Product Reviews

The 9 Best Bassinets of 2023

We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproducts—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Many new parents and caregivers choose a baby bassinet for their little one to sleep in after birth. A bassinet is a smaller sleep space than a crib, so it doesn’t take up much room, which is critical when sharing a bedroom with your baby. Using a bassinet can keep baby close for safety and nighttime feedings and thanks to technological advancements in baby gear, bassinets are more helpful than ever for babies and their families.

While you want to keep safe sleep in mind first, consider your lifestyle and individual needs when choosing a bassinet. Some bassinets are height adjustable or portable and can be used for other purposes outside the home. Moreover, some baby bassinets have extra features, like vibration and rocking, that can help soothe your baby, but keep in mind it may drive the price up. When reviewing products, we carefully considered design, assembly, material, value, and any age, height, and weight recommendations.

How to Create a Safe Sleep Environment

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parents and caregivers share a room with their baby for the first six months of life, and ideally through the first year. To create a safe sleeping environment for your infant, follow these guidelines:

  • Babies should always sleep on their backs
  • Use a firm surface
  • Keep soft objects and loose bedding away from the sleeping area
  • Sleeping surfaces should not have an inclination greater than 10 degrees from horizontal
  • Side height should be at least 7.5 inches

HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

  • Four-point base for stability

  • 360-degree swivel design

  • Convenient for breastfeeding parents

Cons

  • Product weight makes it difficult to move around

  • Bulky

The HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper Premiere Series is our favorite pick because this baby bassinet has many features both baby and parents and caregivers will love. This bassinet offers a comfortable spot for your baby to sleep by your bedside, a nightlight and floor light, a sound machine with volume control, and two vibration levels to help with soothing. The bassinet bed rotates 360 degrees so you can easily access your baby without disturbing them.

There are two storage pockets for necessities, and a fitted sheet is included. It’s safe for a baby to sleep in immediately after birth and has a weight limit of 20 pounds. One downside to note is that this bassinet doesn’t have wheels, which can make sliding out of bed quietly tricky.

Price at time of publication: $300

Product Weight: 30 pounds | Product Dimensions: 36 x 45 x 45 inches | Weight Limit: 20 pounds

Dream On Me Karley Bassinet

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

  • Lightweight and easy to move

  • Adjustable double canopy keeps bugs away

  • Compact folding allows for easy storage in small spaces

Cons

  • Height is not adjustable

  • Zipper on canopy may get stuck easily

Available in several color options, this bassinet is lightweight, has a fold-down design, and has a double sleeping canopy with mesh panels so that parents can still check on their infant while also giving baby a little extra shade and protection while they sleep.

The bassinet has a 25-pound weight capacity, a durable metal frame, and a plush sleeping mattress that will keep baby cozy and safe. It folds up to slim six inches when it needs to be stored and includes a storage pouch underneath for extra supplies.

Price at time of publication: $60

Product Weight: 12.4 pounds | Product Dimensions: 33 x 19.5 x 37 inches | Weight Limit: 25 pounds

Happiest Baby SNOO Smart Sleeper Baby Bassinet

Pottery Barn Kids

Pros

  • Convenient smartphone/tablet app for tracking and remote parental controls

  • Responsive technology automatically adjusts to soothe baby

  • Sleek, mid-century modern design

Cons

  • Height is not adjustable

  • App may have trouble connecting at times

If you’re looking for the top-of-the-line innovation for your bassinet (in an attractive mid-century modern design), you can’t beat the SNOO. This bassinet senses when your little one is making newborn sounds, like grunting or crying. The bassinet will then gently swing and rock the baby while also playing white noise for even more soothing.

The SNOO features convenient parent controls that can remotely adjust its motion, sound, and cry sensitivity via an app on their tablet or smartphone. The app also tracks baby’s sleep progress and will alert parents if their baby needs more attention. All of these smart features contribute to the high price, but notably, SNOO also offers a rental program to make it more accessible and affordable for caregivers.

Testing Notes: “For three months, this kept my newborn snug and sleeping long stretches. (And yes, she transitioned to a non-rocking crib just fine). The noise machine that’s built-in is amazing, and the swaddles were easy to use (velcro). The app also allows you to track their sleep patterns. It’s a genius invention.”

Although the height is not adjustable, the legs can be replaced with low legs that bring the bassinet down to a 10-inch height, or they can be raised using leg lifters (both sold separately).

Price at time of publication: $1,695

Product Weight: 38 pounds | Product Dimensions: 30 x 16 x 32 inches | Weight Limit: 25 pounds

Fisher-Price Soothing View Bassinet

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

  • Folds super slim

  • Lightweight frame

  • Can be rocked or locked in place

Cons

  • No storage pocket

  • Must be manually rocked

  • No music or sounds

For a bassinet that’s compact, this pick from Fisher-Price can’t be beat. The Soothing View Bassinet is collapsible, folding to a slim width of just four inches. When it’s not collapsed, it doesn’t take up much space either.

With the simple switch of a button, the bassinet can be gently pushed to help soothe baby. When the rocking mode isn’t used, you can switch the bassinet to stationary mode.

