they live in your kitchen or dining room, which means parents often look for something that blends with their aesthetic or folds away when not in use. (This is why minimalist designs like the IKEA Antilop and modern chairs like Lalo or Stokke have cult followings.)

5. Huge Range of Price Points

High chairs range from $20 to $500+, so parents are constantly comparing options and asking: Is this one really worth it? That question drives a lot of Reddit threads, YouTube reviews, and blog content.

6. Feeding Philosophies Influence the Search

Whether you’re doing baby-led weaning or purées, certain chair designs work better than others. Ergonomics (like foot support) and tray height are major concerns in BLW communities, driving even more targeted research.

I will say that this high chair having a pricetag of $20 made this purchase very easy, as the risk was so low. But, I will say there are some drawbacks to this highchair, but becuase it was so inexpensive, they’re easy to overlook. Or are they? After 4 months of use, I’m going to be ditching the Antilope high chair, I’ll explain why below.

The Antilop High Chair from IKEA Overview

Quick Facts

• Price: $19.99
• Weight: 7.2 lb total
• Dimensions: Width 22″ • Depth 23¼″ • Height 35⅜″ • Seat height 21¼″ • Seat width 9⅞″ • Seat depth 8⅝″ • Max load 33 lb
• Materials: Polypropylene seat & tray • Steel legs with epoxy/polyester powder coating
• Tray Function: Raised edge to contain spills • snaps on/off
• Buckle Style: Includes simple, secure webbing safety belt

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Safety Standards & Limitations

Safety-Certified: Meets ASTM F404 and EN 14988 (EU) safety, stability, and durability standards.

TLDR:
ASTM F404 is basically the gold standard for high chair safety in the U.S. It covers everything from whether the chair can tip over when your baby starts climbing it (my season at the moment) to how secure the tray and harness are. It also checks for pinch points, stability, and even if the chair can handle a big kid weight-wise without collapsing.

EN 14988 is the European safety standard for high chairs, and it’s just as rigorous as the U.S. version (ASTM F404), sometimes even stricter. It covers things like stability, tip resistance, restraint systems, sharp edges, and whether your baby can wriggle out or get stuck anywhere

Limitations:

1. No footrest included
   • A footrest might seem optional—but I would recommend it. It supports posture, promotes safe eating, helps your baby focus, and sets the stage for independent mealtime success. I purchased an aftermarket footrest.
2. The bucket seat is pretty large, so if you have a small baby like me, buying aftermarket seat padding was essential for support during eating.

What I love about the Antilop Ikea High Chair

IT’S THE BEST BUDGET HIGH CHAIR ON THE MARKET

The price point is truly unmatched. At $20, it’s one of the most affordable pieces of baby gear I’ve bought to date, and one that actually works well. It’s a great starter chair for first-time parents, or honestly anyone testing the waters on what matters most in a high chair (ahem… footrests matter, but we’ll get there).

IT’S QUITE EASY TO CLEAN

The seat is molded plastic, the tray has a raised edge, and there are basically 0 seams for food to sneak into. A couple (dozen) of wipes if your baby eats like mine and you’re done! If you’ve dealt with fabric cushions or crevice-heavy chairs before, the Antilop feels like a God send.

Bonus: the tray is dishwasher safe (if you can manage to remove it, but we’ll get to that).

THE DESIGN IS MINIMAL

It’s clean and modern, and is extremely lightweight. The slim profile and neutral tones don’t interrupt your kitchen aesthetic, and it blends in just enough to feel intentional. No cartoon animals, no shiny plastic, no bulky contoured seats that are impossible to clean. Just simple, functional, Scandinavian design.

What I Don’t Love About the IKEA Antilop High Chair

YOU NEED AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES

Out of the box, it’s a great shell, but you’re going to want a few upgrades. I bought an aftermarket footrest (essential for supported eating), and cushion insert for posture support. They weren’t expensive, but they were necessary to make the chair meet my expectation for safety standards and functional for daily use.

