No matter how cheerful or easy-to-take-care-of (lucky you!) a baby you have, there are bound to be times when s/he becomes grumpy and cranky. At times like this, cradling and rocking your baby back and forth in your arms (sometimes with a little extra cooing) will usually do the trick to soothe and calm your baby down. However, let's admit it - this can be tiring sometimes.
This is why you need to get a baby swing in your life - it provides the rocking and cradling motion without the need to use your arms so this is truly a lifesaver to most moms. The problem is, there are so many different brands with different features out there in the market, how do you choose which one fits your baby (or you!) best? Fret not, we have come up with the following list of Top 5 Best Baby Swing & Cradle after having reviewed most of the swings available in the market.
Top 5 Best Baby Swings & Cradle: Our Picks and Reviews
Before we go into it, here is a short summary showcasing the specs and price of the models we have reviewed:
Baby Swings | Price | Dimensions | Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $$ | 44 x 28 x 21 inches 15 pounds | 4.2/5 |
| $ | 14 x 12 x 30 inches 25 pounds | 4.1/5 |
| $ | 20 x 20 x 6.5 inches | 4.2/5 |
| $ | 22.5 x 28.5 x 23 inches 9 pounds | 4.2/5 |
| $$ | 33 x 23 x 25 inches 21.8 pounds | 4.0/5 |
It is an understatement to say that Fisher Price is the leading brand in the baby swing market. Fisher Price has produced many well-received swings but this particular one – the Papasan Cradle Swing stood out amongst all due to its all-roundedness.
The Papasan has everything essential and more for a swing. First of all, this child and parent-friendly swing operates on both plugin AC adapter or batteries. This is good news to most parents because we all know how many batteries you have to go through if it operates solely on batteries. Also, it allows you the flexibility to move around different rooms or places.
Side-by-side swinging motion
Front-to-back swinging motion
Next, let's look at the seat design. Made from plush and soft materials, the seat is deep with a nest-like feel and its supportive design holds baby's head in a comfortable position. Further, it can be adjusted in 2 reclining positions and it is removable for machine-wash and thorough dry-up. You do not have to worry about your baby falling off the seat with the in-built 3-point harness which combined with the sturdy frame, keeps baby secure as he swings from either side-to-side or front-to-back. Yes, you read correctly. This is a special feature incorporated in most Fisher Price swings - the SmartSwing Technology which goes to show that the brand truly understand what a baby needs.
There are altogether 16 songs to stimulate your baby's auditory sense - 8 daytime songs for restful, awake times and 8 other nighttime songs to soothe and lull your baby into sleep. You can customise all these including the 6-speed settings in both swing and cradle mode to set the most comfortable setting for your baby. For added convenience, volume control keeps the songs at a comfortable level for your baby.
Aside from the above, many would agree that the most exciting feature of this swing is none other than its canopy, which you do not see much in other designs. The canopy provides an enclosed and comfy surrounding which in turn gives off a safe and secure vibe to your baby.
Not only that, the canopy also sways along with the cradle's swinging motion which allow baby to watch stars float around as they dance and spin overhead. Pictured is the Starlight, which portray a magical starry night show on the canopy when switched on.
If you would like a more girly vibe, Papasan offers two pink-themed alternatives - the Butterfly Garden and Mocha Butterfly which when switched on, display a magical butterfly light show. Perfect for your little princess! Keep in mind though, there are slight variations to the price for different themes.
In short, here are the well-loved features of the Papasan:
- Mirrored globe allows baby to see him/herself
- Multiple songs and nature sounds - stimulate and develop baby's senses of sight and sound
- Volume control
- Option to use plug-in adapter or batteries
- Easy to assemble
- Side-to-side and front-to-back swinging motion
- Plush cushion seating removable for machine-wash
There are not many downside to this swing, though there are some parents who noted that the motor can be quite noisy. This is fixable. Just put your baby into the swing first before selecting the speed setting. This is after plugging the swing to any standard wall outlet. Give it a light push to help the motor find the desired speed and you will have noticeably quieter sound. Otherwise, you may notice a slight clicking noise when you first start up the motor if you do not place baby in the swing before starting it off.
Note that if you operate the swing on batteries, mobile, lights, music or sounds will turn off in approximately 7 minutes. This is to save power to allow the continuing swinging of the seat. Also, with the battery-powered setting, a heavier child will reduce the amount of swinging motion on all settings. This is not a particular downside on the design as it is present in most (if not all) battery-powered swings. Hence this is why it is recommended that you plug the Papasan to a wall outlet if you can.
Overall, this is a highly recommended baby swing and cradle. It costs slightly more than other swings, however, you will not be disappointed with what you get with this swing. It did not become one of the best-sellers for no reason!
BEST DEAL ONLINE: Fisher Price Papasan Cradle Swing - Starlight
Snugabunny is another popular model produced by the Fisher Price team. First of all, as its name “Snugabunny” suggests, this Swing is in a bunny theme with the removable newborn support seat in a bunny figure. There are 3 other themes – My Little Lamb, My Little Snugakitty and Rainforest which are slightly more expensive than the Snugabunny.
Fisher Price incorporates deluxe, rich soft goods which include plus boa in the seat manufacturing so that your baby can always lie in deep luxurious softness. The swing includes an airy canopy on the back and there are 3 delicate soft toys hanging from the mirror mobile overhead. You can be assured that your baby’s comfort is well taken care off with this swing.
What parents love most about this swing is that it has two swinging motions to soothe baby – the traditional head to toe swing motion as well as side to side cradle.
Featuring the SmartSwing Technology, parents can customised the features to find the perfect motion to soothe baby, from selecting the best swinging speed (1-6) from low to high to adjusting the seat position, be it you want the seat to recline or sit upright or if you want it to face left, right or centre, the Snugabunny can do it all. What’s better, is that it actually senses baby’s weight so that speed won’t slow as baby grows, and it starts without a push! With an AC adapter, you can be further ensured that speed will not be compromised, as compared to a motor operating on battery.
Other amazing features loved by many parents include:
- Mirrored globe allows baby to see him/herself
- Easy room-to-room portability
- Multiple songs and nature sounds - stimulate and develop baby's senses of sight and sound
- Volume control
- Legs fold for storage
- Option to use plug-in adapter or batteries
- Easy to assemble
- Quiet
Note though, that some parents find that the motor lacks swinging power in that it does not swing very fast. Many don’t find this a problem at all, however, if you are expecting a very fast swinging speed, you will be disappointed.
There are also some that are disappointed with the motor’s relatively low-life capacity as they find that the motor stops working in about a year. Again, not many have this experience, and it is believed this has to do with the level and manner of usage of the swing.
Overall, at such an affordable price point of below $100 for this amazing product which comes from a reputable brand, it is no wonder the Snugabunny continues to claim the Number 1 Best Seller spot in Amazon.
BEST DEAL ONLINE: Fisher Price Snugabunny Cradle and Swing
The Deluxe Take Along Swing and Seat is another Fisher Price product that comes close to the Snugabunny. This swing resembles the Snugabunny in many ways – from its six speed settings, multiple tunes and soothing nature sounds to the incorporation of the Fisher Price SmartSwing Technology feature. Similarly, parents can customise the suitable speed setting to best soothe their baby and it senses and automatically adjusts to baby’s weight so the speeds won’t slow as baby grows. Also, it starts without a push.
Perhaps the biggest distinctive feature between this and the Snugabunny is that the Deluxe Take Along is, as its name suggests, highly portable. You can easily fold this compact and lightweight swing flat for easy storage, or take it along anywhere you like, including travelling overseas because it fits into a standard size luggage once folded!
Another well-loved feature is that this swing can be easily converted from a baby swing to a stationary baby seat with calming vibrations, sound and music. Simply unclasp the latch at the bottom and voila !
In either mode, there are two little birdies on the overhead canopy that can keep baby both entertained and stimulate their senses and motor skills. The vibration feature is not commonly found in other swings and it can be used along the swinging motion or on its own. Other pros include:
- Folds flat for easy storage and portability
- Comfortable padded soft seat with plush newborn insert to provide support and stability to baby
- Multiple songs and nature sounds - stimulate and develop baby's senses of sight and sound
- Volume control
- Lightweight and compact
- Space-saver
- Machine-washable, dryer-safe seat pad
The biggest downside to most parents is that the Deluxe Take Along only operates on batteries. There is no AC adapter plug-in available, hence it can be rather costly to constantly change batteries if usage is high. Fortunately, many find that batteries last reasonably long (at least 2 months of every night usage). Getting rechargeable batteries is definitely recommended for this product.
Overall, if you have limited space or do not like clutter, the Deluxe Take Along Swing and Seat is your perfect solution. It does not take up much space and you can simply fold and store it away if not in use.
If frequent moving-about is regular in your daily routine, this is also your best solution as it is so light you can bring it to any room or any place you want. Some even have it set on top of their kitchen table while they cook so that they can keep an eye on baby.
