13 Reasons Why You Should Create a Baby Registry: A Side-By-Side Comparison of the Top Baby Registry Programs

The last time I looked at baby registries in depth was about three years ago when I was expecting my first little one. For my daughter’s recent birthday, nearly everyone – friends and family, near and far – asked me if I had created a birthday wish list (gulp, I hadn’t)… That got me realizing that even though I am now preparing for my second baby, registries are super important to provide those closest to you with the opportunity to purchase items you really want or need. Additionally, they are convenient for reducing the risk for duplicates, though of course those still happen whether you have a registry or not (something to do with a slight delay in which items are purchased and when they show up as purchased off your registry).

From my research, what I have gleaned is that in the past three years baby registries have considerably upped their game! Completion discounts are higher or available earlier (allowing parents to get those last minute purchases in BEFORE baby arrives), return policies have been extended and there are so many more perks to be had from creating a baby registry.

Since there have been many recent changes in late 2017, I decided to put together this comprehensive, side-by-side look at not only the major baby retailers but lesser known companies across the U.S. I plan to go into depth on who gives the best goody bags in a later post, but for now, here is an overview of each baby registry which outlines my personal observations and info taken directly from each registry website. In some cases, I even called stores directly to verify facts that seemed ambiguous. Keep reading below for my personal registry recommendations, based on all the facts!! Also, look out for the bottom of this post where I include 9 bonus registries and stores with baby products that you can shop for online!

baby registry side by side chart comparison — A side by side comparison chart comparing the top go-to baby registries. Click here to view as a PDF file. Click here to view as an image file (.png).

Disclaimer: The logos of the following retailer websites represented in this post remain the owned or licensed property of each respective retailer and is their exclusive property and trademarks. This content is presented here purely in an informational, non-commercial manner for means of comparison and review. This post also contains affiliate links, which means if you click on the affiliate links in this post and make a purchase when directed to that retailer’s website, I will receive a small commission. However, this will never cost you anything extra. For more info, please click on my Disclosures page.

1.) Amazon.com’s Baby Registry

For one of the largest selection of baby products available anywhere across the globe, with rapid shipping options and the ability to add items from any store, Amazon’s registry is probably the #1 option for online shoppers. Earlier this year, they shut down Diapers.com so what was once their biggest competition is no more. A great perk with Amazon is that you have your choice of both high-end brands as well as the affordable, and even select items from third party sellers (think cute handmade onesies you might have only previously been able to find on Etsy). Plus, given it’s Amazon, you could also add items from other departments such as toys, movies, household products etc. and nearly everyone can use it provided they are tech savvy enough to use a computer.

What You Get:

Universal registry that has the ability to add items from any store onto one list
Access to their baby registry phone app for adding to your registry on the go as well as online parent guides filled with product suggestions
A 10% completion discount offer toward remaining baby items on your list but only if they are marked as “Completion Discount Eligible” – you will receive this 60 days prior to your event (whether you listed that as your baby shower date or your due date) and it’s available to use up to 6 months after your event for a one-time use. While it doesn’t apply to universal registry items, you can use it toward any new baby items you add to your registry after the discount begins, provided they too are marked as eligible
Free returns for 90 days on all baby items purchased off your registry (excluding baby clothing in sizes 0 to 24 months)

For Amazon Prime members, which people are increasingly joining due to its faster shipping perks, online movies and TV shows, photo storage and other savings in exchange for just $99 a year (or you could simply elect to sign up for a free 30 day trial to take advantage of the following), there are additional perks to registering such as:

The completion discount increases from 10% to 15% (your registry must be active for at least 14 days prior to your event to qualify)
Free two-day shipping (some areas even offer free same-day or one-day options, depending on where you live, with qualifying orders over $35)
Up to 20% off diaper and baby food subscriptions via Subscribe & Save
Various rotating limited-time offers and discounts available to Prime/Amazon Family members such as 15% off standard photo prints from Amazon Prints available for up to 18 months (available 30 days after you create your registry), a free Kindle e-book on parenting (options include What To Expect When You’re Expecting and Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby’s First Year) that expires end of 2017, and a $10 off Prime Now coupon sent to you 8 weeks before baby’s due date
A free $100 credit toward diapers and wipes when the total registry purchases from you and your guests exceeds $1,000 – this is available for a single diapers & wipes order and expires 90 days after your baby’s arrival date for any registries created between January 2017 and August 31, 2018
Access to a free registry Welcome Box valued at up to $35, sent to qualifying Prime members (when inventory is available) once you have fully completed the baby registry checklist leaving no category unchecked and purchased at least $10 off your registry. You will have to wait until that item actually ships to you before you can claim the Welcome Box, but once it does you can hit “Claim Now” to have your box shipped to you for free, even if nothing else is in the cart! The box arrives in 5 to 7 business days (mine took 6).
Above, a screenshot of Amazon’s Welcome Box page

