In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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We tested baby bibs from top brands like KiddyStar, KUDL, Bumkins, Nuby, and more to find the best
Credit: Abriah Wofford
By Molly Bradac ⋅ Senior Research Analyst ⋅ May 30, 2024
The Best Baby Bibs for 2024
Need a trusty baby bib? We've got you covered (literally). Our review tests the 8 most popular baby bibs available today. To determine the best, we've researched the market, purchased well-loved options for hands-on testing, and got down to business by sending each bib through various tests to evaluate performance. Knowing that the world of baby bibs is diverse and vast, we focused on which contenders will make your day-to-day life with your baby easier by providing adequate absorbency, qualities of functionality, and easy cleaning. Our expert recommendations can help guide you to the perfect baby bib that meets your needs.
With high scores in nearly every category we tested, the KiddyStar Toddler Bib earns a podium spot. It uses 100% certified organic cotton fabric on the front, and the back is 100% polyester fleece. It is ultra-soft and comfortable (great for babies' delicate skin), and we wish it came in an adult-sized blanket. Regarding absorbency, this bib is your biggest supporter and outshines most of the competition regarding how much liquid it can absorb and retain before seepage, which is excellent for heavy droolers or mealtime mess. Leaks can lead to more outfit changes than a Kardashian at an awards show, so we appreciate a bib that can decrease the chance of additional changes. With four snaps on its closure system, this bib will likely fit your child as they grow.
Though it's great for toddlers, the larger size makes this model too big for tiny babies. So, you might want to pass on this option if you need a small bib. Also, the care instructions make it a little high maintenance. The manufacturer suggests adding a 1/2 cup of vinegar to its initial wash to help set and preserve color, and for best results on an ongoing basis, the bib should lay flat to dry. But you can tumble dry the bib on low heat, which is faster. We noticed some shrinking after the initial wash, and the bottom edges of the bib slightly curled up. Still, these minor gripes are cosmetic and don't influence performance. The KiddyStar Toddler Bib is your best defense if you have a heavy-drooling youngster. It can save your sanity by avoiding multiple outfit changes a day, plus you will have no qualms about your baby's comfort. Still, if high-maintenance care sounds unappealing, look at the easy-to-clean Happy Healthy Parent Silicone Bib.
The KiddyStar Toddler Bib is most appropriate for a toddler, or if you are looking for a bib that offers coverage.
The KUDL Absorbent Baby Toddler Bib is an excellent performing cloth bib. It feels ultra-soft with premium cotton on the front and fleece lining on the back. Its absorbency powers are notable, and the cloth retains an impressive amount of liquid before leaking, nearly the same as our top-performing bib, KiddyStar. This bib's closure uses snaps, which we prefer over Velcro or tie, mainly because it is easier for parents and caregivers to use yet comfortable for babies. The KUDL is easy to launder (wash before drying on low), and we didn't notice any shrinking or curling edges like some of the competition.
The bib's size is most suitable for a toddler, so you may look elsewhere if you seek a small bib for a young baby. Also, it has three snaps on its closure, which is better than some contenders but not as many as the top performer. Aside from minor differences, the KUDL performs nearly the same as the KiddyStar Toddler Bib, which we think is worth considering.
The KUDL Absorbent Baby Toddler Bib is soft and absorbent.
Cloth bibs and mealtime don't always mix, especially when you have a messy eater on your hands. Thankfully, the Happy Healthy Parent Silicone Bib answers the call of making your baby's mealtime easier to clean up. This bib is lightweight, pliable, and made of food-grade, high-quality silicone (BPA and PVC-free). The closure system consists of buttons and holes and offers a range of four neck-size settings. It has a deep, sturdy pocket to catch spills and crumbs, and your baby may be excited to discover hidden leftover treasures! The material is quick to clean and dry. It is also dishwasher safe if you prefer that option, but we think hand washing will prolong the bib's lifespan.
The pocket does not catch all food crumbs but significantly reduces the amount of food you must pick up off the floor. In our opinion, the silicone holes look as though they could easily rip over time, and a child's long hair can catch in the closure system. Despite these flaws, we believe the Happy Healthy Parent Silicone Bib is a mealtime must-have for your baby's feeding gear. If you'd rather forgo the pocket and thick silicone for a snap-closure cotton bib, check out the KiddyStar Toddler Bib.
The Happy Healthy Parent Silicone Bib has a deep, sturdy pocket that stays open and catches spills and food.
The Aden + Anais Burpy Bib is undoubtedly versatile. It features a 2-in-1 design. Use it as a burp cloth or snap-on bib. This bib is made of 100% cotton muslin and feels soft, excellent for a baby's delicate skin. It is one of the largest bibs in our lineup, and its kidney bean shape and substantial size provide superior coverage, making it handy when burping or feeding. This bib is easy to wash, and you can tumble dry it on low heat. From our experience, this bib offers longevity. Use it from day one when you welcome home your little sweet pea, all the way to introducing solids and beyond.
The Burpy Bib lacks absorbency like the top performers, even with its quilted material. However, its bean shape provides extra bottle-feeding coverage and works well into toddler mealtime. The baby bib offers only one neck size, and the neck space is larger. We also noticed some mild shrinkage after its initial wash. Regardless of these flaws, we believe this bib is worth the splurge for its dual purpose, longevity, and generous size, offering excellent coverage. But if you want better absorbancy, consider the KiddyStar Toddler Bib instead.
