In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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We tested the top bathtubs from brands like Boon, Munchkin, Angelcare, and others to find the best
A variety of bathtub options include hard plastic tubs like the Primo EuroBath (left) to the inflatable Munchkin (center) and sink inserts like the Blooming Baby Bath (right).
Nervous about bath time with your baby? You're not alone. Our review ranks this year's top 9 baby bathtubs that can help bath time feel more enjoyable for you and your sweet baby. We conducted more than 60 hours of research and evaluated over 40 baby bathtubs before selecting and purchasing top competitors for hands-on testing and side-by-side comparisons. With a market flooded with bathtub styles, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Luckily, we share our favorite tubs to help ease the stress. While testing, we collected details that may influence your decision-making and evaluated important factors, such as bathtub stability and functionality. Let our recommendations and insider details help you narrow down the selection. We are sure there's a product in our lineup that will meet your needs and budget.
Tub dismantles for easier cleaning, non-slip material
Inexpensive, portable
Cons
Not suitable for infants
Unstable sling and quality
Babies prone to get cold, countertop use not recommended
Low quality, takes time to inflate
Bottom Line
A stand-alone bathtub with a more upright incline that is easy to use and clean
This convertible tub offers room to grow, built-in storage area, but has potential issues with stability and quality
A bathtub designed to keep babies from sitting in dirty water, but babies may get cold, and we do not recommend it due to the manufacturer suggesting countertop use
Inexpensive and the ultimate space-saver, the tub's low quality makes it inconvenient to use, and it lacks features of comfort
The Primo EuroBath is an extra-large, sturdy tub perfect for those who want a single product to take a baby from infancy through the first two years. With multiple positions for infants, babies, and even toddlers, it is perfect for babies to grow into or enjoy extra space to splash around. One end of the tub has a gently reclining position with support between the legs to keep infants stable. The other side allows older babies to sit more upright. PRIMO states that EuroBath is lead, phthalate, and BPA-free.
Unfortunately, this tub is large, bulky, and inconvenient to stow after bath time. A notch on one end allows it to hang, but we don't think that is practical for most families. Also, wiggly infants might have trouble staying in place despite the contoured shape due to the lack of anti-slip material inside the tub. Lastly, the Primo lacks cushioning, making it less than cozy for sensitive booties. That said, if your home has room for this spacious tub, and you want a durable bath for the long haul, then the Primo fits the bill. If you lack this kind of space, the Angelcare Bath Support is a great option that is much smaller.
Some parents notice the addition of a towel on the bottom of the Primo can help improve comfort and stability for younger babies.
The Angelcare Bath Support is a newborn bathing device with a rubbery mesh back that flexes to cradle small infants during bath time. The tub's shape is perfect for providing security and preventing your baby from sliding around in a too-large tub. The foot of the support has a grippy rubber material that keeps the base stable. The entire product is compact, lightweight, and easy to lift and store. Although it has a shorter lifespan than some other tubs, the low cost makes it a good purchase in our book. Many parents also love that the mesh backing keeps the baby above any used bathwater.
The Angelcare Bath Support must be used in a larger sink or bathtub without a basin to hold bathwater. Still, it is large enough that it will not fit in most kitchen sinks. This limiting factor makes it useful only in specific situations. The perforated back also allows airflow around your baby, so you must take extra steps to ensure your child stays warm. Overall, we like using the Angelcare Bath Support and think it is one of the best ways to add a measure of security to your newborn bathing routine. Parents searching for a smaller model might consider the Puj Tub, but it does require a sink to put it in.
The Puj Tub is a soft foam tub with an innovative design that folds to fit in the bathroom sink. The durable material is comfortable for babies and is also BPA and PVC-free, and the smooth coating makes it mildew and mold-resistant. The unique folding design and magnets allow it to fit almost any sink and lay flat for storage. Puj also sells Puj Nubs (peel and stick hooks) to hang your tub. The compact nature of the bath makes it a perfect space-saver for smaller bathrooms with limited storage. We like that it offers a safe area to bathe your baby in a supportive manner, and this tub makes bathing your infant easier.
One of the significant drawbacks is that it won't fit every sink. The manufacturer gives sink dimensions of 12-15" for length and width and 6.5-9" for depth, so measure your sink before purchasing to avoid fit issues or purchase from a retailer with a forgiving return policy. This tub is only large enough for infants, so it isn't a perfect long-term solution. With a max age of 6 months or 17 lbs, you'll need an additional plan once your baby reaches this milestone. Lastly, there are reports that the magnets holding it folded together can be undone unexpectedly. Despite these hiccups, we like how easy the Puj is to use and how comfortable it is for babies. It is an excellent choice for small bathrooms or those with limited storage. An option like the Primo EuroBath may be more suitable for babies older than six months.
