The Best Bassinet 2024
Best Bassinet 2024
Last Updated: . The Best Bassinet 2024. After researching bassinets for the last 20 plus years, we pick the HALO Bassinest as the best bassinet for parents of newborns. This bassinet achieves two goals: allowing rooming in for newborns (to help with breastfeeding) while providing a safe sleep space separate from a parent's bed.
New to bassinet shopping for baby's room? Read our 7 Things No One Tells You About Buying below for advice and tips.
The HALO Bassinest has side walls that squish down for quick access to the baby; it also sits on a base that allows you to rotate or swivel it 360 degrees. The Bassinest includes a waterproof mattress pad and sheet; extra sheets are $14.99 $14.90 .
The Bassinest comes in four versions: The Essentia, a basic model for , The Premier, a more deluxe version , the Luxe and the Luxe Plus
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HALO launched a recent an update of its whole line with the following improvements:
- Essentia: new, improved no-trip base; better height adjustment lever and new fabrics and finishes
- Premier: building on the Essentia, the Premier also adds a new "soothing center," which has lullabies and vibration
- Luxe: in addition to the features of the Essentia and the Premier, the Luxe adds a removable bassinet that can be used on or off the base and carried to other room; there is also a wood panel
- Luxe Plus: the Luxe Plus adds to the Luxe's features with zip-off, machine washable fabric and a new infant insert
You can still find the old models online. If you want the newest versions, look for the "new!" sticker that indicates the most recent models.
For parents who want the most basic of bassinets, HALO has a lower-price Bassinest called the Bassinest Glide ($298.98 ). It features a simpler base with "gliding disks" that make it easy to move across a floor. That answers one of the big gripes about the original Bassinest: it is very hard to move from room to room. The Bassinest Glide also omits any vibration or electronics, which we think are unnecessary anyhow, as we pointed out above.
In our tests, HALO Bassinest hit all the right notes—easy to set up and use. Quality is very good. The mesh sides are a key safety features that encourages airflow. In our tests, our readers liked the fact that base legs tuck under most beds, positioning the baby right at your bedside. The Bassinest is also very quiet—when you push down the side, it doesn't make any noise.
FYI: A twin version of the Bassinest debuted recently for $484.98 —basically, this is a larger version of the Bassinest with a divider down the middle for twins. It has the same basic features as the Bassinest.
Here's a quick video that goes over the HALO Bassinest basic features:
Things we don't like about the HALO Bassinest
Yes, there a few negatives to the Bassinest to note—and as such, it may not be the perfect solution for everyone. First, it is rather heavy and bulky with a large base. As a result, you can’t move it easily from room to room. It basically needs to be set up next to a bed and left there. (On the plus side, the heavy weight keeps older kiddos from accidentally knocking it over).
On the upside, the new Bassinest Glide addresses this issue if you portability between rooms.
A few of our readers complain that the Bassinest sleeping surface is too hard—it has a thin pad and a firm surface. But that is a feature, not a bug. Infants need to sleep on a firm, flat surface.
Yes, a few folks are surprised by the tilt feature—which means the baby can roll to one side if the bassinet part is not perfectly flat. That can be caused by an uneven floor in your bedroom or by simply accidentally knocking the unit (and sometimes by a baby scooting from one side to the other). But this happens very infrequently, in our analysis.
And yes, the Bassinest can be hard to clean—to remove the cloth parts, you need to remove various screws. HALO could make this process easier.
Finally, a few folks question the value of the HALO Bassinet, considering its relatively short use period (most infants move to a full-size crib before four months of age). We see that point, but we think the benefits of rooming in with your newborn to encourage breastfeeding outweighs the costs.
Accessory to skip: HALO Bassinest Newborn Insert
While we recommend the HALO Bassinest, we say pass on their "newborn insert," a
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HALO takes great pains to point out that this insert is not a baby hammock, as it has a firm flat sleeping surface at the bottom. Still, we think this concept is too close for comfort to the other baby hammocks on the market—which we do NOT recommend.
We don't see the point of this accessory—a newborn is perfectly safe and secure in the Bassinest, no insert needed.
