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Quick Summary
The best nursery glider is the Storkcraft Premium Hoop Glider and Ottoman, according to testers in the What to Expect community. When choosing a glider, parents say to prioritize comfort, versatility, and durability.
When I was designing a nursery for my now-21-month-old son, I did a deep dive on gliders. As with any baby product, there are just so. many. choices. Now, I’m thrilled to share my findings with you (and hopefully keep you from falling down the same research rabbit hole!).
It's a big investment, but trust me: a glider is the single best upgrade you can make to your nursery. It makes middle-of-the-night feedings far more manageable and less of a struggle. After all, who wants to hunch over in bed or sit in a stiff seat when you're already barely keeping your eyes open?
The best gliders not only provide an extra-cozy place for nursing, but also an ideal spot for storytime and snuggles, too. And since most nursery gliders these days are designed to look more like regular armchairs, they'll blend in seamlessly into your home long after the baby days are through, whether you decide to keep it in your child's room when they're older or move it elsewhere. I certainly plan to do the latter!
How I Chose the Best Nursery Gliders
A great nursery chair should strike the right balance of comfort (this is a place for you to unwind while holding baby!), practicality, and longevity. Before shopping, you'll want to take into consideration the size of your nursery, how many kids you plan to have, and how often you'll use it. The best gliders deliver on versatility and durability, too.
During my own glider purchasing process, I was working with a smaller space in our two-bedroom condo, so I had to be conscious of how much room it would take up in any configuration. Plus, I wanted it to coordinate well with everything from the crib and dresser to smaller decor items like prints I framed and hung on the wall. Here's how I tested which to buy for myself:
Comfort and support: When possible, I sat in potential chairs myself, paying close attention to how easy it was to get in and out, how supported my back and arms felt, and how soft the upholstery felt. When reviewing product descriptions online, I paid special attention to cushioning and padding, making note of head and arm rests. Adjustable features also earned bonus points.
Size: I measured out the amount of floor space each glider would take up, also noting if it could recline without hitting the wall or blocking main walkways.
Durability: I spent a lot of time in my nursery chair (and still love to sit in it), so you want one that will withstand lots of use without losing its quality. While I looked to reviews to make sure that each chair is well-made and sturdy, for this particular list, I also prioritized those that are easy to clean, especially because there’s no avoiding spit-up or a blowout every now and then. Many of my picks are made of easy-to-clean polyester that can be spot cleaned with a wipe. Some even come with a washable slipcover, though you can always purchase one for yourself for extra protection.
Versatility: I also reviewed extra features, like power reclines and swivels, different rocking settings, and side pockets to keep everything I might need while nursing or pumping close.
Parent feedback: For contending chairs I couldn't test out in person, I utilized results from the What to Expect Sleep Awards, which polled more than 2,700 caregivers in the What to Expect community about their favorite sleep products. I also canvassed our community boards to learn which gliders parents liked best and what features they most appreciated.
By combining my hands-on testing experience with feedback from fellow parents, I was able to narrow the choices down to nine nursery gliders worth shopping.
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What to Expect community members praise the Storkcraft glider for its affordable price point, how easy it is to keep clean and how it fits in most nurseries. It’s no wonder it’s been voted the Best Nursery Glider in our annual Sleep Awards for several years in a row, including 2026.
Of course, there are other standout features: It has tall armrests that provide extra support to your arms and shoulders while holding baby, and a firm seat that parents say is easy to get out of without disturbing your baby.
Aside from that, parents find it easy to assemble and appreciate the multiple fabric and wood combinations. The biggest drawback for WTE parents is that it is a bit small and narrow in the seat, which means you won’t be able to fully spread out while sitting. Still, parents rave about its comfort and how much they appreciate the value.
“My BF has a rocker/recliner that is sooooo comfy, but once baby is asleep, and you try to do the “transfer” it’s super hard to get out of chair… that’s why I like the glider.”
