Teething is a major developmental phase for your baby (and you!). First teeth typically sprout at around six months, though teething can start before then - even as early as two months, and teething discomfort can last for several months.
We all want to keep our babies safe and happy, and teething is a natural process that we want to proceed without discomfort or pain. We took a bite out of your worry and tested some of the best teethers on the market! We assessed safety, durability, versatility, and overall sensory appeal to narrow down and rank-order our list. Below are the top 5 best baby teething toys, followed by our full reviews of 12 different options.
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- Table of Contents [show/hide]
- Top 5 Teething Toys Comparison Table
- 1. Best Teething Toy Overall: Manhattan Toys
- 2. Nibblit Teething Mitten
- 3. Baby Elefun Teether Ring
- 4. Buzzy Bee Teether Toy
- 5. Baby Bandana Drool Bib Teethers
- 6. Ashtonbee Baby Fruit Feeder
- 7. Tinabless Fruit Teething Toys
- 8. Tulamama Teething Animals
- 9. Bumkins Nintendo Game Boy Teether
- 10. Chewbeads Brooklyn Teether
- 11. Baby Banana Toothbrush Teething Toy
- 12. Nuby Teethe-eez Teething Toy
- How to Pick the Best Teething Toy
- Teething Toy Materials
- Sizes & Shapes
- Firmness & Textures
- Cleaning
- Sensory Stimulation
- Other Teething Toys Not On This List
- Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder
- Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys
- Chewbeads Tribeca Teething Necklace
- Chewelry Cookie Teether
- Nuby Bug-a-Loop Teether
- Baby Teething Symptoms
#1. Manhattan Toys Winkel Teether
#2. Nibblit Teething Mitten
#3. Baby Elefun Teether Ring
#4. Buzzy Bee Teether Toy
#5. Baby Bandana Drool Bib
Here are the Best Teething Toys of 2020!
1. Manhattan Toy Winkel & Sensory Teether Toy.
Hands-down our favorite teether—this teether is fascinating for baby (and parents!) with its intricate and endless soft tube maze, and its gentle rattle. This teether is large but very light weight due to its hollow design. The colors are bright and vibrant, and the tubes offer limitless angles for tiny fingers to grasp and explore. This durable teething toy is made from BPA free plastic and is priced at just under $14, making it the second most expensive toy on this list. Winkel is suitable for babies from newborn to 24 months, but it is enjoyed by older toddlers, too, and it even has a slight bounce when dropped or bopped around on the floor, making this a perfect crawling motivator! This teether has won multiple newborn toy award, including the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Blue Chip Award. One important note, due to the plastic softness, this toy must not be steam cleaned, boiled, or placed in the dishwasher - it will melt. Interested? You can check it out the Manhattan Toy Winkel Teething Toy here.
2. Nibblit Baby Teething Mitten by Linda’s Essentials.
Wearable teethers have been controversial since around 2018 when the FDA warned against the use of teething necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry worn by either an adult or child and marketed for relieving teething pain or providing sensory stimulation. The Nibblit Baby Teething Mitten may be just the alternative we need! This mitten is priced between $8 - $11 (just above average for this list), and includes a soft, wearable teether without small parts to break off! The Nibblit is made from soft, breathable fabric that doubles as a drool absorber! The high-contrast, polka-dot pattern is visually stimulating, which is great for developing visual perception! The finger tips area is covered in textured, 100% food-grade silicone for mouthing! Younger babies are especially likely to gnaw on their fists and end up with fingernail scratches on their faces from all the fussing. The Nibblit provides teething relief and keeps faces safe from scratches! Best of all, Nibblit is machine wash and dryable! Interested? You can check it out the Manhattan Toy Winkel Teething Toy here.
3. The Baby Elefun Elephant Teether Ring.
We love that this teether is made from a single piece of durable silicone. The Baby Elefun is dishwasher safe and made from 100% food grade silicone and is free from BPA, PVC, Phthalates, Cadmium, lead, and other heavy metals. This teether’s design is certified by the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission as safe for babies age 0+. The Elefun Elephant is textured with bumps of varying sizes to give baby different options for massaging their gums. We did notice that the Elefun Elephant was a bit more rigid than some of the other silicone teethers on this list, so this made it a better option for babies in the heat of tooth cutting (since they always want to bite down hard). Baby Elefun Elephant Teether is average priced at $7 - $8, and comes is a lovely box, making it a perfect gift option for baby showers! Interested? You can check it out the Elefun Elephant Teething Toy here.
