7 Best Baby Swings to Soothe Your Little One
Cradling baby in your arms, as you sway back and forth, is a time-tested soothing tactic. The gentle, rocking motion can calm even the fussiest of infants, helping to lull them back to sleep. But if your arms are aching and you can’t remember the last time you took a breather, it may be time to invest in a baby swing.
There are tons of baby swing options on the market, and the truth is: different babies like different ones. You can’t really plan for your little one’s swing preferences, but you can decide how many bells and whistles you want, what kind of footprint will work in your space and how much you’re willing to spend. To give you a head start, we’ve gathered all the information you need to know and rounded up the best baby swings you can buy right now.
Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, baby swings are not the same as rockers and bouncers. That said, some multi-use options offer a wide range of motions.
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Swing. A baby swing is a padded seat suspended from a sturdy frame. It can move side to side, back to front or in a circular pattern, and mimics the feeling of being rocked in a caregiver’s arms. Baby swings tend to be larger than other options and are often powered by a battery or electricity.
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Rocker. An automated baby rocker is essentially a miniature version of an adult rocking chair. It sits on a slanted or curved base and gently rocks back and forth to soothe your little one.
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Bouncer. A bouncer is a seat fixed on a wireframe that springs back and forth. Unlike a motorized swing or glider, this type doesn’t need to be connected to WiFi or plugged in. Instead, it’s propelled by baby’s own motion and the spring functionality.
There are tons of great swings to choose from—from souped-up Bluetooth-enabled swings that rock and vibrate to basic models that get the job done with less fanfare. You may be tempted to buy the first one you come across—especially if baby’s crying non-stop and you’re desperate for some downtime. But before you make a decision, make sure you consider the factors listed below:
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Safety. Opt for a baby swing with a sturdy base and a secure three- or five-point safety harness. The ability to adjust the incline of the seat is another important safety feature—the seat should be fully reclined for newborns and infants under 4 months, whereas older babies can be placed in a more upright position. It’s also important to note that baby should never sleep in a swing. If baby falls asleep while buckled in, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents to move them to their crib or another appropriate flat surface as soon as it’s safe and practical. And remember to always supervise baby when they’re in a swing.
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Cost: For a non-essential item, baby swings are pretty expensive. They range in price from $50 for a basic swing to $300 for a model with all the bells and whistles. Remember, your little one may only use it for a short period of time. Check the height and weight limits to determine longevity of use before you invest in a high-end item.
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Comfort. You can spend a small fortune on a swing, but if baby doesn’t like the seat they’re sitting in, chances are their level of “chill’ will be short-lived. That’s why you’ll want to make sure a swing’s materials are soft and breathable, the straps are secure but not uncomfortable and there are no itchy, irritating seams or tags.
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Portability. Baby should never be left unattended in a swing, so unless you want to be confined to one room, portability is key. The best baby swings are lightweight and easy to move around the house.
Now you’ve got the lowdown on the key features and safety considerations, it’s time to browse our picks of the best baby swings. Whether you’re on the hunt for something portable, affordable or high-tech—here, you’ll find top-rated options to suit your need.
Best overall baby swing
The MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing is the Rolls Royce of baby swings. It’s a bit pricey, but it's worth its weight in gold. This new-and-improved model replicates the natural motions parents use to soothe baby, meaning you can give your arms a well-earned rest. It has four sound options, five speeds and a range of unique motions that include: car ride, tree, kangaroo, wave, rock-a-bye and tree swing. Better yet, the smart device is Bluetooth- and Amazon Alexa-compatible, meaning you can stream baby’s favorite song or adjust the speed and setting totally hands-free. With a five-point harness that converts to a three-point harness, it puts safety at the forefront. (And, FYI, it’s important to note that this new swing was not included in 4mom’s recent recall.
- Five motions and speeds, plus four calming sound
- Bluetooth-enabled for hands-free controls
- Convertible three- or five-point safety harness
- Adjust the seat, up to a fully reclined position
- Machine-washable seat cover
- High price point
- Not all babies enjoy all swings, and it’s a big investment for gear they may not love
Age and weight limit: Up to 25 pounds (approximately. 9 months old)
Dimensions: 26.25" length x 23.5" width x 35.5" height
Product weight: 15 lbs.
Best 2-in-1 baby swing
Oh babies—they sure do come with a lot of stuff, which makes a two-for-one deal pretty darn appealing. The Graco DuetSoothe is a full-service baby swing with three reclining options, six swing speeds, a built-in sound machine and an adorable mobile. Plus—and this is a big plus—you can pop off the seat and use it as a portable rocking seat once your little needs a change of scenery (or you need to, say, grab a snack or go to the bathroom).
