Best baby bouncers and rockers, chosen for fun and safety

Super-soft fabrics, a plush cushioned insert, and a supportive headrest help keep your baby cosy as can be as they bounce, play, or relax, with one reviewer saying, “The material is very soft and cosy. The vibrations are enough to keep my 3-month-old granddaughter satisfied”.

The two hanging toys on the removable mobile encourage eye tracking while the music and sounds, which activate for up to 20 minutes at a time, make playtimes fun. The seat also vibrates and reviewers praised the comfort, with one describing it as a “lovely bouncer, the baby seems really comfy in it and he really loves the vibrate and the bird song function. As well as the vibrations, one reviewer noted that “baby's own movements will make the seat bounce too.”

This simply designed contemporary baby bouncer has a cute elephant print and a colourful toy bar included, so it will keep the baby entertained while fitting into most room designs. As well as looking great, it ticks a lot of boxes for practicality - it’s lightweight at just 1kg, which makes it easy to move between rooms if needed, and the fabric cover is machine washable and easy to remove, while the non-slip feet make it sturdy and secure. 

Though some reviewers felt it might be improved with lights or music, others thought it was pleasantly soothing without being overstimulating, noting that “it’s nice and calm and not over-stimulating for a baby (why do they need flashing lights and toys in the first few months?!) My baby loves staring at the elephants, and they got one of her first smiles, so they are obviously popular."

While it is suitable from birth up to 9kgs or 6 months approximately, some reviewers felt that it wasn’t ideal for newborns as it only has one seat position and no head support, so maybe better when the baby has stronger neck control, with one reviewer saying “For the first week or so, it seemed huge, so I supported my baby at the sides with a muslin. Since then it has been perfect”.

This baby bouncer is a fantastic option for those looking for a bouncer that can be used from birth. The five adjustable positions and removable anatomical headrests can support a baby as a newborn. It’s also easy to adjust, and a three-point harness means you can feel confident that your baby is safely secured. 

While it’s great as a bouncer, it can also be converted into a rocker by lifting the feet at the back to create a gentle rocking motion, and one reviewer noted her son particularly liked this and the toys, saying, “He enjoys the rocking motion and the dangly attachments and sits safe and snug while chilling out. Definitely recommend for little ones!".  

The toys are designed to encourage early learning and interaction, and the toy bar tilts to make it easier for small hands to reach and explore. One parent praised the toys, noting, “This has really helped our little one to relax whilst downstairs, without relying on being held by one of us. He enjoys the rocking motion and the dangly attachments and sits safe and snug whilst chilling out”.

When it’s not being used, the bouncer folds down easily so you can store it out of the way, ideal for those with more limited space. If you want to transport it when visiting friends and family, two large handles make it easy to carry.

This ergonomic bouncer chair wows many parents and is a tried and tested favourite for good reason, despite having no musical or vibrating features. The chic, minimalist design appealed to our style-minded mums, and they loved that it folds away easily and compactly when not in use. One mum said, “You can easily move the bouncer into the various positions without any trouble, and it folds away really easily. It feels and looks like an expensive product and would look great in anyone’s home".

This chair converts to a seat for children up to two years once your baby outgrows it, so while it’s one of the more expensive bouncers on the market, it will last longer than others. The three different positions also make it versatile when your baby is small, and our tester mum, Lucy, found this with her son, saying, “Being upright meant that he could still clearly see me, and I could see him whilst doing these things. I also found that the options for the seating position really helped as a more upright location for him to be after feeding. This reduced his wind and the spilling up."

Parents particularly praised the softness of the fabric cover, which has the bonus of being easy to remove and machine washable. Mum tester Jo said, “How lightweight it is, the good quality material, and the enjoyment of my little one using it makes it all worthwhile. I love how it moulds to my baby's shape, making my baby feel comfortable at all times. I have noticed that she even whines less as well - so that is a win-win situation for me!"

Plus, no hunting for batteries – bonus!

