The Best Changing Tables That Combine Style, Storage And Everyday Ease

Forbes

a day ago

Changing diapers can feel never-ending, but the best changing tables can help make it feel like less of a chore. A good one helps you stay organized, provides an elevated surface to help save your back and looks nice in the nursery. Many changing tables also easily transition into a dresser or toy storage, growing with your baby for years to come. My top pick for the best changing table is the Pottery Barn Kids Kendall 7-Drawer Dresser And Topper Set —it's beautiful to look at, solid, has plenty of storage and can pull double-duty as a dresser.
The best changing tables make it easier to change baby's diaper and are aesthetically pleasing. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS
Changing tables can take up a lot of space in your baby's nursery, so take some measurements before you start shopping. If you're shorter on space, a portable option like the Sweeby Portable Baby Changing Table works well, and the Babyletto Swell Changing Table is a simpler option with a smaller footprint. Here, find the seven best changing tables to complete your nursery and make diaper changes easier.
If you're looking for a solid piece of furniture that will transition with your child for years, the Pottery Barn Kids Kendall 7-Drawer Dresser And Topper Set is exactly what you need. It's a gorgeous wooden changing table dresser and is available in five different finishes, making it easy to find an option that matches your nursery decor. The wood is a combination of solid sap gum and medium-density fiberboard (MDF). It's also Greenguard Gold Certified, meaning it emits low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and helps maintain healty air quality in your home.
There are seven drawers you can use to store diapers, wipes, clothing and other baby necessities. The changing table topper is secured with metal brackets and goes on top of a felt liner so the dresser is protected and isn't scuffed up when you're ready to take the changing table portion off. It also comes with an anti-tip kit so you can securely anchor the table to the wall. To help your baby feel comfortable, you may want to purchase a changing table pad as well.
Amazon Storkcraft Modern Convertible Baby Changing Table
For a compact yet functional and sleek changing table, the Storkcraft Modern Convertible Baby Changing Table is a great option. 'Many changing tables have storage compartments and other convenience features that can simplify the diaper-changing process for caregivers,' says Audrey Hartfield, an injury prevention education and outreach coordinator at Children's Hospital Colorado. This table has three easily accessible storage areas to hold all of the essentials. Once your baby has outgrown the changing table, the shelves are perfect for storing toys and books.
The table is Greenguard Gold Certified, and like our top pick, you can remove the changing topper when your baby outgrows the table. It's made of wood composites, and comes in several unique color options, allowing you to make this a statement piece in the nursery. It doesn't come with a changing pad , however, so you may want to purchase one separately for a little extra cushion.
Amazon Babyletto Swell Changing Table
I never had a ton of extra room in my babies' nurseries, so a compact option like this sweet changing table was always ideal for me. The Babyletto Swell Changing Table measures just 34.8 by 18.8 inches and features two storage shelves to help maximize your space. The open shelves make it easy to grab diaper-changing essentials quickly and with one hand.
Many parents appreciate that the table is Greenguard Gold Certified and that the wood is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. There are three aesthetic color options, and the overall design is modern yet fun and whimsical. The table comes with a thin changing pad, but you can also purchase a thicker compatible changing pad as well as an organic quilted changing pad cover .
The Nurture& The Newport Large Dresser allows you to make one investment in a quality piece of furniture that will grow with your child. When purchasing, make sure you add on the changing topper as well as the changing pad. The topper has an extra compartment where you can store some diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream and other essentials. There's plenty of room in the seven dresser drawers for all of your baby's essentials and clothes, too.
Materials include rubberwood, plywood and MDF, and the dresser comes conveniently fully assembled. When you're preparing for a new baby, anything that arrives at your doorstep ready to go is a huge bonus. And when they're finally ready to move on from diapers, you can remove the changing topper and use it as a beautiful dresser for years to come.
Amazon Graco Hadley All-In-One Convertible Crib And Changer
This all-in-one changing table, crib and storage area is an easy way to prepare your baby's nursery. With four drawers and two open storage areas to store diapers, wipes, clothes and other essentials, the changing table part is roomier than you'd think. To extend its longevity, the whole unit can also convert to a toddler bed. I used convertible cribs with all three of my kids, and it was so nice to not have to buy another piece of furniture once they outgrew their crib. The table also comes with a changing pad, so you won't have to buy anything extra.
This Greenguard Gold-certified option is made of pine wood, engineered wood and wood composites. Since it's essentially three products in one, this crib-changing table will take up a fair amount of space in the room, so make sure you have a safe spot to place it away from any windows, cords, radiators or other hazardous items.
Amazon Sweeby Portable Baby Changing Table
A portable changing table allows you to move it from one room to the next or pack it up for travel. When my kids were babies, I typically had two changing stations set up in the house, and having a portable option would have been nice. It's also ideal for easy storage between babies.
