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Make dirty diaper duty a breeze.
Raising a baby can be messy business, whether you're introducing them to new baby foods or letting your toddler splash on a water table. And when it comes to the dirty work of changing even the most absorbent diapers, you'll want to have everything you need to get baby clean in record time. Purchasing a designated changing table can create a safe space for changing and help keep contamination from spreading to different surfaces.
The Good Housekeeping Institute's engineers and lab analysts are experts when it comes to parenting products. Whether it be strollers that grow with your baby, efficient and quiet breast pumps or the latest hot toy launches, we have you covered. We've looked at over two dozen changing tables throughout the past three years to provide you with as much information as possible as you make your decision. We consider a number of factors when evaluating each product, including stability, safety, ease of use and storage space to make expert recommendations. Once you've found the right table for you, top it with a comfy changing pad or add some storage bins to help make diaper duty a breeze.
This classic changing table comes in five colors to match any nursery. The safety rails on all four sides are designed to help keep baby safely away from the edge while the shelves underneath are perfect for storing diapers, wipes and anything else you may need. Some of our testers noted that the shelves are just a touch too short to fit average storage cubes but are great for shorter plastic bins. At almost 40 inches tall (including the safety rails), this table will be more comfortable for parents of average to slightly taller height. The included changing pad comes with a safety strap, but the pad can be removed to fit most other changing pads if you want to swap it for one you like better. While testing, we appreciated the additional storage space and found the table to be made of good construction quality for the price. We did notice that the changing pad is on the thinner side so you might want to replace it with one of our favorite changing pads for a little extra cushion.
This changing table is pricey, but it doubles as a dresser and the topper is removable, so it doesn't need to be retired once your kid grows out of diapers. Available in four colors and made of well-crafted sap gum wood, this changing table dresser duo is not only Greenguard Gold Certified but also made in a Fair-Trade Certified factory, so it has been reviewed to meet both low chemical emission limits and healthy working conditions. The dresser includes three small drawers, two medium drawers and one larger drawer perfect for fitting all manner of clothes or toys. While testing, we liked that there were different drawer sizes so you can put important items in the top three drawers while reserving the larger drawers for clothes. We liked that, unlike most other tables, this table included levelers which help stabilize the dresser if your floors are a bit uneven.
Our engineering experts appreciate that each dresser and topper set comes with an anti-tip kit including mounting hardware to keep your children safe. If you're looking for something a little larger, this table also comes in an extra-wide version.
This all-in-one changer is a crib, changing table, dresser and under-bed storage drawer all in one. As your little one grows, this piece grows with them transforming from a crib to a toddler bed to a daybed to a full-size bed. While the mattress and crib conversion kit are not included (our Lab pros recommend ordering them at purchase time), the water-resistant changing pad is included.
The three drawers are great for storing items like diapers and extra sets of clothing, and the under-bed drawer is nice for keeping extra crib sheets in case of an overnight blowout. While testing, we appreciated the safety strap and four safety rails that help keep baby secure. However, if you're assembling this yourself, keep in mind that it's a bigger project than most other stand-alone changing tables.
Create the perfect modern nursery with this three-drawer dresser that comes with a removable changing tray. Not only can you easily convert this to a plain dresser once your little one grows out of diapers, but the unique design suits a wide range of decor styles. Plus, you can get the matching crib if you want your furniture to coordinate. Each dresser and changer are made of New Zealand pinewood and available in five different colors. The three drawers and cabinet offer more storage space than many other competitors, and the drawers come with stop mechanisms to keep them from coming loose and falling out.
Rachel Rothman, the Good Housekeeping Institute's Chief Technologist and mom of three, appreciated the adjustable inner shelf that helped her customize the storage space to her evolving family's needs. The set also comes with an anti-tip kit to help keep your family safe. According to the brand, this changer is Greenguard Gold Certified.
If you're looking for something to help turn any surface into a changing table, the Keekaroo Peanut Changer is a great tabletop option. It's a fan favorite among our testers, experts and consumer reviewers. It's resistant to fluids and smells, and its slip-resistant material, contoured sides and safety belt help keep your baby safe.
Our consumer testers appreciated how portable this topper is — you can just as easily change a baby in the living room or in the nursery, and it tucks away in a closet, making it perfect for apartment dwellers or those tight on space. Our experts also like the easy clean-up this changer offers and note that it's durable enough to last years. The solid surface doesn't require any additional sheets or pads, but we recommend getting the darker color to keep from showing any stains.
