A sleek bath tray that sits across your tub can provide easy access to everything you may want for an evening soak.
After researching dozens of trays and spending more than 17 hours taking baths with our 13 finalists, we found four trays that should make your evening bubble bath feel like a day at the spa.
How we picked
Nobody wants to struggle to move a bath caddy around while they’re submerged in the tub.
Keeping common bathtub widths in mind (28 to 32 inches), we avoided both massive, cumbersome trays and those that were too small to be functional.
We focused mostly on functional trays between $18 and $50, but we also looked at a few pricier options that were more about aesthetic and craft.
A well-designed bath tray should be easy to use and aesthetically pleasing enough that you don’t mind leaving it out.
A bamboo tray for a book and a drink: Umbra Aquala Bathtub Caddy
Umbra Aquala Bathtub Caddy
For the readers
This sleek bamboo bath tray has a nice wooden body and adjustable metal legs, so it’s easy to place on a tub. And it can firmly hold a paperback book.
Ideal for: Average to large tubs (28 inches or wider). This versatile, extendable bamboo bath tray is perfect for those who want a multifunctional accessory that can comfortably hold a paperback book. For context, the tub shown in our photos measures 29½ inches wide overall, with an inner basin width of 25 inches.
Why it’s great: The Umbra Aquala Bathtub Caddy stands out for its thoughtful design and high-quality construction. It features multiple compartments, including a holder for a stemmed glass, a divot for a drinking glass, a slot for your smartphone, and cutouts in the back for hanging items like a razor or loofah. There’s also a convenient stand for your book or tablet. Notably, this caddy is much more affordably priced than bulkier trays we considered, and its slim metal side arms and book stand make it lighter than those made entirely of wood. This combination of functionality and value makes it an excellent choice for your bath time needs.
The Aquala Bath Caddy can hold a stemmed wine glass in a special cutout. You can also hang things like razors and loofahs from the notches along the edge.
Many bath trays we reviewed feature a stand for leaning a book or tablet, but Umbra’s caddy takes it a step further with parallel notches in the wood. These notches make it easy to securely wedge a small book in place, keeping it open for your reading pleasure. We found that the tray effortlessly held an 8-inch-tall, 300-page paperback. However, when we attempted to use a paperback closer to 400 pages, it was less secure. Even if your book is too large to fit inside, this stand remains excellent for leaning any book against, enhancing your bath experience.
The Aquala Bathtub Caddy is extendable, measuring 27 inches with the arms closed and stretching up to 37 inches when fully extended. During our testing, we used a tub that measured 28 inches wide overall, with a 22-inch basin, and found that the tray fit perfectly without any need for extension—it snugly placed itself before hitting the shower wall. While we recommend measuring your tub for the best fit, this Umbra tray is designed to accommodate most average bathtubs. The arms are easy to push in and out, staying securely wedged in place unless you squeeze them to remove them. This thoughtful design ensures stability and convenience during your relaxing bath time.
The Aquala’s arms easily extend up to 37 inches, but they won’t fall off unless you intentionally pinch them in to remove them for storage.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
One of our editors reported that their tub has a very narrow rim where it meets the wall, which caused the Aquala to slide off and drop into the water. While this tray features thin silicone grips underneath the metal arms to help keep it secure, you might encounter a similar issue if your tub has an especially narrow rim. During my own testing, I didn’t experience any slippage, but we’ll monitor this potential concern during long-term testing to ensure it remains a reliable option for everyone.
| Material: | Bamboo, metal |
| Dimensions: | 27 by 9¾ by 1 inches (length by width by height, arms closed) 37 by 9¾ by 6¾ inches (length by width by height, arms and book rest expanded) |
| Warranty: | Five-year limited warranty |
Long-term testing
Our long-term testers have discovered that the thin metal arms of the Aquala bath tray are great for bathtubs with narrow ledges. However, these same arms can pose some challenges when it comes to storage. One tester removed the arms to make the tray easier to store, but in her limited space, she found it more difficult to find a place for the metal prongs than for the tray itself. While the design is functional for use, it may require some thoughtful organization to keep everything tidy when not in use.
One of our other testers found that their small paperbacks weren’t a good fit for the stand, but a smartphone propped up on it worked well.
A sleek, strong plastic tray: Yamazaki Expandable Bathtub Caddy
Yamazaki Expandable Bathtub Caddy
For every type of bath time
This sturdy plastic tray comes with removable compartments for razors and toothbrushes. It’s easily adaptable for daily use or a relaxing bath—or even for holding bath toys.
