The Best Baby Swings Let You Safely Put Baby Down for a Few Minutes

What to Expect community members mention the Graco Soothe ‘n Sway more than any other baby swing, and for good reason. Not only is this an excellent swing, but it also doubles as a bouncer, making it an amazing value: If you were deciding whether or not to get a swing or a bouncer, you can check both boxes here.

In swing mode, the Graco Soothe ‘n Sway has three adjustable speeds in the side-by-side motion, three recline options, and two vibration settings, as well as various sounds and songs. If your little one prefers a front-to-back movement, you can switch the swing over to bouncer mode. As a swing, it’s not exactly portable; it weighs 18 pounds and has a bulky shape. But the bouncer is reasonably easy to move around the house, parents say, especially thanks to its helpful carry handle. It can also be powered by either batteries or a wall outlet. 

While you wouldn’t exactly call The Graco Soothe ‘n Sway compact, its footprint in swing mode is on the smaller side compared to similar models. It has a lower profile, too, so it feels like it takes up less space in a room. (It’s nearly half as tall as the similar Graco DuetSoothe Swing and Rocker, for example, which we’ve featured later on this list.) The fact that this is a two-in-one model also makes the size feel more manageable, parents say, because you just have one big item in your space rather than two.

Baby swings can cost hundreds of dollars, making the Bright Starts Portable Automatic 6-Speed Baby Swing one of the more affordable swings on the market. But despite its lower price, you’ll still be getting a high-quality swing that’s soothing and entertaining for your little one. 

This swing has two recline positions, six melodies that parents say are very calming, as well as the brand’s WhisperQuiet technology to ensure the motor doesn’t make distracting noises. This is also one of the most lightweight baby swings on our list — weighing in at just 4 pounds! — and has a compact, portable design and low profile. Parents say it’s uncomplicated to assemble, and you can easily carry it from room to room.

Do note, however, that the mobile is a little more basic on this swing, with just two hanging toys. You also only have the option to use batteries with this model, so you’ll have to make sure to have plenty in the house.

A frequently asked question in the What to Expect community is whether or not the 4moms MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing is “worth it.” At nearly $300, this is one of the most expensive baby swings on our list, and lower-priced models do many of the same things (namely, gently rock, soothe, and entertain little ones). And, unlike the Nuna Leaf, for example, the MamaRoo doesn’t have as long of a use window for many parents to justify the high cost. But if you’re someone who loves high-tech features and will benefit from the extras this swing offers, the MamaRoo may be worth the splurge. 

This baby swing has impressive functionality: There’s a range of motions, speeds, and sounds; the speaker can be connected via Bluetooth (allowing parents to stream their own music); it can be integrated with smart home devices; and it’s powered by an AC adapter, so there’s no need to stock up on batteries. Many parents also reference the brand’s app, which makes choosing the right combination of motions from your phone easy. 

The MamaRoo has a sleek, modern-looking appearance that many parents appreciate. At 15 pounds, though, it’s reasonably hefty and has a large-ish footprint. So if you’re looking for a baby swing that’s compact, easy to move around, or well-suited for small spaces, this may not be the best choice. 

Finally, it’s important to note that older versions of this product were recalled in 2022 because the restraint straps could dangle below the seat, which posed a strangulation hazard. The newer MamaRoo does not have this defect, but you should be mindful if purchasing one secondhand or as a hand-me-down.  

The Munchkin Bluetooth-Enabled Lightweight Baby Swingis one of the more expensive baby swings on this list, but with a higher price tag comes some seriously high-tech features. In addition to five levels of motion and gentle side-by-side movement, the swing is Bluetooth-enabled so you can play your own music from your phone instead of relying on a premade playlist. It also has a handy remote control and touch screen, which parents say is intuitive and easy to operate.

While its footprint is comparable to other swings, the Munchkin Swing stands out for being easy to disassemble (it breaks down quickly into two large parts) and compact when folded up; you can easily slide it under a bed or couch to keep it out of the way when not in use. For this reason, it’s a popular pick among families who live in small spaces. Parents also rave about how stylish this swing is, as well as how its lower profile makes it feel less obtrusive in a room.

