Is a Mabel & Fox changing mat actually worth £24-30? After six months of daily nappy changes with two kids, I’m giving you the honest answer nobody else will.
When I started looking for a changing mat, I kept seeing Mabel & Fox everywhere. Instagram mums raving about them. Pinterest full of their aesthetic prints. Everyone saying “invest in quality.” But £30 for a changing mat? That’s a lot when you’re already drowning in baby expenses.
So I bought one. Used it daily for six months. And I’m going to tell you exactly what you need to know before spending your money.
Shop Mabel & Fox changing mats here
What You Actually Get for £24-30
Let’s be clear about what you’re paying for:
- Standard changing mat: £18.99 (currently on sale from £18.99)
- Wedge changing mat: £29.99 (anti-roll raised edges)
- Basket changing mat: £22.99 (fits seagrass baskets)
- Travel changing mat: Around £12-15
I bought the wedge mat in “Woodland Wonders” because I liked the print and wanted the raised edges for my wriggly 4-month-old.
The Honest Pros After 6 Months
1. It Actually Wipes Clean (No Staining)
This is where Mabel & Fox earns its price. After six months of explosive nappies, baby sick, and everything else, the mat still looks new. The waterproof PVC coating means nothing soaks in.
One wipe. Done. No scrubbing. No stains.
Compare this to cheaper mats where milk stains never come out and you end up throwing them away after three months. Suddenly £30 doesn’t seem so bad.
2. The Foam Hasn’t Gone Flat
Mabel & Fox uses British Standard Nursery Grade foam. After six months of daily use, it’s still supportive and comfortable.
Cheap changing mats go flat within weeks. The foam compresses and your baby ends up lying on something that feels like cardboard. This hasn’t happened.
3. It Actually Matches My Home
This shouldn’t matter as much as it does, but it does. The prints are subtle, grown-up, and don’t make your bedroom look like a primary school classroom.
I have the Woodland Wonders print on top of my chest of drawers. It looks intentional, not like baby clutter.
4. The Wedge Edges Actually Work
The raised edges on the wedge mat genuinely keep a wriggly baby more secure. My son started rolling at 3 months and those edges gave me breathing room.
Not foolproof – you still need to keep one hand on them – but better than a flat mat where they can roll straight off.
Browse wedge changing mats here
The Honest Cons Nobody Mentions
1. It’s Cold in Winter
PVC feels cold against bare skin in winter. My son would flinch when I laid him down on cold mornings.
Solution: I put a muslin cloth underneath him. This defeats the “wipe clean” benefit slightly but made mornings less awful.
2. The Edges Crack After Heavy Use
After six months, the edges where the mat folds have started showing tiny cracks. Not enough to leak through yet, but they’re there.
This happens because I fold it daily to wipe underneath. If you leave it flat on a dresser, you probably won’t have this problem.
3. It’s Heavy for Travel
The wedge mat weighs more than you’d expect. It’s fine on a dresser but awkward to carry around the house or pack in a changing bag.
If you need something portable, get their travel mat instead. The wedge is for staying in one place.
4. The Price Still Stings
£30 is a lot. Especially when Primark sells changing mats for £8.
The difference is those £8 mats look awful after a month and need replacing. Mabel & Fox lasts. But if money is genuinely tight right now, there are cheaper options that work well enough.
Which Mabel & Fox Changing Mat Should You Buy?
Standard Changing Mat (£18.99)
Best for: Babies under 3 months who aren’t rolling yet, or if you’re using it inside a changing basket.
Skip if: Your baby is already rolling or you want extra security.
Wedge Changing Mat (£29.99)
Best for: Wriggly babies 3 months+, if you’re using it on top of a dresser, if you want anti-roll security.
Skip if: You need something portable or your baby is very calm during changes.
Basket Changing Mat (£22.99)
Best for: If you already have a seagrass changing basket and want the boho aesthetic.
Skip if: You don’t have a basket – just get the standard mat instead.
Travel Changing Mat (£12-15)
Best for: Keeping in your changing bag, taking to grandparents, public toilet changes.
Skip if: You only change nappies at home.
Is Mabel & Fox Actually Worth It?
After six months? Yes, if you can afford it.
Here’s my honest breakdown:
Worth it if:
- You want something that lasts the entire baby stage (0-2 years)
- You care about how your baby stuff looks in your home
- You can spend £25-30 without it hurting
- You value easy cleaning over everything else
Not worth it if:
- £30 is a genuine stretch right now
- You don’t care what it looks like
- You’re happy replacing a cheaper mat every few months
- Your baby is already 18+ months (not much changing time left)
The quality is real. The durability is real. The aesthetics are real.
But if money is tight, a cheaper mat works fine. Your baby won’t know the difference.
What Real Parents Are Saying
“Bought the wedge mat for our second baby. Still looks brand new after 8 months of daily use. Worth every penny.” – Emma, Bristol
“Gorgeous prints but I found it cold in winter. Started using a muslin underneath which helped.” – Sarah, Manchester
“Lasted through two babies and still going strong. Would buy again.” – Katie, London
My Final Verdict After 6 Months
Quality: 9/10 – Genuinely well-made, hasn’t fallen apart
Durability: 8/10 – Minor edge cracking but still functional
Value: 7/10 – Expensive upfront, but lasts
Practicality: 9/10 – Easy to clean, works well daily
Aesthetics: 10/10 – Best-looking changing mat on the market
Overall: 8.5/10
Mabel & Fox delivers on quality and durability. It’s one of the few “nice” baby products that actually justifies its price tag.
Would I buy it again? Yes.
Would I judge you for buying a cheaper one? Absolutely not.