4. Buzzy Bee Multi-Textured Teether Toy.
This adorable bumble bee themed teether is about the size of an adult’s palm and it is made from a single piece of molded silicone to avoid being choking hazard. Babies loved playing with and gnawing in the bumpy, easy to grip wings. The wings also allow plenty of space if you want to attach a pacifier lanyard to the teether. Buzzy Bee is both BPA- and latex-free. It is freezer safe, and it stays chilled a little longer than the Elefun (above). Like the Elefun, this teether is also dishwasher safe! Let’s face it—the first thing your baby is going to do is throw this (or any) teether onto the floor! This 100% food grade silicone teether can pop right into the top-rack and be good to go! Buzzy Bee is low-average priced for this list at $6, making this smiling teether super wallet-friendly! Interested? You can check it out the Buzzy Bee Teething Toy here.
5. Vuminbox Baby Bandana Drool Bib and Teething Toy.
It’s a fun name to say, and Vuminbox gained other high praises in our tests, as well! As we mentioned above, teething can come with many other symptoms—and waterfall drooling is very common for teething babies. The Vuminbox Bandana Teething Toys include a super absorbent cotton/ polyester fleece bib to catch the drool. The bibs are secured with premium, nickel-free snaps with two adjustable settings. To wash, simply remove the teether, put the bib through the washing machine, and dry flat. These bandana teethers are sold in packs of 6 for $12 - $14, so while the total purchase price is high for this list, each teether is only about $2 +/-, making this the most cost-effective purchase per toy. Each bandana includes a silky soft teether attached via snap loop. The wide teethers are made from 100% food grade silicone, are dishwasher safe (like the Elefun and Buzzy Bee above), and they include varying shapes and textures to keep babies interested. Interested? You can check it out the Baby Bandana Bib Teething Toy here.
6. Ashtonbee Baby Fruit Feeder.
This pacifier-looking teether helps relieve teething pain while also offering baby a snack—which is excellent since teething can cause reduced appetite. The pacifier opens on a hinge, and you can insert frozen fruits, vegetables, ice, breastmilk, etc. into the silicone nipple. The nipple is perforated by specially engineered holes to allow only small amounts of food/ melting liquid through when baby chews or sucks on the toy. The small holes also help reduce potential messes, a happy alternative to similar products! The Ashtonbee Feeder is BPA-free, latex-free, petroleum-free, lead-free, and phthalates-free and can be washed with mild soap and water, boiled, or put into the dishwasher. It is sold in packs of two for about $14, making each toy just $7. Interested? You can check it out the Baby Fruit Feeder here.
7. Tinabless Fruit Series Teething Toys.
The stems on these soft fruit-shaped teethers are perfectly shaped for your baby to grip. The satiny-smooth silicone is 100% food-grade, FDA approved, and free from BPA, PVC, phthalates. Each colorful fruit has a different texture for soothing baby’s gums. In tests, babies seemed most drawn to the bright red strawberry and the purple grapes. Tinabless Fruit Teethers are sold in a five count box for about $15, averaging $3 per toy for a great deal. These teethers can be boiled, steamed, or cleaned in the dishwasher. Tinabless Fruits are marked for babies 3 months and up. We would warn that the chewable ends are not as wide as some other teething toys—making these a possible choking hazard for older babies who may be able to fit the whole toy in their mouths. Additionally, the product images may be a bit misleading—these toys are wobbly and top-heavy; they do not easily stand on their own. Interested? You can check it out the Tinabless Fruit Series Teether here.
8. Tulamama Freezer-Friendly Teething Animals.
vailable in the styles of your baby’s favorite woodland creatures including: Raccoon, bear, bunny, fox, and koala, Tulamama Teething Animals are adorably engaging for little babies. These toys have wide shapes to avoid choking hazard, and each has a center cut-out to facilitate gripping and/ or pacifier clip attachment. This $9 teether is made from non-toxic, food grade silicone and is BPA and phthalates free. It is simple enough to handwash, but it is also top rack dishwasher safe. The Tulamama Teether is similar to the Elefun (above) in its flexibility and firmness, and that it doesn’t hold much chill from the freezer. Between the two, babies were more visually attracted to the Tulamama animal, but enjoyed chomping the dynamic-textured Elefun for longer. Interested? You can check it out the Tulamama Freezer-Friendly Teething Animals here.
