Nuby Nananubs Banana vs. Baby Einstein Opus the Octopus

The Nuby Nananubs Banana and the Baby Einstein Opus the Octopus are both sitting in diaper bags across the country, covered in drool and earning their keep. They cost about the same, they are both made with safe materials, and they both show up on "best teether" lists constantly. But they take completely different approaches to teething relief.

Nuby Nananubs is a banana-shaped silicone massager with soft nub bristles on the tip. It is designed to do two things: soothe sore gums and introduce babies to the sensation of having their teeth brushed. The banana peel handles give babies an easy grip and act as a shield that prevents the teether from going too far back. It is simple, focused, and practical.

Baby Einstein Opus is a small octopus with eight silicone tentacles, each featuring a different texture — ridges, bumps, nubs, and wavy patterns. The body has crinkle fabric for extra sensory stimulation. It is designed to give babies multiple chewing surfaces so they can find the texture that feels best on whichever part of their gums is bothering them at the moment.

The honest version: both work well for teething babies. The right pick depends on whether your baby needs deep bristle massage for back molars or varied textures for broad gum coverage — and whether the toothbrush function matters to you.

For more on when teeth come in and what to watch for, see our baby teething timeline.

This is where these two teethers diverge most, and it is worth understanding because it affects which one your baby will actually use.

Nuby Nananubs has soft silicone nub bristles concentrated on the banana tip. These bristles are spaced to massage gum tissue and gently clean emerging teeth. The sensation is consistent — your baby gets the same bristle texture no matter which part of the tip they chew on. That consistency is the point. The bristles are specifically designed to mimic a toothbrush and get babies comfortable with something rubbing against their gums in a brushing motion.

The elongated banana shape also means your baby can push the bristled end toward the back of their mouth, which is a genuine advantage when molars start coming in. Many teethers are great for front-gum relief but fall short when the back teeth arrive. The Nananubs handles that stage well.

Baby Einstein Opus takes the opposite approach: variety over consistency. Each of the eight tentacles has a different surface texture. Some have raised ridges, some have small nubs, some have wavy patterns. The idea is that different textures feel better on different parts of the gums, and your baby can rotate between tentacles to find the one that brings the most relief at any given moment.

This matters because teething is not one event — it is a rolling process where different teeth emerge at different times, and the gum soreness moves around. A teether with varied textures gives babies options as those sore spots shift.

The tradeoff is clear: Nuby is the specialist (deep bristle massage, back-molar reach, oral hygiene introduction). Opus is the generalist (broad texture variety, multi-area coverage, sensory exploration).

Both teethers are designed for babies 3 months and older, and both are built for small hands. But the grip experience is quite different.

Nuby Nananubs has banana peel handles that flare outward from the base. These handles are easy for babies to grab with one or both hands, and they serve double duty as a gag-prevention shield. The peels stop the teether from being pushed too deep into the mouth, which is a real concern with elongated teethers. Parents of babies who aggressively shove things into their mouths tend to appreciate this feature.

The downside: the peel handles make the Nananubs a bit bulkier than it looks. It takes up more space in a bag than you would expect from a simple banana shape.

Baby Einstein Opus is compact and squat. The soft body fits in a small palm, and the eight tentacles radiate outward, giving babies multiple grab points. At roughly 55 grams, it is lightweight and easy for developing hands to lift. The tentacles are thin enough for small fingers to wrap around. Babies tend to grab one or two tentacles and bring them to their mouths while holding the body in their palm or against their chest.

The compact shape also means Opus is easier to carry. It fits in a stroller pocket, a small purse compartment, or a diaper bag side pouch without creating bulk.

For babies who gag easily: Nuby's peel handles provide built-in protection. Opus is compact enough that gagging is less of a concern, but it does not have a dedicated safety shield.

For on-the-go parents: Opus is more portable. The Nananubs works fine for travel but takes up a bit more real estate.

Teethers are not only about pain relief. They are also sensory tools that contribute to your baby's development. If sensory richness matters to you, these two teethers are not equal.

Nuby Nananubs is simple on the sensory front. It is bright yellow, and the bristle texture is interesting to explore. But it does not make sounds, does not have mixed materials, and does not offer the kind of multi-sensory experience that some babies crave. It is a focused tool — gum massage and early oral hygiene — and it does that job well without extras.

Baby Einstein Opus packs in more sensory input. The crinkle fabric in the body makes sounds when squeezed, which babies find fascinating. The multiple textures across the tentacles give different tactile feedback depending on which arm your baby is chewing. The bright colors and playful octopus design add visual interest. Opus works as both a teether and a sensory exploration toy.

If your baby is the type who gets bored with a single texture and wants to explore different surfaces and sounds, Opus will hold their attention longer. If your baby just wants something to gnaw on without distraction, the Nananubs' simplicity is actually an advantage — fewer things to fuss over, more chewing.

