The Stokke Tripp Trapp and IKEA Antilop are two of the most popular high chairs available, yet they cater to entirely different needs, budgets, and lifestyles. The Tripp Trapp is a premium, adjustable wooden chair designed to grow with your child from infancy to adulthood, acting as a long-term piece of furniture. The Antilop is an ultra-affordable, minimalist plastic chair that serves its purpose for a shorter period and prioritizes easy cleaning and portability above all else.
Here's everything you need to know to choose the right high chair from Stokke or IKEA for your family.
Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair
The Stokke Tripp Trapp is an iconic piece of Scandinavian design that functions as "the chair that grows with the child." Created in 1972, its intelligent, adjustable design provides a comfortable and ergonomic seat at any age. Made from high-quality European beech wood, it's a true investment piece that can transition from a high chair to a youth desk chair and even an adult seat.
- What it is: A premium, adjustable wooden high chair designed for use from infancy through a person's entire life.
- Key features: Independently adjustable seat plate and footplate for ergonomic support, fits right up to the dining table, holds up to 300 lbs, extensive range of colors and accessories (sold separately).
- Price: Around $250-$300 for the chair alone, baby set and tray are additional costs.
- Dimensions: Approximately 18.1" W x 31.1" H x 19.3" D. Weighs about 15.4 lbs.
- Materials/Construction: Made from solid European beech wood with non-toxic, water-based paint. Built for exceptional stability and durability.
- Style: Timeless and minimalist Scandinavian design that seamlessly integrates with home furniture rather than looking like a typical piece of baby gear.
- Pros: A "buy it once, use it forever" product with a very long lifespan. Exceptional ergonomic support promotes healthy posture. Beautiful design and high-quality materials. High resale value.
- Cons: Very high initial cost, especially once necessary accessories are added. Not portable and is much heavier than plastic alternatives. Has more crevices to clean than a simple plastic chair.
The Tripp Trapp is ideal for families seeking a durable, stylish, and ergonomic seating solution who are willing to invest in a long-term piece that will become a part of their home furniture.
Shop this product: stokke.com/en-us/high-chairs/tripp-trapp/
IKEA Antilop High Chair
The IKEA Antilop is famous for its simple-yet-effective design and incredibly low price point. It has become a staple in homes, restaurants, and grandparents' houses for a reason: it's lightweight, dead simple to clean, and gets the job done without any fuss. Its stark utilitarianism is its greatest strength, offering a practical solution for mealtime messes.
- What it is: An affordable, no-frills plastic high chair with a removable tray and legs.
- Key features: One-piece plastic seat is extremely easy to wipe down, legs pop off for easy storage or transport, includes a safety belt, very lightweight.
- Price: Around $20-$30, including the tray.
- Dimensions: Approximately 21-5/8" W x 35-1/8" H x 22" D.
- Materials/Construction: The seat is made of polypropylene plastic, and the legs are steel with a powder coating.
- Style: Purely functional and utilitarian. It looks exactly like what it is - a basic high chair that prioritizes function over form.
- Pros: Extremely budget-friendly. Incredibly easy to clean (the whole seat can be hosed down). Lightweight and portable, making it great for travel or storage. Minimalist design is easy to use.
- Cons: No adjustability in height or footrest, which isn't ideal for ergonomics. The fixed design means a child will outgrow it within a few years (max weight is 33 lbs). Looks very much like a "baby" item and doesn't blend with home decor.
The Antilop is the perfect choice for budget-conscious families, for use as a secondary chair, or for anyone who values ease of cleaning and portability over all other features.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/antilop-high-chair-with-tray-white-silver-color/
Stokke Tripp Trapp vs. IKEA Antilop Comparison
Price & Value
The price difference is the most dramatic factor. The Stokke Tripp Trapp costs over ten times more than the IKEA Antilop, especially after adding the necessary baby accessories. However, their value propositions are worlds apart. The Tripp Trapp offers long-term value as a chair that lasts for decades and holds a high resale value. The Antilop's value is in its upfront affordability - it provides a safe place for a baby to eat for an unbeatable price, but it's ultimately a short-term, disposable item.
