The Lalo high chair and IKEA ANTILOP high chair serve the same basic purpose but are worlds apart in design, materials, and price. A Lalo high chair is a premium, beautifully designed piece of furniture that converts for long-term use, while the IKEA ANTILOP is a simple, ultra-affordable plastic chair focused entirely on function and value.
Here's everything you need to know about these popular high chairs from Lalo and IKEA to help you decide which one is right for your family.
Lalo The Chair
Lalo's "The Chair" is a 2-in-1 high chair and play chair designed for style-conscious parents who want baby gear to blend seamlessly with their home decor. It's a premium product focused on aesthetics, high-quality materials, and long-term convertibility, acting as both a high chair for infants and a small chair for toddlers.
- What it is: A modern, convertible high chair designed to grow with your child, transforming from a high chair to a play chair.
- Key features: 2-in-1 design, 5-point safety harness, cushioned seat insert for comfort, built-in footrest, dishwasher-safe tray insert.
- Price: Around $250 - $300, depending on bundles or promotions.
- Dimensions: 33" H x 24.5" W x 24.5" D. Compact footprint suitable for many spaces.
- Materials/Construction: Legs are made from sustainably sourced solid beechwood. The seat is a non-toxic, BPA-free plastic shell.
- Style: Sleek minimalist and modern Scandinavian. Comes in several neutral colors like white, black, gray, and muted green that complement contemporary home design.
- Pros: Beautiful and stylish design that blends into an adult living space. Converts to a play chair for extended use. Includes a crucial footrest for baby's comfort and proper posture. High-quality, non-toxic materials. Very easy to wipe down and clean.
- Cons: A significantly higher price point. Fabric cushions can get stained despite being resistant. The tray is smaller than some traditional, bulky high chairs.
The Lalo chair is for parents who see baby gear as a long-term investment and prioritize aesthetics and multipurpose functionality without sacrificing safety.
Shop this product: lalo.com/products/the-chair
IKEA ANTILOP High Chair
The IKEA ANTILOP is one of the world's most recognizable high chairs, beloved for its incredible affordability and no-frills practicality. It is a simple, lightweight plastic chair that does its job effectively and is exceptionally easy to clean, making it a favorite for parents, grandparents, and restaurants alike.
- What it is: A basic, ultra-affordable, and lightweight plastic high chair with a removable tray.
- Key features: Removable tray with high edges to prevent spills, lightweight build, legs snap off easily for storage or transport.
- Price: Around $40-$50 for the chair, legs, safety belt, and tray altogether.
- Dimensions: 36.25" H x 22" W x 24.5" D. Legs have a wide base for stability.
- Materials/Construction: The seat, tray, and feet are polypropylene plastic, the legs are powder-coated steel tubes.
- Style: Purely functional and utilitarian. Its simple white and silver design is unobtrusive but not a style statement.
- Pros: Almost unbelievably affordable price point. Extremely easy to clean - you can take it outside and hose it down. Lightweight and easy to move or disassemble for travel. Stackable design is great for storage or multiple chairs.
- Cons: Has no footrest, which can be an ergonomic issue for some babies. The seat is hard plastic with no cushioning. Very basic aesthetic that looks like baby gear. The 3-point belt is less secure than a 5-point harness.
The IKEA ANTILOP is perfect for families who prioritize budget and easy cleaning above all else, or for those who need a reliable secondary chair for travel or a relative's home.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/antilop-high-chair-with-tray-white-silver-color-s89228434/
Lalo vs. IKEA High Chair Comparison
Style & Aesthetics
This is where the difference is most stark. The Lalo The Chair is designed to be seen. Its minimalist silhouette, natural wood legs, and range of sophisticated colors allow it to fit right in with modern dining room furniture. It’s for the parent who dislikes the loud, clunky look of traditional baby products.
The IKEA ANTILOP is the opposite. Its design is purely about function. The white plastic and simple steel legs do not try to blend in, it unapologetically looks like a high chair. While its design is simple and clean, it isn’t made to be a piece of decor.
Materials & Construction
Lalo uses more premium, sustainable materials. The sustainably sourced solid beechwood legs provide a sturdy, high-quality feel, and the main components are made from non-toxic, BPA-free plastics. This construction feels substantial and is designed for longevity, especially with its planned conversion into a play chair.