The Blooming Baby Bath is a new spin on your traditional baby bath. This colorful and cushioned flower offers a cozy seat for your baby while bathing in the kitchen or bathroom sink. The petals fold in various positions to cradle little ones in softness in multiple sinks. The soft terry cloth material helps keep your baby warm, and the textured surface prevents slipping. This unique design has a loop hanger for easy drying and storage. It is washer and dryer-friendly, making it a breeze to keep clean and hygienic.
The Blooming Bath could potentially accrue microbial issues from a contaminated kitchen sink or mildew from a poorly cared-for flower. Therefore, it is essential to disinfect your sink before every use and adequately wring and dry the petals between uses. If you live in a humid climate, tossing the entire cushion in the dryer to eliminate moisture that could lead to the build-up of bacteria may be best. This baby bathtub is only suitable for infants up to 6 months (approximately), so you may need to look for another bath if they aren't ready to sit unassisted in your home's tub. But, if you are looking for a comfortable and compact tub for your infant that is also adorable, it is an excellent choice. Still, the microbial issue may dissuade some. If this includes you, we recommend the soft, easy-to-clean, and mold-resistant Puj Tub.
Although we like the BPA-and phthalate-free soft material that cradles little ones in a supported incline position on the Munchkin Clean, there are similar and better tubs without a countertop safety concern. The Munchkin website says this product works in a tub or on the countertop near the kitchen sink. We strongly believe a countertop location creates serious safety issues as the tub or baby could fall from counter height. Placing your baby on the counter in or out of a bathtub is dangerous. It is too easy to accidentally knock the tub or your baby off the counter, resulting in disastrous results. We would prefer the bath if Munchkin did not encourage countertop use. The current version is one we don't recommend because of the safety concerns associated with the preferred and recommended usage outlined by the manufacturer.
Important It is vital for your child's safety to never leave them unattended in the bath due to the potential drowning risk, which can occur even in the shallowest of water. Experts also say you should always keep at least one hand on your baby.
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Bathing baby can be a fun activity, as long as you remember to follow safety guidelines.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How We Test Infant Bathtubs
Bathtub selection and testing took some serious and thoughtful consideration because of the related safety concerns surrounding babies and water. We purchased and tested each product in this roundup with side-by-side comparisons to determine which tubs are the best for each situation and lifestyle. We used the baths with real babies in real life and our in-house lab. We considered quality, ease of use, versatility, stability, comfort, portability, and more. To rank our favorites, we used each product and evaluated the competition with key factors in mind, such as tub stability, baby comfort, ease of use, and portability. Also influencing our overall ranking is user feedback.
Each product in our review was purchased and hands-on tested before being scored and ranked.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Why Trust GearLab
Our founder, a board-certified pediatrician, leads our team, Dr. Juliet Spurrier, mother of two. Dr. Spurrier uses her education, background, and experience as a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to select safety products. Other contributing team members include Senior Review Editor and BabyGearLab review analyst,Wendy Schmitz. Wendy is a mother of two and works closely with testers on baby gear, from bottles to stroller and everything in between. Wendy has worked at BabyGearLab since 2014 and has an education in the scientific method and testing processes. Senior Review Editor, Molly Bradac brings her unique insight and knowledge to this review, as she holds over 14 years as a professional Nanny and Newborn Care Specialist, bathing more babies than most parents will in their lifetime. Our in-house test team is led by Abriah Wofford. Abriah has been on the review team since 2015, has experience as a childcare provider, and is the oldest of a big family (fun fact: she's one of seven siblings!).
The Munchkin Sit and Soak has an easy-to-use drain.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Analysis and Test Results
Bath time can be a wonderful part of your baby's routine, and we want you to select a product that best suits you and your little one's needs. We did the tests in key metrics to help you find the right tub for your baby and budget.
You might also enjoy our related article, Baby Bath Time. It is filled with tips on how to bathe your baby.
What's the Best Value?
The price range of bathtubs is surprisingly broad, and our review includes an option for any budget. The PRIMO EuroBath is an award-winning tub with a great design, a noticeable quality that feels indestructible, and its price tag is wallet-friendly. If it's still too expensive, consider the Angelcare Bath Support, which is cozy and does the job. While the First Years 4-in-1 did not win an award, it is an inexpensive option that will likely work longer than a few months thanks to its 4-in-1 design; as long as you don't plan to use it for travel, your bathroom real estate is not limited.
The PRIMO EuroBath is extra-large, and if you have the bathroom space to spare, it is easy to use and clean.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
Stability
All contenders in our review share the common goal of safely cleaning your sweet baby, but each bathtub style varies. Therefore, we evaluated each tub's design, particularly assessing features of stability, which we consider to include a non-skid base, level of recline, a tub's contour and shape, and if non-slip material is present on the tub's inside.
