BabyGearLab put nine potty chairs through extended real-world testing in homes with active toddlers and named the OXO Tot the best overall with a 75/100 score and 9.0/10 for child ease of use, the highest in the group. Those numbers reflect something specific: toddlers can use it without calling for help. The carry handle means a two-year-old can move it from the living room to the bathroom. The two-piece design means a parent empties it in one step. No parts to fumble with, no mechanisms that slow the process down when a toddler is insisting on going now.
The tall backrest sets it apart from compact options. BabyBjorn's Smart Potty has no backrest at all; the Jool Baby chair has side handles but a low back. Toddlers who are new to the skill need to sit still for a while, and a backrest prevents the sideways shifting that leads to accidents mid-session. OXO's tall back supports posture without requiring the child to grip the sides for balance.
At $25.95, it costs less than the BabyBjorn Toilet Training Seat ($39.99) and more than the Smart Potty ($26.99). The extra dollar compared to the Smart Potty buys a backrest, a larger sitting area that fits toddlers through 3+ years, and a more stable non-slip base. BabyGearLab's testing confirmed the OXO did not slide on any tested floor surface, including hardwood, while lighter chairs moved during active toddlers' use.
What It Won't Do
The splash guard sits low. BabyGearLab specifically noted that toddlers who lean backward during use can send liquid over the guard. This is a design choice OXO made to prioritize ease of mounting and dismounting, but it means the floor still gets hit occasionally. The OXO also does not fold or compress for travel; it takes up the same space as a standard potty chair at all times. Families who want to pack a potty for road trips or grandparents' houses will need a separate option.
The BabyBjorn Smart Potty costs $26.99 and BabyGearLab named it the best budget pick with a 73/100 overall score, second only to the OXO. The two-point gap between them comes down to size and the missing backrest, not quality or durability. For parents of a younger toddler (18-24 months) who does not yet need a full-size chair, the Smart Potty is the right tool.
The design difference that matters most is the deep bowl. Where the OXO has a lower splash guard, the Smart Potty's deep bowl traps liquid regardless of where the child leans. BabyGearLab confirmed better splash control in their testing, which means fewer floor messes. The removable inner potty pops out in one hand motion: lift, carry to toilet, empty, rinse. That single step takes less than 15 seconds.
At 19 oz and 10 x 13 x 6.5 inches, the Smart Potty fits under a bathroom sink. It packs in the side pocket of a diaper bag. BabyBjorn has made this chair available in multiple colors since at least 2019 with no design changes, which is the kind of track record that only happens when a product actually works. The brand's 60-year history in childcare products and 2-year guarantee mean there is accountability behind it, not just good search results.
What It Won't Do
No backrest. That is the honest limitation. The Smart Potty's compact frame that makes it portable also means a toddler who leans back during use tips slightly rearward with nothing supporting them. For toddlers 18-24 months who are still developing core stability, this can cut sessions short because they feel unsteady. The seat is also genuinely too small for a typical 3-year-old; BabyGearLab explicitly noted this and recommended parents move up to a toilet seat reducer or the OXO-style chair by then.
Who Should Buy Which
OXO Tot Potty Chair
Simple two-piece design that empties cleanly, stays put on the floor, and fits toddlers of most sizes
- Your toddler is between 18 months and 4 years and you want a single potty chair that will fit them for the full training window
- You want the toddler to use the potty chair without calling for adult help; the carry handle and stable base make independent use possible
- Floor accidents from a low splash guard are acceptable trade-offs for a chair that is easy to empty and hard to knock over
- You are not planning to travel with the potty; the OXO is a home unit, not a travel one
BabyBjorn Smart Potty
Compact, deep-bowl potty that packs under a sink, travels in a diaper bag, and costs $27
- Your toddler is under 2 and you want to start training with a compact portable option before committing to a larger chair
- Portability matters: the Smart Potty packs under a sink or in a diaper bag, and at 19 oz it is easy to bring to grandparents' house or a vacation rental
- Deep bowl splash control is a priority; BabyGearLab found it outperforms the OXO on keeping liquid contained
- Your bathroom is small and floor space is a constraint; the Smart Potty's footprint is significantly smaller than the OXO