Whether you’re planning your baby registry or hunting down products to entertain your little one, a baby swing is a great place to start.
This holds especially true if your baby loves being rocked or is colic and craves a soothing, comfortable seater. Not to mention, baby swings come in a multitude of different styles for a variety of purposes.
“Baby swings are small, reclined swings designed to be placed on the floor to rock a baby,” said Holly Choi, co-owner of Safe Beginnings First Aid, baby and toddler safety expert, certified Red Cross first aid instructor and Child-Passenger Safety Technician-Instructor (CPST-I).
“Swings fall into the category of baby gear commonly referred to as a baby ‘container.’ They are commonly used as a convenient place for an awake baby to hang out while their parent or caregiver isn’t holding them.”
Additionally, there are many baby swing alternatives you can shop for, including a playpen, a car seat, a baby carrier or soft structured carrier and other types of baby “containers,” such as floor seats or bouncers.
The New York Post Shopping team ran the gamut of baby swings online and found the 8 best options to buy in 2023. Rest assured each one of our picks is heavily backed and contains all you need to know before making your purchase.
Much like a baby crib or high chair, it’s important you adhere to the product’s safety notes, age and weight requirements and the like.
While you’re shopping, check out our expert-backed guides to the best baby formula and pack and plays, too, to add to your wishlist. You’ll also want to peruse our in-depth FAQ section following our product picks for more expert-backed intel on baby swings.
Our Top Picks, at a Glance
- Best Baby Swing Overall: Graco Simple Sway Swing ($84)
- Best Value Baby Swing: Fisher-Price See & Soothe Deluxe Bouncer Baby Seat ($68)
- Best Convertible Baby Swing: Nuna LEAF Grow Baby Seat ($300)
- Best Swing and Rocker Combo: 4moms MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing ($270)
- Best Baby Swing for Outdoors: Alora Baby Swing Seat with 5-Point Harness ($33)
- Best Portable Baby Swing: Ingenuity Compact Portable Baby Swing with Music ($80)
- Best Baby Swing with Remote Control: Munchkin Bluetooth Enabled Baby Swing ($199)
- Best Baby Swing for Twins: Milan Twin Baby Canvas Indoor/Outdoor Swing ($80)
Best Baby Swing Overall: Graco Simple Sway Swing
From a brand we trust, Graco has its Simple Sway Swing that just so happens to be a No. 1 Amazon best-seller with nearly 18,000 rave reviews. Its gentle, side-to-side swaying motion helps comfort and soothe the baby, while its six swing speeds allow you to discover your preferred pace.
Additionally, it boasts a deep, plush seat with suitable head support to help ensure your baby is comfortable. We love its small frame design, too, making it able to fit easily at any corner of your home. Plus, its two-speed vibration allows for more advanced comfort.
Best Value Baby Swing: Fisher-Price See & Soothe Deluxe Bouncer Baby Seat
For a seat and swing hybrid, the Fisher-Price See & Soothe Deluxe Bouncer Baby Seat comes at a great value. Specifically, it features a bounce-assist pedal to soothe hands-free, along with a deep papasan-style seat with calming vibrations and two soothing toys.
Additionally, you’ll find up to 20 minutes of music and sounds — as well as volume control — before you’ll need to press the button again. With an elevated seat to make it easier to take baby in and out, it’s a baby swing you’ll want to get your hands on. Its seat is fully machine-washable, should your baby dribble or spill.
Best Convertible Baby Swing: Nuna LEAF Grow Baby Seat
Nuna is one of our favorite brands for car seats, so it’s no surprise its LEAF Grow Baby Seat is a shopper favorite and one we stand behind, too. It’s surely a splurge, as far as baby swings go, but its convertible nature makes it an excellent, worth-it baby essential to pick up.
This baby swing features a three-position recline, a removable toy bar with plush toys, a soothing side-to-side motion, an ultra-quiet and motor-free motion (and a motion lock, for safety), as well as seamlessly transitioning to a toddler seat. With a comfortable and beautiful look, it’s yours for the taking.
Best Swing and Rocker Combo: 4moms MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing
Our nieces love the 4moms MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing, as it’s both a comfortable seat and clockwise-turning rocker. This model features five motions, five speeds and four built-in sounds so your baby has a customized approach when they want to be soothed.
This baby swing pairs with your mobile app via Bluetooth to save favorite positions and speeds, as well as offer adjustments — all of which are compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Home. More, it has a convertible harness — which baby experts recommend for safety — from five-point to three-point, as needed.
Best Baby Swing for Outdoors: Alora Baby Swing Seat with 5-Point Harness
If you want to play outdoors, please note that supervision is needed for safety. That said, swing your baby in the Alora Baby Swing Seat with 5-Point Harness — a safety-surrounding model that’s less than $35 on Amazon and allows your baby to feel secure, yet have movement around the leg area.
