A bathtub caddy tray is the piece that turns a bath into a spa night. It sits across the tub and keeps a book, a phone, a glass of wine and a candle within reach and out of the water, so you can actually stay in long enough to relax.
The things that matter are whether it fits your tub, whether it stays put, and whether it survives months of steam and splashes without warping or growing mould. These are the trays we’d put across our own tubs.
Best overallRoyal Craft Wood Expandable Bathtub TrayCheck price
Best modern lookBambüsi Grey Bamboo Bathtub TrayCheck price
Best as a giftTemple Spring Bamboo Bath Tray with Spa AccessoriesCheck price
Best for smaller tubsUtoplike Bamboo Bathtub Caddy TrayCheck price
Royal Craft Wood Expandable Bathtub Tray
For: most standard and wide tubs
- Spans29.5 to 43 in
- HoldsBook/tablet, wine glass, phone
- FoldsYes
The best-known bath tray on Amazon, with more than twenty-five thousand reviews and a high average. Per the maker it spans 29.5 to 43 inches, sits on silicone grips, has a lacquered bamboo finish against splashes and folds in half to store. It is the tray we'd buy without a second thought.
What we like
- Fits a wide range of tubs
- Non-slip silicone grips
- Folds flat for storage
Watch out for
- Too long for small or narrow tubs
- Lacquer still needs drying between baths
Bambüsi Grey Bamboo Bathtub Tray
For: grey, white and modern bathrooms
- Spans29.5 to 42.9 in
- FinishGrey lacquer
- FoldsFlat
The same useful layout (wine-glass holder, slotted book and tablet stand, open space for a candle and soap) in a grey finish that suits a modern bathroom better than honey-coloured bamboo. Silicone grips underneath, and it folds flat.
What we like
- Grey finish, if warm wood isn't your look
- Wide span
- Folds flat
Watch out for
- Grey shows water marks if left wet
- Costs a little more
Temple Spring Bamboo Bath Tray with Spa Accessories
For: giving the whole bath setup in one box
- Spans27.6 to 41.3 in
- Book rest10.2 in, solid
- ExtrasSoap dish, face cloth, gloves
A tray with a solid 10-inch book rest that holds a tablet steady, four non-slip pads, and a matching bamboo soap dish, face cloth and exfoliating gloves in the box. A complete present for a new home or a birthday.
What we like
- Sturdy book and tablet rest
- Arrives as a gift set
- Fits most tubs
Watch out for
- Priciest of our picks
- Extras you may not need if it's for you
Utoplike Bamboo Bathtub Caddy Tray
For: tubs too narrow for the big trays
- Spans24.5 to 37.4 in
- BuildOne-piece, varnished
- HoldsTablet, wine glass
Most trays start at about 28 inches, which is too wide for small and older tubs. This one closes down to 24.5 inches, with non-slip strips and holders for a tablet and a wine glass.
What we like
- Fits narrow tubs
- Tablet and glass holders
- Non-slip strips
Watch out for
- Too short for very wide tubs
- Smaller surface than the big trays
Banlilu Expandable Bamboo Bath Tray
For: a simple shelf across the tub, for less
- Spans27.5 to 32.6 in
- GripsSilicone
- Doubles asShower shelf
A plain bamboo tray with silicone grips for a phone, a drink and a candle. It has no book stand and a narrower range than our top picks, but it does the basic job for much less.
What we like
- Low price
- Non-slip grips
- Simple to clean
Watch out for
- No book or tablet stand
- Narrow width range: measure first
How to choose a bathtub tray
Measure your tub. Measure across the tub from outside rim to outside rim. Most expandable trays span about 70 to 110 cm (28 to 43 inches) and need a flat rim of a couple of centimetres on each side to rest on. Freestanding tubs with rolled rims and very wide or very narrow tubs are where trays most often don’t fit.
Expandable arms. Sliding extensions let one tray fit most tubs. Check the minimum and maximum width in the listing against your measurement.
Grip. Silicone strips or rubber feet on the underside stop the tray sliding when you lean on it.
Material. Bamboo is the usual choice: light, fairly water-resistant and handsome. It still needs to dry between baths; a tray that lives in a puddle will darken and can grow mould.
Features. A book or tablet stand, a wine-glass slot and a phone groove are the useful extras. A removable tray for soap or a candle is a bonus.
Caring for a bamboo tray
Wipe it dry after each bath and stand it on its edge or hang it so air reaches both sides. Every few months, a thin coat of food-safe mineral oil keeps bamboo from drying out and cracking. Keep candles in a holder rather than directly on the wood.
A tray is half of a comfortable bath; a bath pillow is the other half. Our complete spa night kit puts them together.
How we rate
We score every pick out of 10 on four things, weighted for how people actually use spa gear at home: how well it does its job (40%), whether that is a steamer's steady mist, a pillow's grip on a slick tub or a robe's softness after the tenth wash; build and materials (25%), including what owners report after months of use; ease of use and care (20%), meaning setup, cleaning and storage; and value (15%).
We have not tested these products ourselves. We read the manufacturer's specifications and care instructions and look for the patterns in verified owners' reviews, both the praise and the recurring complaints. No brand pays for placement, and a commission cannot buy a higher rating. When a pick changes, we will say so on this page.
Frequently asked questions
Will a bathtub tray fit my tub?
Measure across the tub from outer rim to outer rim and compare it with the tray’s minimum and maximum width. Most fit standard alcove tubs; freestanding, clawfoot and corner tubs are worth measuring twice.
Do bamboo bath trays get mouldy?
They can if they stay wet. Dry the tray after each bath and let it air out, and oil it occasionally to keep the finish sealed.
Can I use a bathtub tray in a clawfoot tub?
Often, because many clawfoot tubs have a rolled rim wide enough to rest on, but the curve can make a tray rock. Look for a tray with silicone grips, and measure the inside and outside widths.
Is it safe to use a phone or tablet on a bath tray?
The tray keeps it out of the water, but steam and splashes still reach it. Keep cables and anything plugged in away from the bath entirely.
