Best baby registries

Amazon carries a wide selection of baby products, so chances are if you want it, it's available here. (And if it's not, you can add products from any site to this universal registry.) But what many moms-to-be find most appealing is the ease of use. This was part of the appeal for our staff members, too. 

"The process of finding products and building your registry is really easy, like everything else on Amazon,” says BabyCenter editor Kathleen Felton. "They help you format your registry with suggested categories, top products within each category you might like, and make it a breeze to share with your friends and family."

Leah Rocketto, Associate Commerce Director for BabyCenter, also appreciated Amazon’s baby registry for its format and ease of use. 

"I used Amazon registry mostly as a shopping list for myself, since I opted out of a baby shower," Leah explains. "The registry was straightforward, which made it easy for me to do price comparisons. It was also helpful to see in the registry if an item was no longer available so I could replace it with something similar or find somewhere else."

But organizing items and offering a variety of baby essentials at competitive prices aren’t the only reason why Amazon's baby registry is the best. Amazon's completion discount is generous and "a good way to save on a bigger purchase yourself," according to Kathleen: You get 15 percent off just about anything from your registry that you buy within a certain time window. 

Amazon's return policy is phenomenal too: You have a full year to return unneeded items using Amazon's super-fast online process. Finally, Amazon's Welcome Box contains samples of products like bottles, baby wash, and diapers – and recent recipients have even reported getting a cute bodysuit (although contents are always subject to availability and change). 

Universal baby registry: No

Retail stores: No 

Return policy: You can return eligible gifts bought from your baby registry for up to 365 days after they're purchased (keep reading for more on what "eligible" means). Non-eligible items must be returned within 90 days, and gifts you buy yourself are only eligible for a 90-day return window. Returns are credited to an Amazon gift card. 

Completion discount: Yes: 15 percent off all eligible items. Baby registry must be active for at least 14 days, and completion discount applies to orders up to a combined value of $2,000, for a maximum discount of $300. The completion discount is available 60 days before the expected arrival date you supplied when making your registry, and expires 90 days after that date. 

Group gifting: Yes. Baby registry owners can enable group gifting for all items in your registry over a certain dollar amount, or for certain items. Registry owners can also establish a diaper fund, open for contributions of up to $550. Gift givers can contribute a dollar amount of their choice, and contributions arrive in the form of an electronic Amazon gift card. 

Baby welcome box: Yes. The free welcome box is valued at $35 and contents vary, but the box might hold a bodysuit, samples of baby wash and detergent, a swaddle blanket, a bottle, and/or a toy, as well as coupons for more baby products. The box is available only if you're an Amazon Prime member, have added at leats 10 items from Amazon's baby registry checklist, and you or someone else has bought at least $10 of items from your registry. The box only ships to addresses within the contiguous United States.

Heads up

As noted above, the completion discount and 365-day returns apply only to "eligible" items; this means items that are fulfilled by Amazon. And how will you know what products are fulfilled by Amazon? Look for "Ships from Amazon" under the Buy Now button on the item's link. If the item is shipped from another entity, this means it's not eligible for the completion discount, Prime shipping, or a return within 365 days. 

Although Amazon's free shipping is a lifesaver when you need a baby item fast, it too has restrictions: For Prime members, eligible items ship free in two days; non-Prime members must spend at least $25 to get free shipping, with orders arriving within five to eight days. 

Parents say

"I changed my mind about some of our baby products multiple times before and after our baby was born. The generous return policy took so much stress out of deciding what to add to the registry and which gifts I wanted to keep or return."

"I got [my Amazon Welcome Box] a few weeks ago! I had a bottle, onesie, swaddle, and full size wipes as the full size then got a sample of prenatal gummies, a sample of Dreft, nipple pads and cream and then some random samples…. It was a nice little bag I got!"

"The Amazon Baby Registry is so easy to navigate through that I was able to do it by myself in less than an hour. Loved how simple and easy it is."

Making a baby registry at Target is a no-brainer for many parents-to-be who appreciate the brand's high-style items at moderate prices. And the prices get even better when you utilize the coupons in Target's Welcome Kit. Each kit, which also contains a sweet mix of samples and full-sized baby products, includes discounts on baby items like lotion, formula, and clothing that are added to your Target account once you scan the barcode included in your kit. 

But the included coupons aren’t the only opportunity to save. Target allows you to stack your registry completion discount (15 percent, by the way) with other coupons, Target Circle offers, and the 5 percent discount for RedCard holders, adding up to even bigger deals. Another perk: Target's registry gift tracker feature notifies you of gifts purchased, along with the name of purchaser and purchase date. You can print that list out for easy thank you note writing, and keep track of which you've already written by checking an online box on your Target registry. 