IKEA's build is simple polypropylene plastic and powder-coated steel. While perfectly safe and functional, it doesn't give a premium feel. The materials are durable enough for years of use as a high chair, but they look and feel their very low price point.
Features & Usability
Lalo comes with creature comforts IKEA strips away. Lalo’s built-in footrest provides crucial ergonomic support for the baby, its cushioned seat insert keeps them comfy, and the 5-point harness offers more security. Its ability to convert into a standalone play chair for toddlers gives it a much longer life within the home.
The IKEA ANTILOP’s main "feature" is its simplicity. The total lack of footrest is its biggest downside. However, its brilliant design means it can be disassembled in seconds for easy transport, and the single-mold plastic seat is impossibly easy to wipe down. For pure cleaning and portability, the IKEA chair is hard to beat.
Price & Value
At around $250, the Lalo chair is a significant investment. Its value proposition is tied to its high-end design, superior materials, and its long lifespan as a convertible piece of furniture that you'll use for years. You pay for the aesthetic, comfort features, and sustainability story.
At under $50, the IKEA ANTILOP presents one of the best bangs for your buck in the entire baby gear market. It does its single job effectively at a fraction of the cost. The upfront value is unbeatable, but its useful life is shorter than the Lalo's because it does not grow with your child beyond the high chair stage.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both high chairs are popular for very good reasons, but they cater to completely different priorities and budgets.
Choose the Lalo high chair if:
- You want a beautiful high chair that matches your modern home decor.
- You're looking for a long-term investment that converts to a toddler chair.
- A proper footrest and cushioned seat for your baby's comfort are important to you.
- You prefer premium, sustainably sourced materials and are willing to pay for them.
Choose the IKEA ANTILOP high chair if:
- You are on a strict budget and want maximum function for minimal cost.
- Supreme ease of deep cleaning and portability are your biggest concerns.
- You need a second high chair for a grandparent’s house, travel, or occasional use.
- You care about function and safety over aesthetics and special features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Lalo The Chair and IKEA ANTILOP?
The main differences are price, design, materials, and features. The Lalo high chair is a premium, stylish, convertible chair made from wood and high-end plastics for about $250. The IKEA ANTILOP is a super-basic, functional plastic high chair with no extra features that costs around $40-$50.
Is the Lalo high chair worth the price?
For many parents, yes. If you value a modern aesthetic, long-term use through its conversion to a play chair, and features like a footrest for your baby's ergonomic support, the higher price is justified as an investment in a piece of furniture.
Which high chair is easier to clean?
This is a toss-up. For daily wipe-downs, both are incredibly easy. The Lalo’s smooth plastic and dishwasher-safe tray insert make cleaning simple. For a deep clean, the IKEA chair is unbeatable because its simple construction and durable plastic mean you can literally take it outside and hose it down.
Does the IKEA ANTILOP high chair have a footrest?
No, the stock IKEA ANTILOP does not include a footrest. This is its most common criticism, as foot support is important for a baby's posture and comfort. However, many third-party companies sell custom-fit wooden and non-slip footrests for it online.
How long can a child use the Lalo high chair?
A child can use it as a high chair from around 6 months (or whenever they can sit up independently) until about 3 years of age. After that, you can convert it to the "play chair" by swapping in the shorter included legs, and it can be used for several more years.
Which high chair is better for small spaces?
Both have a surprisingly similar and reasonably compact footprint. The legs on both chairs splay out for stability. Neither is particularly bulky, so the choice for a small space comes down to your personal aesthetic and budget preferences.
Is the IKEA ANTILOP high chair safe?
Yes, the IKEA ANTILOP meets global safety standards and is considered very safe for its intended use. However, it comes with a 3-point harness, whereas the Lalo and many other premium chairs use a more secure 5-point harness that goes over the shoulders.
Do both chairs come with cushions?
The Lalo The Chair comes with a special cushioned insert for both comfort and a more snug fit. The IKEA ANTILOP does not come with a cushion, but IKEA sells an inexpensive inflatable support pillow and cover separately.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
