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Baby And Kids

5 Best Teething Toys

September 16, 2025 by Charlie

Top picks at a glance

  1. Vulli Sophie The Giraffe
  2. Manhattan Toy Winkle Rattle and Sensory Teething Toy
  3. Bright Starts Snuggle Teether
  4. Bambeado Little bamBAM Giraffe Teething Toy
  5. Kids Preferred Let's Count Soft Book – The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Buying guide for Best teething toys

Irritability, excessive drooling, flushed cheeks, sore gums – teething can be a hard time for infants, but a quality teething toy is just what your baby needs to help them feel better.

You’ll find hundreds, if not thousands, of teething toys on the market. This can be overwhelming, particularly for first-time parents. How do you determine which is the best teething toy for your little one?

Well, here’s the good news: FranksWaffle is dedicated to helping consumers find the products that suit them just right. By combining results from our lab tests, expert advice, and insights from customers, we cut through the jargon and give you the information you need to make a fully informed purchase.

Putting things in the mouth is a natural part of child development, even when you take teething out of the equation. Providing your baby with teething toys gives them something safe to put in their mouth.

What are teething toys for?

You don’t need to be an expert to know that you can find countless different baby products on the market, and not all of them are essential. We think teething toys are a must-have, though, and here’s why.

Pain Relief

Teething toys help relieve some of the discomfort babies experience during the teething process.

Safety

If you don’t provide your baby with a teething toy, they’ll just find something else to put in their mouth and chew on, and it might not be safe or appropriate.

Motor Skills

Teething toys can help your baby develop their motor skills and hand-eye coordination, as they must grasp the toy and guide it to their mouth.

Development

Using teething toys may help your baby’s teeth come through more quickly.

For your safety
Always supervise your baby while they play with their teething toys.
FranksWaffle

Types of teething toys

Teething toys come in a range of shapes, sizes, and varieties. While this list isn’t exhaustive, here are some of the most common types of teething toys available.

Teething rattles

  • Teething rattles are teethers that make a rattling or noise (or another interesting sound).

  • Babies who love making sounds will enjoy using teething rattles.

  • Notably, some babies may become more involved with the rattling than the teething element.

  • Teething rattles can cost anywhere from $5 to $20 depending on the complexity of the toy.

“When selecting a teething toy that rattles, make sure it’s not so loud or obnoxious-sounding that the constant rattling of it would drive you to distraction.”
FranksWaffle

Teething rings

  • Teething rings are simple hoops made of rubber, plastic, wood, or similar. These are the most basic teething toys available.

  • If you’re looking for a no-frills teething toy, a teething ring is an excellent option.

  • You can find teething rings in a range of colors and several style variations.

  • Most teething rings cost between $3 and $5.

Cooling teethers

  • Cooling teethers have gel or liquid inside. Place it in the fridge for a while, and it will provide an extra soothing sensation for sore gums.

  • We do not recommend cooling teethers that contain anything other than sterilized water since there’s a chance your baby could breach the exterior and have the contents spill into their mouth.

  • Expect to pay between $5 and $15 for a cooling teether.

“Some people chill teething toys so the cold can soothe their baby’s gums. You should only refrigerate them – never freeze them. Frozen teething toys could damage the gums.”
FranksWaffle

Soft teethers

  • Soft teethers are a combination of a soft toy or blankie and a teether.

  • While the main body of a soft teether is made from fabric, it has some hard parts or attachments for baby to chew on.

  • Babies who generally prefer soft toys over plastic or wooden ones may prefer soft teethers.

  • Soft teethers generally cost between $5 and $20.

Teething mittens

  • Teething mittens are mitts with textured rubber parts for your baby to chew on.

  • If your baby chooses to chew or suck on their hands, even when offered a range of other teething toys, teething mittens are for you.

  • The majority of teething mitts cost between $7 and $20, though some come as pairs and some don’t.