Finally, it's worth noting that Target has retail outlets for friends and relatives who prefer buying gifts in-store. If you do end up buying online, two-day shipping is free if you spend $35 or more or use your Target RedCard to pay. 

Universal baby registry: Yes

Retail stores: Yes

Return policy: You have up to one year after your due date to return most new and unopened items that are purchased from your registry. You must return your item to a local Target store to take advantage of the year-long return window. Refunds are issued in the form of a Target gift card. 

Completion discount: Yes. About eight weeks before the due date you specified, you will get an offer in your Target Circle Offers page for 15 percent off storewide. You can use that coupon twice — online, in-store, or one of each. Your baby registry must have been active for at least 14 days before the offer begins. The coupon expires after six months (the expiration date is clearly shown on your offer). 

Group gifting: Yes. Target registries are automatically set up to allow group gifting for any item over $100, though registry owners can disable this feature. Gift givers contribute toward an online gift card, which you can use to purchase any item online or in a Target store. 

Baby welcome box: Yes. Target's Welcome Kit is a favorite of BabyCenter parents, valued at $100 of samples and coupons. Expect baby care items like shampoo, pacifiers, diapers, bottles, and wipes. You can get a barcode for your welcome kit as soon as you create your registry. Just present it in store for kit pickup, or get the kit shipped to your home (it ships free if you spend $35 or more). (Worth noting: Your local store might be out of the Welcome Kit, so call ahead before making the trip to get one.)

Heads up

Target restricts some of its best perks to members of its loyalty program, Target Circle. You must be a Circle member and sign into your Target Circle Offers page to see offers for your completion discount and welcome box, even if you intend to pick up the welcome box in-store. 

Registry owners should also note that once they save the 15 percent completion discount to their account, it automatically applies to the next two baby registry purchases. You can deactivate your coupon temporarily, and you have to sign in to your Target account and redeem saved offers in order to use the coupon, but the online couponing can come as a surprise to those unaware. 

One final note: Making returns in-store is tough if you don't have a Target nearby. 

Parents say

"I made three registries, and Target and Amazon were my favorites. Target gave the option of shopping online and in-store, which some of my family preferred. And Target always makes returns so easy."

"I did Amazon and Target. Would have just done Amazon tbh, but mom convinced me to add Target for the old school folks that still need to go into the stores to shop."

If you’re hoping to snag a few pieces of luxury nursery furniture that’ll last for years to come, consider registering at Pottery Barn Kids. Although the store’s prices are undoubtedly higher than its competitors, it’s a good place to turn for beautiful, high-quality furniture and decor. 

That said, since Pottery Barn Kids doesn’t offer other essentials like diapers, you probably won’t want it to be your only baby registry. Pottery Barn Kids does offer other enticements that make a registry worth it, like a 15 percent completion discount that parents can use 60 days before and 180 days after the provided due date, as well as the free nursery design service that you can utilize for an in-store or virtual appointment. Additionally, Pottery Barn Kids has a registry concierge service ready to answer your questions from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. PST.

We also love that Pottery Barn Kids has a dedicated app for its registry, instead of simply accessing a mobile site, which makes it difficult to add items or shop on the fly. And it can't be denied that Pottery Barn Kids' stock is a cut above the ordinary, with all nursery furniture Greenguard Gold certified, and all cotton products made out of high-grade organic. 

Universal baby registry: No

Retail stores: Yes

Return policy: Items purchased from your Pottery Barn Kids registry can be returned or exchanged within 90 days of your event or within 90 days of purchase, whichever date is later. Items returned with a gift receipt only will be refunded in Pottery Barn Kids credit. Delivery fees are non-refundable.

Completion discount: Yes. Registrants are eligible for a 15 percent discount 60 days prior to your due date, and 180 days after. Discount is valid on regular priced items only, and baby gear is excluded; see "Heads up" for more on exclusions. 

Group gifting: No, but you can add a note to your registry that you welcome gift cards. Gift cards can be used to purchase whatever you like at Pottery Barn Kids, on your registry or not, as well as products at affiliated brands Pottery Barn, PBteen, Williams-Sonoma, and West Elm.

Baby welcome box: No

Heads up

Unless you snag a coupon code or happen into a special, Pottery Barn Kids doesn't offer free shipping, and many BabyCenter parents say shipping costs add up quickly. Also, the completion discount can’t be used on baby gear, which seems pretty backwards. 

