Allis Baby Lola Highchair review

Tested by

Naomi Tolley is a journalist and mum-of-three from Birmingham who tested the Allis Baby Lola highchair at home with her 7-month-old daughter, Oona.

What were your first impressions of the Allis Baby Lola highchair?

As my toddler Ari and I unpacked the Allis Baby Lola highchair from its box, I was immediately impressed with the product. It was compact, sturdy and stylish. The cheap, plastic highchair we had used with our previous babies paled in comparison to the Lola, with its leather-look seat, entertaining removable toy bar and detachable tray.

How easy is the Allis Baby Lola highchair to build?

After reading through the brief but detailed instructions, it took less than 2 minutes for me to construct the Lola highchair. Assembly was made simple using a series of large, easy-to-find and use buttons and levers.

MFM parent tester Rebecca Shellard - who tested the highchair with her 9-month-old baby - also praised how simple it was to build, noting: “The chair itself is incredibly easy to put together. It is literally a case of taking it out of the box, and it's ready to go, no assembly required.”

How did you find using the Lola highchair with your baby/toddler?

Oona was instantly curious and fidgeting with excitement at the new chair. I found that by reclining the seat and raising the footrest a little, it was easier for her to sit in safely as she tended to lean forward before securing the straps.

The tray was a delight to use, a simple lever/ button underneath the tray secures it into place, which you can see in this handy manufacturer's video.

How do you rate the straps on the Allis Baby Lola highchair?

The easy-to-adjust five-point harness is our least favourite feature about the Lola highchair. The straps seem too loose, even at the tightest setting, often falling off Oona’s shoulders and distracting her from her food.

The straps are light grey in colour, meaning certain foods (namely pizza), stained the straps on day 2. The clips and adjustments also have a few nooks and crannies which can easily get clogged with food and are not the easiest to clean. I found the only way around this was to put a full-length bib onto Oona over the harness before eating - even then, food tended to get stuck in the main clip.

However, MFMs parent tester Rebecca felt the straps were “safe and secure” for her daughter, adding that the harness gave “enough flexibility to lean forward to reach most of the way across the tray”.

How comfortable did your baby find the Allis Baby Lola highchair?

Once over her initial curiosity, Oona settled into the Lola highchair like a dream, often sitting calmly gazing out of the French doors at the garden and, on one occasion, falling asleep. MFMs parent tester Hollie McAlpine also felt the Lola highchair offered her 9-month old “total comfort”, while also keeping her child safe and secure.

Is the Allis Baby Lola highchair adjustable?

Yes, the Lola highchair has eight different height positions, making it extremely adaptable to any environment. Oona has been able to sit right up to the table on the highest height setting and, on the lowest height setting, even joined me on the decking in the garden while potting plants. It has a further 5 reclining seat positions and 3 footrest positions which are all easy to adjust and the mechanisms smooth. However, some customers on Amazon felt the tray height was too high, with one reviewer stating that their 8-month old still struggled to eat comfortably from the tray.

How easy is the Allis Baby Lola highchair to keep clean?

Aside from the straps, the Lola highchair is very easy to clean and can be wiped down with a warm cloth in a matter of seconds. Parent tester Rebecca was also a fan of how easy it was to wipe clean the PU leather seat, stating that “even raspberry juice stains have been completely wiped away, which is great for messy meal times”. I also particularly liked the detachable tray with a dishwasher-safe divider that can be unclipped, food scraped into the bin and wiped down over the sink. We do not have a dishwasher, but the large divider may be difficult to fit into smaller machines.

Does the Allis Baby Lola highchair take up a lot of space when unfolded?

There is no denying that the Lola highchair’s frame is chunky and our toddler tripped over the back of it a couple of times whilst navigating his way around the kitchen. It is not particularly compact when unfolded (H: 108 cm W: 53 cm L: 75 cm) but if this is problematic in smaller kitchens, it can be easily folded and stowed away.

How easy is the Allis Baby Lola highchair to fold?

It is incredibly easy to fold the Lola highchair using two large buttons tucked inside the handles on either side of the chair. This is a great, innovative design feature as the buttons form part of the main frame, meaning there is no risk of catching fingers. You simply lift the chair with a hand on either side, simultaneously pushing the buttons, and away you go.

