The 3 Best Baby Plates

Best Overall Dinnerware Set

Kiddobloom Dinnerware Set

$38 at Amazon

80

OVERALL
SCORE

• Eco-Health 10.0
• Ease of Cleaning 8.0
• Ease of Use 7.0

Material: Stainless Steel | Suction: No

REASONS TO BUY

Eco-healthy

Durable

Dishwasher safe

REASONS TO AVOID

Avoid dry cycle

Cost

If your toddler is ready for a dinnerware set, the Kiddobloom Dinnerware Set may meet your needs. Encouraging a tot's sense of independence is important to us, and we think this child-size set may be a handy mealtime accessory in that quest. The set includes a bowl, a cup (an item no other competitor offers), and a three-sectioned divided plate. Besides the plain stainless steel design, one with frog engravings is available - if you would like to add a dose of cuteness. All the pieces have smooth edges, and the material is inert stainless steel, which is non-toxic and doesn't impart flavor to the contents. Its durability will withstand the rage of toddlers, and we are confident this set will last the test of time.

Although dishwasher safe, the packaging lists some special care instructions. The manufacturer recommends removing the dinnerware after the last rinse cycle and allowing it to air dry to help avoid discoloration and corrosion. They further advise not using detergents containing bleach or chlorine. This option does not offer suction or anti-skid material, so you may want to look elsewhere if you want this feature. The Kiddobloom's cost is an investment, but considering the durability and longevity of stainless steel, there is potential for it to become a family heirloom. Stainless steel is non-toxic, which we believe outweighs any minor drawbacks. If you feel the same, we highly recommend the Kiddobloom to you.

Best Budget-Friendly Option

Munchkin Splash Plate & Bowl Set

Check price at Amazon

46

OVERALL
SCORE

• Eco-Health 1.0
• Ease of Cleaning 7.0
• Ease of Use 4.0

Material: Plastic | Suction: No

REASONS TO BUY

Inexpensive & good value

Anti-skid material

REASONS TO AVOID

Easily scratch

On a budget? Check out the Munchkin Splash Plate & Bowl Set, which includes two BPA-free plastic plates and bowls. The set is durable, and the colors are vibrant, including a blue and green option for those who prefer them to pink/purple. We believe the plates and bowls are easy for little hands to carry. The plate has three sections with deep sides, and the bowl is deep, making it great for snacks, yogurt, and cereal. The set is microwavable and dishwasher safe, with anti-skid material on the bottom to reduce slipping. We appreciate that the plates and bowls are easily stackable for storage.

Although the set is microwavable and dishwasher safe, we suggest doing neither, as high heat is not great for plastic or food stored in plastic. We understand that handwashing is not always convenient, but the task is easy, and avoiding high heat is worth the effort. Users report that the plates and bowls easily scratch, so we suggest avoiding metal utensils to prolong product life or being willing to toss them when this occurs. Although plastic is not our favorite material, it is less expensive. We recommend this set to families who want to purchase multiple plates and bowls without breaking the bank and don't mind plastic.

Best Bamboo Option

Bamboo Fox Suction Plate

Material: Bamboo | Suction: Yes

Make mealtime fun with the Bamboo Fox Suction Plate. Bamboo is a renewable resource; therefore, this plate is eco-friendlier and healthier than some of the competition. This bamboo plate features impressive suction power, with a suction base that is removable when your child outgrows it. The plate comes in various shapes and suction base colors.

Bamboo becomes dry when exposed to water repeatedly, eventually leading to cracking and splitting. Therefore, this plate requires some maintenance to help prevent this from happening. An application of oil, like coconut oil, should be applied once a month to keep the material hydrated. Also, bamboo is less durable than some other materials and could break if dropped or misused. This plate is not microwavable or dishwasher safe and requires handwashing with warm soapy water. When handwashing the plate, you need to remove the silicone base to dry the parts thoroughly to avoid trapped moisture and mildew. We recommend this eco-friendly, healthy, non-toxic plate to those who aren't put off by minor maintenance.

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	80	Kiddobloom Dinnerware Set	$40
	66	Bamboo Fox Suction Plate	$24
	56	ezpz Mini Mat	$23
	52	Bumkins Silicone Grip Dish	$18
	48	Kiddiebites Flexible Plate	$30
	46	Munchkin Splash Plate & Bowl Set	$12
	44	Re-Play Divided Plate	$13
	38	First Essentials by NUK Tri-Suction	$6

Why You Should Trust Us

Our testing included lots of use and washing to emulate everyday real-world use and compare performance. Little ones took turns using the plates, and we assessed plate design, durability, ease of cleaning, and more to determine ranking and award winners. We preferred plates that were difficult to break, used eco-healthy materials, were intriguing to little ones, and held enough food for a full dinner.

Led by a pediatrician and mother of two, the BabyGearLab team has been testing gear since 2013 and holds incredible experience and knowledge. Conducting our review is Molly Bradac, Senior Review Editor and nanny with over 14 years of experience. So, when it comes to mealtime and dishware for babies and toddlers, Molly is the perfect expert to help guide your search. We purchased each product in our review, and each contender experienced hands-on testing and a side-by-side comparison to evaluate performance.

