For new parents, bath time can be a challenge, but finding the best baby bathtub or bath seatĀ to make sureĀ baby is comfortable and safe can help alleviate the stress of it.
Making bath time anĀ enjoyable and relaxing experience for both parents and baby alike. It provides an opportunity to interact, play, and communicate with yourĀ baby. It also gives baby a relaxing but thrilling sensory experience when using the best baby bath products. So,Ā the last thing you need is to feel worried about the support factor of your baby bath. We've rounded up the best baby bathtubs and seats so you can bathe your baby with ease.
Choosing yourĀ baby bath
To create the best cleaningĀ environment for you and your child, you need a baby bath with good support - but that's not the only thingĀ to look out for. Here are some other factorsĀ to take into consideration when looking for the best baby bathtubs and seats:
Easy to clean
Water capacity
What ageĀ it's suitable for
If it can fit in your sink
Resistance and durability
Comfortable smooth shape
A plug at the base to easily drain out the water
A hook or a suction cup so you can hang it in the bathroom
Thick BPA-free plastic for stability
Slip-resistant backing to keep it from moving
Important: avoid any inflatable tub or any foam cushions.
The latest baby bath tech
The most modern update in the baby bath worldĀ is theĀ super-bathĀ thatĀ hasĀ the built-in capacity toĀ keep the water warmer for longer. Realistically speaking, this might be a bit of an excessive demand withĀ most parents just wanting a safe and comfortable baby bath. Most of these baths are plastic so keep an eye out for BPA-free ones.
As mentioned above, it's imperative to decide how long you want to use the baby bath,Ā as someĀ baby baths are only for the first few months. Most baths, though, can last you till the baby is well over one year old so if this is what you prefer, check out theĀ infant-to-toddler tubs, so you can use them for longer.
In addition, some of the best baby bathtubs and seats have plastic slots to hold baby toiletriesĀ which you might find handy. Another extra feature is a temperature indicator. If you travel, opting for a foldable baby bath could also make life that much easier.
How much does a baby bath cost?
The most common andĀ suitable baby bath models on the market right now range between Ā£20-Ā£50, but some state-of-the-art baby baths with lots of fancy features can cost well overĀ Ā£100. Have a look at our list below to find the best one for you.
13 best baby bathtubs and seats UK 2023
Best durable and lightweight bath support
This little product from Angelcare really does make bath time easier, which is why it was shortlisted for a Best Bathtime ProductMother&Baby award back in 2018. The soft mesh keeps babies in place and seems comfortable for them to lie back on. This mesh material also allows water to drain from the bath support so it can dry quickly to keep it hygienic.
One of our parent testers said: "My little boy hated having a bath and I dreaded bath time, especially with my partner working away all week. The day I got the Angelcare Bath Support I used it the same night and was absolutely thrilled. My little boy loved bath time, there was not a tear in sight and it was so much less stressful for the both of us. I would really recommend this product - of course not every baby is the same but we loved it and for the first time ever, I cannot wait for our next bath!"
Read our full Angelcare Soft-Touch Baby Bath Support Review
Pros
- Ergonomically designed
- Mould-resistant
- Soft to touch
Cons
- One of our parent testers found it to be a little bulky
Best for easy storage
plusshop.com
Munchkin's Sit & Soak Baby Tub ensures your baby will be sitting safely in an upright position while they enjoy their bathtime with its padded backrest and support bump. Your baby will be secure and happy, and your mind will be at ease. This tub was also shortlisted in the Best Bathtime Product category for the 2020 Mother&Baby Awards!
One of our parent testers said: "I felt confident that my son was bathing safely with little need for me to support him. I am always with him but do not need to be holding him as the design of the bath is great for that. It saved me from running a whole adult-sized bath for him to use a bath support in, and therefore it reduced my water usage. It is also space-saving so it takes up less room in the house or car (when travelling) compared to a normal baby bath."
Read our full Munchkin Sit & Soak Bath Tub Review
Pros
- Non-slip design with built-in support bump to keep baby safe
- Space-saving design
- Padded foam backrest
Cons
- Some customers said it was smaller than they expected
Best multi-stage bathtub
This Boon baby bath is brilliant if you regularly take your baby with you on your travels. It's super convenient with its collapsible design so that it lies flat making it easy to pack and store away. Suitable for newborns up to 18 months, the bath easily wipes clean too!
One reviewer said: "Excellent product very practical. I can bathe my baby alone due to its clever recline feature. It's a high-quality product, nice colour and easy to store. Very happy."
