Baby rattles are colorful, fun, and safe toys, being enjoyed by little ones for generations. Unlike the traditional rattle ball with a handle, today, baby rattle toys come in all different colors, shapes, and sizes, and include age-appropriate developmental activities your baby can learn from and play with. Babies can shake them to make their own tunes, enjoy the different colors and various textures, and even use them as soothers to ease their teething pains.
Baby rattles are inexpensive, and children can start exploring them at a very early age – some even from day one. It encourages the little ones to start practicing their fine motor skills, as well as their basic cognitive skills. While there is a wide variety of rattle toys available in the market, this review will help you learn everything you need to know about finding the best one for your baby.
After extensive research and reading through numerous consumer reviews and reports, all products chosen for this review include the sights and sounds most adored by your little ones. Further, all products conform to the guidelines established by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Best Baby Rattles At A Glance
Before we dive into a detailed review of each baby rattle, below you will find a quick overview of the 13 best baby rattles we selected especially for you.
The Plan Toys Bell Rattle is made from eco-friendly materials and features a design perfect for small hands to grab onto.
The Good
- Made from high-quality, sustainable materials
- The cord binding beads to the handle is very durable
- Rattle is chewable; paint will not come off if your child decides to bite!
- Rattle noise is pleasant
The Bad
- The pacifier-like shape almost encourages your child to place the toy in their mouth; although it’s perfectly safe for them to do so, you may not always want that
Expert Tip
The rattle is quite small at just 2.4 x 2.4 x 3.1 (inches). Keep that in mind if your baby is far past the 4-month recommended age for this toy.
Final Thoughts
The Plan Toys Bell Rattle is a great first toy for your child. Its small size and vibrant colors are sure to activate your little one’s curiosity.
This rattle is unique in many ways. For one, it’s made from HABAform, which is an alternative to plastic. It’s also one of the more flexible rattles out there, offering your child plenty of opportunity for developing motor skills they wouldn’t be able to with more basic rattles.
The Good
- Vibrantly-colored
- Made in Germany
- Unique design
- Organic materials
The Bad
- May be confusing for younger children
- Pieces are threaded on an elastic band, which may break with excessive force
Expert Tip
Encourage your child to think creatively with the HABA Color Snake Rattle. It bends in many different ways to allow for exploration.
Final Thoughts
The HABA Color Snake Rattle is one of the more exciting rattles out there. If your baby is bored of playing with more basic rattles, this is a perfect pick.
This classic key rattle encourages motor skills and is crafted perfectly for a baby’s grip. It features bright colors (courtesy of vegetable dye) and is made from rubberwood, making it environmentally friendly as well!
The Good
- Non-toxic finish and paint
- Made from environmentally-friendly rubberwood
- Ideally-sized for a baby’s small grip
The Bad
- The cord holding the keys together can stain easily and is tricky to clean
- Key shapes don’t have much variation
Expert Tip
If you’ve been frustrated by other key rattles that are too noisy, you’ll enjoy the relative quietness of these rubberwood shapes.
Final Thoughts
This is a very solid option that your child will love for years to come. It’s durably built, quiet, and looks very vibrant and exciting.
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Elisabeth S.
This was probably the first toy my baby showed interest in. It's easy for her hold and grab on to and the rattle sound seems to be the point of interest for her. The good thing is that it's not made of hard plastic.
The Oball rattle is made from bendable plastic that holds its shape and is just right for teething babies. The rattle mimics the sound of soothing raindrops and is gentle on the ears. The multicolored mesh ball is large enough for the baby to grip easy and fun to roll around the house. Recommended for babies aged 3 months and older.
The Good
- BPA free plastic – safe for teething
- 30 finger holes – encourages two-hand clutching
- Slightest touch makes a soothing sound – great for learning cause and effect
- Large in size – 6 inches in diameter
The Bad
- Cleaning the mesh ball can be difficult and time consuming
- Might be too large for some babies
Expert Tip
As your baby grows in to a toddler you can use the same baby rattle ball to practice throwing and catching
Final Thoughts
You and your baby will not be disappointed with this toy. Can be used for years to come.
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Alvarado C.
