When parents start shopping for a modern, aesthetically pleasing high chair, two names dominate every Instagram feed and parenting forum: Lalo's "The Chair" and Stokke Clikk.

Both promise sleek designs that won't ruin your carefully curated dining room. Both claim easy cleaning and portability. And both come with premium price tags.

But here's what the perfectly styled photos don't show you: the real-world frustrations that emerge after weeks of daily use. The tripping over angled legs. The suction plates that won't stick. The height that doesn't quite work for your table.

This comprehensive comparison breaks down exactly how these two popular high chairs stack up—and introduces two better alternatives that solve the problems neither Lalo nor Stokke quite managed to fix.

Design Philosophy: Modern Minimalism at Different Price Points

Lalo 'The Chair' targets the aesthetic-obsessed parent who wants furniture that doubles as décor. With FSC-certified beechwood legs and a sleek plastic seat available in Sage, Licorice, Blueberry, and Grapefruit, it's designed to look beautiful in open-plan living spaces.^[1]

The marketing emphasizes its 3-in-1 convertibility: high chair, booster seat, and eventually a play chair for children up to seven years old. However, those conversion kits are sold separately, pushing the total investment to over £300 if you want full functionality.^[3]

Stokke Clikk takes a more utilitarian approach. Named for its tool-free, click-together assembly, it promises everything you need in one box—no extra purchases required.^[4]

Available in Cloud Grey, White, Fjord Blue, and Midnight Black, the Clikk features solid European beechwood legs and smooth plastic surfaces designed for easy cleaning. At just 3.75 kg, it's remarkably lightweight and portable.^[5]

Head-to-Head Comparison: Where Each Chair Wins (and Loses)

Cleaning: Lalo Takes the Lead

Both chairs prioritize easy cleaning, but Lalo edges ahead with its completely smooth surfaces and removable, dishwasher-safe tray. The updated silicone-coated straps are genuinely wipeable, and the plastic seat has no crevices where food can hide.

Parents consistently report that cleaning up after meals takes mere seconds—a major win when you're dealing with baby-led weaning chaos.^[6]

Stokke Clikk is nearly as good, with smooth lines and a dishwasher-safe tray. However, multiple reviewers note that the five-point harness is fiddly to clean and sometimes requires machine washing rather than quick wipes.^[7]

One parent described it as "secure but annoying"—effective at keeping their child safely seated but frustrating to adjust and maintain.^[2]

Portability: Stokke Wins (But Not Without Compromise)

If true portability matters—taking the chair to grandparents' houses, on holiday, or moving it room to room—Stokke Clikk is objectively better.

At 3.75 kg and with tool-free leg removal, it genuinely travels well. Multiple parents report taking it to cottages, keeping it in the car, or even checking it as luggage.^[12]

The optional travel bag (under £50) makes storage and transport even simpler. Some parents with twins note they can stack two Clikk chairs when not in use—a creative space-saving hack.

Lalo is portable in theory—the legs do unscrew—but the process isn't quite as seamless. Several reviewers mention it's "fine for occasional moves but not something you'd want to do daily."

For families looking for truly portable high chair solutions, it's worth exploring dedicated travel models that fold completely flat.

The Real-World Frustrations Nobody Mentions

Lalo's Leg Problem: A Daily Tripping Hazard

The single most common complaint about Lalo's Chair isn't about safety or quality—it's about those splayed legs.

Designed at a wide angle for stability, they extend significantly beyond the seat's footprint. Parents report tripping over them multiple times daily, especially during busy mealtimes or late-night snack runs.^[2]

One reviewer noted: "I had to train myself to navigate around it like it was furniture, not a baby chair. After two weeks, I got used to it, but guests? They hit those legs every single time."

The diameter is only marginally larger than competing chairs, but the angle matters more than width. When stored in a corner, those legs stick out awkwardly, creating a constant obstacle course.

Stokke's Height Problem: One Size Doesn't Fit All Tables

The Clikk has zero height adjustability. This isn't just a minor inconvenience—it's a deal-breaker for some families.

Parents with taller dining tables report their babies sit noticeably lower than adults, making family meals less inclusive.^[8] One frustrated reviewer wrote: "He's seated so much lower than us that it defeats the purpose of a 'family meal.' We're leaning down to interact with him instead of him being at table level."

For counter-height tables or kitchen islands, the problem becomes even more pronounced. The chair simply doesn't rise high enough to work ergonomically. Learn more about high chair solutions for counter height seating.

A Third, Better Option? Two Alternatives Worth Considering

Both Lalo and Stokke Clikk are excellent chairs—if you're willing to accept their compromises. But what if you want the aesthetic without the legroom issues? Or true portability without sacrificing adjustability?

Here's where two often-overlooked alternatives solve the problems both premium brands leave unresolved.

