Considering that they're both pretty cheap, I'd say buy one of each and see which your child prefers. Talia preferred the ring for the big potty at first, because she could sit on the potty like Mommy. But, this was before she actually started catching herself in time and *getting* to the potty, this was still in a play stage. Now that she actually tryies to *go*, she prefers the little potty - partly, I think, because we can carry it around the house and keep it close enough, and she can sit right down instead of scrambling up or waiting for me to lift her.