Kmart High Chairs 2026: Which Model Should You Buy? ($29 vs $69 Tested)

If you’ve ever stood in the Kmart baby aisle, phone in one hand and a wriggling baby on your hip, wondering whether the $29 high chair will do the job or whether you need to fork out for the fancier one — you are absolutely not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we get from mums across the country, and honestly, it’s a fair one. Feeding gear adds up fast, and nobody wants to waste money on something that’ll be covered in mashed pumpkin for the next two years.

The good news? Kmart has quietly become one of the best-value places in Australia to buy a high chair, and in 2026 their range is genuinely better than ever. But not every model suits every family. The $29 budget pick and the $69 deluxe option are built for very different households, and choosing the wrong one is the kind of thing that’ll niggle at you every single dinnertime.

So we did what we do best — we tested them properly, mess and all. Below you’ll find an honest, side-by-side comparison of the main Kmart high chairs available right now, who each one suits, and our clear, no-nonsense recommendation. Grab a cuppa, and let’s sort this out together.

Why So Many Aussie Mums Are Buying Kmart High Chairs in 2026

There was a time when buying a high chair meant heading to Baby Bunting and bracing yourself for a $150-plus price tag. And while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with premium chairs — we’ll touch on when they’re worth it — the reality is that a high chair is one of those bits of baby kit where you genuinely don’t need to spend a fortune to get something safe and functional.

Kmart has leaned into this hard. Their high chairs are designed to hit a price point that makes sense for the average Aussie family, especially those juggling a mortgage, daycare fees and the general chaos of life with little ones. The chairs are simple, easy to wipe down, and tick the safety boxes that matter.

The other big drawcard is availability. With Kmart stores in just about every shopping centre from Cairns to Hobart, plus reliable click-and-collect and delivery, you’re not waiting weeks for a specialty order. For a lot of families, that convenience — paired with the price — is exactly why a chair high chair from Kmart ends up being the one in their kitchen.

The Two Main Contenders: $29 vs $69

Kmart’s high chair range shifts a little from season to season, but the two stalwarts you’ll almost always find are the budget plastic high chair (around $29) and the deluxe adjustable high chair (around $69). These are the two we put through their paces, and they represent the genuine decision most mums are weighing up.

Here’s the quick snapshot before we dig into the detail:

Feature	Budget High Chair ($29)	Deluxe High Chair ($69)
Price (2026)	$29	$69
Height adjustable	No	Yes (multiple positions)
Reclining backrest	No	Yes
Removable tray	Yes	Yes (dishwasher-safe insert)
Footrest	Fixed	Adjustable
Wheels	No	Yes (with brakes)
Folds flat	No	Yes
Seat padding	Minimal	Padded, wipeable
Weight capacity	Up to 15kg	Up to 15kg
Best for	Occasional use, grandparents, tight budgets	Everyday primary high chair

Both meet the relevant Australian safety requirements and carry a five-point harness, which is the non-negotiable when it comes to keeping a determined six-month-old from launching themselves out. But beyond that baseline, the experience of using them day-to-day is quite different.

The $29 Budget High Chair: Honest Review

Let’s start with the wallet-friendly hero. The $29 Kmart high chair is a no-frills, lightweight plastic seat with a removable tray and a five-point harness. It’s the kind of thing you can assemble in about ten minutes with a cup of tea on the bench.

In testing, the standout was how easy it is to clean. Because it’s all smooth moulded plastic with minimal crevices, a quick wipe after dinner had it looking respectable again. Anyone who has spent twenty minutes digging dried Weet-Bix out of fabric padding will understand why this matters. The tray pops off easily and fits in the sink for a proper scrub.

It’s also genuinely light, so shifting it around the kitchen or stacking it in a corner between meals is no drama. For grandparents who only need a high chair occasionally, or for families short on space, this is a really sensible buy.

