9 Best Nursery Gliders, Recliners & Rocking Chairs, Tested by Parents

The Bump takeaway: The Glider Plus from Nurture& offers smooth, quiet movement and highly customizable support. It’s a particularly strong choice for parents who expect to spend long stretches feeding or soothing baby and want to adjust the chair to their body.

The Bump has been testing gliders, recliners and rockers for over two years now, and during that time we’ve identified a few fundamental features that parents look for. As with any piece of furniture it’s got to be comfortable and attractive, but the best nursery chairs are also fully adjustable and offer a wide range of movement. And we’re happy to report that the Nurture& Glider Plus fulfills all of the above requirements. “It has wonderful features and adjusts into many perfect feeding positions,” shares product tester Kayla, who used the chair with her 3-month-old.

Comfort over long sessions
This chair has a firm yet supportive feel that works well for extended feeding sessions. “I have spent up to an hour and a half to two hours in it without needing to stand up to stretch,” says Kayla. She was also a fan of the armrest height for bottle feeding.

The extra-high backrest worked well for both Kayla, who is 5'5", and her 6-foot partner, although he wished the headrest sat a few inches higher. And because the chair’s support can be customized, Kayla was able to adjust it to better suit her body. With the touch of a button, you can raise or lower the head pillow and leg rest, as well as adjust the built-in lumbar support. Kayla said it helped relieve some of the back pain she had been experiencing.

Movement and ease of use
This power recliner glides, reclines and swivels 200 degrees. “This chair performed the motions effortlessly and silently, while my child and I remained comfortable,” confirms Kayla. She described the gliding motion as smooth and peaceful, saying that “my partner and I both find this chair very soothing for ourselves and our kiddos.”

As a power recliner, this chair is operated via a control panel and can't be used manually. The panel also features a built-in USB port along with a C-cord insert. “This feature works great, and I find it extremely useful as I can charge my devices while completing other tasks such as feeding or bedtime stories,” says Kayla. Unlike other chairs we tested, the control panel is positioned on the exterior of the armrest rather than on the interior, which makes it easy to reach down and press the buttons when your hands are full. And Kayla agrees that the buttons are “positioned in a great spot for quick and simple access.”

Adjustability and support
Beyond the lumbar support, the chair’s power controls let you fine-tune your position from head-to-toe. According to Kayla, this feature “allows you to get yourself into the perfect position” every time. It can also recline to a near flat position, and our product tester says she could comfortably lie back and nap on it, if needed.

The only real drawback Kayla experienced was the bouclé fabric, which easily showed stains. That being said, The Glider Plus is also available in a stain-resistant performance fabric, which eliminates this concern.

Dimensions: 38″ (L) x 33″ (W) x 42.5″ (H) | Weight: N/A | Capacity: 330 lbs. | Movement: Swivels 200 degrees, glides and reclines | Color options: 5

Our community says:

The Bump takeaway: For breastfeeding parents, the Babyletto Cali stands out for its wide seat, supportive armrests and high back, which gave our tester plenty of room to get comfortable and reposition baby during feedings.

Need a good nursing chair to breastfeed baby in? The Babyletto Cali Pillowback Chair fits the bill. For starters, the seat is one-and-a-half times wider than that of an average chair—a feature lactation counselor Spadola says is particularly helpful for breastfeeding as you have space to spread out and get comfortable. Aside from the wide seat, this glider offers total body support for nursing sessions. “The chair gave good back support, and the armrest height worked well for football holds, and learning how to breastfeed a new baby,” confirms our tester Haley, who used the chair with her 5-month-old.

Armrest and back support
One reason why this chair works so well for breastfeeding is the position of the armrests. “The armrests were comfortable for resting my elbows,” says Haley. “It seemed like they provided enough height to keep my shoulders relaxed while nursing in the football hold position,” she continues. The chair’s stability also made it easier for Haley to support her baby’s back and head while feeding. While she liked the height of the armrests, she felt they could have been slightly wider for even more support. The high, pillow-back design offered additional support, giving her a comfortable place to lean back during feeds.

Seating
The extra-wide seat also came in clutch. “The width of the seat is very comfortable, more than enough space to comfortably feed and read books to my 5-month-old,” shares Haley. The roomy design gives breastfeeding parents space to shift feeding positions and use a nursing pillow. “The space around the chair’s sides allowed me to adjust the baby’s position comfortably and I didn’t feel cramped,” explains Haley.

