Even though most websites offer baby registry perks, including discounts for the products left after your baby shower, a long return period, group gifting, and more, all these perks make it harder to narrow down which option is best. Since each unique mom has a unique registry need, we’ve narrowed it down to the top 10 best baby registry sites, each with its own big perk.
Best Baby Registry
Amazon
The major benefit of registering with Amazon’s Baby Registry is that they have anything you could possibly think of adding to a registry. You also can register for items that are more for you than the baby- nursing bras, a pregnancy pillow, or a book to read when your little one is keeping you up at night. If you are already a Prime member, there are also all the regular perks like free 2-day shipping, and even people who don’t have Prime get free shipping on items over $35.
Another major benefit of Amazon is that it’s convenient to use. Many people already use Amazon for online shopping, so people can easily pick out gifts for your registry without having to set up an account or go to an actual store.
Return Policy
You can return items up to 90 days following your due date. Amazon will credit your account for the cash value of the item and the purchaser never gets a notification that you returned their gift.
Group Gifting
Yes, Amazon has the option of group gifting.
Universal Registry
Yes, there is a universal registry.
Discounts
Amazon has a completion discount of 10-15%. A higher discount is offered to Prime members. You can use the promotional code once and it is active from 60 days before to 60 days after your due date. The amount can be applied to any single purchase of up to $2,000, so there is a big potential for savings.
Gifts/Samples
You’ll need to complete your registry to get a baby registry box with samples and other goodies. It will be sent after someone buys the first gift from your registry. This box is valued at around $35.
The Bump
The Bump is a good choice for compiling all your registries in one place, especially if you decide to try and manage more than one list. It’s super easy to sync everything together. As long as you use the same email address to sign up for your registries, you can put in your information and The Bump website will compile all the lists together for you within 24 hours.
Return Policy
Since The Bump is more of a tool than an actual store, you’ll need to follow the guidelines for returns on the different registries you are using.
Group Gifting
There is no group gifting option.
Universal Registry
The Bump is a universal registry since you can sync your lists from everywhere. You can add anything to your wish list.
Discounts
The Bump doesn’t actually sell any items, so there is no discount available at the end of your registry. However, you can take advantage of any discounts offered by other companies that you have on your registry.
Gifts/Samples
While the Bump does not offer gifts and samples, there are perks and coupons offered to parents that sign up as a member of the site.
Pottery Barn Kids
The Pottery Barn Kids registry is best for parents that are primarily registering to check off items on their nursery list. It makes it easy to buy high-quality, functional products for your nursery. As an added benefit, Pottery Barn Kids offers free consultations with their Baby Crew for free. They’ll help you take your nursery ideas and bring them to life.
For parents that plan on moving to a bigger home with their new addition, another nice feature is The One registry collection. Pottery Barn Kids has several sister companies- Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, and West Elm. You can add items from any of these companies to your registry. The app also lets you keep track of what items have been purchased and by who- which is great for sending out thank you notes at a later date.
Return Policy
Pottery Barn Kids offers a 90-day return policy. This 90-day window starts either at the end of your registry event or from the date the item was purchased- they default to the later of the two dates for the return period.
Group Gifting
Pottery Barn Kids does not offer a group gifting option.
Universal Registry
Pottery Barn Kids does not have a universal registry, but they do let you add items from their sister companies to the cart.
Discounts
The discount you get at Pottery Barn Kids is a little higher than those mentioned so far. You’ll receive a one-time-use 20% discount. This can be used from two months before your due date until six months after your due date.
Gifts/Samples
Pottery Barn Kids does not offer any free samples or gifts for expectant mothers. However, they do offer free consultations and other services to help you build the nursery of your dreams.
MyRegistry.com
For mothers who really can’t decide where to register (or who register in more than one place), MyRegistry.com is the best choice. It helps you easily keep track of all your gifts, even when they come from different places. There are also lots of ways to add items to your registry. You can add items online or scan barcodes in the store. Additionally, you can sync any existing registries you have in one place.
If you are looking for cash contributions, MyRegistry is a great choice as well. They let you create budgets for specific things you are trying to save for- like a nursery renovation or college fund. Additionally, MyRegistry.com partners with Costco who has plenty of bulk baby items you’ll like babies and wipes.
Return Policy
Since MyRegistry.com is not an actual store, you’ll have to follow the specific return policies from the websites on your list.
Group Gifting
While there is no group gifting option, MyRegistry does let people send cash gifts. You can use these toward some of the more expensive items on your list.
