Short answer
Measure across the tub from outer rim to outer rim, then choose an expandable caddy whose listed range includes that number, not right at its maximum. Bamboo is the common, lighter choice; teak is the classic wood for wet rooms. Whatever you buy, wipe it dry and stand it somewhere airy after each bath: soaking is what warps and cracks wood.
Measure across the rim
Bathtub trays span the tub side to side. Measure straight across from the outer edge of one rim to the outer edge of the other, at the spot where you will sit. Expandable caddies list a minimum and a maximum length; your measurement must sit inside that range. The size calculator has a tub mode.
Bathtub tray types
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No. 01Most common
Expandable bamboo caddy
Best for: standard alcove tubs and most built-in tubs
- Fit
- Slides to length
- Weight
- Light
- Extras
- Often a book or tablet stand
- Sliding arms adjust to the tub width
- Laminated strips: keep it out of standing water
- Many include a glass slot and a book rest
-
No. 02Wet room wood
Teak bathtub tray
Best for: people who leave the tray on the tub
- Fit
- Fixed or expandable
- Weight
- Medium
- Care
- Occasional oil
- Teak is the traditional wood for showers and boats
- Usually costs more than bamboo
- Still dry it between baths
-
No. 03Simple
Wooden fixed-length tray
Best for: a tub whose width you know, and a cleaner look
- Fit
- One length only
- Weight
- Light to medium
- Look
- Plain plank or with rails
- No sliding joints to collect water
- Measure carefully: there is no adjustment
- Acacia and walnut-tone finishes are common
What to put on it
Keep it light and balanced over the middle: a book or tablet, a drink, a candle and maybe a small plant. Heavy things at one end can tip the tray when you lean on it. A stemmed glass is easiest in a dedicated slot.
Care so it lasts
- Dry it after every bath. Wipe the top and underside and stand it on edge outside the tub.
- Never leave it soaking. America's Test Kitchen warns that long exposure to water warps and cracks wood and bamboo, and that soaking can loosen laminated boards.
- Oil it now and then. Food-grade mineral oil, rubbed in and wiped off, helps water bead instead of soaking in.
Care kit
More on wood in the wood and bamboo tray guide.
Questions people ask
How do I know if a bathtub tray will fit my tub?
Measure straight across the tub from the outer edge of one rim to the outer edge of the other, where you will use the tray. Expandable caddies list a minimum and maximum length; your number needs to fall inside it, ideally not at the very end, so the arms rest fully on both rims.
Do bathtub trays work on freestanding or clawfoot tubs?
Often, yes, as long as the rims are flat enough for the arms to rest on and the width falls inside the caddy range. Rolled rims on clawfoot tubs are rounded, so look for caddies with grips or rubber pads underneath, and check the shape before you rely on it.
Is bamboo or teak better for a bath tray?
Both work if you dry them. Bamboo is usually lighter and more widely sold. Teak is naturally oily and is the traditional wood for showers and boats. Bamboo boards are made from laminated strips, and soaking can loosen them, so do not leave either sitting in water.
Why did my wooden bath tray crack?
Repeated soaking and drying. Wood swells when wet and shrinks as it dries, and long exposure to water warps and cracks wood and bamboo. Wipe it dry after use, store it out of the tub, and rub in food-grade mineral oil now and then.
Sources
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Sizes, finishes and listings change; check the product details and measurements before you buy, and follow the maker’s care instructions.