Pros
- Can be used from newborn to toddler
- Comes with rotating support braces for secure positioning
- Collapsible
Cons
- Some customer reviewers wished it was deeper
Best fun design bathtub
Why get a regular baby bath, when you can buy an inflatable duck tub from Munchkin? Although this isn't the biggest option, it will make bath time much more fun.
One of our parent testers said: "I think the design of the bath is fun, my little boy really does love it. It is playful and fun for him. He can relax in there. It is good to transport as it just needs blowing up and letting down if we need to go and stay away anywhere."
Read our full Munchkin White Hot Inflatable Safety Duck Bath Review
Pros
- Fun design
- Textured base helps prevent slipping
- Comes with eight farmyard bath toys that make noises in water
Cons
- One of our parent testers wished it had a built-in support for little ones like other bathtubs
Recommended
This super stylish white and grey bath by Nuby will make bathtime far less daunting. It has easy-grip handles, a built-in seat to prevent sliding, as well as an optimum water level indicator to ensure your baby's safety. The soft foam head means your little one will be supported and feel comfy all throughout bathtime. Suitable from birth to toddler.
One reviewer said: "This is an excellent bath. It's inexpensive (compared to others available), it's the perfect size, lightweight and easy to move around due to the easy-grip handles. Our baby sits happily and supported, bathing is so much less stressful when you are not having to worry about your little one slipping. This bath is a great investment and I would definitely recommend it. We buy a lot of Nuby products and are never disappointed."
Pros
- Curved design with an anti-slip base to keep the bath in place
- Built-in seat prevents baby from sliding down
- Optimum water level indicator
Cons
- Some customer reviewers felt it was a bit small
Best turquoise baby bath
Compact and lightweight, this OKBaby Onda baby bath has a sloping backrest and a body support post to make your little one feel comfy. It can fit into any shower and is the ideal size for newborns or smaller babies. The quick drainage plug makes emptying fast and efficient, and there's also an easy-to-read thermometer ensuring the safety of your child during bathtime.
One reviewer said: "I've been looking for a baby bath for a while as I wanted one with a newborn support but that didn't cost the earth. This bath is great! I have the aqua colour which matches the photograph. I line the newborn seat with a large washcloth to make it more comfy for my baby. I like the built in thermometer which means that you can judge the water temperature without the risk of scalding or having the water too cold. I recommend this item!"
Pros
- Anti-slip rubber caps at the bottom for stability
- Ergonomic design with in-between leg support
- Built-in digital thermometer so you can easily see the temperature
Cons
- Turquoise colour is a lot pricier compared to the grey and white colours
Best seat for babies between 7 and 16 months
Suitable for bathing and showering little ones between seven and 16 months, the Rotho Babydesign Bath Seat makes the transition from a lying position to a sitting position during bathing easier for both parents and children. Thanks to the armrest and extra-wide backrest, your bubba will be sat in optimal comfort while they're being bathed.
One reviewer said: "Really happy with this, the suction pads have just the right amount of hold, and the opening of the front part is super easy for grandparents to use. If one of the suction feet stay stuck to the bath floor like mine did last time, it has a satisfying click back into place. The clips for opening the front work well, and are easy for an adult to open. The muted colours like this are hard to find, and were the main reason I bought it, to match my duck egg, grey and white bathroom. Seeing as it is only used once a week or once a fortnight, didn't want it to look too bright, when being stored in the floor, as it's not a kid's bathroom. I imagine this will last very well and although I was initially almost put off by the high price, I'm glad I bought it."
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Made of high-quality plastic
- BPA free
Cons
- Some reviewers thought the suction feet could be more grippy
Best ergonomically designed bath seat
We've already featured the Angelcare Soft Bath Support in this guide, but if you're looking for a seated option, this one also from Angelcare is a great choice. Just like the Bath Support, it's designed to be lightweight to carry yet strong and sturdy enough to support your baba.
One reviewer said: "Have had a different seat before, this is simple in a good way, easy to clean no hidden areas that water can build up in and go manky, deffinitly the best bath seat I have came across, doesn't take up much room storing or in the bath (I have a 2 year old and 6 month old who bath together)"
Pros
- Hygienic and mould-resistant material
- Seat is designed with support, comfort and safety in mind
- Material warms quickly to body and bath water temperature
Cons
- Some reviewers had difficulty getting bigger babies in and out
Best whale-shaped baby bathtub
How adorable is this baby bath?! We love how it's shaped to look like a whale. As well as looking fun, it'll also provide your little one with plenty of comfort and support as they learn to sit. The Skip Hop 3-Stage Baby Bath Tub grows with your baby and is designed to keep them in an ergonomic position whatever stage they are at.