Universal Registry
Yes, MyRegistry offers lots of ways to add items to your list, whether they are available online or not. It is one of the best universal gift registries. You can also sync your different registries to the site, so it’s a great way to keep track of everything in one place.
Discounts
MyRegistry isn’t really a retailer, so there’s no way to use discounts on the site. However, you can still take advantage of the discounts from other websites if they are synced to your registry.
Gifts/Samples
MyRegistry does not offer any gifts or samples.
Crate & Kids
The Crate & Kids Baby Registry is a good choice for your baby’s nursery. They offer goodies made from high-quality materials like 100% cotton sheets and wooden nursery furniture. Another nice thing about Crate & Kids products is the quality. They have a kid-friendly design with a grownup aesthetic that makes the furniture cute but practical.
Crate & Kids has an app, so you can add gifts to your registry on the go. They also help with thank you notes after the big event and have checklists so you can be sure you aren’t forgetting anything. The one downside is that it might be hard to visit the physical store if you prefer in-person shopping- there are only about 40 Crate & Barrel locations across the United States. Fortunately, there is free shipping on purchases over $49.
Return Policy
Crate & Barrel has a lot of policies surrounding their return policies, including different policies for furniture and non-furniture items. Non-furniture items can be returned within 90 days with the receipt. Furniture items must be returned within 30 days and you have to contact them within 7 days of the purchase to have it returned.
Group Gifting
Crate & Kids does have a group gifting option.
Universal Registry
There is no universal registry on this site, though it can be used with some of the registry organizers so you can get smaller items from a different store.
Discounts
The biggest benefit of the Crate & Kids registry is that there is a 10% completion discount that can be used more than once. You can keep stocking up on goodies at a discounted rate for up to six months after your expected due date. Additionally, they offer a price match option so you can get the same values you find at other competitors.
Gifts/Samples
There is no goodie bag with this registry.
Best Baby Registry Perks
Target
Target’s baby registry is a good choice if you are a fan of their Cloud line, which has boutique-quality products with a much lower price tag. Setting it up online is very simple and there is a button to ‘add to registry’ at the top of every page of their site once you register. Additionally, since there are around 1,800 locations in the United States, which makes it likely there’s one nearby. Since Target has brand names and more affordable products, so it’s a good all-in-one choice.
Something to keep in mind when shopping at Target, however, is that the online selection is usually a lot bigger than what you can find in the store.
Return Policy
Target has a longer return policy following your registry- you can make returns up to a year after your expected due date. The products will need to be unopened in their original packaging for them to be expected. The longer return policy is always nice for new parents who are likely busy and sleep-deprived as they navigate life with a newborn.
Group Gifting
Yes, Target offers group gifting.
Universal Registry
Yes, Target’s baby registry lets you add products from other sites.
Discounts
Target offers a 15% completion discount about eight weeks before your due date. The major benefit is that you have two options to use this: once in-store and once online. This gives you a greater variety of products at your disposal and the option to take advantage of that discount twice. You’ll also get access to more savings and benefits if you belong to Target Circle Rewards.
Gifts/Samples
Target gives a free Welcome Kit once you create your registry. Once you have finished, you can go to your local Target store and get the kit, which is valued at around $120. Something to note is that Target recommends calling ahead and checking with guest services on availability before stopping by to pick it up.
Best Baby Registry for Unique Gifts
Babylist
Babylist sets themselves apart from other registries because they offer lots of ways for family members and friends to gift the birth of your baby. In addition to buying items from your registry, there are virtual coupons for a home-cooked meal, help with cleaning the house, dog walking, and more. It’s a way for family members to help out with those tasks that can seem overwhelming when you first get home with a newborn.
If you aren’t sure what to add to your registry, Babylist is also a great choice for ideas. You can find sample lists for your new addition- they have recommendations for first-time parents, second-time parents, parents of twins, and more. This makes it easy to make sure you didn’t skip over anything as you create your registry.
Return Policy
Babylist allows returns up to 90 days after purchase.
Group Gifting
While Babylist does not offer group gifting, there is an option to give cash gifts. People can let you choose which items you get or you can transfer them to your bank account and put it toward your child’s college fund.
Universal Registry
Babylist excels with their universal registry. You can add products from literally anywhere- from big retailers like Amazon to cutesy boutique shops on Etsy. This makes it easy to gather all the things you want into one place.