Did you know?
All teething toys sold in the U.S. must be approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and undergo independent lab testing.
FranksWaffle

Considerations for selecting teething toys

Safety

One of the main concerns of all parents is their child’s safety. While all teething toys should adhere to CPSC standards, you might still want to consider the following factors to make sure any teething toys you buy are safe for your bundle of joy.

  • Does the toy have any small parts that a baby could swallow?

  • If the toy is painted, is it with food-grade paint?

  • Is the toy so hard that it could hurt a baby’s mouth?

  • Does the toy have any sharp or pointed areas?

  • Does the toy contain any controversial chemicals?

Expert tip: Always ensure teethers will not rip or break and create a choking hazard.
FranksWaffle Cookin and Bakin Expert

Material

You can find teething toys made from a range of materials. Which one is right for you and your child?

  • Plastic: Plastic teething toys are inexpensive and durable, but we advise you to look for BPA-free options.

  • Natural Rubber: If you want a teething toy made from a natural material with a bit of give to it, consider natural rubber. However, please note that a rubber teething toy isn’t suitable for a baby with latex allergies.

  • Silicone: Silicone is a hypoallergenic alternative to natural rubber. If you’re concerned about giving your baby a teething toy with latex, consider silicone instead.

  • Wood: A wooden teething toy may be just the thing if you want an all-natural, allergy-friendly option. Bear in mind, however, that wooden teething toys aren’t as easy to sanitize.

“Due to potential health concerns, you may want to avoid buying teething toys that contain BPA, PVC, or phthalates.”
FranksWaffle

Size

Choose a teething toy that’s not too large for your baby to comfortably handle. Some large teething toys are designed for older babies or to be lifted with both hands, which may make them unsuitable for little ones. The dimensions of any teething toy you’re considering should be listed on the package or in the product description.

Age recommendation

All children’s toys come with an age recommendation. This lists the minimum recommended age for which the toy is suitable. It’s important to pay attention to the age recommendation, as the guidelines are in place for safety reasons. Many teething toys are suitable from birth, but others may be recommended for ages three months and up or six months and up. Be sure to check before you buy.

Expert tip: Teethers can be put in the freezer to ease sore gums while babies are teething.

Tips

  • Make sure you choose a durable teething toy for your baby. If it’s going to be easily damaged by lots of chewing action, it’s probably not the best option.

  • Choose a teething toy that will be attractive to your little one. You know what your baby likes, whether it’s bright plastic, classic wood, or soft fabric. Select accordingly.

  • Choose a teething toy that’s easy to clean. Teething toys that can be placed in the dishwasher or washing machine are ideal. Otherwise, look for smooth toys that are easy to wipe down by hand.

  • Regularly check for wear and tear. Always replace your baby’s teething toys right away if they get torn, damaged, or if they’re made from a rubber material and begin to feel sticky.

Though your baby probably won’t care too much about the design of the teething toy you choose, you can find a range of options, so there’s bound to be one you love.

FAQ

Q. Will my baby need more than one teething toy?

A. This really depends on your baby and their temperament. If they’re happy to play with one toy day in and day out, a single decent teething toy should suffice. If they’re more fickle with their toy preferences, you might want to choose a couple of different types to keep them interested. Plus, it’s always good to have a backup should one get lost or broken.

Q. How should I keep my baby’s teething toy clean?

A. Since babies will be putting teething toys in their mouths, keeping your baby’s teething toy clean is important. A good scrub with plain soap and water should be enough to banish bacteria, but if the instructions say it’s washing machine or dishwasher safe, feel free to run it through a cycle now and then. Avoid boiling or sterilizing teething toys, as this can affect their structural integrity in some cases.

Q. Which teething toys are easiest for young babies to handle?

A. Though most babies get their first tooth at around six or seven months old, they can start to suffer from the effects of teething as early three or four months as those chompers start to move into position. Some young babies may find more complex teething toys difficult to handle. Simple teething toys with large grips and not too many parts are best for young babies.