There comes a time for every parent or caregiver when it’s time to put the baby down—and realistically, that's countless times every single day. As much as we love to hold and snuggle our little ones, there are simply too many tasks that require two hands, and let’s face it, our arms get tired and sometimes we just need a little space.

For starters, let’s define a baby swing. Unlike bouncers, which are powered by a baby’s own movements or your own and are usually lightweight and easy to fold flat and move to different places around your home (or outside), a baby swing is a more robust, padded chair that’s suspended by a sturdy frame. It rocks front to back or sways side to side and is powered by batteries or by plugging into an electrical outlet. The idea behind swings is constant motion that simulates a real-life human holding a baby and lulling them into a relaxed state. It’s your robotic set of extra hands!

While that may sound great, do you actually need one? If you’re debating or want to know more about baby swings in general, start here: Do You Need a Baby Swing?

If you’ve decided, ‘Yes, this is something I need in my life—a device that soothes and entertains my baby and gives me some hands-free time,’ then you’ve come to the right place.

Below you’ll find some of the best baby swings on the market. These picks are based on an assortment of online reviews and ratings from various baby authorities, including Babygearlab, WhatToExpect, Healthline, The New York Times, and more, as well as personal experience. Taking into account swing effectiveness, size, features, and price points, the following are presented as the “best” in various categories.

For the most part, each of these swings includes several standard components: a 5-point harness (safety straps), a motorized swing mechanism that’s regulated by a timer or on/off button, entertainment features (like a toy bar or mobile and music/nature sounds), and removable, machine-washable seat fabric.

Best Overall: Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Swing

While we all grew up with Fisher-Price, some might not think of the brand as offering the best of the best, but the truth is that this company has been specializing in high-quality products for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers since 1930.

The Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Cradle 'n Swing (say that five times fast!) scored at the top of the list among multiple baby-gear reviewers, thanks to its simple yet effective design, safety, effectiveness, and cuteness.

The Cradle 'n Swing isn’t your mom’s swing from a couple of decades ago; Fisher-Price has continued to up its game and improve the technology offered in its baby swings in the last five years. The Snugapuppy model came out in 2017 with two swinging motions (side to side and head to toe), an ultra-plush, machine-washable seat pad designed for infants up to 25lb or 9 months, and an overhead, mirrored mobile with different “cuddly friends” to choose from, including Sweet Snugapuppy, Sweet Snugabunny, Rainforest Friends, and Sweet Snugabear.

It has an AC plug option to save on batteries (highly recommended as you don’t want to depend on battery life to keep your baby happy), two recline positions (more reclined for newborns and more upright for older babies or those with colic or reflux), six swing speeds, 16 music options (songs and nature sounds that can play for a set amount of time up to 20 minutes), and folding legs for easier transport and storage.

Price-wise, it’s about middle of the pack at under $200. The only thing it doesn’t seem to offer is a vibration mode, and it’s a bit hefty at 24.9 pounds.

Runner-Up: Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing

Coming in a close second is the Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing, made by a company that’s just as time-tested and proven as Fisher-Price. This swing is the quintessential nursery glider. Just as many adults prefer a gliding chair over a traditional rocking chair to soothe a baby while sitting, this “swing” moves with the same gentle motion (which is quieter than most swings) at six speeds. It also has an adjustable recline, two vibration settings, and 15 songs and sounds to calm them.

If it’s entertainment they need, this glider also sports a removable toy bar with two soft toys. Best of all, it’s space-efficient, taking up 40 percent less space than most swings. It’s also about 7lb lighter and a little less expensive than the Cradle 'n Swing.

It can be plugged into a wall outlet or run on batteries, although, according to WhatToExpect, the vibration setting only works when batteries are installed.

There’s a smaller version of this swing: the Graco Glider Lite LX, which at 26.25 x 28 x 27in is even more compact than the 25.5 x 36 x 30.75in full version and is about 5lb lighter.

Best Space Saver: Munchkin Bluetooth Enabled Infant Swing

When it comes to technology, weight, packability, and price, one of the best all-around swings is the Munchkin Bluetooth Enabled Lightweight Baby Swing. This swing has it all with a low profile, soothing swaying motion, digital touch display, high-quality speaker system that can play music from your phone, and single-step assembly and storage.

It folds flat and weighs just under 9lb, making it one of the most portable swings as well. When in use, the Munchkin Infant Swing measures 23.6 x 23.6 x 15in, making it the smallest on this list and least obtrusive in your home.

What’s not to love? This swing has to be plugged in, so it can never be too far from an outlet, and the gentle motion may be too gentle for kids who like a little more action. It also doesn’t have any built-in toys and tops out at 20lb for your child, which is a lower weight limit than other baby swings.

Best Budget: Ingenuity Comfort 2 Go Portable Swing

A portable baby swing that’s ideal for travel and won’t break the budget, the Ingenuity Comfort 2 Go Portable Swing is a high performer in a little package. It folds easily, expands to 22.5 x 28.5 x 23in, and weighs about 9lb.

