We all love holding and soothing our babies, but at times every parent needs some time off. Usually, this is only possible when there is an extra pair of hands to help or if the baby is calm enough to be left on their own for some time. For parents who need some help every now and then, the right baby swing can be a total lifesaver. We compared every baby swing on the market to help you find the right mix of features for you and your baby. Keep reading to see our top ten best baby swings for 2021.
- Features to Consider in Good Baby Swings
- Top 10 Best Baby Swings 2023
- 1. Best Overall Baby Swing: Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing
- 2. Best Budget Baby Swing: Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Cradle ‘n Swing
- 3. Best Premium Baby Swing: 4moms mamaRoo 4 infant seat-grey classic
- 4. Best Travel Baby Swing: Ingenuity Swing 'n’ Go
- 5. Best Swing/Rocker Combo: Graco Duetsoothe Swing + Rocker, One Size
- 6. Best Compact Baby Swing: Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing
- 7. Most Convenient Baby Swing: Fisher-Price Take-Along Swing and Seat
- 8. Best Gliding Baby Swing: Graco Glider Lite Baby Swing
- 9. Best Swing for Bigger Babies: Graco DuetConnect LX Swing and Bouncer
- 10. Best Playtime Baby Swing: Fisher-Price Moonlight Meadow
- Guide to Buying the best Baby Swing
- Final Words
Features to Consider in Good Baby Swings
There are many baby swings on the market, all claiming to be able to help soothe and entertain your baby. However, there are certain features that set each one apart. These are the features that make the difference between the perfect baby swing and one you will be forced to return. Here’s what we looked for in each baby swing we reviewed.
Seat/Seat Belt
A comfortable seat is an important feature in a baby swing. It should be well-padded, have a soft and warm cover, and it should be easy to clean. The other thing is the seat belt. Baby swing seats have either 3-point or 5-point harnesses. These help the baby to stay safe and secure.
Head and Neck Support
For babies of any age, head and neck support is very important. This is mostly because babies can’t communicate the difference between when they are uncomfortable and in pain and when they’re being fussy. According to this study, poor head and neck support is the cause of most emergency room visits. Also, make sure to read what Consumer Reports says about baby-swing safety.
Swing Speed(s)
Some babies love slow motions while others enjoy faster ones. Furthermore your baby might change their swing motion preference as they grow, so choosing a baby swing with multiple swing speeds is ideal.
Portability
Some baby swings are portable while others are not. A portable swing will be light, compact in size, foldable, and easy to take apart and put together again. If you will be traveling with your baby, go for a portable baby swing so your child can enjoy their swing even when far from home.
Power Source
Some baby swings plug into an electrical outlet while others use batteries. Some swings even allow you to choose either power option. Buying and changing batteries can be costly and time-consuming, but can also make a swing much more portable.
Ease of Assembling
Lots of parents dread seeing the words “some assembly required.” The easier it is to assemble a baby swing, the better for everyone!
Top 10 Best Baby Swings 2023
1. Best Overall Baby Swing: Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing
Editor’s Rating:
Our top pick, the Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing, is not only quiet but also small in size, this makes it ideal for parents with space constraints.
Set-up
Setting this baby swing up is so straightforward and takes just a few minutes. It is also more convenient as it is compact in size, has a strong frame, and looks great, thus giving you the best value for your money.
Performance
The Graco Glider LX swings smoothly and gently to soothe the baby. It only swings forwards and backward while gliding at 6 different speeds. It’s suitable for both newborns and big babies as it features two slower speeds designed for newborns and four faster speeds designed for bigger babies. You can use either batteries or plug it into the wall.
Comfort Features
Your baby’s comfort should come first, otherwise they will hate the swing and you won’t get value for your money. The Glider LX features a well-padded baby glider seat to keep your baby comfortable. And, this seat also has a vibration function, though it only works with batteries, thus soothing the baby even more. Again, the seat can be reclined to two different angles thus more comfort.
Customization
If you have a specific nursery theme for the baby, it would be awesome if the swing matches it. This Graco baby swing is available in six different styles to choose from. The sound machine plays up to ten different classical musical melodies and five different nature-inspired sounds: bird sounds, waves, running water, heartbeat, and rain. And, you have the option to completely turn off the music.
