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Before you bring your baby home, you may not realize how grateful you'll be for a baby bouncer seat or a floor seat, where you can set your infant down, strap them in and keep an eye on them while doing your adulting. For safety, a baby in a bouncer should always be placed on the floor and buckled in.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our scientists (many of whom are parents) test baby gear year-round, evaluating products for safety and ease of use both in their homes and in our Lab. The best infant swaddles and the best strollers are just two of the numerous categories of products we've tested.
For this story, we looked at more than 20 baby bouncers, evaluating more than a dozen attributes — including ease of assembly, ease of use, ability to age up with your child, whether batteries are needed, price point, fabric, fashion variations and more — to come up with our list of favorites.
Pros
- Many choices of beautiful, durable fabrics
- Portable, lightweight and folds flat
- Lasts through the toddler years as a chair for relaxation
Cons
- Toy bar sold separately
Long a staff favorite, the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft can be used from day one into the toddler years, which we love. The "bounce" is powered by you or your baby's own movement, so there are no outlets or batteries needed. The pleasing minimalist design and soft fabrics will look great in almost any home, and the seat is lightweight and easy to fold up for travel.
"My daughter loved this cozy but sturdy seat," says GH staffer Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.S.O. "I would put her in it while I prepared lunch or cleaned the kitchen. I also collapsed it and took it in the car to our playgroup so that if I needed to set her down for a few minutes, I had this option."
This bouncer is designed for newborns and toddlers (there are three different recline adjustments) and, without the harness, can still be used as a chair once your baby can walk. One staffer's 2-year-old sat in it for weekend screen time relaxation. In the Lab, we love how fast it is to set up right out of the box and appreciate the child lock that parents have to push to make it fully fold down.
You can find this BabyBjörn baby bouncer in several colors — including light pink/gray and dark gray/gray — and three different fabrics: cotton, cotton jersey and mesh. There is a toy bar sold separately with cute wooden toys for about $60. Also take a look at the similar but extra-quilted BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss variation.
Age recommendation | Birth to age 2 |
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Weight recommendation | 8 to 29 lbs |
Dimensions | 31" x 15.5" x 22" |
Product weight | 4.6 lbs |
Batteries | None needed |
Pros
- Classic fabric sling design
- Toy bar included
- Gentle battery-operated vibration
Cons
- Only for birth to 20 pounds
This classic, basic bouncer seat with gentle vibration works well for a young baby who's not yet trying to sit up on their own. A toy bar offers your newborn something to stare at, and eventually your baby will be tempted to reach and spin the toys. You can also easily take the toy bar off if your baby would rather have them out of the way so they can watch the ceiling fan or the goings-on at home instead.
The vibration is mild; if your baby really likes to move, consider a baby swing instead. This bouncer's low price makes it a no-brainer to have at a grandparent's house. Another idea: One home tester uses this primarily in her bathroom so her baby has a seat while Mom takes a quick shower. "It's a great place to put her down, and I got it for so little money," she said. It's also sold in other color and pattern variations.
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Age recommendation | Birth to 6 months |
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Weight recommendation | Up to 20 lbs |
Dimensions | 19" x 21" x 16.63" |
Product weight | 2.13 lbs |
Batteries | 1 C battery (not included) |
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Pros
- Newborn insert helps small babies fit comfortably
- Folds down flat when needed
- Becomes a toddler seat
Cons
- Toys not included
If you're thinking this baby bouncer looks a lot like that BabyBjörn seat, we agree. But we do appreciate that the Ergobaby version has a supportive newborn insert that makes it a nice little nest for the early months. We gave it one of our most recent Parenting Awards when testers gave it perfect scores for ease of assembly and how intuitive it was to secure babies inside. “I really love the buckle fasteners. They are super easy to use to get the baby in and out of the bouncer,” said one.
With this seat, you can easily adjust the angle with a foot pedal, a nice innovation. Otherwise the features are similar to the BabyBjörn, including the three different recline positions (good through toddlerhood) and the seat's ability to be folded flat for storage or travel (though at eight pounds, this is the heaviest bouncer seat on our list). A toy bar with cute sea creatures is sold separately for a little less than $50.