While it may look basic, the Comfort 2 Go boasts a seat-adjusting sensor based on your baby’s weight (up to 20lb) and a timer that can run up to 60 minutes (only runs on batteries). It has eight song/sound options, a removable toy bar, and two recline positions, though some find the most reclined position to be too upright for newborns.

Best Removable Rocker: Graco Soothe My Way Swing with Removable Rocker and Graco DuetSoothe Swing and Rocker

We’re going to give this one to Graco and call it a tie between two of the company’s swings: the Soothe My Way and DuetSoothe. What’s the difference?

The Soothe My Way is smaller (26 x 35 x 28in) and offers eight creative motions (arch, swing, bounce, figure eight, circle, wave, zigzag, and sway) in two different directions. The seat also has three recline settings to accommodate babies from 5.5 to 25lb (for the swing; up to 18lb for the rocker). With all of these bells and whistles, the Soothe My Way is a more premium swing.

For a little less, the DuetSoothe moves more predictably: forward, back, and sideways. On both swings, the seat detaches to become a removable rocker for transporting around the house (which you have to manually rock when it’s not attached to the swing base).

When attached to the swing, the seats on both swings can be rotated to face the baby forward, left, or right. Both have six speeds, two vibration settings, and 15 melodies/nature sounds to help the baby zen out. Both can be plugged into the wall (however, the rockers need batteries to vibrate) and have entertainment features for the baby to look at.

When choosing between these two swings, it essentially comes down to price and whether you think your baby needs 16 different swing motions (offered by the Soothe My Way) or will do just fine with more straightforward and side-to-side swinging.

Most Upscale: 4moms MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing

If you’re looking for a trendy, high-end swing you can control from your phone, the 4moms MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing has you covered. This thing bounces and sways with five motions (named “car ride”, “tree swing”, “kangaroo”, “wave", and “rock-a-bye”) at five speeds. It comes with four sounds but can also connect to your phone via Bluetooth to play music your baby actually likes. The swing’s speed, motion, music, and volume can also be controlled by your phone.

While lots of swings make a clicking noise, the MamaRoo makes a quiet “whooshing” sound. It has a customizable recline, from relatively flat to upright for babies up to 25lb or 6 months. It’s been highly rated for babies with acid reflux that benefit from sitting at an incline. This swing falls into the “luxe” category, but it’s also among the most high-tech.

Most Trendy: Maxi-Cosi Cassia Swing

If stylish and smart are two words you like to hear and have in your baby’s life, then the Maxi-Cosi Cassia Swing might very well be the swing for you. It features technology that instinctively knows, through a motion detector, when your baby needs comforting and activates accordingly to soothe them. It also rotates 360 degrees so you can watch your kid from all angles and weighs about 10lb, making it easy to move around the house.

The Cassia Swing has a touch-screen panel to control five swing speeds and 12 sounds/melodies and comes with a detachable mobile with two toys. It offers two height settings to accommodate newborns up to 20lb.

The lower weight limit might mean your child will outgrow it faster, but this swing is so nice to look at, with its refined aesthetics and space-saving frame, that many will find it well worth the price tag. If you’re looking for a statement piece rather than an eyesore, this is it!

Best Hybrid: Nuna Leaf Grow Baby Swing

Based on the definition of a baby swing, the lack of mechanical power means the Nuna Leaf Grow Baby Swing is actually a baby bouncer, but it’s way more than that. Most would consider it a hybrid.

Just as its name suggests, it moves like a leaf swaying in the breeze. It doesn’t have a motor, so it’s extremely quiet and sleek without any cords. The downside is that it only swings for about two minutes on its own before you have to nudge it into motion again.

What’s most notable about this swing/bouncer, is that while most baby swings top out with a 30lb weight limit (or less), the Luna Leaf can hold children weighing up to 130lb! You read that right; it grows with your kid and can still be used long after they can walk. Some children find this swing, which converts to a stationary chair, to be a comforting space as they grow into their toddler years and beyond.

It’s one of the more expensive swings, but you can be sure your child will never be too big for it. For the eco- and socially-minded, it’s made with premium GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified fabric.

Picking the Best Swing

As technology evolves, so do the swings, but all you need is something dependable, safe, and comfortable for your baby that fits your price range. If you’re looking for help, don’t hesitate to reach out to a Baby & Toddler Expert here on Curated; we’re here to help you find the perfect gear for you and your child!

It’s important to note that swings are made for infants who cannot sit up unassisted; once a baby is capable of climbing out of a swing, it’s time to stop using it. Check individual manufacturer guidelines for weight/age limits and safety information. Babies should never be left unattended in a swing, and if they fall asleep in one, it’s best to transfer them to a safer sleep space, like a crib or bassinet.