Pros
- 5-point harness for baby safety
- Roomy and well-padded baby swing seat
- Adjustable toy bar
- Great portability features: compact size, and folding frame
- Lightweight
- Convenient: AC and battery operated
- Six different speeds
- Variety of music and sounds
Cons
- The vibration function needs batteries
2. Best Budget Baby Swing: Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Cradle ‘n Swing
Editor’s Rating:
Our top value pick, the Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Cradle ‘n’ Swing has a rotatable seat, allowing it to swing side-to-side and back and forth. It features a button that you press and twist to rotate it. The swing also adjusts between two reclining positions.
It has six swinging speeds to soothe and keep your little one comfortable, and the swinging remains smooth no matter the speed. It’s a very versatile baby swing. The seat is designed to look like a little puppy and it has a removable cover for easy cleaning as it’s machine washable.
Entertainment Features
Baby swings are meant to either soothe your baby to sleep or keep them entertained if they are not ready to fall asleep. This baby swing has plenty of features to keep your little one engaged. It has a mirrored globe plus mobile to catch their attention. It has a switch that you use to make the motorized mobile spinning with the playful circling puppies. While swinging, these toys circle around the baby and it’s adorable. It also has a bunch of music and nature sounds to choose from.
Safety Features
Baby safety comes first, and the Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Cradle ‘n Swing satisfies this by having a 5-point safety harness to keep the baby secure and safe as they swing or reach for the toys. It’s also strong and all the materials used and included toys are safe for your baby.
Pros
- Very soft and cozy seat
- Plugs into an outlet or uses batteries
- Rotatable seat
- Simple to put together
- Extra cushion to support smaller babies
Cons
- It’s not fully collapsible. The legs are partially collapsible, but the seat is made of hard plastic as opposed to all fabric options, and is thus more bulky.
- It’s not the quietest baby swing out there
Editor’s Rating:
Comfort Features
At a glance, you might think that this baby swing is heavy, but it’s actually lighter and very compact compared to most other options. It offers various motions, five nonlinear movements (rock-a-bye, wave, kangaroo, tree swing, and car ride) and has five different speeds for each setting. It can play any music that you want through the audio input. It also has various nature-inspired sounds to play.
Technology Controls
First off, setup is super-fast. The guide is clear, there are not many parts to put together and you won’t need any tools. The seat is removable and the process is easy. It zips directly to the swing’s frame. Again, controlling the sounds and the motion is even simpler with the 4moms app that enables you to change them via Bluetooth using your device.
Just download the app. It’s a good alternative to the control pad, especially because it is located on the base, forcing you to bend way too much each time you need to change any of the settings.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight thus more portable
- A great design to easily get the baby in and out
- Can be operated remotely through a Bluetooth-enabled device
- Easy to set up and requires no tools
- Has 5 non-linear movements
- The removable seat is easy to remove and reattach.
Cons
- Most baby swings have 5-point harnesses, but the mamaRoo has 3-point safety harness.
- It doesn’t have a vibration option
- It only uses AC
4. Best Travel Baby Swing: Ingenuity Swing 'n’ Go
Editor’s Rating:
The Swing n’ Go by Ingenuity is our favorite travel swing for babies. Light and easy to carry with one hand, this swing is easy to take wherever you go. Featuring Hybrid Rive Technology, you’ll save money with the excellent battery life of this swing. Because of this increased performance, four D-size batteries will last up to three times longer than they would in most other swings. There is also a timer and toy bar that can be removed for easy access to your baby.
Baby Comfort
We were impressed by the softness of the plush fabric and how quiet the Swing ‘n Go was when in use. The plush headrest provides your baby with great head and neck support as they swing as well.
Soothing and Entertainment Features
The most unique feature offered with the Ingenuity Swing ‘n Go is called True Speed Technology. This means that as your baby grows, the swing will remember their favorite speed and adjust the motor speed to their weight. There are 5 speeds to choose from. The swing also comes equipped with 8 melodies and 3 nature sounds that play while your baby swings.
Pros
- Great battery life
- Easy to carry with one hand
- Easy to clean
- Removable headrest and plush fabric for comfort
Cons
- At only 20 pounds, this swing has one of the lowest weight limits of any of the baby swings we reviewed
5. Best Swing/Rocker Combo: Graco Duetsoothe Swing + Rocker, One Size
Editor’s Rating:
The Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing is not only quiet, but also small in size, thus ideal for small spaces.