The Best Bassinet
HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet
We pick the HALO Bassinest as one of the safest options for newborns up to five months of age. With a swivel basket and adjustable base, the Bassinest pulls up to your bed for convenient feeding in the night. While the Bassinest is available in four different iterations, we recommend the basic Essentia version.
Bassinet to watch: SNOO Smart Sleeper
If you are an experienced parent with one or two (or more) kids under your belt, so to speak, you’ve probably heard of Dr. Harvey Karp and his Happiest Baby books. Dr. Karp recently launched the SNOO Smart Sleeper, a bassinet which incorporates the soothing techniques he teaches in books and videos.
What makes it soothing? The SNOO uses white noise and motion to help rock your baby to sleep. This bassinet, which can be used up to six months of age, is touted as being the “safest baby bed ever made.”
The SNOO imitates the rhythm of the womb and when a baby wakes at night will automatically use sound and motion to get baby back to sleep. Used with the SNOO swaddler, it also keeps baby on his back the whole night. The SNOO includes a mattress and sheet; additional sheets are available online in the $25 range.
The SNOO sells for an astounding $1200. But there is good news: the SNOO Smart Sleeper is now available for rent! Cost: about $150 a month (or roughly $5 a day).
Since you most likely use the SNOO for a couple of months at best, renting the SNOO for $300 for two months makes more sense than buying it outright—unless you are planning on multiple children!
Be aware of the fine print in the Snoo rental agreement: Snoo requires a $175 refundable se- curity charge and a minimum one month rental. Shipping is free as is the return when you are finished using it (they recommend saving all the packing from the initial shipment for the return shipment). And there is also a $45 reconditioning fee (as of this writing, it is being waived). This covers the company’s expense for cleaning when the SNOO is returned.
Now that the SNOO has been on the market for a while, we are getting feedback from our readers—and the word is positive. Fans say the SNOO works as promised—and actually soothed their colicky babies.
As we probably don’t have to tell you, spending $1200 for a bassinet is a bit crazy. Even renting one for two months for $300 is pricey, when you can buy a HALO Bassinest Glide for $170.
Bottom line: for parents who have babies with colic or who are just overly fussy, renting a SNOO is a good solution. For everyone else, the SNOO is probably overkill.
The Best Travel Bassinet
BRICA Fold N’ Go travel bassinet
We tested a variety of travel bassinets before picking this one as the best of the bunch.
Best Travel Bassinet.
Got a road trip ahead? Here’s our favorite solution for hotel rooms and holidays at the in-laws. The BRICA Fold N’ Go travel bassinet is a decent buy at $47.99 $78.89 —it features a firm mattress with fitted sheet and mesh panels. As the name implies, it folds compactly for travel.
In our tests, the BRICA was the easiest to set up. A safety lock prevents accidental closure. The only caveat: when folded up, it won't fit in a suitcase . . . so you may have to check it if traveling by air.
FYI: Most bassinets work up to about five months of age, but the smaller BRICA can only be used for babies who are under three months of age and 15 pounds. FYI: BRICA is part of the Munchkin baby gear brand.
Why Trust Us
We’ve been rating and reviewing bassinets and other newborn sleep products since 1994. In addition to hands on inspections, we have also visited manufacturer facilities and met with safety regulators—and when we travel, we pay our all of our own expenses. We also evaluate consumer reviews posted on sites like Amazon, as well as our own message boards.
Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Baby Bargains is your independent and unbiased source for expert baby gear reviews. We’ve been writing and reviewing baby gear since 1994. Yes, that long!
How we picked a winner
We evaluate bassinets with in-depth inspections, checking models for overall quality and durability. We also gather significant reader feedback (our book, Baby Bargains has over 1 million copies in print). Besides interviewing parents, we also regularly talk with retailers of nursery furniture to see which brands are most trustworthy and other key quality metrics.
The reliability of bassinet manufacturers is another key factor—we meet with key company executives at least once a year. Since we’ve been doing this since 1994, we have developed detailed profiles of major crib brands that help guide our recommendations. See below for links.
