In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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A bedside or stand-alone bassinet can be a game changer for nighttime baby care and breastfeeding mothers. It keeps your little one nearby so you can respond to their needs and limit the number of times you need to get up and the distance you need to go. Using a great bassinet also means you might be able to delay the purchase of a baby monitor or traditional crib. If having your baby nearby for bonding or easier nighttime feedings sounds appealing, then finding a free-standing bassinet or co-sleeper that attaches to your bed may be just the ticket to regularly attaining a better night's sleep.
Since 2014, we've bought and tested over 20 of the top bassinets to find the best. We put each contender through a comprehensive testing process, evaluating performance on metrics such as breathability, ease of use, sleep surface quality, and eco-health. This review showcases 11 popular products, highlighting those that appeal to your family's unique needs, priorities, and budget.
The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper and babybay Bedside Sleeper earned the highest scores of the bunch, impressing us with their intuitive design and quality build. They let you keep your baby near while maintaining a safe, separate sleep area. The babybay's more modern aesthetic and eco-friendly materials come at a higher price tag, though.
The Baby Delight Beside Me Dreamer is another outstanding pick, appealing to money-conscious shoppers seeking the best value without sacrificing functionality.
Once your little one grows out of their bassinet, you'll want to kit your nursery with staples. Between our review of baby cribs and our favorite crib mattress, we can help you find the right duo for your needs and budget. Don't forget to add a baby monitor to keep an eye on your baby. We've tested these products and more baby gear to fill your nursery with essentials.
Editor's Note: This bassinet review was updated on February 21, 2025, to include the testing of three new products from HALO, Chicco, and Maxi-Cosi.
5 Months Discontinue Use When Infant:
Pushes Up On Hands And Knees
Discontinue As An Attachable Baby Bed When Infant:
Rolls Over Or Pulls Up To A Kneeling, Sitting Or Standing Position
5 Months or 18 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant:
Pushes Up On Hands And Knees
5 Months or 20 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant:
Pushes Up On Hands And Knees
6 Months or 25 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant:
Pushes Up On Hands And Knees
20 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant:
Pushes Up On Hands And Knees
20 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant:
Pushes Up On Hands And Knees
6 Months or 18 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant:
Pushes Up On Hands And Knees
18 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant:
Pushes Up On Hands And Knees
15 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant:
Pushes Up On Hands And Knees
18 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant:
Pushes Up On Hands And Knees
20 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant:
Pushes Up On Hands And Knees
Product Care
Wipe Down
Mattress: Spot Clean
Sheet: Machine Wash, Tumble Dry (No Heat)
Metal Frame: Spot Clean
Lining: Machine Wash, Drip Dry
5 Months or 18 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant:
Pushes Up On Hands And Knees
Product Care
Mattress: Spot Clean
Sheet: Machine Wash, Tumble Dry (No Heat)
Metal Frame: Spot Clean
Lining: Machine Wash, Drip Dry
Bassinet Mattress Height Above Floor
19.5"-25.5" Adult Mattress Height
24"-30"
The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper creates a safer co-sleeping environment that puts your baby at “Arm's Reach” while you stay cozy in bed. This soft-sided mesh surround product is breathable and has the best sleeping surface of any product we've tested. We like that the lining is machine washable and that it has wheels to easily push its narrow 20-inch frame from room to room. One tester remarked, “I think it is really useful to be able to push this where I need it.” This co-sleeper is an excellent choice for parents who want to sleep with their baby nearby in a safer way than in-bed sleeping.
However, this option isn't great for travel, and it can be hard to disassemble and reassemble to move. One tester said, “I would not want to take this on travel, but in fairness, it isn't marketed as a travel crib.” If travel is your game, the Baby Delight Beside Me Dreamer and the Lotus Bassinet both have a portable design that we found incredibly easy to break down and set up. Still, despite the low eco-health scores, the Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper has impressively high test results overall, and we think any family looking for a basic co-sleeper to keep little ones close all night will enjoy it.
