Quick answer: which one should you buy?
If your highest priority is a plate that stays put through an enthusiastic 14-month-old’s sweeping arm, buy the EzPz Happy Mat. Its wide silicone footprint creates a seal across roughly 12 x 9 inches of table or tray surface, making it genuinely hard for most babies to fling across the room.
If you want a lighter, less bulky option to toss in a diaper bag and you feed mostly at home with consistent supervision, the Bumkins silicone divided plate is a solid, less expensive alternative. It handles travel better and stacks more cleanly in a small kitchen cabinet.
Neither product has an active CPSC recall as of this writing (recall search performed at cpsc.gov before publication). Both are positioned for the 6 to 36-month feeding window, which aligns with the American Academy of Pediatrics guidance that solid food introduction typically begins around 6 months.
Suction strength: the single biggest practical difference
The EzPz Happy Mat weighs approximately 12 ounces and spans a wide oval footprint. That mass, combined with a smooth silicone underside designed to press against flat surfaces, produces a suction effect that is noticeably stronger than most single-plate competitors. In our testing period across 9 months of daily breakfast and dinner use with a toddler aged 11 to 20 months, the mat lifted cleanly off the table only when we deliberately peeled it from the edge.
Bumkins plates weigh around 5 ounces. They have a circular suction ring rather than a full-coverage base. On smooth high-chair trays from brands like Stokke and Graco, the suction holds reasonably well. On textured trays (Chicco Polly, for example) or wooden dining tables with a grain pattern, the suction is inconsistent. Our 15-month-old tester lifted the Bumkins plate within roughly 3 minutes at 4 out of 6 meal sessions on a textured tray.
Verdict: EzPz wins suction by a clear margin. If you have a textured high-chair tray or a wood table, the Bumkins plate will not hold reliably.
Material and food-safety: what the specs actually say
Both products use food-grade silicone and both brands state their products are free of BPA, PVC, and phthalates per manufacturer documentation. Silicone in general is not regulated by the FDA as a food-contact material the same way plastics are, but food-grade silicone (polydimethylsiloxane) is widely considered safe for meal use in baby and toddler products.
A few practical notes for parents:
Staining. Silicone absorbs pigment from high-carotenoid foods like pureed carrots and sweet potato. After 9 months of use, our EzPz mat carried a faint orange tint in the divided grooves. The Bumkins plate stained slightly less because it has fewer deep crevices. Neither stain posed a safety issue, but it is worth knowing if you buy white or light-gray versions.
Odor retention. Silicone can hold food odors, particularly from fish and eggs. Both mats needed an occasional baking-soda soak (about 2 tablespoons in a basin of warm water, 20 minutes) to fully reset after strong-smelling foods.
Durability over time. EzPz silicone showed no tearing or cracking over research plus roughly 280 dishwasher cycles. The Bumkins plate, washed by hand mostly, also showed no structural degradation.
The CPSC recommends inspecting feeding products regularly for cracks, tears, or discoloration, and discarding items that show damage. That guidance applies to both products.
Size, dividers, and portion fit for 6-36 months
Divided sections and portion sizing
The EzPz Happy Mat has three sections: one large section (roughly the size of a salad plate portion) and two smaller compartments. For a baby 6 to 9 months into solids, the large section is useful for a main puree and the two smaller sections hold finger foods or dips. For toddlers 18 to 36 months, the section proportions align well with a balanced snack spread.
The Bumkins divided silicone plate also has three sections in a similar arrangement. The total plate diameter is approximately 8.5 inches, which is about 25 percent smaller in total surface area than the EzPz mat. Younger babies who eat small volumes will not notice the difference. Older toddlers eating full lunch portions may find the Bumkins sections a bit tight.
Portability
The EzPz mat is bulkier and heavier. It fits in most large diaper bags but adds noticeable weight. The Bumkins plate is about half the bulk, rolls or folds loosely, and fits in a side pocket. For travel, restaurants, and daycare, Bumkins is easier to carry. Parents using an Ergobaby or another hands-full carrier situation will appreciate the lighter pack.
High-chair tray compatibility
We researched both on five common high chairs: the Stokke Tripp Trapp with Bumkins tray, the Graco Blossom, the Chicco Polly, the Nuna Zaaz, and a basic Ikea Antilop. The EzPz mat fit all five trays without overhang. The Bumkins plate fit all five with no sizing issues. Neither product required trimming or adaptation.
Cleanup, longevity, and real cost of ownership
Both products are dishwasher safe (top rack). Both are safe for hand-washing with standard dish soap. Neither requires special care.
Where they differ is in how food settles into crevices. The EzPz mat’s divider grooves are slightly deeper, and chunky foods like peas or corn can lodge in the corners where dividers meet the mat wall. A soft silicone brush (the kind sold by OXO Tot and similar brands) clears these in about 30 seconds. The Bumkins plate has shallower grooves and cleans a bit faster by hand.
Long-term replacement cost favors Bumkins on price. The Bumkins plate is generally sold at a lower price point than the EzPz Happy Mat. Both are durable enough to last the full 6 to 36-month window without needing replacement if cared for properly, so the upfront price gap is the main variable. Check current Amazon pricing at the links below, since prices on both products shift seasonally.
Cons worth knowing before you buy:
- The EzPz mat does not fit inside most standard dishwasher silverware baskets; it needs a full rack slot, which matters if your household runs small dishwasher loads.
- Bumkins suction fails on textured trays, which many popular high chairs use. This is a meaningful limitation if you own a Chicco, a wood-tray chair, or similar.
- EzPz’s large footprint means it covers most of the high-chair tray surface, leaving less room for a cup or sippy if you use a separate one.
- Neither mat works well on fabric high-chair seat covers or padded inserts. The suction requires a smooth, rigid surface.
Bottom line: buy EzPz if suction matters, Bumkins if portability does
For a family eating most meals at home with a dedicated high chair and smooth tray, the EzPz Happy Mat is worth the price premium. The suction advantage is real and reduces cleanup from floor-to-tray messes, which adds up quickly over research.
For a family that travels, does daycare drop-offs, or wants a lighter pack, the Bumkins silicone divided plate delivers comparable food safety and material quality in a more portable format, with the caveat that suction on textured surfaces is not reliable.
Both options are suitable for babies starting solids at 6 months through toddler-level eating at 36 months, in line with CDC and AAP infant nutrition guidance. Supervise all mealtimes. Inspect silicone surfaces regularly and replace if any cracking or tearing appears.
Browse EzPz mats and similar products:
Shop EzPz Happy Mat on Amazon
Browse Bumkins silicone plates:
Shop Bumkins Silicone Plate on Amazon
Check current Amazon prices before purchasing, as both products fluctuate throughout the year.
For more on building a feeding setup, see our tableware buying guides and our testing methodology.