7 Things No One Tells You About Buying A Bassinet!
1. No matter where you put your baby down for a nap or overnight, focus on the four basic safety rules for safe sleep:
- Do not use any soft bedding in the crib/bassinet/cradle/Moses basket.
- Place baby to sleep on her back.
- Keep the room temperature in baby's room at about 68° F.
- Don't overdress your baby. A light blanket sleeper is all you need.
2. Many stroller manufacturers sell bassinets as accessories.
If allowed by a stroller's maker, you can use these detachable stroller bassinets as free standing bassinets in your home, not just on your stroller. Some manufacturers like Peg Perego allow their stroller bassinets to be used as a stand-alone sleep space for home. FYI: Because bassinets have solid sides, we only reommend using them for supervised naps during the day time.
Stroller bassinets typically cost around two to three hundred bucks, about the same as a free standing bassinet but with the added feature of attaching to your stroller too.
3. Cradles are another option for newborn sleep.
If the idea of a plastic bassinet doesn't appeal to you, consider a cradle. Unlike bassinets, cradles are typically made of wood and can be rocked. Prices range from $100 to $250 or more. If you plan on having more than one child, a cradle is a very sturdy option. You can also create a family heirloom with a cradle by passing it along to others in your family. Typically a cradle comes with a mattress pad, although replacement pads are available in a variety of sizes to fit different cradles.
4. Moses baskets can only be used for a short time.
Moses baskets are woven baskets with liners and carry handles. You can put your newborn in a Moses basket for naps, and move your baby around the house without disturbing her. Unfortunately, these baskets are useful for only a few weeks before they reach their maximum weight limit. If you get one for a gift, it might be useful, but it probably doesn't make sense to buy one on on your own. They typically cost around fifty to a hundred bucks.
Badger Basket makes quite a few Moses baskets that sell for about
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5. Play yards now come with bassinet attachments.
If you're going to buy a play yard anyway, consider buying a version with a bassinet attachment. You can find our top picks for play yards here.
Graco makes a number of Pack N Play play yards with bassinet features. This version, the Graco Pack N Play Playard Bassinet sells for about $90.
6. Mini cribs are yet another option for newborn sleep and can be repurposed at Grandma's house.
Mini cribs are sized similarly to a cradle at about 38" long by 24" wide. For comparison, a full size crib is about 52" long and 28" wide. Mini cribs have to adhere to similarly stringent safety standards as full size cribs, so they are quite safe.
The disadvantage of mini cribs? Babies often outgrow them LONG before they are old enough to go into a toddler or big kid bed—that means you'll have to then use a full-size crib.
Some mini crib manufacturers note their mini cribs can't be used “when a child begins to climb.” Well, a typical child will hit that milestone around six to ten months, when they can pull themselves up to a standing position. A mini crib has lower rails than a standard size crib—and that makes climbing out easy for infants under a year old . . . which of course is dangerous.
The take-home message: a mini crib does NOT replace the need for a full-size crib. A mini-crib replaces a bassinet.
7. In the end, you can just use a full size crib from birth.
That's right. After all our prattling on above, you really don't have to purchase a bassinet, cradle, mini crib or Moses basket. A full size crib will do the trick . . . and save you some money!
But . . . what if you don't have room for a full-size crib in your bedroom? And you want your baby to room in to make sure breastfeeding is established during those first weeks? That's where the bassinet comes in!
The Best Bassinet
HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet
We pick the HALO Bassinest as one of the safest options for newborns up to five months of age. With a swivel basket and adjustable base, the Bassinest pulls up to your bed for convenient feeding in the night. While the Bassinest is available in four different iterations, we recommend the basic Essentia version.
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Have you reviewed or tested the Graco Dream Suite bassinet?
Hi Kristin: Yes, we’ve seen that bassinet and would recommend it. Our only concern is with the somewhat complicated assembly. Amazon reviewers have noted that as well: http://amzn.to/2DEYTBW
What bassinet stand do you recommend to use with the uppababy Vista bassinet?
Uppababy has a stand that is very expensive but there is the jolly jumper bassinet stand that people say work ..but mixed reviews on parts breaking..
For safety reasons, we don’t recommend using 3rd party bassinet stands for the Vista bassinet. Wish we had better news there!
