Highlights

• Only 19 out of over 1,000 Pokemon are truly classified as Baby Pokemon.
• Baby Pokemon are generally introduced in later generations than the rest of their evolutionary line and can be, by far and away, some of the cuter-designed Pokemon.
• Baby Pokemon may have lower stats, but some have access to surprisingly strong moves and abilities.

In the world of Pokemon, many can be called a baby, but only 19 of the over 1,000 Pokemon can be classified as Baby. In order to be considered a true Baby Pokemon, they have to be the first in their evolutionary line plus they can not breed.

There are a couple of other things that most Baby Pokemon share in common, but those are the two most important rules. But never mind all that. Which one of these Babies is the best?

This list ranks Baby Pokemon by both how cute they are and how powerful they can be.

19 Chingling

Chingling was introduced in Gen IV and is the Baby Pokemon for Chimecho, who was instead introduced in Gen III. Chimecho is not an extremely popular Pokemon and isn’t used on very many teams.

However, it was decided that they should have a Baby as part of the evolutionary line. The two don’t look very similar, but they share their singular Psychic typing. Chingling does gain access to some powerful moves, but their stats leave something to be desired.

You'll notice that a common trait among Baby Pokemon is that they are introduced in a later Generation than the rest of their evolutionary line. There are only three that go against this trend.

18 Bonsly

Bonsly, who was introduced in Gen IV is the baby Pokemon for Sudowoodo, who was introduced two generations earlier in Gen II, and made it everyone’s problem by blocking the way to Route 36.

But back to Bonsly, the Bonsai Pokemon has a pretty high defense, but beyond that, it does not have the greatest stats. They also don’t learn very great moves. But once they learn Mimic, they can evolve into the silly pseudo tree.

17 Smoochum

Smoochum was brought into the mix in Gen II and is the Baby version of a Pokemon a lot of people love to hate, Jynx. Smoochum is cuter by comparison, but oh boy does this Pokemon have a lot of weaknesses.

Despite having six weaknesses, Smoochum actually has access to some decent moves. And, unlike some of the other Baby Pokemon, there’s no special thing you have to do to evolve them. Just get Smoochum to level 30 and Jynx could be all yours!

16 Wynaut

Wynaut was brought into Pokemon during Gen III while Wobbuffet, their evolved version, was introduced in Gen II. Just like Wobbuffet, Wynaut is an interesting Pokemon to say the least.

Their move pool is very small and filled with non-attacking moves. At least not outright attacks. They do have a high HP stat, but beyond that they serve a niche role on a Pokemon team. But they won’t stay a Baby for long as they evolve at level 15.

15 Toxel

Toxel was introduced in Gen VIII at the same time that the grown version, Toxtricity, entered the franchise. Although Toxel is adorable and Toxtricity is a strong Pokemon with two different forms, the stats on this Baby aren’t great.

But, like Smoochum, all you have to do to evolve them is get them to level 30. And, depending on their nature, they will either become a Low Key or Amped Toxtricity.

14 Azurill

Although one of the most adorable Baby Pokemon, this Gen III baby is a lot weaker than their evolutions, Marill and Azumarill. But, depending on their abilities, they actually can have up to three immunities and four resistances.

This Baby evolves through Friendship, so you may end up using Azurill a bit early on in any of the games you catch or hatch them in, but with access to Water Gun and Bubble Beam as soon as level six makes them useful-ish.

13 Tyrogue

Tyrogue was another Pokemon introduced in Gen II and is the baby form of Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan, who were Gen I Pokemon, as well as Hitmontop, who is also a Gen II Pokemon. That was a mouthful.

Despite being part of a powerful, Fighting-Type family, Tyrogue has pretty low stats. However, they are all an even 35. The reason for that being when you evolve Tyrogue at level 20, their stats will decide who they transform into.

12 Cleffa

Cleffa is one of the Baby Pokemon that was introduced in Gen II and their grown-up version is the Gen I Clefairy. At the time, they were both Normal-Type Pokemon but later were changed to be Fairy-Type, giving them an immunity and two weaknesses.

Cleffa’s stats are not great. Tragic really. And they don’t learn very many moves on their own. However, they have access to a huge list of TM moves they can learn. Plus, look how cute they are.

11 Happiny

Happiny, who was introduced in Gen IV, is the Baby Pokemon of the beloved Chansey, who has been around since the first generation of Pokemon games. Happiny has pretty low stats, but, much like the adults in the evolutionary line, Happiny has amazing HP.

Also, being a Normal-Type Pokemon, Happiny only has one weakness and has access to two very strong abilities: Natural Cure and Serene Grace. So, although you’d most likely want to evolve this Pokemon quickly, they can take a few hits in a battle.

