GUIDE
Boon Splash vs. Skip Hop Moby Smart Sling
The Skip Hop Moby edges out for families who want explicit staging across newborn, sitting, and toddler phases. The Boon Splash is the better pick if you want a cleaner, more minimal design that handles all ages without a sling and folds flat for storage.
Both bathtubs are in the same price range, both have non-slip bases, and both will safely bathe a baby. The differences come down to how much structure you want — the Moby provides a mesh sling and a seat attachment that hold baby in place at each stage, while the Splash relies on its contoured shape and your hands. Neither is objectively better; the right choice depends on how much support you want built into the tub itself.
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Two Tubs, Two Design Philosophies
The Boon Splash and the Skip Hop Moby Smart Sling are among the most-purchased baby bathtubs in the United States, and they aim to solve the same problem in noticeably different ways.
The Boon Splash takes a minimal approach: one collapsible tub, a contoured shape that supports babies from newborn to toddler, and a built-in drain plug. There are no inserts to swap in and out. You hold the baby; the tub provides the space.
The Skip Hop Moby is a structured, three-stage system. A mesh sling cradles newborns in a reclined position. A seat insert supports babies who can almost-but-not-quite sit independently. Once your child is sitting on their own, the inserts come out and it becomes an open tub. Each stage hands you a piece of equipment sized for where your baby is developmentally.
Neither design is superior — they reflect genuinely different preferences for how much structure a bathtub should provide. Understanding that difference is how you pick the right one.
| Feature | Boon Splash | Skip Hop Moby | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design approach | Contoured single-piece tub with collapsible frame | 3-stage rigid tub with swappable sling and seat | Minimal and clean. No removable inserts — the shape itself cradles the baby. |
| Age/size range | Newborn through toddler (up to ~25 lbs) | Newborn through toddler (up to ~25 lbs) | Covers all three stages without switching out parts. |
| Sling or seat included | No sling; no seat insert | Yes — mesh sling (newborn) + seat (sitting baby) | You provide the support with your hands. Fewer parts to manage, but less built-in structure. |
| Drain plug | Yes — built-in drain plug | No dedicated drain plug; drain by tilting | Draining is simple: pull the plug. No tilting or lifting required. |
| Non-slip base | Yes | Yes | Stays in place on most surfaces. |
| Collapsible / storage | Yes — folds flat | No — rigid tub | Major storage advantage. Fits in a cabinet or under a sink. |
| Drying | No dedicated drying hook; air dry flat or upright | Swivel hook for hanging to dry | Easy to dry but no built-in hanging solution. |
| Price range | ~$40–$50 | ~$35–$45 | Slight premium over the Moby in most retail channels. |
| Color / aesthetic | Sleek, modern; typically neutral tones | Soft gray/white; friendly design | Fits well in design-conscious nurseries and bathrooms. |
The Newborn Stage: Where the Two Tubs Differ Most
The biggest practical difference between these tubs shows up in the first few months of life.
The Skip Hop Moby's mesh sling holds a newborn in a semi-reclined position with their body supported across a wide surface area. Parents who feel uncertain about bathing a slippery, floppy newborn often find this reassuring. The sling keeps the baby from sliding, and it sits at an angle that keeps their face well clear of the water.
The Boon Splash has no sling. You rest the newborn in the contoured tub and support their head and upper body with your hand or forearm throughout the bath. This is how baby bathing worked for decades before slings became a standard feature, and it is not inherently unsafe — but it requires more active engagement and confident handling.
If you are a first-time parent who is nervous about newborn bath time, the Moby's sling provides an extra layer of physical support that is genuinely useful. If you have bathed a baby before or prefer not to manage separate components, the Splash's approach is cleaner and still safe with proper technique.
Both tubs require constant adult supervision. No infant should ever be left unattended in either tub, sling or no sling.
Staging and Transitions
The Skip Hop Moby markets itself as a three-stage tub, and that framing is accurate:
- Newborn stage — mesh sling keeps baby reclined with head elevated above water level
- Sitting-but-not-stable stage — seat insert (sometimes called a "smart sling" configuration) provides support for babies who are beginning to sit but not reliably balanced
- Toddler stage — inserts removed, open tub used directly
Each transition requires removing an insert and storing it. The inserts are included in the standard purchase, so there is no additional cost. Some parents appreciate having a defined system; others find the insert management adds clutter.
The Boon Splash handles all three stages through shape alone. The tub's contoured interior keeps babies naturally positioned at each age without additional parts. This simplicity is either a feature or a drawback depending on how you feel about structured staging.
If you like a clear playbook — "baby is three months old, use the seat insert" — the Moby gives you that. If you prefer fewer pieces of equipment to track, wash, and eventually dispose of, the Splash is more straightforward.
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Storage: A Real-World Advantage for the Splash
Baby gear storage is a constant pressure in most homes, and bathtubs are bulkier than they look on product pages.
The Boon Splash collapses. The frame folds down so the tub lies flat, which means it slides under a sink, into a cabinet, or onto a shelf with minimal footprint. For parents in smaller homes or apartments, this is a meaningful practical advantage.
The Skip Hop Moby does not fold. It is a rigid tub that stores as a rigid tub. Most parents keep it in a cabinet under the sink, on a bathroom shelf, or hung from a hook. The swivel hook on the Moby is useful — it lets you hang the tub on a showerhead, towel bar, or cabinet knob to dry between uses. The Splash does not have a built-in hanging solution.