9. Bumkins Nintendo Game Boy Silicone Teether.
Okay, so maybe parents enjoyed this teether a little more than the children. This teether offers soft, gum soothing for babies and fun nostalgia for grown-up 90s kids. The front of the Bumpkins Game Boy Teether is a perfect replica of the handheld video game system (including some good contrast with the black and fuchsia ‘buttons’), and the back is deeply textured for teething relief. The Game Boy Teether is safe to hand wash, boil, or toss on the top rack of the dishwasher. It is free from BPA, PVC, cadmium, phthalates, and lead. The ‘screen’ area cut out makes this teether easy for little hands to grip and offers a good space to attach a pacifier clip. This teether is slightly above average price for this list at $9.50, and it makes a great baby shower gift for classic video game lovers! Interested? You can check it out the Nintendo Game Boy Silicone Teether here.
10. Chewbeads Brooklyn Silicone and Wood Teether.
This chic-looking teether includes a very unique component—a smooth, natural beechwood ring. The largest ring and the elephant are made from firm, yet flexible, medical grade silicone. Babies really seem to enjoy the bead-like texture on the largest ring. The wooden ring is an interesting feature, though most babies didn’t seem too excited about chewing this piece. The posh style teether comes with a ritzy price tag of $14.50 (the highest on this list). We were surprised that despite the wooden piece, this teether is dishwasher safe. The Brooklyn Teether is free from BPA, phthalates, cadmium, lead, and metals. It attaches easily to pacifier clips, and it holds up to rough testing without breakage or choking concern. Overall, parents loved the look of this teether, but babies didn’t seem too interested in the bland color palate—preferring brighter teethers in comparison testing. Interested? You can check it out the Chewbeads Brooklyn Silicone and Wood Teether here.
11. Baby Banana Infant Training Toothbrush and Teether.
The Banana Baby Teether offers a fun way to introduce oral hygiene while also relieving teething pain. Babies learn by imitation, and they will enjoy copying the motion of toothbrushing while gently massaging their sore gums with Baby Banana’s soft, silicone bristles. The peel handles on this teether keep babies from getting the Baby Banana too far into their mouths. This teether costs about $7 - $9, is made from food grade silicone, and is BPA, phthalate, and latex free, and dishwasher safe. Both parents and babies liked this teether, but we do have a few important notes for you to keep in mind: While most of the other teethers on this list are a matte-finish silicone, the Banana Baby has a slick, glossy finish that seems to act as a dust and hair magnet. This teether requires frequent rinsing while in use. Additionally, this Banana Baby is marked for babies through age 12 months. Older babies with stronger jaws/teeth may very well chomp the bristles off the brush. Be sure to check out some of our other reviews if you're looking for an awesome baby toothbrush. Interested? You can check it out the Baby Banana Infant Training Toothbrush and Teether here.
12. Nuby Silicone Teethe-eez Teether with Bristles.
This is a simple and inexpensive teether that hits all the right spots - it's silicone, BPA and phthalates free, fits perfectly in an infant's hand, has a soft bristles gum massager, reaches front and rear teeth areas, can be placed in the freezer for a cold teething toy, and it's only 5 bucks! That's a lot of great features for a very small price - throw in the free carrying case and this is a real bargain! In our testing, we found this to be a very soothing teether that provides a nice gentle massage that hits all the right areas. It's easy for babies about 3 months and up to grip and put in their mouths, and it's even more effective when frozen. The only downside is that after about 5 days of use we noticed that a couple of the silicone bristles broke off. We didn't notice when it happened exactly, but we're assuming it was while our baby was chewing on it. We realize these tiny silicone bits are likely biologically inert and will not harm a baby, but we think it's generally a bad sign that this isn't as durable as we had hoped. Interested? You can check it out the Nuby Teethe-eez Teething Toy here.
How to Choose the Best Teether for Your Baby
Materials. Much to parent’s frustration, babies notoriously put everything into their mouths… but that is the whole point of teethers! So, it is important to find teething toys that are made from safe, non-toxic materials.
Teether Materials to Look For
- 100% Food Grade Silicone (seen on many of the teethers on this list)
- 100% Natural Rubber
- 100% Organic Cotton
- Natural, Untreated Wood
- Food Grade Plastics
Teether Materials to Avoid
- Plastics containing BPA
- PVC/ Vinyl
- Plastics containing Phthalates
- Latex
- Amber
Size and Shape. When selecting a teether for your baby, you should consider the size and shape to ensure the teething end is small enough to fit into your child’s mouth for proper use, but not so small that entire teether can fit into your child’s mouth. If the teether or attachments are too large, they will not be useful and may only frustrate your baby. If they are too small, they may pose a choking of suffocation hazard.
The American Academy of Pediatrics aligns with FDA warnings to avoid teething jewelry for babies:
The risk is two-fold: strangulation and choking, says pediatrician Natasha Burgert, MD, FAAP.
