The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (2024)

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (1)

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Bath time can be bonding time, sure. But a slippery, wriggling infant can make the process feel more than a little bit stressful. A sturdy baby bath tub can make the job easier — and more fun.

After testing 15 baby bath tubs, seats and sink inserts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting Lab and at home with our own infants, plus gathering long-term feedback on many of those tubs from our consumer survey panel, we're confident these are the best ones you can buy.

Our top picks:

There are three different types of baby bath tubs you'll want to consider:

  • Basin tubs: These are meant to be placed on a flat surface, ideally the floor or in the big tub, so your baby is not up high on a counter.
  • Bath support seat: These are designed to be used in a big bath tub or large sink.
  • Sink insert: These are for use in your kitchen or bathroom sink.

You'll start bathing your newborn after the first week or two at home, once their umbilical cord stump falls off naturally. Until then, a sponge bath is sufficient. Even once you start to use a baby bath tub, you don't need to dip your baby in water every day; every other day is enough during the first year.

Read our reviews below, then head to the end of this guide for more on bath time safety, the best way to clean a baby bath tub and what we look for when shopping for an infant tub. If you're still figuring out your baby registry, you'll want to check out some of our other baby gear guides, too, including our favorite convertible cribs, the best infant car seats and the best baby bath toys.

1

Best Overall

Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Sling 'n Seat Tub

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (9)

Pros
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (10)Transitions through babyhood and works for a toddler
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (11)Comes with a squirt bottle and toy
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (12)Hook allows you to hang it to dry
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (13)More than 11K five-star Amazon reviews
Cons
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (14)More parts to clean and keep track of than others

This convertible tub with more than 11K five-star Amazon reviews grows as your child does: With four stages of use, it transforms from a supportive newborn sling to a sit-up toddler tub. Testers like that you don't have to buy anything else; you can use this baby bath tub until your child is ready to sit in the regular tub.

"As a new mom, I felt secure using the sling insert and my baby looked comfortable in it," said Rachel Rothman, chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute. "As my first child grew, the versatility of the tub was evident. I eventually used the tub for all three of my children and loved how it could continue to adjust through the years until it wasn't needed anymore."

You get a water scoop and squeeze bottle to jump-start bath-time fun. A hook on one end allows you to hang it from the shower rod or the back of the bathroom door so it dries completely, which helps prevent mold growth. The only downside is that there are several parts to keep track of and to keep clean.

TypeBaby bath tub basin
Age and weight limitsBirth to 3 months or up to 15 lbs for sling; 3 to 6 months or up to 20 lbs for the inclined side of the tub; 6 to 9 months or up to 25 lbs with the sit-up insert; 9 months+ or up to 25 lbs for the wide end of the tub
Dimensions‎31.4" x 18" x 9"

2

Best Value

Angelcare Baby Bath Support

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (15)

Pros
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (16)Inclined support holds a baby up to 6 months old
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (17)Mesh makes it easy to rinse grime away from your baby
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (18)The tub dries quickly
Cons
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (19)Only good for the first 6 months

With its grippy mesh backing, the Angelcare bath seat simplifies early wash-time because you're not lifting your baby in and out of a tub, you're setting them on and taking them off a mesh infant bath seat within the bath tub or a large sink. All the mesh holes let you wash grime out and away from your baby. After the bath, this can dry fast because water doesn't pool inside of it. This tub, too, has a hook so you can hang it to dry completely.

The Angelcare is a great solution for infants but is only age-graded up until 6 months. After that, your baby will want to sit up and will be too active to safely rest in this baby bath support, so you'll need a regular baby bath tub.

TypeBaby bath support seat
Age and weight limitsBirth to 6 months or 20 lbs
Dimensions23" x 13.5" x 8.75"

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Pros
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (21)Space-saving newborn bath solution
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (22)Allows C-section moms to give early baths standing up
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (23)Dries quickly
Cons
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (24)You need the right-sized sink for this
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (25)For the first 6 months only

Fold this soft foam sink insert into a sort of tulip shape and sit it in the bottom of the bathroom sink for early infant baths. It weighs almost nothing and hangs to dry quickly, so it's easy to use and takes up little room in your home. We also hear that C-section moms are grateful for this so they can easily do newborn baths at the sink while standing up.

Online reviews sometimes mention this not working in certain sinks. The brand says the ideal sink for the Puj is a bathroom sink about 15" x 12" and at least 6.5" deep. Most kitchen sinks will be too big for this and it could unfold if you're using it in a sink that's too large. That said, some families do make it work in their kitchen — give it a dry run to see how it fits before you put your baby in it.

TypeSink insert
Age and weight limitsBirth to 6 months or 16.5 lbs
Dimensions25.2" x 26.38" and less than an inch thick

4

Best Large Tub

Primo EuroBath

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (26)

Pros
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (27)Long-lasting, from birth through toddlerhood
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (28)Deeper end for toddlers who love to sit belly-high in water
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (29)Holds bath wash supplies on one end
Cons
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (30)Larger, so takes up more space and there's more surface area to clean

Not everyone wants a small baby bath tub. This large EuroBath provides your baby more space to stretch out and gives you room to reach all around them. Plus it will last all of babyhood without you needing to swap in or out any accessories. The molded bottom supports your reclining infant when you use one end of the tub and gives your splashing toddler a deeper basin when you use the other side later on.

The tub itself is a full foot deep. Infants only need an inch or two of water, but some toddlers like to sit up to their bellies so they're warm. Because the EuroBath is bigger, it is harder to store and it has a large surface area to clean. On the plus side, indentations on one end offer a place to store soap and shampoo so everything is within easy reach.

TypeBaby bath tub basin
Age and weight limitsBirth+ or up to 30 lbs
Dimensions36" x 21" x 12"

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5

Best for Small Spaces

OXO Tot Splash & Store Bath Tub

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (31)

Pros
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (32)Folds nearly flat and hangs to store
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (33)Two-sided tub works from birth to 18 months
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (34)Nonslip interior
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (35)Modern look that's easy to keep clean
Cons
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (36)Take extra care with the folding legs to be sure its sturdy

A winner of our 2021 Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards, this is an easy baby bath tub to store if you are short on bathroom space. The legs fold in and there's a hook to hang this on the shower head or the back of your bathroom door. Our testers told us this is simple to use and nonslip for the babies. "It's also easy to clean — and it looks good," one parent said.

This is age-graded from birth, though we especially love it for transitioning after using one of the more supportive birth-to-6-month infant options, once your baby has better head control.

Sit your baby in the narrow side for 6-month-olds and use the wider side later, when your baby is between 9 and 18 months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics just asks parents to take extra care with any tub that folds down. You want to be sure it's in place and won't collapse down while the baby in inside.

TypeBaby bath tub basin
Age and weight limitsBirth to 18 months or up to 50 lbs
Dimensions30.8" x 17.8" x 9.3"

6

Best Sink Insert With Padding

Skip Hop Moby Softspot Sink Bather

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (37)

Pros
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (38)Plush spot for infant sink baths
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (39)Can be machine-washed
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (40)Mesh helps you clean and helps this drain
Cons
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (41)Babies outgrow it by 6 months

This infant tub solution in a fun blue whale-shape is perfect for giving your newborn baby a wash in the sink. After you're done, hang it by the strap to dry and then when it needs a wash, run it through the washing machine for an easy clean. The mesh bottom helps the product drain and lets you easily wash dirt away from your baby.

Your infant's head rests on the whale tail and their bottom sits on the mesh. Parents say their newborns are comfortable in this plush option but that they do outgrow this sink insert by the 6-month mark, at which point you'll want a baby bath tub.

TypeSink insert
Age and weight limitsBirth to 6 months
Dimensions19" x 16.75" x 7"

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7

Best for the First Year

Munchkin Sit & Soak Baby Bath Tub

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (42)

Pros
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (43)Lets a baby sit more upright
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (44)Fits in many big kitchen sinks
Cons
  • The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (45)Will need another tub after the first birthday

If regular sink inserts don't fit in your big kitchen sink or your baby is fighting being reclined you might try this small but deep baby bather for use during your baby's first year.

It can sit in the big tub, too. It's great for babies who like to sit more upright than reclined because leaning back in the water makes some little ones upset. This soak tub supports a baby under age 1 but lets them see more of the water in front of them than the ceiling above.

