If you are creating a baby registry, you may be wondering whether Babylist is actually easy for your guests or if Amazon is the safer choice.
Babylist is appealing because you can add products from almost anywhere. You can compare prices, link multiple stores, add cash funds, and create one big list of everything you want for your baby.
I’ve used both and love some features of each of them. Especially their free baby stuff!
But after reading through several real mom discussions, there is one major pattern:
Babylist is often easier for the parent creating the registry, while Amazon or Target may be easier for the people shopping from it.
Quick Answer: Is Babylist or Amazon Better?
Babylist is probably the better choice if you want to add items from many different stores, compare prices, include cash funds, or link multiple registries together.
Amazon may be easier for guests because many people already have an account, understand the checkout process, and trust Amazon’s shipping and return system.
For many families, the best option is to use Babylist as the main registry and link your private Amazon and Target registries to it. This gives guests one link while still allowing you to use the completion discounts and welcome box benefits from each store.
Is Babylist or Amazon better for a baby registry?
Babylist is best for combining products from multiple stores, while Amazon is usually easiest for guests who already shop online there. Target is especially helpful for family members who prefer shopping in person.
For the most flexible setup, use Babylist as your main shared registry and link your Amazon and Target registries to it.
What Moms Said About Using Babylist
There are a lot of positive experiences with Babylist. Including myself! I honestly loved their registry process.
Here’s a few other moms who raved about Babylist:
“I loved using Babylist! I had no issues whatsoever and my whole registry was bought.”
— Reddit commenter, r/BabyBumps
“I liked Babylist because everything is in one place and also loved the group gift option.”
— Reddit commenter, r/BabyBumps
The real-life reviews were mixed, but several moms mentioned the same complaints.
One Reddit commenter said:
“Baby list is really hard for non tech savvy people to use.”
Another mom explained that even younger friends and relatives struggled with the process:
“Even younger relatives and friends who don’t do a lot of online shopping complained to me about Babylist.”
The biggest issue is that Babylist often sends the gift-giver to another store’s website to complete the purchase. Afterward, the buyer may need to return to Babylist and manually mark the item as purchased.
One mom explained:
“The purchaser has to go back to the registry and mark it as purchased and who knows how many people will actually do that.”
That can create two problems:
- Someone may accidentally buy an item that another guest already purchased.
- You may not know who bought the gift or where it came from.
That is worth keeping in mind if you have guests who are not comfortable shopping online.
Do Babylist Gifts Ship to You or the Gift-Giver?
It can work either way.
When someone buys a product from your Babylist registry, they may be able to:
- Ship the gift directly to you
- Ship it to themselves and bring it to the baby shower
- Buy it in person and bring it to the shower
- Purchase through another retailer and manually mark it as purchased
The exact experience depends on the retailer, the checkout process, and whether your shipping address is correctly displayed.
Amazon is usually more straightforward. Gift-givers can ship directly to you without seeing your full address, or they can ship the item to themselves if they want to wrap it and bring it to the shower.
One mom said:
“They can choose to send the gifts directly to you or ship to themselves and wrap themselves to bring to you.”
If you are using Babylist, I would add a clear note to your registry and shower website:
Please double-check the shipping address before completing your purchase. If you are bringing the gift to the shower, please mark the item as purchased on Babylist afterward.
What Percentage of Gifts Come From the Registry?
Unfortunately, there is not a reliable universal percentage.
The Reddit discussions were all over the place. Some moms received almost everything from their registry. Others received mostly clothes, toys, and random gifts that were not on the list.
I’ve personally had 2 baby showers and for me it was about 50/50 people buying from the registry and buying something on their own. Some also gifted gift cards or cash instead.
One mom said that only one gift was completely off her registry. It was a Bumbo floor seat that another mother recommended because her own child loved it.
Another commenter said that quite a few relatives bought clothing and other items outside the registry.
A mom who used Amazon, Babylist, and Buy Buy Baby reported that:
- More than half of her Amazon registry had been purchased
- Only one item came from Babylist
- Five items were purchased from Buy Buy Baby
- Most gifts were given at showers instead of being shipped directly
So, if you want an exact percentage for your own shower, the answer depends heavily on your guests.
Factors that may affect how many people use your registry
- Whether your guests shop online regularly
- Whether older relatives prefer shopping in person
- Whether the registry link is easy to find
- How familiar people are with Amazon or Target
- Whether your invitation clearly explains how to shop
- Whether your registry includes practical, affordable items
- Whether guests already have strong opinions about baby products
- Whether the shower is casual or traditional
Clothing is also one of the most common categories people buy off-registry. Some guests love choosing cute outfits, even when the parents specifically requested sleepers, diapers, and practical newborn basics.
