Babies light up our lives, but they are also quite challenging. It is super hard for a new parent to juggle work, household chores, and a new family member at once. You can up your housework ratio in the first period of a baby’s life by embracing the wonders of baby swings!
A baby swing keeps your little one from bouncing around while you can get on with other things that need to be done. As they’re mostly portable, the swing allows you to move him or her with you as you go from room to room across your home. A baby swing is perfect for calming a crying or screaming baby. With its subtle movement and rocking motions, it can help calm your baby as it slowly rocks.
We have chosen the Graco Swing Glider as the best baby swing. This product swings, rocks and glides. It also offers a number of special features to make sure your baby is as comfy and soothed as possible.
If you’re looking for the best baby swing to take with you while traveling, the Ingenuity Comfort to Go is your best bet. It’s lightweight, portable and smaller than a standard sized swing.
There are so many different models on the market, all with different features and accessories. In this review guide we aim to look through some of the best swings that are available in 2018, and give you a detailed overview of each of them.
A Spotlight on the Best Baby Swing 2018










Graco DreamGlider Gliding Swing and Sleeper – Our pick as the best overall Baby Swing
The best baby swing on the market is the Graco DreamGlider Gliding Swing and Sleeper. Not only is it a swing that glides, it also doubles up as a sleeper. The whole point of a baby swing is to soothe and pacify your baby when they are being fussy or when you need to put them down in order to be able to do other things around your home or elsewhere.
The benefit of this swing is that when your baby drifts off into slumber, you don’t have to move them into their bassinet or cot. This is because the Dream Glider does a terrific job as a sleeper. The swing calms your baby by gliding in a gentle motion with the seat easily transferring into the sleep at the pull of a lever on the side of the seat.
To calm your baby, there is also the option of adding a vibration to soothe and distract, and the option to be plugged into the mains or operated by a battery if you are on the go.
There is a toy bar mobile with two cute little owls right above your baby to keep them babbling away entertained for visual stimulation. The swing is silver and black in color, meaning that it would fit into any room, nursery to living room easily and appealingly. You Can put your baby swing on a timer to save battery power or simply plug it in.
Seat Style
The seat has full body support and is completely cozy for your baby, in addition to a three-point harness to keep the little one secure when gently gliding and rocking.
Swing Style
The swing has 6 different gliding speeds and also includes a timer to help with the battery life of your product should you be using it on battery power rather than mains powers.
- Vibration setting for soothing.
- Multiple speeds.
- Melodies and nature sounds.
- Doubles up as a sleeper.
- No option to buy additional seat covers if things get messy.
Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Rock ‘n Glide Soother
The rock n Glide soother is the perfect substitute for being rocked in the arms and has a range of different rock and glide motions. This baby swing also has a vibration option to soothe a crying baby.
The product is entirely designed to copy the motions a baby would go through when being cuddled and cradled in someone’s arms. This swing also has a removable toy bar which can be added to entertain your baby as they bounce, or removed to help your baby take a nap calmly. The colors of the swing are pale and neutral, primarily in silver, so it will fit smartly into any nursery. It is bulkier than normal swings due to the fact that it has so many swing and glide options that need to be connected to a main power source.
Swing Style
This is a multifunctional baby swing. It swings, rocks, glides and vibrates. Your baby can rock or glide head to toe, or side to side with the added option of calming vibrations to distract and gently soothe. Another key item to mention is that it has a foot pedal to allow simple control of changing the rocking motion or to turn on and off the melodies provided.
Seat Style
As you move around the room with your baby rocking, there is always that moment of panic when you can’t see them. This feeling is eliminated with this swing. The whole seat rotates a full 360 degrees, so your baby will always be in your view. The seat itself is also fully portable with added head support for newborns, which can be removed as your baby grows.
- Speed swing option.
- Toy bar.
- Swing Timer.
- Foot pedal power switch.
- 4 in one swing options.
- 360-degree seat.
- Replacement seat covers are not available for purchase.
- Needs to be near main power.
- Bigger and bulkier than many of the other options on the market.
Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Cradle n Swing
Fisher Price is a name that everyone knows when it comes to baby and toddler products. It’s a well known brand with a safe history. The Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Cradle n Swing is as cute as the name suggests. The swing itself has a cute dog printed on the back and is colored with neutral pastel colors.
Swing Style
The Snugapuppy has two different swing patterns. You can choose the best option for your baby and what they find most soothing. Your child can be swung from side to side or alternatively from head to toe, as well as in two different recline positions.
The input pad is at the top of the baby swing and stands exactly like a tripod. However, this is hidden from your baby with some adorable toys that move around to entertain and pacify as they swing calmly. The swing itself has six different swing speeds and also provides 16 peaceful songs and nature sounds. This is as much for mum and dad as it is for the baby, as listening to the same song over and over can quickly become tiresome!
