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The Spruce / Lecia Landis
If soaking in the tub is your idea of self-care, a bathtub tray can really elevate the experience. When browsing options, Decorist designer Linzie Merchant says to consider what you'll use it for. "It might be nice to have a tray with a stand for books, iPads, etc.," she says. "If it's used for wine and snacks, you'd want something to accommodate a safe spot for a wine glass."
With that in mind, we researched and evaluated options on style, size, and functionality. Our top pick is the Royal Craft Wood Luxury Bathtub Caddy, an expandable bamboo tray with designated spaces for your tablet, phone, wine glass, and favorite tasty treat.
Here are the best bathtub trays for every purpose and decor scheme.
Best Overall
Royal Craft Wood Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray
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Amazon
Various stands and cutouts
Expandable
Slip-resistant silicone grips
Could be sanded better
Whether you're reading a paperback, watching a show on your tablet, lighting a scented candle, sipping wine, nibbling chocolate, or all of the above, the Royal Craft Wood Luxury Bathtub Caddy is the perfect soaking companion. It's got a stand for books and tablets, a phone slot, a cutout for a small candle or cup, a stemmed wine glass holder, and plenty of extra surface area for small towels, snacks, and body-care products—you name it. You'll also get a matching soap dish that you can place on the tray or a nearby ledge.
This bathtub tray is about 9 inches deep and 30 inches wide, expanding up to 43 inches to fit most tubs. It's made of 100 percent bamboo, a naturally water-resistant and sustainable material. While some users have noted that it's not sanded down enough in some spots, the bamboo is coated with a protective lacquer, and the silicone grips on the bottom prevent it from slipping. The Luxury Bathtub Caddy comes in seven colors to complement a range of decor styles, including natural bamboo, black, brown, gray, white, pink, and blue.
Best Budget
Cabot & Carlyle Luxury Bath Caddy Tray for Tub
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Amazon
Expandable
Foldable
Slotted base
No tablet/book holder
On a budget? Check out the Luxury Bath Caddy from Cabot & Carlyle. This tub tray is made of water-resistant, quick-drying bamboo and has a slotted base for optimal drainage. It's 6 inches deep and about 30 inches wide, and you can fold it in half when you want to tuck it away and store it in your bathroom. At just a little over 2 pounds, it's conveniently lightweight, too.
This bathtub tray doesn't have all the bells and whistles of higher-end options, like a tablet stand or cup holder. However, there's plenty of surface area to hold whatever you want within reach.
Best Splurge
Pottery Barn Chinira Handcrafted Bathtub Caddy
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Pottery Barn
Handmade by artisans
Durable and stain-resistant
Wine glass and tablet holders
Pricier than alternatives with expandable designs
If you're feeling extra-fancy and can swing the hefty price, the Chinira Bathtub Caddy from Pottery Barn won't disappoint. Handcrafted by South African artisans, this caddy uses synthetic and natural materials to offer a durable and stain-resistant build that's also easy to clean.
This low-profile tub tray has a smooth surface and a versatile white finish that'll work with most bathroom decor schemes. It's got a built-in wine glass holder and a groove in the middle for holding a tablet or book. While it's not expandable, it's wide enough to fit most tubs, and the curved design helps it stay in place.
Best for Reading
Yogibo Traybo H2O
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Amazon
Book/e-reader holder
Various stands and cutouts
Expandable
Bottom isn't grippy
For those who like to read in the bath, we recommend the Yogibo Traybo H2O. This tub tray has a designated stand that can hold a paperback, hardcover, or e-reader, so you can enjoy a page-turner hands-free. Not only that, but there are also various other cutouts and grooves for a phone, cup, candle, or a small bowl of snacks.
The Traybo is made of bamboo and features a natural finish. It's 9 inches deep and 26 inches wide. While this caddy doesn't have any grips on the bottom to prevent slipping, we appreciate that it expands to 40 inches to fit most tubs.
Best with Wine Glass Holder
Umbra Aquala Bamboo Bathtub Caddy with Wine Glass Holder
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Build.com
Various stands and cutouts
Expandable
Five-year warranty
Designed specifically for stemmed glasses
If you like enjoying a glass of wine in the tub, consider the Umbra Aquala Bathtub Caddy. This caddy has a built-in wine glass holder to help prevent spills while keeping your vino within reach. Though the stand's wine glass holder specifically accommodates stemmed glasses, you can set a stemless glass on the soap dish cutout. The Aquala Bathtub Caddy also includes a fold-out stand for a book or tablet and a groove for your phone.
This natural bamboo and metal caddy is available in a medium wood stain or deep walnut. It's 28 inches wide and can expand up to 37 inches to fit most bathtubs. The price is very reasonable, too, especially considering the five-year warranty.
Best Metal
Rebrilliant Castelli Stainless Steel Bath Caddy
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Wayfair
Durable and rust-resistant
Various stands and cutouts
Expandable
Not as aesthetically pleasing as alternatives
The best metal option is the Rebrilliant Castelli Bath Caddy. Its stainless steel construction makes it waterproof, rust-resistant, and exceptionally durable. This bathtub tray is 8 inches deep and 26 inches wide, expanding up to 38 inches, so it fits most bathtubs.
The Castelli includes rubberized grips to help it stay in place and also a book stand, a spot for your phone, two cup holders, and plenty of space for body-care products. Though this tray resembles a dish-drying rack and isn't the most aesthetically pleasing option we found, we appreciate the versatile, utilitarian design.
Best Farmhouse
Peg and Awl Natural Wood Bathtub Caddy
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West Elm
Handcrafted by artisans
FSC-certified wood
Natural wood grains
Expensive
No tablet/book stand
Not expandable
If you're going for a modern farmhouse look in your bathroom, the Peg and Awl Bathtub Caddy might be your best bet. This tray certainly isn't cheap, but the quality is plain to see. Artisans handcraft this caddy from solid wood sustainably sourced from FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) forests.