One reviewer said: "Made bathing my newborn very fun. However after around 4 months I stopped using and just put baby in a shallow bath. This is just what worked for us. But I'm very happy I had it for the first 4 months as baby really needed that comfortable support and I was able to clean her without having to hold her at the same time."
Pros
- Dual layered mesh securely cradles baby from head to toe
- Inside sling can be removed when little one is ready to sit up
- Has a swivel hook for hanging on a showerhead or towel bar
Cons
- Some reviewers mentioned it was hard to get the warning labels off when it first arrived
Recommended
Perfect for bathing at home or while you're travelling, this Glenmore bathtub is collapsible and the legs can be folded neatly to make it easy to transport and save on space around your home. It's got a temperature-sensing water plug that turns from blue to white when the temperature exceeds 40Ā°C so you'll know whether the water temperature is safe for your little one just by looking down.
One reviewer said: "There us a bit of a knack to putting the bath up and taking it down using the bars which slot in under the sides, but once you get the hand of it it's really easy! We've got a small bathroom so wanted something unobtrusive which we could fold away if we need to. It comes with a lovely clip on cushion for newborns which is great for supporting the baby's head. I don't think it would last long if you put it down after every use, but for occasional folding down it's great."
Pros
- Comes with a soft bath cushion
- Can be hung and stored without taking up room once folded
- Has rubber feet and a clip you can attached to your bath for stability
Cons
- Some reviewers found it hard to put it up and down
Best three-in-one bathtub
Not just a baby bath, this handy device from Aqua Scale can also be used as a scale for weighing your little one and it comes with a built-in thermometer too! It offers two bathing positions for newborns and toddlers and continuously measures water temperature and displays it on the easy-to-read LED screen so you can soon see whether the water is the right temperature for your baby.
One reviewer said: "Very good for first time moms because you can bath your little one on your own, my wife was panicking how to handle our son and bath him, but with this tub was very easy for her"
Pros
- Water thermometer automatically checks bath water temperature
- Can be used with or without water to quickly check baby's weight
- Anti-slip insert keeps baby in ideal bathing position
Cons
- One or two reviewers found the scales to be a little inaccurate
Best bath support for newborns
uk.nuby.com
Another great option from Nuby is this bath support. The grey material inside will feel super soft against your baby's delicate skin and warms quickly for added comfort. It also drains water easily and air dries quickly to keep it as hygienic as possible.
One reviewer said: "Absolutely worth it!"
Pros
- Lightweight
- Made from super durable material so it holds its shape
- Ergonomically designed for comfort and safety
Cons
- It's not ideal for older children who can sit up
Recommended
This Bebeconfort seat has a unique 360 rotation with an ergonomically shaped backrest. The four suction pads offer great stability for bathing your little one while the rotating-coloured ball at the front of the seat keeps them entertained and happy.
One reviewer said: "This bath seat is really great for babies, the suction cups allow good stability and therefore safety for the child who is well seated and held in his seat. The spinning ball brings a fun aspect to the bath. I recommend this item!"
Pros
- Designed for children 6-12 months
- Swivel seat makes it easier to fully wash your little one
- Suction pads ensure it doesn't move
Cons
- Only suitable for children aged 6 to 12 months
Best baby bathtubs and seats FAQs
Why use baby bathtubs and seats?
A baby bath is a product specifically designed to help you to bathe your baby.
Baby bathsĀ areĀ tailored to provide extra safety and support that make sure the baby has the correct posture,Ā securingĀ the baby in place so there's no risk of themĀ slipping around or going under the water. They'reĀ safe for babies, putĀ parents at ease, and reduceĀ the stress at bath time.
Even though some parents prefer to bathe their baby in the bathroom sink,Ā it'sĀ much more likely for your little one to slip around and potentially haveĀ an accident without a proper baby bath. That's why getting the best baby bathtubs and seats are a surefire way to make sure bath time isĀ a safe and fun experience.
There are many types of baby baths, from simple baby baths to more elaborate, fancy ones, and you can have fun choosing which one is best for you.
A baby should never be left unattended in the bath, no matter how safe and secure theĀ baby bath is.
Important points about bathing safety
Never leave your baby unattended in the bath.
Always check the temperature of the water before putting your baby in. The water should be at the recommended temperature of 36-37 degrees Celsius. You can buy a bathĀ thermometerto make sure it's atĀ the right temperature.
Avoid using inflatable neck rings (or any kind of neck rings), they have not been thoroughly tested.
NeverĀ pick up the bathtub with your baby inside.
How we test and choose recommended products
Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product, and we listen to what you say as well.
Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe consistently provides great insights into which products mums like best and why, helping us highlight the products that will meet your needs.
For essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested. Full reviews from our mum testers can be found on our product pages. The winners and runners-up for each category will also appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.