5 Months or 20 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant:
Pushes Up On Hands And Knees
Product Care
Mattress Cover, Mesh: Machine Wash
Bassinet Mattress Height Above Floor
14" - 19" Adult Mattress Height
18.5"-24"
The Baby Delight Beside Me Dreamer is a top-scoring, semi-portable, lightweight bassinet you can use as a co-sleeper or standalone product. Attach it to the side of a parent's bed for quick nursing or soothing in the middle of the night without getting out of bed. One nursing mother stated, “I appreciated the ability to feed my baby at night without getting out of bed.” You can also move it to other locations to use as a napping sleeper when you want to keep an eye on your little one during the day. This product is quick to set up, comes with a cover you can machine wash and dry and is relatively budget-friendly compared to the competition.
Depending on your bed's style or height, this option may not work as a co-sleeper, and we experienced a bit of side-to-side flexing. One tester said, “It does feel a little flimsier than others I used.” For better stability, the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper is an excellent economical alternative with a strong, sturdy base that doesn't flex at all. Or, for a similarly priced co-sleeper that swivels over your bed, you may consider the HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper 3.0, though its frame also flexes some. Overall, we think the Baby Delight is a good choice for money-conscious families looking for a closer nighttime connection to their baby while avoiding in-bed sharing.
5 Months Discontinue Use When Infant:
Pushes Up On Hands And Knees
Discontinue As An Attachable Baby Bed When Infant:
Rolls Over Or Pulls Up To A Kneeling, Sitting Or Standing Position
Product Care
Wipe Down
Bassinet Mattress Height Above Floor
3"-27" Adult Mattress Height
10"-31"
The babybay Bedside Sleeper is a high-quality, thoughtfully designed bedside-style co-sleeper with a minimalistic look and ultimate breathability. It can attach to your bed and offers some height adjustability for a “just right” fit with a sleeping area for the baby that is easy to access while in bed. Instead of fabric sides, this bassinet has wooden slats that make it look very similar to a traditional mini-crib. Our tester said, “I love the look and feel of the wood design.” This sturdy and durable sleep surface is also OEKO-TEX certified, giving it a slight edge over the competition in our eco-health metric (though we still think there's room for improvement).
The premium materials, however, come at a high price tag, which sadly doesn't include the cost of the mattress. The babybay is also heavy and difficult to move. Our tester said, “It is not meant to be moved often, given the weight and design.” If you need something more budget-friendly and mobile, the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper is less expensive and has wheels to roll it around the house. Or, the OEKO-TEX certified Baby Bjorn Cradle is compact and lightweight enough to easily move from room to room. But we think the babybay is a standout heirloom-style option that will be well-loved and used through the long haul to welcome new members of the family for years to come.
The Chicco Close to You 3-in-1 “does it all” for those with limited space, including a changing table and bedside or freestanding bassinet all in one. Its sturdy frame tucks under your bed, taking up only one foot of precious walking space alongside your bed, allowing you to keep your baby in a safe, separate sleeping space. Or, roll it throughout your home to keep your baby close while napping or for diaper changes. Our tester said, “My space is limited; being able to get it out of the way was important to me.” The materials are GREENGUARD Gold certified, highly breathable, and fully machine washable, though removing the mesh requires some effort.
The Chicco is pricey and isn't as convenient to use as a dedicated co-sleeper and changing table. Our tester said, “I'm not sure how often anyone will use the changing table part, but it could be good for a caregiver's house.” For cheaper, easier access to your little one for middle-of-the-night feeds, you may consider the HALO BassiNest 3.0 or Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper, though they take up more space at the bedside. Additionally, while the Baby Bjorn Cradle is smaller overall, it doesn't work double duty and is harder to access your baby. We think anyone with limited bedroom space will appreciate the Chicco to keep your baby near without taking over your bedside, but we encourage you to double-check it will work with your bed's dimensions.
The Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Bassinet is a beautifully designed, modern-looking sleep surface that tops the charts on many “best” lists. Its height and lateral adjustments are easy to use, and its cushy mattress feels nice. Plus, it has an awesome storage basket and folds down to take with you on your travels. So what's the problem?
Well, in our testing, the mattress isn't level, and the fabrics aren't entirely breathable. Our adult-size reviewer couldn't get any air with their nose and mouth pressed firmly against the thick canvas material that wraps around the entire perimeter. Moreover, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recently raised alarms about a potential association between unlevel sleeping surfaces and infants rolling onto their bellies or into the side of the bassinet, which could pose a suffocation risk. The Iora meets all current required safety standards, but a broad sweep of Amazon user reviews shows we're not alone in our observations or concerns, with 22% of negative reviews citing tilt concerns. Overall, the Iora also earned one of the lowest test scores of our entire group with not-so-convenient baby access and not-so-eco-friendly materials. Simply put, we wouldn't recommend it to a friend.
