The Best Bassinets for Safe, Restful Nights With Your Newborn
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$299.95 
$499.99 
Wayfair 
Halo 
Nordstrom 
Walmart Those first few months at home with a newborn are pure magic, but also utterly exhausting. You want your little one close enough that you can reach over, soothe, or scoop them up for a 2 a.m. feed without stumbling across a room in the dark. At the same time, safe sleep is non-negotiable. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing (not bed-sharing) for at least the first six months to reduce the risk of SIDS. That means baby should sleep within arm’s reach, on a flat, firm surface, with nothing soft or loose in their space.
For me, a bassinet was a lifesaver during recovery, especially after two C-sections. Leaning over crib rails in those tender early weeks would’ve been tough. Having my boys nearby in a bedside sleeper made night feeds easier and helped me rest knowing they were safe beside me. But not all bassinets are created equal, and it took time (and plenty of late-night research) to figure out which one to buy.
How I Chose the Best Bassinets
I built this list with three priorities in mind: safety, parent feedback, and practical usability. Every bassinet here meets AAP and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines for safe sleep (firm, flat surface; breathable sides; no inclines or plush bedding).
To make sure I had the best info, I leaned on expert advice from:
- Emily Scott, M.D., a pediatric hospitalist with Riley Children’s Health in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Michele Pedulla, D.N.P., a pediatric nurse practitioner and associate professor at Regis College
- Kelly Brown, RN, the nursing director at Harbor
- Amber Ginn, IBCLC, founder of The Latch Link
Doing so helped me learn more about bassinet safety and how using one impacts the newborn and parent bond.
I also combed through thousands of What to Expect Community reviews, where parents shared what they loved (like adjustable heights and storage space) and which extras weren't worth the frustration.
Finally, I drew from my own experience as a mom of two, particularly with travel bassinets that kept naps consistent on vacation and at grandparents’ houses.
Note: Most of the products below are standard models. If you're interested in more high-tech features, check out What to Expect's favorite smart bassinets.
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Best Baby Bassinet
Halo BassiNest Swivel Sleeper 3.0
- Base slides under bed
- detachable bed
- 360-degree swivel
- Heavier than some other models
Weight: 22.6 pounds for full bassinet, 9.5 pounds for detachable bed
Dimensions: 45 x 44.5 inches at minimum height, 45 x 44.5 inches at maximum height
Smart Features: None
A former What to Expect Sleep Awards winner, this sleeper has a 360-degree swivel feature, which allows you to gently move the bassinet to the side without disrupting baby's snoozefest. The height can be adjusted, and the four-point base tucks out of the way under the bed, freeing up precious footprint space in small bedrooms. The walls are 100% mesh so that you can easily see your baby through them. Also good: The side closest to you can be lowered, so you can bring your baby towards you for soothing or feeding late at night with minimal effort.
This version improves on its predecessors in two main ways. First, the bed is detachable, making it far more portable (take it into your living room or office). Second, the updated base is 30% lighter but just as sturdy.
It's the brand that's mentioned the most in the WTE Community, and receives rave reviews from fellow C-Section moms. As one user writes, "The swivel feature came in SO handy for us, and I loved how high you could raise it. Made placing him down after a C-section so easy."
One final note — this is not the Halo BassiNest Flex Portable Bassinet, which has been flagged as unsafe due to a tilting mechanism.
Best Travel Baby Bassinet
Baby Delight Snuggle Nest
- Lightweight and foldable
- Breathable mesh walls for airflow
- Affordable
- No stand
Weight: 5.5 pounds
Dimensions: 34 x 15.5 x 10.5 unches
Smart Features: None
If you’re looking for a lightweight, no-fuss bassinet that can fold flat and travel anywhere, the Baby Delight Snuggle Nest is the perfect pick. It’s easy to carry, incredibly lightweight (just five pounds), and can even be checked as luggage if you’re flying. The breathable mesh walls and firm mattress check all the safe sleep boxes, while the simple design means no tools (or headaches) during assembly.
One caveat: It doesn’t come with a stand, but it is one of the more affordable bassinets on this list (well under $100!). It's a smart option if you want something safe, portable, and practical for naps or overnight sleep on the go.
Best Rocking Baby Bassinet
BabyBjörn Baby Cradle
- Minimalist design
- rocking capabilities
- More expensive than other bassinets
Weight: 13 pounds
Dimensions: 23 x 31 x 26 inches
Smart Features: None
This modern, minimalist bassinet gently sways to your baby’s own movements to help soothe fussing, though you can also rock it yourself when you need to. The oval-shaped basket is made of breathable mesh that guarantees plenty of air flow. It weighs just 13 pounds, so it's easy to move between rooms, and the mattress, cover, and mesh fabric on the sides are machine-washable — a real win for parents with babies who have reflux issues.
The bassinet's elegant profile and metal-and-wood legs elevate it above many other bassinets in the looks department, which may help justify the higher price tag. Just remember that its smaller size means you’ll get less use out of it than a standard crib.
Even then, multiple moms in the WTE community wax poetic about this bassinet's simple yet effective design.