Functionality
The Graco Duetsoothe is a great option for people who are torn between getting a swing or a rocker. The seat can easily be removed then placed on the ground to function as a rocker. And, the vibration feature will work whether it’s being used as a rocker or a swing. Again, just like the Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy baby swing, this too has a rotatable seat, thus allowing the baby to either swing back and forth or side to side.
Entertainment and Safety
Apart from the features that are meant to soothe your baby, (swinging, rocking and vibration), the Graco Duetsoothe has some great entertainment features. It provides a variety of baby entertainment-themed music and nature-inspired sounds. It also comes with several toys and controlling it is easy. Unlike the 4moms mamaRoo 4 that has just a 3-point safety harness, this has a 5-point harness to keep your baby secure and safe. The weight limit is 30 pounds, meaning it’s ideal for both small and larger babies.
Pros
- Very versatile (swing and rocker)
- AC and battery-powered
- Rotatable seat
- Great entertainment features
- Easy and quick to set up
Cons
- It has a mobile, but it does not rotate.
- Switching any of the functions off, music, swing, and vibration, has to be done separately. No single button to switch everything off.
6. Best Compact Baby Swing: Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing
Editor’s Rating:
The design
The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing is designed for people who are after just a simple baby swing, small enough to not take up too much space, yet versatile enough to meet their needs. It features a small frame design which makes it a perfect choice for smaller apartments or rooms. It also features a simple mobile which, even though it doesn’t spin, is very cute. It’s simple design is durable and long lasting.
Soothing and entertainment features
The two main purposes of a baby swing is to soothe and entertain your baby. When it comes to the two, this baby swing doesn’t seem so simple anymore as it has just as many such features as you would get in the larger swings. First, it has two vibration settings and six swing speed options. As such, it’s capable of soothing your baby to sleep just as any full swing would. It also swings side to side, thus it’s a simpler alternative to the Cradle ‘n Swing.
The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing plays up to ten musical tunes and has five different nature-inspired sounds. The simple mobile will also keep the babies engaged as they stare or try to grab the toys, thus improving their hand-eye coordination.
Baby Safety and Comfort
The baby swing has a 5-point harness to keep your baby safely secured and the weight limit is 30 pounds, thus it can be used for both small and big babies. It also has the option to either use batteries or to plug it into the wall; it comes with a power adapter. The seat is soft and comfortable and the seat cover is removable and machine washable.
Pros
- Compact size
- Simple design
- Soft and comfy seat
- Great soothing and entertainment features
- Easy to store away
- Best for both small and big babies (5-30 pounds)
Cons
- Doesn’t recline or fold for easy storage
- At high settings, the motor can be a bit loud
7. Most Convenient Baby Swing: Fisher-Price Take-Along Swing and Seat
Editor’s Rating:
Portability features
If you travel a lot, then you will want to get a portable baby swing to ensure that your baby will enjoy the same soothing and entertainment they get at home. The Fisher-Price Take-Along Swing and Seat is the most portable baby swing, and every feature makes it ideal for travels. It’s lightweight and is a compact size. It also folds well and the handle is comfortable to enable you to cart it around.
Soothing and entertaining features
Functioning as both a seat and swing, it will appeal to parents as well as babies. As a swing, it has six soothing speeds for your baby to enjoy. On the other hand, it easily converts to a seat and even as a seat it provides vibrations. Thus, if your baby can sit down, then you can switch from one to the other.
It also has ten songs and two nature-inspired sounds to entertain your baby. The take-along swing and seat also has two attached toys hanging down to keep your baby engaged as they stare at or try to reach them.
Baby safety and comfort
The seat features shoulder harnesses and it’s well-padded to keep your baby comfortable. The swing is reclined for more comfort. The weight limit is 25 lbs.
Pros
- Comes with an ultra-soft, deluxe removable newborn insert
- Has soothing music, calming vibrations and sounds for babies
- Six swinging speeds
- Folds flat for easy storage
- 5-point restraint
- Dryer-safe and machine-washable seat pad
Cons
- Max weight is 25 lbs. so it might not be ideal for kids older than 6 months.
- Only operates using 4 C batteries
8. Best Gliding Baby Swing: Graco Glider Lite Baby Swing
Editor’s Rating:
Performance
With a gliding motion, the Graco Glider Lite Baby Swing will not only soothe your baby when at home, but wherever you want as you can easily take it apart, lay it flat in a suitcase and travel with it. It is lightweight and putting it together again is easy. The seat is roomy and has great head support, all covered with soft fabrics.
