How to Save Money on Baby Gear Without Sacrificing Quality

Quick Overview: Parenting is expensive, and baby gear can eat up a huge chunk of your budget. 

Here’s a quick checklist you can use to save hundreds (or even thousands) on baby & kid gear:

• Buy gently used gear: Premium brands can cost a fortune new, but lightly used items on resale sites like GoodBuy Gear go for up to 85% off retail.
• Score open box deals: These are basically like-new items at deep discounts (GoodBuy Gear customers save an average of 55% on like-new items).
• Time your purchases: Holiday weekends, end-of-season clearances and other sale windows like Black Friday are the best times to buy.
• Choose gear that grows with your child: Items like convertible cribs, convertible car seats and stroller systems save money long-term.
• Skip the extras (at least at first): Wait to buy until you know what your baby truly needs.
• Borrow or accept hand-me-downs: Perfect for short-term items like bassinets, bouncers or activity gyms.
• Invest in quality upfront: Durable gear means you won’t have to replace broken or worn-out gear.

Baby gear has a way of quietly blowing up your budget. One minute you’re researching a stroller, the next you’re staring at a checkout total that rivals a monthly mortgage payment. But you don’t have to overspend to get safe, high-quality gear.

This guide breaks down how to save money on baby gear by shopping smarter, timing purchases well and knowing when it actually makes sense to splurge. The goal isn’t cutting corners; it’s making confident, informed choices that give you and your baby exactly what you need while protecting your wallet. 

1. Buy Gently Used Baby Gear (And Save Big)

If there’s one strategy that makes the biggest difference when trying to save money on baby gear, it’s buying gently used. Babies outgrow things fast, which means a lot of perfectly good items get passed along long before they’re actually worn out. At GoodBuy Gear, parents save up to 85% off retail by shopping secondhand, often on open box items or gently used gear that was used for just a few months.

High-quality, premium baby gear from brands like Nuna and UPPAbaby is especially well-suited for resale. Premium strollers, carriers and high chairs are built to last through multiple kids and years of daily use, so they tend to hold up extremely well.

Some of the safest and most practical categories to buy gently used include:

• Strollers and travel systems
• Baby carriers and wraps
• High chairs and booster seats
• Swings, bouncers, and activity centers

If you’re unsure where to start, we have a helpful breakdown of where to buy discounted baby gear and a parent-friendly guide on when it makes sense to buy used baby items. Unlike peer-to-peer resale platforms like Facebook Marketplace, items sold through GoodBuy Gear are inspected and vetted before being listed, which removes much of the guesswork that can make secondhand shopping stressful. 

2. Shop Open Box Baby Gear For Like-New Savings

If you tend to shy away from “open box” items, because the term sounds vague or even risky, it’s worth reconsidering. Open box baby gear is one of the easiest ways to save money while still getting items that look and function like new. These products are typically unused returns, opened for inspection or never actually taken out of the box after delivery.

Because open box items are often opened but not used (or used extremely briefly), they’re typically in excellent condition. Think strollers that didn’t fit in a car trunk, high chairs that didn’t work in a kitchen layout or nursery gear parents changed their minds about after setting it up.

At GoodBuy Gear, parents save an average of 55% off retail when shopping open box baby gear, making it a smart middle ground between buying brand new and buying gently used. Open box gear is especially great for:

• Big-ticket items like strollers, cribs and high chairs
• Registry purchases when you want new-looking gear without full retail prices
• Parents who want peace of mind but still care about saving money

Shop All Open Box Gear

3. Know When Baby Gear Goes On Sale

If you’re wondering when baby items go on sale or the best time to buy baby gear, there are a few predictable windows.

Best months for baby gear sales:

• January–February: Post-holiday and clearance sales
• May–June: Memorial Day and early summer promotions
• November–December: Black Friday, Cyber Monday and year-end deals

Holiday weekends like Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Black Friday are especially good for strollers, high chairs, nursery furniture and travel gear. Seasonal items are usually cheapest at the end of their season — think winter gear in February or March and outdoor or travel gear in August or September.

That said, real life doesn’t always align with sales. Babies grow fast, needs change quickly and sometimes you can’t wait months for a discount. In those cases, gently used or open box gear often makes more sense than holding out for the perfect sale.

4. Subscribe and Let Deals Come to You

Baby gear pricing changes all the time (especially for gently used and open box items) and many parents miss great deals simply because they’re not keeping an eye on prices. 

Instead of checking every day (who has time for that!), a simple strategy is to let the deals come to you. Subscribing to price drop alerts and weekly deal roundups makes it easy to catch discounts on big-ticket items like strollers, carriers and high chairs without feeling like you’re constantly bargain hunting.

GoodBuy Gear sends weekly alerts for price drops, new arrivals and deals of the week, so you can shop smarter and save more without adding to your mental load. Sign up here to have the best deals delivered straight to your inbox.

5. Prioritize Baby Gear That Grows With Your Child

Choosing gear designed to grow with your child helps you avoid rebuying the same essentials at every stage. Look for durable items and multi-stage products like convertible cribs, adjustable high chairs and infant-to-toddler strollers that work from newborn through toddlerhood. 