- Five-point safety harness
- Three swinging positions and six speeds
- Two vibration speeds
- 10 classical melodies and 5 nature sounds
- Doubles as a portable baby rocker
- Large footprint and heavy weight
Age and weight limit: Up to 30 pounds
Dimensions: 34" width x 43" height x 33" depth
Product weight: 20.97 lbs.
Best bluetooth baby swing
The best baby swings are lightweight, compact and effective, of course. And this Bluetooth-enabled swing by Munchkin checks every box. It rocks from side-to-side with a gentle swaying motion that emulates a caregiver's smooth moves. And at under 9 lbs., this swing is one of the lightest we’ve seen, with a small footprint that won’t take up too much space. Better yet, it breaks down into two small pieces in mere seconds, meaning you can store it away or take it on the road with you. The digital display makes it easy to adjust the speed with the touch of a button, and a remote control allows you to change the settings from afar. Ever heard the expression that music soothes the wild beast? Well, it holds true for cranky babies too. This swing comes preloaded with eight ambient sounds, plus four classical melodies (from Bach to Mozart) to calm your little one. You can also stream music from your phone for a customized playlist. With so many awesome features, it’s no surprise this pick was a Best of Baby award-winner in 2021.
- Lightweight
- Five speeds
- Three-point safety harness
- Bluetooth-enabled
- Only one motion option
Age and weight limit: Up to 20 pounds (approximately 9 months old)
Dimensions: 23.6" length x 23.6" width x 15" height
Product weight: 8.6 lbs.
Best portable baby swing
The one problem with having a swing-loving baby? The fear of being somewhere without it. Thankfully, portable baby swings are a thing—and one of the best baby swing picks for on-the-go motion is this option by Ingenuity. It folds flat, so you can bring it along on playdates, or toss it in the car for overnight trips. The swing also has a washable plush seat, six speeds and a soothing soundtrack. And with a price tag that’s under $70, this is a good one to stash at Grandma’s house!
- Compact fold
- Built-in toy bar
- Two recline positions
- Machine-washable seat
- Three-point safety harness
- Single swing motion
- It weighs a lot for a portable option
Age and weight limit: Up to 20 pounds (approximately 9 months old)
Dimensions: 22.5" length x 28.5" width x 23" height
Product weight: 29 lbs.
Best gliding baby swing
Some infants prefer being rocked in a nursery chair over the swaying motion of a parent’s arms. In which case, the Graco Glider LX may be the best baby swing for you. It has two vibration settings, six gliding speeds and a collection of soothing sounds to choose from. Other features you’ll love: It can be plugged in or run on batteries, includes a five-point harness for safety and even comes with an adjustable toy bar to amuse your mini as they glide.
- Five-point safety harness
- Six gliding speeds and two vibration settings
- Preloaded with classical tunes and nature sounds
- Timer mode ensures the gilder is only on when you need it
- Assembly required
- Some customers report that the motor is noisy
Age and weight limit: Up to 30 pounds
Dimensions: 28" length x 24.5" width x 36" height
Product weight: 17.9 lbs.
Best budget-friendly baby swing
Don’t want to spend a bundle on something you’re not sure baby will love (or use for very long)? We got you. This swing by Bright Starts has everything you need, including a price tag under $50. Baby can relax in style with six swing settings, 10 melody options and an adorable animal-inspired toy bar. It even has a whisper-quiet motor and folds up when you want to stash it away. Oh, and did we mention that it’s the lightest option on the list weighing just 4 lbs.
- Lightweight
- Quiet motor
- Built-in toy bar
- Six swing settings
- Affordable price point
- Battery-operated
- Settings dial makes a loud noise when adjusted
Age and weight limit: Up to 20 pounds (approximately. 9 months old)
Dimensions: 28.5" length x 22.5" width x 23" height
Product weight: 4.08 lbs.
Best smart swing
If you’re all about the smart-home gadgets, then you’ve got to get a baby swing that measures up. Enter the Cassia Swing by Maxi Cosi. Using an automatic motion detector, the Cassia detects fussiness and responds with soothing motions to stop a major meltdown in its tracks—phew! Toggle between five speeds and 12 songs using the intuitive touch-screen control panel. And use the 360-degree rotation feature to keep baby within your line of sight. Not only does it weigh about 10 lbs.–less than the family cat–it also has a space-saving frame that won’t take over your living room.
- Lightweight
- Sleek design
- Rotates 360 degrees
- Automatic motion detector senses when baby is fussy and activates the swing in response
- No white noise sound option
Age and weight limit: Up to 20 pounds (approximately. 9 months old)
Dimensions: 27.95" length x 26.8" width x 34.65" height
Product weight: 10 lbs.
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