Pros of the $29 high chair

• Brilliant value — hard to beat at this price
• Extremely easy to wipe clean
• Lightweight and easy to move
• Simple five-minute assembly
• Solid, stable base

Cons of the $29 high chair

• No height adjustment — sits at one fixed height
• Backrest doesn’t recline, so less ideal for younger babies just starting solids
• Minimal padding, so longer sits can get a bit uncomfortable
• Doesn’t fold flat for storage
• No wheels

Our verdict: For the price, this is a genuinely good high chair. It’s the perfect second chair for the grandparents’ place, a holiday house, or a budget-conscious family who just needs something safe and functional. Where it falls down is as your everyday, sole high chair for a baby starting solids around six months — the lack of recline and adjustability is felt more over time.

The $69 Deluxe High Chair: Honest Review

Now for the upgrade. At $69, the deluxe Kmart high chair is still excellent value compared to the wider market, but it adds the features that make daily life genuinely easier. This is the one that surprised us most in testing.

The headline features are the adjustable height, the reclining backrest and the wheels. The recline is the big one for younger babies — when bub is just starting solids at around six months and isn’t fully steady sitting upright, being able to tilt the seat back slightly makes feeding far more comfortable and safer. As they grow, you bring it upright.

The height adjustment is a quiet game-changer too. Being able to bring baby up to your dining table height means they’re part of family mealtimes rather than parked off to the side, which matters more than you’d think for those early social and feeding milestones. The wheels with brakes mean you can roll it from kitchen to dining room without lifting, then lock it firmly in place.

The padded, wipeable seat is more comfortable for longer sits, and the whole thing folds flat — a blessing if you’re tight on space or want to tuck it away when guests come over.

Pros of the $69 high chair

• Adjustable height to match your table
• Reclining backrest — great from six months
• Wheels with brakes for easy moving
• Folds flat for storage
• Padded, wipeable seat
• Adjustable footrest grows with your child

Cons of the $69 high chair

• More than double the price of the budget option
• Slightly more involved assembly
• The padded seat takes marginally longer to clean than bare plastic
• Bulkier overall

Our verdict: This is the high chair we’d recommend as your everyday primary chair. The recline and height adjustment genuinely earn their keep, especially in that first year. At $69 it still represents outstanding value next to comparable models elsewhere.

How Kmart High Chairs Compare to Other Australian Retailers

It’s worth a quick reality check on how Kmart stacks up against the other big players, because price alone doesn’t tell the whole story. Here’s a rough comparison of entry-level to mid-range high chairs across Australian retailers in 2026:

Retailer	Typical entry price	Typical mid-range price	Notes
Kmart	$29	$69	Best value, widely available
Target AU	$35	$89	Similar simple designs
Big W	$39	$99	Decent mid-range range
Baby Bunting	$59	$149+	Wider premium selection, expert staff
Chemist Warehouse	$45	$110	Limited but occasionally good deals

The takeaway? For straightforward, safe, functional high chairs, Kmart consistently undercuts the competition. Where retailers like Baby Bunting earn their place is in the premium end — convertible chairs that transform into toddler seats, beautiful wooden Scandinavian-style designs, and the benefit of staff who can talk you through options in person. If you’re after a high chair that’ll be a feature in your kitchen for years, that’s where you’d look. But for sheer value and doing the job well, Kmart wins.

Safety: What to Check Before You Buy Any High Chair

No matter which high chair you choose, safety is the part you never compromise on. The good news is that high chairs sold by major Australian retailers, including Kmart, are required to meet ACCC safety standards. But it’s still worth knowing what to look for, because how you use the chair matters just as much as the chair itself.

• Always use the five-point harness. Both Kmart chairs include one. The tray is not a restraint — babies can and do slide down underneath it, so the harness is essential every single time, even for a quick snack.
• Check the stability. A wide base is your friend. Give any high chair a wobble test before bub goes in. Both Kmart models passed our stability check comfortably.
• Engage the brakes. On the $69 model with wheels, always lock them before placing your child in the seat.
• Watch for finger traps and gaps. Make sure folding mechanisms are fully locked into place before use.
• Never leave bub unattended. Sounds obvious, but mealtimes are exactly when we’re tempted to dash off to grab something. Pop them down or take baby with you.

