Independent scores. No brand can pay for a better one.
Cradle Score
Swings

Graco Simple Sway Swing

About $140Checked Nov 1, 20262 sources

Our take

Testers' best value: a simple, sturdy side-to-side swing that lasts up to 30 lb. No recline, and it doesn't fold.

5.5-30 lbSide to sidePlug-in or battery

Consider instead: Ingenuity Comfort 2 Go if you need something that folds.

Before you buy

Do you need it?Nice to have Some babies settle fast in a swing and others won't sit in one. Swings are for awake, supervised time, never for sleep.
Cost per monthAbout $23 a month over a typical 6 months of use. Our estimate; your use may be shorter or longer.
Cheaper optionIngenuity Comfort 2 Go Portable Swing: About $75, scored 73 (Good).
Secondhand?Secondhand with checks. Fine secondhand if it's a current model with every part and isn't on the CPSC recall list. All Fisher-Price Snuga swings are recalled.
TipBorrow one or try a friend's before buying: some babies love the motion and some won't sit in it.

What parents and testers say

Recurring praise

  • Simple and sturdy
  • Long usage range
  • Good price

Recurring complaints

  • No recline
  • Doesn't fold
  • Stationary mobile

Our summary of patterns across the reviews and threads linked below, not quotes.

Materials & safety check

1 of 2 checks clear, 1 to know about.

UseAwake and supervised only; never for sleep
RecallsNone found in CPSC swing recalls since 2019

When to buy it

Registry

Optional; borrow one first if you can

From birth

Fully reclined, awake and supervised only

Sitting up or trying to climb out

Stop using it

Other swings we scored

See all swings →
76+2 pts

Maxi-Cosi Cassia Swing

About $200 · Good

75+1 pts

Ingenuity InLighten Baby Swing

About $150 · Good

73-1 pts

Ingenuity Comfort 2 Go Portable Swing

About $75 · Good

Own this? Tell us how it's going

Reports from parents who've used a product for months are the hardest thing to find. Yours goes only to our team and helps keep this score honest. It isn't published.

How do you feel about it?

Sources

  1. BabyGearLab: The Best Baby Swings (Jun 2025)babygearlab.com
  2. CPSC recall database: "swing" recalls since 2019saferproducts.gov
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