Discounts
Babylist does offer a 15% off discount code that can be used up to 60 days before your baby’s expected delivery date and up to 60 days after. You’ll need to be registered for at least 30 days before receiving the discount. One downside is that you can’t use the discount on all items on your registry- just those sold by Babylist.com.
Gifts/Samples
Babylist has a Hello Baby box that they send to expectant mothers after registering. It has samples, coupons, and other goodies for you and your little one. You’ll need to spend at least $10 on the site to get this registry box.
Most Affordable Baby Registry
Walmart
Walmart Baby Registry is a good choice if you’re looking to create a more budget-friendly baby registry. They offer free shipping with purchases over $35 on their website and have a great selection both online and in the store. Additionally, since Walmart stores are all across the United States (and even in international locations), it’s easy to shop in-store or return gifts.
This is a good go-to if you don’t expect your family to shell out big bucks for your baby. While you can still find brand names and high-quality baby items, they’ll come a little cheaper than at some other stores. It’s also easy to shop in the Walmart app and going this route gives shoppers the option of buying gift cards to go toward items, too.
There are also several perks of using Walmart for your baby registry. They have a virtual assistant in the app and have options like professional furniture assembly which can be helpful with cribs and more. Walmart also offers next-day or 2-day delivery on orders over $35, as well as an in-store pickup option.
Return Policy
Items from Walmart can be returned to any location within 90 days of purchase if you have the receipt. There are also some eligible items that can be exchanged or returned up to a year after purchase.
Group Gifting
While there is no group gifting option, buyers do have the option of buying gift cards that might contribute toward some of the more expensive items you need to pick up.
Universal Registry
Walmart does not offer a universal registry option.
Discounts
While Walmart does not offer a discount, the company does do price matching. This means if you find any of the items on your baby registry cheaper than they have it in stores, you can match the price and receive a discount.
Gifts/Samples
Walmart offers a Welcome Box. You’ll find goodies after your baby is born, as well as coupons for some items you might need down the road.
Best Baby Registry for Discounts
BuyBuyBaby
The BuyBuyBaby registry is a good choice if your friends and family shop at Bed, Bath, & Beyond- the two are sister companies so the 20% off coupons that Bed, Bath, & Beyond is always sending out can be used at BuyBuyBaby as well. BuyBuyBaby is a good baby store for all your baby basics and essentials, as well as those extra big-ticket items you have your eye on.
BuyBuyBaby exists online as well as in retail locations. Having one nearby is nice if you get overwhelmed by all the options available online- they even have registry consultants to walk you through everything.
Another major perk is that you’ll get free shipping for your baby’s first year if your family spends over $1,500 on baby items- which is really easy to do once everything adds up. They also offer free shipping when you spend more than $39.
Finally, BuyBuyBaby has a few tools you can’t find other places. They offer a baby registry analyzer to help you pick out more affordable and more expensive items, so there’s a balance on your list depending on everyone’s budget. A baby registry thank you tool also makes it easy to send out thank you cards by keeping track of who bought which gifts.
Return Policy
BuyBuyBaby allows gifts to be returned up to 90 days after your due date- even if you lost the gift receipt. They also allow returns up to a year after the purchase of the item with a receipt.
Group Gifting
BuyBuyBaby does not offer a group gifting option.
Universal Registry
BuyBuyBaby does not have a Universal Registry.
Discounts
While you cannot combine coupons, you can use any coupons you may already have on items from the registry (and so can your friends and family). Additionally, you’ll receive a one-time-use 15% off code several weeks before your due date to pick up any last-minute items you might still need.
Gifts/Samples
You’ll receive a goody bag after starting your registry with free samples and coupons. You’ll need to go into a BuyBuyBaby retail location to redeem your goody bag.
Best Eco-friendly Baby Registry
TheUltimateGreenStore.com
The Ultimate Green Store baby registry is a good choice for the eco-friendly parent. Here, you’ll find tons of green products including everything from eco-friendly furniture and bedsheets to organic clothing, eco-friendly soaps and lotions, and baby bottles. They also carry air purifiers.
Even though they don’t offer a lot of traditional perks of other baby registries, TheUltimateGreenStore.com does make it easier to go all-organic in one place. Alternatively, you could look for more eco-friendly items to add to your registry at other locations if you want more perks.
Return Policy
The Ultimate Green Store has strict return policies that require you to make returns within 30 days. There are additional restrictions for returning linens or clothing- they must be returned within 14 days. This can be difficult for expectant parents who are overwhelmed with getting ready for their newborn.
Group Gifting
There is no group gifting option on this site.
