10 Best Baby Bouncers and Swings of 2024 skip to main content
Best Baby Bouncers and Swings of 2024
Updated on
March 28, 2024

Best Baby Bouncers and Swings of 2024

By Jen LaBracio | Medically Reviewed by Holly Peretz OT
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Best Baby Bouncers and Swings of 2024.
Best Baby Bouncers and Swings of 2024

Although your baby may disagree, it’s not practical to think you’ll be able to hold your newborn all day long. At some point you’ll need a shower, a meal or just a quick break.

That’s where baby bouncers and swings come in. Parents love them for providing a safe place for baby to play or relax while they get other things done, and babies love them because they’re comfy and soothing. Most parents choose to add a baby bouncer or a swing to their baby registry—and are really happy they did.

Babylist’s Top Picks for the Best Baby Bouncers and Swings

Babylist’s Picks for the Best Baby Bouncers and Swings

Best Baby Bouncer Seat

What Our Experts Say

An enduring parent + baby favorite, this lightweight bouncer clocks in at seven pounds and folds flat, making it a breeze to move around the house and take on the go. When it’s unfolded, it still doesn’t take up too much space—perfect for those living in smaller quarters. The bonus? After your child outgrows the bouncer, it can be converted into a chair.

What’s Worth Considering

Since the seat’s bounce motion is triggered by baby’s movements, you’ll need to manually bounce this until your little one is big enough to start kicking. It’s also pricey, but since it can be used well into toddlerhood, it’s a bit easier to justify the higher cost.

Looking for a more unique color? Check out Babylist’s exclusive Sage edition.

Additional Specs
Child Guidelines As a bouncer, birth to when baby sits up unassisted; as a chair, up to 2 years old
Plugs or Batteries None; uses baby’s movements

Best Baby Swing for Newborns

What Our Experts Say

Sure, it has futuristic good looks, but the mamaRoo—in a Babylist-exclusive color you’ll only find here— is more than a mod piece of baby gear. It has five fluid motions based on how parents move when soothing babies, including bouncing up and down and swaying side to side, making it ideal for even the youngest of babies who are used to lots of motion in the womb. The movements can be tailored to your baby’s preferences for a custom mix and match motion—there’s even an app to help you figure out which motions mimic your own the most. There are also smart home features like Bluetooth and voice control compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

What’s Worth Considering

The mamaRoo is a great high-tech pick, but it’s on the pricier side. And it’s heavy; moving it from room to room won’t be as easy as other swings or bouncers. It’s also one of those items of gear that some babies have particularly strong opinions about. While most little ones love it, there are some who aren’t joining the mamaRoo fan club anytime soon.

Additional Specs
Child Guidelines Birth until 25 lbs (approximately 9 months) or attempts to climb out, whichever comes first
Plugs or Batteries Plugs in

Best Baby Swing

What Our Experts Say

If you’re in the market for a simple yet soothing swing with lots of features and a mid-range price point, Graco’s Simple Sway is a Babylist parent fave. It features a compact frame, six sway speeds and a price that comes in a lot lower than many similar baby swings. What else is there to love? The Simple Sway has a deep, comfy seat, 15 sound options and two vibration settings.

What’s Worth Considering

This swing only features side-to-side motion. It’s not a big deal for most babies, but if your little one isn’t a fan, you’re out of luck. Some parents also find the deep seat isn’t ideal for newborns.

If you’re willing to spend a little more for more options, check out the Graco Simple Sway LX model. It offers a multi-directional seat that allows baby to swing facing right, front or left, as well as front-to-back and side-to-side swinging motions.

And if you’re looking for a similarly well-priced swing but with a smaller footprint, check out Graco’s Slim Spaces Compact Baby Swing. It has adjustable legs that allow you to choose between two height settings (full size and compact) and folds for easy storage.

Additional Specs
Child Guidelines Infants between 5.5-30 lbs
Plugs or Batteries Plugs in

Best Affordable Baby Bouncer

What Our Experts Say

With a similar aesthetic to the Babybjorn bouncer at a fraction of the cost, this bouncer is definitely worth a look. It’s got all the features we love: several recline positions, easy portability (it folds flat and weighs just over four pounds), a comfy, washable seat and a toy bar included. The simple, neutral design is also a big plus for lots of parents.

What’s Worth Considering

Unlike other similar bouncers, this one doesn’t come ready to go out of the box; it has to be assembled. Parents also complain that the toy bar doesn’t attach securely.