I also purchased a very cute cover for the cushion insert, but once purees were out, and raspberries entered the chat, we retired it for good. Now, the aesthetic is giving pool floaty that got lost and wandered into my dining room.

THE TRAY IS BASICALLY GLUED ON

Okay not really, but removing it is almost impossible. I’ve done it once and never again. It clicks in so tightly that I genuinely worried I’d break something trying to get it off. Which means it’s not convenient if you like to load your baby from the side or clean the tray separately.

THE LEGS ARE A TRIPPING HAZARD

I can’t count how many times I’ve stubbed my toe or tripped over the angled legs. It’s not just me, this is a common Reddit thread. The footprint is wide for stability (which we love), but if you’re short on kitchen space or are a bit on the clumsy side, fair warning.

IT’S HARD TO MOVE

Despite being lightweight, the legs don’t glide easily on wood or tile. I move the highchair from the dining room to the kitchen, and the legs hang on the door jams every.single.time, multiple times. You can break it down, but it’s not easy, so it’s not that simple to travel with either.

THE HARNESS BROKE

The safety harness it comes with is minimal and has worked fine for me, but y best friend and I bought these at the same time, and hers broke pretty quickly into using it.

Ratings Chart

Category	Rating (⭐ out of 5)	Notes
Price	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	$20, unbeatable value
Aesthetic	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Minimalist and modern, but looks inexpensive
Functionality	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Simple, works well, lacks safety features and “bells and whistles”
Clean Factor	⭐⭐⭐

Price: 5/5

This chair is wildly affordable. At $20, the Antilop is gives access to a great high chair at an price point most people can afford. For something that’s safe and durable, the price point is unbeatable. You could buy three of them for the price of most mid-end options and still come out ahead. Buyer’s Remorse? Who is she?

Functionality: 3.5/5

It’s minimal and it works, especially once you upgrade with a footrest and cushion. The safety harness does the job (until it doesn’t), and while it’s not the most ergonomic seat out of the box, it can absolutely be made supportive. The tray functions fine but removing it is impossible.

Aesthetic: 3.5/5

IKEA gave us the bones of a good design— slim legs, neutral colors, no bulky seats. It’s clean and unobtrusive… until you add the inflatable balloon cushion. That said, with a chic cushion cover and a wood-look footrest from Yeah Baby Goods, it starts to feel like you put some thought into it.3

Clean Factor: 2.5/5

Literally speaking, it’s easy to wipe down, which earns points, but…. the materials themselves aren’t doing much in the sustainability department. It’s made from molded polypropylene with no certifications like GREENGUARD or OEKO-TEX. The tray is dishwasher safe, which is great, but if you’re looking for non-toxic, low-VOC baby gear… this isn’t it.

Would I Buy It Again?

Honestly… yes, but with caveats.

As a first-time mom figuring out what actually matters in a high chair, the IKEA Antilop was a great entry point. It gave me a safe, cleanable, no-frills setup. And at $20, it’s kind of a no-brainer, even if it’s just a temporary solution.

That said, I wouldn’t buy it again as my forever chair. Once you start adding in all the upgrades— footrest, cushion, harness replacements— it starts to feel like a workaround. I now know I value adjustability, built-in support, and more thoughtful materials… so I’m ready to level up.

But for a budget-friendly starter chair or a second chair for grandparents’ or the lakehouse? 100% would buy again.

In Summary:

The IKEA Antilop is a minimalist, budget-friendly high chair that checks a lot of boxes for $20. It’s easy to clean, has a sleek design, and works well with a few aftermarket upgrades. It’s not perfect, but it served its purpose well and for the price, it’s tough to beat.

If you’re having decision fatigue on which high chair to go with and just want something simple, safe, and cleanable, this is the one

Let me know if you’d like a comparison table between this and your next chair (like the Lalo or Stokke), or a “best high chairs roundup!