It goes without saying that this compact swing is perfect for travelling overseas. We know how frustrating it is when baby refuses to sleep in a new and foreign surrounding, and with this swing, you can be sure baby will be rocked into a deep sleep in no time!
BEST DEAL ONLINE: Fisher Price Deluxe Take Along Swing and Seat
Ingenuity is another widely popular baby brand which manufacture and produce many well-loved baby swings. The ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat in particular, stood out amongst all its other models due to its "less is more" concept. It provides you with just the features you require, nothing fancy or unnecessary that you may never use!
As its name suggest, the ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat is designed with portability in mind. Remarkably lightweight at just 9 pounds, this swing can be folded easily which makes it a good choice for travel or storage. This is music in the ears to those who do not like clutter in their homes!
This swing has 6 speed settings, each maintainable consistently thanks to the brand's True Speed Technology. You can adjust the seat in 2 reclining positions to give your baby the ultimate comfort seating, and should your baby grows bigger, you can remove the head support provided. To top it off, the seating is made from luxuriously plush fabric which goes to show Ingenuity truly has your baby's comfort in their utmost priority.
There are 6 melodies with volume control provided so that you can choose the right tune to soothe or lure your baby into sleep. The Whisper Quiet Technology will make sure your baby do not get disturbed by noise while swinging to sleep. There are 3 timer settings available for you to choose how long you want your baby swings.
Other pros include:
- Small and fold flat - very portable
- Easy to clean - machine washable
- Very affordable
- Volume control
- Easy to assemble
- Multiple speed settings
- Machine-washable, dryer-safe seat pad
Users do have a few concerns over this swing though, the most common being that the swing is too low. This means if you have a taller baby, his feet will touch the ground even if he has not gone beyond the weight limit.
Another observation is that it is more suitable for older babies who have better neck control as opposed to newborns. This is due to the head rest being slightly too high for newborns and the design that does not give as much support to keep a newborn upright.
There are some that complain the speed dial making a loud clicking noise which may wake babies up if they are asleep.
Overall, for the price you are paying, you can get the basic essentials you require in the ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat. It does its job in swinging and soothing your baby and it does it well. However, given the shortfall on its design, it is best recommended that you only utilize this when your baby gets pass the newborn stage.
BEST DEAL ONLINE: Ingenuity Soothe 'N Delight Portable Swing
The brand 'Graco' will not be an unfamiliar brand if you are a parent. A trusted brand which specializes in baby products, you can be assured of its great quality and functionality.
The Duet Connect LX Swing and Bouncer is exactly as its name suggests- both a swing and a bouncer, all in one product! The swing seat, once removed, doubles as a bouncer to soothe and calm your little one. This gives you the flexibility to move around the house while keeping your baby cosy without having to lug the whole swing around, which can be a tad heavy weighing at close to 22 pounds. This swing and bouncer is available in 5 different colours. The pictured is in Manor while the other 4 closely resemble to a neutral palette.
It has everything you need for a baby swing. You get 6 swinging speeds, 10 melodies and 5 nature sounds and an overhead toy bar to keep your baby entertained and comfortable at the right speed pace.
The toy bar will stimulate your baby's development when s/he reaches out to touch the 3 hanging cute toys. There is also a two-speed gentle vibration feature for you to adjust to the best 'vibe' to soothe your baby.
The seat has 2 recline positions for your to adjust to your baby's most comfortable position and you can remove the head support any time your baby needs more room. And did we mention you get the option to either plug in the AC adapter or use batteries to operate the Duet Connect LX Swing and Bouncer?
Other amazing features include:
- 5-point harness to keep baby safe and secure
- Dual functionality
- AC adapter or batteries operated
- Easy to assemble
- Plush and deep seat - removable
- Sturdy and well-built
One mostly commented downside of the Duet Connect LX Swing and Bouncer is the motor sound. Many commented that it is not as quiet as they have anticipated, though nothing too loud to the extent it will disrupt a baby in sleep.
Perhaps the biggest 'letdown' is that most parents thought the vibration will operate on AC plugin. This is so, until you detach and convert the swing into a bouncer whereby you will have to have batteries for the vibration to function. There are also some that think the instruction manual lacks clarity.
Overall, this is a sturdy and well built baby swing that caters to all a baby's needs with its multiple functions. If you are not short on space, this will be a great choice as it does take up some space of your room due to its size. Nevertheless, the detachable seat gives you the flexibility you need to move your baby from room to room without disrupting his cosy position. The convertible bouncer is always a plus to keep your baby calm and comfortable.
BEST DEAL ONLINE: Graco Duet Connect LX Swing and Bouncer
