If you're searching for the best baby walker, that probably means that you're anticipating your baby learning how to walk. This is an exciting time, but also a terrifying one. Having a child who can walk means that they can get into more things around the house, which isn't exactly thrilling to think about.
Comparison Table
Because of this, you probably want a safe way for your baby to get around the house. So, you're looking into baby walkers. Before you choose the best baby walker, though, it's essential to understand the cautions and benefits associated with them.
All About Choosing The Best Baby Walker
Various factors go into choosing the best baby walker. Many deem them unsafe, but there are also multiple benefits associated with them. So, it's best to understand both sides before purchasing one.
Why are baby walkers beneficial?
Baby walkers have numerous benefits associated with them. There's a reason why parents have used them for decades!
First off, baby walkers can boost your child's independence. When they can freely walk around, they become more confident in their ability to walk on their own.
Second, it can give mom and dad more time for other activities. While you should never leave your child unattended in a baby walker, it can keep your hands free to do laundry or wash dishes.
One of the most significant benefits to baby walkers is that it gives the baby a source of entertainment. Sure, regular toys are fun, but when the baby can move around in a comfortable seat while playing? That's even better!
Additionally, many walkers double as an activity center. These feature various learning gadgets and toys for your baby to learn real-world skills, such as the alphabet, numbers, colors, and shapes. It can help with cognitive development and can develop their motor skills tremendously.
Baby Walker Warnings
While baby walkers have various benefits, there are also some things to be cautious of. Although most of us used them as babies, there is more information out there today that presents them as unsafe. In fact, baby walkers send thousands of children to the hospital each year.
Of course, the choice is yours on whether or not you use a baby walker. However, you should at least be aware of the dangers associated with them. Some of these dangers include:
- Rolling down a flight of stairs: can cause broken bones and severe head injuries
- Able to reach a higher surface: can cause burns or poison
- Drown: could easily fall into a pool or bathtub
If you opt to use a baby walker, there are some things to keep in mind. First of all, don't ever leave your baby unattended in a walker. Make sure you're watching them at all times because you never know what they could get into.
Also, never put your baby in a walker near a pool or bathtub. This eliminates the chance of them falling into them.
Since 1997, there have been new safety standards for baby walkers. They are now made wider so that they won't fit through most doors, and many have brakes to stop the walker before going down a staircase.
Even with these new standards in place, the American Academy of Pediatrics is calling for a ban on the manufacturing and sales of baby walkers. They also say that too much time spent in walkers can actually delay the onset of walking.
Additionally, as of 2004, baby walkers are completely banned in Canada under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. If you feel as though your baby can safely use a baby walker, then, by all means, use one.
Baby Walker Alternatives
If you decide that you don't want to use a baby walker, here are some other options:
Best Baby Walker Features To Look For
When looking at baby walkers, here are some of the key features to look for.
Adjustability
When choosing a walker, you'll want to make sure that it will be able to grow with your baby. A walker should be able to last you a few years if you choose the right one. So, choose one that has a couple of height adjustments so that your baby can enjoy it while learning to walk.
Interactive Toys
The best baby walker has interactive toys for your baby to enjoy. These can be simple toys that are entertaining for your baby to play with, but they can also be learning toys to assist with cognitive development.
Many walkers have interactive toys that double as learning features. This could include teaching them numbers, shapes, colors, or the alphabet. The possibilities are endless!
Safety Features
Especially with all of the dangers associated with baby walkers, it's crucial to have safety features built into your baby walker.
This could include brakes that stop the walker from moving when approaching stairs. It could include a broader build that won't fit through doors so that your baby has to stay in one room.
You should also look for certifications, such as being certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) or meeting American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.
How We Reviewed
First of all, to choose the best baby walker options, we only chose ones that have a rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon or better.
If a baby walker has all the right features but is garnering negative reviews, then there's probably something wrong with it. We also took a look at professional reviews when assessing these, making sure that they were well-rated.
Second, we made sure that the walkers had some sort of fun activity or learning skill associated with them. These are shown to be optimal for the baby's development. We also looked for safety features and certifications in each one.
Best Baby Walker: Top 11 Choices
Here is our list of the 11 best baby walker choices on the market today, in no particular order.
- Super sized tray with removable insert, insert is dishwasher safe
- Folds flat for easy storage and travel; BPA, PVC and Phthalate free
- Seat pad is supportive and comfortable, machine washable
The Joovy Spoon Walker is a sturdy walker that doesn’t take up too much space. It is sturdy in the fact that it can hold babies up to 30 pounds, and compact in the fact that it folds down for easy storage.
Joovy designed the Spoon Walker for real life, so your baby can eat meals in it without you having to worry about the mess. The tray and seat pad can easily be washed. Plus, the walker has an extra-wide footprint, preventing smashed fingers to keep your baby safe while he or she takes it for a spin.