Gliding motion and noise
Unlike some chairs we tested, this is a true glider. Our tester described the back and forth motion as very calming. “It’s one of the quietest chairs I’ve rocked in,” adds Haley. “I was confident that my baby would remain asleep while getting in and out of the chair, as it is very quiet and the rocking is very gentle too.” It doesn’t recline or swivel, so parents looking for more adjustability may find it limiting.

Finally, the eco-performance fabric is water-repellent and stain-resistant, making it ideal for easy cleanups during the newborn stage. “I found it really easy to clean the chair, which is a huge bonus,” says Haley.

Dimensions: 36.75" (L) x 37" (W) x 41.25" (H) | Weight: 83 lbs. | Capacity: 300 lbs. | Movement: Glides | Color options: 3

The Bump takeaway: The Storkcraft Premium Hoop Glider and Ottoman offers parents comfort and a smooth at a price point below $200.

No doubt about it, buying a nursery chair is a big investment. While quality is paramount, over 57 percent of parents surveyed said that price was a major factor when choosing a nursery chair. And in fact, many of the parents we surveyed said the Storkcraft Hoop Glider was the best nursery glider for parents on a budget, so we decided to put it through its paces. Our product tester Mia used the classic hoop glider with her 6-month-old twins and, for a chair that cost less than $200, it surpassed her expectations. “It offers excellent value for its price, combining comfort, functionality and ease of use,” says Mia, who gave it a 10 out of 10 score for value.

Comfort and support while feeding
Aside from affordability, 73 percent of survey respondents stated that comfort was their number one priority when shopping for a nursery chair. Fortunately this affordable option performed well in this area too. “As a mom exclusively breastfeeding my 7-month-old twins, I found the chair to be supportive and comfortable enough for tandem feeding,” shares Mia. The padded backrest felt similar to memory foam, while the cushioned armrests “were at a perfect height, making it easy to rest both my arms and the babies.” It also comes with an adjustable ottoman for propping up tired feet.

“While the lumbar support was standard, it helped keep my posture aligned, relieving the neck pain I often experience from breastfeeding in less ergonomic seats,” says Mia. And although our primary product tester is petite, her 6'3" partner also found the chair comfortable. “The high back provided good support for him, while I appreciated that my feet touched the ground—something I like for feeling more grounded,” she explains.

Movement and ease of use
Unlike other nursery chairs on this list that offer a wide range of movement, this chair only glides forward and back. While our product tester would have appreciated a recline feature, she was pleasantly surprised to find that the gliding motion is “exceptionally smooth and effective.” She gave the chair a top score for ease of use, saying: “It’s very easy to get in and out of the chair with both babies, and its operation is intuitive—just lean slightly forward or backward, and the chair smoothly glides without much effort.” Mia added that “both my babies and I found the gliding motion to be soothing and relaxing.”

Size and everyday practicality
Another selling point of this nursery chair is the compact size. “The glider takes up about the same space as a standard dining chair, making it a great option for smaller rooms,” says Mia, who placed the chair in a corner of her home. The ottoman can be moved aside when not in use in order to free up floor space. While the traditional design won’t appeal to everyone, Mia felt the comfort, function and value outweighed the aesthetic tradeoff.

Dimensions: 34.8″ (L) x 26.5″ (W) x 38.5″ (H) | Weight: 45.5 lbs. | Capacity: 250 lbs. | Movement: Glides | Color options: 21

Our community says:

The Bump takeaway: The daVinci Suzy packs glide, swivel and recline functionality into a lower-priced nursery chair than many comparable models. Our tester found it comfortable for feeding and especially liked its smooth range of motion.

A lot of parents would say that a comfortable recline is a key feature in a good nursing chair—but it usually comes at a price (literally). With a price tag just under $400, the daVinci Suzy Recliner and Swivel Glider is by no means cheap, but it does offer excellent value for a chair of this type. At under $500, it offers the comfort, recline and motion features many parents expect from models at twice the price. The Bump's product tester Audrey, a mom of two, gave this nursery glider a top score for size, comfort, quality and effectiveness as well as materials and design.

Comfort and support while feeding
A critical but often overlooked consideration for a nursery glider is its seat-back height: You want it to be high enough that both you and your partner can lean your head back. Audrey, who is 5'3", said that “the height of the back of the chair was perfect,” and noted that her husband, who is 6', had no issues with the fit of the chair either.

