In a nutshell

A great price for a chair that can last to age 10, but not the best wooden highchair on the market

What we tested

  • Ease of use
    A star rating of 3.0 out of 5.
  • Ease of cleaning
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Comfort
    A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.
  • Style
    A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.
  • Durability
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 3.7 out of 5.

Pros

  • Highly adjustable solid wood highchair that converts to a child's chair, great choice of colours

Cons

  • Not collapsible, no tray, front safety bar an awkward shape and size, seatpad costs extra

With its smart classic look and good adjustability, the Hauck Alpha highchair is a budget buy that will last for years, but it does has a few imperfections.

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Available in seven different colours, including the classic natural wood, it’s easy to find one of these chairs to suit your taste. The Alpha comes flat-packed, complete with the necessary Allen key, so be prepared for a little self-assembly – it’s quite straightforward, though the instructions could be a little clearer (all diagrams to avoid having to translate them into several different languages). Once assembled, the seat and footrest simply slot into the frame so it’s easy to adjust as your baby grows – right up to the age of 10. There are two height positions as a highchair, or three when used as a child's chair.

What we love

Looks-wise, this is smart and unobtrusive - unless you choose bright pink or orange, of course!

It seems lower than many highchairs, so it fits in better at the dining table. The fact that it can be used from 6 months right up to 10 years gives this an enviable longevity, though you’ll need an extra one if you have more than one child.

It feels quite sturdy and the V shape of the frame gives good stability. These simple classic lines also mean there aren’t too many nooks and crannies for bits of food to hide, so it’s easy to wipe clean. The seat pad, available as an extra, is machine washable, too. For a chair that will last up to age 10, the price is fantastic.

What to watch out for

The safety bar at the front looks like a tray, but is far too small (a separate tray is available at extra cost), so your child has to sit at the table to eat. This is of course a good thing as it encourages good social skills, however it is difficult because of the width of the bar – unless your table is high enough for this to sit under, the chair won’t reach the table and lots of food will be spilt.

If space is at a premium, you should bear in mind that the feet are quite widely spaced, and this chair doesn’t fold flat for storage.

When your child is big enough not to need the safety bar, you’ll have to dismantle the chair to remove it, which will take time.

The crotch strap, a narrow strip of fabric secured with Velcro, looks cheap and uncomfortable. There are no straps on this highchair to keep your little one in, though the safety bar should keep all but the most determined under control. The fact that this bar isn’t easily removable may mean a struggle getting a wriggly baby in place.

Smaller babies will need the seat pad, which costs extra.

Who is the Hauck Alpha highchair best for?

Budget-conscious parents after a highchair with longevity.

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MadeForMums verdict

As an adjustable chair that will last beyond the toddler years, the Hauck Alpha highchair offers great value for money and will not look out of place in most dining rooms. However, the poor design of the safety bar, which is neither tray nor bar, obstructs your chances of using the Alpha as a baby chair for sitting at the table.

Product Specifications

Product
BrandHauck
ModelAlpha highchair
Price£79.99
Suitable for
Child age (approx)6 months to 10 years
Dimensions & Weight
DimensionsH:80cm W:48cm D:56cm
Features
Seat height positions2
Recline positionsNone
Made fromWood (beech), wood composite
Features
  • Simple self-assembly with integral safety bar and crotch strap
  • Can be adjusted to child's chair
Accessories
Optional extrasStandard seatpad (£18.99), deluxe seatpad (£21.99)
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