Adjustability & Ergonomics
This is the Tripp Trapp's signature strength. With its adjustable seat and footplate, it can be perfectly calibrated to a child's size, ensuring their feet are supported and they are at the correct height at the table. This proper ergonomic support is crucial for comfort and focus during meals. The Antilop is a fixed height and has no footrest, meaning a little one's feet will dangle. While functional for short periods, this lack of support isn't ideal for posture or extended sitting.
Materials & Construction
The Tripp Trapp is built like a piece of fine furniture from solid beech wood, promising decades of stability and durability with a 300 lb weight capacity. The Antilop is made of thin steel legs and polypropylene plastic. While it's perfectly safe and sturdy enough for its intended use (up to 33 lbs), it is not designed to withstand years of hard use or growth. The feel of wood versus plastic is a significant differentiator in daily use and overall quality perception.
Cleaning & Portability
Here, the IKEA Antilop wins by a landslide. Its seamless plastic seat has no hidden corners for food to get trapped, and the entire unit can be wiped down or even sprayed off in seconds. Its legs also pop off easily, making it fantastic to pack for a trip or store in a closet. The Tripp Trapp requires more care, with wood surfaces and joints that need careful wiping. It's solid and heavy, making it a pain to move around and completely unsuitable for travel.
Style & Aesthetics
Your choice here depends on whether you want the high chair to blend in or if you don't mind a purely functional piece. The Tripp Trapp is designed to complement adult dining furniture, available in a wide array of natural wood finishes and paint colors. It looks like it belongs in the home. The Antilop is undeniably a baby item, its plastic and steel construction stands out and isn't meant to be a style statement.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both high chairs are excellent products, but they are designed for completely different parents with different priorities.
Choose the Stokke Tripp Trapp if:
- You're looking for a long-term "buy it for life" piece of furniture.
- Proper ergonomics and postural support for your child are top priorities.
- You want a stylish chair that seamlessly integrates with your home's decor.
- You have a larger budget and see the value in a high-quality, long-lasting item.
Choose the IKEA Antilop if:
- You are on a strict budget and need the most affordable, safe option.
- Your top priority is a chair that's incredibly fast and easy to clean.
- You need a lightweight chair that's easy to move, store, or take on trips.
- You're buying a secondary high chair for a relative's house or occasional use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Tripp Trapp and Antilop?
The main difference comes down to three things: price, materials, and adjustability. The Tripp Trapp is an expensive, adjustable long-term wooden chair, while the Antilop is an inexpensive, fixed-size, short-term plastic chair.
Does the IKEA Antilop have a footrest?
No, the Antilop does not come with a footrest. This is one of its biggest drawbacks from an ergonomic standpoint, although there are many third-party sellers online that make compatible, easy-to-install footrests if you want to add one.
How long can a child use the Stokke Tripp Trapp?
With its adjustable design and a weight capacity of up to 300 pounds, the Tripp Trapp can be used from around 6 months old (with the Baby Set accessory) through the teen years and well into adulthood as a regular chair.
Is the Stokke Tripp Trapp worth the money?
For families that value longevity, design, and ergonomics, it is often considered a worthwhile investment. Its ability to adapt over many years means you won't need to buy a booster seat or kids' desk chair later on, and its high resale value helps recoup some of the initial cost.
Which high chair is easier to clean?
The IKEA Antilop is significantly easier to clean. Its non-porous, single-piece plastic seat can be wiped or hosed down in seconds, while the wooden Tripp Trapp has more joints and needs more gentle cleaning.
Can you use the Tripp Trapp for travel?
No, the Tripp Trapp is not designed for travel. It is heavy (around 15 lbs) and does not collapse or disassemble easily, making the lightweight and easy-to-break-down Antilop the clear winner for portability.
Do I need to buy accessories for the Tripp Trapp?
Yes. The basic Tripp Trapp is just the chair frame. To use it for a baby (typically 6-36 months), you must purchase the separate "Baby Set," which includes a backrest and harness. A tray is also available as an optional accessory if you don't want to push the chair directly up to your table.
Which chair is better for small spaces?
The Antilop has a wider splay to its legs giving it a larger functional footprint, but it can be taken apart for storage. The Tripp Trapp has a smaller, more contained footprint and slides neatly under a dining table like a regular chair, which can be better for conserving daily floor space.
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