A baby seat is an item that isn’t used for very long in a baby’s life since they’re not ready for it until they’ve mastered head control (around 4-5 months), and they usually don’t want to be confined in it once they can sit up on their own (around 6-7 months). However, it’s a great, safe place to sit baby for playtime when they are too young to sit up on their own, and it can definitely serve as a place to eat if you haven’t broken out the high chair yet. It also makes for great photo ops for those early squishy baby days since it props them up nicely.
We own both the Bumbo (hand-me-down) and the Prince Lionheart Bebepod (registry shower gift), so here’s a side-by-side comparison of the two in various categories.
Looks
We registered for the Bebepod because we liked its clean lines and the bright red color. The Bumbo is cute but a bit more babyish looking with its softer pastel colors and soft, curvy lines.
Winner: Bebepod
Space/Size
The Bebepod has a slightly smaller footprint, but the real issue here is the size of the leg openings in the chair. Both my babies are huge and chunky with super thunder thighs, and neither of them fit into the Bumbo.
Winner: Bebepod
Cost
Right now on Amazon, the Bumbo is listed at $39.99 and the Bebepod is listed at $37.46. Also, the Bebepod comes with a tray, a tray liner, and a toy that clips right into the tray, while the Bumbo’s play tray is sold separately for $10.62.
Winner: Bebepod
Safety
At the time we got the seats, the Bebepod came with a safety belt and the Bumbo did not. Since then the Bumbo has been recalled and all the new ones include a safety belt.
Winner: Draw
Toy Feature
I had to mention this because when we were researching these, we read countless reviews that said the Bebepod’s included toy was awesome and kids played with it even after the Bebepod was put away and they were older. This turned out to be so true– I always look back and remember that the Bebepod toy was the first toy Wagon Jr. ever really played with! There is a similar toy out by Sassy that suctions to the Bumbo tray (or any surface really), but again, not sold WITH the Bumbo.
Winner: Bebepod
So obviously, for us the clear winner is the Bebepod!
All this being said, since it’s a popular baby item that doesn’t get used for very long, you can probably find one used for cheap (or free!).
Which baby seat did you go with?
Disclaimer: It’s never recommended to place a baby seat on an elevated surface, such as on a couch as pictured in some of these images. I never leave the babies unattended in their baby seat at any time.
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts
Best thing about this post? The awesome hair!
grapefruit / 4400 posts
I love our Bebepod! I think we’re going to use it as a makeshift high chair tonight (like you mentioned in your post) to feed LO solids for the first time!
kiwi / 542 posts
@FutureMrsMcK: massive + 1. I’m like was there a post? Best go back and read it!
persimmon / 1205 posts
OMG, the hair in the 4th picture!! I could die from the cuteness!
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
omg you make freakin adorable babies and I am so jealous of their hair!! the rolls… the hair… the eyes and the grins.. aghhh gag me with cuteness!
I think we’ll do with the bebe pod next time -the bumbo never worked for us even though his legs fit.
pomegranate / 3414 posts
We had a hand me down Bumbo and used it as a high chair often, no experience with the Bebepod.
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
We use the bumbo b/c it was gifted to us. M’s chub isn’t going to fit in it much longer, though! I only put her in it now when I’m drying my hair or doing something in the bathroom. Don’t shoot me but she sits on the sink so I can see her and v/v.
guest
Perfect! I’m in desperate need of a chair for my 4mo now and was debating getting the BebePOD I found on Craigslist, but didn’t know much about it. Now I can make an offer and hopefully get it for half the cost!
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
I got a Bumbo for $10 at a garage sale for my baby that does not yet exist. After reading this, I’m glad I got it cheap.
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22276 posts
We got a bumbo at a garage sale for $15, but never really did my research…at least it was cheap!
pear / 1672 posts
Thanks for the comparison. I’ve never heard of the Bebe Pod. I am LOVING the Lil Wagon pics. Too cute!
cherry / 143 posts
We got the mamas and papas baby snug seat mainly due to the leg openings. It has a cushion that comes off so that you can use it longer when your LO gets bigger, and also comes with a tray included. Our LO seems to love it and has spent a lot of time playing with her toys in it.
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
i wish we had the bebepod! we have soooo many seats that my husband would kill me!
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
We got a bumbo as a hand-me-down, but LO’s thighs were super chunky so she always got stuck in it, and she slouched a lot in it. I was never a fan and didn’t get the hype.
eggplant / 11716 posts
I have to agree, you have the cutest babies of all time. I clicked on the thread because I need to be learning about things like bumbos and bebepods….but I was just entranced by the adorable baby pics! I just love chunky babies, I don’t know why. I was kind of an average baby, and DH was a downright skinny baby….but my brother was SUPER chunky, so I still have hope that I will have a cute chunky baby, too.
pomegranate / 3160 posts
Another fan of the hair. Love it.
pomegranate / 3872 posts
Love your pics! I’m glad you recommend the bebepod. That’s what we got mainly for the larger leg openings and the included ‘extras.’ i think it looks super cute too! We got the green one with the kiwi tray!
clementine / 889 posts
@mamajaja: This is what my SIL just got at her shower. The removable inner seat is a great idea and really makes the seat much more useful.
guest
We have one by Summer infant. Comes with a full tray, four toys, and straps to attach to a chair as a booster seat. The inner foam part also comes out when baby gets bigger. So far we love it, baby too. I love that it has the toys built in, within arm’s reach, and the full wrap-around tray makes it seem a lot more stable than other baby chairs. Check it out!
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
RJ was so chubby and delicious!!!
I have the bebe pod. We barely used it though!
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
Great comparison post. I would love to see more of these!
I think for this piece of baby gear the winner would be whatever one you could get the cheapest!!!
kiwi / 640 posts
we had the bumbo but used it once and returned it. DS just didnt look very comfortable in it (and his chubba wubba thighs were totally stuck)! and he was ready to use his high chair, so I figured I’d buy him something else with the store credit.
these pictures are the BEST! i love the hair.
blogger / persimmon / 1398 posts
The second photo in this series SLAYS me! So awesome!
honeydew / 7968 posts
We got the bebepod in kiwi but turns out it was broken so we just returned it instead of getting another one since they didn’t have another one at the store. Hands down, seemed like the better investment after my research.