The footrest, cushioned headrest and wide armrests also added to the chair’s comfort while feeding. “I was very comfortable when bottle-feeding my baby,” says Audrey although she does wish that the armrests were a little higher. The soft, stain-resistant upholstery also proved practical during feeding: Audrey shared that she spilled formula on the chair, but said “it was easy to swipe off and did not leave a stain or mark."

Movement and ease of use
The reclining chair has a manual gliding motion and swivels 360 degrees. “I was very happy with the range of motion of the chair,” says Audrey, noting that “the chair moves very smoothly” and never felt stiff. “This was one of my favorite qualities of the chair,” she adds. “It did a great job soothing my child,” and her 4-month-old son “quickly fell asleep and didn't wake up after I stopped rocking the chair.”

Size and everyday practicality
The Suzy is relatively compact while upright, but it needs considerably more room once fully reclined. Audrey notes that “to allow it to fully recline, it does need to be about 3 feet away from the wall, which could be an issue in a room that's tight on space.” When the chair isn’t reclined, Audrey said it was easy to get in and out of the chair while holding her baby. But “it was a little more difficult getting out of the reclined position and standing up while holding my child because I had to really push my legs against the chair to make the foot rest fully close,” remarked Audrey.

Dimensions: 36" (L) x 33.5" (W) x 40.5" (H) | Weight: 86 lbs. | Capacity: 300 lbs. | Movement: Swivels 360 degrees, glides and reclines | Color options: 3

The Bump takeaway: If you want the familiar feel of a traditional rocker without spending a fortune, The Delta Children Hanover Rocking Chair gets the basics right––quiet motion, a slim footprint and enough support for feeding or contact naps.

Searching for a classic nursery rocking chair? The Delta Children Hanover Rocking Chair delivers impressive comfort and performance for under $300. It’s a great fit for parents who crave simplicity over fancy features. Mom of three Erin, who primarily used the chair to breastfeed and soothe her 11-week-old says: “I love this chair’s rocking [motion] and think it was the perfect amount to soothe our little one (and us!).” Another benefit of this traditional rocking chair is that it’s completely silent when in motion. “The chair made no noise at all, even on my hard wood floors,” gushes Erin.

Comfort and support while feeding
According to Erin, the Hanover was comfortable from the very first use. “It’s so easy to sit down and get out of the chair,” she shared, noting that she could nurse, rock and settle her baby easily. Some rocking chairs can jolt too far forward when you try to stand up, but Erin didn’t have this problem. “The chair doesn’t tip forward too much, just enough for you to stand out of it and it pops right back,” she explains, adding that her feet could reach the floor when she sat right back. While she would have liked a little extra padding or the addition of a lumbar support pillow, Erin says: “I was able to comfortably nurse my baby and even hold him for a nap of 45 minutes without any back pain or discomfort.”

Movement and ease of use
The Hanover’s rocking motion was one of Erin’s favorite features. She found it easy to control while nursing and soothing her baby, and appreciated that the chair stayed quiet even on hardwood floors. Its stable motion also made it easy to get in and out of the chair without feeling like it tipped too far forward.

Size and everyday practicality
This chair has a slimmer profile, which is great if you’re short on space. “You’re able to squeeze it into a smaller corner or space really well if you’re looking for something to fit into an apartment style home or smaller bedroom,” shares Erin. She also noted that the backrest was high enough for herself and her husband 5'11", although she felt that the armrests were a little too low.

Erin also loved the “sleek” design and the easy to clean material. Her toddler got chocolate all over the chair on day one, but thankfully it cleaned right off. “We were able to get it off with just water and a good scrub with a soft rag,” reports Erin.

Dimensions: 40" (L) x 27.25" (W) x 39.25" (H) | Weight: 61.7 lbs. | Capacity: N/A | Movement: Rocks | Color options: 3

The Bump takeaway: The Bellini Stowe Chair and a Half Glider has a 32-inch-wide seat––the widest of any nursery chair we tested. It gives families plenty of room for twins, an older sibling or another caregiver, while still feeling supportive and easy to get in and out of.

For parents expecting twins or just looking for an extra-roomy option, this nursery glider is a standout option for the nursery. The seat itself is 32 inches wide from arm to arm, meaning it can comfortably accommodate caregivers of any size or parents tending to multiple children. In fact, it has the largest seat of any nursery chair we’ve tested. “The seat is large enough for me to nurse both twins, sit with my toddler or sit with my husband,” agrees product tester Lynsey B.