Among the competition, the PRIMO EuroBath and Angelcare Bath Support stand out with high scores in this metric. We did dock the PRIMO a little due to its smooth plastic interior that is slick for wiggly babies. But, given its significantly contoured body, recline, and design features that support babies and toddlers, it still scored high as it's nearly indestructible and incredibly stable, possibly outlasting multiple children. The Angelcare incorporates numerous qualities of stability that we appreciate, including non-slip rubber coating around the tub's base, a mesh portion that cradles your baby with non-slip material, and a gentle recline for newborns, which helps keep most babies from sliding around.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Munchkin Clean scoring low, as the manufacturer's website mentions it is acceptable to use it on the countertop. We're anxious about this location as we believe it increases the potential for safety concerns, mainly falls, leaving us not to recommend this product to a friend or use it ourselves.
The Fisher Price 4-in-1 Sling 'n Seat is a convertible tub, meaning it adapts as your baby grows, utilizing the sling to sitting support insert.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Baby Comfort
For this metric, we looked at the amount of padding, the contour style, the tub's material, and its ability to keep your baby warm. If you seek luxury, the Blooming Baby Bath is one to consider, thanks to its plush material, which is comfortable and welcoming for babies to sit and enjoy bath time.
A few contenders that did not rank as high in this metric include the Munchkin Sit and Soak and Mommy's Helper Inflatable Bath, mainly due to a lack of contour and support. The Munchkin Sit and Soak's design is more upright, which works for slightly older babies, but we think infants need a gentler incline. The Mommy's Helper has a few raw edges that could be uncomfortable for children's delicate skin, and it is also more suitable for older babies than infants.
The Angelcare Bath Support is one-piece and easy to use by placing in a larger basin, plus it offers stability features.
The Fisher Price 4-in-1 Sling 'n Seat includes a few accessories for bathtime.
Ease of Use
This metric is about usability for parents and whether a tub is easy to clean and maintain, fill and drain, and set up and disassemble. A few tubs that rank near the top include the Munchkin Sit and Soak, and the Primo EuroBath. These options are quick and easy to set up, fill, and drain, plus they're manageable to clean.
The Blooming Baby Bath is more involved and requires ongoing effort to maintain its cleanliness among the competition. To avoid mold growth, we think it is best to toss this product into the washer to rinse, spin, and even dry. Also, with a sink insert, it is recommended that the bathroom or kitchen sink where you'll bathe your little one is scrubbed and cleaned before your baby's bathtime, so keep in mind that there's some upfront prep work with this tub style.
Another product in our lineup that we experienced trouble using is the Mommy's Helper Inflatable Bath. It was difficult and time-consuming to inflate (we even used a bike pump to speed up the process), and it did not remain inflated after time due to slow leaks. Given its prep time and low quality, this product earned a low score, and we think there are other products in our lineup that are more enjoyable to use.
The Blooming Baby Bath is designed for bathing your baby in a sink and could be a travel companion if you have laundry access and are willing to manage its cleaning care.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
Portability
It may be essential to have a travel-friendly bathtub for baths away from home if you're the traveling type. We consider the Puj Tub to be one of the best to hit the road with you and your little one. Its unique folding design is space-saving, and it folds to fit most standard bathroom sinks, making it qualify as a potential traveling companion.
The Blooming Baby Bath may also work as a travel companion. The material is easy to fold and fit into luggage; however, we think this option is best under certain circumstances. Since it requires drying time before hitting your suitcase, we believe it best for stays with laundry access where you can send it through the rinse and spin cycle before the dryer or allow it to air dry (whatever you prefer). But, if your vacation is hotel-based, we think this option may be more hassle than helpful.
Remember that stand-alone plastic tubs will likely not be travel-friendly, and an example includes the PRIMO EuroBath. This tub is extra-large and not suitable for life on the go. It is best if you have bathroom real estate to spare, where it can stay without interfering with the traffic of daily life until bath time rolls around.
Add Bath Toys
Incorporate bath toys for added fun and learning to your baby's bathtime. From simple toys to those that zoom around the tub, our review has something for every age and stage.
Before purchasing a product, we suggest determining which tub style will work best for your lifestyle and needs.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
A well-designed baby bathtub can help relieve the stress of bath time and create a more enjoyable experience for you and your baby. Creating a safer space is essential to an excellent tub. With practice, bathing your baby can be a bonding and relaxing experience, but not if your tub is subpar or makes things more challenging. Choosing the best bathtub for your needs, mastering the basics, and following straightforward and essential safety measures means you'll be a baby-bathing pro in no time.