The downside is that for the price, many parents say they wish their babies could use it for longer. The maximum weight is 20 pounds, which is lower than some other models on this list. (The Nuna Leaf, for example, has a similar design but can be used until your baby is 130 pounds.) You also have to pay extra for features like a toy bar, which is not included.

Many parents find themselves deciding between a swing and a rocker seat, making the Graco DuetSoothe Swing and Rocker an ideal option. A popular pick in the What to Expect community, the Graco DuetSoothe has three positions, a vibration function, music and nature sounds, and an engaging overhead mobile. 

But its best feature is that the seat can be detached and used as a portable rocker with a carry handle that’s easy to take from room to room. As a result, your baby has the option to swing side to side in swing mode, as well as back and forth in the seat. Many parents also appreciate that you can use either batteries or plug it in, so you don’t have to worry about running out of juice.

Although the rocker itself is portable and lightweight, the full-size swing is on the larger size, with a footprint that’s bigger than some others on this list. If you live in a small space, you might want to opt for a different baby swing.

This baby seat takes its inspiration from a leaf floating in the breeze (aren't you relaxed just thinking about it?). The motor-free swing has three reclining positions for your little one to relax in, and you can lock it into a stationary spot, too.

This is the most expensive swing on our list, but many parents say the higher price tag is worth it; unlike other baby swings, this one actually grows with your child. Once your baby can sit upright and climb out of the seat, the chair can be moved to a reclined seat for relaxing. The chair has a maximum weight limit of 130 pounds (!), which means your toddler (and preschooler, and even school-aged kid) can continue enjoying it for years to come.

If you’re looking for a portable swing, however, this is not it — the Nuna Leaf weighs 15 pounds, making it one of the heavier options on this list, and its bulky size makes it difficult to transport even from room to room. Some parents also note that the toy bar is a bit basic, so this may not entertain babies as much as other swings. But if you’re looking for a seat that swings back and forth and can be used for longer than the typical 0- to 9-month window, the Nuna Leaf may be worth investing in.

When it comes to baby swings, the Ingenuity Compact Lightweight Portable Swing checks a lot of boxes: The 7-pound swing has five swing speeds, eight melodies, and three nature sounds, as well as a timer setting. At $100, the Ingenuity Compact is on the more reasonable end for swings, too. Plus, it has over 11,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, with countless reviewers saying that it’s engaging for babies.

Unlike most baby swings on our list, Ingenuity Compact has a smaller overall footprint and can be easily folded. Once folded, it’s compact enough to put in the trunk of a car and take with you on a trip to Grandma’s house, though you probably wouldn’t want to carry it on a plane. Reviewers say it’s space-efficient and about as portable as a baby swing can get.

The downside is that this swing isn’t the easiest to assemble. Multiple parents complain it’s tricky and requires very close attention to install all of the pieces correctly. The overall movement is also slower than comparable swings, reviewers add. 

The Momcozy CocoSway Baby Swing achieves something many competitors can’t: an innovative 3D rocking motion that moves in all directions. I'm talking side to side, up and down, or in wave, carousel, swing, or kangaroo jump patterns — all to better mimic the feel of real human movement. Many What to Expect parents say this wide range of motions makes it especially calming for their babies.

It’s also one of the more high-tech swings on our list. While it doesn’t boast an intuitive app like the MamaRoo, it offers multiple speed and sound settings that are easy to customize, plus a sleek, intuitive touch panel and a handy remote control. The seat can rotate 180 degrees, so you can change your baby’s view without worrying about having to physically pick up and move the entire swing. Parents also appreciate its modern, stylish design (I concur!).

As for drawbacks, while it’s not quite as pricey as the MamaRoo, it’s still among the more expensive options here. And unlike the Nuna Leaf, it has a shorter usage window with a maximum weight limit of 20 pounds.