Comfort and support
The Stowe’s generous seat gives parents plenty of room to nurse, cuddle or sit alongside an older child without feeling cramped. Thick, padded armrests, a deep-yet-grounded seat, and a supportive cushion make long nursing sessions or family cuddles comfortable. “The back of the chair was very comfortable and tall enough to lean my head against while the seat was shallow enough to be able to touch my feet to the ground at the same time,” she explains.

Movement and ease of use
The chair’s 360-degree swivel and smooth, quiet gliding motion make it easy to soothe babies, rotate toward conversations or shift your attention across the room. These features are especially appreciated by parents juggling multiple children. As Lynsey notes: “I'm able to easily rock and spin the chair around if I need to.” And despite the extra-wide seat, she found it easy to stand up while holding her babies because the seat wasn’t overly deep. “I'm able to easily stand up while holding my babies because the seat is not too deep,” confirms Lynsey.

Size and everyday practicality
Despite its substantial size, assembly is quick and simple: just slide the back into the base, no tools required. Lynsey assembled the chair on her own in under 10 minutes, but due to its weight and size, she needed her husband's help to move it into position. “It just barely fits down our standard size hallway, so I would recommend putting it together in the room that you are going to use it in,” she notes.

The large footprint is the obvious tradeoff, but Lynsey found that the extra space made the chair more useful for her whole family. Her toddler likes to perch beside her while she nurses the twins, and “my husband appreciates the size of the chair being large enough for him to be able to sit with me and bond with our babies and toddler.” The stain-resistant performance fabric also stands up well to everyday use, with water beading on the surface for easier cleanup.

Dimensions: 39.8" (L) x 40.75" (W) x 41.25" (H) | Weight: 124 lbs. | Capacity: N/A | Movement: 360 degree swivel and glide | Color options: 2

The Bump takeaway: The proportions on the Namesake WIlla Plus worked especially well for our 5'10" tester and her 6'1" husband. The high back, elevated armrests and adjustable headrest gave them comfortable support during feeds, while the smooth glide and reset function made the chair easy to use during the day.

If you’re tall, finding a nursery chair with adequate head and neck support can be tricky. The Namesake Willa Plus Power Glider Recliner has a backrest that measures in at 28.5 inches, making it a full head taller than other chairs we tested. Product tester Carrie, who is 5'10", used the chair alongside her 6'10" husband, and they both found the chair exceptionally comfortable. “The chair is the perfect size in my opinion,” says Carrie. “The height of the back of the chair could accommodate someone even taller in my opinion,” she continues.

Comfort and support for taller parents
The nursery chair also boasts high armrests that make it easy for long-limbed parents to rest their forearms at a 90 degree angle. “I like how high the arm rests are as well. It makes it easier to prop up as someone who is taller than average,” explains Carrie, who found the chair very comfortable to sit in while breastfeeding. The combination of the extra-high back and elevated armrests gave both Carrie and her husband the support they needed without feeling cramped.

Movement and ease of use
This nursery recliner glides back and forth and our tester says the motion was “extremely smooth” and quiet. “There were no sudden movements or stops that caused my daughter to stir [and] she fell asleep very soon into our nursing session,” says Carrie. The chair also swivels 270 degrees, so you can turn around or grab an item nearby without getting up and disturbing your baby.

Adjustability and everyday practicality
Another great asset is the “power” headrest, which can be raised or lowered at the touch of a button. “My favorite feature is the power headrest,” gushes Carrie, who noted that the adjustability made it easy to get comfortable when sitting upright or in a reclining position. The control panel also lets you recline the chair and recharge small devices, while a reset button automatically returns the chair to an upright position. Our tester loved this feature and said: “This will be good for middle of the night use when there is not a lot of light in the room.”

Aside from the practical features, this recliner is lovingly-crafted and beautifully designed. “The design is very minimalistic, but also modern,” says Carrie, who appreciated the neutral upholstery. “I will definitely be moving this chair in my master bedroom or living room once we no longer need it in the nursery,” she concludes.

Dimensions: 40.5" (L) x 31.5" (W) x 41.5" (H) | Weight: 116 lbs. | Capacity: 300 lbs. | Movement: 270 degree swivel, glide and recline | Color options: 3

The Bump takeaway: The La-Z-Boy Pinnacle Power Rocking Recliner's adjustable lumbar panel and headrest let our tester fine-tune her position during feeds and longer stretches in the chair, while saved settings made those adjustments easy to return to.

