Just Keep Swinging: The Best Baby Swings of 2021

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.