Read our full BABYBJÖRN Bouncer Bliss review

The Serina 2-in-1 baby seat offers babies a multi-motion ride as it swings from front to back or side to side to comfort them. The six different swing speeds create versatility, while the toy bar will entertain your baby to free you up to make a cup of tea, or as one of our mum testers said "it was a godsend as it kept my daughter calm and relaxed, and I was able to get on with the much-needed housework!" 

You’re spoilt for choice with sounds to soothe your baby, including a choice of ten lullabies and nature sounds. A night light with four brightness settings can soothe further, and the potential to change it into a rocker makes it even more versatile. One mum tester found this was particularly soothing for her baby, saying, “My daughter loved the swing, and it's so clever that it can swing side to side and forwards and backwards. It was so calming and relaxing”.

It’s easy to move around the house thanks to the wheels, integrated handle, and compact frame. Mums liked this, with mum tester Sophie saying it made her life easier as “you can use the seat as a rocker without the base and also means if you need to pop upstairs, you can just take the seat off the base and carry your baby up with you”.

Suitable from newborn with the removable, washable, plush infant body support, the Joie Serina 2-in-1 should last until your baby’s around 9kg. 

Read our full Joie Serina 2in1 Rocker review

We loved how this bouncer grows with your baby, as the removable headrest makes it supportive for newborns but allows it to grow as they do. The cushioned foot pillow and side support make it a comfortable option, while the three-point harness and non-skid feet keep your baby and the bouncer secure. There’s just one seat position, which sets it apart from others we tested, such as the Badabulle Easy Baby Bouncer, so this is worth considering if you want a bit more flexibility in the recline.

While it may be a bit limited on seat positions, it makes up for it with 8 melodies and soothing vibrations which one reviewer praised as “a true lifesaver. It provides a gentle and soothing motion that instantly calms my baby. It's like a magic touch that lulls them into a peaceful state”. You can even control the volume, and it will shut off automatically so you can control how long the music plays. 

The toy bars are entertaining but can also be easily removed so that you can get your baby in and out of the bouncer without any trouble. One reviewer agreed that it’s “safe and supportive, easy to strap him in and get stuff done.”

This adorable sheep-themed rocker is as functional as it is cute, with three soothing vibrations and eight musical melodies to choose from. It also includes a white noise function to recreate the sound of the womb and soothe your newborn. Three volume levels allow you to control the sound levels, and you can also control the vibration speed, with three options. Reviewers rated this versatility, with one saying, “I like the fact you can change the seating position and the multi-functions to help soothe baby”.

The three attached toys offer entertainment and keep the baby engaged. While these aren’t detachable and may be tricky to keep clean, it was described by one mum as “easy to clean”. The push fabric and comfortable pillowed seat are sure to be a winner, though, with one reviewer describing it as “soft (and) beautifully designed".

This bouncer chair can be used on its own or in combination with the Stokke Steps highchair, making it a versatile option, whatever your needs. It’s suitable from birth, and the cosy, padded newborn insert offers extra support and comfort, while multiple seat-recline settings allow you to change the seat position to suit your baby. We love that it’s designed by in collaboration with a pediatric physiotherapist to mimic the sensation of being held in the parent’s arms. It gave us the confidence that the baby was properly supported. 

Our parent testers found it particularly beneficial when combined with the Stokke Highchair (sold separately), and Dad, Tom, said, “I love that your baby can sit with you at the table, at your level and join in the action. This is really useful in the early stages when babies are not in a routine and still awake with you in the evening! “. 

It folds away compactly and offers a soothing, gentle bounce without the need for batteries. The detachable toy hanger is a lovely extra touch, allowing you to clip your baby’s favourite toy on to keep them happy. The Stokke Bouncer is available in several colours and prints to suit all tastes and homes.