Back pain is an occupational hazard of parenting, so having a supportive nursery chair is a must. After all, you’ll be seated for extended periods of time, and the last thing you want is to be constantly shifting position in an attempt to get comfortable. While it’s not technically classified as a nursery chair, the La-Z-Boy Pinnacle Power Rocking Recliner is an excellent choice for new parents grappling with aches and pains. The seat features a cushy headrest and a built-in lumbar support panel, both of which can be adjusted at the touch of a button. “To say this chair is comfortable would be an understatement,” says Calihan, a first-time mom who tested the recliner with her 3-month-old. She found the adjustable lumbar and headrest support made it easier to get comfortable while bottle-feeding or nursing baby.

Comfort and support while feeding
The adjustable headrest and lumbar support were the biggest reasons this chair stood out for our tester. Calihan could fine-tune both areas to find a comfortable feeding position, and the chair also lets users save preferred settings for easier adjustments from one use to the next. “The height of the back of the chair was great and could be adjusted as needed. I’m 5'6" and could comfortably lay back in the chair when reclined,” says Calihan, who noted that her feet could touch the floor making it easy to rock. “My husband is 6'3" and felt the chair was a great fit for him as well."

Movement and ease of use
Unlike nursery chairs that swivel, the Pinnacle is a true rocker-recliner, moving in a back-and-forth motion while also offering power recline. The magnetic remote made adjustments easy for Calihan, who says the “automatic control panel for operation was quiet and so easy to use.” She also appreciated being able to change positions without disturbing her baby, saying: “I could nurse my baby in one position and easily adjust to a comfortable recline once she fell asleep without waking her.”

Size and everyday practicality
Calihan wished the seat were slightly wider to accommodate more than one child, but otherwise liked the chair’s proportions.She could comfortably recline while still keeping her feet on the floor when upright, which made rocking easy. The built-in USB charging port also came in handy during longer stretches in the chair, and the upholstery was easy to clean after a breast-milk spill. The main tradeoffs were aesthetic and noise related: Calihan felt the overall design was less modern than some other chairs we tested and noticed a slight squeak while rocking.

Dimensions: 40" (L) x 33" (W) x 40" (H) | Weight: 90.5 lbs. | Capacity: N/A | Movement: Glides and reclines | Color options: 382

Our community says:

The Bump takeaway: The Delta Children Mercer Electronic Power Recliner and Swivel Glider proves you don’t have to sacrifice function in a smaller nursery. It was the narrowest nursery chair we tested, and our tester and her partner still had enough room to sit comfortably with baby.

Need a nursery chair that’ll fit in a tight corner or small space? The Mercer Electronic Power Recliner and Swivel Glider is the narrowest chair on our list, and 2 inches narrower than the next smallest option we tested. And despite the compact frame, product tester and mom of three Christine says “there is enough room for either myself or my husband to sit in the chair while holding our baby.” She is 5'6" and her husband is 5'10".

Comfort and support while feeding
Christine and her partner used the chair for long periods of time while bottle-feeding their 3-month-old and said they were “surprised by the back support, which was very nice and felt ergonomic.” The chair has a supportive, firm feel and the “the armrests are cushioned and sit at an appropriate height for myself and my partner.”

Movement and ease of use
The chair swivels at the base and glides from side-to-side when it isn’t reclined. “This is my preferred motion for sitting in the chair with my baby, since I can easily get up and rock my baby to sleep as necessary,” says Christine, who found the movement smooth and quiet. The control panel on the outside of the armrest allows parents to recline the chair and raise or lower the footrest. While Christine preferred to sit upright, she said “I do like the option to recline the footrest when needed, which was smooth to do with the two buttons on the side of the chair.”

Size and everyday practicality
The Mercer’s narrow frame is its biggest advantage for smaller nurseries, but it still fits two different-size caregivers comfortably. Christine also appreciated the built-in USB charger, saying “I find [it] useful when sitting for longer periods of time to feed my baby.” Although, she would have preferred a longer power cord so she wouldn’t have to place the chair right beside a power outlet. The neutral upholstery was soft to the touch and easy to clean with a damp cloth.

Dimensions: 35.5″ (L) x 26.2″ (W) x 39.2″ (H) | Weight: 103.75 lbs. | Capacity: N/A | Movement: Swivels 240 degrees, glides and reclines | Color options: 2