Preloved High Chairs: Complete Buying Checklist
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A high chair does one job, for a fairly short window — roughly from 6 months to 2–3 years — and then it sits in a storeroom. That makes it one of the most obvious candidates for buying preloved, right alongside strollers and cots. Here's what actually matters when you're choosing one.
1. The tray mechanism
Slide the tray in and out a few times. It should lock firmly at each position without wobbling. A loose tray is annoying daily and, more importantly, a safety issue once your baby starts pushing against it.
2. The straps and buckle
Just like a stroller, the harness needs to click securely and not release under light pressure. Check that the crotch strap is present — it's often the first thing to go missing on secondhand listings.
3. Height and recline adjustments
If the chair adjusts, cycle through each setting. Sticking mechanisms usually mean the chair needs a clean or a part is slightly bent — not always a dealbreaker, but you should know before buying.
4. Cleanability
Look closely at seams and crevices in the seat pad. Food residue builds up in places that are hard to see in photos, which is exactly why a 'cleaned and sanitized' listing matters more here than almost any other baby item.
5. Stability
Push gently on the frame from the side. It shouldn't rock or feel unsteady, especially with legs at full extension.
Why this is one of our favourite preloved categories
High chairs are built to be sturdy — that's the whole point — which means a well-maintained one can easily serve a second or third family without any real loss in function. On Chub Chub, every high chair is checked against this list, cleaned properly (not just wiped), and graded honestly before it's shipped.
Buy second hand without second guessing — that's not just a line for us, it's the actual checklist we run before anything gets listed.
Ready to browse? See our full range of quality-checked preloved high chairs.
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