If you’re considering getting a Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat there are some things you’ll want to know about it! How well does it work? Is it easy to clean? Is it better than the alternatives on the market? The Chicco Pocket Snack can be used as a high chair alternative when you’re out and about with an older infant or toddler.
I’ve tested it with my own kids at home so I could compare it to other boosters we’ve used. In this review, I’ll go over all the pros and cons of the Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat as well as some alternatives you may want to consider.
I also recommend this article about the best high chair alternatives.
*This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Table of Contents
- Chicco Pocket Snack Pros and Cons
- Longevity, how long can you use it for?
- Price
- Is it easy to clean?
- Safety features
- Alternatives
- Common Chicco Pocket Snack Questions
- Final Thoughts
Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Pros And Cons
Before deciding if the Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat is right for your child, you may want to consider some of the pros and cons. It’s very compact and stores away easily but can’t be used on the floor as a toddler floor seat. Let’s look at the pros and cons of the Chicco Pocket Snack more closely.
- Pros and Cons
- Folds flat
- Carry handles
- Sturdy construction
- Three booster height settings
- Cons
- Heavy
- Can not be used on the floor
- Not good for younger babies
- Only fits certain chair sizes
The Chicco Pocket Snack was definitely built for easy storage and for feeding while on-the-go. It has two carry handles: one on the top you could use if the chair is fully open already, and another integrated handle on the base you can use to carry it when it’s folded.
You can fold the booster seat very flat so it is easily stored and simple to take with you as you travel with your older baby or toddler.
It has a very sturdy construction, a solid piece of baby gear but that makes it quite heavy at about 5.5 pounds.
You can use it flat on a dining chair, or in two taller height positions for three booster height settings total.
The Pocket Snack also has three tray positions to choose from and you can use the safety straps as a convenient carry strap when you’re moving it from place to place.
Like any booster seat, you can only use it on specific-sized dining chairs. I made a diagram with the specifications found on the manufacturer’s website. You should double check the size of the chair you’d like to use it on at home before deciding to buy it.
The Chicco Pocket Snack isn’t a great option for young babies in my opinion because it doesn’t offer as much support as the UpSeat Booster (read my UpSeat review here). Even the Ingenuity and Nest booster seats I’ve tried offer a bit more support for early-sitters.
You can read my other booster seat reviews here:
Longevity, how long can you use it for? What are the Chicco Pocket Snack age/weight restrictions?
Once your child can sit upright completely unassisted, they can start using the Chicco Pocket Snack. They can use it until they are 50 pounds (23 kg).
The Chicco Pocket Snack may not be the best option for a very young baby who is just learning to sit unassisted and starting to eat solids, around 4-6 months. Wait until your baby is sturdy and can sit completely on their own.
Price
The Chicco Pocket Snack is relatively inexpensive when compared to other, similar booster seats. It’s around $40 USD when it’s not on sale (about $55 CAD). Check the current price here.
Is It Easy To Clean?
Use mild soap and warm water to clean the Chicco Pocket Snack removable tray. Putting the Chicco Pocket Snack tray in the dishwasher is not recommended. The Pocket Snack has easy-to-clean surfaces and a plastic seat. There aren’t too many places where food could get stuck, except for in the fabric straps.
The safety harness straps are not designed to be easily removable for cleaning, but you can wipe them down after feeding time.
If you have the Pocket Snack seat on a higher setting on top of the chair, crumbs and food can get stuck between the chair and the booster because of the large open space.
Overall, It’s not as easy to clean as the UpSeat booster, Bumbo Multi Seat, or OXO Tot Nest.
Safety Features
The Chicco Pocket Snack features adjustable straps to secure it to the back and bottom of a regular adult dining chair. It also has a three-point harness to secure your child into the seat.
The Booster can be placed flat on top of a normal chair, or you can use the booster legs to put the chair in a higher position. The booster has feet made from non-slip material so it has firm contact with the base of the adult chair.
The safety straps can also be rolled up and you can use the included velcro straps to keep them together. The velcro is sewn onto the safety strap so it can’t get lost, which is a nice touch.
Chicco Pocket Snack Alternatives
The UpSeat is one of the best alternatives to the Pocket Snack. It can be used as a floor seat, or strapped to an adult chair and comes with a detachable tray for feeding or suctioning infant toys onto. It is more lightweight than the Pocket Snack, although it is also more bulky.
The most important difference between the two is that the UpSeat was designed to keep your baby’s hips in a better, more ergonomic position. If you’re looking to use a booster seat to bring your baby to the height of the table in your kitchen or dining room frequently, an UpSeat might be a better solution for you.
For occasional use, especially when traveling, the Pocket Snack is a great value and is a simple booster seat that will do the trick at feeding time at a table when you’re on the go.
The OXO Tot Nest is a similar price at around $59.99 USD when it’s not on sale ($109 Canadian). It has a 3-point harness included to secure smaller babies to the seat. It also includes the straps needed to attach it to an adult chair. It’s a simple design and does not include a feeding tray, but you might like it as a table booster for your toddler. Read my full review of the OXO Tot Nest here.
The Ingenuity 2 in 1 is quite inexpensive and can be used as a floor seat or booster. It’s harder to clean because the design has more nooks and crannies, and it’s not quite as good ergonomically as the Upseat. On the plus side, it has a very small profile and the tray stores inside the design, making it good for travel. You can read my review of the Ingenuity 2-in-1 Baby Base here.
Common Chicco Pocket Snack Questions
How do you fold the Chicco Pocket Snack?
To fold the Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat, press in the white buttons on both arms, then press the top of the seat flat. Flip it over and press hard on one side of the light gray button on the bottom of the seat while pushing down the legs of the booster seat.
You can watch my video on how to fold the Chicco Pocket Snack here if you’ve misplaced the instructions:
How do you remove the straps on the Chicco Pocket Snack?
The straps of the Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat are not designed to be easily removed. To wash them, you should wipe them clean with a damp cloth.
Can you use the Chicco Pocket Snack as a floor seat?
No, the manual states the Chicco Pocket Snack can only be used as a booster attached to an adult chair. Having tried it personally, I completely agree. It would tip over too easily while your child is strapped inside it.
Final thoughts on the Chicco Pocket Snack
The Chicco Pocket Snack is a durable, good quality, very portable booster seat, easily transported. It has an adjustable tray and can seat your child at different heights to pull them up to your dining table to enjoy a family meal at the right height. Overall, you might be happy with its low price point and slim profile. Personally, I find it hard to clean underneath the booster, especially on top of a fabric dining room chair. I also think it lacks a little bit of versatility since it cannot be used as an infant floor seat.
For more reviews on baby floor and booster seats, check these out from Mama’s Buzz:
