The best baby bathtub is safe, sturdy, easy to use (and clean!) and can grow with them beyond the newborn stage. Many parents will also appreciate something portable, compact and potentially foldable, so it can be tucked away or hung up when not in use, which is a true game-changer when you’re tight on space.
To select the best baby bathtub for your house, Lisa Trofe, Executive Director of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), tells parents to consider where and how they’ll use the baby bathing device. “The safest baby bathtub is one installed and used according to manufacturer’s instructions, wherever you intend to bathe the baby,” she says.
It’s especially important to always follow age and weight guidance recommendations, particularly since many modern baby bathtubs are designed to be used in stages based on how big or little your child is—check back often so you know when to transition them.
Prior to placing your little one in the bath, Trofe warns parents to always test the water temperature first, ensuring it doesn’t exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s something the American Academy of Pediatrics agrees with. “Never add water to the tub while the baby is in it,” she cautions. “You should also never use a baby bathtub on an elevated surface, like a table or countertop.”
The best baby bathtub picks 2023
Best overall
Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Sling ‘N Seat Tub
Merchant
If you’re looking for a bestselling baby bath that can go the distance, this beloved 4-in-1 tub from Fisher Price is our top pick with over 14,000 positive reviews from real parents and a nearly-perfect 4.8-average star rating on Amazon. It’ll take your tiny tot from the newborn stage well into toddlerhood, thanks to a convenient and convertible, grow-with-me design made to safely contain kids at any age.
It comes with a soft mesh sling to cradle the littlest ones for easy-access washing, as well as a sit-me-up insert to keep them steady (and from slipping and sliding everywhere) once they get a little bit bigger. And when they’re fully mobile, just remove it all to create the perfect mini tub for toddlers to splish and splash in.
The Sling ‘N Seat comfortably fits in most sinks and adult bathtubs, plus comes with a handy drain plug to get the water out and a hook for drying and stowing off the floor once bathtime is over. Did we mention it comes with a couple of toys too? It’s the ideal addition to your baby gear list and can easily support babies throughout their first year of life.
Pros
- Convertible design that grows with them from birth through toddlerhood
- Super safe and sturdy
- Includes two toys
- Hook for hang drying and storing off the floor
Cons
- Several different parts/pieces to clean and keep up with