A PSA to parents: the manufacturer informed us that the Iora is a “freestanding bassinet” and “not meant to be pushed directly up against the bed.” Pushing the mesh walls tightly against the bedding could inhibit airflow, creating an unsafe environment for your baby.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Not Recommended
Co-sleeping in Parent's Bed
BabyGearLab does not recommend using ANY “in bed” co-sleeping device or accessory designed for use in/on the parent's bed. Studies show co-sleeping is unsafe. For safe sleep, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly recommends that babies be placed on their back, in their own sleep space, on a firm, tight-fitting mattress with only a fitted sheet and no other bedding or items included in the sleeping area. These items include, but are not limited to, pillows, blankets, crib bumpers, sleep positioners, stuffed animals, toys, etc. In our opinion, and the opinion of sleep experts, the DockATot and other sleep devices designed for use in a parent's bed for co-sleeping carry certain dangers, and we do not recommend them.
Safe Sleep Guidelines for Babies
The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated its safe sleep guidelines, and this is your best source of safe sleep information.
Compare Products
Each bassinet we purchase goes through a thorough hands-on testing protocol by parents and caregivers just like you.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
How We Test Bassinets
We completed investigating and measurements for this category in-house at BabyGearLab and tested the sleepers with infants in real life. Our review goes in-depth to parse out the materials and examine the overall benefits of each option. We measure mattress thicknesses, assess stability, and carefully inspect each product for quality construction. We even performed EMF testing for the smart sleeper. Our tests examine every feature and functionality to select the top options available. We consider how easy they are to use, how well they incorporate into bedside sleeping, how portable they are, and more.
Our baby bassinet results are divided into five test metrics:
Ease of Use(35% of total score weighting)
Breathability(25% weighting)
Sleep Surface(20% weighting)
Quality(15% weighting)
Eco-Health(5% weighting)
For Wifi-enabled smart sleepers like the Snoo, we measure the EMF levels your baby is exposed to.
Does the mattress fit snugly, or does it create a gap? Are the materials breathable?
Our compression test is designed to determine which mattresses offer support and which compress so much they limit support and could potentially impact breathability.
EMF levels, breathability, and a firm sleeping surface - we leave no stone unturned.
Why Trust GearLab
Our analysis of the best bassinets was completed by experienced moms, dads, and caregivers. Leading the product selection process and guiding our testing metrics is BabyGearLab founder and board-certified pediatrician, Dr. Juliet Spurrier. As a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and mother of two, Dr. Spurrier is highly conscious and knowledgeable of best infant sleep practices. Senior Review Analyst and father of 7, Bob Wofford, did the hands-on work for this review, measuring, weighing, and researching each product individually and comparing the results. Senior Review Editor Wendy Schmitz is a mother of 2 and has brought a scientific product analysis perspective to the BabyGearLab team since 2014. She has evaluated thousands of baby products, including travel cribs, crib mattresses, and bassinets.
Other testers, big and small, help us determine how well each bassinet may fit into your family.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Analysis and Test Results
Babies sleep a lot and wake up frequently for feedings and diaper changes. Modern-day parents have several options for sleeping arrangements for babies, and more parents are choosing products that keep little ones in the same room with them or within reach. We tested the bassinets for ease of use, portability, eco-health, quality, and more.
Do you need a bassinet?
Can you survive babyhood without buying this type of gear? Of course. However, it is a safe and convenient way to keep your baby close for peace of mind, bonding, and better sleep for you both. This gear provides a compact, safe, and secure environment while meeting your grander goals.
What's the Best Value?
While the price of a quality product can be high, from personal experience, we believe alternative sleeping products can be invaluable if they increase sleep for you or your baby. The product that offers the most for the price is the Baby Delight Beside Me Dreamer. It provides a versatile sleeper that can function as a standalone bed or a travel bassinet. Plus, it is simply easy to use. If you are looking for something higher quality or with a nicer sleep surface, the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper is also a good value as it can be rolled from room to room, will last through multiple children, and the price is still reasonable even if it isn't the cheapest.
Overall, the Baby Delight is a delight to use.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Bassinet Ease of Use
When testing ease of use, we consider each product's features and functionality and their impact on daily use. Many options earned similar scores in this metric but had different strengths. This metric includes multiple factors, including accessibility, cleaning, mobility, portability, and additional features.
