A baby swing is a lifesaver to many moms. Some call it a baby cradle or swing cradle - they pretty much mean the same thing: a device that mimics the soothing motions of a human being.
An essential necessity in many households nowadays, a baby swing provides the much needed assistance when your arms are asking for a break from all the cradling and rocking of your little one. Or, when you need to free your hands just that little while to do some house chores.
There are different types of baby swing cradle models available in the market. The choices can be quite overwhelming, especially if you don't know what to look for.
Here, we have separated them into 3 categories, picking what we think is the best baby swing for each category in a variety that will suit different needs and budgets.
Best Baby Swings and Cradle Review (Traditional)
This is what most parents have in their house - one that swings from side-to-side or front-to-back to calm and soothe baby.
Deemed by many parents to be the best baby swing cradle, the Fisher-Price Sweet Snuggapuppy Dreams Cradle 'n Swing is one of the bestselling baby swing cradle in the market.
Dual motion, the seat swings either side to side, or head to toe. There are 6 swing speeds and 2 recline positions for you to choose from. The latter is not something you'd find in every swing cradle, making the Snuggapuppy one of the best plug in baby swing.
An overhead mobile with 3 cuddly toys and a mirrored dome is provided to stimulate baby's sensory development (auditory, visual senses and eye-tracking). There are up to 16 songs and nature sounds for you to customise your soothing setting.
Another thing that we like is about this swing cradle is that it comes with a machine-washable extra-plush seat pad for the newborn head and body support. Besides the Snuggapuppy, there is also the Snuggabunny and Woody Wonders version, both of which are hugely popular designs as well.
The 4moms mamaRoo 4 Baby Swing is another top contender in the best newborn swing category. An Amazon's Choice, this is also a Bluetooth baby rocker that you can control both sound and motion from your compatible smart device.
Speaking of which, there are 5 unique motions and speeds that bounce up and down and sway from side to side just like parents do. There are 4 built in sounds to choose from which if it's a tad too little for you, know that it is compatible with mp3 plug-in.
mamaRoo 4's standout feature though, has to be its reclining seat. This one here allows you to adjust it into any position - up to full recline - for baby's maximum comfort. To date, this may be the only baby swing cradle that does so, definitely a plus point!
The seat is made of a smooth, woven nylon material with the seat fabric completely removable and machine washable. If you'd like something more cooling, mamaRoo has one made in a breathable 3D air mesh fabric as well which you can check out here.
Compared to the two above, the Graco Simple Sway LX Baby Swing is the most lightweight baby swing cradle out of all. It has the biggest weight capacity though - at 30 pounds maximum.
Another Amazon's Choice, this swing cradle has the option to use in either plug-in or battery mode. That's another aspect setting it apart from the rest, besides a 2-speed vibration setting that you cannot find anywhere else.
Yes, that is on top of the usual swing feature, which this one comes in 6 swing speeds to adjust from. The multi direction seat gives baby various viewpoints with options to face right, front and left, and you can change the motion from side-to-side to front-to-back.
We also like how this baby swing comes with a removable infant head support for added comfort and a 5-point harness to keep your little one secure in place. The latter is not something offered in every model, and many parents love the Simple Sway LX for it.
Being the brand that introduces the first wind-up infant swing, you won't go wrong with this bestseller here. If you don't already know, Graco is one of the most trusted brand in baby products - you will certainly see more of it below in this swing cradle review.
A Side-by-Side Comparison Chart
Header | | |  |
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Dimensions | 35.04 x 44.02 x 37.01 inches | 33 x 19.5 x 25.5 inches | 28.03 x 15.35 x 9.29 inches |
Item Weight | 23.9 pounds | 19 pounds | 13.12 pounds |
Swing Motion | - Side to side - Head to toe | - Side to side - Up and down | - Side to side - Front to back |
Swing Speed | 6 | 5 | 6 |
Recline | X | ||
Capacity | 25 pounds | 25 pounds | 30 pounds |
Operation | AC plug in | AC plug in | AC plug in / batteries |
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Best Baby Swings and Cradle Review (Convertible)
A convertible swing cradle, on the other hand, serves dual purposes.
Not just a normal swing cradle like the above, it doubles as a removable baby rocker that you can move around the home to keep baby close by.
We have found a few excellent choices for you - all from Graco.
One of the best rated baby swing from Graco, the EveryWay Soother Baby Swing with Removable Rocker is a multi-use baby swing that offers up to 16 soothing motions for the little one.
From arch, swing, bounce, circle, wave, zig-zag and even figure 8, there are 8 ways to swing, each in 2 directions besides the usual swaying motion. This is what sets it apart from the rest, with there being 6 speeds altogether for you to adjust to baby's preference.