Age recommendation | Birth to age 2 |
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Weight recommendation | Up to 29 lbs |
Dimensions | 32" x 16.5" x 22" |
Product weight | 8.4 lbs |
Batteries | None needed |
Pros
- Easy to fold and store
- More than 43,000 five-star Amazon reviews
- Babies love sitting in it, parents say
Cons
- Can be a tight fit for babies with chunky legs, some say
Popular as a first chair for a baby who is ready to sit up — when they have good head control, at about 4 months old — this simple seat keeps your baby's bottom toward the floor, resting on a soft mat, but gives them a backrest.
Babies love to be upright and watching whatever the grown-ups and big kids are doing; however, babies should not be kept in this position for more than 20 minutes a day, according to the pediatric physical therapist we consulted, as it's not conducive to natural development.
Note that some online reviewers say they use this chair "instead of" tummy time, but sitting can't replace rolling and reaching on a floor mat for building a baby's muscles. Tummy time gets them ready to crawl and then walk, though some seated time is fine for entertainment or a break. This seat comes with a few simple toys and is also sold in other colors and patterns, from muted designs to bright animal motifs.
Plus, it folds down so you can take it with you or stash it out of sight, and the pad is machine washable. There's some initial light assembly required. Also note that some reviewers say the fit is a tight squeeze for babies with chunky legs.
RELATED: Best Baby Jumpers
Age recommendation | From when baby can hold their head up until they want to stand up — approximately 4 months to 9 months |
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Weight recommendation | Up to 25 lbs |
Dimensions | Not available |
Product weight | 5.37 lbs |
Batteries | None needed |
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5
Best Bouncer and Rocker
Ingenuity Grow with Me Baby Bouncer, Rocker & Toddler Seat
Now 15% Off
Pros
- Bouncing, rocking and vibration options
- Five-point safety harness
- Lasts into toddlerhood
Cons
- Does not fold up for storage
Ready to rock? This seat from Ingenuity works as a regular baby bouncer, or you can rock it on its curved base like a rocking chair. It's got a five-point harness that goes over your baby's shoulders and not just across their lap, which is useful if your little monkey is trying to climb out and you need them to stay put for a minute. (Though note: Once your baby is ready to crawl and explore, be sure to give them plenty of time to do that each day.)
This comes with an infant headrest to make it nice for a newborn. Install the battery, and it can also provide gentle vibration. Much later, engage the kickstand and take off the harness to make this a stable toddler seat for your 1-year-old.
The mobile is a little flimsy, and this seat does not fold up small. It also has only two recline positions. But our testers found the straps easy to adjust for a growing baby and the fabric easy to remove for washing.
Age recommendation | Birth to 30 months |
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Weight recommendation | Up to 40 lbs |
Dimensions | 19.49" x 24.41" x 26.38" |
Product weight | 4.44 lbs |
Batteries | 1 C battery (not included) |
6
Best Seat With a Snack Tray
Skip Hop Sit-Up Activity Baby Chair
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Sturdy little floor seat
- Snack tray plus toys
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Does not fold down
Entertain your baby two ways with this chair: Spin the tray in front and give them a snack, or rotate the three toys in front for some playtime. The mat is attached with hook-and-loop closures, so it's easy to pull on and off for cleaning — and testers say if you use the chair for serving food, you'll be rinsing the polyester fabric in your sink quite a bit. This floor seat requires a bit of easy initial assembly; know, though, that it does not fold down.
Not to be a broken record, but do be sure to use this seat only on the floor. Though it has a snack tray, it is not safe to set it on a chair as if it is a booster seat. For mealtime, see our list of the best high chairs.
