Stress Management The 10 Best Bathtub Trays of 2021 Take your relaxation to the next level with a useful bath accessory By Mary K. Tatum, MS, LMHC Mary K. Tatum, MS, LMHC Mary K. Tatum is a licensed mental health counselor and psychotherapist and has worked in the field of psychology for over 15 years, with seven years in the private practice setting. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 17, 2021 Learn more." data-inline-tooltip="true"> Fact checked Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall Marley Hall is a writer and fact checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Taking a bath is an enjoyable and relaxing way to unwind after a long day. In fact, research shows that there are more mental and physical health benefits to taking a bath versus taking a shower. Baths are a great way to indulge in self-care because they trigger multiple senses—including sight, smell, sound, and touch. Whether you add candles or meditative sounds, soaking in the tub can help you escape your daily chaos and focus on mindfulness. Warm baths also soothe sore muscles and bath salts or essential oils can be used for further relaxation. Some people choose to add a bath tray to their space because it provides an area for reading, enjoying a drink, burning a candle, or holding other bath accessories. They also serve as a good gift for anyone wishing to add dimension to their at-home bath time. Here are the best bathtub trays on the market. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Rebrilliant Bamboo Bathtub Tray at Wayfair Jump to Review Best Budget: Mind Reader Bamboo Bathtub Tray at Amazon Jump to Review Best Adjustable: Uncommon Goods Swivel Bath Tray at Walmart Jump to Review Best for iPad: Brookstone Deluxe Bathtub Caddy at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Reading: Bay Isle Home Freestanding Bamboo Bath Caddy at Wayfair Jump to Review Best Stainless Steel: iPEGTOP Stainless Steel Bathtub Caddy at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Shower Tub: Umbra Aquala Bathtub Caddy at Amazon Jump to Review Best Tray and Pillow Set: Monsuri Bath Pillow and Bathtub Tray at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Couples: TSAYISI Bamboo Bathtub Tray at Amazon.sg Jump to Review Best Splurge: AHC Custom Creations Acrylic Bathtub Caddy at Etsy Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Mind Best Overall Rebrilliant Shela Freestanding Bamboo Bathtub Tray Wayfair View On Wayfair Pros Stylish design Adjustable Multiple compartments Cons Must dry after each use Requires self-assembly Can be hard to store With adjustable sides to fit most tubs, this caddy has multiple compartments to organize all your bath essentials—featuring a drink holder, a phone slot for tub entertainment, a place for soap, and more. Made with durable bamboo, the tray is eco-friendly and resists mold. The light wood composition and sleek design are crafted to fit well with any bathroom decor. Best Budget Mind Reader Bamboo Bathtub Tray Amazon View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Walmart Pros Affordable Stylish Small and easily stored Cons Small surface area No individual compartments Must dry after each use The Mind Reader bath caddy is budget-friendly and practical, providing a slated tray for your most-used bathroom essentials. It features a basic but stylish design, and since it's crafted with bamboo, it resists wear, mildew, and fungi buildup. Plus, the tray comes fully assembled, so you won't have to work hard to put it together before you enjoy a relaxing bath. Best Adjustable Uncommon Goods Swivel Bath Tray Uncommon Goods View On Walmart View On Uncommon Goods Pros Perfect for small bathrooms Unique swivel design Fits in any tub Cons Small surface area No compartments Expensive for small size This swivel bath tray has a unique, compact design that suctions to the side of the tub. While it's smaller than some trays, the 19-inch surface can still hold a couple of things at a time, and it can swing back and forth for easy access to your essentials. It's also ideal for people with small bathrooms and limited storage. Aromatherapy Scents for Stress Relief Best for iPad Brookstone Deluxe Bathtub Caddy Amazon View On Amazon Pros Modern silver design Best for Ipad use Affordable Cons Iron more prone to rust Low splash protection Must dry after each use Crafted with rust-resistant iron, this silver bathtub caddy includes adjustable compartments for electronics, a book, and a wine glass. The metal sides can be placed on the side of the tub, and the plastic coating prevents it from slipping into the water. The 9 Best