Stokke Tripp Trapp Highchair review: Is it worth the investment?

The Stokke Tripp Trapp highchair is one of the most recognisable highchairs around. It has been gracing family dining tables for decades, and for good reason. It offers longevity and versatility, converts to an adult chair, and is built to last.

The highchair is suitable from birth, encouraging interactive family dining from the get-go and has a functional footrest that can be adjusted to suit the height of a child as your baby grows. Made from wood, the chair is sturdy, cleans easily and looks stylish. Scroll down to find out how Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert got on while testing the Stokke Tripp Trapp with her son.

Testing the Stokke Tripp Trapp

While pregnant with my first baby, I already knew which highchair I wanted. Yep, you guessed it - the Tripp Trapp. It appealed to me not only because of how chic it looks but also because of its longevity.

Set up and first impressions

It arrived well-packaged and felt premium from the moment my husband unboxed it. Assembly was surprisingly easy. It took us around 20 minutes to put it all together. We did feel the instructions could be a little clearer, but they came with diagrams, which helped.

The solid wood frame is sturdy and beautifully finished. We opted for the Warm Brown, which complements our dining room perfectly. It doesn’t dominate the space like some bulkier plastic models, and it fits right up to the dining table, which I love.

The design is very stylish and it would look great in any kitchen as there are many colours available in the chair itself and the cushions with the baby inserts, making it possible to mix and match to personalise the highchair.

As we were using the highchair from birth, we first needed to add on the Stokke Tripp Trapp Newborn Set, which can be bought as part of a bundle with the chair or separately. This was then swapped out for the Tripp Trapp baby set when he got bigger.

The red-green indicators state whether the baby's seat is on correctly, which gave us peace of mind as first-time parents who overthink everything.

Every day use

Stokke Tripp Trapp newborn set

My son fit snugly into the newborn seat, and the 5-point safety harness is well-padded and very secure. The newborn seat has two different positions, which are easily adjusted with one hand and allow the baby to be more reclined or slightly more upright.

It also comes with a toy hanger, which we found to be brilliant for helping our baby's hand-eye coordination. It's just a shame it didn't come with any hanging toys, as we initially struggled to find a suitable toy that was the right size and didn't obscure his face.

I like the look of the Newborn Set, but it would be good to see a greater range of designs and colours - currently there are only two options and they're both shades of grey.

Because the Tripp Trapp pulls right up to the table, my son has been part of family meals from the start. I loved that we could have him sit at the dining table with us rather than on the floor in his baby bouncer. It was also a huge help when we were preparing or cooking dinner, as he could safely watch, and we were able to interact easily with him.

The Newborn Set was also useful as he grew older and started to take in his surroundings. He became interested in what we were eating, a great starting point for baby weaning.

The cover on the seat can be removed for machine washing, as we quickly found out through multiple sick episodes!

Tripp Trapp Baby Set

Suitable for when your baby can sit unaided - typically six months old - the Baby Set includes a high backrest and a rail with an integrated crotch strap, helping your baby sit securely and comfortably at the table.

The chair doesn't come with a harness, which initially we didn't find to be a problem. We actually liked that we could quickly get our son out of the Tripp Trapp should he choke. As he grew bigger, however, he started trying to lean forward in the highchair, so we quickly ordered the Stokke Harness.

You can also purchase a soft cushion set, which we did use to begin with, but soon got rid of as we didn't actually think it was necessary. It was also easier to wipe down the seat than to keep putting the cushion in the wash.

A tray certainly isn't necessary for the Tripp Trapp, especially as the whole concept is that the baby is pulled right up to the family table, but you can buy one separately. We did do this as we liked having the option.

The seat and footrest of the Tripp Trapp are fully adjustable, which means we can ensure it fits him exactly, giving proper support for his feet and encouraging good posture. It really feels like it’s been designed with child development in mind.

Overall, the Tripp Trapp is easy to wipe down, although I’ll admit a few corners need an extra scrub after a particularly messy meal (looking at you, spag bol). But honestly, I’d take a few crumbs in the crevices over something plastic and clunky any day. The wood cleans up well if you wipe it down with the food still wet, but if it dries, it's more difficult to remove.

One of the main reasons I chose this highchair was its longevity. This isn’t something we’ll be boxing up and giving away in a year’s time. The Tripp Trapp is designed to grow with your child, from baby all the way to adulthood, if you want it to. The seat and footplate adjust as they grow, and it even supports adult weight, so it can eventually be used as a regular chair. That’s an incredible return on investment.

However, many add-ons are needed for babies to transition into the chair as toddlers. It is undoubtedly an investment product, but it certainly doesn’t come cheap, but then does quality ever?

Final thoughts

I would definitely recommend the Tripp Trapp highchair to other parents. We've been using it since my little one was born (at the time of writing this review, he is 14 months), and even when he was little, his posture has been great, and he has been well supported. I also love how I can bring it right up to the table so he feels like he is really sitting with us at meals. The design is very attractive - you can choose from a range of lovely colours, and I love that we will be able to remove the baby set kit and continue to use his chair as the years go by.

It is an expensive product and the accessories (a harness and cushioning, for example) cost extra, but its ingenuity, longevity, quality and convenience make it a worthwhile spend if you have the cash for the initial outlay.

If you’re looking for a highchair that blends function with style, grows with your child, and feels like a real piece of furniture rather than baby gear, I can’t recommend the Stokke Tripp Trapp highly enough. It’s been one of our best baby purchases so far. Yes, it’s an investment - but one that genuinely pays off in daily use, long-term value, and family mealtime connection.

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby. With a background in both print and digital journalism, she has written extensively on pregnancy, fertility, perinatal mental health, and the best in baby and parenting products. A first-time mum to Theodore, Emily combines her professional expertise with personal experience, offering readers trusted advice and relatable insight. Specialising in product and travel reviews, she stays ahead of the curve on the latest parenting trends and is passionate about showing that life with a little one can still be full of adventure.