Best Portable Baby Bassinet
MaxiCosi Iora Bedside Bassinet
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Comes with a carrying case
- Expensive
Weight: 24 pounds
Dimensions: 26 x 38.5 x 36
Smart Features: None
The Maxi-Cosi Iora looks sleek and feels sturdy, yet its compact frame makes it surprisingly easy to move from room to room. Parents say it’s light enough to carry without hassle, and when it’s time to travel, the entire bassinet — legs and all — folds flat into a convenient carrying case.
The adjustable height is a win for keeping baby close at night, and the roomy storage basket underneath is a true lifesaver. Think diapers, wipes, and swaddles all within arm’s reach during those middle-of-the-night wake-ups.
Best Baby Bassinet For Extended Use
Ingenuity Dream Hero Starlight 3-in-1 Bassinet
- Sturdy
- casters roll easily and lock
- can be used for up to a year
- On the larger side
Weight: 34.5 pounds
Dimensions: 38.6 x 46.7 x 27.6
Smart Features: Switch-activated vibration, twinkling lights, white noise
This bassinet grows with baby in three practical ways: It works as a bedside sleeper that attaches securely to your bed with straps, converts to a standalone bassinet, and later lowers into a roomier sleep space in crib mode as your little one gets bigger (up to 12 months or 25 pounds). Adjustable height settings make it easy to line up with your bed in sleeper mode, while breathable mesh sides boost airflow and let you peek in without getting up. Parents also appreciate that it rolls smoothly from room to room and includes extra soothing features like vibration, twinkling lights, and white noise.
Best Smart Bassinet
4moms MamaRoo Sleep Bassinet
- Rocks baby automatically
- has a timer
- plays sound
- adjustable heights
- ulkier than other options
- sides don’t collapse
Weight: 30 pounds
Dimensions: 34 x 24 x 34.5 inches
Smart Features: Five rocking settings, white noise, variable speeds
Fans of the MamaRoo swing (also our favorite splurge-worthy baby swing) will flip for this bassinet — it takes the features parents already adore and reimagines them in a flat, safe-for-sleep design. You can choose between five different rocking motions (with names like wave and kangaroo), multiple speeds, and built-in white noise settings to help soothe a fussy baby without needing to buy a sound machine.
One feature worth flagging: Even with the timer, the motion stops at the four-hour mark, which may be disruptive for lighter sleepers. The good news? You can easily restart it with the touch screen or via Bluetooth from your smartphone.
Though heavier and less portable than other bassinets, this pick earns style points for its modern lines, crisp white palette, and breathable mesh sides. It's a sleek, high-tech option, perfect for parents who have already bought into the MamaRoo vibe.
And, while it's certainly pricey, multiple WTE moms share it's lasted through more than one child, including one parent who shares, "Both of my girls have loved it! The movement is gentle enough that your baby will stay in place where you lay them."
Most Versatile Bassinet
Chicco Lullaglide 3-in-1 Stationary Bassinet
- Slim profile
- Washable waterproof mattress cover
- Travel case included
- Must manually rock to engage the glide feature
Weight: 16 pounds
Dimensions: 41.75 x 25 x 29.5
Smart Features: None
The Chicco Lullaglide stands out because it’s basically three bassinets in one: a stationary bedside sleeper, a gliding bassinet, and a portable option with a travel bag. The smooth manual gliding motion is soothing for babies who need a little extra help falling asleep (even though you have to rock it, you can do that lying in bed). The mattress has a waterproof cover that’s removable and washable, which is a feature that makes cleaning up newborn blowouts much easier. It’s also slimmer than some other multi-use bassinets, so it won’t overwhelm smaller bedrooms.
Psst: Chicco makes a ton of variations of the LullaGlide, including one with built-in storage!
Best Bedside Bassinet
Newton Baby Bassinet & Bedside Sleeper
- Lightweight and sturdy
- breathable and washable mattress
- adjustable height with drop-down bedside access
- Greenguard Gold-certified
- Larger than other bassinets
Weight: 22.1 pounds
Dimensions: 41.5 x 22.1 x 31.75
Smart Features: None
The Newton Bedside Sleeper stands out as one of the most breathable bassinets on the market, thanks to its unique, washable mattress. It's a feature that makes it a winner in many WTE eyes. "Having the peace of mind that baby will be able to breathe through the sides and mattress if she ever rolls over is so worth the higher price tag," writes one mom. Another adds, "Breathable mattress helped with my postpartum anxiety, too."
That extra peace of mind can be huge when you want baby close, but also want confidence in safe sleep.
Other bonus features: The height adjusts to eight levels, and the drop-down side sits flush with your bed so you can easily scoop baby up for feeds without fully having to get up. It’s roomier than most — a plus for some parents, though worth considering if you’re tight on space.
A Doctor's Note on Buying a Bassinet
Whether you want a sleek pod or a more traditional style, bassinets come in many different designs — but some features are non-negotiable, according to the experts.
"Babies need to sleep alone in their own sleeping space with four sides around them," says Emily Scott, M.D., a pediatric hospitalist with Riley Children’s Health in Indianapolis, Indiana. "We want to be sure that the sides of the bassinet aren’t made of a soft, plush material that the baby could suffocate against. Mesh sides, which are firmer and allow air to circulate, are okay to use."