Ideal for: Average to smaller tubs (30 inches wide overall or smaller). This versatile bath tray is perfect for anyone looking for a multipurpose accessory that can serve the needs of an entire household and remain securely in place for daily use. For context, the tub featured in our photographs measures 29½ inches wide overall, with an inner basin width of 25 inches.
Why it’s great: The Yamazaki Expandable Bathtub Caddy features a lightweight yet sturdy construction, making it both durable and easy to handle. It includes two small compartments that can be added to either side of the tray, providing perfect storage for small items like a razor or toothbrush. This design makes it an excellent choice for households that want a bath tray suitable for both everyday storage and indulgent bubble baths. Available in classic white or black plastic, it effortlessly complements any bathroom decor.
This tray lacks a dedicated book stand, so while you can’t prop up a book, it still serves as a safe spot to set one down. Although it doesn’t feature a specific drink holder, we found this to be a non-issue; it’s often easier to place your drink wherever is most convenient rather than aiming for a designated spot. The Yamazaki is the smallest extendable tray we tested, measuring around 22 inches at its smallest and expanding to nearly 30 inches. It fits well in average-sized and smaller tubs (under 30 inches wide overall), but it may be too compact for larger tubs (wider than 30 inches). As always, we recommend measuring your tub beforehand for the best fit.
A view of the underside of the Yamazaki tray with the optional deep compartments attached; they can hold items like razors or toothbrushes.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Adjusting the Yamazaki tray requires a bit more effort compared to the Umbra. While it’s not difficult, we recommend setting the size before you get into the bath for a smoother experience. Even if you accidentally pull the entire tray apart, it’s simple to reassemble, ensuring you can quickly get back to your relaxing bath time.
| Material: | ABS resin (in black or white) |
| Dimensions: | 22¾ by 6.1 by 1.8 inches (length by width by height, closed) 29½ by 6.1 by 1.8 inches (length by width by height, expanded; 4 inches in height with optional storage additions) |
| Warranty: | No official warranty (though Yamazaki offers replacements for defective or damaged products) |
Long-term testing
This bath tray tends to show and retain more dust compared to our other picks. Our tester stored it alongside a couple of other trays, leaning against the bathroom wall just a few feet from a litter box, and it collected a significant amount of litter and general dust. However, we discovered that it was easy to wipe clean, even after weeks of accumulating dust, making maintenance a breeze.
A simple, non-adjustable tray: Mind Reader Bamboo Bathtub Caddy Tray
Mind Reader Bamboo Bathtub Caddy Tray
A simple, fixed wooden tray
This bath tray looks lovely and is easy to use, and it’s one of the most affordable models we tested. It isn’t adjustable, though.
Ideal for: Average to smaller tubs (30 inches wide overall or smaller). This bath tray is perfect for anyone seeking a simple, non-adjustable wooden option. For context, the tub featured in our photographs measures 29½ inches wide overall, with an inner basin width of 25 inches.
Why it’s great: The Mind Reader Bamboo Bathtub Caddy Tray is the most affordable option we tested, and we were pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable it was to use. Its lightweight, slotted bamboo design is not only easy to handle but also aesthetically pleasing. This tray sits slightly higher than our other picks, which made it more comfortable for me to use while reading a book (for reference, I am 5-foot-5). You can easily place a book, phone, or tablet in the tray, but due to the slotted bottom, it may not protect your items as effectively as the Umbra or Yamazaki models would. Overall, it’s a great value for those seeking a stylish and functional bath accessory.
The bamboo slats give this tray a classic look and add a touch of warmth to any bathroom you place it in. We think it looks good enough to leave out or to use as a counter tray.
This tray isn’t adjustable, but it boasts a nice size—27½ inches long—that should fit in most average to smaller baths (between 28 and 30 inches). In my 28-inch bathtub, which has a basin measuring just over 22 inches, the tray’s side sat snugly against the shower wall, fitting just right. It’s important to measure your tub beforehand to ensure this tray will fit, and be sure to consider both the overall size and the dimensions of the tub’s basin (read more in “Why You Should Measure Your Tub”).
