Best Budget-Friendly: The First Years Sure Comfort Deluxe Newborn to Toddler Tub

A good baby bathtub doesn’t have to be expensive. The First Year’s Sure Comfort is a good example—an affordable, simple tub designed to grow with baby. It includes a sling to better fit a newborn. The sling can later be removed for older babies and toddlers. The tub has padding attached directly to the tub for older babies.

Once your child is sitting up, flip the tub from the reclined side to the straight back side.

Here’s more on why this one is a top pick:

What We Liked

• Easy to use and clean.

• Fits in most large kitchen sinks. That’s a nice height to give baby a bath!

• Adjustable mesh sling for newborns. You’d think this would be a standard feature for baby bath tubs—after all, newborns need more support. Surprisingly, it is not as common as you’d think! We like that this tub has it.

• Sturdy.

• Toy compartment.

• Sling is machine wash and dry.

What Needs Work

• Hard to drain. To drain this tub, you have to lift one end of the tub up—or turn it upside down.

• Safety tag on sling isn’t comfortable. We know this tag has to be visible for safety, but it would be great if it were softer/more comfortable.

Best For Travel: Munchkin White Hot Inflatable Duck Tub

Yes, this tub is inflatable—so it’s good for both home and a trip to grandma’s house.

We liked this tub’s design: the textured bottom and a safety disk that changes color if the water is too hot . . . that’s a nice touch.

Here’s more: 

What We Liked

• Super cute photos!

• Easy to drain.

• Sturdy.

• Great for travel.

• Tough and versatile. 

• Affordable.

• Bonus: also great for parties as a cooler.

What Needs Work

• Takes a while to inflate. That is, when using your lungs.

• Babies have to be able to sit up to use this bathtub. Generally that’s around six months. 

• Not a good choice if baby likes to stand when bathing.

• Can deflate. That’s a problem with all inflatable tubs, of course—they can get holes if you aren’t careful.

Best As A Gift: Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Sling ‘n Seat Tub

If you are looking for a shower gift, this baby bathtub is a reader favorite . . . but it’s a bit pricey, so we’ll recommend it as best for a gift.

This tub is great for its extended use. Unlike inflatable baby bathtubs that only can be used by kids who can sit up (that is, six months and up), the Fisher Price 4-in-1 sling can be used by newborns, thanks to a mesh sling.

Like many Fisher-Price baby products, this one has little design touches that show the designers have kids—note the hook that lets you hang it up to dry.

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Four stages of use: newborn to toddler. We like the included insert that helps younger babies sit up straight.

• Gender neutral color.

• Easy to assemble.

• Foam back rest.

• Hook to hang up to dry.

• Sturdy.

What’s Needs Work

• Bulky.

• Pricey.

• Mold under foam pad. If water gets stuck in there, mold can be an issue. Be sure to dry the entire tub after using.

• Safety concerns over drain holes in insert? Yes, we’ve seen those reports of babies whose toes were injured by the drain holes in the insert that comes with this tub. Good news: the tub has been redesigned and the drain holes are now gone.

Best Minimalist Baby Bathtub: Boon Soak 3-Stage Bathtub

Yes, we know some folks don’t have big bathrooms to handle a full-size baby bathtub. If you live in a smaller apartment or condo, a more minimalist baby bathtub may work better. In that case, we’d recommend Boon’s Soak 3-Stage bathtub.

As the name implies, this can be used for three stages: newborn, infant and toddler. We like the overall design and our readers concur—it’s easy to use and easy to clean. And yes, it fits most double sinks in case you don’t have a bathtub in your condo.

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Contoured back with non-slip foam.

• Adjustable to fit newborns to toddlers.

• Can fit in a double sink.

• Drain plug doubles as a temperature gauge, changing color if water is too hot.

• Easy to clean.

• Lightweight.

• Easy to use.

What’s Needs Work

• Not every baby likes the bump. Yes, the bump helps adjust the size of this tub to better fit babies—but some folks think it is uncomfortable for their baby.

• Too slippery, say some users.

• Not as stable as other bathtubs we tried.

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing baby gear since 1994. We do hands-on testing—we buy the products with our own money and evaluate with an eye toward safety, ease of use and affordability.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Baby Bargains is your independent and unbiased source for expert baby gear reviews.