Hello. I will be using the UppaBabyVista stroller, and was planning to use the bassinet for overnight. I know it’s been rated safe for overnight, but I’m still concerned as I was considering getting the Halo/ or maybe using the bassinet that comes with the Pack and Play instead. What are your thoughts about the bassinet for overnight use?
Lysa: Thanks for writing in! You are correct: the UPPAbaby bassinet is rated safe for overnight use. HOWEVER, we are concerned about that solid sides, which could pose a suffocation risk for babies under six months of age. That is why we recommend bassinets with MESH sides for airflow. So we would use the UPPA bassinet for adult-supervised naps during the day time; for unsupervised night time sleep, we’d recommend the Halo or other bassinet.
Have you reviewed or tested the Graco dreamglider swing and sleeper bassinet?
Not yet! On our to do list! Thanks for writing in Heather!
Have you reviewed or tested the Halo Bassinet Newborn Insert? Is there a need for that for newborns or is just the normal bassinet fine?
Hi Taylor: Thanks for the comment—we will update the review to comment on that. In short, we do not think it is necessary and would not recommend it. Thanks for writing in!
By any chamce, did you tried the Koala Baby Keep Me Near Bassinet ?
Iam looking for a bassinet that I can take the baby with me if sleeping. Any other suggestion? Thank you!
That’s not one we’ve had a chance to review yet! If you get it, let us know what you think!
Have you reviewed the Arm’s Reach Mini Ezee 2 in 1 or the Arm’s Reach Clear-Vue? Thanks!
These are good products, but we think the Graco Pack N Play with bassinet feature is more practical and offers better value, since it can be used later as a full size sleep solution and play yard!
I have looked at the Graco Pack N Plays w/ bassinet as an alternative to a stand alone bassinet as suggested here. Amazon allows users to post questions about the product, and in response to sleeping in the bassinet, Graco itself states that it does not recommend overnight sleep in the bassinet (I’m not talking about the portable nappers, but the actual firm mattress bassinet that sits in the open pack n play space). Any thoughts on that?
Hi Candy: Thanks for writing in. Here’s what Graco says about using the Pack N Play for sleeping (this is from the product’s instructions): “The playard is for playing or sleeping. When used for playing,never leave child unattended and always keep child in view.When used for sleeping, you must still provide the supervision necessary for the continued safety of your child.” So we believe it is safe for overnight sleep. Does that help? Thanks!
Is there a bassinet that you recommend for a platform bed that’s very low to the ground?
Good question! I haven’t seen anything specific for that. One solution may be to use a moses basket, resting it on the floor. If you find something else that works, let us know!
Best wishes!
Have you reviewed the Baby Delight Snuggle Nest as a portable travel bassinet?
Alexa: That product is designed an in-bed co-sleeper, which we don’t recommend as experts we’ve consulted with believe products like that are unsafe. Here is more of our thinking on that: https://www.babybargains.com/dockatot-review-not-recommended/
Hope that helps!
Alan
Can you use the Uppababy bassinet without the stand for travel use?
Hi there! Define travel use? As in a hotel room?
Any thoughts on the swaddleme bedside sleeper? Half the cost of halo…looks like mixed reviews on Amazon.
Hi DtanG: Thanks for writing in! Well, that would be something we wouldn’t recommend. While we haven’t reviewed that product in-depth, a quick look shows up it is a sling-like place for baby to sleep. That would violate the safe sleep guidelines that say baby should only sleep on a firm, flat surface. So that one would be a no go!
Have you reviewed or tested the Baby Bjorn Craddle? Thanks
Hi Danielle! That’s one we haven’t reviewed yet. We will put it on our to do list! Best wishes! Alan & Denise
I received the Graco Portable Napper and Changer as a gift. I’m not planning on using the napper, but is the bassinet feature on this play yard appropriate?
Yes, we do recommend using the bassinet feature for newborns!
Is there a bassinet you recommend that has a canopy? We have two cats, so I’m trying to find one that prevents the cats from jumping in and trying to sleep with the baby.
Hi Alicia!
