Kids need a lot of clobber as they grow, and that means finding somewhere to put it all. One of the bulkier items is usually the highchair, but there are options that not only do the job well but are also compact and inexpensive. I tested the Graco MiniLite Compact highchair to see if small really can be just as mighty.
What’s Hot:
+ Folds small and flat, weighing just 4.7kg
+ Excellent value for money
What’s Not:
– Seat cover isn’t easily removable to clean any gathered crumbs from the seams
MiniLite Compact Highchair: What is it?
The Graco MiniLite Compact highchair follows the format of a standard, traditional highchair, with a sliding food tray and a fixed step that little feet can rest on. The seat is nicely padded, particularly at the top edge, so a strop-throwing toddler won’t hurt themselves when clattering into the metal pole frame.
The webbing straps can create either a three- or a five-point harness, depending on the child’s age. For younger children who need the extra support and restraint, the shoulder and waist straps can be adjusted to ensure they are securely seated. As the child grows, there’s plenty of adjustment within the straps to keep things cosy but comfortable, and the shoulder straps can be easily removed if not required.
What really sets the MiniLite Compact apart from other traditionally styled models is how it folds. Rather than the legs just folding together, leaving a full-height highchair in a slightly slimmer form to stow, the MiniLite Compact sees the legs fold together while the frame and seat unit fold backwards to half the original height.
The seat section is cleverly designed with minimal bulk, giving it a very slim profile that folds virtually flat. Once folded, the MiniLite Compact is just 13 cm deep, making it much easier to store than a full-sized option.
Is it easy to use?
On arrival, there’s very little construction needed, other than pushing the bottom half of the legs into place, which is quick and easy. The only other thing to attach is the food tray, which slips into place and grips the plastic frame. It can slide into four different positions, depending on the child’s age and size, or be removed completely.
Every part of the highchair can be wiped clean, so no matter how messy the mealtime is, things can be kept in pristine condition with little effort. The seat, tray, and step are all plastic, and the seat padding is made of a water-resistant material, so a damp cloth is all you’ll need day to day.
What impressed me the most was just how easy it was to fold and unfold. To open the highchair, simply lift the seat upwards, and everything unfolds and clicks into position. To fold it, press in the release buttons on each side and the seat folds backwards. It takes seconds to fold and unfold smoothly.
Is it practical?
If you are struggling for space and want to avoid the bulk of a highchair, this compact marvel is most definitely one to consider. It feels sturdy enough to hold a toddler and has enough strap adjustability to keep a weaning baby secure. There is a little flex in the highchair legs when you sit a heavier child into it, but nothing that feels problematic.
It’s also an excellent option for having at the grandparents’ house. If your little one regularly stays over and you don’t want to be lugging everything across each time, the lightweight MiniLite Compact would stash neatly in a cupboard or the corner of a dining room, ready for the next visit.
Graco MiniLite Compact highchair: The verdict
When I first started testing the MiniLite Compact, I loved just how small it folded and how practical it seemed, but after spending a little more time with it, I have been completely bowled over.
This little highchair has absolutely everything going for it. It’s neat, easy to use, simple to keep clean and has a comfortable seat that will cosset your little one while they eat from the good-sized removable tray.
Suitable from 6 months to 3 years (or 15kg), it should see your child through from weaning to sitting independently at the dinner table, making it an incredible investment. And with a list price of £40, you really can’t go wrong.
Whether you’re using it as your everyday highchair, leaving it at a relative’s house, or even taking it on a camping trip, this fabulous little highchair is small enough to tuck away out of sight when not needed, but big enough to tackle day-to-day life as well as any rival, proving that good things really do come in small, inexpensive packages.
Tested: Graco MiniLite Compact Highchair
Price: £40
Average Joes Rating: ★★★★★
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