This walker is made from luggage-grade material, so the seat shouldn’t ever wear out, and has a steel-reinforced frame. Plus, it is flame-retardant and chemical-free. It is JPMA certified and meets all government standards.
Your baby can grow with the Joovy walker, as it has three adjustable heights. It will support your baby up to 30 pounds and 33.5 inches tall.
When open, the walker measures to 18 inches by 25.5 inches by 27.75 inches. When closed, it measures to 9 inches by 25.5 inches by 27.75 inches. Many consider the Joovy walker to be the best baby walker on the market, as it has 4.4 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon.
- Imaginative walker transforms every room into a jungle
- Safari-themed walker for boy or girl
- Removable toy station can be used almost anywhere
The Bright Starts walker is perfect for adding some jungle fun to your house. It features a removable toy station with a steering wheel that plays sounds, lights, and melodies.
This walker has a high-backed seat, so your baby will get extra support as they take more steps.
The walker is recommended for ages six months and older, and will support a child up to 26 pounds. It will grow with your baby, as it has three adjustable height positions. It also has two link loops so that you can add additional toys.
The walker measures 24.0 inches by 34.0 inches by 28.0 inches. It has a machine-washable padded seat, and the rest of the walker will wipe clean easily. It even folds flat for easy storage.
This baby walker has a rating of 4.2 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon.
- This adjustable developmental Disney Baby walker featuring Disney's Garden Delight and Minnie Mouse pattern has a wide,...
- With four fun Minnie Mouse-themed toys, this baby walker includes a music module that plays 12 different songs.
- The sturdy wheels work equally well on floors or carpets, with grip strips that help reduce movement on uneven surfaces.
This Disney Minnie Mouse walker includes four Minnie Mouse and friends toys. It even swings open to show a snack tray, which is perfect for small snacks or other toys!
This walker has sturdy wheels that work well on any surface -- hardwood floors, carpet, or tile. Plus, they have grip strips that will reduce movement on the walker if the surface is uneven. The padded seat is super easy to clean because it's machine-washable.
The walker measures out to be 23 inches by 24.88 inches by 28 inches. Overall, this baby walker has 4.3 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon.
- Recommended for children that can sit up on their own Toy tray easily removes for snack/feeding time; Requires two AA...
- Three position height adjustment allows it to grow with baby; Electronic tray with multiple interactive lights and...
- Easily folds flat for travel and storage
Your baby will love feeling like they're driving around in this Lil' Drive Top Speed Walker from Delta Children. It is considered the best baby walker by many people, as it was designed to help stimulate early development.
This walker features a realistic gear shifter and steering wheel toys, plus lights and sounds that are engaging and stimulating. Your baby can activate the lights and sounds by spinning the steering wheel, turning the key, or pushing the buttons on the dashboard.
If playtime is over, the walker can double as their meal spot. The toy tray easily removes to give you a spacious meal space. The walker has three adjustable heights so that it will grow with your baby.
All of Delta Children's walkers are JPMA certified. They are also built with long-lasting materials so that it will last for years. This miniature-car walker measures to be 27 inches by 27.75 inches by 26 inches.
This walker is well-loved on Amazon, earning 4.7 out of 5.0 stars.
- 2 swing-open activity trays with 4 fun Winnie the Pooh themed toys and 12 songs
- 3-position height adjustment
- Oversized snack/play tray. Holds child up to 30 pounds
Winnie the Pooh is a classic story that we all grew up with, and now your baby can enjoy the characters with this Disney walker. It has sturdy wheels that work on any surface, from hardwood floors to carpets.
The walker has an over-sized play tray that has the Winnie the Pooh on it. The tray even swings open to give you a snack tray for snacks or other toys. It has a machine-washable padded seat, so it is effortless to clean.
This walker is JPMA certified and meets ASTM standards. It measures to be 23 inches by 24.88 inches by 28 inches and has 4.3 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon.
- ENTERTAINING: Start your engines! The activity walker comes with an easy-swivel steering wheel, gear shifter and...
- EASY CLEAN: Don’t fret! The polyester cover can be removed and cleaned in your washing machine. The plastic is quick...
- COMFORT: The harness is designed for ultimate mobility and comfort. Made of 100% Polyester Foam and covered in a...
Your baby can learn how to be a little superhero while learning to walk with this Batman walker from KidsEmbrace.
KidsEmbrace recommends this walker for children up to 26 pounds who can support their own body. They also suggest that kids who are 32 inches tall or under may use this. This walker has features that make it feel just like a car, such as a steering wheel, realistic gear-shifter, and engine-starting sounds and vibrations.
The walker is lightweight but sturdy, perfect for a child who is moving around. It is also quick and easy to fold down for storage and travel. When opened, it measures to be 28 inches by 25 inches by 21 inches.
Many consider this to be the best baby walker out there, as it has 4.7 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon.