The major downside to registering with Amazon is not everyone is comfortable with online shopping, and if you have friends or family that prefer to do their shopping in store, they may press you to find out if you have another registry option. They do not price match or accept other store’s coupons given their prices are generally low to begin with, and with their universal registry option you do not have the ability to add an existing list from a competitor’s registry – you can only add the items individually. Lastly, since the completion discount only applies to eligible items (as determined by Amazon), you technically can’t use it toward anything you want as with other stores that have no exclusions on their completion policy (see Babies “R” Us next). However, an added benefit to Amazon’s registry is that it has one of the longest windows in which you can use the completion discount – six months post your event date plus the 60 days prior which gives you about 8 total months – and they generally offer great customer service, including the ability to sometimes extend beyond their general returns policy with a little extra nudging. 🙂

2.) Babies “R” Us

With a generous cash back Endless Earnings registry rewards program, Babies “R” Us offers what I feel is the best incentive for registering with them and was my original #1 pick as a first-time mom (though I did create various registries). You will receive up to 10% back on every purchase you and others spend from your registry in the form of an online gift card. You earn 5% on the first $300 spent, and then a full 10% on everything after. When I registered with them for my first baby, I received a gift card for approximately $90 and could use it toward anything I wanted. Not bad for free cash! The store also has many great programs in place such as a generous coupon policy (they will allow you to use both manufacturer’s coupons and unexpired competitor’s coupons – even the ones from Buy Buy Baby and Target!) and offer tons of free classes to new parents where they cover such basics as breastfeeding, caring for your newborn or installing a car seat – classes that can add up in cost when taken elsewhere. Often their in-store events come with free gifts or extra giveaways so that’s another great perk to attend! Plus, there are over 850 store locations in the U.S. alone including stand-alone baby stores and some Toys “R” Us retail locations that feature a Babies “R” Us department, making it a convenient shopping choice for many.

Babies “R” Us Registry Perks:

A free registry goody bag in store that they don’t openly advertise on their website (so if you didn’t know about it, it is a nice surprise!), which often includes a name brand baby bottle, baby registry guide and one $5 off coupon among other coupons and samples
Ability to earn up to 10% back through their registry’s Endless Earnings program (you must first sign up for their free Rewards “R” Us program, which realistically you want to do anyway as you can earn 1 point for every $1 spent to redeem later as the Rewards dollars accrue) which you will receive 10-12 weeks after your expected arrival date. Any purchases made up to 30 days after your event date count toward Endless Earnings, and the e-gift card will be valid for up to 6 months after your baby’s arrival. Note: any purchase made using the completion discount will not count towards the redeemable value for Endless Earnings, so many people opt to purchase remaining items off their registry with competitor coupons so they receive up to 10% cash back on all their purchases. Also, BRU no longer allows double dipping where you receive both Endless Earning rewards and Rewards “R” Us points toward purchases you make off your own registry – you only receive the Endless Earnings cash back. [That is only something you’ll notice if you were able to previously take advantage of this before]
A 15% completion discount that can be combined with other generic coupons such as $5 off a $25 purchase or even a competitor’s 20% coupons, with absolutely no exclusions (good toward diapers/wipes which are normally excluded from their coupons) — you will receive it 6 to 8 weeks prior to your event date for a one-time use and have 90 days to use it, meaning it expires about 30 days after your event (note: it cannot be combined with item-specific manufacturer’s coupons)
1 year return policy on all registry items (with the ability to add items to your registry and mark them as purchased if you received duplicates)
Free shipping on online purchases of $29 or more
Price match available on a competitor’s lower price for the same item for up to 7 days after the purchase date (they’ll even accept lower prices on their own website and sister company Toys “R” Us which has saved me plenty over the years)
Free registry announcement cards given to you in nice card stock
Access to personal registry consultants should you need help choosing products
Access to a registry mobile app

My one major con with this store is if you shop in a regular Toys “R” Us their baby department customer service can be not as up to speed on the latest baby products, and sometimes are not informed about their own registry events. Their selection is not as focused on organic materials or higher-end brands so if that is important to you, other stores might feel more your speed. However, I have found their phone support to be generally helpful so if you need any price adjustments, or credits made to your Rewards account, they are usually very accommodating. For example, I recently had a $10 reward expire by a few days as I never received an email notification, so I called customer service and they were able to reissue it to me within five minutes.

3.) Buy Buy Baby

I have a love/hate relationship with Buy Buy Baby. Some people love it and rave about their customer service, but my local store has been a wee bit disappointing in that department (service is sub par, sometimes over opinionated and generally inconsistent), not to mention it’s a long distance drive so if I visit in-store I expect them to be top notch. But let’s put my personal feelings aside for the moment and dive into their many virtues as it could be that my closest store is an anomaly. This remains one of the most popular baby registries for parents, despite their only having just over 100 stores available across the country. Their best feature (in my humble opinion) is their affiliation with Bed Bath & Beyond as they are sister companies, which means all those 20% Bed Bath & Beyond coupons sent in the mail can be used at Buy Buy Baby, woohoo!!! If you are on both their mailing lists, you’ll receive twice as many coupons, not to mention their registry now offers a unique benefit – their returns never expire! Here’s more info on their various pros and cons.