Well-made items with sturdy construction and simple, practical features tend to last longer, perform better and hold their value for resale. When in doubt, choose the item you won’t need to replace in six months. It’s better for your budget… and your sanity.

6. Skip What You Don’t Actually Need

Many items feel essential until you realize they’re barely used, or not used at all. Waiting to see what your baby actually needs can save a lot of money.

Commonly overbought items include nice-to-haves (not must-haves), like: 

• Bottle and wipe warmers
• Extra swings or loungers
• Specialty feeding gadgets 
• Clothes babies outgrow almost immediately

For these short-term or rarely used items, it often makes more sense to wait, borrow, accept hand-me-downs or buy secondhand once you know you’ll actually need them. 

7. Think Beyond Buying (Resale Matters)

Buying the best baby products upfront can actually cost less over time when you’re able to resell them later and recoup part of the expense.

Resale-friendly gear like well-made strollers, carriers, high chairs and nursery furniture from brands like Bugaboo and Babybjorn tend to hold their value, because they’re built to last and stay in demand. Keeping resale in mind also helps you buy smarter. Neutral styles and durable construction make gear easier to resell on platforms like GoodBuy Gear. 

8. Plan Baby Gear Purchases Around Your Due Date

Not all baby gear needs to be bought at once. Timing purchases around your due date can help you spread out costs and avoid overpaying out of panic.

In the second trimester, it makes sense to research and purchase big essentials like a stroller, crib or dresser — items that may have longer shipping times or are easier to plan for in advance. The third trimester is better for smaller, more immediate items like feeding and sleep basics.

Many products, like specialty feeding gear or a push walker they won’t use until closer to 12 months, can also be put on pause until after your baby arrives. Babies grow fast, preferences vary and waiting helps prevent you from buying things you may not end up using. 

9. Use Your Baby Registry As A Money-Saving Tool

A baby registry isn’t just a wish list; it’s a smart way to offset costs. Start by adding big-ticket items like strollers, high chairs, car seats or nursery furniture, so friends and family can contribute to purchases you’ll actually use.

You can stretch your budget even further by mixing new and gently used gear as sustainable registries become increasingly popular for parents looking to save and reduce waste. Group gifting also makes higher-priced items more accessible, while registry completion discounts can help cover anything you still need closer to your due date. Babylist, for example, offers 15% off anything not purchased 60 days before your due date. 

10. Focus On Cost Per Use, Not Just Price

When shopping for baby gear, the lowest price doesn’t always mean the best value. A higher upfront cost can actually be cheaper over time if the item gets daily use or lasts through multiple stages.

For example, a durable stroller you use every day for years can cost less per ride than a cheap one you only use occasionally. Some other examples include:

• An adjustable high chair that works from infancy through toddlerhood
• A convertible crib that transitions to a toddler bed
• A quality baby carrier used daily 

Thinking in terms of cost per use helps you prioritize essentials, make intentional buying decisions and save money without feeling guilty about spending a little more on what really matters (and what will hold its resale value).

Money Saving Mistakes Parents Make 

Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to make decisions that end up costing more in the long run. Common pitfalls include:

• Buying everything before your little one arrives, and stockpiling gear you may never use.
• Ignoring resale and durability, because cheaper items that don’t last can end up costing more.
• Waiting too long for big sales, since babies grow fast and delays can lead to full-price panic buys.
• Skipping secondhand or open box options and missing out on huge savings on quality gear.
• Focusing only on price, not cost per use, when the cheapest option isn’t always the best value long-term.

FAQs

What Is The Best Way To Save Money On Baby Gear?

The best way to save money on baby gear is to shop smarter, not just cheaper. Look for gently used and open box items, consider resale-friendly gear, time big purchases around sales and prioritize products that grow with your child. Focusing on essentials and cost per use helps you stretch your budget without compromising safety or quality. 

When Is The Best Time Of Year To Buy Baby Gear?

The best time to buy baby gear is during predictable sale windows. Major discounts often happen around holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. End-of-season clearance periods are also a good opportunity for seasonal or overstock items. That said, babies grow fast, so sometimes it’s smarter to buy gently used or open-box items rather than waiting for the perfect sale.

Is It Safe To Buy Gently Used Baby Gear?

It is safe to buy gently used baby gear when you choose items in good condition and check for recalls. Look for products that are free of damage and have up-to-date safety features. Buying through vetted platforms, like GoodBuy Gear, adds extra peace of mind, since items are inspected before being listed. You can learn about our extensive safety standards here.

How Much Can Parents Save By Buying Gently Used Baby Gear?

Parents can save up to 85% off retail on premium brands at GoodBuy Gear, often on items that were only lightly used or returned unopened. 

Final Thoughts

Parenting comes with enough surprises, and your budget doesn’t need to be one of them. Look for gently used and open box gear, take resale value into account, time your bigger purchases around sales and choose products that grow with your child to avoid repeated spending. Pause before buying anything that isn’t essential, and think about how much use you’ll actually get out of it, so you can stretch your budget and feel in control of your baby gear shopping from day one.

About the Author, Brigitt Earley

GoodBuy Gear Contributing Writer