IKEA Antilop vs Tripp Trapp: Best High Chair

Detailed Feature Comparison

1. Price & Value

IKEA Antilop:

– The cheapest mainstream high chair in Australia, with the tray included

– Disposable by design: use it hard through the messy years, then donate it

Stokke Tripp Trapp:

– A serious upfront investment, and the Baby Set and Tray are typically sold separately

– Spread across 15+ years of use, the cost per year becomes modest

Value analysis:

– Antilop: the cheapest way to get through the high-chair years

– Tripp Trapp: costs many times more upfront, but can serve one child from six months into the teenage years and holds strong resale value

2. Build Quality & Materials

IKEA Antilop:

– Polypropylene plastic

– Lightweight (1.8kg)

– Sturdy enough for toddlers

– No moving parts to break

– Lifespan: 2-3 years typical use

Stokke Tripp Trapp:

– Solid European beech wood

– Heavy duty (6.8kg)

– Premium craftsmanship

– Adjustable components (last decades)

– Lifespan: 50+ years (literally used by multiple generations)

Durability:

– Antilop: Lightweight = tips over if child climbs

– Tripp Trapp: Heavy = very stable

– Antilop: Scratches, scuffs, eventually cracks

– Tripp Trapp: Can be sanded and refinished

3. Adjustability & Growth

IKEA Antilop:

– Fixed seat height

– No footrest

– No adjustments

– Used from 6 months (when baby can sit) to ~3 years

– Child’s legs dangle (bad ergonomics)

Stokke Tripp Trapp:

– Adjustable seat depth

– Adjustable seat height

– Adjustable footrest

– Grows from 6 months to adult

– Proper posture at every age

Ergonomics:

– Antilop: Legs dangle = poor posture, uncomfortable for long meals

– Tripp Trapp: Footrest support = proper posture, comfortable

Age range:

– Antilop: 6 months – 3 years (maybe 4)

– Tripp Trapp: 6 months – adult (80+ years)

4. Ease of Cleaning

IKEA Antilop:

– Single-piece plastic

– Wipe down in 30 seconds

– Or hose down in backyard

– No crevices for food

– Dishwasher-safe tray

– Cleaning time: 1 minute

Stokke Tripp Trapp:

– Wood grain traps food

– Requires scrubbing

– Multiple surfaces (seat, footrest, frame)

– Tray is plastic (easy)

– Wood needs occasional oiling

– Cleaning time: 5 minutes

Real-world:

– Antilop: Hose down weekly, wipe daily

– Tripp Trapp: Wipe carefully to avoid water damage

Winner: IKEA Antilop (significantly easier)

5. Portability

IKEA Antilop:

– Weight: 1.8kg

– Legs detach (pack flat)

– Easy to move room-to-room

– Great for travel

– Fits in car easily

Stokke Tripp Trapp:

– Weight: 6.8kg

– Does not disassemble

– Bulky to move

– Not travel-friendly

– Too heavy for frequent moving

Winner: IKEA Antilop

6. Aesthetics & Design

IKEA Antilop:

– Basic plastic chair

– Comes in white, light blue, pink, red

– 1990s utilitarian design

– Stands out (not in a good way) in modern kitchens

– No one buys this for looks

Stokke Tripp Trapp:

– Scandinavian design icon

– Won design awards

– Comes in 20+ wood finishes

– Blends into dining space

– Looks like furniture, not baby gear

– Status symbol (like a designer handbag)

Color options:

– Antilop: 4 colors (all bright/plasticky)

– Tripp Trapp: Natural oak, walnut, black, white, grey, etc.

Winner: Stokke Tripp Trapp (by miles)

7. Safety

IKEA Antilop:

– 5-point harness: no (3-point only)

– Lightweight = tips if child climbs

– Wide legs = hard to tip forward/back

– Meets Australian standards

– Concerns: Child can push off table and tip

Stokke Tripp Trapp:

– Baby Set includes 5-point harness

– Very stable (heavy)

– Almost impossible to tip

– Meets international safety standards

– Minimal concerns

Safety verdict:

– Both safe when used correctly

– Tripp Trapp more stable

– Antilop needs supervision (child shouldn’t push off table)

8. Footrest & Posture

IKEA Antilop:

– No footrest

– Legs dangle

– Poor posture during meals

– Uncomfortable for long dinners

Stokke Tripp Trapp:

– Adjustable footrest

– Feet supported at every age

– Promotes proper posture

– Comfortable for extended meals

Why it matters:

– Dangling legs = fidgety child

– Supported feet = calmer, focused eating

– Better posture = better digestion

Winner: Stokke Tripp Trapp

9. Resale Value

IKEA Antilop:

– Minimal resale value — most people donate or bin it

– Zero collectible value

Stokke Tripp Trapp:

– Strong secondhand demand; used chairs typically retain a large share of their value

– Vintage Tripp Trapps from the 1970s-80s still trade actively

Cost recovery:

– Antilop: treat the purchase price as fully spent

– Tripp Trapp: expect to recover a meaningful share at resale

10. Accessories & Ecosystem

IKEA Antilop:

– Tray: Included

– Inflatable cushion sold separately

– No other accessories

– Simple ecosystem

Stokke Tripp Trapp:

– Baby Set (6+ months), sold separately

– Tray, sold separately

– Cushions

– Newborn Set (0-6 months)

– High chair table

– Extended Glider

The full ecosystem adds up quickly — most families only need the Baby Set and Tray.