What You Get:

Free shipping on orders over $49 (if you find the same product sold on Bed Bath & Beyond’s website, however, you can take advantage of their lower $29 free shipping threshold – trust me, remember this tip!)
Free goody bag available in store filled with coupons and samples
Ability to copy a friend’s registry items directly onto your own (good if you have similar tastes and have both registered there)
Friend’s referral discount of $25 off a $100+ purchase that you receive if someone you know registers at either Buy Buy Baby or Bed Bath & Beyond, which is effectively a 25% off discount (higher than the standard coupons)
Two chances to redeem their 10% completion discount – once online and once in store. Approximately 3 to 4 weeks before your event date you will receive the in-store coupon in the mail for a one-time use. 2 weeks prior, you will also receive an online only 10% completion discount in your email – this is available to you without any exclusions including big name brands such as Ergobaby and UPPAbaby that are normally on their coupons’ exclusion list
Free baby book guide with nursery checklist, space to draw a floor plan of your nursery and various product suggestions to get you started
A price match guarantee including top baby competitors and Amazon.com, provided the item is not on clearance and is the exact same model number
Returns never expire with the exceptions being custom-made or personalized items are excluded, breast pumps must be unopened and clothing must still have the original tags on and is available to return for up to 90 days only
Free gift wrap available in store or $3.99 if added to your order online
Print-out announcement cards are available
Many stores feature a Picture People location in store which offers an opportunity to take birth announcement and newborn portraits, as well as maternity photos (and the registry bag will include discounts towards this)

I have personally found the local Buy Buy Baby to have a larger selection of gliders in store to test out, as well as the most name brand strollers on display of any other baby chain which for me is a huge plus! My major con again is that customer service (at least locally for me) can be hit or miss, their prices tend to be higher than Babies “R” Us so save those coupons, and you cannot use expired coupons here despite Bed Bath & Beyond being notorious for accepting expired coupons in their stores. Also, while Babies “R” Us – perhaps their biggest actual store competitor – does allow coupon stacking with their completion discount, Buy Buy Baby does not. Instead, an employee at my local store actually recommended that people should use the regular 20% coupons toward any larger items that are not on the regular exclusion list in order to receive a greater discount, and in a second transaction they will then apply the regular 10% completion discount toward the brands that are normally excluded. However, they will not be able to apply both the 20% offer and the 10% completion discount in one single transaction. As a result, when I registered with them back in 2014, I actually never used my completion discount as I had one of the rare 20% off your entire purchase coupons that Bed Bath sends around every once in a while. So if your regular coupons will give you a bigger bang for your buck, you might find yourself simply using the completion discount on something less exciting like diapers.

4.) Target

With an impressive 1,800 locations available across the U.S., Target is perhaps the most convenient location to create an in-store baby registry for most and one of the most popular. Recent changes to their registry include the ability to create a universal registry, where any non-Target item can be added and will redirect customers to the item’s specific retail website, as well as the ability to track gifts and keep track of thank you notes sent. Their stores are especially hands-off which can be great if you need less registry guidance, they offer a price match guarantee for up to 14 days after your purchase including those listed on their own website, and they are the only major retailer that allows you to customize your registry page with custom photos or even Pinterest inspiration boards. Very modern! Plus each time I have registered here I have received at least one coupon for 10% off a nursing bra or maternity clothing purchase – great to have as your pregnant belly expands.

What You Get:

Free welcome goody bag that comes in an attractive keepsake tote with $50 worth of coupons and samples and a quick overview of their registry perks
1 year return policy on new, unopened items from your registry
Ability to add any items from any website onto a universal registry list
Group gifting that allows several people to contribute to one big ticket item like a stroller or car seat, sent to you in the form of an e-gift card so you can purchase the item yourself
On-the-go registry app
Printable announcement cards online
Free shipping on orders over $35
One 15% completion discount good for two uses: one-time use in store and a separate one-time use online toward remaining items on your registry. This discount cannot be combined with any other discounts, Lego products, gift cards or clearance items, as well as select game systems and cameras in store, and is only eligible for remaining items (no new items can be added; registry must also be active for 14 days before coupon will be generated)
Many stores feature an in-store photo department where you can arrange for newborn or maternity photo prints, and the gift bags often carry coupons for this
Ability to combine one manufacturer’s coupon and one Target coupon per item

Occasionally, Target also offers an optional Baby Box filled with samples and coupons. You simply pay $7 towards the shipping. The most recent box was offered in July 2017 but if you search YouTube you can find videos of what the most recent boxes contained. Given Target has a wide-ranging selection, you could also register for non-baby products for mom and dad but the one major con is that the in-store inventory is limited, with many items sold online only. Stock can vary from store to store and I even had issues with receiving my registry bag as 2 out of the 3 stores I visited were out of stock! Also, because Target’s baby registry is not its own department and operates out of Guest Services, if you need dedicated guidance on baby products depending on who is available at the time that just might not be possible. So just note, this registry is best for those who want convenience and are okay with navigating the registry process with limited assistance. Lastly, they do not accept competitor’s coupons.