Thanks for your question. That’s a good one. There are a few bassinets that come with mesh canopies like this one from Dream on Me: https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Me-Lacy-Portable-Bassinet/dp/B00DZFUUYI/?tag=babybarg-20&th=1
One caveat: no guarantees this will foil your cats, however. They are pretty clever!
Alan and Denise Fields, authors
Do you recommend the Chicco LullaGo Portable Bassinet as a daily at home sleeping option?
Hi Michelle! Yes, we would recommend that bassinet as a daily at home sleep solution, as long as your baby is under 20 lbs. The only criticism we would have is we wish Chicco would have mesh all around the bassinet, instead of just one area. That’s because babies can scoot around a bassinet; and not all caregivers may remember to put baby down with their head near the mesh side!
Do you have any suggestions for bassinets with higher weight limits? My daughter was huge, 95 percentile for everything, and 17 lbs before she was 2 months old. I’m sure my son will be the same!
Hi Christina! Thanks for writing in! Well, a Graco Pack N Play has a 30 pound limit for the main play area—and that should handle even the size of a future linebacker!
Looking for two separate bassinets to be used in the room for our twins. The halo is expensive and too big. We were looking at Costzon Rocking Bassinet, 2 in 1 Lightweight Travel Cradle & Portable Crib for Newborn Baby or 2in1 Rocking Bassinet One-Second Fold Travel Crib Portable Newborn Baby. Have you reviewed with either of these? Thank you.
Hi Katherine: Apologies for the delay in this response; we have not researched those alternative bassinets. But judging from their overall design, we think the MiClassic is close to the HALO in terms of design features: https://amzn.to/2VQwMFW Hope that helps!
are there any other mini cribs you recommend? We need one between our bassinet and crib due to moving houses. How about Delta Children mini crib? Thanks!
Hi Danielle! Thanks for writing in! We recommend a mini crib option here: https://www.babybargains.com/best-baby-crib/#city Read down a bit to find a discussion of a mini crib we like, the Babyletto Origami! Best wishes!
Do you guys recommend the fisher price soothing motions bassinet ?
Hi Maria! No, that is one we haven’t researched yet. If you get it, please let us know what you think!
We really loved SNOO but changing it for something else can be tricky. My girl was not the best sleeper, that is way I decided for SNOO. Also I really loved the design. But then I had to use sleep training method for transitioning to a bigger bed. I decided for Susan Ubran’s HWL method – I can recommend that. Maybe even more than SNOO itself – probably with Susan’s tips I could easily skip on SNOO, even if it is sooo beautiful.
We have the SNOO and it’s worth every penny! We started getting 5-6 hour stretches once the baby was a month old and it only increased with each week. By 3.5 months we started getting 12 hour stretches! We got it with the military discount which is 40% off, or a total least it used to be. Would definitely recommend!
Hello: Any bassinet recommendations for twins?
Hi Ashely! Thanks for writing in. Graco makes a Pack N Play with bassinets for twins: https://www.amazon.com/Graco-Playard-Twins-Bassinet-Vance/dp/B005UV0UV8//?tag=babybarg-20
Hope that helps!
Alan & Denise
Hi,
We’re looking at the Baby Delight Beside Me Dreamer Bassinet and Bedside Sleeper. Have you had the chance to check this one out yet?
Thank You!
Hi Nicole! That’s one we haven’t researched or tested yet. If you get one, let us know what you think!
Best wishes,
alan
I was going to ask the same as Nicole re: Baby Delight Beside me bassinet. Any updates on this one? We have it set up (baby isn’t due until 4/25) and it looks functional/practical for our bed height. Reviews are good, i’d say even better than Halo’s reviews overall. I think I only read one bad review about it being “uneven”.
Hi Xiomy! Thanks for writing in. Yes, we can recommend that bassinet. We believe it is a worthy alternative to the Bassinest by Halo. Best wishes!
