An honest comparison
Which seat, when?
No seat is best at everything. Here's how portable, traditional, fabric and booster seats actually compare, including where the Hannie isn't the right answer.
| Hannie Portable High Chair | Traditional high chair | Fabric / clip travel seat | Booster seat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where your child sits | At the family table, on your chair | Beside the table in its own frame | At the table (clamped or on chair) | At the table, on a chair |
| Age range | 6 months – 5 years | ~6 months – 3 years | ~6 months – 3 years | ~12+ months |
| Weight to carry | ~2 kg, fits under the pram | 7–12 kg, stays home | 0.3–1.5 kg | 1–3 kg |
| Floor space used | None | Significant | None | None |
| Tray | Yes, dishwasher-safe | Usually | Rarely | Sometimes |
| Support for young babies | Reversible Cushion + Back Plate | Varies by model | Minimal, fabric only | Not designed for babies |
| Converts as they grow | Baby Chair → Toddler Seat (25 kg) | Some convert | No | No |
| Café / travel ready | Yes, designed for it | No | Yes | Partly |
Choose the Hannie if…
You're short on floor space, you eat out or travel, you want one seat for the full 6-months-to-5-years stretch, and your dining chairs are sturdy four-leg chairs (check the fit guide).
Look elsewhere if…
All your chairs are stools, swivel or deeply padded chairs (nothing chair-mounted will suit), or you specifically want a freestanding recline-capable seat for a baby who isn't yet sitting with support.
Common questions when choosing a seat
Is a chair-mounted seat as safe as a freestanding high chair?
Used correctly, yes. Chair-mounted seats have their own dedicated safety standard, EN 16120, covering the attachment system, restraint and stability, and the Hannie is tested to it (plus AS/NZS 8124.3). The two rules that matter everywhere: a sturdy four-legged chair underneath, and the harness clipped every time.
What age is a booster seat suitable for?
Plain boosters generally suit children from around 12 months who can sit confidently unaided, as they add height rather than support. The Hannie covers that stage too: its Toddler Seat mode is a booster rated to 25 kg, but it starts earlier, from around 6 months, with cushion and harness.
Do fabric travel high chairs have a tray?
Rarely. Most fabric or clip-style travel seats hold your child at the table edge and rely on the table itself. The Hannie packs almost as small but includes a food-safe, dishwasher-safe tray, so your child has their own surface anywhere.
Which seat is best for a small apartment?
A chair-mounted seat wins on floor space: it uses a dining chair you already own and packs to about 2 kg in a tote, so there's no bulky frame to park in a corner. A traditional high chair suits homes with room to leave it standing.