5.) Pottery Barn Kids

This is one of my favorite baby stores, simply because they specialize in items that are cute to look at and made more durably than some of the other stores. Anyone that has ever seen their mini nursery chairs, plush lamb and elephant rocking chairs, personalized backpacks or embroidered bath wraps with dangling ear flaps has undoubtedly fallen in love. Surprisingly, Pottery Barn Kids recently changed their policy from a six month completion discount to just four, but they have now made the discount available to registrants before their due date, perhaps making this discount more convenient to some, and they remain one of the only registries where you can continue to use your completion discount as many times as you like before the coupon expires. Additionally the stores recently began selling select baby gear including high chairs, car seats, play yards and strollers and ALL baby gear ships completely free.

Here are the unique perks with registering at PBK:

20% completion discount sent to you 4 weeks prior to your event date and which remains valid for up to 84 days (or 12 weeks) afterwards, giving you four months to apply it. Unlike other registries, you can use the 20% offer as many times as you choose in that 4 month time frame, although it cannot be combined with any other offer, and it will also apply to any new items you add to your registry after the discount begins. Their offer excludes baby gear from certain designer brands (Babyzen, Ergobaby, Inglesina, Life Factory, Boppy, Beaba, Medela, Nuna, SkipHop, UPPAbaby & Halo®) and can’t be used toward clearance items, monogramming or collaborations (Monique Lhuillier, Emily & Meritt and Disney•Pixar for example)
Free decorating services which includes an optional at-home visit where they will help you plan your baby’s nursery at absolutely no cost (I took advantage of this and YES, they will come to your home for FREE with swatches, paint colors and overview of their product line)
10% multiples discount applied if you purchase two or more of the same furniture items or bedding (great for parents of twins/multiples or if you simply want two of the same blanket)
Hassle-free 90 days return policy on all registry items that lasts the later of 90 days from the time it was purchased or your event date – whichever gives you more time (however, personalized items cannot be returned)
Ability to make online changes to your own registry any time you want
Free gift wrap in store or available online for $6 (where they can put multiple small items in one box)
Free shipping on all baby gear and select items online (over 1,500 products qualify)
Free nursery guide catalog available in stores and online with product suggestions and a registry checklist
Price match is available for the item’s same model number, color, brand and size for Amazon, Giggle, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Buy Buy Baby, Neiman Marcus, Pish Posh Baby, The Tot or Target
Friend referral policy where every friend you refer to Pottery Barn Kids receives $25 off their first $100 purchase, and once redeemed, you will receive the same offer. Your friends have 30 days to use this discount

Given you’re paying for a higher quality, items sold here can be more expensive than other baby retailers especially on the bigger items such as cribs, and some people feel uncomfortable with asking friends and family to spend that much. Also, one other con is while all these retailers offer the ability to return or exchange a gift item from your registry for store credit, when you return at Pottery Barn Kids you will not automatically receive that credit which is a bummer if you were planning on using it that same day. Instead, you will receive a return slip with the item’s value listed pre-tax and up to 14 days later they will mail the actual store credit certificate with the full amount. Technically speaking, though, this is not all that different from Amazon’s gift return policy which can take up to 2 weeks for the shipped return to process in their system before you receive the e-gift card amount.

6.) Giggle

This baby retailer only has physical store locations in a few markets (California, New York, Colorado and Texas), but anyone can order from their website. What you get when shopping at giggle is a handpicked selection of the top baby gear, chosen after much research so you don’t have to do as much legwork. There is an emphasis on healthy products with an abundance of organic and non-toxic materials, perfect for parents looking for a break from the cheap plastic toys that seemingly predominate the baby market and a more generous completion discount period of six months along with free gift card offer. Who doesn’t like free money?! Given they acquired the popular nationwide Right Start stores two years ago (and have since closed them all down), they have since continued to offer Right Start’s formerly popular in store events free to anyone to attend whether you register with them or not, including demos on different strollers, classes on correct car seat installation and how to jumpstart your baby registry.

What You Get:

Free $50 gift card when you register in stores (you need to add a minimum of 25 items to your registry to qualify) – this offer is not available to those who register online
Access to informative guides on baby gear online as well as in store registry experts
Free shipping on all registry orders over $100 (a fairly easy threshold at their stores, but this does exclude furniture and lighting including beds, cribs, conversion kits, dressers, rockers, gliders, ottomans, mattresses, night stands, changing stations, bassinets, floor and table lamps, and hanging lights)
Hassle-free returns for up to 30 days
15% completion discount sent to you two weeks before your event for a one-time use (provided your registry has been active for at least 30 days) and valid for up to 6 months, with the ability to add and use it toward new items on your registry – several exclusions apply including no personalized orders, cannot combine with other sales or discounts, does not apply to gift cards and is not eligible on many high-end brands including 4Moms, Aden + Anais, Baby Jogger, Bugaboo, Chicco, Ergobaby, Graco, Halo, Maclaren, Maxi-Cosi, Naturepedic, Nuna, Oeuf, Peg Perego, Stokke, Ubbi and UPPAbaby
Multiples discount with 10% off two or more of the same item purchased at the same time
Thank you manager online to track who sent you what in one place
Complimentary registry cards to inform friends and family of your registry
Custom baby shower invitations online from Paperless Post (you will automatically receive 25 free Paperless Post coins to use toward invites and birth announcements that will link directly to your registry)
Every gift is eligible for free gift wrap at no extra charge both in store and online

Their product line can tend to be more expensive than other retailers given you’re paying for a handpicked selection of tested, high-end brands that meet giggle’s criteria. Also, another con here is they do not accept competitor’s coupons – only their own discounts.