Age recommendation | From when baby can hold their head up until they want to stand up — approximately 4 months to 9 months |
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Weight recommendation | Up to 25 lbs |
Dimensions | 19.7" x 15" x 23" |
Product weight | 5.65 lbs |
Batteries | None needed |
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7
Most Entertaining
Fisher-Price Sit-Me-Up Seat with Kick & Play Piano
Pros
- Can be used for play or snacks
- Engaging toy keyboard becomes a toddler toy
- Easy to fold; easy to clean
Cons
- New, so testing is ongoing
A classic favorite floor toy, the Kick & Play Piano is now integrated into a baby seat that works from about 3 to 9 months. This is a brand-new offering from Fisher-Price, so we'll be doing more extensive testing with it in homes this year. Initial reviews are that it's very engaging for babies, with lights, music and multiple learning modes. Your baby can kick the keyboard, or the toy can attach to a tray in front of them so they can use their hands. Take the keyboard off and you can use the tray for snacks.
The tray fits in the dishwasher, and the seat pad can be machine washed. The whole thing folds for travel, and the keyboard remains a useful toy into toddlerhood. This floor seat is not a place for your baby to sit quietly; the keyboard vocalizes letters, colors and shapes; plays songs; and encourages your baby to make sounds in return. There's more than 65 total tunes and phrases, and the music can go for 10 minutes straight. But it's a lot of fun!
Age recommendation | From when baby can hold their head up until they want to stand up — approximately 4 months to 9 months |
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Weight recommendation | Up to 25 lbs |
Dimensions | Not available |
Product weight | 4.29 lbs |
Batteries | 3 AA batteries (not included) |
Pros
- Newborn-friendly, with cute toys
- Rocks or stays stationary
- Machine washable fabric; foldable frame
Cons
- Pricey for a seat that doesn't become a toddler chair
For parents who want a neutral-colored bouncer seat that blends into the living room but comes with some toys, Tiny Love has this fashion-oriented bouncer and rocker.
Use the newborn insert and set the seat on a recline for a young baby. As your infant grows, you can set them more upright. With the kickstand down, this bouncer functions as a stationary baby seat. Put the kickstand up, and the seat can rock on the base like a rocking chair. Note: You, the caregiver, have to make it rock, or let your baby's own motion tip it gently back and forth.
The toy bar is removable, and the entire seat folds flat for storage. All of the fabric zips off and is machine washable. The gender-neutral theme makes this (or the brand's Gymini play mat) a nice baby shower gift.
Age recommendation | Birth until about 9 months |
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Weight recommendation | Up to 20 lbs |
Dimensions | 28.5" x 16.75" x 18.5" |
Product weight | 7.1 lbs |
Batteries | None needed |
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Pros
- Beautiful machine washable fabric and faux-wood frame
- Can be used as a bouncer or rocker
- Slim fold
Cons
- No toy options
In our Lab tests, we found the squeeze handle to be super easy to use to adjust the recline of this seat to any of its three positions. We also like that this baby bouncer folds completely flat for storage or travel when you squeeze the child lock.
There aren't any toy options, but this baby bouncer and rocker has significant perks. For example, the fabric zips all the way off and can be machine washed — and you can use this seat from birth. The Maxi-Cosi Kori can be set to be stationary or you can gently rock it back and forth, battery-free. We also like the pretty faux-wood frame.
Age recommendation | Birth until about 9 months |
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Weight recommendation | Up to 20 lbs |
Dimensions | 17" x 28.5" x 19" |
Product weight | 5.5 lbs |
Batteries | None needed |
Pros
- Becomes a toddler booster seat with chair straps
- Six fun toys
- Every part can rinse clean
Cons
- Takes some time to assemble it correctly
- Toy bar hangs a little too low
Surround your baby with entertaining toys in this seat that takes up much less space than a baby jumper. The tray is wide enough to use for serving snacks. Furthermore, this floor seat turns into a booster seat that you can secure to a kitchen chair with the included straps, giving it a longer life than most baby seats.
Our testers found this one to be tougher to assemble than any other seat on our list. You need a screwdriver to tighten small screws and firmly fit the pieces of the tray together. Also, our experts feel the toys on the toy bar hang too low, which isn't a safety hazard, but it means you end up taking the toy bar on and off a lot. Those frustrations aside, our experts like that this baby seat is nicely priced, easy to rinse clean and useful beyond babyhood.