If you have abundant storage and appreciate the Moby's hanging hook, the rigid design is not a problem. If space is tight, the Splash's collapsibility is a genuine differentiator.
Drainage: Built-In Plug vs. Tilt to Empty
The Boon Splash has a built-in drain plug. To empty the tub, you pull the plug and the water drains directly — into the sink if you are bathing there, or into a drain if you carry it to one. Simple and predictable.
The Skip Hop Moby drains by tilting. There is no plug; you angle the tub to pour water out. This works, but it is slightly less convenient and requires you to control the direction of the pour.
For most parents this is a minor distinction. Both tubs drain without much difficulty. But if you have back issues or find bending over a sink awkward, the Splash's plug drain is easier to use one-handed while your other hand holds a freshly bathed baby.
| Product | Typical Price | What's Included | Purchase Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boon Splash Infant/Toddler Bathtub | $40–$50 | Includes tub with built-in drain plug. No additional inserts sold separately. | One-time purchase |
| Skip Hop Moby Smart Sling 3-Stage Bath Tub | $35–$45 | Includes tub, mesh sling, and seat insert. All three stages included in standard package. | One-time purchase |
Price: Close Enough Not to Be Deciding
The Boon Splash typically runs $40–$50. The Skip Hop Moby typically runs $35–$45. The difference is usually less than $10, and both are one-time purchases with no recurring costs.
The Skip Hop Moby includes the sling and seat insert in the standard package — you are not paying extra to unlock the three-stage functionality. The Boon Splash price reflects its collapsible design and build quality; it does not include inserts because it does not use them.
At this price gap, cost should not be the primary driver of your decision. Pick the tub that fits your bathing approach, your storage situation, and your comfort level with newborn support — not the cheaper one.
That said, if budget is tight and the $10 difference matters, the Moby gives you all three stages out of the box at a slightly lower price. That is not nothing.
Choose the Boon Splash If
- You want minimal gear — no sling or seat insert to manage, wash, or store separately
- Storage space is limited and a collapsible tub is genuinely useful
- You prefer a modern, clean aesthetic over a traditional baby-product look
- You are comfortable providing hands-on support during newborn baths without a mesh cradle
- You want the convenience of a built-in drain plug rather than tilting to empty
Choose the Skip Hop Moby If
- You want more built-in support for newborns and are less comfortable with a hands-only approach in the early weeks
- The three-stage progression — sling, seat, open tub — appeals to you as a clear system
- You have cabinet or closet space for a rigid tub and storage is not a concern
- You want a hanging hook for draining and drying the tub between uses
- Budget is a factor and the slightly lower price matters
- You want a widely available tub that is easy to find at major retail chains
Where to Buy
The Boon Splash Bathtub (~$40–$50) is the better choice if you want a collapsible, low-clutter tub that handles every stage without inserts. The built-in drain plug and modern design make it a practical long-term pick, especially for smaller homes.
The Skip Hop Moby Bathtub (~$35–$45) is the better choice if you want defined staging with built-in support at each phase — particularly the mesh sling for newborns. It includes all three stages in the box, hangs on a hook for drying, and is widely available at major retailers.
Both tubs are solid choices. If you are a first-time parent who wants maximum support in the newborn stage, lean toward the Moby. If you want a simpler setup that stores easily, lean toward the Splash.
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The Bottom Line
The Boon Splash and Skip Hop Moby are both well-designed, safe baby bathtubs in the same price range. The meaningful differences are:
Boon Splash wins on storage (collapses flat), drain convenience (built-in plug), and minimalist design. It handles newborn through toddler without any inserts — your hands provide the support a sling would otherwise give.
Skip Hop Moby wins on built-in newborn support (mesh sling), staged structure (clear transitions between each phase), and drying convenience (swivel hook). It is a better fit for parents who want the tub itself to do more of the positioning work.
For most families, the right answer is whichever design matches how you prefer to handle bath time. First-time parents who are nervous about newborn baths tend to appreciate the Moby's sling. Parents who want fewer parts to manage and a tub that stores easily tend to prefer the Splash.
If you are tracking your baby's growth and developmental milestones — including when they first sit up without support, which changes how you use a bathtub — tinylog makes it easy to log and review those markers over time.
Related Guides
- Baby Development at 3 Months — What to expect and when to start adjusting routines
- Baby Development at 6 Months — Sitting, solids, and new milestones
- Baby Diaper Rash — Causes, treatment, and prevention
- Baby Eczema — How bath time affects eczema-prone skin
Sources
- Boon Inc. "Boon Splash Infant/Toddler Bathtub — Product Information." boonworld.com, 2026.
- Skip Hop. "Moby Smart Sling 3-Stage Bath Tub — Product Information." skiphop.com, 2026.
- Babylist. "Best Baby Bathtubs." babylist.com, 2025.
- Wirecutter (NYT). "The Best Baby Bathtubs." nytimes.com/wirecutter, 2025.
- WhatToExpect.com. "Best Baby Bathtubs of 2026." whattoexpect.com.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. "Bathing Your Baby." healthychildren.org.
- Consumer Reports. "Baby Bathtub Buying Guide." consumerreports.org, 2025.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Always supervise children during bath time. Never leave a baby or toddler unattended in or near water, regardless of the bathtub design. If you have questions about your baby's safety during bathing, consult your pediatrician.