7.) The Land of Nod

For shoppers who don’t mind doing a bulk of registering online or via catalog and are looking for some of the highest quality products on the market, The Land of Nod is a great choice. Part of the Crate and Barrel family of companies, this company shares their same philosophy toward providing safe, high quality furnishings designed for the whole family with every product tested for expected use as well as potential misuse to avoid any future problems. Their products boast a modern, imaginative aesthetic, with a range of furniture, toys, accessories, bedding, storage and decor, and everything they sell has met the strictest safety standards and government regulations. This is just one of those in-the-know baby stores you gradually become aware of as you become a parent, but you do have to be comfortable with online purchases given actual retail store locations are only available in 4 U.S. states. With their 18-year quality guarantee anticipated to allow each item to last perhaps through one single generation of kids as they grow(!), you can expect that their prices in turn will be slightly on the higher side with cute baby items available that seem similar to Pottery Barn Kids or RH Baby & Child (see next retailer below). That said, with PBK’s recent changes to their registry program and the continued completion offer that is available here for 6 months, you should do a close comparison of both store’s perks to fit your personal budget and needs as you at least have two extra months with The Land of Nod to apply their completion discount, though sadly it is only for 10% vs. PBK’s 20%. [Also in full disclosure: I have yet to order from them given I have a PBK nearby and I am personally not a catalog shopper, but have come close several times and do like their overall product look and commitment; plus friends have recommended this store to me]

What You Get:

Free shipping and returns in the continental U.S. for most of their registry items (excluded items include beds, mattresses, dressers, desks, cribs and changers among others – mostly furniture related)
A $99 flat rate for unlimited furniture delivery with free furniture returns, allowing you to potentially stock up items for your nursery at one set price and zero risk, and smaller one-time furniture orders valued under $450 beginning at $59
Complimentary design services from their team who can design a mood board for your nursery, layout a floor plan or suggest products (unlike PBK, this service is not available to come to your home but still a nice perk as they will consult with you in store or via email)
10% completion certificate for the remaining items on your registry for multiple uses up to 6 months after your event date (received 1 business day after), with the ability to add any new items you like during that time – this deal cannot be combined with other discount offers/sales as it only applies to full-price items. Also, the completion code cannot be used at their outlet locations, and excludes Monte Design Group, Modernica and Naturepedic products
10% multiples discount for two or more of the same item when purchased at the same time (excludes sale items and certain brands including Monte Luca, Joya, Rockwell and Ninna collections [a chair company], Baby Bjorn, Ovo, Stokke and Naturepedic)
90 days to return registry gift items with no return shipping charges – offer is valid only on registry items and you must email them for a return shipping label at customerservice@landofnod.com
Email and phone help available from their registry specialists
25 complimentary announcement cards available to be sent to your home
Gift packaging service available in stylish tissue placed inside a kraft box for $4.75 per package
a 10% offer when you sign up for their emails (the same exclusions apply as from their multiples discount)

Cons: If I am to do an apples to apples comparison with PBK, The Land of Nod does not offer free gift wrap in store, no baby gear, no friends referral policy or price matching, and their completion discount, while longer than PBK’s at 6 months after your date vs. only four, is only good for 10% off vs. PBK’s 20%.

8.) RH Baby & Child

For Restoration Hardware fans, you should check out one of their dedicated RH Baby & Child galleries with brick and mortar locations currently open in 8 states but with full product line available on their website. I find their products to be similar to Pottery Barn Kids but in muted tones of soft pinks, grays, creams and beige – a la RH – in varieties of nursery bedding, furniture, lighting, room decor, keepsakes and bath and playroom accessories along with personalized monogrammed pieces. There are plenty of perks to registering with them, plus if you choose to join their members program (which comes with a $100 annual fee toward all of RH’s stores), you will receive 25% off all full-priced merchandise and additional 20% savings on sale items plus access to complimentary interior design services via a one-on-one consultation. Another great pro here: solid customer service!

What You Get:

10% completion discount for one-time use available for 6 months following your event date (you will receive an email at the close of your registry and if you are a RH member, this offer can be combined with their 25% off savings)
Free nursery guide and registry checklist
Complimentary announcement cards available to be sent to you in packs of 20
Two different shipping destinations (one for the baby shower and one for items to go directly to your home after the event)
Convenient exchanges or returns for store credit (there is a regular 30 day return policy in place and flat rates for shipping, but at my local store, if you received an item as a gift and didn’t open it right away or received duplicates, they will look up the original purchase and coordinate either an exchange or apply the value to a gift card – even past the usual 30 day window); returns are not accepted on furniture, monogrammed, custom, final sale, clearance or outlet items, and restocking fees may apply
Thank you note manager that uses an online tool to track gift givers and make it easier to check off as you send out your thank yous
Available gift box wrapping for $5.95 per order

The one con with their program is there isn’t any price matching, given RH is not like other retailers and sells their own brands. So again, this is perfect for those who appreciate their aesthetic and are already converted RH product line fans.