Essential Oil Brands for Instant Calm Best for Reading Bay Isle Home Rosina Freestanding Bamboo Bath Caddy Wayfair View On Wayfair Pros Best book/laptop support Adjustable Built in drink holder Cons Fairly heavy More expensive Must dry after each use Perfect for anyone who likes to read in a bathtub, this tray has an extra-large back for books, magazines, or electronics like tablets. The freestanding sides are adjustable to fit bathtubs of multiple sizes, and it comes with compartments for a wine glass and a candle. The 9 Best Teas for Relaxing of 2023, According to a Dietitian Best Stainless Steel iPEGTOP Stainless Steel Bathtub Caddy Amazon View On Amazon Pros Custom compartment Rubber sides grip tub Less likely to rust Cons Less splash protection Can be bulky when stored Holds only small candles If you're looking for a customizable option, this caddy is equipped with adjustable and removable compartments to help you personalize your space. It's made with stainless steel to help resist rust, and the side grips are coated in white rubber—protecting your tub and the chance of sliding while in use. Best for Shower Tub Umbra Aquala Bamboo Bathtub Caddy with Wine Glass Holder Amazon View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On 2modern.com Pros Stylish design Raised handles for good fit Drink and candle holders Cons Not adjustable, fixed size Small surface area Expensive Made with a combination of bamboo and metal, the raised handles on the West Elm Aquala Bathtub Tray are designed to fit over the wide sides of a shower-style bathtub. While thin and compact, it still has enough room to hold a book, a drink, and other bath accessories like soap and a loofa. Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin Reveals Her 10 Favorite Stress Relief Products Best Tray and Pillow Set Monsuri Bath Pillow and Bathtub Tray Amazon View On Amazon View On Monsuri.com Pros Provides optimal comfort Fantastic gift set High-quality Cons Expensive Must hang-dry pillow Pillow made for one-person This option from Monsuri will make a regular soak in the tub feel like a spa retreat thanks to the addition of a bath pillow. Great for gifting, this adjustable, natural bamboo tray comes with multiple compartments for bath essentials. The quilted pillow also lends itself to a soothing bathtime experience. Best for Couples TSAYISI Bamboo Bathtub Tray Courtesy: Amazon View On Amazon.sg Pros Multiple holders Varnished to prevent mold Adjustable sides Cons Takes up storage space Must dry after each use Extra compartments for multiple drinks and adjustable sides make this the perfect tray for a two-person bath party. Made with sleek bamboo, the tray is durable and designed to withstand mildew and rust. The extra compartments are also ideal for organizing bath and body care items. How to Relieve Stress With Bathtub Meditation Best Splurge AHC Custom Creations Wine Cut-Out Acrylic Bathtub Caddy Courtesy of Etsy View On Etsy Pros Chic, modern design Fits with any decor Will not mold or rust Cons Expensive No compartments Can be slippery when wet If you're looking for a trendy bathroom addition, look no further than this unique, modern bath tray. It's made with sleek acrylic and it's designed to fit well with any bath decor. The polished edges add to the sophisticated style, and the tray features a cut-out section for a wine glass. Final Verdict The Rebrilliant Wood Bamboo Bathtub Tray (view on Wayfair) is moderately priced, adjustable, and made to organize everything you need to enjoy some good self-care time. It's also crafted with bamboo, making it resistant to wear and molding. But if you're unsure if a bathtub tray is right for you, you can try it out risk-free by opting for the Mind Reader Bamboo Bathtub Tray (view at Amazon) which is budget-friendly, compact, and able to hold essentials like a glass, body wash, a book, and more. What to Look for in a Bathtub Tray Quality A bath tray is around a lot of water and steam when in use, so it’s important to assess the quality of materials used so it doesn’t mold, rust, or begin to smell over time. Look for stainless steel, acrylic, or vanished bamboo to prevent rust or mold. Dry the tray before storing it to keep it in good condition. Design If you only need a place to hold a drink and a book, a smaller bath tray will be perfect for you. If you like to keep around other pampering accessories, a tray with a lot of compartments and a larger surface is a good option. If style is a factor, try to find a tray with a basic and versatile design. Bamboo generally has a natural, spa feel while acrylic and metal work best with a modern