Its wooden Montessori look isn’t an eyesore, either, and you’ll appreciate the secure handlebar so your baby can position themselves nicely inside.
Best Portable Baby Swing: Ingenuity Compact Portable Baby Swing with Music
The Ingenuity Compact Portable Baby Swing with Music hails from a top-rated brand and is just shy of $80, making this a fairly priced, suitable swing for your little one. With more than 17,000 applauding reviews on Amazon alone, you’ll love its five swing speeds, eight melodies and three nature sounds — all of which run on an ultra-quiet motor.
What’s more, parents and caregivers can select their preferred timer setting of 30, 45 or 60 minutes. There’s even an auto-shutoff feature after 90 minutes, powered by 4D batteries (not included) and Hybridrive technology to help extend the life of your batteries and, therefore, save money.
This model also comes with a machine-washable seat pad and headrest for simple cleaning. Better yet, the headrest can be removed to grow with your baby (another point in our books, aside from its portability).
Best Baby Swing with Remote Control: Munchkin Bluetooth Enabled Baby Swing
For the high-tech parents and caregivers who want everything at the touch of a button, the Munchkin Bluetooth Enabled Baby Swing is one you’ll love — because it includes a remote!
It’s comparable to more expensive baby swing options, making it a must-buy. With more than 2,500 positive reviews on Amazon alone, it comes with five levels of range of motion, a Bluetooth-enabled design, a digital touch display in front of where baby’s legs will go and a one-step assembly maneuver. For the price, sleekness and ease of use, it’s well worth it.
Best Baby Swing for Twins: Milan Twin Baby Canvas Indoor/Outdoor Swing
Shopping for one baby is difficult enough — let alone two — so allow the Milan Twin Baby Canvas Indoor/Outdoor Swing to ease your troubles. It’s one of the niftiest baby swings we found for less than $100 on Amazon and can be hung outside or within your playroom’s walls.
More, its secure cloth cushioning and all-around wooden design is top-quality and will give you peace of mind.
An FAQ on Baby Swings
Ahead, our baby safety expert shares key information surrounding baby swings so you can have all the safety intel you need before purchasing your preferred model.
What should one look for in a quality baby swing?
Be sure to check if there is a minimum age or weight requirement for the swing to be safely used. “Many families are shocked to find that their new baby isn’t yet old enough or large enough to fit into a piece of baby gear, and that they may have to wait to use it safely,” Choi tells The Post.
If purchasing second-hand, look for a baby swing that meets current safety standards. “Check for recalls on cpsc.gov/Recalls, too; a number of baby swing recalls have happened over the past few years, and unless a family is registering their swing with the manufacturer after purchase, they may not realize that the product they purchased has been recalled,” she adds.
What’s the difference between a baby swing and a bouncer?
“A bouncer is a freestanding device that is designed to support a baby in a reclined position and facilitate bouncing, either by the baby’s self propelled motion, or the help of a caregiver,” Choi explains.
A swing, on the other hand, while similar, will instead have a swinging, rocking, or gliding motion, per Choi.
What safety features do baby swings typically feature?
Below, we listed the most critical safety features baby swings typically have:
- Swings are required to have restraint systems. If a swing is able to recline to more than a 50 degree angle, a 5-point harness is required. Generally speaking, if there are straps: use them according to the instructions to ensure safety. Failure to do so increases the risk of serious or fatal injury.
- Swings are designed to be tip-resistant to reduce the risk of falls.
- If the swing has an adjustable angle, caregivers should check the user manual for guidance related to the angle that should be used, as more upright angles may be reserved for use with an older baby with head and neck control.
What’s the recommended age range for baby swings?
It’s crucial that caregivers read the user manual and warning labels for their specific swing because this information could be different for different devices.
“That being said, under the current infant swing safety standards (ASTM F2088-22), infant swings are designed to be used until the baby attempt to climb out of the swing, which has been defined as approximately 9 months of age, with some ‘cradle swing’ variants suggesting discontinuing use sooner, around 5 months of age,” Choi says. “However, of course this milestone is different for every child and could happen sooner.”
Caregivers should discontinue use of the swing if there are any signs of a baby attempting to climb out — much like a crib. “The risk of a baby climbing/crawling out include fall risk (especially if the swing is misused and placed on an elevated surface) and entrapment or strangulation risk, if the baby were to become caught on the straps or leg openings.”
Additionally, this is critical: baby swings are meant to be just that — a swing — and are not meant as a sleep device. “Swinging is an inherently soothing motion, and this is a problem many caregivers face when it comes to using a baby swing safely,” Choi emphasizes. “Most caregivers rock a baby to sleep at some point, and a swing isn’t much different.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has a strong stance on where and how babies should sleep, for their safety. “When it comes to swings, the AAP strongly advises caregivers transfer a sleeping baby to a firm, flat sleep surface (such as a crib or bassinet that meets current safety standards) on their back,” she adds.
Hunting for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping with Post Wanted.