BabyBjörn Smart Potty vs Bumbo Step 'n Potty

COMPARISON · POTTY TRAINING

Potty training is one of those milestones that sounds straightforward until you are standing in a shop staring at a wall of plastic seats wondering whether the extra features actually matter. The potty your toddler will happily sit on, again and again, is the one that works. Everything else is noise.

Two names come up constantly when parents start researching: the BabyBjörn Smart Potty, a pared-back Scandinavian classic, and the Bumbo Step 'n Potty, a clever 3-in-1 that converts into a toilet trainer and step stool. They take opposite approaches to the same problem, and the right pick depends entirely on how your family trains. We spent weeks gathering feedback from parents who have lived with each one to cut through the marketing and give you an honest side-by-side.

Lil' Bubba's verdicts

• Best Overall: BabyBjörn Smart Potty · 8.5/10 - lightweight, easy to clean and does one job brilliantly
• Best for Growing Families: Bumbo Step 'n Potty · 8.0/10 - three products in one that lasts well beyond potty training

	BabyBjörn Smart Potty	Bumbo Step 'n Potty
Rating
Price	~£30	~£55
Weight	540 g	1.52 kg
Dimensions	25.5 x 33 x 16.5 cm	34.5 x 23 x 33.5 cm
Material	PP + TPE (BPA-free)	Soft foam + PP
Splash guard	Yes	Yes
Removable bowl	Yes	Yes
Toilet trainer	No (sold separately)	Yes (built in)
Step stool	No	Yes (supports up to 50 kg)
Portability	Excellent	Home only

How we picked the two

We track which products UK parents add to their Nests most often and cross-reference that with real feedback from parenting communities. The BabyBjörn Smart Potty and Bumbo Step 'n Potty consistently appear when parents ask for potty recommendations, and they represent genuinely different philosophies: do-one-thing-well versus grow-with-the-child versatility. Rather than cramming in every option on the market, we wanted to give you a clear, honest look at the two approaches so you can decide which suits your home.

What to look for in a potty

Before you compare specific models, it helps to know what actually matters when a toddler is learning to use one.

Stability. A potty that slides or tips when a toddler shuffles around will put them off sitting on it. Look for a wide base, rubber grips on the underside, or enough weight to stay planted on tile floors.

Comfort. Smooth, rounded edges and a seat width that suits your child's build make a bigger difference than colour or character branding. If the potty pinches or feels cold, training stalls.

Ease of cleaning. You will empty this thing multiple times a day. A removable inner bowl that lifts out in one motion, with no crevices for mess to hide in, saves you time and patience. Dishwasher-safe components are a bonus.

Splash guard. Particularly important for boys, but useful for any child. A well-shaped guard keeps accidents contained without getting in the way when your toddler sits down.

Portability. If you plan to move the potty between rooms, take it to grandparents' houses or pack it for holidays, weight and size matter. A potty that weighs over a kilo with no carry handle is really a home-only product.

Longevity. Some potties convert into toilet trainers or step stools. If space or budget is tight, a multi-function design can save you buying two or three separate products later.

1. BabyBjörn Smart Potty / 10 · Best for simplicity

The BabyBjörn Smart Potty is as close to a "just works" potty as you will find. At 540 g it is lighter than most hardback books, and the compact footprint means it tucks beside the toilet or slips into a weekend bag without fuss. The design is deliberately minimal: a moulded seat with soft contours, a practical splash guard and a removable inner potty that lifts straight out for emptying.

Made from BPA-free polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomer, it feels solid without the bulk. The rubber-edged base keeps it planted on bathroom tiles even when your toddler wriggles, and the muted Scandinavian colour palette (six shades from deep blue to powder pink) means it does not scream "toddler equipment" in your hallway. BabyBjörn back it with a two-year guarantee.

What parents love

• Effortless cleaning. The inner bowl pops out in one motion. One parent told us: 'You don't have to carry the whole potty to the toilet to empty it, which sounds small but it's a game-changer three times a day.'
• Genuinely portable. Light and compact enough for the car boot, grandparents' house or a holiday cottage. A parent shared: 'It's light and cute - perfect to start toilet training anywhere.'
• Stable on hard floors. The rubber base grips tiles and laminate so it stays put while your toddler gets on and off independently.
• Lasts through siblings. We hear repeatedly from parents that it survives multiple children and still looks new. The build quality matches the brand's reputation for durability.