Age recommendation | 4 months to 4 years |
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Weight recommendation | Up to 33 lbs |
Dimensions | 22.25" x 21" x 22" |
Product weight | 5.22 lbs |
Batteries | None needed |
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How we test baby bouncers
Over the past seven years, Good Housekeeping Institute experts have reviewed more than 20 baby bouncers and floor seats with over a dozen babies who didn't know they were helping us evaluate products. We test in our Lab but also in homes nationwide with consumers who provide us with feedback via surveys.
For bouncers, we care about them being easy to assemble, simple to use correctly (on the floor, buckles in place) and easy to clean, by rinsing or by running the fabric through a washing machine. We note whether a bouncer is intended to be used with batteries or whether it simply moves with a baby's own motions or a caregiver's help. We like seats that fold up for storage and seats that can transform to be useful into toddlerhood.
This list of bouncers includes a few that are very new but are initially testing well. We update stories all year as additional feedback comes in from our consumer panelists.
What to look for when shopping for the best baby bouncers
If you're looking to set down your newborn, you'll want a baby bouncer. If your baby is already 4 months old, you may be able to start them in a floor seat.
Either way, these seats are not for use for more than 20 minutes a day, as your baby will need to roll on the floor untethered in order to develop strong muscles for standing and crawling. Here's what to know when you're on the hunt for the perfect seat for your needs:
✔️ What's the age grade? Consider what's appropriate for your infant's age:
- Traditional baby bouncers are appropriate from birth and have steeply reclined seats to keep a newborn, who does not have strong head and neck control, in a nearly flat position. But baby bouncers are not for sleep; they're just a place to put your newborn when they are awake and you want to keep them close but have to set them down.
- Floor seats are for babies aged 4 months and up. They've grown popular in recent years and are for babies who can sit up with support and with good head and neck control.
✔️ Do you want it mainly for rest, snacks or play? Bouncer seats are better suited for rest: They let a newborn or infant contemplate the trees moving outside the window or Mom fixing dinner nearby. Add a toy bar, though, and they can be for play as well. Floor seats come with a snack tray and/or toys and can be more entertaining for an older baby.
✔️ Can it be used beyond babyhood? Once your baby wants to explore and is trying to pull up to a stand, their time in a bouncer or floor seat is over. That's often around 9 months, but every baby is different. Several of the seats on our list transition into toddler chairs, so 1-year-olds can get themselves in and out.
✔️ Is it battery-powered or baby- or parent-powered? Many of the more expensive and long-lasting seats are simply baby-powered. The bouncers sway or rock as a baby kicks, or a parent can rock the seat gently. Some of the less expensive picks let you add batteries to provide gentle vibration or kiddie entertainment.
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How to safely use a baby bouncer or floor seat
In 2018 the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued new safety guidelines for every bouncer seat manufactured or imported after March 19, 2018.
This was prompted by the number of fall injuries and SIDS deaths that occurred when parents misused the seats. Now you'll see a safety warning printed directly on every bouncer seat up by where your baby's head goes, and experts are hoping you'll heed the advice and follow these rules:
- Always have the bouncer seat placed on the floor. We get it, it's tempting to set it up on a counter or your kitchen island so that your baby is at eye level. But even if it seems as though your newborn isn't moving around, it only takes one second for your baby to arch their back or lurch to the side and potentially topple over. Keep them safe with the seat on the floor.
- Buckle your baby in. Many baby seats have a three-point harness, which goes across your baby's lap, but a few have a five-point harness that goes over the shoulders too. Always buckle your baby in. This can keep your infant from sliding down into an uncomfortable and potentially unsafe position.
- If your baby falls asleep, move them to a crib or a baby bassinet. In 2019, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a large 10-year study detailing how young infants, especially, accidentally died in various baby seats, including bouncers, car seats and baby swings. The study concluded that many deaths occurred when infants were allowed to sleep in a seat instead of being flat on their back in their crib or bassinet. A bouncer seat should never be used with a sleeping child, so if your baby falls asleep, move them to their safe sleeping space.