One more tip: position the high chair away from benches, walls and tables that little feet could push off against. A surprising number of tip-overs happen because a toddler braced against the table and shoved backwards.

Which High Chair Should You Actually Buy?

Right, let’s make this simple, because that’s what you came for. Here’s how we’d guide you based on your situation:

Buy the $29 budget high chair if: you need a second chair for the grandparents or holiday house, you’re on a very tight budget, you’re short on storage and don’t mind a fixed-height seat, or your baby is already a confident, upright sitter (think 9 months-plus). It’s a brilliant little chair for what it is.

Buy the $69 deluxe high chair if: this will be your everyday, primary high chair, your baby is just starting solids around six months, you want it to grow with your child, or you’d appreciate the convenience of wheels and folding flat. For most families starting their solids journey, this is the one.

If you’re truly torn, our advice is to spend the extra $40 on the deluxe model. Over the eighteen-or-so months you’ll be using a high chair daily, the recline, adjustability and comfort genuinely pay for themselves in less fuss and happier mealtimes.

mum.com.au Approved: Our Top Pick

After testing both chairs through the full gauntlet of porridge, smashed banana and the occasional flung spoonful of spag bol, the Kmart Deluxe Adjustable High Chair ($69) earns our mum.com.au Approved badge for 2026.

It’s the rare bit of baby gear that punches well above its price point. The reclining backrest makes it suitable from the very start of solids, the height adjustment brings your baby right into the heart of family mealtimes, and the fold-flat design and wheels solve the storage and mobility headaches that plague cheaper chairs. At $69, it offers features you’d typically pay well over $100 for elsewhere.

For families wanting a no-fuss everyday high chair that does everything you need without the premium price tag, this is the one we’d happily recommend to our own friends and family.

Honourable mention: the $29 budget high chair remains an absolute steal as a second chair or for occasional use. If your needs are simple, don’t feel you have to spend more — it’s a genuinely good little chair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Kmart high chairs safe?

Yes. High chairs sold by Kmart are required to meet Australian ACCC safety standards, and both the models we tested include a five-point harness and a stable base. As with any high chair, safety also depends on correct use — always buckle the harness, engage the brakes on wheeled models, and never leave your baby unattended.

What age can a baby use a high chair?

Most babies are ready for a high chair when they start solids, typically around six months, provided they can sit with support and have good head control. For younger babies in this window, the reclining feature on the $69 Kmart model is particularly helpful. Always check that your baby meets the developmental signs of readiness before starting solids.

How do I clean a Kmart high chair?

The $29 plastic chair simply wipes down with warm soapy water, and the tray can be removed and washed in the sink. The $69 deluxe model has a wipeable padded seat and a dishwasher-safe tray insert, making cleanup after messy meals quick and easy. Wiping down after each meal stops food drying into crevices.

Can I buy Kmart high chairs online?

Yes. Both models are available through the Kmart website with delivery and click-and-collect options across Australia, as well as in-store at most Kmart locations. Stock can vary seasonally, so if you’re after a specific model it’s worth checking availability online before heading in.

Is the $69 high chair really worth the extra money?

For most families using it as their everyday primary high chair, yes. The reclining backrest, adjustable height, wheels and fold-flat design add genuine day-to-day convenience that you’ll appreciate over the eighteen months or so of regular use. If you only need an occasional or second chair, the $29 model is perfectly adequate.

The Bottom Line

Choosing a high chair shouldn’t be stressful, and the lovely thing about Kmart’s 2026 range is that there’s genuinely no wrong answer — just a right answer for your particular family. The $29 budget chair is a cracking little buy for occasional use, second homes and tight budgets, while the $69 deluxe model is the one we’d reach for as an everyday primary high chair.

Our pick? Spend the extra $40 on the deluxe. The recline, height adjustment and overall comfort make the early months of solids smoother, and you’ll get years of reliable use out of it. It’s the kind of practical, good-value buy that makes the whole feeding chapter just a little bit easier — and goodness knows, every little bit helps.

Whichever you choose, buckle that harness, embrace the mess, and enjoy those gloriously chaotic first meals. They grow up faster than the floor stays clean.