Safety requirements for bassinets are similar to those for cribs. Any bassinet sold in the U.S. must meet strict safety requirements set forth by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to receive a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC). In general, bassinets should feature a firm mattress with a tight-fitting sheet. Infants should always be placed on their backs to sleep, without extra toys, stuffed animals, blankets, or bumper pads.
Beyond these safety musts, some additional features that make bassinets more practical than cribs include:
- Side pockets or storage space
- A base that slides under the bed
- Adjustable height
- Folding mechanism
- Lockable wheels
- Smart features, like vibration settings and Bluetooth connectivity
FYI: if you’re considering a hand-me-down from a friend or relative (or even Facebook Marketplace), it's cruical that you double-check it's compliant with current safe sleep standards, includes all parts, and hasn’t been recalled. You can search for the latter through the CPSC database.
Brigitt Earley originally contributed to this article.
Bassinet FAQs
How long can baby sleep safely in a bassinet?
Most babies outgrow bassinets by 3 to 4 months, but the true cutoff is either the manufacturer’s weight limit or when your baby begins rolling, which is usually between 4 and 6 months. “The rule of thumb is, when the infant is active and starting to roll over, it would be wise to have the infant sleep in the crib,” says Pedulla. Even if your little one hasn’t rolled yet, hitting the weight limit means it’s time to move to a crib.
Are smart bassinets safe?
Yes, they can meet physical safety standards, but experts urge caution.
“Smart bassinets can be safe if they follow the ABCs of safe sleep: Alone, Back, and Crib on a firm, flat surface,” Brown says. This means the fundamentals (including breathable sides) matter more than bells and whistles. “The extra features like rocking or white noise aren’t unsafe, but they aren’t necessary and may create sleep associations your baby will eventually need to outgrow,” she adds.
Ginn also flags a breastfeeding concern for newborn parents. “These devices often suppress or delay normal waking cues by rocking babies back to sleep,” she explains. “That might sound helpful — but for a breastfeeding baby, those frequent night wakings are protective and essential for establishing supply.” If you choose to use one, consider setting alarms to help feeding stay on track and keep your milk production up.
What are the different types of bassinets?
Though your parents and their parents didn’t have many choices in terms of bassinets — they were pretty standard standalone items until recently — today, there are a wide range of options to choose from:
- Traditional bedside bassinets: These bassinets are freestanding and typically larger pieces of furniture that you can place next to your bed or tuck somewhere convenient in the room. Some are as basic as can be — just an encased flat mattress — while others have extras like storage baskets.
- Bedside sleepers: These bassinets are meant to nestle right up to your bed (but do not attach to it), making it easier to reach for baby in the middle of the night.
- Travel bassinets: These bassinets are typically more lightweight and often collapse for enhanced portability. They are great for moving around the house, plus can be used for travel. Some of these bassinets even convert to playards for longevity.
- Smart bassinets: This type of bassinet is relatively new-to-market, but parents love the added functionality — these products have added features, like automated rocking, built-in sound machines, vibrations and more. Just be cautious with rocking bassinets — experts warn that once babies are able to move around a little, their shifting weight plus the rocking might tilt them enough to trap them on one side of the bassinet.
What’s the difference between a bassinet, mini crib, and a playard?
You may have heard that all three work for newborn sleep. But which one — or ones — should you invest in? The answer might be different for different families.
Bassinets, mini cribs and playards can all come in handy for new parents who want to keep their baby close by.
- Bassinet: Think of a baby bassinet as an upgrade to the old-fashioned baby cradle. Since bassinets tend to be small and lightweight, they're really only suitable for very young babies. Some have collapsible bases that make them easy to stash away when not in use.
- Mini crib: Ideal for small nurseries or to keep in the master bedroom, mini cribs have narrower mattresses than standard cribs, so larger babies may outgrow them more quickly. Some mini cribs fold flat, making them a popular choice to keep at Grandma's house. The weight limit for mini cribs is often higher than bassinets, so they might be a better, longer-term solution for room sharing after 3 months.
- Playard: Once called playpens, these mesh-sided spaces work for your baby's naps, overnight sleep, or simply playing in a contained space (like a hotel room that isn't baby-proofed). Playards usually fold into a compact tower, so they're fairly easy to travel with, especially if you're driving. (They may be a bit bulky for air travel, however.) Depending on which playard you choose, you might also get additional bells and whistles such as a bassinet attachment, a changing station, a night light and a diaper caddy.
- Note that you should always check the weight limit on any item you're using (a bassinet may have an especially low one), and mini cribs and playards need to be retired if your child is nimble enough to climb out on her own, even if she hasn't reached the height limit.
- WhatToExpect.com, Safe Sleep for Babies, February 2020.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Sleep.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained, June 2021.
- Michele Pedulla, D.N.P., Associate Professor, Regis College, Weston, Massachusetts.
- Emily Scott, M.D., F.A.A.P., Pediatric Hospitalist, Riley Children’s Health, Indianapolis, Indiana