The hole in the handle works as a hook so you can hang this to dry. We like that it works through all of the first year but you will need to get a larger tub for your 1-year-old after the first birthday.

TypeBaby bath tub basin
Age and weight limitsBirth to 12 months
Dimensions25.5" x 16.25" x 15"

How we test baby bath tubs

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (46)

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting Lab, we regularly review and test baby gear, from the best car seat stroller combos to the best baby monitors.

For this report, we tested 15 different infant tubs in the Lab and in our homes. We also received feedback on 10 of those tubs from our consumer survey panel.

When looking at bath tubs, we consider how easy they are for the parent to use, how comfortable the baby seems, how long the tub stays useful and how easy the baby bath tub is to dry and keep clean.

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What to look for when shopping for the best baby bath tub

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (47)

Bath time can be fun when you feel your baby is safe and you are comfortable while tending to them. We've got some things you can think about before picking out the best baby bath tub for you:

✔️ Type. Decide if you need the product to work in your sink or in the big bath tub and pick accordingly.

  • Sink inserts: After the initial newborn sponge baths, many parents bathe their infant in the bathroom or kitchen sink, sometimes until their baby can sit up at about 6 months. A soft sink insert gives your baby some padding and support so you have at least one arm free to wipe and rinse them off.

If you've had a C-section, sink baths might be necessary while you heal, so you can stand up while you give the bath. But not everyone has a sink that's easy enough to use with a baby bath sink insert and so some opt for an infant bath tub placed in the big tub or on the floor.

  • Baby bath tub basins: Mini tubs are what many people think of when they hear "baby bath tub." Our favorites have a sling to hold a baby during the infant months when the baby has little natural head control. Most have one side that's slanted for young babies and another side that's deeper for an older baby or toddler.

A baby bath tub must be placed on a level surface. It's safest to have it within the big bath tub or on the floor, or inside your kitchen sink if it's a large sink. We know it's tempting to sit the bath tub on a counter, but that's not the safest place.

  • Baby bath support seats: This third option is a bit newer — bath support seats are similar to baby bouncer seats but are waterproof and meant for baths. You sit the seat inside the adult tub or inside the kitchen sink if it fits. You'll run water over your baby to get them clean.

These don't work on the floor or counter, they need to be in a basin that drains, and there are no safety straps so they should not be used on a counter or as a baby seat outside of bath time. As your baby approaches the 6-month mark, getting active and wanting to sit up, there's an increased chance that your baby could tip the seat over. Be extra vigilant and be ready to say goodbye your bath support seat at 6 months.

✔️ Age and weight limits. Check the age and weight grading of any baby bath solution. Sink inserts and support seats are usually meant for the first 6 months. Baby bath tubs can usually be used longer. Read the packaging carefully and hold on to the manual. You'll want to refer to how you should be sitting and positioning your baby in the bath tub as they reach each new age and stage.

✔️ CPSC standards. If you're accepting a hand-me-down, be sure the bath tub was made later than October 2017 (in other words, in the past five years). That's when new CPSC standards for infant bath tubs came out mandating, for instance, that a tub have very clear safety guidelines printed on the product.

✔️ Skip an inflatable tub. Inflatable baby bath tubs are both flimsy and slippery, as explained by pediatrician Harvey Karp, MD, who offers other bath tips such as having a towel next to you for when bathtime is over, so you don't have to even step to the other side of the bathroom to go get one.

✔️ Take a pass on upright bath seats. Inclined bath support seats for young babies, like the Angelcare, can be used safely with constant parent supervision. It's the upright bath seats, with leg holes and marketed for toddlers, that have a history of problems tipping over and entrapping children. (See this bath seat recalled by the CPSC as just one example.) Such bath seats might also provide parents with a false feeling of security but, at the risk of repeating ourselves, you still have to stay right next to your baby when they're in the tub.

How to keep your baby safe during bath time

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (48)

Keep these important bath safety notes from the pediatricians at the American Academy of Pediatrics in mind when washing your baby:

✔️ You can set the maximum temperature of your home's hot water heater to 120º F. This can help prevent accidental scalding burns in the sink or tub.

✔️ Never leave your baby's side during bath time. It's possible for a child to drown silently in even just an inch of water, so you must stay within sight and reach at all times.

