It’s no secret that babies love motion. I can’t count the number of hours I spent pacing the house or swaying with a fussy baby in my arms. Sometimes putting my babies in our traditional infant swing would do the trick, but other times they simply wanted to be held.
When my kids were little, I heard other parents rave about those fancy baby swings or bouncers that not only rock side to side but also bounce up and down. At the time I thought these gadgets were a waste of money, but now looking back, I have to say I wish I had invested in one. It probably would have saved my back (and my sanity!).
If you’re considering one of these swings for yourself, you’ve likely seen other parents mention two of the most popular ones: the mamaRoo and the rockaRoo.
But what’s the difference between the mamaRoo vs the rockaRoo? We’re here to break down the similarities and differences between these two swings so you can find the best one to suit your needs.
In this article:
MamaRoo vs. rockaRoo: Choose Your Motion
When I first started looking into these products, I wasn’t sure what to call them. Are they baby swings or bouncers? Turns out, they’re both.
As new and improved versions of the typical baby swing, both the mamaRoo and the rockaRoo are designed to soothe your baby with comforting motion, soft sounds and cozy fabrics that are a bit different than traditional baby swings.
The main difference between the two is that the mamaRoo was designed to move in 5 different ways, primarily side-to-side and up-and-down, to mimic the motion of being bounced in a parent’s arms.
The rockaRoo, on the other hand, rocks back and forth like a nursery glider or rocking horse.
Let’s take a closer look at each to help you decide if the mamaRoo vs the rockaRoo is right for you.
4Moms mamaRoo Baby Swing
A higher-priced luxury swing, the mamaRoo is built for the tech-savvy parent, but its larger size and lack of a battery unit means 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 soothing capabilities, like built-in white noise or music you can play through your phone. If you've got a fussy babe on your hands who needs to move throughout the day to settle down, this 5-way-movement baby seat and swing may just be a lifesaver.
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What Makes MamaRoo so Great?
The mamaRoo is one of those genius baby gadgets that truly makes your life easier – it’s a favorite among parents thanks to its diverse range of motion settings that offer both bouncing and rocking. This infant seat also comes with five different speeds to choose from and reclines to different heights so your baby can either lie back or sit up and play when they’re old enough.
For the smallest babies, the mamaRoo comes with an infant insert and also includes a mobile designed to catch your baby’s gaze with interesting patterns. We all love holding our babies (when it’s feasible!), but there are always moments in the day when you need a break (or need to pee by yourself or start dinner).
For especially fussy babies who are soothed by constant motion, the mamaRoo offers five different motion settings:
- Car ride: moves in a figure eight motion
- Kangaroo: moves up and down
- Tree swings: moves high on the sides and low in the middle
- Rock-a-bye: moves low on the sides and high in the middle
- Ocean wave: moves in a big circle
Not all babies love all kinds of motion, but with five different options and five different speeds to choose from, you’re likely to find at least one your baby enjoys.
The mamaRoo also comes with four built-in sounds, including white noise, and is Bluetooth- enabled so you can adjust the speed and settings from your smartphone.
Highlights of the mamaRoo
- Washable mesh fabric
- Sits low to the ground
- Dimensions: 19.5” x 33” x 25.5”
- Weight: 19 pounds
- AC adaptor (no batteries required)
- Compatible with MP3 so you can play your own music
- Four built-in sounds, including white noise
- Bluetooth-enabled
- Suitable for babies up to 25 pounds or 6 months in age
Keep in Mind
The mamaRoo is a great infant seat designed to soothe your baby, but there are some factors you should consider before buying. For one, this product isn’t cheap. And while the mamaRoo may be worth the cost for some families, its price point definitely means it isn’t a fit for everyone.
Secondly, while it does sit lower to the ground than the rockaRoo, the mamaRoo takes up more space overall, so make sure to measure where you plan to store it before you buy. (It’s also on the heavier side if you plan to move it around the house.)