Read our full Stokke Steps Highchair review

This sleek baby bouncer from Ergobaby comes with a removable ergonomic newborn insert and can be adjusted easily with three heights tailored to each stage of development. This means it will grow as your baby grows and is ideal from newborn until they’re a toddler when it works as a comfy seat. As it was created with guidance from a paediatric orthopaedist, it supports your baby’s body in all the right places, creating an ergonomic M-shaped positioning in the baby's hips and helping to prevent flat head syndrome. Our Dad tester, Ash, was impressed by “how intelligently designed this bouncer is. Bouncing is so easy and uses your baby's natural movement, so it's really easy to use and make sure that as a parent, you're comfy and confident too”. 

Ash appreciated the three different height settings, which “let you choose the most suitable, the highest for when your baby is awake and looking around, and the lowest is great for helping relax them before putting them to bed”. He also felt this was particularly easy as you can “adjust the height using a foot pedal which means you can easily do it one-handed when holding your child”.
The simple but sturdy buckle closure and padded harness keep your precious little one safely secured, while the breathable cover keeps them cool and is removable, which is reassuring in case of leaky nappies! Our tester was pleased that it just used the baby’s natural movement to bounce, so you don’t need to worry about batteries.

This chic bouncer may look quite simple, but it’s packed with clever features, including an ergonomic design to support your baby’s body with its hammock-style head and back support. This is another one that’s developed in collaboration with medical specialists so you can be confident it’s safe for your baby. It also has three heights, and our mum tester, Danielle, found this was good for her son, who “has reflux so needs to stay upright as much as possible”.

While some testers thought it could be improved with toys (these can be bought separately), another felt this was better for her baby, who “gets overstimulated with vibrations etc, and this really seems to keep her happy as she can control the movement”. 

It folds flat for easy storage, and our mum tester, Jane, said this made her life easier as she liked “how small this rocker packs away so you can slide it under a bed or sofa”.  While it’s one of the more expensive options, it should last until your child is around two years old as it can turn into a cosy toddler chair. One of our parent testers said that “it can be used for older children as well which makes it value for money”.

Read our full BABYBJÖRN Baby Bouncer Balance Soft review

Chicco’s Hoopla Baby Bouncer has a four-position backrest, enabling your baby to relax, play or feed in comfort. One reviewer noted that “the positions are good for relaxing and sitting up to eat. Really pleased with this purchase”. It should also last longer as it can be transformed into their first chair and used until around 18kg. The side buttons make it easy to adjust the seating position while the non-slip feet give peace of mind, with one reviewer saying, “Good quality, comfortable and extremely good grip on the feet of the seat no worries about it sliding or moving”. 

Parents liked the swinging motion, with one reviewer saying it “was effective in getting him to settle and sleep in his first few weeks of life”, though the feedback was mixed on the music, with some questioning why there were Christmas songs. The easily removable toy bar was designed together with a psychologist to benefit the baby’s development, and the removable cover makes life easier when it needs washing.

This cheap and cheerful bouncer features eye-catching designs and fun animal prints to keep the baby entertained, along with the colourful toys and was described by one reviewer as “Very colourful and looks comfy”.

While it’s no-frills, another reviewer thought this was beneficial and that her son “hated the expensive swing we bought for him, but seems to love this as he can control the bounce himself”. The toy bar can be removed with one hand, making it easy to get your baby in and out.

The Ingenuity Keep Cozy Baby Bouncer, Rocker & Toddler Seat is a fantastic 3-in-1 option designed to grow with baby and is beautifully made to be enjoyed for years. With the option to have it as a bouncer, rocker, or stationary seat, it’s a hardworking multitasker, and reviewers appreciated this, with one saying, “My daughter-in-law loved it, very clever design will grow with the little one when she arrives so versatile."

As it can take up to 40lbs, it should last from newborn to 30 months. It also has a cosy infant booster to provide extra support for babies that can be removed for older infants. Two reclining positions aid with this versatility, and one parent “loved the fact it had 3 options which grow with the baby at a reasonable price”. 

It’s also a convenient option, with one parent saying it was “built within 10 minutes. It pops together with no need for a screwdriver (other than to open the battery pack)”. Not only that, but the 5-point harness keeps baby secure, while the machine washable seat means it’s easy to clean.