REVIEW: Graco 3-in-1 DuoDiner High Chair

Graco 3-in-1 DuoDiner High Chair – The Pros:

• This chair is almost 3 years old and still looks brand new. My daughter has pooped in it, peed in it, barfed on it, spit on it, colored on it, crushed food into it – and that’s only the stuff I know about – but the washing machine takes it all out. I let the straps air-dry, but the seat, back- and headrests go right into my dryer and don’t shrink (and I’ve accidentally put the straps in a few times too and they’ve been fine).
• You don’t have to be a bodybuilder to adjust its settings, take off the fabric, lift and lock the tray, etc.
• At the same time, this thing is sturdy. Your kid isn’t going anywhere, no matter how badly they may want to or how much force they throw into it.
• The off-white tray on top actually comes off to show a dark blue tray underneath. This is awesome because it becomes a mini desk/activity center for your little one. I can’t tell you the number of times we’ve played with stickers or Mr. Potato Head on there after taking the top tray away.
• It can be folded up for easy storage or long-term travel (though the Summer Infant Pop ‘n Sit Portable Booster is definitely a better option for short trips).
• Only recently have I discovered that there’s a bib holder behind the seat, which is more useful than you’d think. OK, so maybe it’s not marketed that way – it’s just a space that’s created when your kid sits upright vs reclining – but for us, it’s definitely a bib holder….
• We put B in there at 4 months, where she basically was lying down in the chair. We’ve since adjusted the height, the footrests, the straps and the angle at which she sits, and we’ve incredibly never encountered any issues. She also looks comfortable in there, and honestly, even though there’s no scientific evidence behind this, I really do think it’s helped her become a good eater too.

• I’m looking forward to taking advantage of its ability to become a booster seat later on too, because the longer she is strapped in, the happier Mommy will be (sorry again, B).

Graco 3-in-1 DuoDiner High Chair – The Cons:

• Our dishwasher is standard-sized – 24″ across, if that’s valuable to you – but the tray does not fit. It’s annoying sometimes, but I’ve gotten used to it and I really think the multiple benefits outweigh this one negative. That said, I can’t speak to whether or not it would warp in a dishwasher, since I’ve never had the good fortune to actually put it in there.
• Its benefit – sturdiness – can also be its negative because in order for it to be so solid, it does have a fairly wide base. This means that it’s not the smallest high chair on the market, so may not be great for small spaces.
• I don’t know why, but I can’t seem to find it on Amazon anymore; practically everywhere else in the world carries it, but I know Amazon’s the first place we all go to buy.

In Closing:

If you’re looking for a reliable high chair that will grow with your kid and is easy to clean, the Graco 3-in-1 DuoDiner high chair is a great choice. Just make sure you get one with a fabric headrest, because there are a few leatherette versions circling around that are not machine-washable.

Despite its relatively high cost ($80-120 depending on retailer), this chair’s ability to easily convert from an infant seat to a high chair and then to a booster seat will ultimately save you money since you won’t need another one. It might also even help get your little one to eat better, which will restore just a tiny bit of sanity to your life too; and trust me – you need every shred you can get.

Want to Buy?

• GracoBaby
• Albee Baby
• Bed Bath & Beyond
• BuyBuyBaby
• Target
• Walmart