8 best baby bouncers and rockers, tested by experts and babies

Score: 97/100

This bouncer from Nuna Leaf is a top-end, luxurious baby chair that will help soothe fractious little ones. There’s no fear of running out of battery in times of need either, as it’s manual and uses kinetic energy to softly rock your baby back and forth. Scoring nearly full marks on test, it’s hard to find fault with this one.

There are three recline positions that you can adjust by pushing a lever on the rear of the stalk that holds the chair up; push it and gently ease the seat down with your hand on the top of the chair. The seat can also be locked in place, which is good for feeding and playtime. It can also move from side to side, which one at-home tester said helped their baby drift off.

Though it’s expensive, it can be used from birth through the toddler years and beyond (up to 60kg), as it transforms into a comfy lounge chair. So, the initial investment should pay off in the long-term. “I actually wish they did an adult version as it looks so calming!” said one impressed parent.

Score: 97/100

Sometimes, the best products are not the ones with all the gadgets and flashing lights. And this simple, yet brilliantly designed, rocker from Bababing is proof.

The brand was founded by three dads, who wanted to make safe, effective products at reasonable prices. Despite being affordable, this doesn’t skimp on design. It’s neat, with a sleek, rounded frame that can be folded flat, so you can slip it behind the sofa when you’re not using it, which earned it full marks for storage. The fabric’s easy to clean too, according to one at-home tester, who said it was easy to just pop it in the washing machine after a spill. It’s compact and lightweight, making it a great option to travel with, too.

The toy arch comes with two hanging elephants, a cute way to keep your baby entertained. And if your little one is all rocked out, you can keep the bouncer still by simply flipping the feet to the front for a stable base, which is ideal for play and weaning.

Score: 96/100

This small, versatile chair can be used both as a bouncer for young babies and as a seat for older children up to around two years. When used as a baby bouncer, it has an integrated three-point harness and three recline positions – the lowest setting is suited to very small babies up to 7kg, and the next two up to 9kg. If your baby is windy or colicky, then the upright position is ideal for burping.

It’s a compact chair that can be folded flat for storage or travel and the harness is easy for parents to do up and undo - but luckily, not for children. Our tester scored it full marks for ease of use, but there are also helpful videos on the website to show you how to set up, adjust and wash the bouncer should you struggle at all.

It was described as “perfect” by one of our at-home testers, while another said the sturdy, secure design kept their son, “safe and snug while chilling out.”

The fabric feels soft yet durable, and the seat has been designed to support your baby's spine with input from paediatricians. It also looks sleek and stylish, with none of the garish plastic or lights some bouncers have.

Score: 94/100

"Simple“, “sleek” and “stylish” are just some of the words our tester used to describe this rocker. It’s manual and doesn’t have lots of features like some of the other models on our list, but it’s the perfect option for soothing and holding your baby. It includes a well-padded insert suitable for newborns that can also be removed to make more room for bigger babies or when they grow.

The three-point harness does up at the sides and there’s a wide, well-padded lap protector. When it came to set up, our tester scored it full marks for thorough instructions and ease of assembly. “It folded pretty flat, so storage is easy,” agreed one panel member, making it straightforward from start to finish.

There’s also an arch with two cute toys clipped on, but this can be removed when you want to reach and lift your baby out. It folds flat for storage – just press a button on the underside of the frame, then use the recline button and it slips down. It’s a manual rocker, but you can transform it into a static chair by unfolding two flip-out legs under the rockers that stop it from moving.

Score: 93/100

If your little one favours sleeping on one side of their head, they may be prone to a condition called plagiocephaly, or in layman’s terms, flat head syndrome. While this usually resolves itself naturally, encouraging a good head position can help. This bouncer was developed by paediatric orthopaedists to help with this. It has a newborn inlay with a head cushion, which means your baby is positioned in the best way. It has been ergonomically designed to support their spine, too.

It’s a very lightweight chair and is easy to fold for storage or travel. As it’s manual, there’s no need for batteries or any cables either. For an additional £29.90, you can buy a handy travel case for it, too.

It can be used from birth right up to around two years – there’s an easy-opening three-point harness for the first few months and then the seat can be flipped to create a little toddler seat. The machine-washable fabrics are breathable and cosy and there’s a choice of seven lovely colours. Testers praised the quality build, saying it was stable and secure, even on hard floors. However, we would have liked the toy bar to have been included with our purchase, rather than sold separately. Our parents were pleased overall though. “My daughter loves being in it!” confirmed one.

Score: 81/100

This bouncer from Graco impressed our at-home testers, with one telling us they “couldn’t ask for any more in a bouncer!”. In fact, everyone who tried it said they would recommend it to others. The chair sits on a very solid base and has a five-point harness to keep your baby snug and secure. But it’s still easy enough for you to lift your baby in and out, as you can undo all five straps at once, or leave one side attached and slide your baby in. On test, it scored full marks for its ease of use when it comes to undoing and doing up, as well as adjusting, the straps.

There are plenty of additional features to keep your little one entertained. The seat moves in several different arcs, as well as side to side and up and down. There are also five nature sounds to choose from, including a waterfall and a heartbeat, to help soothe them. The music selection includes 10 lullabies as well as classical tunes – these are a little bit tinny but overall, the sound is pretty good.

A toy bar attaches to one side and comes with two little toys – which stayed securely in place, despite several yanks. This is a good all-purpose bouncer, entertainer and safe place for your baby to rest and play.

Score: 81/100

This baby rocker from Munchkin certainly does have all the bells and whistles. It can swing manually, but why would you want it to when you can control it from your phone? Yes, like most things these days, this chair can connect to an app via Bluetooth. There are five ranges of motion to choose from, a timer, and a choice of music – whether you want your baby to bounce to peaceful whale music, or rock out to a lullaby version of Mozart.

Despite all its features, this is a simple chair to put together, and its perfect score for assembly is testament to that. It comes out of the box in two pieces, then you simply slip the seat into the base – and that's it. Our parents were also seriously impressed with how easy it was to store. As they pointed out, newborns require “a lot of kit”, so it was refreshing to be able to slide the base under the settee and out the way.

The seat has a newborn insert and a separate head cushion, and both can be taken out, using simple Velcro tabs, for washing. The harness can be undone with the push of a button, and it grows with your child. When you remove the seat pad, it also reveals a mesh hammock inside that helps prevent overheating in the warmer months.

Score: 77/100

This swing from Babymoov is another app-enabled option that will have your little one moving and grooving to your chosen speed and swing movements. There’s a control panel on the front of the seat, but you can also connect to the app via Bluetooth to explore a range of motions and sounds, with adjustable volume to protect your little one’s ears. Not only can you play pre-programmed music, but you can also record your own messages or lullabies for the baby. Taylor Swift look out!

It is larger and heavier than others on this list, so you will need to ensure you have space in your house. It’s not easy to move from room to room but it’s a sturdy and comfortable place for your baby to rest and play.

The seat itself has been cleverly thought through, with a soft newborn insert that you can remove as your baby grows and replace with the main seat, which is made with a cosy waffle fabric. “It’s really good quality, with special attention to detail around the buckles for maximum comfort,” said one happy at-home tester.

The seat has a five-point safety harness inside that includes a padded area over the lap, which both protects the harness from baby's hands and adds comfort, too; it can be adjusted as your baby gets taller. The seat also has various adjustment options available - both the leg and back rests can be independently moved so that you can find a good position that your baby finds comfortable at different stages, from upright to almost flat.