Best for Minimalist Wooden Aesthetic: BeechNest Solid Wood Baby High Chair

£225.95

If you love Lalo's wooden aesthetic but hate tripping over splayed legs, the BeechNest offers the same premium, grow-with-me design at a comparable price—but with a far more practical base.

Why BeechNest Solves Lalo's Problems:

• Compact footprint: Beech wood construction with a narrower, less intrusive base that doesn't extend as far from the seat
• Adjustable design: Multiple height and footrest positions that actually grow with your child from 6 months onwards^[6]
• Same aesthetic appeal: Natural beech wood finish that looks beautiful in any dining room—without the constant tripping hazard
• Better value: £225.95 gets you full functionality without having to buy separate conversion kits
• Easier storage: Straightforward design that fits neatly in corners without protruding legs

Key features: Natural beech solid wood construction, adjustable height and footrest, ergonomic seating position that supports proper posture,^[8] easy-to-clean surfaces, suitable from 6 months to toddlerhood, stable four-point base.

Best for: Parents who want the premium wooden look and "forever chair" longevity of the Lalo but need a more practical, space-efficient design that won't dominate (or trip up) their dining area. Learn more about wooden vs plastic high chairs.

View BeechNest High Chair

Best for Portability & Space-Saving: Baathe Foldable Baby High Chair

£80.95

If what you actually want is the Stokke Clikk's portability but better adjustability and value, the Baathe delivers—at less than half the price.

Why Baathe Beats Stokke Clikk for Portable Needs:

• Truly foldable: Unlike the Clikk (which requires leg removal), the Baathe folds completely flat in seconds for storage or transport
• Multiple heights: Adjustable positioning that the Clikk completely lacks—works with standard and counter-height tables
• Better price-to-value: £80.95 vs. £149, with more features and better versatility
• Multifunctional design: Doubles as a feeding chair and even has water-resistant features for easy cleanup
• Compact storage: Folds to fit in wardrobes, car boots, or tight spaces—perfect for small homes or frequent travel
• Lighter weight: Easy for one person to carry and maneuver without assistance

Key features: Full folding capability, adjustable height settings, water-resistant surfaces, machine-washable components, lightweight aluminum frame, safety harness included,^[2] suitable from 6 months onwards, space-saving design.

Best for: Parents who need genuine portability (not just "legs come off"), families with limited space, frequent travelers, or anyone who wants Stokke-level convenience without the premium price or fixed-height limitations. Explore more space-saving high chair options.

View Baathe High Chair

Making Your Decision: Which Chair Actually Fits Your Life?

The right high chair depends entirely on what you're optimizing for—and being honest about your actual daily needs.

Choose Lalo 'The Chair' if:

• Aesthetics genuinely matter more than portability or space efficiency
• You have open-plan living where the chair will always be visible
• You want a chair that eventually converts to a play chair (and will pay for conversion kits)
• You don't mind training yourself (and guests) to navigate around the splayed legs
• Your table is standard dining height where the fixed position works well

Choose Stokke Clikk if:

• You need a chair that travels frequently or stores away completely
• You value everything-in-one-box simplicity over long-term convertibility
• Your baby is average-to-larger size (smaller babies may find it too roomy)
• Your table height works with the Clikk's fixed position (test this if possible)
• You're willing to accept the trade-off of limited usability window (only to age 3)

Choose BeechNest Solid Wood High Chair if:

• You love the wooden, grow-with-me aesthetic but need practical everyday functionality
• Adjustability matters—you want a chair that adapts to multiple table heights and child sizes^[6]
• You want premium quality without the premium headaches (tripping hazards, space issues)
• You're looking for better value than Lalo's separate conversion kits
• You want a stable, compact footprint that won't dominate your dining area

Choose Baathe Foldable High Chair if:

• True portability and storage matter more than convertibility to age 7
• You need adjustable height for counter tables or varying dining setups
• Budget is a consideration—you want functionality without the premium brand markup
• You live in a small space or move the chair frequently between rooms
• You prioritize practical features (foldability, adjustability) over brand recognition

Final Verdict: Both Are Good—But Not Perfect

Lalo and Stokke have built their reputations on beautiful design and smart marketing. Both deliver on the promise of stylish, easy-to-clean high chairs that look nothing like traditional baby gear.

But neither chair is perfect. The Lalo's splayed legs remain a persistent nuisance. The Clikk's lack of height adjustment frustrates parents with non-standard tables. Both have tray limitations that affect real-world feeding setups.

The BeechNest and Baathe alternatives aren't trying to compete on Instagram aesthetics—they're solving the functional problems these premium brands overlook. One offers the same minimalist wooden appeal with a smarter base. The other delivers genuine portability at a fraction of the cost.

The best high chair isn't the one that photographs well. It's the one you actually want to use every single day—without tripping over it, wrestling with fixed heights, or paying twice for conversion kits.

For more guidance on choosing the right high chair, explore our comprehensive high chair buying guide and learn about high chair safety standards to make an informed decision.