Analysis and Test Results

Our lineup includes a range of plates with varying qualities. Therefore, evaluating each contender across key metrics, such as eco-health, usability, and ease of cleaning, is important.

Value

Depending on the plate's material, a product's cost will vary. We consider the Munchkin Splash Plate & Bowl Set to be a budget-friendly set among the competition. It includes plates and bowls, which sport anti-skid material to reduce the dishware from sliding around. If your budget is not limited, we encourage selecting products that use healthier materials, such as stainless steel or bamboo, like the Kiddobloom Dinnerware Set. This dishwasher-safe option offers outstanding durability and longevity, making it worth the splurge. The value is in the long-term use you get with this set.

Eco-Health

Plates come in various materials, and each one holds pros and cons. To score eco-health, we assessed a product's material, the material's projected lifespan, and where the product is manufactured. We value manufacturers who make a conscious effort to create products with less impact on the environment and carry fewer health concerns. Products that fit this profile rank higher.

The Kiddobloom Dinnerware Set is an environmental and health-conscious winner among the competition. Stainless steel is one of the healthiest materials, an essential quality when dealing with developing bodies, and it offers impressive durability and longevity. It will likely be of service beyond your child's needs and perhaps a family heirloom to pass on. With landfills engorged with plastic that will never be recycled or degraded, we think stainless steel is worthy of consideration. Of course, one downside of this material is that it is not microwavable. However, we don't recommend microwaving silicone or plastic, either. So, this drawback isn't as significant as it may seem at first.

Considering plastic degradation over time and the potential chance of chemicals leaching into food, we are not big fans of plastic. Plastic doesn't compare to stainless steel, which shows in our test results. The First Essentials by NUK Tri-Suction and Munchkin Splash & Bowl Set are plastic contenders that rank low. Our investigation and evaluation show that these products do not have any significant nods to environmental friendliness. We believe this material is less likely to provide durability and longevity than other contenders, such as stainless steel. A shorter lifespan increases your chances of purchasing additional plates in the future, causing waste and expense. With that said, the Re-Play Divided Plate is another plastic contender that ranks slightly higher. Re-Play uses recycled milk jugs to produce products, giving new life to plastic that would otherwise end up in a landfill; therefore, a slight increase in its score reflects this eco-friendly effort.

Ease of Cleaning

We are big fans of convenience, and there is no doubt that a dishwasher saves time. However, not all products are dishwasher safe. We believe you should hand wash plastic as the dishwasher's high temperatures can break down plastic and potentially increase the chances of leaching chemicals into foods. Other factors that influence the scoring in this metric include the product's susceptibility to staining and if it requires ongoing maintenance.

The Kiddobloom Dinnerware Set wins a gold medal in this metric. Stainless steel is dishwasher safe, making the cleaning task easy-peasy. Keep in mind that the manufacturer does advise some special care instructions, such as using non-bleach and chlorine-free solutions and removing the set from the dishwasher after the final rinse cycle to air dry. Of course, you'll not always be available for this step, but we think the product's dishwasher compatibility overrides this drawback.

On the flip side, the silicone plates in our lineup rank the lowest, and these contenders include the Bumkins Silicone Grip Dish], Kiddiebites Flexible Plate, and ezpz Mini Mat. A common complaint among users is that a soapy taste can develop on the silicone plate over time. Some manufacturers say oil residue from dish detergents, such as those with anti-bacterial agents, oils, or moisturizers, may leave a soapy taste. Others say phosphate-free soap is to blame. Although we did not experience this issue while testing, we believe there's potential for silicone to require extra attention and cleaning care. In contrast, our lineup's plastic and stainless steel contenders don't necessitate any notable ongoing maintenance, which is why they scored higher. Nonetheless, if you select a silicone plate, we recommend seeing what the manufacturer suggests for soap.

You may be interested in reading: Are Plastics Safe for Baby Bottles and Sippy Cups?

Ease of Use

To score this metric, we focused on essential qualities, like the plate's durability and whether or not it offers suction or anti-skid material, giving bonus points to contenders with outstanding, removable suction.

Among the competition, the Bamboo Fox Suction Plate and Kiddobloom Dinnerware Set rank high. The Bamboo plate sports impressive suction. Of course, no suction will not stop a determined child from lifting a plate to toss onto the floor, but a good suction may deter or give you a few extra seconds to react to your tot's decision to explore cause and effect. Keep in mind that the table's surface plays a significant role in a product's suction performance, and you'll likely experience better results with a smooth, non-porous surface. The Kiddobloom holds a superior spot, mainly due to its strong durability, which others can't match.

The First Essentials by NUK Tri-Suction is the lowest-scoring product in this metric. The plate feels low-quality, thin, and flimsy, which doesn't scream durability. Also, its suction power is weak, leaving us unimpressed.

Conclusion

Mealtime is an opportunity for children to develop and strengthen self-feeding skills. Of course, each child will progress at different rates and ages, but providing the right supplies for exploration is job one. Whether your little one is beginning to explore food or you have an experienced toddler, we are confident that our review and recommendations will help you find a plate that will satisfy your needs and budget.