While the mamaRoo does come with built-in sounds, including white noise, some parents are also disappointed to find it does not come with songs or lullabies. However, it does allow for MP3 and Bluetooth connectivity so you can play your own songs.
And last but not least, keep in mind that although it has a lot of different motion settings, you still run the risk of your baby being the type of baby who really just prefers a plain old swinging motion—which you don’t get with the mamaRoo.
Pros & Cons
Pros
White noise feature
5 motion settings
Bluetooth connectivity so you can adjust the settings from your phone
Infant insert
Cons
Expensive
Does not offer songs or lullabies
Bigger than the rockaRoo
RockaRoo Infant Swing
The rockaRoo is can give your arms a much-needed rest after holding and bouncing your baby all day. This product is essentially a compact swing and takes up 70% less space than traditional swings. It glides back and forth provides your baby with the sensation of being held and rocked. The rockaRoo design also maximizes soothing movement for your baby in the middle of their body instead of their feet, which is where the movement from traditional swings is usually targeted.
Reaching for the RockaRoo
As far as infant swings go, the rockaRoo is one of the best. Not only does it take up 70% less space than traditional models, but it also comes with an MP3 hookup so you can play your own music. The rockaRoo also comes with breathable mesh fabric that can easily be removed and thrown in the wash. And like the mamaRoo, the rockaRoo also comes with hanging toys full of enticing patterns and colors to keep your baby entertained.
One important thing to keep in mind is the rockaRoo is designed for babies 6 to 25 pounds or who are sitting up unassisted, whichever comes first. In general, most babies sit up well before they reach 25 pounds, so keep an eye on this and make sure you’re following the safety guidelines.
The biggest difference to keep in mind is that the rockaRoo only offers one type of motion: rocking.
And unlike traditional infant swings, the rockaRoo only rocks back and forth, more like a rocking horse or a nursery glider. For some babies, this may be exactly the motion best to soothe them, but it may not work well for others. All in all, the rockaRoo packs a bunch of great features into a compact design meant to provide babies with soothing motion and sounds (and give you a break!).
Highlights of the RockaRoo
- Adjustable seat
- Dimensions: 29.6” x 16.5” x 27.5”
- Weight: 17.5 pounds
- Designed for babies from 6 to 25 pounds or whenever the baby can sit up unassisted
- Five adjustable speeds
- Easy to install
- ⅓ the size of traditional baby swings
- AC adaptor (no batteries needed)
- Comes with mobile and interactive toys
Before You Buy
The rockaRoo is a compact, stylish and comforting baby swing, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. Here are some factors to keep in mind when considering this product.
First, the rockaRoo only rocks, unlike the mamaRoo which offers five different types of motion. For some babies, this may be all that’s needed, but others may prefer to bounce or sway.
The rockaRoo also comes with music, but not a white noise feature, which may be preferred by some babies.
Lastly, the rockaRoo does not come with a newborn insert, but it does sell one separately. If you’re planning to use the rockaRoo with a small baby, you may need to pay for an additional piece.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Sleek design
More affordable than the mamaRoo
Lightweight
Cons
No white noise
Newborn insert sold separately
Only one type of movement
Final Verdict
There are many similarities between the mamaRoo vs the rockaRoo, including their modern and compact designs, and the fact that they don’t require batteries, but instead can be plugged into the wall.
The biggest difference between them comes down to the types of movement they offer. The mamaRoo comes with five different types of motion (and a bigger price tag), while the rockaRoo only rocks back and forth.
If you are wanting to spend less money and needing to put this seat in a small space, the rockaRoo may be a better fit, but if you want a seat with a white noise feature, a newborn insert, and lots of movement options, you’re probably better off going with the mamaRoo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is the rockaRoo for?
The rockaRoo is designed for babies 6 to 25 pounds or who are sitting up unassisted, whichever comes first.
What age is the mamaRoo for?
The mamaRoo comes with an infant insert so it can accommodate babies smaller than six pounds. The weight limit is the same as the rockaRoo — 25 pounds or once the baby is sitting up unassisted.
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