The Mind Reader tray’s slotted design is aesthetically pleasing, allowing you to leave it in your bath as a stylish storage shelf when not in use. However, if you also use your bath as a shower and the tray will frequently get wet, we don’t recommend leaving it in the tub for extended periods. For more details on this, refer to our long-term testing notes. This consideration helps ensure the longevity of the tray while maintaining its visual appeal.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
You get what you pay for in this case. The Mind Reader tray is not as well made as our other picks; it was the only bath tray we tested that wobbled a bit, although not so much that we thought our items were at risk of falling. The bamboo didn’t have a well-polished finish, and we noticed some minor splintering.
| Material: | Bamboo |
| Dimensions: | 27½ by 5¾ by 1¾ inches (length by width by height) |
| Warranty: | 60-day limited warranty |
Long-term testing
One of our testers kept this tray in her bathtub for about six months straight, including during showers. Close to the six-month mark, the bamboo ended up with small patches of mold around the slot edges. However, our second tester stored the Mind Reader tray outside the bath when it wasn’t in use, and she said her tray “is still in perfect condition.” So it may be good to store this pick outside the bath, or make sure to dry it out and clean it more regularly.
An adjustable metal caddy: West Elm Eldred Bath Caddy
West Elm Eldred Bath Caddy
An eye-catching, adjustable metal tray
This sleek steel caddy comes in several metal finishes. It also has adjustable knobs that lock the arms in place so that you don’t have to resize it every time you use it
Best for: Average to smaller tubs (30 inches wide overall or smaller). Great for anyone looking for a caddy that they can match to their bathroom’s metallic finishes or a metal tray with good drainage.
Why it’s great: The West Elm Eldred Bath Caddy is made of steel and comes in five metallic finishes, so it can match any bathroom. The spacing between the metal rungs provides excellent drainage, but it’s still easy to place bath items on this tray compared with cheaper metallic models we tested, where items would lose balance and tip over.
The Eldred has three sections: two smaller sides, and one larger middle. The sides are slim, measuring just over 3 inches, but we found that they could still fit a smaller tea mug. The tray is also easy to adjust and lock in place. Each side has little knobs you can turn to loosen and adjust the arms and then retighten to lock the arms in place. This design is a nice improvement over cheaper models that have legs that don’t lock, because you don’t have to readjust the tray every time you move it.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The metal rung design of West Elm’s Eldred means there’s less water protection, and depending on what you place on the surface, your items may be a little less stable, so we don’t recommend using a book or tablet with this style of bath tray unless you’re okay with it getting wet. Also, at a regular price of $85, this tray is not cheap, but we often see it on sale.
| Material: | Steel (antique brass, brushed nickel, chrome, dark bronze, polished nickel finishes) |
| Dimensions: | 24.4 by 7.8 by 3.3 inches (length by width by height) 31.5 by 7.8 by 3.3 inches (length by width by height, arms fully expanded) |
| Warranty: | No warranty; 30-day return policy |
Other good bath trays
If you have a large or wide tub: Royal Craft Wood’s Bamboo Bathtub Caddy Tray is one of the larger trays we tested. Although we concluded that it was unwieldy and too big for small to standard-size tubs, we think it’s a good choice for tubs that are 32 inches wide or more. It’s a well-crafted tray with removable compartments, a separate soap dish, a book/tablet stand, a wine-glass holder, and a phone slot. The wood also has a nice finish. It measures 29½ inches long when closed and reaches 43 inches when fully expanded.
Our Royal Craft long-term tester has enjoyed the look and the amount of space on the tray, but he noted the large size made it hard to store. He found it needed to be stored flat to keep the soap dish from falling out. This meant it fit only in a linen closet in his home, and this also made him less likely to use it.
Other accessories we like to use during bath time
A few key accessories can transform a regular bath into a spa day experience. We already have recommendations for excellent scented candles, spa-like towels, cozy robes, luxurious bath mats, sheet masks, bath bombs, and waterproof Bluetooth speakers. Here are a few additional favorite items that enhance our bathrooms and create a feel of a quick getaway, elevating your relaxation time to new heights.
Dr. Teal’s Balance & Calm Foaming Bath with Pure Epsom Salt
For relaxing bubble baths
Several staff members love these relaxing, scented bath salts (which also add sudsy bubbles to your soak).
Several people on our staff mentioned their love for Dr. Teal’s two-in-one foaming bath salts, which come in various scents. Senior staff writer Kimber Streams loves the matcha-green-tea-scented Balance & Calm Foaming Bath: “I bought a few different smells, but this one really nails feeling great and smelling gently like a spa.” Senior staff writer Tim Heffernan reports that his wife, Lindsay, strongly endorses the melatonin- and essential-oil-infused Sleep Bath version. “I swear by that stuff,” Lindsay says. “You just feel better, it smells so good, and you smell so good after. It’s magical, I just want to drink it!” A few other Dr. Teal’s scents our colleagues love: Ginger & Clay, Coconut, and Relax & Relief. It’s safe to say we have more than a few Dr. Teal’s fans on staff. Staff pick Tabino Yado
Tabino Yado Hot Springs Bath Salts
Colorful bath salts
Inspired by Japanese hot springs, these bath salts come individually wrapped in a variety of scents for a fun twist on a traditional bath.