My daughter can play and sit with this for some time without getting bored. She continually does her best to get the tiny square in the middle and adores that it makes a rattling sound. Simply love this toy.
The lightweight Manhattan Toy Winkel infant rattle will keep you little one captivated with its maze of soft, continuous loops in vibrant colors. The pliable loops are BPA, lead, and PVC free – perfect for babies who are teething or gumming. The center cube has a pleasing rattle, quiet enough for your little one’s sensitive ears. Suitable for newborns and up.
The Good
- BPA, Lead, and PVC free colorful soft plastic loops
- Lightweight – easy for little hands to hold
- Vibrant colors instantly catch your little one’s attention
- Quiet, pleasing rattle
- Encourages two-hand clutching
- Award winning brand: Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award 2013 and Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Winner 2016
The Bad
- Difficult and time consuming to clean
Expert Tip
For sore gums, refrigerate the rattle toy before playtime to provide added relief
Final Thoughts
With close to 4000 customer reviews and 4.7 rating on Amazon, this Winkel toy is a winner with many parents and their little ones.
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Wendy H
Bought this for my friend who is pregnant. Very lightweight, makes a soft little sounding which isn’t annoying. Can't wait for baby to play with it when he gets here.
It’s an absolute delight to watch your little one work out with the Buff Baby rattle. Simple but stimulating, the baby rattle has a gentle rattle sound and encourages natural hand-grips. Recommended for babies aged 3 months and older, the toy weighs around 1 pound.
The Good
- No phosphates and BPA free material
- Encourages and strengthens natural hand-grips
- Durable and lightweight, made of hard plastic
- Makes a soft rattle
- Easy to clean
The Bad
- Some find the size to be a bit too small
Expert Tip
Use mild soap and water to clean the baby weight rattle
Final Thoughts
The baby dumbbell rattle makes for a fun and amusing gift for fitness obsessed parents.
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Tonya M.
This one is easy for our daughter’s her pudgy, short fingers to grasp. One of her favorites! Holds up well to chewing.
This Oball rattle has two mini teethable mesh balls attached to a clear and textured rattle with colorful beads inside. The plastic mesh is soft enough so your little ones won’t get hurt whether they choose to shake, rattle, or chew. Recommended for babies aged 3 months and older.
The Good
- BPA Free
- Two mini bendable plastic mesh balls
- Clear textured rattle with soft sound
- Lightweight and easy to hold
The Bad
- Difficult to clean the mini mesh balls
Expert Tip
Do not immerse in water
Final Thoughts
A versatile baby rattle for just under $5
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Sarah B.
Great quality and looks beautiful. I'm counting on it last enough so that my daughter can keep it for her children.
This keepsake Mud Pie silver baby rattle is destined to become a cherished heirloom. With embossed beaded border design, the baby rattle comes wrapped beautifully in a grey and white gift box. The shiny silver surface is sure to catch your baby’s attention and keep the little one entertained with its soft rattle.
The Good
- Traditional, classic style keepsake with embossed beaded border design
- Soft rattle sound – easy on the ears
- Perfect for gifting
- Stem sized for easy grasp by tiny hands
The Bad
- A bit smaller in size
- Only allows for minimal engraving
Expert Tip
Use a clean dry cloth to keep it shiny
Final Thoughts
Classic and elegant, this keepsake silver rattle is a hit on baby showers.
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Andrew N.
My baby plays with it all the time and took to it very quickly. Very pleased with the style and look of this rattle. He loves this toy! Amazing quality.
This wooden baby rattle is a beautifully crafted with three wooden rings that travel back and forth to make mellow rattle sounds. Each part of this handmade baby rattle is finished with organic coconut oil, and the wood is soft enough to chew on for teething babies.
The Good
- Handmade with superior craftsmanship
- Sealed with organic coconut oil
- Interactive rings your baby will love examining and manipulating
- Wood is soft and gentle on sore gums
- Comes in four different color choices
The Bad
- Ends are too large for younger babies to chew on
Expert Tip
Rub it with some organic coconut oil after wash
Final Thoughts
Excellent choice for parents who are averse to plastic or overly stimulating toys for their little ones.
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Stroh J.
