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While perusing products as you wait for baby to arrive is fun, actually coming to a decision can be incredibly overwhelming. Which products are even necessary? Which brands can I trust? Should I go for old school classics or lean into the more modern parenting brands?
After several discussions with my partner featuring these questions (and many, many more), I figured a lot of parents are probably in the same boat…and what better way to get to the bottom of things than a good old-fashioned TQE throwdown? So here I present the old school vs. new school high chair throwdown, featuring newcomer Mockingbird (and their brand new high chair) and the classic Stokke Tripp Trapp (which was designed in 1972!). Which product ranks supreme? See how they stack up when it comes to safety, longevity, price, ease of cleaning, and aesthetic…
The Players
Mockingbird: A modern baby gear brand known mostly for its Single-to-Double Stroller, Mockingbird recently expanded its horizons to include some additional products for parents, such as the Bassinet (with a stand, I might add), and now the High Chair. Mockingbird prides itself on offering luxury products at more affordable prices than other high-end baby gear brands (*without skimping on features!).
Stokke: Stokke is a Norwegian company that’s known for its best-in-class solutions for children. The brand’s Tripp Trapp High Chair has been a trusted fan favorite since it was designed in 1972 by Peter Opsvik.
Safety
As the adage goes – safety first! While look and performance are obviously important, safety was our main concern. Thankfully, both brands deliver here.
Mockingbird: Mockingbird’s safety harness is easy to adjust and includes 5-points of contact to ensure your kiddo stays completely safe in their chair. The materials Mockingbird uses for its seat, tray and straps are also food-safe and non-toxic. Plus, as a brand, Mockingbird meets (and often exceeds) the highest governmental regulations set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and ASTM International. Additionally, Mockingbird certifies its products with the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association (JPMA), and submit all of its materials to testing for harmful substances such as lead, phthalates, mercury, and cadmium. Consider your boxes checked!
Stokke: Similarly, Stokke’s Tripp Trapp high chair is designed to support babies and encourage a positive mealtime experience. It features no harmful materials, plus meets or exceeds all ASTM safety standards.
Winner: Tie
Longevity
High chairs can be an investment. Spending a couple hundred dollars on a chair your little will only use for a few months can be a tough pill to swallow – but many brands now offer chairs that convert into kids chairs once your little outgrows the high chair stage.
Mockingbird: With the chair’s adjustable, 4-position footrest and 3 positions for the tray, the High Chair Mode for children up to 35 lbs is made to make your child comfortable. Even better, the footrest doesn’t require any tools to adjust! Beyond 35 lbs, the chair converts to “Child Chair Mode,” which is safe up to 150 lbs! With a high seat and comfortable back meant to help kiddos reach the table, this is one chair your child will want to use for a long time.
Stokke: Stokke’s Tripp Trapp also grows with your little one. The Tripp Trapp makes including your baby at the dinner table super easy: the chair moves up to the table so your baby can easily sit and eat with the whole family. However, you’ll have to add a tray and cushion to match what you’ll get with Mockingbird’s High Chair.
Winner: Tie
Cost
The cost of baby products really runs the gamut – and it can be hard to tell when you’re paying for superior quality and when you’re paying simply for the brand name. As it turns out, exceptional products don’t always have to break the bank.
Mockingbird: I appreciate that this chair is $230 plain and simple – no extra fees for additional parts or conversions. While a couple hundred bucks isn’t nothing, it goes a long way with this chair, so it feels a bit like a steal.
Stokke: Stokke’s pricing is a bit hazier. The base ‘High Chair’ costs $319, but once you add the very-necessary tray (a surface is crucial) and cushion (the chair is made out of wood which can only be so comfortable), you’re actually looking at $419, which is nearly double the Mockingbird.
Winner: Mockingbird
Ease of Use
Shockingly, products meant for babies aren’t always the easiest to use (or assemble…). When you’re juggling 18 things at once, little benefits can make a huge difference.
Mockingbird: While I am a lot of things, handy is not one of them. That’s why I have been thrilled to discover that the miracle engineers at Mockingbird have made adjustments on this chair completely tool-less. I’ve tested this and have zero complaints, which is saying a lot given my history. Another noteworthy feature here is the suction-friendly tray. It was designed to hold suction dishware in place (particularly Mockingbird’s Early Eaters Dishware Set) and totally works. No slipping or sliding – it’s a brilliant product.
Stokke: Unfortunately, the intention that went into Mockingbird’s High Chair really highlights how old school – and frankly outdated – some components of this chair are. Adjusting it is a real pain point (we had to take apart the whole chair to add the cushion on). Plus, it has barely any suction. While I’ve read online that other parents recommend buying a liner for the tray, we ended up just pulling our little one up to the table and not using the tray at all because we grew so frustrated with it.
Winner: Mockingbird
Ease of Cleaning
If you know…you know. Toddlers love to smush food into any high chair crevice they can find, and some versions make that much more feasible for them than others.
Mockingbird: This chair is crevice-free in the seat. That means your sweet baby, try as they may, can’t save some for later (on accident or on purpose). When you get your child up, wiping is as easy as wiping a counter. Simply gather all the crumbs, spray it, and wipe it away… and it is good as new. On top of this, the tray comes with a removable, dishwasher safe liner, meaning no more cumbersome tray-washing six times a day. Finally, and perhaps most exciting in my book, the high chair offers silicone straps that are removable and beyond easy to wipe clean. If you’ve ever owned a high chair with nylon straps, you’ll understand how huge this is – these straps wipe completely clean and don’t build up residue over time. Say goodbye to your gross-looking, crusty fabric straps. These puppies are the first on the market (only available on Mockingbird’s High Chair) and might just change your life.
Stokke: Unfortunately, this chair is a total pain to clean. It has a lot of crevices that my son (of course) loves to jam food into. Fun for him – a nightmare for me! And while I have yet to experience this issue myself, I’ve read that the Tripp Trapp scratches pretty easily during a wipedown, which is a huge bummer given its price point.
Winner: Mockingbird
Design/Aesthetic
Looks are important too! While you’ll likely have to be at least a little flexible with your space to accommodate your little, there are some pretty aesthetically pleasing options on the market these days…
Mockingbird: This part is totally subjective and depends on what you’re into. I typically want my baby products to be as minimal and simple as possible – I’d rather hide them away and not notice them when they aren’t in use. This Mockingbird chair was actually designed with a space-saving footprint, meaning it can be partially tucked under a dining table (a lot of high chairs have splayed legs which make this impossible). Is it the most gorgeous piece of furniture in my home? No. Is it a total eyesore? Also no. And I consider that a win.
Stokke: Stokke is known for its iconic Scandinavian design. Peter Opsvik designed it in 1972, and it’s been a popular pick ever since. Frankly, it just isn’t my style – I find it to be a bit bulky and too stylized, but again, that’s all a matter of opinion. I will give the chair some points for design, though. Clearly if it’s still relevant over 50 years after its original launch, the brand is doing something right!
Overall Winner: Mockingbird
For such a thoughtfully-made, easy-to-clean, and just-as-easy-to-hide product, $230 feels like a total steal. I am fully Team Mockingbird when it comes to a high chair, and I’m thrilled to recommend the brand to you, too. Grab one while you can – this newcomer is soon to be a parent-favorite!