✔️ Don't trust an older kid to watch a younger one.

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How to clean a baby bath tub

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (49)

Anything that spends a lot of time being wet, whether it's your baby's bath tub or their baby bottle or sippy cup, needs to be occasionally sanitized to avoid mold and germ buildup.

GH Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director Carolyn Forté reminds parents that with hard, plastic toys or something like an infant tub, bleach is your best sanitizer.

"To protect against mold, washing occasionally with a bleach solution is best. That's why they put chlorine in swimming pools," Forté says. She recommends a solution of 1/3 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water, the same ratio she recommends for cleaning small, hard toys prone to mold (which includes bath toys).

Forté says you can let the tub remain wet with the bleach solution for 6 minutes, then rinse it thoroughly and allow it to air dry. If the mold is not coming off, even with bleach and some scrubbing, it's time to toss the tub.

What are the best baby bath accessories?

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (50)

In addition to a good bath tub, here are a few tools that can make bath time easier for parents and safer for babies:

  • Put a bath spout cover on the faucet so there are no bonked heads.
  • Get a comfy kneeling pad to cushion your knees as you tend to your child.
  • Use a bath rinse cup to get shampoo out of your baby's hair without water going in their eyes.
  • Add a bath thermometer as an additional check that the water isn't too hot or getting too cold. About 100º F is what's recommended.

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When can I start bathing my newborn?

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (51)

This is a great question to ask your pediatrician at the hospital or at your first well visit, so the doctor can walk you through what to expect, especially if you have a preemie. But, in general, these are the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Mayo Clinic:

Wait until the umbilical cord stump naturally falls off before submerging your newborn in a tub or giving them a sink bath. Until then, stick to sponge baths (with your newborn laying on a towel, while you wiping them with a wet washcloth). The cord usually comes off after a week or two.

Infants probably only need a bath every other day, maybe for all of the first year. Young babies especially are not doing anything to get too dirty, and their skin can dry out easily. With a baby older than 6 months, you'll be able to make the call based on whether they were playing in the dirt, dealing out some especially filthy diapers and so on.

Not all infants love baths, especially early on. They have to lean back, they get wet, you're within sight but not holding them — so they might get mad. Toys can help but sometimes they just make a baby even more furious. Feel free to keep bath time short. Try playing music if that helps (for you or your baby!) and maybe even switch up what time of day you give a bath. Baths are great as a wind-down before bedtime but if a bath gets your baby amped up, work it into the morning routine instead.

What should I use to wash my baby?

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (52)

Do you wash with just water, or add a little baby wash to get your little one clean? We asked Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Executive Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D., a chemical engineer and mom who also leads GH's annual Sustainable Innovation Awards.

"Once they were out of the newborn phase, whenever I bathed my babies I always used a gentle yet foaming cleanser as opposed to washing them in plain water," Aral says. "I found that that plain water wasn't enough to wash away the messes that baby skin can come in contact with due to eating solid foods. Their chest, neck, hair and hands may need special attention, as well as their diaper area."

Aral recommends baby products that add a few suds. "The bubbles can make bath time a pleasant sensorial and playful experience for both the parent and the baby," Aral says. "My kids tolerated most fragranced baby washes as well, so the aromas helped make the bath time extra relaxing."

Just make sure to rinse all soap off your baby and dry them thoroughly, Aral says. If you see their fingers or toes getting pruney, take them out of the bath ASAP (this is a totally normal phenomenon but it means that the skin barrier is starting to get irritated).

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Why trust Good Housekeeping?

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (53)

The Good Housekeeping Institute has been reviewing, testing and spelling out the pros and cons of thousands of consumer products for more than 100 years.

Testing for this guide to the best baby bath tubs was overseen by Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman, a 15-year veteran of the GH Institute and mom of three kids ages 6 and younger.

Contributing writer Jessica Hartshorn, a mom of two, wrote these reviews. She's a journalist who previously covered the baby-gear market for American Baby magazine and Parents magazine, and she also worked on-staff at Parenting magazine and Woman's Day.

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (54)

Jessica Hartshorn

Contributing Writer

Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents.

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (55)

Tested byRachel Rothman

Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years, overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems.

The Best Baby Bath Tubs to Make Bath Time So Much Easier, Tested by Parents (2024)

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