Choosing a highchair in the UK usually comes down to two places: Argos and IKEA. Argos stocks popular brands like Joie, Chicco, and their own Cuggl range, whilst IKEA's Antilop has become something of a cult classic amongst British parents. But which one actually deserves a spot in your kitchen?
We've compared the most popular Argos highchairs against the IKEA Antilop on the things that matter most — price, safety, practicality, and how well they adapt as your baby grows. Here's our honest verdict.
The Contenders: What's Available
Let's start with what you're actually choosing between. Here are the most popular highchairs from each retailer:
From Argos
- Joie Mimzy Snacker — Argos's bestselling highchair. Compact fold, padded seat, adjustable tray. Around £50-£60.
- Chicco Polly Easy — Mid-range option with height adjustment, reclining seat, and compact fold. Around £70-£90.
- Joie Multiply 6-in-1 — The premium pick. Converts from highchair to toddler chair, booster seat, and more. Around £100-£130.
- Cuggl Mushroom Highchair — Argos's budget option. Basic but functional. Around £25-£35.
From IKEA
- IKEA Antilop — The only highchair IKEA sells. Minimalist design, detachable tray, removable legs. £20 (highchair only) or £25 with tray and supporting cushion.
Right away, you'll notice IKEA takes a fundamentally different approach: one product, done well, at a remarkably low price. Argos gives you choice; IKEA gives you simplicity.
Price Comparison (GBP)
Price matters, especially when you're outfitting a nursery. Here's how the numbers stack up:
| Highchair | Price | Tray Included | Harness |
|---|---|---|---|
| IKEA Antilop (with tray) | £25 | Yes | Yes (3-point) |
| Cuggl Mushroom (Argos) | £30 | Yes | Yes (5-point) |
| Joie Mimzy Snacker | £55 | Yes | Yes (5-point) |
| Chicco Polly Easy | £80 | Yes | Yes (5-point) |
| Joie Multiply 6-in-1 | £120 | Yes | Yes (5-point) |
The IKEA Antilop is the clear winner on price. At £25 with tray, it's less than half the cost of most Argos options. Even the budget Cuggl is more expensive. But price alone doesn't tell the whole story — what do you actually get for your money?
Safety and Stability
All highchairs sold in the UK must meet BS EN 14988, the European safety standard for highchairs. Every option on this list meets that standard. But there are differences worth noting.
IKEA Antilop
The Antilop has a wide-legged stance that makes it exceptionally stable. Its low centre of gravity means it's very difficult to tip over — even when your toddler decides to test the laws of physics. The three-point harness keeps your baby secure, and the wrap-around tray creates an additional barrier.
One criticism: the three-point harness (rather than five-point) gives older babies more freedom to lean and wriggle. Some parents upgrade to an aftermarket five-point harness for added peace of mind.
Argos Highchairs
The Joie and Chicco models typically feature five-point harnesses, which provide more secure restraint. The Chicco Polly Easy includes a crotch post as standard, adding another layer of security.
However, the folding mechanisms on many Argos highchairs can be a concern. Folding joints mean potential pinch points, and over time, hinges can loosen. The IKEA Antilop has no moving parts whatsoever — which means nothing to wear out, loosen, or fail.
Our take: Both are safe. The Antilop's simplicity gives it an edge for long-term reliability. If a five-point harness matters to you, that's a valid reason to consider Argos options — or simply add one to the Antilop.
Cleaning and Practicality
If you've started weaning, you already know: the highchair gets absolutely destroyed at every meal. Cleaning ease isn't a luxury — it's a necessity.
IKEA Antilop: A Dream to Clean
The Antilop is made entirely from smooth, non-porous plastic. There are no fabric pads, no crevices where food hides, no foam that absorbs spills. You can literally take it into the garden and hose it down. Many UK parents put the tray and seat in the dishwasher (it fits in most models).
Argos Highchairs: More Features, More Cleaning
The Joie Mimzy Snacker and Chicco Polly both come with padded fabric seats. Comfortable? Yes. Easy to clean? Absolutely not. Food gets into seams, behind padding, and into adjustment mechanisms. The fabric covers are removable and machine-washable on most models, but you'll be doing that wash frequently.
The Cuggl Mushroom is closer to the Antilop in terms of cleaning — basic plastic construction without elaborate padding.
"I owned a Joie for my first baby and the IKEA Antilop for my second. The Antilop wins on cleaning by a country mile. I literally wipe it down in 30 seconds." — UK parent review
Portability and Storage
Living in a smaller UK home? Portability and storage footprint matter.
IKEA Antilop
The Antilop's legs pop off in seconds without any tools. The seat, tray, and legs stack flat — perfect for storing in a cupboard, taking to grandparents' house, or even packing for holiday. The whole thing weighs just 3.4kg.
Argos Highchairs
The Joie Mimzy Snacker folds compactly and is designed for smaller spaces — it's one of its best features. The Chicco Polly Easy also folds but takes up more room. The Joie Multiply is bulky and heavy (11kg+), making it impractical for frequent moving.
For travel and storage: The IKEA Antilop is virtually unbeatable. Its disassembly design means it fits in a car boot alongside everything else. We've seen parents take them on aeroplanes.