Additional Specs
Child Guidelines Birth to 6 months or up to 20 lbs
Plugs or Batteries None; uses baby’s movements

Another Budget Baby Bouncer Pick

What Our Experts Say

This basic bouncer is another budget-friendly pick that gets the job done when your arms need a break. It’s super lightweight, vibrates and comes with a spinning toy bar. (The toy bar is removable if your baby doesn’t love it.) The seat has a small footprint so it’s ideal for smaller spaces and light enough to carry from room to room. And the fabric seat is machine washable for easy cleaning.

What’s Worth Considering

This bouncer doesn’t fold for storage; you’ll have to take it apart if you need to stow it away flat.

Additional Specs
Child Guidelines Birth to 6 months
Plugs or Batteries Batteries

Best Baby Swing for Small Spaces

What Our Experts Say

If you like the idea of the mamaRoo but don’t quite have the space, you’ll want to give this lower profile, foldable option from Munchkin a serious look. Sleek and smart, this high-tech swing rocks side to side and recreates the swaying motion of a parent’s arms. It has a compact silhouette and easily comes apart into two parts so you can store it flat or take it along on the go. There’s a remote to control everything wirelessly and the system connects right to your phone so you can stream your own music if you don’t want the music or sounds that are already built in.

What’s Worth Considering

The rocking motion on this swing is on the gentler side, so if your baby prefers a stronger swinging motion, this likely isn’t the swing for you.

For a similar swing at a slightly more affordable price point, check out the Jool Baby Nova Baby Swing. It’s about $50 less than the Munchkin swing and has similar functionality.

Additional Specs
Child Guidelines For babies 5-20 lbs who cannot sit up or climb out of swing unassisted
Plugs or Batteries Plugs in

Best Bouncer Rocker Combo

What Our Experts Say

This stylish bouncer has more going for it than just its good looks. It’s actually a bouncer + a rocker rolled into one, offering two different ways to soothe and entertain your little one depending on which motion they like best. There are three different recline positions and a newborn inlay for extra support. And speaking of support—parents love how sturdy this bouncer is. They also love that it folds completely flat so it’s easy to carry or tuck away when not in use.

What’s Worth Considering

Some parents report that the bouncing on the Kori isn’t very…bouncy.

If you like the Maxi-Cosi style, the brand also makes a popular swing, the Cassia. It features automatic motion detection that triggers the swing to rock on its own when it senses your little one is getting restless.

Additional Specs
Child Guidelines Birth to 9 months
Plugs or Batteries None; uses baby’s movements

Best Bouncer for Newborns

What Our Experts Say

Well known (and loved) for their ergonomic baby carriers, parent-favorite brand Ergobaby’s first baby bouncer is thoughtfully designed, stylishly modern and can last you longer than other bouncers on our best-of list. The ergonomically designed newborn insert makes the Evolve suitable for infants starting around seven pounds. The insert pops out as baby grows, at which point you can use the seat in one of three different height positions and up until your little one hits the toddler years, up to 29 pounds. The seat was designed with guidance from a pediatric orthopedist and folds completely flat for easy transport.

What’s Worth Considering

The Evolve is similar to the Babybjörn Bouncer Balance Soft in that it’s powered by your baby’s kicks; however, it does have a larger footprint, something to keep in mind if space is an issue for you.

Additional Specs
Child Guidelines Birth to 29 lbs (approx. 3 yrs old)
Plugs or Batteries None; uses baby’s movements

Best Affordable Baby Swing

What Our Experts Say

This compact swing is a parent favorite and a budget-friendly pick. Although it’s marketed as a portable swing (which it is), it works just as well if you need a swing for your home that will mostly be staying in one place. It features five swing speeds, eight melodies and three nature sounds as well as a timer with auto shut-off and two hanging toys. The frame is pretty compact and foldable, and the seat fabric is washable.

What’s Worth Considering

There’s no ability to recline the seat on this swing. The smaller size means your baby may grow out of it faster than they would with other swings.

Additional Specs
Child Guidelines Birth to 9 months
Plugs or Batteries Plugs in or can use with batteries

Best Swing Rocker Combo

What Our Experts Say

Can’t choose between a swing or a bouncer? You don’t have to, because the Graco DuoGlider is both. As a swing, it features a multi-directional seat (baby can face right, left or front), provides two ways to sway and a three-position recline along with vibration and an adjustable swing speed. Use the carry handles to quickly and easily remove the cradle seat from the swing’s base and it becomes a bouncer/rocker you can move around to other rooms.

What’s Worth Considering

The Soothe’s motor can be noisy.