Seat Style
The seat itself has two different reclining positions and can be adjusted quickly and easily. The high quality seat pad is combined with a deluxe headrest, which is all machine washable. It will therefore be super easy to clean in case your baby has an accident.
The seat has a cute character design of a dog and is gender neutral.
- Easy to clean.
- Easy to set up.
- Includes a toy mobile.
- Includes various soothing nature sounds.
- No vibration setting.
- No replacement seat cover available for purchase.
Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing – Best baby swing for support
The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing can be plugged into the mains or used with batteries. It’s an easily portable swing and sits in a tripod style like the Fisher Price Swing. Also, like the Snugapuppy, the control panel for the swing speeds are hidden from the baby behind a toy mobile on the top of the swing.
The colors are all neutral and would suit any room design. The swing has 15 different songs included and a 5-point harness to keep the baby secure. Perfect if your baby is a particular squirmer!
Swing Style
The swing has a gentle side to side swinging motion to soothe your baby as well as having a 2-speed vibration setting to mollify your baby and keep them calm and relaxed.
Seat Style
The seat on this baby swing is deep, so it’s good for bigger babies. The seat itself has a removable head support to make sure your baby is cozy and comfortable while sitting or sleeping in the swing.
- Toy Mobile.
- Five point harness to keep baby secure.
- Removable head support.
- Vibration Setting.
- No replacement seat cover available for purchase.
4Moms Rockaboo – Best calming baby swing
The Rockaboo is different from many of the other baby swings on the market. To call it compact isn’t doing it any justice as it’s about one third the size of a normal baby swing. The swing has 5 different speed selections and the option of plugging in your own music.
Swing Style
Unlike most swings that bob or rock slightly, this one glides from side to side.This is really calming for babies as it mimics what a baby would feel when being cradled or rocked in someone’s arms.
Seat Style
The seat pad itself can be taken fully off the frame and is easily machine washable, so you are able to quickly remove it and throw it in the washing machine and slip it back around the frame. You can also buy reversible seat covers for this particular swing, meaning there will never be a time where you are without a seat cover.
- Listen to your own choice of music or baby’s favorite song.
- Soothing side to side motion.
- Nature sounds.
- Replacement Seat Covers available for purchase.
- Mains powered.
- Only one glide option available.
Ingenuity Cozy Kingdom Portable Swing – Best portable baby swing
The lightweight and compact Cozy kingdom portable swing is arguably the best baby swing if you are moving from place to place or room to room. It also features a toy mobile to entertain your baby on the move, including two little gender-neutral animal toys to make it fit into any nursery.
The baby swing is easily folded to be packed away or quickly moved. It offers a toy bar with toys in easy reach for your baby to play with and audio selection of 6 different melodies as well as volume control.
Seat Style
The seat cover is plush and machine washable. Also, the head support for your baby can be changed or removed, making it suitable for newborn babies as well as changing the swing as your baby grows. The seat itself has two different reclining options so that you can put your baby in their most comfortable position.
Swing Style
This baby swing has a feature that most others don’t, namely a timer. The time can be set for a range of different settings from 15 to 45 minutes, and will gently slow to a stop when the timer is up, not disturbing your baby should they have drifted off to sleep.
- Six-speed swing option.
- Two different recline positions.
- Music selection and volume controls.
- Swing Timer.
- Easy fold for travel and portability.
- Not as high tech as some other products on the market.
- Replacement seat covers are not available for purchase.
Ingenuity Comfort 2 Go Portable Swing – Best Budget Baby Swing
This is yet another baby swing that you can quickly and easily move around your house or take with you as you travel around to meet family and friends. The Ingenuity Comfort 2 Go Portable Swing is low budget but high in quality! It has all the features that you would expect of a full-size swing, but is smaller than you might expect.
The seat has two different reclining positions to easily change your baby’s comfort level. Like most baby swings it also has a pivoting toy bar across the top. This one has two small cute elephant plush toys to entertain and pacify your baby. The fact that the toy bar is on a pivot means that you can quite easily move it out of the way when you are placing your baby in or out of the swing.
Although quite low tech compared to some other baby swings on the market, it does have a very clever offering. This is the true speed technology that can sense your baby’s weight and therefore keep all different swing speeds consistent as your baby grows.
This swing also has a timer with settings for 30, 45, and 60 minutes, in addition to a character theme of elephants and a toy mobile to entertain your baby.
Swing Style
This is a simple baby swing, which is all you need for quick trips from place to place. The fact that all it can do is swing, makes it such a lightweight product compared to other more high-tech options on the market.
Seat Style
The seat has many different components completed with brushed polyester, cozy plush interior, and a removable Character Headrest.
- Speed swing option.