9.) Walmart Baby Registry

Similar to Target, Walmart has the advantage of being in numerous markets – well-known to even the remotest areas of the country – with the most locations out of any other store featured on this list, and has become synonymous with finding everyday deals and low prices on everyday items. Despite their already super low prices, Walmart will amazingly also price match a lower price on a competitor’s website, including Amazon, and also has the convenience of an on-the-go phone app for making changes to your registry. That’s pretty handy overall for scoring great deals, but I would only register here if you live super close to a Walmart and want to offer your friends a discounted option with items listed at lower prices to save them money, as the perks aren’t as widespread with some of the other registry options (i.e. no completion discount given their prices are already very low). Still, this could be worth checking out depending on what you’re looking for – my daughter’s room boasts a great dresser/bookshelf/toy storage combination which we purchased from Walmart.com.

What You Get With Walmart:

Free returns on everything including non-baby items
Price match on a competitor’s lower prices
Free 2 day shipping on eligible baby gear with a minimum purchase of $35
Free parent guides online, articles on registry must-haves and baby checklist
Free welcome box offered with baby samples at no cost to you (this is different from the Walmart Baby Box that is available to you at three different stages such as a pregnant and expecting box, newborn baby and toddler age 1-3 years old box that many people blog about and is otherwise free except you still pay $5 for shipping) – you simply sign up for their free box online and enter your address and they will ship the box to you within 5 weeks. This perk is only available through their registry website and is great as if you register in store, you will not receive an in store goody bag otherwise.

Besides not offering a completion discount, some higher end brands are not available at Walmart, and phone support can be hit or miss. For example, their website states that some items are eligible for gift wrap, but when I called to confirm which items and for what cost, I received different responses from 3 different people in store and at their general customer service phone number so I am a bit unclear on their policy or whether it is truly even available. But you still can’t argue with low prices and that is clearly the reason to register at Walmart.

10.) Kohl’s

I don’t live particularly close to a Kohl’s so have not registered with them before, but the stores are known for offering steep discounts on certain name brand items thanks to their revolving discount offers and ability to apply Kohl’s Cash® to purchases. With over 1,100 locations nationwide it remains a convenient brick and mortar registry choice for many (exceeded in sheer number on this baby list only by Walmart and Target), and they offer a great returns policy that rivals some of the other baby retailers.

What You Get:

15% completion discount available only on remaining items on your registry valid for up to three months after and sent to you via email just before your due date (you must have at least one item purchased off your registry at least 2 weeks prior to your due date to qualify) – certain brands are excluded
Returns anytime that never expire (there’s no time limit on returns/exchanges as long as you retain the gift receipt, and they’ll allow you to return for any reason)
Announcement cards available for download from online that include a 20% off coupon off purchases of $100 or more that your guests can benefit from – effectively giving everyone of your friends and family an automatic coupon
Free shipping over $75
Price match available in stores only
Automatically receive emails announcing the biggest store promotions and other available deals with a Kohls.com account
Access to a gift registry catalog filled with product suggestions and a registry checklist

The one major con here is their offer for free shipping is high compared to some of the other discount retailers, with a minimum purchase of $75. However, their stores are great with returns and it really is hassle-free shopping.

11.) Baby Depot at Burlington Coat Factory

If you have a Burlington location near you, they have an extended Baby Depot department filled with baby merchandise. I’d only shop here if it was convenient (the nearest one to me sadly requires a drive and a half) but you can get strollers, cribs, car seats, furniture, bedding and bath sets plus maternity clothes here all at budget-friendly prices.

What You Get:

Their website has baby guides and a registry checklist to get you started
30 days for returns with receipt (however, you must request to receive the amount back to you in store credit or it will automatically go back to the original purchaser)
Free shipping on $75 purchases or more
Ability to print out their registry announcement cards or full registry list at one of their in-store kiosks

Unfortunately, there just aren’t as many perks as you might receive with other registries – i.e. no extended returns on baby items, no free shipping at small dollar amounts and no completion discount plus you have the same high $75 minimum purchase threshold as Kohl’s before you will receive free shipping. Some people find their stores to have a vast selection and great deals, but it really does vary from store to store and their own registry website confirms that the selection online may differ from in store availability and vice versa. In my area, the nearest local store’s shelves were a bit bare. However, they did have some items normally sold at a store like Kmart or even Babies “R” Us for slightly cheaper prices so you simply have to look yourself and feel it out.