What to know before you buy

• No backrest. The Smart Potty is a low-profile seat, not a potty chair. Toddlers who like to lean back or sit for longer stretches may prefer a model with back support.
• Premium price for a simple potty. At around £30, it costs several times more than a basic supermarket potty. You are paying for quality and design rather than extra features.
• Single function. It is a potty and nothing else. You will still need a separate toilet trainer and step stool when your child is ready to move to the big toilet.

Best for

• Parents who value quick, easy cleaning above all else
• Families who want a potty they can carry between rooms or take on trips
• Small bathrooms where a bulky multi-function unit would dominate the floor
• Second-time parents who know they just want a reliable, no-fuss seat

2. Bumbo Step 'n Potty / 10 · Best for growing families

The Bumbo Step 'n Potty takes the opposite approach to the BabyBjörn: rather than doing one thing, it aims to be the only potty-training product you ever buy. In its first life it is a standalone potty with a soft, cushioned seat and a removable inner bowl. When your child is ready, the cushioned seat lifts off and clips onto most standard adult toilets as a toilet trainer. The remaining base flips over to become a sturdy step stool rated to 50 kg, which means it is useful for years after nappies are a memory.

The foam construction gives it a warm, soft feel that is noticeably different from cold hard plastic. Both the base and the lid incorporate non-slip material, and the lid stows neatly inside the base when the unit is configured as a step. It won silver at a major UK parenting award for best potty training product, and the clever nesting design means all three functions pack down into one compact shape for storage.

What parents love

• Three products in one. A parent shared: 'Being able to remove the foam to use on the normal toilet is such a great feature - we skipped buying a separate toilet seat entirely.'
• Soft, warm seat. The cushioned foam feels comfortable from the first sit, with no cold-plastic shock. One parent put it best: 'This potty is really comfortable for him and gives him good support.'
• Ends the potty-training battles. We hear repeatedly from parents that resistant toddlers take to the Bumbo where other potties failed. One parent told us: 'My kid likes his Bumbo potty and will choose to sit on it now rather than fights that were happening before.'
• Useful long after training. The step stool is genuinely sturdy enough for a child to reach the sink, the toilet or a kitchen worktop for years.

What to know before you buy

• Nearly double the price. At around £55, it is a bigger upfront investment. However, if you factor in skipping a separate toilet seat and step stool, the total spend may actually be lower.
• Not portable. At 1.52 kg and with no carry handle, it is a home-only product. You will not be slipping this into a weekend bag.
• Foam needs careful cleaning. The soft material cannot be thrown in a dishwasher. You need to wipe it with a damp sponge and mild detergent, which takes a little more effort than rinsing a hard plastic bowl.

Best for

• Families who want one product that covers the entire potty-to-toilet transition
• Toddlers who resist cold plastic seats and need a softer, warmer option
• Parents who prefer to buy once rather than accumulate separate training accessories
• Homes where the potty will stay in one bathroom rather than travel between rooms

How to choose

If your priority is ease and portability, the BabyBjörn Smart Potty is the stronger pick. It is light enough to carry one-handed, the removable bowl makes cleaning genuinely effortless, and the compact size suits small bathrooms or families who want a potty in the car for emergencies. It does one job and does it very well.

If you would rather buy once and cover the full training journey, the Bumbo Step 'n Potty offers better long-term value. The 3-in-1 design means you skip buying a toilet trainer and step stool separately, the soft seat wins over reluctant toddlers, and the step stool stays useful for years. The trade-off is a higher price tag and zero portability.

Both are well-made products from trusted brands, and neither will let you down. The real question is whether your family values simplicity or versatility, and only you know the answer to that.

Add it to your Nest

Whichever potty suits your family, you can save it alongside the rest of your baby essentials in a free BubsNest registry. Share your Nest with grandparents, friends and family so everyone knows exactly what you need, no guesswork required.