Price at time of publication: $96

Product Weight: 13 pounds | Product Dimensions: 22.44 x 33.07 x 24.41 inches | Weight Limit: 20 pounds

4moms mamaRoo Sleep Bassinet

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

  • Height is adjustable

  • Smartphone app remotely controls motion and sounds

  • Assembly requires no tools

Cons

  • Heavy

  • App may have trouble connecting at times

The 4moms mamaRoo is designed to not only give your baby a safe spot to sleep until they are 25 pounds but also help soothe them so they can get better quality sleep. The bassinet has five different motions and five speeds that mimic the rocking and swaying of parents. It also has four white noise options to soothe baby. It is also designed with a timer feature to help develop a bedtime routine for baby and can be controlled by parents via smartphone.

This bassinet has two height adjustment options and a storage basket sold separately that can be hung underneath.

Price at time of publication: $375

Product Weight: 30 pounds | Product Dimensions: 24 x 34 x 39 inches | Weight Limit: 25 pounds

UPPAbaby Stroller Bassinet

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

  • Extendable UPF 50+ sun shade canopy

  • Included bug shield

  • Perforated mattress and ventilated base for breathability

Cons

  • Bassinet stand sold separately

  • Only fits UPPAbaby strollers

Compatible with the popular Uppababy Cruz stroller (and sold with the Uppababy Vista stroller), this lightweight bassinet is a great choice for parents that want an option they can use overnight and on the go. Suitable for infants up to 25 pounds, this bassinet features a vented base and mattress as well as a UPF 50+ sunshade and canopy that unzips for improved airflow. The Uppababy bassinet can be placed on a flat, stable surface, elevated on the Uppababy Bassinet Stand (sold separately), or simply click it onto the stroller for naps around the neighborhood. We like that it comes in eight different colors and has a one-handed release function from the stroller.

Price at time of publication: $200

Product Weight: 8.8 pounds | Product Dimensions: 30.25 x 16.6 x 24.75 inches | Weight Limit: 25 pounds

Graco Pack 'N Play On The Go Playard

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

  • Easy pack-and-store design for portability

  • Wheels on the base for maneuverability

  • Removable toy bar for visual stimulation

Cons

  • Height is not adjustable

  • Difficult to assemble for some

Read full review: Graco Pack ‘N Play Portable Playard Review

Graco’s Pack ‘n Play is a popular collapsible play yard, thanks to how easy it is to set up, take down, and transport. A great addition to your baby registry, this style includes a bassinet insert, which makes it safe and easy to use from birth up until your baby weighs 15 pounds. The removable toy bar provides extra visual stimulation for your baby.

This play yard comes in several different patterns and has an attached side pouch for storing small items. It also has built-in wheels and a carrying case for easy portability.

Price at time of publication: $70

Product Weight: 22.9 pounds | Product Dimensions: 40 x 28.5 x 29 inches | Weight Limit: 15 pounds

HALO BassiNest Twin Sleeper

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

  • 360-degree swivel design

  • Includes waterproof mattress pads and two fitted sheets

  • Height is adjustable

Cons

  • Heavy

  • Some bassinets may tilt

  • Bulky

Twins can safely sleep (sort of) together with this bassinet designed specifically for them. It has a large mattress that can safely fit two babies, with a mesh divider down the middle, so the twins are in their own separate beds but can still snuggle up close to each other like they did in the womb.

The mattress rotates 360 degrees, and both sidewalls drop down, giving parents the ability to easily pick up one baby without disturbing the other. It has an adjustable height and is equipped with six sound and lullaby options, a nightlight, two vibration levels, and a “back to bed reminder.” It has a 40-pound weight capacity meant for two babies up to 20 pounds each.

Price at time of publication: $470

Product Weight: 55 pounds | Product Dimensions: 36 x 23 x 12 inches | Weight Limit: 40 pounds (20 pounds each)

AeroMoov Instant Travel Crib

Pros

  • Sets up in two seconds

  • Lightweight

  • Two mattress levels to grow with baby

Cons

  • May be difficult for some to lean in when using lower level

If you’re looking for a bassinet that is convenient and easy to travel with, we recommend the Instant Travel Crib. It weighs under 11 pounds and folds down to just 4.6 inches wide so it’s easy to pack for road trips. It has an instant open design that allows it to be set up and closed back down in seconds and comes with a carrying case for easy storage.

The crib has two levels so it can grow with your baby. The mid-level bassinet is for babies up to 13 pounds and the lower level is for older babies. It comes in several colors, and a sunshade and mosquito net bundle are sold separately for added comfort and protection.

Price at time of publication: $196

Product Weight: 11 pounds | Product Dimensions: 24.8 x 36.2 x 51 | Weight Limit: 13 pounds (Mid-level)

How We Selected the Best Baby Bassinets

We chose the best baby bassinets by studying the design and features of more than 20 bassinets on the market and researching reviews from customers and competitors. We also monitored shopping trends to bring you the best and most up-to-date offerings on baby bassinets. We considered design, size, ease of cleaning, age, height, and weight recommendations, material, and value when reviewing products. Additionally, we reviewed guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics on safe sleep.