- Fun, interactive toys encourage motor skills
- Machine washable and dryer safe seat pad
- Dishwasher safe insert tray is great for snacks
This Cosco Simple Steps walker will bring a lot of fun to your baby. It features spinning candies and a doughnut that are perfect for teaching your baby how to grasp and grab.
There is an insert tray that's perfect for snacks, and it fits on the top rack of your dishwasher for easy cleaning. The seat pad is even machine-washable and dryer-safe.
This walker will grow with your baby, having two different adjustable height options. It is also easy to disassemble to keep in storage or travel with. When in use, the walker measures to be 20.25 inches by 5.50 inches by 16.50 inches.
The Cosco baby walker has 4.5 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon.
- 2-IN-1 CONVERTIBLE DESIGN -- Easily converts from seated activity walker to a walk-behind walker for boys and girls!...
- ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT -- Adjustable seat pad height to grow with your baby. Skid-resistant friction pads on base for child...
- FUN TOYS & ACTIVITIES -- Entertain baby girl or boy with fun developmental toys: upright flower mirror with crinkle...
Your baby can take their first steps with this 2-in-1 activity walker from Kolcraft. It's considered the best baby walker by many because it has a variety of brightly colored developmental toys and activities to entertain and stimulate your baby's mind.
The walker features an easily accessible tray that has a cup holder, making it perfect for storing a bottle or sippy cup. Plus, it folds away easily for easy storage and travel.
It has a plush foam seat that can be adjusted as your baby grows. And, it will transition from a seated activity walker to a walk-behind walker. It has swivel wheels in the front so that your baby can easily maneuver, along with non-skid friction pads to let it stop easily.
The walker is meant for standing babies between 15 and 26 pounds, and less than 32 inches tall. It is JPMA certified. When assembled, the walker measures to be 26 inches by 24 inches by 32.5 inches.
This walker has 4.2 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon.
- Interactive learning baby Walker has a removable play panel; frustration free packaging means it comes in a plain brown...
- Early learning center has 5 piano keys that play music and encourage creativity; wheels work on carpeted and hard floors
- Features 2 colorful spinning rollers, 3 shape sorters, and 3 light-up buttons that develop motor skills
This learning walker from VTech will help take your baby from baby steps to big steps.
It helps develop your baby from a crawler to a walker through VTech's adaptive technology. It features playful barnyard friends to cheer on your little one, with five piano keys, spinning gears, three light-up shape sorters, three colorful rollers, a telephone handset, and three light-up buttons. There are plenty of toys to keep your baby stimulated and happy!
For the walker, you start out with the easy-to-remove activity panel for floor play and then move up to the maneuverable walker. It will help stimulate your baby's learning skills and develop their motor skills. It will teach colors, shapes, music, and animals.
This walker measures to 16.5 inches by 14.2 inches by 18.1 inches. It's considered the best baby walker by many people, as it has 4.7 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon.
- Item arrives in frustration free, easy to open packaging that’s 100 percent recyclable; For a gift ready box, select...
- Musical infant walking toy with 2 ways to play as baby grows: sit & play or stand & walk
- 75 plus songs, sounds and phrases introduce the alphabet, shapes, colors, numbers, Spanish words and more
This walker is the perfect puppy pal to grow with your baby. It has so many hands-on activities for your little sitting ones and a lot of encouraging phrases for their first steps. As your baby grows, the puppy will introduce them to colors, shapes, the alphabet, counting, and Spanish words.
You can use the walker in two different ways: as a sit-and-play or a stand-and-walk. It features seven hands-on activities: a roller, light-up piano keys and nose, a flip page, a spinner, and more.
It also has over 75 songs, sounds, and phrases that will teach your baby various skills. The learning content changes with your baby's age and stage with its Smart Stages Technology.
The walker features an easy-grip handle that can help keep your baby steady during his or her first steps. The walker measures to be 16.2 inches by 19.3 inches by 18.2 inches. Many consider it the best baby walker, as it has 4.6 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon.
- Removable toy bar with toys
- Large surround tray for food or toys
- Three-position height adjustable
Finally, we have the Baby Trend walker, which many consider to be the best baby walker out there.
This is the perfect accessory for your kid as he or she gets ready to take their first steps. It has multi-directional wheels that give free movement, and an extra-wide base that gives them support and stability. They'll be super confident when taking their first steps!
It features a large surround tray that gives enough space for snacks and play-time. The walker also has three adjustable height options to grow with your baby, and a high-back padded seat. It can fold flat to store or travel with easily
This walker measures to be 23.4 inches by 20.9 inches by 26.8 inches. It has 4.1 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon.
Using A Baby Walker
Overall, be conscious with your decision of whether or not to use a baby walker. Weigh the positives and negatives and decide if your baby will be able to use it safely and effectively.
If so, you now have numerous options to choose from!
Do you have the best baby walker, and we didn't include it in this list? Let us know what it is in a comment!
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