Why Some Moms Preferred Amazon
Amazon was repeatedly described as the easiest option for gift-givers.
One mom wrote:
“Amazon is really easy for you and gift givers.”
Other moms liked that Amazon offers:
- Familiar checkout
- Prime shipping
- A large product selection
- Automatic gift tracking
- Group gifting for larger items
- A completion discount
- A long return window for registry gifts
… and as someone who’s used Amazon for a baby registry several times, I have to agree that it’s super easy to set up and use.
Amazon currently advertises a 15% completion discount on eligible Baby Registry items. The discount is available during the time period listed in Amazon’s current terms, and gifts purchased from the registry may be eligible for free returns within 365 days. Check the current rules before relying on the discount because eligibility requirements can change. Amazon Baby Registry benefits
Amazon also allows you to add products from other websites using its universal registry tools. That means you can still include some specialty items without making guests navigate a completely unfamiliar registry system.
The biggest downside is that Amazon has a huge number of third-party sellers. You need to check who is selling and shipping each product before adding it to your registry.
Which baby registry is best for you?
- Babylist: Best for flexibility, price comparison, cash funds, group gifts, and products from multiple stores.
- Amazon: Best for familiar online shopping, Prime shipping, a large selection, and easy ordering.
- Target: Best for in-store shopping, convenient returns, and guests who want to see products in person.
There is no rule saying you can only create one registry. Many parents use all three for different reasons.
Why Some Moms Preferred Target
Target was popular with families who wanted a physical store option.
One mom said:
“Amazon for those who wanted to take advantage of prime, and Target for in person shopping.”
Target can be useful for guests who want to see products in person, buy a gift close to the shower date, or pick up something quickly.
Target currently lists benefits including:
- A baby registry welcome kit
- A 15% completion discount
- A one-year return window for registry items
- Online and in-store shopping
Target’s current welcome kit requirements include creating a registry, adding at least 10 unique items, and having more than $10 purchased from the registry. Shipping and handling may apply. Target Baby Registry benefits
Babylist vs. Amazon vs. Target
| Feature | Babylist | Amazon | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add products from multiple stores | Excellent | Good | Limited |
| Easy for frequent online shoppers | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| In-store shopping | Limited | No | Excellent |
| Price comparison | Excellent | Limited | Limited |
| Automatic gift tracking | Can vary by retailer | Excellent | Good |
| Completion discount | 15% on eligible Babylist Shop items | 15% on eligible items | 15% on eligible items |
| Best for | One universal list | Easy online shopping | Online and in-store guests |
My Recommended Registry Strategy
Personally, I would not make you choose only one. So you can get your perks and free baby boxes at the very least!
I would create:
- Babylist as your main registry
- Amazon for everyday essentials and specialty products
- Target for in-store shoppers and easy returns
You can link your Amazon and Target registries to Babylist so that guests only need one main link.
Use Babylist for:
- Products from small boutiques
- Etsy items
- Specialty baby gear
- Cash funds
- Group gifts
- Experiences like meal delivery or house cleaning
- Anything that is significantly cheaper at another store
Use Amazon for:
- Diapers and wipes
- Bottles and feeding supplies
- Nursery basics
- Baby bath products
- Hard-to-find products
- Items you want to purchase later with the completion discount
Use Target for:
- Clothing
- Baby wash and lotions
- Blankets and towels
- Diapers and wipes
- Items guests may want to see in person
- Gifts that need to be purchased quickly
You can also create private registries at multiple stores to take advantage of welcome boxes and completion discounts, even if you only share one main registry with your guests.
I explain how to claim several of these welcome gifts in my guide to baby registry freebies worth signing up for.
Use Babylist as your main registry, then add Amazon and Target
Using multiple registries can give you more product choices, different completion discounts, flexible return options, and an easier shopping experience for your guests.
- Use Babylist for specialty items, products from smaller retailers, cash funds, group gifts, and one shareable registry link.
- Use Amazon for diapers, wipes, nursery basics, feeding supplies, and items you may want to purchase later.
- Use Target for clothing, bath items, everyday essentials, and gifts guests may want to shop for in person.
This gives guests choices without forcing you to give up the perks offered by each registry.
Final Thoughts
Babylist is not necessarily a bad registry. In fact, it may be the most convenient registry for the parent creating the list.
The problem is that it may require more effort from guests, especially if they are redirected to another website or forget to mark the gift as purchased.
Amazon seems to be the easiest option for online shoppers. Target is a smart addition for guests who prefer shopping in person. Babylist is the most flexible option if you want to combine items from several different retailers.
If you want the best balance, create all three but use Babylist as your main shared link.
That way, guests can shop in the way that feels easiest to them, while you still get access to more products, discounts, return policies, and registry freebies.
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