But just like every other baby product, there are plenty of swings on the market, and the wide variety of swings can make any new parent’s head spin. Is it safe? Is it expensive? What are the speeds? We get it—and we’re here to help eliminate the guesswork for you in choosing the best baby swings.
- Safety. Safety is never an option, and just like choosing a car seat, you should make sure the swing you choose has either a three-point or five-point harness. The seatbelt should be used at all times no matter how small your baby is, or how reclined they are in their swing.
- Portability. If you live in a small space or travel often, you may want a compact swing that folds or breaks down easily. However, if space or setup isn’t an area of concern, then you may prefer the features of a full-sized swing.
- Power source. There are swings that can run off of battery power, AC adapter, or both. If your swing isn’t going to leave home or switch rooms, then you may be okay with just using an AC adapter. If you plan on being mobile or don’t have extra outlets, then finding a swing that uses batteries may be a better choice.
- Swing speed and direction. Some swings have rock front to back or left to right, and have differing speeds based on your baby’s age and/or preference.
- Timer. Along with speed/direction, some swings that have a timer and will shut off automatically
- Cleaning. It’s no secret that babies throw up or have diaper blowouts, so you may want a swing with a cover that comes off easily for clean-ups.
- Comfort. If your baby winds up liking their new swing, then they may be using it a few times a day. You want to make sure the material is comfortable, while also providing head and neck support. Along with comfort, the seat position also matters. If the seat remains reclined, and can’t change position, this may pose a problem as your child gets bigger.
- Bells and whistles. The extra features that come with a baby swing may be important to you. Depending on the baby swing, it may vibrate, play music, have a night light, or toys attached to it.
A good swing can soothe a fussy baby and parent. Both baby and parents deserve to have peace, and looking for the right swing may give you a sliver of that. Here are our 2020 picks for best baby swings.
Best Overall Baby: Swing Fisher-Price Snugapuppy Dreams `n Cradle
This baby swing at the top of our list can be used with an AC adapter or battery, and its functions, along with variety of themes, are seemingly unmatched.
Equipped with 16 different songs and a mobile with animals attached to it, this is a swing that will keep the baby entertained. The swing also has smart connect technology which allows you to control the settings of the swing from your mobile device. If there is a song the baby swing plays that soothers your child, you can play that song directly from your device even if the baby isn’t in the swing.
Pros:
- Safety. The Fisher-Price Snuggapuppy comes equipped with a five-point harness and can hold a baby up until seven months or twenty-five pounds.
- Swing speed and direction. This swing has 6 different speed settings and can swing from left to right or front to back. The seat can change positions easily and has a weight sensor that will signal for the swing to start moving without you having to do it.
- Portability. The legs of the swing fold up for ease of storage and transport.
- Comfort. You’ll get a comfortable machine-washable cover and a body insert head and neck support.
Cons:
- Sound. Depending on the speed you choose, you may hear the motor create a subtle click.
Best Luxury Baby Swing: 4Moms mamaRoo Bluetooth Enabled High-Tech Baby Swing
A higher-priced luxury swing, the mamaRoo is built for the tech-savvy parent, but without a battery unit, it’s best-suited for parents who don’t plan on traveling with the swing.
The primary appeal of this swing is the multi-directional feature that let parents choose which way the swing moves–right from their phone. Plus, it boasts Bluetooth technology and comes with built-in soothing capabilities.
Pros:
- Safety. This baby swing has a three-point harness and can be used until your little one reaches 25 pounds or can sit up unassisted.
- Bells and whistles. It’s the tech-friendly features that make this swing shine–it comes equipped with Bluetooth technology that allows the parent to control the swing from your phone. It also has an MP3 plugin so you can play whatever music you’d like. The swing also comes with 4 built-in sounds.
- Speed/direction. This swing has 5 different speeds and motions and one of its prominent and popular features are the unique motions: a car ride, kangaroo, Rockabye, wave, and tree swing.