Additional Specs
Child Guidelines Swing: 5.5-25 lbs; rocker: 5.5-18 lbs
Plugs or Batteries Plugs in

How We Chose the Best Baby Bouncers and Swings

  • We analyzed results from Babylist’s Best Baby Products survey, which polled 6,000 Babylist users and asked them to share the baby products they love the most and why.
  • We utilized insight from the Babylist editorial team, including Gear Editor Jen LaBracio, an expert in the baby space for over six years and a mom of two who has written hundreds of baby gear guides and personally researched and tested hundreds of baby products, including many baby bouncers and swings.
  • We reviewed customer reviews from hundreds of real Babylist parents.

What’s the Difference Between a Baby Bouncer and a Swing?

A baby bouncer is usually lightweight and low to the ground. It’s powered by baby’s own movements or by giving it a quick nudge with your hand or foot. Bouncers tend to be fairly compact—some even fold flat for easy storage—and range in price but are often quite affordable.

Swings tend to be heavier and larger than baby bouncers and are mechanically powered. A swing rocks your baby back and forth, side to side or a combination of both in some cases. Many have other features like sounds and vibrations. Swings range from affordable to fairly pricey.

Do You Need a Baby Bouncer or Swing?

Baby bouncers and swings are not must-have baby items. But for most parents, they like the idea of a portable piece of baby gear that offers a safe place for baby when they need to get something else done. Bouncers and swings can also be great for soothing a fussy baby.

When Do You Need a Baby Bouncer or Swing?

Baby bouncers and swings are generally made for the pre-sitting set. They’re best for newborns and babies up to about six months old or until they can sit up on their own. Be sure to check the age recommendation and weight limit on the particular swing or bouncer you’re using to ensure it’s still okay for your baby to use as they grow.

How to Use Baby Bouncers and Swings Safely

When used properly and under supervision, a swing, bouncer or rocker is a safe space for baby—but, per the American Academy of Pediatrics, these products are not approved for sleep. While some of these products have the word “sleep” in the name or have photos of babies sleeping on the packaging, it’s important to always follow safe sleep guidelines for your baby.

What does that look like in real life? The AAP offers these tips for helping to keep babies safe in swings and bouncers:

  • If your baby falls asleep in a bouncer or swing, move them to a safe, firm sleep surface as soon as possible.
  • Infants under four months of age should be seated in the most reclined swing position. (This is to avoid the “chin to chest” position, which can cause suffocation.)
  • Ensure the bouncer or swing you’re using cannot tip over or fold up easily.
  • If your bouncer or swing has shoulder straps, always use them to keep your baby safe and secure.
  • Follow all manufacturer height and weight recommendations for your bouncer or swing.

What Is Best, a Baby Bouncer or a Swing?

If you’re pitting a baby bouncer against a swing, one isn’t necessarily “better” than the other; it’s more about what works best for your family and your baby.

The biggest pros of baby bouncers are that they’re lightweight, easily portable and have a small footprint. There are no plugs or batteries to worry about and are ideal for storage and travel. They do, however, require manual movement either from you or your baby.

Swings provide constant motion, which is a big pro for lots of babies. They can be great for soothing your little one when they’re fussy. (Which can be pretty often in those early weeks.) But they require a plug to power up and tend to be on the larger, bulkier side.

You may want to start by adding either a baby bouncer or a swing to your registry, not both. You can then test things out once your baby arrives and go from there.

How to Choose the Best Baby Bouncer or Swing

Here are a few things to think about when you’re deciding on a baby bouncer or a swing:

  • Portability and storage. How heavy is it? Can you easily move it from room to room if you’d like? What about storage—does it fold flat?
  • Seat incline. If there’s an adjustable seat, you might be able to use your bouncer or swing longer.
  • Sound and motion. More features to entertain baby might mean less fussiness.
  • Ease of cleaning. A machine-washable cover is your friend.
  • Style. Are bright colors your jam or are you more into a neutral aesthetic?

Jen LaBracio

Senior Gear Editor

Jen LaBracio is Babylist’s Senior Gear Editor, a role that perfectly combines her love of all things baby gear with her love of (obsessive) research. When she’s not testing out a new high chair or pushing the latest stroller model around her neighborhood, she likes to run, spin, listen to podcasts, read and spend time at the beach. In her past life, she worked for over a decade in children’s publishing. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and their two boys, Will and Ben.

This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Babylist may earn compensation from affiliate links in this content. Learn more about how we write Babylist content and review products, as well as the Babylist Health Advisory Board.