10 Igglybuff

So many pink, round Baby Pokemon. Igglybuff was also introduced in Gen II and is the Baby for Jigglypuff, who is a Gen I Pokemon. Igglybuff also continues the streak of not having great stats.

But what makes up for that, at least a bit, is having two immunities to Ghost and Dragon-Type moves. They also have a decent HP stat. And if you are looking to use Igglybuff on your team, you can teach them a lot of TMs.

9 Mime Jr.

The cuteness of Mime Jr. begins to make up for the crime against Pokemanity that is Mr. Mime. Introduced in Gen IV, this Baby Pokemon was solely a Psychic-Type, but gained the Fairy Typing later on.

Along with just being so much cuter than any of the members of the Mime family, Mime Jr. has access to some pretty good moves. Their Base Stats are also high for a Baby, at 310 total.

8 Togepi

You may have been gaslit into thinking that Togepi was a Gen I Pokemon thanks to Misty carrying one around in the Anime, but they are in fact a Gen II Baby. It’s evolution, Togetic, was also introduced in Gen II.

This adorable, half-hatched looking Pokemon has decent Defense and Sp. Defense and learns some good support and utility moves. With their Fairy Typing, it gains an immunity to Dragon moves too.

7 Budew

Budew was introduced in Gen IV, one generation after Roselia. While their base stats aren't the most amazing in the world, Budew is not a bad Baby Pokemon to have on your team.

Before Generation VIII, Budew had access to a number of strong moves as well as moves that would give the opponent Pokemon a status effect. They had a rough time after that until Legends: Arceus came out and made Budew buffed again with even stronger moves.

6 Mantyke

Mantyke is a Gen IV Pokemon and is the Baby to Mantine, who was introduced in Gen II. This Water and Flying-Tyke (what a good multi-layered pun), has pretty good stats, especially for a Baby, with their Sp. Defense being the highest of them all.

In order to evolve this one, there is something very particular you must do. Have Mantyke level up while you have a Remoraid in your party. It's not the most difficult evolution, but one that can be forgotten, overlooked, or simply not known without the aid of the internet or experience with Pokemon games.

5 Pichu

Pichu is not a strong Pokemon, but in cuteness? They win the competition every day of the week. They were introduced in Gen II and are the Baby of The Pokemon Company's mascot, Pikachu. Those are some big shoes to fill.

Pichu has a lot of fans, not just from the world of Pokemon, but also thanks to their appearance in Super Smash Bros. Melee. They get access to some good Electric moves early on and have three resistances, but you'll be better off in battles if you get this Baby evolved to Pikachu.

4 Munchlax

Munchlax was introduced in Gen IV to accompany Snorlax, who is from the first generation of Pokemon. This Baby Pokemon is a cute addition to the evolutionary line and has so many points in their HP stat, my Arceus.

Being a Normal-Type Pokemon, they have immunity to Ghost. They also can learn some pretty decent moves, but most of them are best learned and used by Snorlax, like Stockpile and Body Slam. However, if you want them in your party while you work toward their Friendship requirement for evolution, you could do worse.

Many Pokemon evolve through leveling up once you've reached max friendship with them. There are many ways to achieve this, including walking with them in your party, winning battles with them, and giving them a Soothe Bell to hold.

3 Magby

In Gen II, Magby was introduced as the Baby Pokemon for Magmar, who is a Gen I Mon. Not only was this a cute addition to the evolutionary team, Magby has good stats and six resistances.

And, to make a great Baby even better, Magby is able to learn a lot of strong moves with an impressive list of TMs at their disposal. This makes Magby a contender on any team plus a cute friend to have around.

2 Elekid

Elekid was introduced in Gen II, like Magby, and is the Baby for the Gen I Electabuzz, the same generation as Magmar. That's not where the similarities end either. Elekid has some pretty impressive stats considering they are a Baby Pokemon.

They have fewer resistances, only three, but Electric-Type Pokemon can be difficult to deal with in the early portion of any Pokemon title. So, depending on when you have this Baby on your team, they can really withstand a lot of what other trainers can throw at you.

1 Riolu

Riolu is the Baby Pokemon for Lucario, who were both introduced in Gen IV. They don't have the highest stats of the Baby Pokemon, but they are a strong member to have on your Pokemon team, and, more importantly, they are super adorable.

Riolu is a Fighting-Type only, but they get access to very impressive and powerful moves early on in their life. And with their high Speed and Attack stats, you can quickly knock out other Pokemon before they're able to do too much damage to this Baby.