However, MFMs parent tester Rebecca did find that two hands are needed to complete this movement, meaning it can not be done while carrying your baby.

How easy is it to store the Allis Baby Lola highchair when folded?

When folded, the Lola highchair is compact and free-standing meaning it could easily be kept in a store cupboard or in the corner of the kitchen when not in use. I also like how the tray can be removed and clipped onto the back of the highchair’s legs, which was a useful space-saver. Parent tester Hollie also noted how “super easy” it is to dismantle, fold away or tuck under the stairs if needed.

Is the Allis Baby Lola highchair easily moved?

Its portability is perhaps one of the Lola highchair’s best features. It is relatively lightweight (7.7kg) with two front wheels, making it really easy to move from room-to-room. While it aids the transportation of the chair, parent tester Rebecca did note that its lightweight design does have the downside of making the Lola highchair feel “a little bit wobbly” at times, adding that “as we regularly move it around, I feel that that's a reasonable compromise to make”.

What do you think about the Allis Baby Lola highchair’s design?

Modern, almost-industrial in appearance, the Lola highchair is more striking and stylish than pretty and petite. It fits in well with our colour-schemes and modern décor. However, while the fabric gives it a premium look, parent tester Rebecca stated she felt “let down” by its frame as the “plastic parts look less premium and it feels less sturdy than I would have expected”.

How do you rate the Lola highchair’s features?

The removable toy bar, which comes complete with three toys, is a nice touch and has been a hit with both Oona and us as parents. It has a rattle built into the rabbit, a squeaky crescent moon and cloud, all in equally muted colours. We found this to be particularly handy when laying the table before mealtimes, offering Oona a pleasant distraction while waiting for her food.

Does the highchair have any other additional functionalities?

Thanks to the five reclining positions and toy bar for entertainment, the Lola highchair can also be used from birth as a recliner.

What age can the Allis Baby Lola highchair be used from/until?

The Lola highchair is suitable from 6-months to when your child weighs 15kg (roughly the age of a 3-4-year old). However, our toddler who is almost 3, did not want to sit in the chair at table level. He tried sitting in the Lola highchair momentarily at the lowest height setting but protested it was “a chair for babies”. As mentioned above, there is the option to use from birth if fully reclined.

How does the Allis Baby Lola highchair compare with other highchairs you’ve used?

The only highchair we have ever used with our three children has been the IKEA ANTILOP, a basic, low-end highchair with minimal functions and retails at £15. The Allis Baby Lola highchair in comparison is luxurious, a dream of a chair which makes the transition of getting Oona in and out of the chair simple and struggle-free.

How does the Allis Baby Lola highchair measure up when it comes to similar products?

What’s in the box?

• Highchair frame and seat
• Detachable tray
• Toy bar

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Allis Baby Lola highchair?

I think it would be useful to know that the Lola highchair can be used from birth as a recliner as we’ve only been using it since Oona turned 7-months-old. It would have been handy to have purchased it before now, especially when trying to keep her close by and safe while cooking in the kitchen and with two very boisterous older brothers running around the house.

Who would the Lola highchair be most useful for?

This product would be perfect for parents looking for a high-end highchair that looks stylish and practical which can also double up as a recliner chair from birth. With its toy bar and five reclining positions, it’s the perfect companion to support your child from newborn through to the weaning days and beyond.

Is the Allis Baby Lola highchair worth the money?

Priced at £115, this highchair sits in the more premium end of the market but for me, it is definitely worth its price tag thanks to its durability, comfort, portability, and adjustability. I would recommend it to any parent-to-be.

Where can I buy the Allis Baby Lola highchair?

It is available from Allis Baby and Amazon

MadeForMums verdict:

Although a premium product with a price tag to match, the Allis Baby Lola highchair is worth every penny. It is robust enough to withstand knocks and bumps from older, curious brothers and sisters and comfortable enough to cocoon your baby in a safe space to eat and play.

Additionally, it is extremely easy to clean, is good-looking and allows for seamless transitions at mealtimes. The only downsides are the slack five-point harness and the tray, which sits slightly too high for some babies. However, if you can look past these oversights in its design, the Allis Baby Lola highchair is a delightful addition to family mealtimes and beyond.