Keeping teethers clean is non-negotiable — these things live in your baby's mouth. How easy that cleaning is varies between these two.

Nuby Nananubs is about as easy to clean as a teether gets. It is solid medical-grade silicone with no hollow cavities, no fabric, and no mixed materials. You can:

• Toss it on the top rack of the dishwasher
• Boil it for 3–5 minutes
• Run it through a steam sterilizer
• Hand-wash with warm soapy water

There is no mold risk because there is nowhere for moisture to hide. The solid construction means you can sanitize it thoroughly and know it is clean.

Baby Einstein Opus is a mixed-material teether, and that complicates cleaning. The silicone tentacles wipe down easily with soap and water or a sanitizing wipe. The fabric body, however, is spot-clean only. You should not submerge Opus in water, boil it, or run it through the dishwasher because the fabric will degrade. The fabric can also absorb moisture and drool over time, which means it needs to be dried thoroughly after cleaning.

This does not make Opus unhygienic — plenty of baby toys have fabric elements, and spot cleaning works fine with regular maintenance. But if you are the kind of parent who wants to fully sterilize teethers regularly, the Nananubs makes that effortless while Opus requires more careful handling.

Unlike some teether comparisons where one product costs four or five times as much as the other, this matchup is refreshingly close on price.

Nuby Nananubs runs $5–$7 for a single teether, and you can grab a 2-pack for $9–$12. At that price, it is easy to keep one at home, one in the diaper bag, one at daycare, and one at the grandparents' house. Losing one at the park is a shrug, not a search party.

Baby Einstein Opus runs $8–$12 for a single teether. A few dollars more than the Nananubs, but still firmly in the "affordable" category. The price difference is small enough that it should not be the deciding factor. Pick the one that matches what your baby needs — the savings either way are measured in a few dollars, not a few meals.

The practical tip: If you want to try both, you can pick up a Nananubs and an Opus for under $20 total. That is less than the cost of a single premium teether, and it lets your baby vote with their mouth on which one they prefer.

If you want a teether that doubles as a first toothbrush and reaches back molars with ease, the Nuby Nananubs Banana Teether (~$6) is a workhorse. The soft silicone bristles massage sore gums, the peel handles prevent gagging, and you can toss it in the dishwasher without a second thought. At this price, grab a couple so you always have one clean and ready.

If you want multi-texture teething relief with built-in sensory stimulation, the Baby Einstein Opus the Octopus Teether (~$10) gives your baby eight different textured tentacles to explore plus crinkle sounds to keep them engaged. It is compact, portable, and built for babies who like variety.

Our honest advice: at a combined cost of under $20, there is no reason not to try both. Teething preferences are personal and unpredictable — your baby will tell you which one they prefer by chewing on it instead of throwing it on the floor.

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The Nuby Nananubs Banana and Baby Einstein Opus the Octopus are both solid, affordable teethers that earn their popularity through smart design and reasonable prices.

Nuby Nananubs Banana wins on bristle massage effectiveness, back-molar reach, toothbrush dual function, and cleaning convenience. It is the practical pick for parents who want a focused gum-relief tool that introduces oral hygiene early and can be fully sterilized without hassle. The peel handles add a thoughtful safety feature that parents of aggressive chewers will appreciate.

Baby Einstein Opus wins on texture variety, sensory stimulation, compact portability, and the kind of multi-surface design that keeps babies engaged as teething shifts around the mouth. It is the pick for parents who want a teether that doubles as a sensory exploration toy and provides broad coverage across different gum areas.

For most families, these two teethers complement each other rather than compete. The Nananubs is the go-to for focused bristle massage and back-molar days. Opus is the go-to for texture exploration and fussy days when your baby needs sensory distraction alongside gum relief.

If teething is disrupting your baby's feeding patterns — which it often does — tinylog can help you log feeds, note fussy periods, and spot changes over time. That data is surprisingly useful when you are trying to figure out whether the crankiness is teeth, hunger, or something else entirely.

• Nuby. "Nananubs Banana Massaging Toothbrush — Product Information." nuby.com. 2026.
• Baby Einstein (Kids2). "Opus the Octopus Teether — Product Details." babyeinstein.com. 2026.
• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. "Teething and Oral Care for Infants." aapd.org. 2025.
• American Academy of Pediatrics. "Teething: 4 to 7 Months." healthychildren.org. 2025.
• FDA. "Safely Soothing Teething Pain and Sensory Needs in Babies and Older Children." fda.gov. 2025.
• BabyCenter. "Best Teething Toys for Babies." babycenter.com. 2026.
• What to Expect. "Best Baby Teethers." whattoexpect.com. 2026.

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Teether choice is a personal preference based on your baby's individual needs. Always supervise your baby during teether use and inspect toys regularly for wear or damage. If your baby has persistent teething pain or feeding difficulties, consult your pediatrician.