- True speed technology keeps the right speed for your baby’s weight.
- Swing Timer with three different settings.
- Very portable and great for traveling around.
- Not as high tech as some other products on the market.
- The frame could be a little more sturdy.
BABYBJORN Bouncer Balance Soft
While not technically a baby swing, we wanted to include an alternative product which does many of the same things.
This baby bouncer is ergonomically designed to be perfect for your baby from day one. It has no power source and runs on your baby bouncing alone so no need to worry about batteries or plugging in anywhere. Your baby or toddlers movements are what makes the chair move.
This bouncer can be used by your child up until the age of two, since it doubles up as a chair when they are able to sit by themselves.
Seat Style
The design of this bouncer gives a newborn baby the proper head, back and neck support they need in these formative months. The fabric also molds perfectly to your baby to evenly distribute their own weight, so that they are totally comfy and supported.
Swing Style
This is purely a bouncer with no batteries at all required. It is your bouncing bundle that makes it oodles of fun! It also helps your baby to develop their own movements and balance skills as they grow.
- Offers great support for your baby.
- No power supply needed.
- Very affordable option.
- No timer.
- No songs or nature settings.
- Difficult to clean.
Buying Guide
What do you need to look at when buying a baby swing?
Weight Restrictions
Baby swings are best used during the first few months of a baby’s life, since the weight limit for a baby swing is normally about 30 pounds. By this weight, babies are able to wriggle and climb out of the swing, making them unusable.
The soothing gliding and swinging of these swings can soother babies quickly and easily and imitate the swinging and rocking you would do when holding the baby yourself. We all know how heavy babies can get when you’re constantly holding them, so by having a swing on standby, not only are you helping to calm your baby, you’re giving your arms a well-deserved break too!
Types of Swings
Baby swings come in a variety of different styles and models. You first need to know what you want from your baby swing. Do you want a swing that is just simple and swings and rocks with no battery or plug-in required, or do you want something a little bit fancier with different entertainment and features for your little one?
If you are looking at a more portable type of swing, there are plenty of options, but some of these sacrifice many of the electronic add-ons that some of the other swings offer.
Energy source
Are you looking for a baby swing that you can move quickly from room to room, or are you looking for a swing that will stay in a nursery only? Either way, you will need to look at the different power source on each swing and where you would place it.
If you want a swing with a battery option, you might go through a lot of batteries to keep it up and powered, whereas a plug-in swing is more likely to save you money in the long run.
Another thing to take into consideration is the noise aspect of a motor running. For some babies, this is like white noise and a welcome sound, but for other may be a nuisance and not something they enjoy.
Some baby swings are completely powered by the baby in its entirety. The baby’s movements are what make the swing rock or bob, so you don’t have to worry about plugs or batteries!
Safety
Almost all baby swings will have a safety harness of some sort to keep your baby safe. The main reason to put your baby in a swing is that your baby is being fussy or won’t settle. A safety harness will keep them from harm, while being in a fussy, wriggly state.
Another thing to consider when looking at safety straps is that a harness with 5 points is safer than those with just 3 because there are more points to keep your baby secure and most of all safe, just as long as it doesn’t prove too restrictive or uncomfortable.
Speed and Motion
A large majority of all baby swings will rock from head to toe, which is the most natural cradle option. As when you hold a baby in your arms, you tend to bob left to right, motioning them from head to toe.
Of course, different baby swings offer a lot of different options. This can be side to side or slightly up and down in little hops to soothe your baby. Most baby swings offer different speed options to soothe your baby. When finding the best speed to calm your baby it is best to start with the lowest speed available and gradually increase based on what they enjoy.
Cleaning
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, babies are messy. Drool, vomit, and leaking nappies are just some of the things you can look forward to from your baby and all are very common in your baby’s first few developmental months.
Therefore, when looking at baby swings you need to ensure that the seat and toys (if there is a toy mobile) can be easily removed and washed. Swings that are able to have a replacement cover or seat might be a good choice.
Conclusion
There are tons of different baby swings on the market.
When buying baby products it is always best to do thorough research first to make sure you are choosing the best (and safest) product for your baby.
If you are looking for a great all-round product that will keep your baby soothed and sleeping soundly, then the best baby swing for you is the Graco DreamGlider Gliding Swing and Sleeper. This product doubles up as a sleeper, meaning that you won’t risk waking up your baby when trying to move him or her from the swing to their cot. We all know how precious that sleeping time is for both them and you!
If you are looking for a swing that you can move around with you while traveling from place to place, whether that be from room to room or out of the house, the Ingenuity Comfort 2 Go Portable Swing would be your best option with its lightweight design and superb portability.
Hopefully this review guide has given you some good ideas on which baby swing to choose for your precious little one. Please feel free to let us know if you have any questions or want to share your thoughts!