Congrats! Baby is on the way! And you just realized that you need a bunch of stuff for this new little one. It’s time to start your baby registry!
But… where should you register?
Several stores offer different benefits with their baby registries and navigating all of their websites to figure out the details can be annoying.
Since, I’ve already scoped them all out, I wanted to share the perks and drawbacks of the top baby registries so you can easily figure out which one is best for you.
In This Guide:
Baby Registry Quick Comparison Guide
| Completion Discount | Free Shipping | Returns | Universal Registry | |
| Amazon | 10% (15% for Amazon Prime members) | For Amazon Prime members or order > $25 | 90 days | Yes |
| Target | 15% | Target credit card or orders > $35 | 1 year | Yes |
| Buy Buy Baby | 10-15% | Orders > $49 | 1 year | No |
| Pottery Barn | 20% | No | 90 days | No |
| Babylist | 10% (Babylist items only) | Orders > $25 (Babylist items only) | 90 days (Babylist items only) | Yes |
So what’s the deal with a universal registry?
Simply put, a universal registry means you can add any item from any store. So when you find the perfect nursery decor on Etsy, you can add it to one registry.
As a side note: Typically, completion discounts offered by a retailer only applies to their products and not items purchased from other stores through the universal registry.
So which Registry is the best???
(Pssst…. This post has lots of important info – it’s definitely a good one to pin now so you can reference it in the future.)
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Amazon
Looking for amazing selection and competitive prices? Amazon has got you covered.
Completion discount: 10% (15% for Prime members) – receive 60 days before due date
Pros:
- The largest selection of baby products
- Registries are super easy to create and edit
- Easy for people to buy gifts since most are already familiar with Amazon
- Items bought elsewhere can be marked as purchased
- Tons of product reviews for you to check out
- You can add items from any site using Amazon Assistant (universal registry)
- Easy and free returns within 90 days
- Free 2-day shipping for Amazon Prime
- Welcome box with free samples
Cons:
- No brick and mortar stores – if that matters to you
- Welcome box is not automatic – you must be a Amazon Prime
- Completion discount only applies to items sold by or fulfilled by Amazon
If you have Amazon Prime
If you aren’t interested in Prime, the Amazon registry is still awesome, but there are some other great options too.
Target
Target is one of my favorite stores and is a close second for best registry.
Completion discount: 15% off – receive 8 weeks before due date
Pros:
- Great selection of baby products online
- Convenient with tons of locations and some people prefer to buy gifts in an actual store instead of online
- Group gifting allows people to easily split the price of gifts
- Free shipping on orders over $35 or purchased with Target Credit Card
- Easy returns up to 1 year and can return items to store or shipped back
- You can add items from other websites (Universal registry)
- Welcome kit of free samples and coupons (if you register online, ask for it at customer service)
Cons:
- Less selection (better online than in stores and can vary widely from store to store)
- Registry app gets poor reviews (I haven’t tried it myself)
Target is a great choice if you think people will want to shop in an actual store since there are so many locations and everyone is familiar with it.
Buy Buy Baby
If you’re looking for an actual store with awesome selection, Buy Buy Baby could be right for you.
Completion Discount: 10-15% (it appears to vary, they don’t post it on their website which is a little odd)
Pros:
- Large selection of high end baby items
- Shop in store or online
- Can use Bed Bath and Beyond 20% off coupons
- Free shipping on orders over $49 (currently advertising limited time offer on orders over $29)
- Free shipping rewards program advertises you can earn unlimited free standard shipping (can’t find more details)
- Completion discount 2 weeks before due date, expires 90 days after
- Goody bag of free samples and coupons (must pick up in store)
Cons:
- Fewer locations
- Prices tend to be a bit higher (they do price match, but check the policy for what qualifies)
- There website is most difficult to find details
Personally, I think Buy Buy Baby is only a good option if you have one nearby.
Pottery Barn
If you want high end items (with a high price tag) Pottery Barn may be the perfect registry for you.
Completion Discount: 20% (expires 6 months after due date)
Pros:
- High quality (and adorable) products
- Shop in store or online
- Personalization options for adding baby’s name or monogram to items
- Multiples discount (10% off duplicate furniture or bedding)
- Returns can made for up to 90 days and done in store or shipped back
- Monthly drawing for $1500 towards registry purchases (AWESOME if you win)
Cons:
- High prices
- Completion discount is not sent until after due date
- Personalized items can’t be returned
- Does not carry everything you need for a baby so you will likely want to register at another store as well
This registry is probably not the best for everyone. You know best if your family and friends will be comfortable buying gifts at these price points.
Babylist
Babylist is not really a traditional baby registry and has some different features.
Completion Discount: 10% (60 days before due date, expires 6 months after due date)
Pros:
- Universal registry (so you can add anything from any store)
- Can register for favors (meals, babysitting…) and cash
- Baby List offers top baby products directly
- Link or transfer other registries you already started
- Free shipping on orders over $25 (Babylist items only)
- Items bought elsewhere can be marked as purchased
- Free Hello Baby Box with samples and coupons
Cons:
- Completion discount only applies to items purchased directly from Babylist
- Shipping charges for items from other stores follow that store’s rates
- Returns may be more complicated. They go to the retailer purchased from and each have their own policies.
- Many people are not familiar with this registry so may not use it to shop
This is definitely an interesting choice and has some unique aspects that may fit your needs.
Now that you’ve decided where to register, its time to start figuring out what to add to that registry. Don’t worry we’ve taken care of that too with product recommendations and reviews…
-Diaper Essentials You Absolutely Need to Have-
-Baby Registry Must Haves: Feeding Edition–
-What Do You Absolutely NEED for Breastfeeding–
–Sleep Essentials so EVERYONE Can Get Some Shut-Eye–