The rattle fits perfectly in my baby’s hands and is light weight. The rattle is soft, gentle and not loud which is obviously good for baby. His littler hands can easily grasp and as the plastic is pliable and soft makes a great teething toy.
Buy your baby their first car with this 1-piece Oball rattle and car. Easy to grip and fun to drive around, each wheel features colorful rattle beads that bounce around to make exiting sound effects. The bendable and soft Oball material makes it perfect for teething and sore gums. Recommended for babies aged 3 months and older.
The Good
- BPA Free
- Fun, interactive, and colorful
- Colorful beads in each wheel
- Easy to grip and roll – even for the tiniest hands
- Soft, flexible material, gentle on sore gums
The Bad
- Comes in assorted colors so the advertized color and print may vary from what you order
Expert Tip
For cleaning, wash the toy car with mild soap and water
Final Thoughts
Your baby will love these wheels.
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Cherie R.
I bought this for a colleague's baby shower. It makes a soft rattle sound which is pleasant and I also love the bright color. I really love how well-made this toy is.
Another Manhattan toy Winkel makes our top 10 list with their patented BPA free plastic loops, perfect for teething babies. Enclosed between the maze of continuous loops is an animal shaped hidden rattle. This Winkel toy also works perfectly with baby links for strollers and car seats so you never have to leave the house without your baby’s favorite toy.
The Good
- BPA free colorful soft plastic loops
- Lightweight – easy for little hands to hold
- Vibrant colors instantly catch your little ones attention
- Quiet, pleasing rattle
- Encourages two-hand clutching
- Suitable for newborns and up
- Perfect to take on the go
- Award winning brand: Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award 2013 and Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Winner 2016
The Bad
- Hassle to clean the tubes
Expert Tip
For sore gums, refrigerate the rattle toy before playtime to provide added relief
Do not immerse in water
Final Thoughts
You cannot go wrong with a winkle toy. Colorful and mesmerizing, your baby will love the animal shapes.
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Heather A.
I have three rattles now and they are the most adorable and special gift. Absolutely love this brand! Amazing product.
Estella baby rattles are made with GOTS certified organic cotton – safe for babies and the environment. These unique baby rattles come in 27 distinct colors and shapes to choose from, and will immediately become your baby’s favorite toy for years to come. These award winning baby rattles are super soft, interactive, and fun for your baby to squeeze, shake, and manipulate.
The Good
- Hand knit from 100% organic cotton
- GOTS Certified
- Award Winning: Mom’s Choice Award, Tilywig Toy Award
- Awarded the National Parenting Seal of Approval
- 27 distinct and colorful options to choose from
The Bad
- These designer baby rattles are a bit on the pricier side
Expert Tip
For cleaning, set your washer to delicate settings and machine wash it cold.
Final Thoughts
Environmentally friendly baby rattles your little one will love for years to come.
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Adrian B.
Comes in cute packaging to make a classic gift. Baby will definitely love when more focused on toys rather than watching people and discovering own limbs! Catches her attention.
For just under $10 you can buy these adorable animal baby wrist rattles and foot rattles. These brightly colored soft baby rattles come with bells and rustled paper for a fun sensory experience for your little ones. Suitable for newborns, these baby rattles make a great gift on baby showers.
The Good
- Great price for a set of wrist rattles and baby foot rattles
- Brightly colored and cute animal shapes
- Soft rattle sounds and different textures
- hand washable and tumble dry
The Bad
- The rattle socks stretch out easily and do not fit snugly
Expert Tip
If the rattle socks stretch out, put them on a pair of regular socks for a snug fit
Final Thoughts
A customer favorite to gift on baby showers, you baby will love the various textures on this baby rattle.
The Bottom Line
A baby rattle will probably be your little one’s first toy, and therefore we have carefully vetted through a sea of rattle toys to list out the best baby rattles available in the market. From plush to plastic to wooden, the list contains a range of stimulating and manipulative rattles to choose from. The list is further dominated by award winning and leading manufacturers of baby toys, so you can be comfortable in choosing any of the baby rattles from the review.
However, it should be noted that whichever rattle you choose, you should carefully examine the packaging and attachments before use. Any baby rattle with sharp edges, missing or lose pieces should be returned immediately as it can be a choking hazard for babies.
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