Soothing and Entertainment Features
The weight limit is 20 lbs. so it will only accommodate small babies. It has all the features to soothe and entertain them. It has six gliding speeds and they are all so smooth. There are also five nature-inspired sounds plus ten classical melodies. If you enjoy the outdoors, this is a must have item for your baby because of the portable frame and the comfortable seat.
It also has a bar over the top with two dangling stars that can keep your baby engaged as they stare at or try to grab them, while also helping with hand-eye coordination. The only downside here is that you have to take the bar off each time you need to get the baby in or out. However, you can opt to leave it off completely. Apart from the few hiccups, this is a really great baby swing, better than what you would expect given the price. If your baby is suffering from colic, this swing will help them.
Pros
- Very portable. Lightweight and portable frame
- Soft and comfortable seat with good head support
- Five sounds and ten classical melodies
- Very affordable
- Runs on both electricity and batteries
Cons
- It can only be used by small babies as the weight limit is 20 lbs.
- Some of the melodies might not be pleasant for some people, but you can opt for other options
9. Best Swing for Bigger Babies: Graco DuetConnect LX Swing and Bouncer
Editor’s Rating:
Performance
The Graco DuetConnect LX Swing and Bouncer is a good alternative to the Graco’s swing and rocker version. To convert it to a bouncer, all you do is remove the swing seat, place it on the floor and voila! It offers six swinging speeds and two vibration settings. The vibration mode runs on battery only, so remember to purchase some along with the swing. It also has five nature-inspired melodies and ten tunes to help in soothing your baby to sleep.
Baby safety and comfort
The seat is not only plush but deep and has a 5-point harness to keep the baby safe and comfortable. The frame is also very stable and this is a guarantee that your baby will be swinging in a safe swing. The only downside is that swinging is limited to side-to-side. No back and forth swinging, which is a big shame.
Pros
- It’s a 2-in-1, swing and bouncer
- Sturdy frame
- 5-point secure harness belts
- Multiple melodies and nature sounds
- Swing and vibration mode
Cons
- Difficult assembly
- Side to side motion only
- It has a toy bar, but it does not rotate
10. Best Playtime Baby Swing: Fisher-Price Moonlight Meadow
Editor’s Rating:
Baby Comfort
Fisher-Price is known for manufacturing reliable baby products and the Moonlight Meadow Baby Swing is no exception. The swing is built to keep the baby comfortable with its deep, well-padded and soft seat. The seat also has three adjustable positions and two-position recline. It is also designed to rotate to either face right, left or remain in the center. This means you won’t have to turn the whole swing in case the baby needs to face a certain side. The head support is great too.
Soothing and Entertainment Features
When you need help soothing your baby, the Fisher-Price Moonlight Meadow Swing has two swing motions. It can rock side-to-side to soothe the baby or swing head-to-toe. This is why it’s referred to as a cradle and swing. And, it incorporates the Fisher-Price SmartSwing Technology for that smooth swing in every speed setting. It has six swing speeds.
Apart from swinging, your baby will have 16 songs and nature-inspired sounds to enjoy. The swing also has a motorized mobile featuring a group of adorable woodland creatures that will keep your baby enthralled as it spins.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- SmartSwing technology
- Two swing motions: Side-to-side and head-to-toe swinging
- 16 songs and nature-inspired sounds
- Comes with a 120V AC adapter and can use batteries too
- Cozy seat
- Has a motorized mobile with toys for eye-tracking
Cons
- This baby swing is a little on the large side which is a great thing to have but may be limiting for parents with small spaces
Guide to Buying the best Baby Swing
What Is a Baby Swing?
We have baby swings, rockers, bouncers, etc. and if you are not careful, you might buy one only to realize later that it’s not a swing. There are also various types of baby swings, but what we are talking about here is a free-standing unit that’s designed to soothe the babies through smooth swinging motions. Their weight limit is usually up to 30 lbs. and some have extra features such as vibration, melodies, nature sounds and toys. Others will have a rotating seat, varying swinging speeds, or swing side-to-side and/or head-to-toe.
Is a Baby Swing A-Must-Have Baby Product?
It’s not, but it helps a great deal. Some babies get so used to being held and rocked that they can’t remain calm or fall asleep on their own. Baby swings give them a similar feeling and even better because some have extra features such as vibration settings.