Juniper Ridge Redwood Mist
Make your bath feel like a forest
When you add a few drops of this subtly sweet and woodsy essential oil to your bath, you’ll think you’re nestled in a grove of redwoods.
If you prefer more-traditional salts with no bubbles, Walletray’s Erin Price said that Tabino Yado Hot Springs Bath Salts and Yumeguri Japanese Hot Spring Bath Powders practically got her through last winter. Editor Katie Okamoto recommended this traditional Japanese onsen-inspired Nyuto Onsen Bath Soak from Bathclin. We also have a guide to bath bombs if you need more inspiration. Supervising editor Daniela Gorny likes to add a few drops of Juniper Ridge’s Redwood Mist essential oil to really make it feel like she’s forest bathing. Juniper Ridge also offers its dreamy, woodsy scent in a body wash, if you prefer to lather up instead.
Our staffers mentioned a few other items that make staying in the bath more comfortable. Senior editor Marguerite Preston recommends getting a full-body bath pillow for your soak. “I bought this bath pillow on a whim early in the pandemic, and while I cannot claim it is perfect or the best of its kind, it absolutely changed my bath experience,” Marguerite said. Supervising editor Marilyn Ong also recommends getting a cover for your overflow drain “to keep water from prematurely draining through that little escape hole.” It also allows you to overfill your tub so you can get more coverage if your overflow drain happens to sit a bit low. A tub stopper that sits over your regular drain can also come in handy if your tub’s stopper leaks (or if your tub doesn’t have a stopper at all).
Senior staff writer Lesley Stockton takes advantage of a long soak and uses these exfoliating towels to slough off dead skin: “Not exactly relaxing, but a hot bath is the perfect time for a thorough exfoliation.” Lesley finishes her soak with Bioderma’s Atoderm Cleansing Oil as the perfect antidote for wintertime dry skin.
Why you should measure your tub
Adjustable bath trays sound convenient—you don’t need to know your bathtub size to order a tray. But you should measure your tub regardless.
For this guide we focused on the most commonly installed bathtubs: three-wall alcove baths (meaning the bath is surrounded by walls on three sides and has one exposed side where you enter). Home Depot lists 60-by-32-inch bathtubs as the most commonly bought and installed size of tub. (The 32 inches refers to the overall width of the tub, from wall to outer ledge.) Michelle Sammartino, who works in merchandising for the parent company of Grohe and American Standard (which both make bath fixtures) agreed with that number when we talked to her. A quick informal survey of our own staff revealed that our tubs were usually somewhere between 28 and 30 inches wide, so a bit smaller than the supposed standard width. The overall width and the internal basin width are the two important dimensions to pay attention to (see the illustration below).
A tub’s basin width and overall width are the two important dimensions to keep in mind when you’re shopping around for bath trays.
Basins typically vary in width between 22 and 25 inches, which can influence the width of the ledges on either side and determine which trays will fit inside your tub. We primarily tested trays with a smaller-than-average tub measuring 28 inches wide from wall to outer edge, featuring a 22-inch basin. The ledge on either side of this tub, where the trays rest, is about 3 inches wide. (You can see a photo of the tub we tested below. The remaining photographs for this guide were taken with a different tub, with its dimensions noted in the discussion of each pick.) It’s important to note that many tubs have very little to no ledge on the wall side, which may mean that a bath tray won’t work for you, regardless of your tub’s width. While measuring, be sure to check for any additional features in your tub that could obstruct placement. For instance, my own tub, shown below, has a grab bar molded into the inner wall, limiting where I can place bath trays to either side of that handle.
While adjustable trays offer convenience and are easy to store, they can sometimes be a bit frustrating to adjust. If you find a fixed tray that fits your bath, it will generally be the most stable option. However, if you prefer an adjustable tray—and all our adjustable picks are user-friendly—be sure to check that the closed dimensions do not exceed your tub’s edge-to-edge size. This ensures a snug fit, allowing you to enjoy your bath with peace of mind.
