You can’t put a price on sleep. If you’re on the hunt for the best baby bassinet to bring home, you’re in the right place. From deciding if you even need a bassinet to understanding the different types, we have you covered. There are lightweight options for travel, versions to keep your baby close, and stylish bassinets that fit the design of your home.
On top of that, some bassinets feature pretty cool technology, which can soothe your baby and encourage healthy sleeping patterns without you lifting a finger — or lifting yourself out of bed.
Why You Need a Baby Bassinet
A bassinet will provide your newborn with a safe, small space to rest within the first few months of their life. Bassinets are easy to move from room to room, which makes things a lot easier on parents. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), bassinets placed in the bedroom with the parents are the safest option for babies. However, bassinets with solid sides should not be used once babies can roll around, as they then pose a suffocation hazard. The AAP wrote that the bedding should be firm enough that babies should not leave an indent on the surface and be free of all extra bedding like pillows or bumpers. A simple swaddle for newborns, or warm pajamas for babies, will suffice.
There are also stylish, sturdy options for alternatives to crib sleeping. Moms love having a bassinet at home that can be easily moved from room to room during the day. This way, moms can keep an eye on their little one while they go about their business in the rest of the house.
Best Overal
This gender-neutral bassinet is simple in style, but it’s complex in its advanced technology: It allows you to calm baby down as you take care of things around the home or kick back with some Netflix.
How does it work? It lulls your little one back to sleep with gentle rocking motions. It’s not the hard sway of the cradles of the past. Instead, it’s more like what they would get if they were, say, in their magical car seat. It’s the barest back and forth, and babies love it.
The bassinet is super light, so you can bring it with you from room to room. Plus, it responds to your baby’s motions, so it’ll start rocking your baby when they start fussing. We love the soft, meshy sides that are smooth, and won’t get baby’s tiny toes or fingers trapped.
Best Light-Up Option
This modern bassinet by Fisher-Price will entertain your little one until they fall asleep, thanks to tons of built-in features. It’s like the hottest nightclub for babies.
It has soothing vibrations, very chill music, a projectable light show, and soft mood lighting in the form of a gentle nightlight. In this bassinet, your baby is cooler than you are, and they’re also sleeping, which is also something you are likely not doing much of if you have a baby in a bassinet.
Best for Close Sleeping
Maybe it’s your first child, maybe you just had a C-section, or maybe you just really want to sleep close to your baby because that’s the best decision for you. Whatever your situation, consider this swivel see-through sleeper that’ll make you feel like nothing comes between you and your little one. It has an adjustable stand, so you can match the height of your baby’s little bed with your mattress. For under $200, it’s a real steal.
It’s not co-sleeping, which is a no-no according to the AAP, but it’s as close as you can get safely. (Fellow hovering parents, unite!) Plus, it’s truly a breeze to put together, which is saying a lot. The parenting editor at Best Products has put more than a few of them together to gift them for baby showers.
Pro tip: If you put it together and add a bow, you’ll look like a dang hero rolling up to that baby shower.
Best for Techie Parents
This 4Moms mamaRoo bassinet is one of the highest tech bassinets on the market. It has five separate motions, five speeds, and four sounds. Plus, it can operate on a timer. It’s powered by Bluetooth, enabling parents to choose the best combination that works for their baby. The smooth mesh sides and firm surface make it safe for the littlest ones.
Imagine your baby starts to fuss, but it’s hours before they should wake. All you do is open an app on your phone, turn on some sound and a little sway, and boom — your baby is back in dreamland. At least, that’s the goal. It’s a lofty one, but darn it, aim high, Momma.
Each of the bassinets on this list has been thoroughly researched by our editorial team. We looked at popular models in each category to make sure they fit within the safer sleep guidelines created by the CPSC and AAP, and then determined which were the best-reviewed and most talked about. We developed a cross-comparison strategy to determine the best baby bassinets worth buying today.