If you're an Ikea loyalist, the Gulliver changing table is a good option for any nursery. This minimalistic table comes with two shelves and a built-in changing topper that fits with most decor. You can use the ample storage space to keep loose diapers and wipes or grab a few storage cubes to organize everything away from tiny fingers. Our testers found that this table is at a comfortable height for shorter people and liked that it allows for storage in close proximity.
Online reviewers praise how sturdy the materials are and found the product to be of great quality. However, many people noticed that this table is actually ivory, not pure white so it may not match other pure white furniture. It's a comfortable height for the average parent, and while it doesn't come with a changing pad, it fits most pads under 31 inches. While testing, we noticed that the pad area is not very deep so you will need to use a fairly thin changing mat.
If you're in the market for something a little more portable, this changing table from Costzon is fairly easy to move around. While we haven't tested this table just yet (but plan to do so shortly), at 11.2 pounds, this is one of the lightest freestanding changing tables you'll come across, making it ideal for carrying to different rooms in the house or throwing it in the trunk of your car. It's also great for smaller spaces since you can fold it up and stash it away to create more floor space. According to the brand, the non-skid feet and sturdy frame will help your baby feel secure while changing. While you can use the table without a pad and simply wipe off the surface after use, you can also opt to put a separate pad on top. There's even ample storage space to keep all your odds and ends on hand. One thing to note is that since the changing area is not on a solid surface — it's more like a taut hammock — it can sag when you put the baby on it.
This vintage-looking table is great for tall parents. It's almost 40 inches tall including the safety rails, meaning the changing pad sits around 37 inches tall. No more back ache from hunching over all day when trying to change baby! Aside from the height, this changing table has a unique design that looks great in just about any nursery and is available in four colors. Our pros note that this table is made with quality wooden materials. Plus, if you're looking to purchase a matching set, DaVinci has a three-in-one convertible crib and dresser in similar styles. The two shelves are perfect for storing extra diapers, wipes and diaper cream, and while the table does not come with a changing pad, it does come with a 1-inch water-resistant pad and anti-tip kit which our testers appreciate and found greatly helps the stability of the table and keeps your little one safe.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting Lab tests everything new parents need to welcome a new baby including bottle warmers, nursing bras and baby formula. To make our recommendations, we query new parents on our consumer testing panel about their experiences, perform rigorous testing both in our Lab and at home and spend hours researching the market to help find the best products you can buy.
For each changing table, we consider comfort, ease of use, how easy it is to clean and any additional benefits, including how easy it is to assemble and how sturdy it feels. We also considered storage space and aesthetics of course — we want you to love how the table looks as much as how great it is to use. Our parenting product experts have tested many of the changing tables on this list and are currently using some of them right now with their own children.
There are a few things you should consider when looking for the right changing table for you and your family:
✔️ Safety Standards: Any changing table you're considering should meet federal safety standards. The ASTM standards clarify requirements on the stability, materials, warning labels, instructions and more for your baby products. These requirements help mitigate safety hazards regarding the materials, straps and structural integrity of each product. Before purchasing, check if the product meets these standards. You can look for a JPMA third-party certification that ensures it does.
✔️ Stability: Opt for a changing table that has a safety belt and safety rails to keep babies from rolling around. For heavier tables, prioritize ones that come with an anti-tip kit and soft-close drawers to keep little ones safe.
Safety tip: Even if your changing table has built-in safety features like a belt and railings, never leave a baby unattended on a changing table or pad.
✔️ Purpose: Are you looking for something to permanently add to the nursery or for something to carry to different rooms in your house? Some changing tables can even turn into regular furniture like a dresser or bed frame once your baby has outgrown diapers.
✔️ Height: Expect to spend a lot of time bending over the changing table for the first few years of your little one's life. Because of this, you'll want to find one that is the right height to keep you from hurting your back.
✔️ Changing pad compatibility: While some changing tables come with a changing pad, many don't, and you may even want to purchase your own pad to swap out the one that the table came with. Keep an eye out for the changing table's dimensions and whether or not they're compatible with your favorite changing pad brand.
For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute has been providing expert reviews and advice on everything a new parent needs, including changing tables. In her role as Parenting & Pets Reviews Analyst, Jamie Spain brings years of journalism experience to the Institute, having reviewed parenting products for Good Housekeeping like changing pads and baby walking shoes, as well as BuzzFeed, while also previously working in the parenting and pets sphere at People. Jamie worked closely with Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist & Director of Engineering at the GH Institute to conduct the research for this article. For more than 15 years, Rachel has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing and writing about parenting products from double strollers to baby toys. Plus, as a mom to three kids under five, she has personally tested many of the products GH recommends in the Lab and in her home.