In fact, the list of brands excluded from the 15 percent completion discount includes: Baby Jogger, BabyBjorn, Doona, Ergobaby, Frida, Hatch, Medela, Skip Hop, it goes on and on. Also excluded, according to Pottery Barn Kid's completion discount fine print: strollers and stroller accessories, all car seats and adapters, all diaper bags and totes, all baby carriers, all highchairs and booster seats, and the list goes on from there.

And though we appreciate that Pottery Barn Kids allows you to return gifts up to 90 days after your due date, that's pretty weak compared to the return policies of competitors like Amazon, Target, Buy Buy Baby, and Walmart. 

Parents say

"I love Pottery Barn Kids - just finished my nursery with a lot of their stuff - but honestly - I had to use every trick in the book… to make it in my budget. I will say though - their furniture is very nice. I get compliments on it all the time!"

With more than 5,000 stores across the United States, Walmart makes it easy to buy items from a baby registry in-store, which is especially helpful to those who aren't fans of online shopping. Walmart is known for its low prices, which is unfortunately where the savings stop – they don't give registry completion discounts. 

You will, however, score a free Baby Welcome Box, with samples of products from brands like Dr. Brown's, Huggies, Mam, and Johnson's – and it ships at no cost to you. Eligible items on your baby registry can be returned up to one year after purchase, and you can price-match items against other retailers' online prices for a discount.

We also appreciate that Walmart doesn't make you visit the store to return or exchange products, nor to receive your welcome box. A final neat treat: If you sign up for a Baby Registry Welcome Box you will receive an email when you begin your third trimester that offers a free postpartum care box, with more coupons and offers, plus product samples from brands like Frida, Palmer's, and Poise. 

Universal baby registry: No

Retail stores: Yes

Return policy: Registrants have up to 365 days after purchase to return items to Walmart stores or by U.S. mail or FedEx. Customers must begin returns in Walmart app or at Walmart.com; you will get a return barcode and email confirmation to return the item in-store, or a return label if you wish to return by mail. Items returned by mail must be in original packaging with all accessories. 

Completion discount: No

Group gifting: No

Baby welcome box: Yes. Once you've created your baby registry, visit Walmart's welcome box order form, put in your details, and submit. Your box will be sent to the address you provided, and you will also receive an email as your first trimester begins offering a free postpartum care box. 

Heads up

It needs to be mentioned again: Walmart doesn't offer a registry completion discount. And though it's undeniably handy to be able to touch and try out baby products at an actual retail outlet, you must still add items to your registry manually using Walmart's registry site, rather than being able to scan a barcode with your phone or a scanner to automatically add. 

Since Walmarts are so ubiquitous, the ability to pick up products in-store or curbside is a plus; whether it makes up for Walmart's lack of features like discounts or group gifting is up to you. 

Parents say

"I have Amazon and Walmart. Some of my friends and family aren't techy so I printed out the Walmart Registry and handed it to them. There's literally a Walmart everywhere lol."

"I made a registry at Walmart because it was convenient for people to shop there. I loved my box of free goodies, and it was great that it was sent to my house and I didn't have to go to the store and wait in line to collect it. Pregnant women don't like to stand in line!"

Babylist was the first popular universal registry, allowing parents to add items sold by other retailers. And the accompanying app makes it easy to do this. You can open the app and use it as a portal to shop at retailers like Target, Amazon, and Buy Buy Baby, or copy and paste an item’s URL into the search bar on the app's home page, then click the bright red "Add to Babylist" button that appears when the app finds your coveted object. 

The ability to add items from other retailers was what convinced Shelley Gingrich, BabyCenter's Executive Director, or Brand Solutions, to start a Babylist registry. "I loved that you could pull in one-off products from lesser known retailers all into one place," says Shelley, who added items like a pouf from World Market, a changing pad cover from Pehr Designs, and adorably printed rompers from Monica + Andy to her registry. "It's a useful tool if you want to pull in items that are not from the typical baby registry stores."

Babylist's Hello Baby Box also is also a great perk. Boxes generally contain a bottle, a pacifier, and samples of diapers, wipes, baby lotion, and shampoo, often from niche brands like Nanobebe and Kiinde. 

Universal baby registry: Yes

Retail stores: No

Return policy: Anything bought directly from the Babylist Shop (sold by Babylist, not other retailers) can be returned within nine months of the purchase date, as long as it's unopened and in the original packaging. Refunds are credited to the Babylist Store or to your original method of payment if it was your purchase. 

Completion discount: Yes. You're eligible for a 15 percent registry discount 60 days before your due date, as long as your registry is at least 30 days old. The discount can be used one time only, and applies only to items sold in the Babylist Shop. It expires six months after your baby’s expected arrival date.