Accessories and Upgradability
This is where things get interesting — and where the IKEA Antilop truly shines.
Argos Highchair Accessories
The Argos highchairs come relatively complete out of the box. Padded seat, adjustable tray, harness — it's all there. But upgrading or customising them? Options are limited. Replacement parts can be difficult to find, and there's no aftermarket ecosystem to speak of.
IKEA Antilop Accessories
The Antilop's simplicity is its greatest strength. Because it's so widely owned, a thriving ecosystem of accessories has developed around it. You can transform a basic £20 highchair into a fully-featured feeding station:
- Adjustable Footrest — The single most impactful upgrade. Provides the foot support needed for proper 90-90-90 posture, which improves eating behaviour, reduces fidgeting, and supports safe swallowing. This is the upgrade feeding therapists recommend.
- Silicone Placemat — Full-coverage silicone mat that fits the Antilop tray perfectly. Reduces mess, keeps food in reach, and peels off for easy cleaning.
- Cushion Cover — Adds comfort and style. Wipeable vegan leather and fabric options available. Makes the minimal Antilop seat cosy for longer meals.
- Leg Wraps — Transform the look of the white plastic legs with realistic wood-grain vinyl wraps. Protects your floors from scratches too.
The total cost of an Antilop with footrest, placemat, and cushion cover is still competitive with — or less than — a mid-range Argos highchair. But you get a customised setup that's exactly right for your baby.
Longevity: How Long Will It Last?
Most highchairs are used from around 6 months to 2-3 years. Here's how they hold up:
Argos Options
The Joie Multiply claims to last from birth to 6 years thanks to its conversion options. In practice, most parents find the highchair mode useful until around 2-3 years, and the booster seat mode until 4-5. Fabric wear and hinge loosening are common complaints after 18 months of daily use.
IKEA Antilop
The Antilop is rated from 6 months to 3 years (max 15kg). Its all-plastic construction means it doesn't degrade with use — there are no moving parts to wear out. Many families use the same Antilop for multiple children. Its adjustable footrest grows with your child, extending the practical lifespan.
Resale value: IKEA Antilops hold their value remarkably well on Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree. A used Antilop with accessories often sells for more than its original purchase price.
Other UK Options Worth Mentioning
Before we give our verdict, it's worth noting two other popular UK highchairs:
- Stokke Tripp Trapp (from John Lewis, £200+) — The premium choice. Grows with your child from baby to adult. Beautiful design, but the price is significant.
- Mamas & Papas Snax (from Mamas & Papas stores, £70-£90) — Adjustable height, compact fold. A solid mid-range option but similar in specification to the Chicco Polly.
Both are quality products, but neither matches the Antilop's value proposition when you factor in the accessory ecosystem.
Our Verdict
After comparing price, safety, cleaning, portability, accessories, and longevity, here's where we land:
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Price | IKEA Antilop | £25 vs £55-£130 |
| Safety | Draw | Both meet BS EN 14988 |
| Cleaning | IKEA Antilop | Non-porous plastic, no fabric |
| Portability | IKEA Antilop | 3.4kg, tool-free disassembly |
| Out-of-box comfort | Argos (Joie/Chicco) | Padded seats, recline options |
| Accessories | IKEA Antilop | Thriving upgrade ecosystem |
| Longevity | IKEA Antilop | No moving parts, multi-child use |
Our recommendation: For most UK families, the IKEA Antilop is the smarter buy. It's cheaper upfront, easier to maintain, and more versatile when upgraded with the right accessories. Start with the base highchair and add a footrest and placemat — you'll have a setup that outperforms highchairs costing three times as much.
The Argos highchairs make sense if you specifically need a reclining seat (for younger babies), prefer padded comfort out of the box, or want a convertible chair that transitions to a booster seat. The Joie Mimzy Snacker is a solid choice in that case.
But for value, practicality, and the ability to create exactly the setup your baby needs? The IKEA Antilop wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy the IKEA Antilop online in the UK?
Yes. You can order the Antilop from ikea.com/gb for home delivery. It's also available in all UK IKEA stores. Delivery costs around £4-£6 depending on your location. Argos highchairs are available for both home delivery and Click & Collect from local stores, which can be more convenient.
Is the IKEA Antilop suitable from birth?
No. The Antilop is designed for babies who can sit independently, typically around 6 months. If you need a highchair from birth, the Joie Multiply from Argos offers a recline position suitable for newborns. However, most feeding specialists recommend waiting until 6 months to use any highchair for meals.
Does the IKEA Antilop have a 5-point harness?
The Antilop comes with a 3-point harness as standard. Many parents find this sufficient, but aftermarket 5-point harnesses are available and easy to fit. The wrap-around tray also acts as an additional safety barrier.
Which Argos highchair is easiest to clean?
The Cuggl Mushroom is the easiest to clean from the Argos range, thanks to its simple plastic construction. For the Joie and Chicco models, always remove the fabric seat pad after messy meals and machine wash regularly.
Are Little Puku accessories compatible with Argos highchairs?
Little Puku accessories are designed specifically for the IKEA Antilop highchair. They're precision-engineered to fit the Antilop's exact dimensions and won't work with Argos highchairs. This is actually one of the Antilop's advantages — a dedicated accessory ecosystem means perfect fit every time.