Ease of Use Performance Ratings
Product
Accessiblity
Cleaning
Portability
Mobility
Baby Delight
9.0
9.0
7.8
6.0
Arm\'s Reach
9.0
6.0
2.1
10.0
Halo BassiNest
9.5
9.0
2.2
6.0
Lotus bassinet
4.0
8.0
9.4
5.0
Chicco Close to You
7.0
6.0
1.2
9.0
BabyBjorn
4.0
8.0
3.3
7.0
Graco Pack n Play
2.0
5.0
8.0
7.0
babybay
9.0
10.0
1.6
1.0
Maxi-Cosi Iora
4.0
5.0
6.6
5.0
4moms
2.0
6.0
7.7
2.0
SNOO
6.0
7.0
2.5
1.0
Accessibility
Accessibility is our measure of how much work goes into retrieving a baby. Is it possible to get the baby in and out of the sleeping area while in bed? Or is it best done from a standing position? Some options are designed for use while you remain lying down. Others are free-standing and require either sitting up or getting out of bed.
The most accessible bassinets are co-sleepers with a low sidewall that makes it easier to reach in for your baby. The HALO (shown here) takes it a step further with a front sidewall that fully drops-down, making it that much easier to reach in for your baby.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
The HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper 3.0 earned the best results for this test. Its swiveling platform glides your infant close to you, the adjustable height lets you find the perfect ergonomic setting, and the dip-down sidewall lets you effortlessly reach in to pick up your baby or offer comfort - all from the comfort of your bed. The babybay Bedside Sleeper also offers excellent accessibility by attaching directly to the side of your bed and being height adjustable. It has no sidewall to reach over but still offers a separate sleep surface for your baby. The Baby Delight and Arm's Reach have a drop-side that allows you to easily reach into the bassinet to comfort little ones without getting up.
A deep sleep surface, like those on the Maxi-Cosi (shown here) or the BabyBjorn, puts more strain on your back when lifting your baby from or placing your baby into the bassinet.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The free-standing Graco Pack 'n Play on the Go and 4moms Breeze Bassinet are the hardest options to get your baby into and out of. These types of products are taller than most beds, requiring you to stand up to safely retrieve your little one from the sleeping surface.
Spit-ups and blowouts happen. The ability to remove all fabrics and machine wash them makes cleaning up that much easier.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Cleaning
Only a handful of the products in our tests were machine washable. Most fabrics cannot be removed from the frame, and they are only wiped or spot-cleaned. When housing a baby who may explode from either end, we think you will appreciate the convenience of removable fabric. The Snoo , Chicco, Lotus Bassinet, HALO, and Baby Bjorn have a machine washable lining and mattress sheet (which is a big deal). The outside cover and sheet on the Baby Delight are machine washable and dryable, making it one of the few with a quick turnaround time for cleaning. Cleaning sheets, covers, or other parts of a sleeping area is essential when dealing with a tiny person who can make big messes. Seriously, how do they make such big messes?
Need to use your bassinet somewhere else? While the HALO has a detachable nest, the nest can only be used while the baby is awake. Thus, you'll still be left lugging around the bulky base for safe napping around your house.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Portability/Mobility
There are two components to using a bassinet anywhere other than your bedroom: mobility and portability. Mobility relates to how easy it is to move from room to room within your house, allowing you to always have a safe surface to keep your infant nearby. Here, the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper reigns champion, thanks to its smooth-rolling 1.5-inch wheels that easily glide the 22-pound and 20-inch wide bassinet through even the narrowest door frames. The Chicco Close to You is a solid runner-up, boasting 2-inch wheels that glide the larger 33-pound, 27.5-inch wide frame over carpets and around corners with minimal effort. While the BabyBjorn doesn't have wheels, this almost toy-like 12-pound, compact bassinet can easily be carried around the house.
The Lotus and Iora are both portable bassinets, but the Lotus folds down into a much more compact package.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
On the other hand, portability is how well it travels outside your home - for example, to grandma's house. Because this type of product is not typically viewed as a travel product, only a few options in this review are suitable for travel. Most of these were crossover options that are travel cribs by design that happen to have bassinet kits included. Examples include the Guava Lotus Bassinet, Graco, and 4moms. The Baby Delight and Maxi-Cosi can be easily disassembled into a reasonably flat package if you plan to travel by car.