What to Look for in a Baby Bassinet

Size

While many baby bassinets are much smaller than a standard crib, you’ll still want to consider the size of the bassinet before purchasing. Whether you’re buying before or after your little one arrives, spend time considering where you plan to use the bassinet. Take measurements of the space to ensure you’re not buying a bassinet you will have to return because it didn’t fit.

Some bassinets are foldable, portable, and collapse, like the Graco Pack’ n Play On the Go Playard. While not ideal, if you’re limited on space, you can set up the Pack’ n Play or another bassinet where it’s needed for naps and nighttime and then put it away when necessary. Overall, you don’t want the bassinet too close to the bed in case any pillows or blankets fall off your bed in the middle of the night.

Safety

Safety is an important component when shopping for bassinets. Beware of soft mattresses and overstuffed or puffy sides as they can be suffocation hazards. Mesh sides provide airflow and allow easy visibility while baby sleeps. A firm mattress with a fitted sheet provides a safe and comfortable sleeping surface. Look for sturdy, stable legs that don’t wobble or shift. If the bassinet has moving parts such as a rocking feature or wheels, make sure these features are able to be locked in place when not being used. Follow safe sleep recommendations and all age and weight limits of the product.

Added Features

Thanks to their modern designs and additional features, many bassinets are more than just a sleep space for babies. Some additional features include a canopy, play yard, stroller attachments, and music. These additional features aren’t necessary but definitely come in handy whether you’re traveling or trying to get baby to sleep at home, so you’ll want to consider if you can live without them or absolutely need them.

For example, the UPPAbaby Stroller Bassinet has a sunshade, attaches to a stroller, can attach to a bassinet stand, and even comes with a bug shield. These additional features on this particular bassinet are great for families who like to be outdoors often, as the bug shield and sunshade will keep baby safe on a hot day. Or, it can be used at home for naps and bedtime instead.

Purpose

It may feel like a no-brainer that a bassinet is meant for a baby to sleep in, but what many parents and caregivers don’t realize is that considering the purpose of the bassinet will ensure you get the most bang for your buck. Some bassinets are best for travel, while others have rocking features or are supposed to mimic co-sleeping, sharing a bed with your baby but in a safer way, as the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against co-sleeping for all babies.

For the bassinets aimed at keeping you close to your little one, one of the sides can be zipped down for diaper changes, feedings, or even playtime. You want to ensure all sides are up while baby is sleeping. There are also bassinets designed with rocking or vibrating motions to help put a baby to sleep.

So, while you want to keep your baby’s sleep safety in mind first, also consider your lifestyle and if the bassinet can be used for other purposes outside of the home. If your family likes to travel, think about bassinets that are travel-friendly and can fold easily while on the go.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long can my baby sleep in a bassinet?

    How long your little one can sleep in a bassinet will depend on many factors, such as their age, weight, and the milestones they’ve hit. Many bassinets have age and weight restrictions, so it’s important to follow those guidelines. Going beyond the recommendations from the manufacturer could lead to injury, especially if your child is over the weight and age limit and has reached certain milestones.

    Your best bet is to read your bassinet’s manual thoroughly to ensure you understand all recommendations. There are bassinets on the market that state that parents and caregivers should discontinue use once baby starts rolling, which can surprisingly happen very quickly after birth for some babies.

  • Can my baby just skip the bassinet and go straight to a crib?

    In short, yes. There’s no requirement for you to use a bassinet. They are convenient for travel and space-saving—helpful when sharing a room with your baby—and the additional features are a necessity for some parents and caregivers. However, babies can start sleeping in a crib immediately after birth. You’ll want to think about your lifestyle and what will work best for your family. If you don’t have the space for a crib just yet, a bassinet is a perfect alternative option for a safe sleep space.

  • When should my baby go from the bassinet to a crib?

    Check your bassinet’s weight and age guidelines, but your baby may begin rolling or sitting up before they meet those guidelines. Monitor them closely—you may need to transition to the crib sooner than the bassinet manufacturer states.

  • How much does a baby bassinet cost?

    Baby bassinets are available at various price points, but your budget will be the determining factor in the one you choose. You can expect to pay anywhere from $80 to $300 on average. However, if you choose to splurge, price points can reach more than $1,000.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Ashley Ziegler is a staff and freelance writer who covers lifestyle, home, parenting, and commerce content for a variety of platforms. She’s a mom to 1-year-old and 4-year-old daughters and an aunt to three nieces and two nephews ranging from 5 to 11 years old. In addition to regularly scouring the internet to find the best things for herself, Ashley spends multiple hours a week researching, comparing, and writing about products specifically for kids and families.

Source: https://www.verywellfamily.com/best-bassinets-4170051

Read More Baby Activity & Entertainment Product Reviews

Donovan Larsen

Donovan is a columnist and associate editor at the Dark News. He has written on everything from the politics to diversity issues in the workplace.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button