Coming in under $300, most parents praise the relatively affordable Dream On Me glider for being the best bang for your buck. It has a more basic design, sure, but parents swear it’s extremely comfortable, easy to assemble, and narrow enough to fit in smaller nurseries (something that was personally very important to me!). One WTE parent shared that it’s “nothing fancy,” but it checks all of the boxes for what parents really need while nursing, reading, or soothing. It's also easy on the eyes to boot.
“recently bought this one and super happy with it! nothing fancy, but for the price and with no real assembly required, we definitely feel like it’s worth it. also working with a smaller space (setting up nursery in our master bedroom) it fits nicely in the room and is easy to move around if needed”
By the end of my search, I felt confident adding the Babyletto Sigi to my cart. It’s a hefty item, coming in at more than 100 pounds, but it fit perfectly in the corner of the nursery and soon became our favorite spot for nighttime feeds, bedtime stories, and cuddles. We moved a few weeks ago, and I even slept in the chair overnight to offer my son some comfort in his new room — and I must say, it’s wildly comfy.
My glider is the power version, which has a USB port (charging my phone while nap-trapped was essential!) and recline buttons, but it’s currently sold out. For now, the next best thing is the manual style.
“We have a Babyletto recliner and love it. But I sat in that one and didn’t think it was as comfortable as this one. The back cushion is so comfy. My DD is 18 months and we still use this glider. It’s amazing. We love it so much we’re buying a new one for baby 2”
The Delta Children Blair Slim nursery chair is a solid option if you’re working with less space: The base is only two feet wide. Yet despite the small footprint, it still can swivel, rock, and glide. The sleek design lends itself well to future use, and the thick padding on the armrest ensures you have all the comfort and support you need. Many WTE parents say this glider is comfortable and easy to get out of, especially for shorter people. And, taller parents feel that the high back is plenty supportive.
Keep in mind that a small chair means you might feel cramped while holding your baby, so it’s not the ideal choice if you want a roomier seat. It’s also worth noting that some parents found that the chair began to creak over time.
For a glider that can do it all, several WTE parents have turned to the DaVinci Erin Recliner and Swivel Glider. It’s another one of the lower-priced options on the market, but parents love it for its high-quality construction and certifications from GreenGuard Gold and CertiPUR-US. The simple, modern design also makes it versatile enough to use in a guest room or living room later on.
Some reviewers shared that it wasn’t the easiest to use the reclining feature, and that it might not be as comfortable for taller parents.
It doesn't get much more personal than having the choice between 200-plus, stain-resistant fabrics to dress your nursery glider up in. Needless to say, the Harbour chair by Crate&Kids is super customizable. But it also has a great base. The solid oak and engineered wood frame is covered in a cushy yet supportive poly foam and polyester fiber fill. And the flange-sewn cushions give it a sophisticated, design flair that most nursery gliders lack (making it that much easier to move into the living room once baby is older). You'll be able to swivel in this seat a full 360 degrees, all while enjoying a smooth, gliding motion; you'll even be able to prop your feet up on a matching ottoman (secret storage for the win!) if you so choose.
The Mack & Milo Abingdon Upholstered Swivel Reclining Glider from Wayfair is the only four-in-one option on our list — it glides, swivels, rocks, and reclines to nearly 90 degrees for maximized comfort. Yet despite various movements, the glider has a small footprint and offers great value.
On top of that, this glider has received high praise from WTE parents for its comfortability, particularly those who have spent a lot of time soothing or even snoozing in baby’s nursery. It holds up well over time, too,with one parent sharing that they plan to use it for their third baby.
“I’ve had this recliner since 2020. I still use it everyday and will be using it for baby #3 as well. I think it’s great for feeding and those nights you end up sleeping in babies room. Plus it’s relatively inexpensive for what it offers.”
If you're on the taller side, you’ll want a chair with a higher back, as well as adequate head and foot rest. With one of the highest backs on this list, the Crewe glider from Namesake is a top choice for tall parents. The rigorously tested materials are another plus, and there’s a wide range of upholstery options available — though we’re partial to the adorable tan gingham colorway.
