The 10 Best Baby Bouncers To Keep Active Babies Soothed And Occupied (2024)

Korin Miller

Contributor

Content written by Forbes Vetted Contributors is assigned, reviewed and edited by Forbes Staff

Alexandra Frost

Contributor

Content written by Forbes Vetted Contributors is assigned, reviewed and edited by Forbes Staff

UppaBaby Mira

Product weight: 8 pounds | Weight limit: 29 pounds | Vibration: No | Rocking: Self-bouncing

Pros:

• Affordable
• Higher child weight limit
• Folds flat for storage

Cons:

• Toy bar not included
• It takes some effort for the baby to move the bouncer

The Mira is designed to move when the baby wants to move, and stop when they don’t. This gives your baby power of choice way before they know what that is. As your baby grows, they can create much more motion, kicking their feet to realize that they can cause movement themselves. This fun extends far beyond some other bouncers that have 20 pound limits and similar restrictions, so kids can enjoy the bouncer much longer.

Product weight: 4.5 pounds | Max weight: 20 pounds | Vibration: No | Rocking: Self-bouncing

Pros:

• Machine washable
• Multiple recline options
• Lightweight and portable

Cons:

• Smaller babies may not be able to reach the toy bar
• Setting adjustment can be tricky

This practical baby bouncer and seat lets your little one get their groove on while you’re on the go. It’s portable and very lightweight, and folds flat for storage or travel. The chair has three settings for reclining positions to allow you to find the just-right angle for your baby. A detachable toy bar contains two soft toys for added entertainment. The bar itself is also at the perfect angle for the baby to actually be able to see and engage with the toys, unlike some others. The entire cover is removable and washable, so your seat can be easily cleaned, no matter what baby dishes out.

Product weight: 3.7 pounds | Maximum weight: 20 pounds | Vibration: Yes | Rocking: Self-bouncing

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Included toy bar
• Machine washable

Cons:

• No recline options
• No headrest or other padding
• Requires batteries

This baby bouncer has many entertainment avenues, and yet, it’s only $30. Your baby can enjoy three spinning toys that hang on the removable toy bar, along with vibrations for a nice massage when she’s feeling fussy (you control the vibrations with an on-off switch). The bouncer is swathed in a soft cover that’s removable and machine washable. There’s also a huge selection of kid-friendly themes to choose from, including adorable flamingos, rainforest animals and pinwheels. It lacks padding and the recline might be too steep for the youngest babies, so certainly wait to place them in this bouncer until they have excellent head and neck control.

It’s super lightweight, making it easy to move to grandma’s or even outside to a cookout when you need to set your baby down but aren’t sure where.

What our writers say: Forbes Vetted contributer and coauthor of this article Alexandra Frost raves about this baby bouncer. “I used this bouncer with multiple of my own five kids and each loved its bright colors and interactivity," she says. “I love how easy it is to get the baby in and out of the diaper-shaped strap.”

Product weight: 21.8 pounds | Maximum weight: 30 pounds for swing; 18 pounds for bouncer | Vibration: Yes | Rocking: Swinging or self-bouncing

Pros:

• Two products in one
• 5-point harness
• Easy to convert swing to bouncer

Cons:

• Larger footprint for swing
• Bouncer lacks mobile and toy bar

Want a bouncer with versatility? The Graco DuetConnect serves as a bouncer and swing, allowing you to get a lot out of one contraption. Simply remove the swing seat from its frame by squeezing the safety lock and place it on the floor for bouncing or portability. Then you get six swinging speeds and a reclined seat with head support for ultimate comfort. There are even two vibration speeds to choose from for a little massage baby can enjoy while gazing at the overhead mobile. Your little one can kick back with ten different songs and five soothing sounds for those fussy moments.

What our writers way: “For my babies who needed some serious motion, the swing option was helpful,” says Frost. “Then, for siblings who didn’t care so much to sway side-to-side, the bouncer was helpful. So, I’d recommend this for parents planning to pass it down to more than one child who might have differing preferences.”

Product weight: 7.3 pounds | Maximum weight: 20 pounds| Vibration: No | Rocking: Self-bouncing

Pros:

• Upright angle for better visibility
• Simple and thoughtful design
• Legs under base to prevent tripping
• Washable cover

Cons:

• Toys don’t move
• Small babies might have a harder time generating motion

This bouncer was just released in August, but it’s already garnering 5-star reviews from parents. Parents are loving the ease of storage with its fold-down feature, the softness of the fabric and wood-grain attributes. Some share that the movement created by their babies is very soothing, and they appreciate the aesthetic, minimalistic design. The simple yet detailed toys, though they don’t move, give babies a much less stimulating environment than some of the busier options.