While crafted with eye-catching premium wood materials, the Snoo and babybay are better left as mainstays in your bedroom. Without wheels, it's a hassle to move their 30-pound, bulky frame from room to room. Most heavy or oversized products are best used in a single location.
The 4moms Breeze bassinet is one of the largest options in the review (left) while the BabyBjorn Cradle is one of the lighter choices with a much smaller footprint.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Additional Features
Some of the bassinets in this review come with additional features that increase convenience or versatility. While none of the options lost favor for not offering extra gadgets beyond a safe sleep zone, added features can simplify life and increase ease of use.
Features Specs
Mattress Height
Wheels
Storage
Arm's Reach
19.5"-25.5"
babybay
10.0"-26.0"
✖
✖
Baby Delight
14.0"-19.0"
✖
Chicco Close to You
23.3"-33.1"
✖
HALO
21.5"-28.0"
✖
✖
Examples of these features include height adjustability, wheels, travel crib conversions, flexible sidewalls, soothing vibrations, lullabies, or sounds. The top-performing products often have hinged or removable sides (not to be confused with old-school crib drop sides) that make them co-sleepers and height adjustability like the Baby Delight. However, extra bells and whistles are not necessary to outperform the competition.
The Chicco's battery-powered module is equipped with a light, melodies, and vibration. However, we're not sure these extra features add much value.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Overall Ease of Use
The easiest options in the lineup to use include the Arm's Reach, HALO, and the Baby Delight.
These bassinets include easy-to-use features, better mobility, and straightforward functionality, which we appreciate. The 4moms and the Graco Pack 'n Play scored at the bottom. While not difficult to use in their own right, they struggled to be as straightforward as the top-scoring options. With their collapsable folds, larger sizes, and inability to sleep at the bedside, they failed to meet all of the needs of many caregivers.
A breathable sleeping space, like shown in the products above, gives you peace of mind when laying your baby down to rest.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Breathability
To assess breathability, we considered the sidewalls that surround the sleeping area. Can a baby breathe through the material? Are there any components that could potentially impair the baby's breathing? Is there a design feature that might allow a baby to scoot into a position that inhibits their breathing ability? Most products have mesh sides with varying sections of solid fabric panels to enhance breathability. Mesh is one of the most breathable materials, depending on the weave's tightness, and the more mesh in a design, the higher the score for breathability. Breathability is also highly dependent on the location and thickness of the fabric panels found in mesh/fabric designs. Options with wooden slats are an alternative option and are also very breathable.
Be sure you don't choose a product with a solid fabric surround. These can mimic crib bumpers, which the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has advised against using to avoid potential SIDS risks.
The babybay Bedside Sleeper, Snoo Smart Sleeper, and HALO BassiNest are some of the group's highest scorers. The babybay has a wooden slat design similar to a traditional crib and offers excellent breathability due to the open spaces and lack of fabric that could cover a baby's nose and mouth. The Snoo and HALO have sidewalls that are 100% mesh, and the Snoo's attached swaddle sack keeps the baby in the center of the mattress and on their back, eliminating any risk of the baby's face getting pressed up against the mesh fabric. The BabyBjorn Cradle, Baby Delight, Lotus Bassinet, and Chicco Close to You have breathable mesh and minimal stretches of solid material.
The Snoo sleep surface is one of the best in the group.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Sleep Surface
A good safe sleep surface is one of the key metrics in our scoring process. We examined the functionality of the mattress by looking at mattress compression, how well it fits in the frame, and overall stability. This metric also flags any potential safety issues related to the mattress's design or sleep area.
The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper and Snoo Smart Sleeper top our sleeping surface metric charts. Their mattresses are firm and level and fit snugly in the frame. The babybay Bedside Sleeper also earned an above-average rating, albeit slightly lower. It has a suitable sleeping surface with limited compression and minimal movement within the frame.
Is your mattress level?
In 2024, the CPSC raised concerns about the safety of bassinets with a side-to-side tilt. An unlevel sleeping surface may increase the risk of your baby rolling over into a compromising position before they are developmentally ready to correct it. While all bassinets sold in the US meet current strict CPSC safety regulations, the report suggests that the standards may change. We're tracking this closely and will update this review as new information becomes available.
The Maxi-Cosi has an obvious and concerning five-degree tilt.