12.) IKEA

If you’re a fan of IKEA and their fun self-installation options (everyone loves their manuals, come on!), they now offer gift registries! The offering is fairly new, but great if you are looking to splurge on IKEA baby products and/or other IKEA store items. Any item with an IKEA article number can be added, or those without article numbers can be photographed and manually added to your registry via their gift registry app. To participate, interested registrants must first join their free IKEA FAMILY loyalty program and then create a registry. This means, all purchases made in store will be rung up as eligible IKEA FAMILY transactions and will automatically allow your guests to receive the family program’s discount pricing if it is available on that item (though if they want to take advantage of the free coffee or tea in IKEA restaurants upon every visit or other regular FAMILY discounts, they should join the free program themselves).

What You Get:

Access to a dedicated registry app
Inspiration guides on their website including a list of their top 20 baby products such as cribs, changing tables, feeding tools and high chair
Guests can chip in on a group purchase toward a larger item like a fully remodeled kitchen
365 days to return an item and request a refund
Opportunity to print out a copy of your registry in store at one of their gift registry kiosks, located inside the front entrance of stores
Small item deliveries begin at $10, while large items begin at $99 with rates depending on your zip code

The con with this being such a new program is that the mobile site does not yet have the functionality to add items to your registry so you must use either the desktop version of their website or their registry phone app. Currently, there is no registry completion program at this time and no gift wrapping options, though you can purchase gift wrap in-store at a low price. You also cannot include a ship-to destination on your registry list, as most people choose to pick up items in store, so your guests will need to manually arrange for the items to be shipped directly to you. Kinda a pain if you don’t know your friend’s address by heart. 😦

13.) Kmart

This isn’t perhaps the first place that comes to mind when you think of baby registries, but Kmart does offer their own baby registry with the same deals and offers that have made this a popular discount department store. There is a select amount of discounted baby gear, bedding, clothing, toys and furniture so don’t count this one out.

What You Get:

Free online enclosure cards announcing your registry
Free baby registry checklist
Gift ideas online for inspiration
Thank you manager
30 day return policy that excludes custom orders, mattresses, bed frames, furniture and holiday items once the holiday has passed
Free shipping over $49 (excludes kids’ outdoor vehicles, wagons, easels, and art desks)
Registration online includes automatic enrollment in their free Shop Your Way® rewards program where you’ll learn about current member-only deals, have the ability to use their Express Checkout and earn 10 points for every $1 spent on qualifying purchases which can be redeemed at both Kmart and Sears

The perks may be small, but you can also combine deals with manufacturer’s coupons. However, they do not accept competitor coupons, offer no free welcome bags and do not have an extended return policy specifically for registry returns. Another con is that unfortunately Sears, their parent company, has announced that additional Kmart stores will be closing later this year so depending on where you live, your local retail store could be affected leaving you with only their online registry option (and frankly, this is one of those stores that it is probably not worth the bother unless the site is super convenient). Still, I find my local Kmart is great to shop in when I am in need of something specific – like cheap everyday baby apparel, dresses, swimsuits, baby coats and mittens when everyone else is out of stock, school lunch boxes, and even costumes.

Other Online Retailers

As a bonus, I wanted to include on this comprehensive list some additional online retailers where you can either register for baby or receive great deals on baby products. That list is as follows.

1.) Disney Baby – For one-stop Disney inspired diaper totes, onesies, gear, blankets, hooded towels and toys, Disney Baby offers an online boutique at www.DisneyBaby.com or here on DisneyStore.com, with official Disney items plus one actual retail location in Southern California. (If you live near Glendale, the original birthplace of Walt Disney’s imagineering, feel free to check it out.) Many of their products are now sold at other retailers as well including Amazon, Walmart, and Babies “R” Us, but this is a great place to shop if you are a fan of Disney and want to introduce your baby to the Disney magic at an early age. It was a sad day when my daughter reached size 24 months as we had to wait a while before she could shop at the regular Disney Stores located throughout U.S. malls and overseas…but with baby #2 on the way I may just need to return to Glendale! Note: there is no gift registry program offered here, but I wanted to include it in my round-up anyway as it satisfies a specific niche. They even have an online boutique here on Amazon.

2) Magic Beans – For select markets in Massachusetts and Connecticut, this is a popular local store (I have heard great things from friends who live locally) but what some don’t realize is that their website is available for anyone to use across the U.S. Their website suggests they treat everyone as an “instant VIP” where you will receive registry perks such as a 10% completion discount after your event date (excludes strollers, car seats and furniture), instant lists with product recommendations, a 10% multiples discount on identical items, free shipping on orders over $75, one-on-one support from a registry concierge via phone, email or live chat, easy exchanges for store credit, and a lifetime of support should you ever have any problems with any of their products. They offer a 60 day refund policy with receipt, or store credit thereafter (withstanding open strollers or car seats, potty seats, breastfeeding products, custom furniture or opened feeding utensils and sippy cups). Plus, for anyone who lives out of the Boston area, they will arrange free phone consultations or video chat (by appointment) to receive personalized support in setting up your registry.