Product weight: 5 pounds | Maximum weight: 29 pounds | Vibration: No | Rocking: Self-bouncing

Pros:

• Adjustable reclines
• Folds flat for storage
• Modern aesthetic

Cons:

• Expensive
• Toy bar purchased separately

The BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance is admittedly a splurge, but plenty of parents swear by it. It features three different recline positions, along with a transport mode that lies flat, so you can store it out of the way or until the next baby comes along. The chair features a soft fabric seat that’s easily removable and tossed in the wash. The three-point harness is adjustable without adding extra straps. Overall, the seat is a good option for parents who want someplace for baby to hang out that doesn’t mess with their design aesthetic. The BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance toy bar is available to purchase separately. If you are a savvy reseller when it comes to getting back some of your money on secondhand markets after using baby products, you’ll be happy to learn that this product typically maintains its value very well. So, if your baby isn’t a big fan, someone else’s probably is.

What our editors say: “It’s an ideal hangout seat for baby,” says Rose Gordon Sala, a deputy editor at Forbes Vetted. “It doesn’t have many bells and whistles, but that’s what I loved about it: the simplicity. It’s easy to adjust and a nice spot for baby to hang with the family instead of on the play mat or in the swing.”

Product weight: 1.3 pounds | Maximum weight: 20 pounds | Vibration: Yes | Rocking: Self-bouncing

Pros:

• Two recline options
• Impressive toy bar
• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Assembly can be challenging
• Vibrations feel too strong to some

Many bouncers have no toy bar, leaving your baby to try to entertain themselves (or look to you for guidance) while they bounce. This Ingenuity bouncer has an impressive toy bar that includes lights and two hanging plush toys for reaching and grasping. Want baby to play with something else? The toy bar is removable. The seat also delivers vibrations, and plays songs, nature sounds and white noise with the flick of a switch. (There’s also a 30-minute auto shut-off to save the battery in the event you forget to turn it off.) The adorable bunny bolster is removable and machine washable—and can be used as a tummy time mat.

Product weight: 5.5 pounds | Maximum weight: 20 pounds | Vibration: No | Rocking: Self-bouncing

Pros:

• One-handed adjustment
• Doubles as a rocker and bouncer
• Sleek look

Cons:

• Expensive
• No toy bar

Some bouncers take a little muscle to adjust the angle for your little one to recline—not the Maxi-Cosi Kori. This bouncer lets you easily shift from a rocker to stationary seat, along with three height positions, using just one hand. And this bouncer is sleek and fashionable, so it isn’t an eyesore in your living room. It features soft padding in an ergonomic seat that supports your baby’s head, neck and back. A nice perk: The seat is quick-drying in the event of accidents. The whole thing folds flat for easy storage when you want to stash it out of sight.

What our writers say: Frost says, “Sometimes baby equipment can be seriously ugly, but this one doesn’t ruin your decor. It’s something you want to keep around longer than other options that take up serious space and visual real estate with large plastic vibes and wide bases. This subtle but useful baby product lived in the corner of my bathroom for months, allowing me to take a shower in piece with a newborn.”

Product weight: 8.4 pounds | Maximum weight: 29 pounds | Vibration: No | Rocking: Self-bouncing

Pros:

• Adjusts as your child grows
• Folds flat for storage
• Chic look

Cons:

• Pricey
• Slightly heavy

Higher-end bouncers can come with a hefty price tag, and that can be tough to swallow for a seat your baby may use for only a few months. The Ergobaby Evolve 3-in-1 Bouncer helps sweeten the deal a little with a seat that adjusts to be used when your child is a newborn, baby and toddler. The first position helps cradle your baby with a supportive newborn insert before she graduates to the middle position, which allows for self-bouncing and rocking. The highest position creates a toddler chair you can use anywhere. Adjustments are easy with the help of a pedal and security lock, and the cover is simple to remove and toss in the wash. The seat folds flat for storage when you want to get it out of the way.

Product weight: 5.5 pounds | Maximum weight: 20 pounds | Vibration: Yes | Rocking: Self-bouncing, rocking

Pros:

• Different motions and vibrations
• Affordable
• Removable toy bar

Cons:

• Adjustment takes practice
• Safety labels are very visible

The Summer 2-in-1 gives your baby the option of bouncing or rocking for a range of motions. It’s easy to flip between modes once you get the hang of it: Just fold the stabilizing feet in when baby wants to rock, and out when bouncing is on the agenda. The seat features two plush toys on a removable bar, along with vibrations for additional soothing. The removable seat is machine washable for easy cleaning. When you want to get the seat out of the way or take it on the road, just fold it flat.

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Are Baby Bouncers Safe?

It depends on the bouncer and the size of your baby. Fisher says you want to make sure your child has good head control before you introduce a jumping bouncer seat. Many bouncers have a minimum weight (often eight pounds), so newborns need to wait until they’re larger to bounce. However, once baby does sit up on their own, they also must be moved out of a bouncer. This might happen around 6 months of age even if your baby has not yet hit the weight max of your bouncer.

Of course, it’s important to make sure your baby bouncer has necessary safety features like three- or five-point harnesses that keep them from falling or slumping over. And these seats should not be set on top of things like coffee tables; instead, always place a bouncer or baby seat on the floor to avoid a dangerous fall.

Bouncers can also become unsafe when used as a sleep space, as they are not designed for this. Babies should not sleep at an incline, nor in a soft, plush environment.

At What Age Should I Get My Baby A Bouncer?

Is A Swing Or Baby Bouncer Better?