The Aden + Anais Burpy Bib only has one snap setting.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Important
It is dangerous to let your baby fall asleep while wearing any bib. Remember to remove it shortly after use to avoid any potential problems.
Compare Products
The selected, top contender bibs include a variety of styles and materials. Here is picture of the bibs that we thoroughly tested for our review.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How We Test Baby Bibs
We purchased each bib in our review and completed hands-on testing and side-by-side comparisons to determine performance. We used each bib with real babies and toddlers learning to feed themselves. Each bib was used for multiple meals and laundered according to the instructions that came with the bib to assess performance, including bib absorbency, ease of use, and overall comfort. Bibs make great baby gifts because most parents want them, and every baby needs them.
The fabric on the OXO Roll Up can roll up into the silicone pocket and stay in place by a closure. However, the closure is not always trustworthy, and the bib may come undone.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Why Trust GearLab
With over a decade of testing experience, BabyGearLab holds extensive knowledge of all things baby and a unique skill set to guide our testing and ranking process. Leading our review is Molly Bradac, Senior Review Editor, Nanny, and Newborn Care Specialist with over 15 years of childcare experience. Molly can effortlessly transfer her background, knowledge, and expertise to the world of baby gear, especially regarding baby bibs. She knows what will meet parent and baby standards, so take advantage of her recommendations.
The catch-all pocket on the PandaEar Silicone Bib is sturdy, wide, and makes mealtime cleanup more manageable.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Analysis and Test Results
Finding a great bib can help make meal and snack times easier to manage and clean up after. We tested and assessed multiple bibs and bib types to find the best options for each goal.
What's the Best Value?
If you don't want to sacrifice performance but are conscious of cost, our lineup includes a few options depending on your needs. If your budget can stretch and you value excellent absorption, the KiddyStar Toddler Bib is a top performer that we believe is worth the investment.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Absorption
The primary function of a bib is to absorb wetness and protect the clothing underneath from mess. To test a bib's absorbency threshold, we placed a paper towel under each bib and applied a dose of liquid to each bib, which we continued to do until the paper towel leaking occurred. We also noted how quickly each contender absorbed the liquid and compared the results.
The KiddyStar Toddler Bib and KUDL Absorbent Baby Toddler Bib rank relatively high among the completion. Both bibs can retain considerable liquid before the clothing underneath gets wet.
The Bumkins Sleeved Bib, Happy Healthy Parent Silicone Bib, and PandaEar Silicone Bib rank the lowest. These products are not designed or intended to absorb liquid; therefore, we are not surprised by their performance results. These bibs are best for mealtime, especially those with big pockets that can help catch dribbles and crumbs.
Making Your Baby's Food
Making your baby's food at home can be rewarding, giving you more control over ingredients. If that interests you, select the best gear and supplies for the job, like the best baby food maker and the best baby food storage systems that keep food fresh.
The Bumkins Sleeved Bib has a tie closure system.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
To score this metric, we examined multiple sub-metrics, such as a bib's comfort, neck-size range, and closure system. Top-notch contenders should be soft and comfortable for babies, use a range of neck sizes for your growing sprout, and use a snap closure system, which we consider easy to use and comfortable for children—those who fall short of this profile rank lower.
Among the competition, the KiddyStar Toddler Bib earns a high score, making it a high-ranking contender. This option is the king of comfort, thanks to its incredibly soft material and range of neck sizes (four settings), allowing it to grow with your baby. We also consider a snap closure the most comfortable for babies, whereas ties, Velcro, and silicone button and holes are more likely to trap and catch hair.
The Nuby Reversible Muslin Teething Bib is easy to put on and take off as it has a Velcro closure system. However, it only offers one neck size, which is not ideal for growing babies.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conversely, the Nuby Reversible Muslin Teething Bib ranks the lowest, mainly due to its Velcro closure. Logically speaking, Velcro lacks long-term durability, primarily as it can collect fibers, hindering its strength. Consideration of these drawbacks reduced its score in this metric.
The Nuby Reversible Muslin Teething Bib (left) and the MatiMati Bandana Bib (right) are the only bandana style bibs in our review, and they differ in material, closure system, and available neck-size settings.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Cleaning
If a bib is easy to clean, there's a greater chance you will frequently use it. We believe a top-notch bib should be easy to launder and not shrink. We used these factors when scoring the competition.
The silicone options, including the Happy Healthy Parent Silicone Bib and PandaEar Silicone Bib, are the all-star champs in this metric. These bibs are super easy to clean after mealtime and quickly back in action, making them great for multiple mealtimes during the day or as baby travel gear.
The Aden + Anais Burpy Bib is generous in size and offers great coverage.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
Navigating the world of bibs can be dizzying. Thankfully, our review provides the details you need to make your informed decision. A baby bib is essential; many parents appreciate a combination of bibs to get their little ones through the day. Whether you want something you can wipe clean or is really absorbent, there is something in this lineup for you. Let our expert recommendations guide you to the best baby bib to meet your needs and budget.