bathroom. Price If baths are a regular part of your self-care routine, then it’s wise to invest in one that perfectly suits your needs and style. It's also better to make an investment in a product with high-quality materials so it stays in good shape over time. If you're unsure how often you're going to use your tray or what you'll need to keep on its surface, spend money on one with custom options, like removable compartments. Frequently Asked Questions How to make a bathtub tray at home Whether you're on a budget or you're testing your creative abilities, you might choose to make a homemade bathtub tray instead of purchasing a pre-made one. To make a basic bathtub tray, you'll need wood, a drill, a sanding tool, and some screws. Since the tray will be used around water you'll need to find water-friendly wood such as bamboo, white oak, cedar, or teak.Start by determining what you want to put on your tray and make sure it's wide enough to hold your essentials. Next, measure the width of your tub (from left to right as if you are sitting in it). Mark the length of the wood to extend slightly further than this measurement, and cut it with either a handsaw, a table saw, or a circular saw. Sand the edges to eliminate any roughness.After, flip the slab of wood so that the bottom faces upward and measure the width of the wood (from top to bottom). Cut two additional pieces of wood with a diameter of approximately 2x2 inches or 1x2 inches to the width of your tray. These will serve as bumpers to keep it from sliding off the side of the tub.Ensure these bumpers extend outside the width of your bathtub, and secure them on the large slab of wood with two screws each. Finish by sanding any rough patches. How long should a bathtub tray be? The length of a bathtub tray is very important—if it cannot extend from the right side of the tub to the left, it will fall into the water below. However, many trays are extendable, which allows them to fit multiple widths of bathtubs.Most of the trays we found extend from approximately 26.5 inches to 42 inches. But if your bathtub dimensions measure outside of the average, trays can be as short as 24 inches and as long as 43.3 inches. How wide should a bathtub tray be In terms of size, the width of a bathtub tray isn't as essential as the length, because as long as the tray can extend from the right side of the tub to the left, it will likely serve its purpose. However, you should pay attention to the width if you plan on using the tray to hold more than a couple of items.The trays above range in width from 5.8 inches to 10 inches. Make sure you know what you want to place on your tray while using it and choose an option that can fit all of your items at the same time. What can you put on a bathtub tray? Size and special features come into play when figuring out what you can put on your bathtub tray. Start by looking at the length and the width of the tray to understand how much surface area you have to work with.While some bathtub trays are unilaterally dimensional, some feature multiple levels. Others feature unique characteristics like grooves to keep your soap from slipping, cutouts for glasses, or metal bars to hold tablets or books, among other things. These additions may not be necessary, but they may be helpful depending on your needs. How long do bathtub trays last? The longevity of a bathtub tray relies heavily on how the tray is manufactured and what materials make up the hardware and body. If it's crafted with water-resistant materials like varnished bamboo, acrylic, or stainless steel, it won't wear as quickly when exposed to moisture.You can prolong the life of your bathtub tray by coating it with an outdoor stain or polyurethane to add more water resistance. It's also advisable to dry it off after use to avoid any mold or mildew on the wood, or any rusting on exposed metal hardware. Why Trust Verywell Mind? As a Licensed mental health counselor, Mary K. Tatum has spent over 15 years working with children, teenagers, and adults who struggle with effective stress management. Baths can be a very effective part of a good self-care routine physically, mentally, and emotionally. While we adjust to life changes, it’s important to equip ourselves with as many helpful stress-relief tools and options as possible. 1 Source Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Goto Y, Hayasaka S, Kurihara S, Nakamura Y. Physical and Mental Effects of Bathing: A Randomized Intervention Study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018;2018:9521086. Doi:10.1155/2018/9521086 See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit