Best Baby Bathtubs For NYC Apartments - Our Picks
Whether you need a tub that fits your kitchen or bathroom sink, folds flat for travel, or lasts all the way to kindergarten, we've rounded up our top picks for NYC families, chosen for what really matters: fit, longevity, easy storage, and travel-readiness.
TLDR
Five tub picks for NYC bath time: the FridaBaby Soft Sink Tub and Ubbi Sink Bather for kitchen or bathroom sink bathing, the Frida Grow With Me Tub as an infant-to-toddler all-rounder, the Boon 3-Stage SOAK Tub for its built-in temperature gauge, and the Stokke Flexi Bath (plus the XL version) for travel, storage, and going the distance to age four to six.
Table of Contents
- Best for Sink Bathing
- Best Infant-to-Toddler Tub
- Best with Built-In Temperature Gauge
- Best for Travel and Easy Storage
- Best to Go the Distance
Pick 1: Best for Sink Bathing
There's nothing (relatively) easier than bathing your baby in the sink during those first months. Standing gives you extra control and comfort as you suds up your little bub. Our faves for this purpose are the FridaBaby Soft Sink Tub which is an easy fit in smaller sized sinks, thanks to its origami-inspired design.
We're equally smitten with the Ubbi Sink Bather, which is made of neoprene, giving it a sturdy feel. The slitted sides allow it to fit in most sinks, be they kitchen or bathroom.
Note some lofts and apartments in NYC feature farm-style sinks that are much larger than the norm, which means a sink tub may not work in the kitchen. Measure before you commit.
Pick 2: Best Infant-to-Toddler Tub
As for an infant-to-toddler model, the Frida Baby Grow With Me Tub is a great choice, as it offers a lot of flexibility from a sling for an infant, to an assisted seated position all the way to a full size baby tub, covering all the stages.
Pick 3: Best With Built-In Temperature Gauge
Another infant-to-toddler model we love is the Boon 3-Stage SOAK Tub, which offers three recline positions, is easy to drain and clean. But what makes this one stand out to us is its built-in temperature gauge, giving you peace of mind that the water's just right.
Pick 4: Best for Travel and Easy Storage
Folding flat, making it simple to tuck in your suitcase, slip next to the sink or in a cabinet, Stokke Flexi Bath is our number one pick for travel and storage. It also works easily for both infants and toddlers: for the infant stage, use the newborn insert - a little scoop for your baby, keeping them in place. When they're older and able to sit up, you can remove it. The Flexi Bath can be used up until four years old, making it super long-lasting as well.
Pick 5: Best to Go the Distance
But, for the distinction of going the distance, we've got the Stokke Flexi Bath XL. This is like the Flexi Bath but is bigger. Another cool feature: there's even a stand so if you're not into sitting on the bathroom floor to bathe your little one, you can place the tub on a stand (but only until your baby is 22lbs). After your baby outgrows the stand, place the tub directly on the floor, in the tub, or in the shower, and you can bathe a child up to six years old.
Shop the Edit with Babesta
Ready to figure out what tub is tops in your household? Hopefully our sweet spot callouts help! Shop our bathtime edit for the best in tubs, toys, towels, and accessories.
We spend our days trying out as many products as possible and test them against our city lifestyle, so you don't have to. Don't lose your cool shopping the baby and kids market. Shop Babesta.
Additional Reading
- Bathtime Checklist: What to Add to Your Baby Registry
- Hooded Towel or Regular Towel: What do you Actually Need?
- Soft Infant Sink Tub or Infant-to-Toddler Tub: Which Do You Need First?
- How to Chose A Baby Tub for a NYC Apartment
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate tub for each stage, or can one tub last the whole time?
A few of our picks are built to last: the Frida Grow With Me Tub and both Stokke Flexi Bath models adjust from newborn through toddler, so one tub can realistically take you from birth to around four to six years old.
What's the weight limit for using the Flexi Bath XL stand?
The stand is rated up to 22lbs; past that, place the tub directly on the floor, in the tub, or in the shower instead of on the stand.
Can I use a sink tub in any kitchen sink?
Most work in standard kitchen and bathroom sinks, but some NYC apartments and lofts have oversized farm-style sinks where a sink tub won't sit securely. Be sure to measure your sink before buying.
Which tub is easiest to travel with?
Of course the sink tubs are compact and easy for travel, as are the Stokke Flexi Bath and Flexi Bath XL which fold flat. You can easily tuck any of these in a suitcase or carryon, not to mention tuck them easily in a cabinet.
When should I remove the newborn insert for the Stokke Flexi Bath?
Once your baby is comfortable and steady sitting up on their own, the newborn insert - the "scoop" that keeps them positioned - can come out. Most parents make the switch somewhere around five to six months, although Stokke says you can use it until about eight months or 17.6lbs.