How we picked and tested
The writer’s 28-inch-wide bathtub (with a 22-inch basin) with three of our favorite bathtub trays. From left to right: Mind Reader Bamboo Tray, Yamazaki caddy, Umbra Aquala caddy.
Bath trays are something of a luxury product, as they assume you have both a bathtub and the time to lounge in one. We found bath tray prices ranging anywhere from $20 to $220.
We believe that a bath tray doesn’t have to be expensive to be both attractive and functional. Our primary focus was on finding trays that not only looked good but also performed as advertised. In our first round of testing, we concentrated on trays priced between $18 and $50. For the second round, we included a few higher-priced models that could make excellent gifts. I took multiple baths with every tray on our list to thoroughly test them. Each tray was evaluated with a book, an iPad in a standing case, a wine glass, a mug, and a drinking glass—each filled with water to prevent any mishaps. We assessed our top picks based on the following criteria:
- a design that’s easy to place in and out of the bath
- a stable build that doesn’t wobble or allow items to easily topple off
- a size that fits most commonly installed tubs (28 to 32 inches wide overall)
- a design that can handle a few items we thought most people would place on a tray: books, drinks, phones, or tablets
After identifying dozens of popular models, we tested 13 bath trays for this guide: Anthropologie’s Angie Bathtub Caddy and Maison Storage Bath Caddy, Bambüsi’s Bamboo Bathtub Caddy Tray, Bed Bath & Beyond’s Haven Teakwood Bathtub Caddy, CB2’s White Marble Bath Caddy, Madesmart’s Expandable Bath Shelf, Mind Reader’s Bamboo Bathtub Caddy Tray, Royal Craft Wood’s Bamboo Bathtub Caddy Tray, Target’s Threshold Bathtub Caddy, Umbra’s Aquala Bathtub Caddy, Uncommon Goods’s Swivel Bath Tray, West Elm’s Eldred Bath Caddy, and Yamazaki’s Expandable Bathtub Caddy.
The competition
We were eager to test Anthropologie’s Angie Bathtub Caddy as a decorative option, but we were disappointed with the quality. The teak wood quickly developed water stains, and the brass ties detached during our drop tests. Given the high price of the tray, we expected a significantly better build quality. This experience highlighted the importance of durability alongside aesthetics when choosing a bath tray.
The Anthropologie Maison Storage Bath Caddy is difficult to adjust—it comes with a tiny, thin Allen wrench that feels breakable as you use it—and due to the deep angle of its arms, it can’t balance in baths with smaller basins (the basin we tested in was 22 inches wide). This tray also sits very deep, and in our tests we found that it would press into the legs of bathers, becoming uncomfortable to use.
The Bambüsi Bamboo Bathtub Caddy Tray is a sturdy tray with a book/tablet holder and a secure wine-glass slot, but the finish on the wood has a chintzy and cheap feel. And the tray’s massive length—starting at 27½ inches and expanding all the way to 41½ inches—made it difficult to adjust inside our bath. If you like this kind of larger, wooden bath tray, we’d recommend the Royal Craft Wood tray over the Bambüsi.
Bed Bath & Beyond’s Haven Teakwood Bathtub Caddy had rough, unfinished wood that felt thin and poor-quality—our test unit had large cracks. The caddy has a book holder, but it’s only an outline of wood with a large, empty center that smaller books could easily fall through.
The CB2 White Marble Bath Caddy looks beautiful from the top, but along the sides you can see a messy seam where the two planks of marble meet. For the hefty price tag, we expected much better craftsmanship. At nearly 25 pounds, this tray is also much, much heavier than any other model we’ve tested—due to its being made of actual marble—and it’s very difficult to move around and adjust.
The Madesmart Expandable Bath Shelf is one of the cheapest models we tested (second only to the Mind Reader), and although it’s lightweight and very sturdy in a bath, we thought the plastic material felt and looked cheap in comparison with other models. In addition, the larger side handles easily gather dust and grime, which the white plastic readily shows.
Target’s Threshold Bathtub Caddy appears as if it could compete with pricey metallic trays like our metal pick, the West Elm Eldred, but although it looked pretty, the spacing between the metal rungs was too wide, making it hard for us to place items on it without their tipping over. This tray was also very deep and pressed against our legs.
The suction attachment of the Uncommon Goods Swivel Bath Tray caught our eye as an interesting solution for alcove baths that don’t have an inner ledge for a tray to sit on. But it wobbled in our testing, and it did not sit level after we placed it on the side of the tub. Plus, although it’s an oval tray, the corners of each wooden slat are sharp, making it a minor hazard to brush up against.
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