The seat is multi-directional, meaning baby can enjoy either side-to-side or front-to-back swinging for more soothing options. It conveniently doubles as a removable baby rocker, so you can detach it from its base and keep baby happy by your side anywhere around the home.
This swing also features 2 speed soothing vibration, 3 position recline, 15 songs and sounds as well as an adjustable mobile with soft toys. It comes with a removable infant head support, and the entire device is powered by AC adapter.
The DuetSoothe is Graco's bestselling Swing / Rocker combo model.
Different from the EveryWay Soother, the DuetSoothe has a much lighter base and comes with a convenient carry-handle. It also has a 2-position recline to keep baby cozy and comfortable, which the former doesn't.
It is the lightest out of all but adding to its portability is its compatibility with both AC adapter and battery operation. With this one, you do not need a power outlet nearby to get it operate.
Having said that, it does not have as many motions as the EveryWay Soother. Nevertheless, the 3 seating positions that sway baby side-to-side or swing front-to-back, as well as the 2-speed vibration are sufficient to help soothe baby in most cases.
Out of all the swing/rocker combo units that we have reviewed, the Graco DuetSoother is the most affordable model of them all. So yes, if you are looking for the best swing bouncer combo, you know which to go for.
The Graco DuoGlider, on the other hand, operates completely differently. This is the best baby glider swing that doubles as a rocker, however, you do not have to detach the seat from the frame to make the conversion.
Instead, all you do is just lower the seat down and voila, you get a rocker instantly - all via an easy one-hand recline lever that does so gently. You don't have to move baby, nor disturb him/her in the process.
The DuoGlider soothes with the same gentle motion you use when cuddling and comforting baby in your nursery glider. It features 2-speed vibration and 6 swinging speeds for you to choose, with classical melodies and nature sounds to help in the process.
Like the DuetSoother, it too offers both plug-in and battery options. The seat is cozy combined with plush body support, and a three-position recline feature ensures baby gets the optimal comfort in it.
From its name, you can probably tell the Graco Sense2Soothe Baby Swing with Cry Detention Technology is no ordinary baby swing cradle. Yep, this swing here can detect baby's crying and responds to it accordingly.
Graco's only baby-operated swing, this technology detects baby's cries through an inbuilt microphone. It then follows by automatically adjusting its swing settings to soothe baby until s/he is calmed and content - all on its own.
Adjustments include changing the motion, speed, vibration and sounds until it found a combination that soothes your little one. There are plenty of options, with 8 soothing motions, 3 speeds, 2 vibration settings and 15 songs and sounds to choose from.
Parents are amazed at how easily the Sense2Soothe is able to find the right combination to calm baby, after which it will remain in such setting to keep baby content. You can save them down too as baby's favourite settings, using the "Parent Mode" option.
Featuring a multi-direction seat that doubles as a portable baby rocker, we like how it is equipped with a 3-position recline to give baby the right angle to lay comfortably.
In case you're wondering, yes, you can use it like a traditional swing - just turn off the Cry Detection mode and that's it!
A Side-by-Side Comparison Chart
Header |  |  | | |
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Dimension | 28 x 25.5 x 35 inches | 33 x 34 x 43 inches | 28 x 25 x 26.5 inches | 19 x 28.4 x 32.3 inches |
Item Weight | 22.53 lbs | 21 lbs | 22.24 lbs | 25 lbs |
Multi Direction | X | |||
Motions | 8 ways, 2 directions | 2 ways, 3 directions | 2 ways | 8 ways |
Swing Speed | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
Recline | X | |||
Maximum Weight | 25 lbs | 30 lbs | 30 lbs | 25 lbs |
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Best Baby Swings and Cradle Review (Under $100)
Last but not least, we have the "best affordable baby swing - under $100" category to cater to those with a smaller budget.
We have filter out the inferior ones so don't worry, quality is not compromised when you go for a more affordable option if you choose from our list below.
The No.1 Bestseller in the stationary baby swing category, the Graco Simple Sway Swing is the best baby swing cradle to many parents.
Not only because it is one of the most affordable, but also because this is a baby swing for small spaces.
With space being an issue in most households, Simple Sway ticks all the boxes with its compact frame design. It easily fits in just about any space - no matter how small - in your home.baby swing for small spaces
With an option of either using batteries or wall plug in, it provides greater conveniences and versatility. The latter help save money over time, making this infant swing an even better value.
Featuring a deep plush seat with removable head support and a 5-point harness, Simple Sway moves gently in a side-to-side swaying motion to soothe and comfort baby. There are 6 swing speeds and 2 speed vibration for you to find the right pace for baby.