The HALO has a two-degree tilt when the nest is swiveled away from the central post.
We observed significant side-to-side tilt with the Maxi-Cosi and slightly less with the HALO.
The Maxi-Cosi earned the lowest score due to the mattress's low stability. It tilts up to five degrees when a 17-pound infant is rested along the sidewall, where the current maximum allowance is seven degrees. We also noticed some mattress tilting or shifting with the HALO BassiNest, Baby Delight Co-Sleeper, and Guava Lotus Bassinet. Many Amazon reviewers note that the HALO's tilt gets worse with continued use. While the HALO scored high overall, the less-than-stellar sleep surface score prevented it from earning an award.
The quality construction of the babybay impressed us. It's extremely solid and sturdy with a nice, clean look.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Quality
Not all competitors are created equal. There is quite a range of quality with variable materials and construction methods. Some products have a clear quality advantage over others and could be a much more attractive addition to your home. Others are sub-par and feel similar to a child's toy rather than a peaceful sleeping space.
The highest scoring options for this metric are the babybay Bedside Sleeper and the Snoo Smart Sleeper, which both will withstand long-term use through multiple children. The sturdy construction of these products and the close attention to detail make them easier to use and more pleasant to look at. We would change very few design elements about these sleepers, and both stand out in the crowd of options we tested.
Given the amount of time your baby will be breathing deeply in their bed, the kinds of materials surrounding them are very important. The BabyBjorn Cradle uses mostly healthier materials, but the use of MDF under the mattress gives us pause.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Eco-health
To assess eco-health, we consider each product's materials and how easy it is to determine the manufacturing process. We place greater importance on materials that directly contact babies, such as mattresses or sidewalls.
For some brands, determining the materials is easy, as they offer a transparent look at their products. If a company uses organic materials, is free of chemicals of concern, or has any certifications, it usually likes to bang its drum loud enough for the world to hear. In other words, if a manufacturer takes measures to make their product more eco-friendly, it will likely be very easy to find.
However, not all manufacturers are transparent about this information. Finding information for some of the products proved difficult, and for many, we had to resort to emailing the company to ensure the accuracy of the information. Only some responded. If a company does not provide transparency about the manufacturing process or materials, we assume they only meet required safety standards and omit additional eco-benefits. We're also weary of unverified “low VOC,” "hypoallergenic," or “eco-friendly” claims, as vague descriptors like these are primarily an attempt to green-wash a product. They make parents feel warm and fuzzy about their purchase, but in reality, mean virtually nothing, as there are no industry-agreed-upon standards to make these claims.
Unfortunately, none of the options in this review performed exceedingly well for eco-health, primarily because all, except the babybay, Baby Delight, and HALO, only offer a polyurethane foam sleep surface.
Crib mattresses (shown here) are offered in a diverse array of materials, with many natural options, including latex and coconut coir. Unfortunately, bassinet mattresses are lagging, with polyurethane foam dominating the market.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
We're not fans of polyurethane foam because it can emit harmful VOCs and can contain a toxic slew of chemicals, including flame retardants. Many bassinets, including the Arm's Reach, Baby Bjorn, Baby Delight, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, and Chicco, also have a composite wood mattress support, which can emit formaldehyde. Considering how much time your infant spends in bed, it's a risk we like to avoid. Since the current market does not provide natural alternatives, your best bet is to choose a GREENGUARD Gold certified product, which has been independently tested to emit low VOC levels, or an OEKO-TEX certified product, whose textiles are free of harmful substances. However, ideally, you would have the option to let your baby sleep on a mattress made with natural materials.
Smelly Surfaces?
If your new purchase has a “new” or offensive smell, we highly encourage letting it off-gas in a well-ventilated area for several days or until the smell subsides before using it. While a lack of odor does not mean it is no longer emitting VOCs, it does decrease exposure to some of the initial, stronger emissions.
The babybay Bedside Sleeper earned the highest score for eco-health. The babybay is OEKO-TEX certified and is made with organic cotton, beechwood, and generally non-toxic materials. They also claim to have no detectable VOCs off-gasing, but we still wish they offered a natural mattress instead of the food-grade polyurethane foam pad. The Lotus is GREENGUARD Gold certified, easing some concerns with the polyurethane foam. It also comes with an organic cotton sheet and is promised to be free of PVC, lead, phthalates, formaldehyde, heavy metals (Cadmium, Arsenic, Mercury, etc.), and flame retardants. However, the polyester sidewalls kept it a step behind the babybay. The BabyBjorn is OEKO-TEX certified, comes with an optional organic cotton sheet, and is claimed to be free of VOCs, BPA/BPS, flame retardants, PVC, lead, phthalates, heavy metals, and PFAs. However, the polyurethane foam mattress is supported by an MDF board, which can off-gas formaldehyde.
