I Tested Out 5 Top-Selling Baby Swings — Here Are the Pros and Cons of Each One

Discover the best baby swings for your little one.

Updated on July 20, 2023

By: Jen Glantz

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Photo By: FGorgun

These Popular Baby Swings Were Put to the Test

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I asked all of my mom friends to tell me the must-have baby items that I needed to grab. A lot of people shared the essentials, like an endless amount of diapers and a sturdy stroller. But a few friends recommended that I have certain items in the house ready to go for the moments when I need to be hands free and put the baby down for a moment.

When I started doing research, I found that having a baby swing in the house could be perfect for moments when I wanted to prepare dinner or clean up.

A baby swing not only safely holds an infant, but it also play sounds and rocks them with a gentle motion. Sometimes, it can help calm the baby, soothe them, or just give them a temporary place to relax.

But with so many baby swings on the market, it was hard to know which one to buy, especially because every baby is so different and has their own preferences. That’s why I waited to buy a swing until my baby was born. Once she was, we went to different local stores and tested out the five most popular baby swings. Here’s what we liked and didn’t like about each one.

4Moms MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing

The first swing I tried out was the 4Moms MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing. It had so many different features. For example, the swing offered 5 motions that could be set at 5 different speeds. Plus, it came with 4 built-in sounds that could be played at varying volumes. I wanted a swing that also had a mobile and this one did.

What I liked about the swing:
Baby swings can be quite large and bulky, but this one seemed compact, especially for all the features that it offered. It also was beautifully designed and wouldn’t stand out in the living room of our apartment. When my baby was in the swing for five minutes, she seemed entertained and soothed by the different motions.

What I didn’t like about the swing:
After playing with the swing, I noticed that the motions weren’t as fast as other swings, which might be nice to have in the future when my baby gets a little older. The other downside was the price. It was one of the more expensive options ($269) and since the baby can only use it for around 6 months, or until they weigh 25 pounds, I wondered if It was a cost-effective option for us.

BUY IT: Amazon, 269.99

Nuna Leaf Grow Baby Seat

The first thing I noticed about the Nuna Leaf Grow Baby Seat was that it looked and felt different from the other swings I tested. It’s meant to be less of a swing and more of a seat that reclines (in three different settings) and moves side to side.

What I liked about the seat:
The most appealing part about this swing option was that it didn’t have to be plugged into a wall and instead fit into the living room like a piece of furniture. Also, it’s meant to grow with your baby until they are a toddler, so even though it’s pricey, it’s something that we would have for years.

What I didn’t like about the seat:
After spending five minutes in the seat, my baby came off as bored. While It’s a great option to put the baby in for a few minutes here or there, I think my baby preferred more settings and options with a swing.

However, if you want to avoid getting a swing and bouncer, this item is a good alternative since it felt like it was both of those items in just one product.

BUY IT: Nordstrom, 299.95

Fisher-Price Snow Leopard Swing

The Fisher-Price Snow Leopard Baby Swing came highly recommended by my friends. It’s a dual motion swing that rocks the baby side to side and head to toe. It has 6 swing speeds, 16 soothing songs, and 2 sound effects. While the swing itself isn’t motorized, the mobile up top is, and that adds another layer of entertainment to the swing.

What I liked about the swing:
The swing seemed more simple than a lot of the other ones out there. It was lightweight and my baby really enjoyed the motorized mobile up top. Since the swing is suspended on a pole, it felt more comfortable and she didn’t mind being strapped in this swing.

What I didn’t like about the swing:
Compared to the other swings, this one didn’t have a top-notch design aesthetic and would stand out more in your living space. I felt like the swing fit my baby well when she was around 11 pounds, but that was pushing it. If she was any bigger, I’d fear that this swing wouldn’t be as supportive as the others — even though it says it’s for babies up to 25 pounds.

BUY IT: Amazon, 163.99

Maxi-Cosi Cassia Swing

Another beautifully designed swing that appeared comfortable was the Maxi-Cosi Cassia Swing. The swing has 5 different speeds, a timer that you can set it for, and 12 melodies and nature sounds that can be played.

What I liked about the swing:
This was the first swing I found that had a 360-degree rotating seat. If I had to move around the room, I didn’t need to move the swing, which was nice. Plus, it was great that the swing could be used with batteries, whereas some swings could only be used if they were plugged in.

What I didn’t like about the swing:
When my baby was in the swing, she was distracted by how uncomfortable the straps were. While the other swings had straps too, these seemed to be the least padded and became annoying to her.

BUY IT: Target, 199.99

Graco DuetSoothe Swing and Rocker

I was initially drawn to the Graco DuetSoothe Swing and Rocker because of the price. At $179, it was one of the least expensive swing options that I came across. It has three different seating positions, so the baby can sway side to side or front to back, as well as two speed vibrations and 6 swinging speeds.

What I liked about the swing:
Unlike any of the other swings, this one had a removable swing seat that doubled as a portable rocker. It also had handles that made it easy to carry around the house. I liked that for a low price, I could have both a swing and rocker.

What I didn’t like about the swing:
While the swing had a lot of good features, it seemed like it was better for a newborn and not for an infant. The swing can be used for a baby up to 21 pounds, but even when my 11 pound baby tested it, I felt like she was already too big to safely use this swing.

BUY IT: Amazon, 179.97

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