- Never use an inclined sleeper seat. Inclined sleepers, such as the Rock 'n Play, have been recalled and banned, but just this year Fisher-Price had to reissue the recall because deaths are still occurring. Don't accept an inclined sleeper as a hand-me-down or grab it from a buy-nothing group, and if you own one from a previous child, please throw it away.
- Buy new or accept only very recently manufactured hand-me-downs. A seat made in this decade will be safest, and with baby gear, buying new is always best from a safety perspective. Baby seats can sustain wear and tear.
Things we relearn every time we test baby bouncers
Consider our insider tips and insights:
- Some parents say these are magic poop seats. We often read, in family feedback, that some babies are more easily able to fill their diaper when they're sitting in what is essentially toilet position. We're only saying this to let you know that getting the poop out is a perfectly valid reason to keep a baby seat in your child's daily rotation.
- You can't move a bouncer around by its toys or toy bars. Those toy arches, especially, look like handles, but they are not. You'll just pull the arch or the toy right out if you try to lift up on it. Also, though we're sometimes tempted to move a bouncer seat with the baby inside it, it's never a good idea. Hold the baby in one arm and the seat in another.
- Baby seats can get gross. See above: bouncer as potty seat. Expect your baby to have a blowout, vomit up some milk, drool and gnaw on their seat and its toys. We love that the seats on our list are fairly easy to clean. But this is another vote for keeping a baby seat to yourself and not accepting a hand-me-down. You don't know what the last baby did to it!
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Do I really need a baby bouncer, an infant swing and an activity center?
You might initially balk at having those three things in your home at the same time, but in our experience, families are rarely sorry to have multiple options for where they can place a baby.
Here's the deal with bouncers, swings and activity centers:
- There are bouncers and swings that work from birth. If you're a single parent or will often be home alone with the baby, it can feel like a lifesaver to have a place to set down your infant right from day one.
- Some babies like motion more than others. Some babies are only happy when they're being swayed back and forth, like in a baby swing. Others do not appreciate that. What kind of baby will you have? There's only one way to find out, and that is through trial and error. For space and price reasons, we're on the side of starting with a bouncer, which has a gentle motion. Then you might invest in a more motion-heavy swing if you think your infant needs it.
- Activity centers are larger play spaces and not as portable. There's usually a lot more for a baby to do on a baby jumper or an activity center, both of which are for a baby from about 4 to 6 months old and up. You could keep one of those parked in the living room. Then you can use the bouncer seat or floor seat as the baby seat that moves around the house to wherever you need it.
- "Need" is a strong word. If we're honest, your baby only needs a safe sleep space (bassinet or crib) and a safe car seat. But baby seats and bouncers make your parent life a lot easier. Carrying a 12-pound baby around all day not only wears you out, but it's also almost impossible to do while caring for yourself. Do yourself a favor and have at least one seat in which you can set your baby on the floor for a 15- or 20-minute stretch of awake time.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Lab pros at Good Housekeeping Institute have evaluated consumer products for more than 100 years. In the parenting space they offer comprehensive lists of favorites through the annual Parenting Awards, Family Travel Awards and Toy Awards.
The article was written by contributing writer Jessica Hartshorn, a journalist and mother of two who covered the baby-gear market for American Baby and Parents magazines. She's also written about the best nursery gliders and the best car seat and stroller combos.
Jessica Hartshorn
Contributing Writer
Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents.
Reviewed byRachel Rothman
Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years, overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems.
Tested byLexie Sachs
Executive Director, Strategy & Operations
Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a lead reviewer of products in the bedding, travel, lifestyle, home furnishings and apparel spaces. She has over 15 years of experience in the consumer products industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Lexie serves as an expert source both within Good Housekeeping and other media outlets, regularly appearing on national broadcast TV segments. Prior to joining GH in 2013, Lexie worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.