"Major risks occur when the necklaces are worn around a child's neck, especially when unsupervised (such as while sleeping) or if the child were to break the necklace and swallow the beads. The AAP does not recommend that infants wear any jewelry.”
For this reason, we recommend extreme caution or avoidance of teething necklaces with beads that may break off and pose extreme risk. The AAP offers additional guidance for parents who choose to use such teethers, and you can read our article about necklace teething toy safety here.
The best teethers are also easy for little hands to hold. As we noticed in testing, many of the top-rated teethers include a center cut out or some sort of handle for babies to wrap their fingers around.
Firmness and Texture. In our testing we explored silicone teethers, plastic teethers, even teethers with cloth and wood. While there were some outliers, we did find that babies seemed to have the most interest and teething success with the soft plastic and silicone models that provided good resistance with some flexibility and tactile feedback.
Of course, all babies are different, so you may need to pick a few different teethers to know which one will work best for your little one, but starting with the flexible plastic and silicone is probably a safe bet (and will likely be the most cost effective, too). In addition to material firmness, teethers come with a variety of embossed textures on their surfaces and edges. In our testing, we found the more successful teethers had a variety of textures (like Elefun) or had deep beading or grooves (like Chewbeads Brooklyn or Buzzy Be); the exception to this rule was the Winkel toy, on which babies could bite down and pull for tension.
Cleaning. Obviously, teethers will need to be cleaned quite often. So, we recommend checking the package for washing instructions. Washing considerations will usually be dictated by the toy’s materials—so the plastic Winkel cannot withstand high temperatures, but the cotton Vuminbox can be tossed into the washing machine. Due to the varying care instructions, you may want to do some exploration to find a toy that suits your lifestyle in this regard.
Sensory Stimulation. The best teethers offer even more to engage and pacify your child. High-contrast color depth like the Nibblit mitten fabric, sounds a shape complexity like the Winkel, smiling faces like Buzzy Bee, and freezer safe options like many on this list make all the difference between an okay teether and an awesome teething toy. Check out our list of the best sensory toys, which includes a few options that double as teething toys.
Other Teething Toys we Tested:
Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder. This teether is similar in theory to the Ashtonbee (above), but it is different in application. They both hold frozen fruit to soothe sore gums while also offering your baby a snack. However, while the Ashtonbee uses a perforated, silicone nipple, the Munchkin Feeder holds fruit in a mesh bag. This makes much more mess (and less teething relief) as the fruits and vegetables become mushy, and you can’t put frozen breast milk into the Munchkin feeders.
Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys. These are fun for babies to play with (what baby doesn’t like keys!), and they freeze well and stay frozen longer than non-gel teethers. However, this toy cannot be boiled or cleaned in the dishwasher. Must be kept away from heat, and it includes a warning about leaks and punctures. We have genuine safety concerns for the mystery gel in this product.
Chewbeads Tribeca Teething Necklace. This is a pretty silicone-bead necklace on a single cord, with knots between each bead for extra safety. It’s a great idea for sensory during nursing, but in general, we don’t like the encouragement to chew on jewelry, because you won't always be wearing the teething necklace and other jewelry has small pieces that can easily break off and be swallowed (or pose a choking risk). We recommend additional consideration for the FDA’s caution on teething jewelry, even if it's being worn by mom.
Nuby Bug-A-Loop Teether. A colorful, low cost teething toy with lady bugs and bumble bees! It is cute, and babies like it. The hard beads are a mix of BPA free silicone and plastic. We appreciate the thick, double cording to help reduce breaking. However, babies were less interested in actually teething on this teether compared to the others on this list, so we’re just giving it an honorable mention down here!
Sophie la Girafe (Sophie the Giraffe). When our kids were infants we had several of these and absolutely loved them! We purchased them at a small boutique baby store in NYC and they were nearly $50 each. They were made with 100% natural rubber and used pigmented rubber colors for the brown dot pattern. They were durable, adorable, and very high quality. Nowadays there are tons of fake Sophie la Girafe copycats found online, and it's really hard to find a genuine one. We tested one that we bought online (at Amazon) but don't think it was genuine, so we're not going to review it here. If you're going to consider purchasing one, we encourage you to go directly to the Sophie the Giraffe website and search for a retailer near you.
Baby Teething Symptoms
All babies are different, even between siblings. Some babies go through teething with a smile, some are mildly irritable, and some hit the symptoms jackpot. In addition to gumming just about everything in sight, teething babies may experience: increased drool production (which can lead to a mild rash around the mouth), trouble sleeping, and a loss of appetite (likely due to sore gums).
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