The one big concern among parents? It’s pretty pricey. But if you’re able to splurge, so many parents say it’s well worth it. It comes so highly recommended, in fact, one WTE parent said they’re planning to purchase a second one.
“My husband is 6’5 (and I’m 6’) and we went with the Namesake Crewe recliner and swivel glider. We tested out some chairs in pottery barn and looked at the length of the back to determine what we would need! He’s happy with the length of the back/says it’s very comfortable for him and I love the way it looks so win-win (I also find it very comfortable!)!”
“I was on the fence about getting one but really fell in love with the Namesake Crewe which goes for $900 and heard so many people saying to splurge on the chair - hoping to get it with the target registry discount”
Some parents said that metal swivel hoop at the bottom stained their rugs
Weight: 102 pounds
Dimensions: 39.75 x 35 x 38 inches
Material: Polyester
Movements: Swivel, Glide
Recline: N
Foot Rest: N
Why We Love it
Community Reviews
Why We Love It
If you’re expecting twins, have multiple children or just want extra room, the Babyletto Tuba Glider is a great option. With a 26-inch seat, the chair offers plenty of room for you and baby to stretch out during story time or feedings. It has a sleek, minimalist look that will blend in well with other areas of your home later on, and the water repellent and stain-resistant fabric makes cleaning up messes a breeze.
On top of that, the glider Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US Certified, meaning it’s been rigorously tested and deemed free of harmful chemical emissions, flame retardants and heavy metals.
Some parents reported the metal hardware of the swivel hoop underneath stained their rug, so be mindful of where you place it and maybe avoid any light carpet just in case.
“I just really enjoy a glider with babies.. we went with the babyletto tuba and love it.”
What to Look for in a Nursery Glider
I took to the What to Expect community to see what parents typically say they look for when buying a glider for the nursery. Based on their feedback, each product I chose met the following criteria:
Versatility: There are some features that make a nursery chair more versatile, such as power controls, recline options and multiple movements like swivel, gliding and rocking. Other features you may want to prioritize are chairs with side pockets for easily storing baby items like bottles or burp cloths as well as your phone, plus tech-forward options like built-in USB ports.
Durability: You’ll be spending a lot of time in your nursery chair, so you want one that will withstand lots of use without losing its quality. While we looked to reviews to make sure that each chair is well-made and sturdy, we also prioritized those that are easy to clean, especially because there’s no avoiding spit up or a blowout every now and then. Many of our picks are made of easy-to-clean polyester that can be spot cleaned with a wipe. Some even come with a washable slipcover, though you can always purchase one for yourself for extra protection.
Comfort and support: As we said, you’ll be spending quite a bit of time snuggling baby in your glider, so you want something that will provide ample comfort and support. We paid special attention to cushioning and padding, looking for supportive seats, back cushions and head and arm rests. Chairs also got bonus points for adjustable features to ensure anyone using it will be comfortable.
Olivia Avitt originally contributed to this article.
FAQs Best Nursery Gliders
Do I need a glider or rocking chair for my baby's nursery?
Although gliders and rocking chairs aren’t necessary, they do come in handy. The rocking motion can help calm a fussy baby, while the structure and support can aid in your breastfeeding journey. It is important to note that while gliders are a cozy place to snuggle your baby, you should never fall asleep with your baby in one as this can increase the risk of sleep-related infant death, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
What is the difference between a glider and a rocking chair?
Although rockers and gliders essentially do the same thing, they function a little differently. Traditional rocking chairs have two curved bands at the base, allowing for very obvious back-and-forth movement. Gliders, in the other hand, are on a fixed base so the movement is a more smooth gentle. The fixed base also allows you to swivel and, as the name suggests, glide.
Gliders tend to take up less space and, because of their design, can be easily repurposed in other rooms. That said, many nursery rockers allow you to change out the legs so you can use them in another part of your house
If you're still not sure which style you prefer, it’s helpful to visit a store to test out different models in person.