It comes with a mobile of three soft toys to engage baby's imagination and provide visual stimulation and entertainment. Hands down, the Graco Simple Sway Swing is definitely one of the most well-rounded and best baby swing for newborns.
Next up, we have the Ingenuity Swing 'n Go Portable Baby Swing.
By a small margin, this wins over the rest in the most affordable and best cheap baby swing and cradle category one can buy under $100.
It is also the lightest out of all, weighing a mere 6.7 pounds only (hence "Portable" in its name). However, it also means it has the smallest weight capacity, supporting a maximum of 20 lbs only.
Nevertheless, the Ingenuity Swing 'n Go continues to be one of the most popular baby swing cradle due to a few reasons. One being - it is the best portable baby swing.
You can conveniently fold it up for storage and easy transport - and you do so with just one hand. The Hybridrive technology it adopts also means batteries can last up to 3 times longer than usual, which is definitely a plus point.
But perhaps the most attractive aspect is its whisper quiet operation - you literally get a virtually noiseless experience with this one here. There is also a timer function which you can set in 15-minute interval, starting from 30 minutes.
With 5 swing speeds, 8 melodies and 3 nature sounds to choose from, there really is nothing much you can fault the Ingenuity especially at a price like this.
It even comes with ultra plush padding and a slip resistant and harness to keep your little one secured. Highly recommend!
If you are wondering what is the difference between the Glider LX Baby Swing and the DuoGlider above, well, this one here cannot be converted into a rocker system.
Also, the Glider LX is cheaper price-wise - under $100.
Otherwise, it adopts the same gliding motion as the DuoGlider, soothing baby in the same gentle motion as that from your nursery glider. There are 6 speeds available to find the right pace that suits baby's mood, and the swing can recline in 3 adjustable positions.
Similar to Simple Sway, the Glider LX also adopts a space-saving design. You still get a full-featured swing, but its smart fame uses approximately 40% less space than other leading baby swings.
Such ingenious design allows it to fit easily into just about any room in the house, which is why it is so popular and is an Amazon's Choice. 10 classic melodies and 5 nature sounds are provided, with a toy bar hanging overhead to stimulate baby's senses.
And oh, the swing features a timer mode too so you can keep the glider on only as you need it, helping to extend its battery life. Otherwise, this is a portable baby swing that plugs in too with its AC adapter option.
If you are wondering whether there is one best portable swing in the market that is under $100, well, the Fisher-Price Deluxe Take-Along Swing & Seat is exactly that.
Except, this one here doubles as a stationary infant floor seat instead of converting into a baby rocker like those above. Nevertheless, for a 2-in-1 baby swing cradle, this is a true bargain.
For firsts, it has all the bells and whistles of a large swing, yet in a smaller footprint that doesn't take up too much space. If you are looking for the best baby swing for small spaces, this is the one.
When converted into an infant seat, you can use it as soon as baby is able to sit on his own. Which means you actually get a longer usage life as opposed to others which had to be retired when baby outgrows the weight limit. See what we mean by a good bargain?
For its swing feature, we like how it features a SmartSwing Technology where it actually senses baby's weight and automatically adjusts its setting so that the speeds won't slow as baby grows. And, it starts without a push!
Like the Ingenuity, the Take-Along Swing & Seat also has an easy-fold frame that comes with a handle for convenient grab and go. At such a price, it is no wonder many regard it to be the best compact baby swing.
A Side-by-Side Comparison Chart
Header | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dimension | 30 x 31 x 38 inches | 6.8 x 14.5 x 22.2 inches | 28 x 24.5 x 36 inches | 19 x 28.4 x 32.3 inches |
Item Weight | 17.2 lbs | 6.7 lbs | 17.89 lbs | 9 lbs |
Motions | Swing, Vibrate | Swing | Glide, Vibrate | Swing, Vibrate |
Swing Speed | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Recline | X | X | X | |
Maximum Weight | 30 lbs | 20 lbs | 30 lbs | 25 lbs |
Bestselling Feature | Small frame | Foldable, whisper quiet, timer setting | Uses 40% less space than other models | Easy-fold frame |
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Wrapping Up
To conclude, a baby swing cradle is truly a mom's best friend. It makes parenting life so much easier and more convenient - it is no wonder it became a staple necessity in many households nowadays.
A baby swing also makes for one of the best baby shower or Christmas gift you can ever gift to newborn parents.
We hope our extensive baby swing reviews above will help you in selecting the best baby swing and cradle for your little one. Trust us, you won't regret getting any one of them!
[Don't know if you should get a baby swing cradle or a baby bouncer? Click here.]