The rolling changing table has a lot of other great features, including multiple storage pockets, shelves and a rod for hanging clothes. 'Some features, like wheels or adjustable height settings, might make diaper changes more accessible for some caregivers,' says Hartfield. This table can be adjusted to four different heights to accommodate caregivers of varying sizes.
When you're shopping for a nursery dresser, you often don't need (or want) a full-size one. This simple and versatile 3-drawer dresser with a removable changing top is just the right size to store baby clothes and diapering necessities.
This Greenguard Gold Certified option also comes with an anti-tip kit so you can secure it to the wall to prevent injury, while interlocking drawers help prevent tipping. Keep in mind that it is rather small, so you might eventually need a larger dresser or alternative clothing storage as your baby grows.
The Forbes Vetted baby and kids gear team is comprised of experienced parents, writers, editors and product testers. We're passionate about our work and ensuring that the products we recommend are the best. The author of this article, Alicia Betz , is a mom to three and an experienced parenting journalist. She frequently tests and reports on the best baby products, including the best diapers and the best travel strollers .
, is a mom to three and an experienced parenting journalist. She frequently tests and reports on the best baby products, including the and the . The editor of this article, Esther Carlstone , is a longtime parenting editor and writer and mom to three. She has extensive experience testing and writing about baby products.
, is a longtime parenting editor and writer and mom to three. She has extensive experience testing and writing about baby products. I interviewed Audrey Hartfield, an injury prevention education and outreach coordinator at Children's Hospital Colorado to learn more about changing table use and safety.
My process of choosing the best changing tables included research, expert interviews and considering personal experience. We carefully evaluated changing tables on the market, evaluating sizes, specs and features.
To curate a list that serves people with different wants and needs, we included a variety of changing table types, including larger multi-purpose options and smaller space-saving options.
We ensured that all of the changing tables in this guide meet U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety requirements. We also gained more information about changing table safety from Hartfield.
(CPSC) safety requirements. We also gained more information about changing table safety from Hartfield. Though we haven't personally tried every changing table on this list, when ratings were available, we only included products that earned at least four out of five stars. We also considered reviews, eliminating options that had a large number of concerning reviews.
First and foremost, you want to make sure that your changing table meets all U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety standards. According to Hartfield, these standards minimize the risk of injury and fatality.
'Features like guardrails, safety straps, and contoured tabletops to prevent rolling are great for safety when used correctly,' she says Hartfield. Many changing tables, particularly larger ones, also come with kits to anchor it to the wall to prevent tips. Don't skip this step, and if the changing table doesn't come with one, buy a separate kit to anchor any large furniture to the wall. This can help prevent kids from accidentally pulling the furniture down on themselves and getting injured. Height And Size
Changing tables prevent you from needing to stoop down to the ground to change a diaper, but they aren't all the same height. Some are taller than others, and some have adjustable heights. Consider how tall you and other caregivers are to find a table that is an appropriate height.
Also consider the space you have for the table. If you have plenty of room, you might look for something larger that has lots of storage space. For smaller spaces, a simpler option that only occupies as much space as it needs to is ideal. Extra Features
Common extra features include storage areas, wheels and an adjustable height. 'From an injury prevention perspective, these extra features aren't necessary, but if they make it easier for caregivers to utilize the changing table safely every time, they might be worth the investment,' says Hartfield. Consider what features might make your life easier while caring for your baby and shop for changing tables that include those features.
What Is The Safest Changing Table?
Any changing table that is sturdy and meets CPSC standards is safe, but you also need to use the table correctly. Keep it away from any cords, blinds or other hazardous items, never leave your baby alone on the table band always secure heavy furniture to the wall. Some of our top picks for safe changing tables include the Pottery Barn Kids Kendall 7-Drawer Dresser And Topper Set and the Storkcraft Modern Convertible Baby Changing Table.
Is It Worth Buying A Changing Table?
Yes, buying a changing table is worth it because it can make your life easier as a new parent. This is particularly true for parents who had a c-section or difficult birth and struggle to bend over to tend to their baby. Changing tables can also help you keep all the newborn essentials organized and at hand, and a convertible option will allow you to continue using it long after your baby has graduated from diapers.
What Age Do Babies Outgrow Changing Tables?
'For any child safety equipment, it's important that caregivers read the manual and follow recommended use guidelines,' says Hartfield. Typically, the maximum weight for changing tables is 30 pounds. Many toddlers reach 30 pounds somewhere between the ages of 1 and 2.