Universal Registry
No, The Ultimate Green Store does not have a universal registry.
Discounts
No, there are no discounts offered for completing your registry through the site. However, if you are a new customer signing up for the email list, there is a 10% discount you can take advantage of. The site also offers free shipping for purchases over $75, which is easy to rack up when you are buying green baby items.
Gifts/Samples
No, they do not offer any gifts or samples.
How We Chose the Best Baby Registry
When expectant parents choose a baby registry, most companies offer some type of benefit. Here are some of the perks that you’ll want to look for as you decide on a registry.
Extended Return Policies
Even when you pick out the gifts, you may get duplicates or a damaged item. Many companies offer an extended return policy for gifts from the registry. This is always a nice benefit, especially when you are busy preparing for the birth of your little one.
Group Gifting
If you are asking for a lot of big-ticket items for your baby, group gifting lets everyone pitch in toward the more expensive items you want. For example, someone might put $50 on the playpen you have your eye on instead of buying it outright. Then, someone else might pay for the rest of it or you can pay off the balance once your registry closes.
Universal Registry
A universal registry is an online feature that lets you add items to the registry that aren’t available in the store. This is a nice feature if there are some specialty items on your list, especially if they come from stores that don’t have a registry.
Discounts
In most cases, the company offers a discount for any items leftover in your baby registry. This usually comes in the form of a one-time use coupon code that might be around 10-15% off. If you do get a discount, be sure to check how long you can use it. Some only work for a few weeks after your registry, while others might continue to be active until a few weeks after your due date.
Gift Boxes or Free Samples
It’s also common for companies to send expectant mothers a gift box or free samples once they register. Some of these goodies are quite valuable, so it’s worth considering as you look at different registries.
FAQs – Baby Registries
Do I need a baby registry?
Having a baby registry is a great idea if you expect to host a shower or celebration of your baby’s life. It’s also a good idea if you decide against a shower, but still, have some family and friends that might want to purchase a gift for your new addition.
When you create a baby registry, it makes it more likely that you’ll get the things that you want and need for your baby. Additionally, it makes it easier if you are planning on using a theme to decorate the nursery.
What kinds of things can I include in my registry?
Trying to decide what you need for a baby can be overwhelming. One of the easiest ways to create a baby registry is to look up a baby checklist. A baby checklist will have all the basic items you need for care, including things like bulb syringes, baby hair brushes, a bathtub, pacifiers, clothing, bottles, and more.
Some people also put bigger items on their registries like a crib, playpen, high chair, or other more expensive items. It is a good idea to have at least a couple of these items- you never know what people want to help out with. Plus, if you don’t get those big-ticket items, you can take advantage of your baby registry discount if you have one and get it for a more affordable price after your registry.
Finally, you can also put items for mom on the list. Things like nursing bras, a pregnancy pillow, books, and more are great for late-night feedings and making sure you have what you need to comfortably take care of your newborn.
Something to keep in mind is that people who don’t consult the registry for their purchases are most likely to buy bibs, clothing, or other small baby items. Unless there’s something specific you want, many experts recommend leaving these types of items off the list.
Can I have more than one baby registry?
While there is nothing stopping you from creating more than one baby registry, it might be best to limit yourself to whichever you choose as the best baby registry. If you have more than one, it can make it confusing for you and your guests. It also makes it more likely that you’ll end up with duplicate items or miss out on some items because it will be hard to keep everything straight.
However, some parents find that it is also a good idea to have a registry for their big-ticket items, especially if they choose a more chic website like Pottery Barn Kids for those items. Then, you can also register at a locale with more selections like Target, Walmart, or Amazon for the other items you need.
If you do decide that you want more than one registry, it’s a good idea to have one place where you can list everything. You can do this with a universal registry or somewhere like My Registry or The Bump.
Final Word
For us, the best baby registry was Amazon’s Baby Registry because of the wide range of items. It also has all the features you’d want, including a universal registry, group gifting, a goodie bag for mom and baby, and a discount at the completion of your registry.
There are several factors you’ll want to consider as you look for the best baby registry. If you want something more affordable, somewhere you can use discounts like BuyBuyBaby is a great idea or you can go with somewhere that already has more affordable items like Walmart.
If a universal registry is important because you have your eye on specific items or you want group gifting because you have more expensive items on your list, check for these things as well. Amazon, Target, and other registries have these options.
Finally, don’t rush into choosing a registry. We have made it easy by doing the research for you- now all you have to do is figure out which features matter to you most to choose the best baby registry for you.