Love this site, but your review of the SNOO needs to be revisited. You’re really limiting how wonderful it is. It helps teach your baby to fall asleep on their own. My baby starting sleeping through the night at 8 weeks (we got the snoo at 7 weeks). Plus the peace of mind of knowing your baby is securely on their back is priceless for anxious parents. I’m sure it helps colicky babies as well, but the real features are in helping your baby learn to sleep, establishing a nighttime routine, and safety for your baby. Can’t recommend this enough! We got ours used from another mom, have shared it with friends and plan on using it for our next baby too. It’s gotten a lot of use!
I also owned the Halo. I thought it was such a waste of money. It takes up a lot of room, is very unattractive and doesn’t have any helpful soothing features in most models.
Any feedback with the Chicco Close To You Bedside Bassinet?
Can you please comment on whether you would recommend the Mika Micky Bedside Sleeper Crib?
Yes, we do recommend it. Here are our thoughts:
Most bassinets aren’t very portable—moving them from room to room is surprisingly difficult. That’s why we liked this bassinet: Mika Micky’s Bedside Sleeper. It was tops in our tests for bassinets with wheels. Here’s more:
What We Liked
• Wheels!
• Height adjustable with seven positions
• Storage pockets on side for diapers, etc.
• Narrow enough to fit through most doorways.
What Needs Work
• Mesh doesn’t extend down to mattress. While this bassinet has mesh sides, the mesh doesn’t extend down to the mattress. That means baby could roll up against the side and not have airflow. Care should be taken to make sure baby is placed in the center of the bassinet. Transition the baby out of the bassinet before they can roll over (usually around four months).
• Not for houses with uneven floors. Because this bassinet lacks mesh sides down to the mattress, if your bedroom has uneven floors, the bassinet could tilt to one side or the other. This would be a hazard.
• Hard to assemble. Compared to other bassinets we tested, the Mika Micky was much harder to assemble.
• Wheels can lock on their own.
Hello!
Any thoughts on the Beside Me Dreamer bassinet? We want to have a bassinet (and were seriously considering just using the Graco pack n play you recommended!) but are very tight on space.
Thank you!
Hi Erica: Yes, we would recommend bassinet. We’ve heard good feedback from our readers who’ve used it! Best wishes,
alan & denise
Hi,
In your review of the Halo, you talk about and use the term “tilt feature.” To clarify, the fact that baby rolls to one side is an actual feature? I’m pregnant with my second baby and honestly HATED the Halo with my first, but my thrifty husband may divorce me if I buy another bassinet that’s only going tot be used for 4 months! It may help if you clarify that it’s supposed to be a completely flat surface!
Hello, and thanks for all of your fantastic research! I now own and am working through all of your books diligently.
A quick question regarding the SNOO – the company says that mattress is water resistant and can be spot treated. They do not sell a waterproof cover. I know your books recommend NOT layering lots of sheets on the mattress. Any ideas to create a safe & more waterproof barrier? Would a waterproof sheet saver be a safe option between the mattress and the sheet (ex: American Baby Company Waterproof Quilted Sheet Saver Pad on Amazon)? THANK YOU! 🙂
Hi Kristen: Thanks for the kind words! Glad we could help! Yes, I think that would be fine—a sheet saver between the matters and a thin cotton sheet should be fine. Hope that helps!
Have you reviewed the Arm’s Reach Versatile?
Not yet! If you get it, let us know what you think!
Hi,
There used to be reviews of other products as well, besides the top pick. Are those still available? I’m specifically interested in reviews of the Baby Bjorn or Maxi Cosi bassinets. I had the snoo with my first and returned it. I thought the rocking and white noise was too intense and have heard multiple concerns about the swaddles not being hip safe. I like the ideal of something that’s more cradle like with manual rocking. Thanks!
Hi Julia: Thanks for reaching out! Yes, we used to have individual reviews, but we haven’t been able to update them—–so we dropped these from the web site. We do like both of those bassinets and would recommend them. As you know, the Bjorn is much more expensive . . . not because it is better, just the aesthetics (wood legs, etc). We think they are of equal quality, so all things considered, the Maxi Cosi would be a better buy. Best wishes! Alan & Denise
Any thoughts on the Skip Hop Cozy-Up 2-in-1 Bedside Sleeper & Bassinet
Hi there! We haven’t reviewed that model yet. If you get it, let us know what you think!
Best wishes,
alan & denise