3.) BabyEarth – I saw their website listed on TheBump.com as well as Amazon, but I have personally never ordered from them. Originated near Austin, this online retailer offers a registry complete with 10% off completion discount received 2 weeks prior to your due date which is good for 6 months (only offered on registries older than 14 days and with the ability to use on any items on and off the registry), free shipping on orders over $99, hassle-free returns for 365 days after purchase, and a rewards program that pays thanks for registering with BabyEarth giving each registrant their choice of either receiving a 5% credit toward every purchase your friends and family make or the opportunity to redeem a credit toward Spa rewards and pamper yourself with a mani-pedi, facial, etc. The way the BE Rewards program works is if you opt for this credit, all purchasers will have 90 days to redeem an additional 5% off a future purchase, and once that items ships, you as the registrant automatically receive the 5% credit as well in the form of BE Reward dollars. Your special 5% credit will not expire for 6 months, giving you more time to use your BE Rewards than their standard 90 day expiration. If you opt for the spa reward option instead, your guests do not receive an additional credit but you can instead choose to redeem your spa gift certificate – payable at the rate of $25 for every $250 spent on your registry – at over 20,000 spas, yoga, Pilates and fitness studios worldwide via spafinder.com. One extra bonus is this spa certificate will never expire. As the company strives to focus on a large selection of baby products with an emphasis on being eco-friendly, there is no traditional gift wrap offered. Upon doing a quick search online, reviews seem generally favorable towards this online retailer with local Texas moms boasting about the opportunity to visit their one in-store showroom (the rest of BabyEarth’s business is focused 100% online).

4.) Pish Posh Baby – Based in New Jersey, this company offers a large selection of baby gear focused on name brand strollers (including some harder to find brands in the U.S. like Mountain Buggy), car seats and accessories. They have an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau and offer a partnership with MyRegistry.com to create a universal baby registry for one master shared list with every baby product you could ever want. Some items are available for pre-order, they offer a price matching discount on a discretionary basis (with local boutiques and third party sites like Amazon, eBay, deal sites and Craigslist specifically excluded), free shipping on orders over $75, a 30 day return policy with no restocking fees (except for open box, clearance, on sale items or furniture) and over the phone support for those times when you need to speak to a live person.

5.) Albee Baby is another online retailer that has one brick and mortar location in New York City and specializes in selling baby gear and bay care supplies, often with steeper deals and discounts than even Amazon. Free ground shipping is available on orders over $49 or a flat rate of $4.95 under $49, but there is a 30% restocking fee on furniture and certain restrictions on returns on some baby items. Otherwise, returns are accepted within 60 days to receive a full refund, with customers responsible for paying the return shipping costs (somewhat of a con for me as I prefer free returns). The website does offer a number of rotating discounts and includes a free rewards program that awards members with 1 point for every $1 spent, points toward approved product reviews, points for referring your friends and $5 bonuses for every 500 points. There’s also a baby registry on their site that I have not personally signed up for as the benefits are not clearly specified, but if you are looking for a deal on certain hot brands this could be another great place to shop (just note that some online reviews have found aggravation with their returns policy so it’s probably best to shop for an item you know you really want and will keep).

6.) Wayfair.com – If you are specifically looking for deals on kids furniture items, cribs, playroom table sets, wall art, storage, rugs, lighting or backyard play sets, they have a registry you can create online but it is mostly geared toward weddings. Best bet is to go for a universal option like Amazon, Target or other baby specific registry sites like Babylist (more to come on that in a separate post) and just add items from Wayfair that you want included. Otherwise their [wedding-geared] registry includes free shipping on everything, extended 90 days registries on purchases your guests make toward your registry (your own purchases follow the standard 30 day policy), group gifting that allows multiple guests to chip in on one big item like a crib and a 10% completion discount that begins after the event and lasts for 6 months. Their completion discount only applies to items added prior to your date and up to $20,000 total in value (not that anyone would ever spend that much on a baby registry – yeesh; but again this is generally their criteria for a wedding).

7.) Strictly for baby cribs and nursery sets – Rooms To Go Kids (no registry available)

8.) For unique bedding, toys, and gift ideas, Anthropologie has some cute items you won’t find anywhere else (no specific baby registry is advertised, but they do have a wedding registry that you could use to apply to their baby products instead – I called and double confirmed this). Most baby products are sold online only and with Anthropologie, there is no traditional in store registry scanning so you can do the entire process online or via their store mobile app. Any item sold in stores or on Anthropologie’s website can be added to your registry, which includes the option to list two ship-to addresses for before and after the event, free shipping on orders over $150 and gift wrap for $4 per box or purchase of a self-wrap DIY kit for $2. All items – except unlimited furniture deliveries – can be returned at any time by mail or in store. It’s free to return in store, or you will have $5.95 deducted from your refund if you return by mail. Furniture returns are limited to 30 days.

9.) For gear, furniture and bedding deals – Overstock.com (no online registry option though)

That’s my comprehensive overview of all the top registry programs currently out there (not including general universal registries which I will delve more into in a later post). Thanks for reading this far – and if you made it all the way, let me know in the comments what your favorite registry program is and why, and any local store options I may have missed!

Click here to access the chart again at the top of this page!