That said, you should not leave them in there longer than necessary. According to the AAP, babies might move into positions that might obstruct their airway and this is dangerous. Also, don’t leave the baby unattended just because they are quiet or playing with various toys. Be around or check on them after every few minutes.
The Swing Seat
Seat Padding
For the baby to be comfortable and enjoy being in the swing, the seat padding has to be thick and well done. The seat should also be roomy. Some parents think that their babies just don’t like the swings, but the seat actually might be the problem.
Type of the Cover Material
Since these swings are used by babies, the cover fabric should be soft and warm. This will add more comfort and the baby will want to go in there. Again, a detachable baby swing seat is a good option because you can detach it to have a stationary seat for the baby.
Ease of Washing
A removable and washable/machine washable baby seat cover is a great choice because it enables you to keep the seat clean, especially because where babies are involved, mess just seems to happen.
Seat Incline
For your baby’s comfort, especially those too young to hold their heads up, a reclining swing seat is better because you can position it in the most comfortable position for them. On the other hand, bigger babies love to sit in a more upright position to have a view of their surroundings.
Swinging Motion
Adjustable Swing Speed
Each baby reacts differently when put on a baby swing for the first time. One of the reasons is the swinging motion speed. Some babies love it fast while others enjoy slower motions. For this, you need to get a swing with adjustable swing speed to be safe.
Swing Direction
You will come across baby swings that only swing back and forth, but there are other options that move back and forth and side-to-side. This is just for spicing things up and you might be surprised to find out that your baby prefers one over the other.
Swing Timer
Timers help switch off the swing automatically once the set time is over. This is helpful for some parents/guardians as it helps them know how long the baby has been on the swing and when it’s time to take them off.
Entertainment Features
When the baby is not asleep, they will need something to keep them busy. Luckily, most baby swings have great entertainment features. They include music, toys that help with hand-eye coordination, a vibration setting and themes. To get the most out of your baby swing, buy one with many entertainment features because your baby will love them.
The Frame
The second most important part of the baby swing after the seat is the frame. It should, of course, be strong and reliable.
Frame Materials
Baby swings are made of hard plastic, metal or a combination of metal and hard plastic. The idea is to have a strong baby swing and the best material for this is metal. However, some hard plastic has stood the test of time and will serve you well.
Base Support
You want to avoid falling risks and the only way around it is to get a frame with great base support. The wider the base surface area, the more stable and supportive the baby swing will be, thus harder to tip over. Again, check on the legs. They should be facing inside or not protrude a lot because you might trip over them.
Foldability
For ease of storage or traveling with your baby swing, the frame should be foldable.
Safety Features
There should be no compromise when it comes to the baby’s safety.
Seat Restraint
A baby swing should have a 5-point or 3-point harness. The 5-point will restrain both the upper and lower body. On the other hand, a 3-point harness will secure the baby around the hips and the crotch. The former is better for any baby, but the latter will be better for older babies. Remember to check if the harness is strong and comfortable.
Weight Capacity
Every swing will have the recommended weight limit and some will even have a minimum recommended weight.
Reclining Feature
Small babies lack full control of their necks and heads. As such, they need to be in a reclining swing seat to prevent slumping.
Ease of Use and Assembly
A baby swing should not be complicated. Taking care of a baby is hard enough. It should also be easy to assemble and get the baby in and out.
Power Source
Your baby swing will obviously need to be powered to function, either by batteries or with a power cord. The advantage of using a power cord is that you only need to plug in. Again, batteries can be expensive, especially if you use the swing a lot. Changing them might also be a hassle.
However, there are some that combine both, batteries for the vibration setting and power cord for swinging while others can be powered by either.
Note
- Never leave the baby unattended just because they are in a baby swing
- Follow the recommended weight and age limits
- Know when to stop using the swing. When the baby is old enough to escape or try to get out
- Ensure that the baby swing is set up in a safe area
- Do not swap out the baby crib for a swing. Baby swings are only good for short naps, but not for sleeping at night or longer naps.
Final Words
We only have two hands, but besides the baby, we have so much more to take care of. Thus, having a baby product that can actually soothe and entertain the baby on our behalf is a blessing, even though we will still need to be around to keep an eye on them. That said, the ten baby swings listed above are the best on the market in 2021, and we picked them carefully to cover each need. We hope that you will find the best for your baby.