Despite the polyurethane foam mattress, we appreciate the transparency of Lotus Bassinet's materials and commitment to providing “cheerful customer service,” quickly answering any eco-health concerns we had.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
While not an overall high scorer, HALO offers an upgraded (paid for separately) GREENGUARD Gold-certified, food-grade polymer mattress that may appeal to those looking to avoid polyurethane foam altogether. HALO also confirmed that all plastics and paints are lead, phthalate, and BPA-free. The Baby Delight mattress is made with polyester fiber batting.
The lowest-ranking products include the Graco Pack 'n Play On The Go, Maxi-Cosi Iora, and Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper. These manufacturers offer little or potentially misleading information concerning what their products contain. However, they all contain a polyurethane foam mattress and particle board backing, making us concerned about chemical emissions. The Graco and Maxi-Cosi only offer a polyester sheet, while Arm's Reach has an organic cotton alternative available for purchase.
EMF and the Snoo
The Snoo works with WiFi and your smart device, so it emits EMF. While the EMF we recorded during testing is on the lower side, it is still more than competing bassinets (which produce none) and is something we think parents should consider before committing to the Snoo. If your little one struggles to reach deep sleep and needs more or constant soothing, this EMF level could feel acceptable compared to either getting less sleep or non-restorative sleep. Overall, we prefer to limit or avoid exposing little ones to EMF whenever possible, and we wish the Snoo included an EMF-free functionality. Keep in mind that even though the EMF level is lower, it is higher by the power button, and your little one is experiencing exposure to EMF elsewhere in your home. It potentially has an accumulative effect over time.
There are lots of options on the market. Below are some tips to help narrow down the list.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How to Pick the Best Bassinet
A bassinet can make life easier and sleep more restful. It is hard to measure how valuable many parents find this kind of gear to give them peace of mind and make nighttime feeding less arduous. But finding the right one for your needs and situation might be more complicated than you think. Asking yourself some key questions can help you narrow the field to the perfect product.
How Will You Use It?
Determining how you plan to use your bassinet or bedside sleeper is the first place to start. Are you looking for something to keep close at hand for nighttime feeding, or do you want a stand-alone bassinet for in-room sleeping? Having your little one within arm's reach of your bed can help you feed and change little ones with less disruption, but it could feel too close for your sleep style, and a free-standing bassinet is more your style.
Do you want to keep your baby near? If so, a co-sleeper is the way to go.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Does It Need To Be Portable?
Some parents want a bassinet right next to their bed; that is the only place they plan to use it. Finding a larger or more substantial bassinet might be the ticket for those who want something less portable. Alternatively, many parents might want the convenience of moving their baby's sleep space from room to room to allow for frequent rests and napping while remaining close by. Determining if you want a bassinet, you can move from one space to another, be it a room or home, and your options will swiftly narrow down.
How Much Can You Spend?
Budget is a concern for any gear, but gear with shorter lifespans can be a tricky proposition. Because a safe sleep space is so important, especially in the first year, we recommend spending what your budget will allow and avoiding compromises. However, there is no need to buy something fancier than what you need, and we don't think you should choose the most expensive option simply because you assume this makes it the best or the safest. Once you narrow the options down to a few, you can use your budget to help make the final choice.
We hope you've found our review informative and helpful in easing some stress in finding the perfect sleeping space for your new little.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
With so many bedside sleepers and standalone bassinets to choose from, it can be frustrating to determine which product will be best for you and your newborn. You might even be wondering what features or functionality are really important. Ultimately, your choice should prioritize your sleeping goals and parenting style. Available sleepers range from bedside co-sleepers to free-standing or travel crib conversions, and each style has pros and cons. We've included a variety of potential bassinets thoughtfully selected to help you find the best fit for your lifestyle and budget. And if you're ready for a standard-size crib, check out our favorites in our baby crib review and pair your choice with a crib mattress.
—Juliet Spurrier, MD, Lissette Velasquez, & the BabyGearLab Team