- Portability. This swing is meant to stay home. It doesn’t conveniently break down for travel.
- Comfort. The seat comes with a removable insert and reclines easily. Both the insert and the fabric are machine-washable.
Cons:
- Connectivity. Android phones have issues connecting to the swing
- Not portable. The swing isn’t good for traveling families, because it doesn’t break down or use batteries.
- Accommodation. It only holds up to 25 pounds, while many other swings can hold up to 30.
Best Baby Swing for Travel/Small Spaces: Fisher-Price Deluxe Take-Along Swing & Seat
Weighing in at 1 pound and priced at only $80, this is the best swing for traveling families. This swing only uses batteries and doesn’t come with an AC adapter.
Part of the appeal is that this swing also doubles as a baby seat. It comes with a vibrating option and 12 sounds and songs to soothe your baby. It has two plush toys that hang from the frame, allowing for your baby to be entertained.
Pros:
- Safety. This baby swing features with a five-point harness and can accommodate up to 25 pounds.
- Double-duty. The swing doubles as a baby seat.
- Speed/direction. This baby swing has 6 different speeds and swings front to back.
- Portability. A flat-fold option allows for easy transportation and set-up.
- Comfort. This baby swing has a deep seat that has a machine washable cover.
Cons:
- Battery-powered only. There is no AC adapter, so depending on how much you use it, you’ll need to keep batteries handy.
- Older babies only. There is no infant insert.
- Limited use. Only accommodates up to 25 pounds.
Best for Soothing: Graco Glider LX Gliding Baby Swing
This swing is moderately priced, comes in two colors, and has a great gliding motion that is powered by rechargeable batteries or an AC adapter. It provides the motion of a glider without parents having to do the work.
Plus, there are some seriously cool built-in features with this swing, including 15 sounds and nature songs and an activity bar that has two plush toys attached.
Pros:
- Safety. This swing comes with a five-point harness and accommodates up to 30 pounds.
- Speed/direction. A gliding motion moves at 6 different speeds.
- Portability. This swing weighs almost 18 pounds, but the AC adapter and batteries allow for it to be moved from room to room.
- Comfort. You can change the incline if necessary and the padding is machine-washable.
Cons:
- Batteries required. Even if you use the adapter, the vibrating mechanism needs one battery
- Whoa, horsey! At the highest speed, many parents have felt that glides at a very fast rate.
Best Baby Operated Swing: Graco Sense2Soothe Baby Swing with Cry Detection Technology
This swing has a high price point, but it comes with technology that makes it worth it. It does not use batteries, but does use an AC adapter.
You’re paying for cry sense technology, which means it has a microphone that picks up your baby’s cry and adjusts its speed. It comes with a mobile that has plush toys attached to it. It also vibrates and plays both songs and melodies.
Pros:
- Safety. This safety swing comes with a five-point harness. It can accommodate a maximum of 25 pounds and a minimum of 5 pounds.
- Speed/Direction. A multidirectional swing lets it move from left to right or front to back. There are three swing speeds and two vibration settings.
- Portability. You can get away with moving from room to room within a home, but it would be difficult to travel with this swing.
- Smart features. That cry sense technology is pretty cool, right?
- Comfort. The swing comes complete with an infant insert and the cover is machine-washable.
Cons:
- Not portable. The swing can’t be used for travel.
- Noise factor. The cry technology can be triggered by other children in the house if they are nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do baby swings last?
Most baby swings can be used until your child exceeds the weight limit, or starts trying to climb out of it. If you want to save the swing for another child, you can as long as you take care of it. Unlike car seats, baby swings are not made of materials that will break down. You should always check your swing’s expiration date and for any recalls before using again, however.
Can a baby sleep in a swing overnight?
No, it is not safe. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies shouldn’t have prolonged sleep periods while in their swings. And you should never leave a baby in a baby swing unsupervised.