Babylist Registry Review: Everything You Need to Know

Hi, I'm Annika, a 29-year-old first-time mom from Dallas, Texas. I live a (VERY) busy life balancing nurse-life with my new bundle of joy, and like most, I wanted a baby registry that was flexible, easy to use, and full of practical options. After researching different registries (and getting recommendations from lots of mom friends), I decided to try Babylist, and I'm sharing my experience to help you decide if it's the right choice for your growing family.

When I first started building my baby registry, I was overwhelmed by all the options. I didn't want to be locked into just one store, but I also didn't want a complicated registry that made it harder for my friends and family to shop.

Enter Babylist. I was skeptical at first, I wasn't sure how easy a "universal" registry could be, bringing so many different stores together. But after using it, I have to say it completely simplified the process. Not only can I add anything from anywhere, but it also lets me set up cash funds, group gifting, and even price comparisons (so people don't overpay for gifts).

If you're wondering whether Babylist is the best fit for your family, I'm breaking down the good, the not-so-good, and my personal experience, so you can decide for yourself.

Pros & Cons

Features

The Parent Test

Is There a Cost to Sign Up to Babylist’s Registry?

Nope! Babylist is completely free to use. Unlike some other registries that require a subscription for premium perks, Babylist gives you full access to all its features at no cost.

That said, Babylist charges a 2.9% processing fee on cash fund contributions (which is pretty standard across most platforms, but still something to keep in mind). Also, since you’re pulling items from multiple stores, you’ll need to double-check shipping costs and return policies first, because those depend on the retailer, not Babylist.

Pro tip: If you want to make the most of Babylist’s discounts, make sure to add your must-have items to the Babylist store itself. That way, you can use the 15% completion discount before baby arrives!

         

What are the Key Benefits of Babylist’s Registry?

After comparing it to Amazon, Target, and other registries, Babylist stood out for one big reason: it’s completely customizable.

Universal Registry – This was a game-changer for me. Instead of being locked into one store, I could add gifts from Amazon, Pottery Barn Kids, Etsy, even the cute boutiques my friends recommended.

Cash Funds – This is perfect if you already have a lot of baby gear and want contributions toward things like diapers, postpartum meal delivery, or a night nanny (which I’m seriously considering 3 months into no sleep!).

Group Gifting – My in-laws chipped in together to get our Snoo bassinet, which we wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise.

Completion Discount – You get 15% off any remaining registry items, but only for items added through Babylist itself.

Price Comparison Tool – I loved this feature. It shows where your item is sold and compares prices across multiple retailers, so your guests don’t have to guess where to buy from.         

How Easy is the Registry to Use?

At first, I wasn’t sure how user-friendly Babylist would be, but I was pleasantly surprised by how simple the whole process was. Setting up my registry took just a few minutes, and the layout made it easy to add and organize items. I particularly loved using the Babylist app, which allowed me to update my registry from my phone whenever I came across a must-have baby item.

One of the best parts of Babylist is how clean and easy to navigate the website is. Unlike some registries that can feel overwhelming, I found it keeps everything streamlined, making it simple to search for products, add them to your list, and track purchases. Sharing my registry with family and friends was easy, and Babylist even provided customizable announcement cards that I included with my baby shower invitations. This was a great touch!

The one challenge I encountered was that guests had to manually mark gifts as purchased, which led to a couple of duplicate gifts at my shower. Some of my family members didn’t realize they needed to do this, so I had to double-check my list before the big day. Despite that minor hiccup, managing my Babylist registry was a breeze, and I would absolutely use it again for future pregnancies.

Are There Any Freebies When Using the Registry?

Yes! One of the fun perks of signing up for Babylist is the Hello Baby Box, which is packed with free baby product samples, coupons, and discount codes. Since I love testing out products before committing to full-size versions, this was an exciting bonus.

To qualify for the Hello Baby Box, you’ll need to create a Babylist registry, add at least three items from the Babylist store, and make a $10+ purchase from Babylist. I wasn’t sure if it would be worth it, but I was pleasantly surprised by what I received. My box included a pack of Huggies diapers, a Nanobébé bottle, a muslin swaddle, Aveeno baby lotion, and a pacifier, along with discount codes for brands like Lovevery and Ergobaby.

The contents of the box seem to vary, as some of my mom friends received different items, but overall, it’s a great freebie that gives you a chance to try out baby products before adding them to your registry. While I wish you didn’t have to make a purchase to qualify, I still think it’s a fun and valuable bonus for expectant parents.

         

How to Get the Most Out of Your Babylist Registry

To get the most out of your Babylist registry, I highly recommend starting early. Creating your registry as soon as possible not only gives your friends and family plenty of time to shop, but it also allows you to qualify for freebies, perks, and discounts before your baby arrives.

Another helpful tip is to use the price comparison tool when adding items to your registry. This feature automatically shows where each product is sold and compares prices across multiple retailers, which is a great way to help guests find the best deals. I also found it useful to add a mix of price points to my registry. While some guests were happy to splurge on big-ticket items like my stroller, others preferred to purchase smaller essentials like pacifiers, swaddles, and books which were so appreciated.

If you’re open to non-traditional gifts, I highly suggest taking advantage of Babylist’s cash funds. Instead of receiving more baby clothes than I could ever use, I was able to set up a fund for diapers, postpartum meal delivery, and babysitting services, which turned out to be way more useful in the long run.

Finally, because Babylist does not automatically update gift purchases, I recommend manually tracking your registry before your baby shower. Checking in a week or two before your event can help avoid mix-ups and ensure you get everything you need!

         

Final Verdict: Should You Choose Babylist?

For me, Babylist was 100% worth it. The ability to add anything from anywhere, combined with cash funds, group gifting, and a price comparison tool, made it way more flexible than a traditional registry.

I would absolutely recommend it. If you want an all-in-one registry that’s easy to use, full of perks, and completely customizable, Babylist is a fantastic choice.

This registry made my baby prep so much easier, and I’d totally use it again for baby #2!