Group gifting: Yes. Babylist allows givers to contribute any dollar amount to the cost of one item from the Babylist Shop. Whether you reach the goal or not, the money is credited to your account so you can purchase the funded item or any other item Babylist sells. Registrants can also add a cash fund to their registry; any donations are credited directly to your Paypal account. 

Baby welcome box: Yes. Babylist's Hello Baby Box requires you to add three items to your registry from the Babylist Shop and three items from other stores. You or someone else must make a minimum registry purchase of $20 from the Babylist Shop. You'll also have to pay $8.95 (and a surcharge if you live in Alaska or Hawaiii) for shipping. You can receive your box anytime from nine months before your due date to four weeks after. 

Heads up

Babylist's completion discount restrictions are stringent, particularly the rule that it applies only to items sold by Babylist, which seriously cuts down on selection. There are exemptions for brands and product types, too: nothing from Lovevery, Pampers, Mockingbird, UPPAbaby, Guava Family, or Nuna can be bought with the discount, and neither can diapers or wipes. 

Once you redeem Babylist's discount offer, the 15 percent discount automatically applies to your next purchase. You can turn the discount off and then add it manually to a later purchase if you wish. 

Babylist's generous return policy applies only to items sold by Babylist. If the item was sold at another store, you must abide by that retailer's return policy. Another bummer: Gift givers who want to buy something off Babylist have to manually check off their purchase, or it'll still appear as available options on the list. Some parents and BabyCenter staffers have sworn off using Babylist for registries due to the poor feedback they got from family and friends. "The user experience for the buyer is a little clunky for Babylist," Shelley says. "Having to check off that you bought something on another site gives the buyer something else to remember, and increases the risk of getting two of the same items."

Parents say

"I like that it shows you a list of stores and their prices, and you can add items from any website. I do find the site a bit confusing, and older friends or family members may have a hard time navigating it."

"I love Babylist! On my registry, I was able to list traditional gifts like a stroller, but I could also add things like bows from Etsy or baby furniture from Ikea."

"If you haven't signed up for a Babylist registry, I seriously recommend it! I was impressed by my Amazon registry welcome gift until I received the Hello Baby Box today. It's so much better!"

It's not a baby registry per se, but Meal Train is very popular on BabyCenter's Community, so we wanted to give it an honorable mention. Meal Train is a customizable online calendar where loved ones can sign up to provide your family with a meal on a specific day. You can personalize it with food likes and dislikes, allergies, and drop-off times. The meals don't have to be homemade, either: Meal Train lets people contribute gift cards via Grubhub, DoorDash, and participating local restaurants.

The basic plan is free, and for a one-time fee of $10 you can access the Meal Train Plus plan, which goes beyond meals to include requests for housework, childcare, visitors, rides, and more.

If you shop exclusively at a particular retailer (Target and Amazon are popular with many), you may already know where you want your registry hosted. But parents may make multiple registries at various retailers that suit different needs. When evaluating a baby registry retailer, you may want to consider the following:

• Retail stores: Some people are not comfortable shopping online; others simply want to touch, feel, and examine the items they buy. Retailers like Target, Buy Buy Baby, Walmart, and Pottery Barn Kids have retail outlets gift-givers can visit; virtual outlets like Amazon and Babylist do not.
• Return policies: Can you return gifts for cash or store credit? How long do you have to return gifts? Each retailer will have their own rules, and knowing them is important if you don't want to get stuck with an unwanted purchase.
• Completion discounts: Several retailers will offer a discount on registry items that remain on your list after the baby is born, though some may offer the deal sooner. Be sure to look into when the discount starts, when it ends, what you can buy using it, and how much of a deal you’re getting.
• Group gifting: Your friends and family members can go in on a gift together if your registry retailer allows this option, which can be very helpful if you have a gift that's too expensive for any loved one to buy solo.
• Baby welcome boxes: Baby welcome boxes, also known as baby registry welcome boxes and baby gift boxes, are free gifts retailers offer to those who start a registry. Typically a mix of free product samples and coupons, baby welcome boxes are very popular with parents.
• Product selection: Retailers like Pottery Barn Kids have a smaller, more curated selection of baby products, while ones like Amazon sell everything under the sun. You may appreciate either approach, or both.
• Exclusive brands: Target's Up & Up, Walmart's Parent's Choice, and Amazon's Mama Bear brands are popular with parents. If these or other exclusive brands are on your radar, consider going with the retailers that have them.
• Universal baby registries: Some baby registry hosts, like Amazon, Target, and Babylist, allow you to add items from other retailers to your registry. Other retailers, such as Pottery Barn Kids, only allow their own items to be added to your registry.