With hundreds of commercial baby changing stations on the market across dozens of brands, choosing the best option for your public washroom can be a challenge. Finding the right baby changing station for your space is more than just purchasing a unit and finding space in your restroom to install it -- customer feedback shows that having a safe, clean space for their baby changing needs is key to a positive experience when visiting a venue.
The charts below highlight the key differences between two categories of baby changing stations: polyethylene units and stainless steel units. To help narrow down your options during the buying process, we’ve created this post to compare Sova vs. Koala baby changing stations, with details on how each table measures up based on construction, style, add-on features, and cost.
Polyethylene Baby Changing Station Comparison: Sova Origin vs. Koala® KB208
| Specification | Sova Origin | Koala Kare® KB208 |
| Material | 100% Polyethylene | Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE) |
| Available Finishes | Light Gray, Dark Gray, Black, White Granite | Gray, Black |
| Safe Working Load (Weight Limit) | 250 lbs. | 100 lbs. |
| Surface Dimensions | 34.3" x 17.5" | 34" x 21" |
| Liner Dispenser | Dual Liner Dispensers (each holds 50 liners) | No Liner Dispenser |
| Mounting Options | Surface Mount | Surface Mount |
| Cost / List Price | $229.99 | $292.85 |
Read on for additional details on some features that matter most when choosing between polyethylene changing stations.
Baby Changing Station Finishes: Sova Origin vs. Koala® KB208
The Sova Origin comes in four finishes: Light Gray, Dark Gray, Black, and White Granite. Each color was designed to complement diverse public washrooms and commercial spaces, whether you are designing a space from scratch or updating an existing restroom. These colors are also available across Sova’s line of washroom accessories, including wall seats and liner dispensers.
Designing a cohesive public washroom that guests feel comfortable in is easier when you have plenty of color options to choose from. By comparison, the Koala KB208 offers just two finishes: gray and black. With less variety in finishes, designers have fewer options when it comes to the aesthetics of their restroom.
Baby Changing Station Weight Limits: Sova Origin vs. Koala® KB208
With a maximum weight limit that’s 2.5 times as high as Koala’s KB208, the Origin ensures safety and stability for both children and caregivers, making it an optimal choice for any facility. When a baby changing station has a higher weight limit, it assures both users and property managers that it can withstand daily wear and tear.
Additionally, with its increased strength, the changing station will last longer and need to be replaced less often than a changing station with a lower weight limit.
Read more: Why Weight Limits Matter: Ensuring Safe Use of Baby Changing Stations
Stainless Steel Baby Changing Station Comparison: Sova Vantage vs. Koala® KB310
| Specification | Sova Vantage | Koala Kare® KB310 |
| Material | Stainless Steel with an HDPE interior | Stainless Steel with Polypropylene interior with MICROBAN® |
| Available Finishes | Stainless Steel, Black Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel, Black Stainless Steel |
| Safe Working Load (Weight Limit) | 250 lbs. | 200 lbs. |
| Surface Dimensions | 34.75" x 17.19" | 30.13" x 17.41" |
| Bag Hooks | Two Integrated Bag Hooks | One External Bag Hook |
| Mounting Options | Recessed, Surface Mount | Recessed, Surface Mount |
| Cost / List Price | From $1,099.99 | From $1,411.96 |
Read on for more context on the features that matter most when choosing between stainless steel baby changing stations.
Baby Changing Station Material: Vantage vs. KB310
While both options offer a stainless steel exterior, they each have a unique interior. The Vantage Changing Station is constructed from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a material that offers superior durability and impact resistance compared to polypropylene. Not only is HDPE stronger than its alternatives, its smoother, non-porous surface makes it easier to clean and keep hygienic for restroom guests.
On the other hand, the Koala KB310 has an interior made from Koala’s exclusive polypropylene with MICROBAN®. While this material is better than the typical polypropylene with its higher resistance to bacteria growth, it cannot match the long-term durability and ease of cleaning that HDPE offers. HDPE is a better solution for high-traffic, heavily used public washroom spaces.
Baby Changing Station Overall Value: Vantage vs. KB310
At a starting retail price of $1,099 for the surface mount unit, the Sova Vantage is priced significantly lower than Koala’s KB310, which starts at $1,411.96. Even at this lower price point, Vantage offers many upgrades: two integrated bag hooks (instead of one external hook), a higher weight limit of 250 lbs., and its HDPE interior.
Vantage’s long-term durability paired with its competitive price makes it a worthwhile investment for property owners, architects, and designers alike. This baby changing station is designed to withstand heavier usage and be easier to maintain than its competitors.
Learn More About Specifying Sova Changing Stations
At Sova, we recognize that architects, contractors, and designers need easy access to product information. To download CAD drawings, submittal sheets, and more for Sova changing stations, visit our Spec Document Library.
Working on a project that needs an adult changing table, but don’t know where to start? Visit our blog post to see how the Ascent stacks up against comparable universal changing tables.