Available in oak, maple, or walnut, the multi-plank design and natural finish showcase each species' natural grain and knots. There's no book stand, but you'll have plenty of surface area for all of your soaking essentials. And while it's not expandable, you can order a custom size from Amazon or Peg and Owl.
Best Minimalist
The Citizenry Hinoki Wood Bath Caddy
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The Citizenry
Fair Trade production
Knot-free wood grain
Calming aromatherapy
Expensive
No book/tablet holder
Not expandable
For minimalist bathrooms, we recommend the Citizenry's Hinoki Bath Caddy, handcrafted by Japanese artisans in a Fair Trade working environment and made of solid hinoki cypress wood. This material is known for its pale color, knot-free grain, and soft feel.
What's more, when hinoki wood gets wet, it releases a distinct scent that can have a calming effect. The dose of aromatherapy is perfect for relaxing in the tub. While this tub tray isn't expandable and doesn't have a book stand, the pared-down design is beautiful in its simplicity. We only wish it were a bit more affordable.
Best Industrial
Anthropologie Symeon Slate Bath Caddy
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Anthropologie
Durable and water-resistant
Solid slate stone
Bare-bones aesthetic
No slots and holders
Not expandable
Very heavy
If you're drawn to industrial design, you might love the Symeon Bath Caddy from Anthropologie. This caddy is solid slate, a fine-grained stone known for its deep charcoal hue and highly durable, water-resistant composition. Although the exact weight isn't listed, you can expect this tray to be pretty heavy based on the material.
And while it's not expandable, the 30-inch-wide design will fit most standard bathtubs. True to industrial-inspired decor, the bare-bones aesthetic doesn't have designated holders for a cup, book, or phone. However, you'll have plenty of space for anything you want to keep within reach.
Best for Gifting
Lovery Premium Bamboo Bathtub Caddy Gift Set
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Amazon
Various stands and cutouts
Bath bombs included
Designer-recommended
Bottom isn't grippy
Shopping for someone else? Merchant recommends the Lovery Bathtub Caddy Gift Set. Measuring roughly 29 inches wide and expanding up to 42 inches, the tray is made of water-resistant, quick-drying bamboo.
While it doesn't have a grippy base, the Lovery has various cutouts and slots to hold everything from a book and smartphone to a wine glass and candle. Not only that, but it also comes with nine bath bombs in assorted scents, plus three mini bottles of body wash, shampoo, and bubble bath.
Our number-one pick is the Royal Craft Wood Luxury Bathtub Caddy. This expandable bamboo tub tray has various stands, cutouts, and slots to hold all of your soaking essentials, plus silicone grips on the bottom to prevent it from slipping. For folks on a budget, we recommend the Cabot & Carlyle Luxury Bath Caddy, an expandable, foldable tray with a wallet-friendly price tag.
What to Look for in Bathtub Trays
Purpose
"When buying a bathtub tray, people should consider its purpose first," says Merchant. "Will the tray be used for decorative purposes only and moved to the side when the tub is in use? Will it be used for bathtub reading?" In any case, look for a design that has slots, stands, and holders for everything you'd like to place on it.
Style
When browsing bathtub trays, look for a style that complements your bathroom decor. Natural bamboo finishes and plain white caddies will work with most design schemes, but if your space has a specific theme, play to that aesthetic.
For instance, a knotted wood tray might be just the thing for a modern farmhouse bathroom. A metal or stone caddy may be a better choice for industrial-inspired spaces.
Size
Lastly, consider the size. Before ordering a tub tray, carefully measure your bathtub's width to ensure that it'll fit. Some caddies are expandable to ensure that they'll fit most bathtubs, but fixed-width trays might not work for all tubs.
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What is the best material for a bath caddy or bathtub tray?
Merchant is a fan of wood for bathtub trays. "I love the warmth it adds to contrast with the white finish of most bathtubs," she tells The Spruce. "Wood tends to last a long time, and it ages nicely."
Many tub caddies are bamboo, which isn't technically wood but looks just like it. Since the shoots regrow very quickly after harvesting, it's considered a renewable resource. The material is also naturally water-resistant and quick-drying.
You can also find options made of porcelain or stone, which hold up well in wet environments. (That's why you see these materials in bathroom floor tiles.) Stainless steel is another good option, as the metal is highly durable and rust-resistant.
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How wide should a bathtub tray be?
A bathtub tray should be wide enough to place securely on both sides of the tub. Standard bathtubs are about 30 inches wide, though they can be anywhere from 28 inches to nearly 40 inches wide. Expandable trays fit most tubs, but be sure to measure yours and double-check the dimensions before ordering one.
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How do you secure a bathtub tray?
Ideally, a bathtub tray will have silicone or rubberized grips on the bottom to prevent it from slipping. If yours doesn't have a grippy base, the most important thing is that it's plenty wide, so the edges sit securely on the sides of your tub.
You can also cut a piece of wood in the exact width of the basin and attach it to the bottom of the tray. If you plan to keep the tray there permanently, you could use a waterproof adhesive and seal it to your tub. Just remember that you won't be able to slide it around or adjust it once it's attached.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a commerce writer and product reviewer specializing in lifestyle and home decor. She covers home accents and organizational solutions at The Spruce. You can read more of her work on MyDomaine and Travel + Leisure.
For this story, Theresa interviewed Decorist interior designer Linzie Merchant, who offered product recommendations and buying tips for selecting a bath tray. After considering dozens of models from various retailers and brands, she ultimately chose high-quality, aesthetically pleasing caddies with standout features.