10 Questions You Should to Know about electric baby bedside cribs

Following these guidelines will reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome , or SIDS, as will choosing a bassinet with sturdy construction and secure attachments, says Laura Purdy, M.D. , a family medicine physician. You can also utilize the CPSC website to check for recalls on specific brands or products.

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Any product your baby sleeps in should comply with current Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety guidance. Bassinets should have sides that prevent entrapment and that are tall enough to prevent falls; be stable enough to avoid tipping; and have a mattress that prevents suffocation. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), infant sleep surfaces should:

But to really be worth your while (and your investment, since most of these retail at $300 or more), a smart bassinet needs to be easy to use and offer enough tech-based features to help you guide your newborn into dreamland. We tested several popular options at home with our own infants, then talked to experts about how to use smart bassinets safely and shop wisely for one for your baby. Here are the 6 best smart bassinets of , according to our testing and research.

Most newborn babies want their sleep environment to mimic the womb as much as possible: They sleep better when tucked into a snug space, with gentle rocking motion, and rhythmic white noise. Traditional bassinets offer a cozy, safe place to sleep, but if you want motion and sound, try a smart bassinet. They combine the closeness, convenience, and safety of a bedside bassinet with the motion of an infant swing, and the sounds of a white noise machine, eliminating the need for multiple purchases.

Best Overall

Happiest Baby SNOO Smart Sleeper Baby Bassinet

PHOTO: Amazon

$1,696 at Target

View on Potterybarnkids.com

View on Happiestbaby.com

Why We Like It

Not only did the SNOO Smart Sleeper impress us in our testing by increasing the number of newborn sleep hours (really!), but Dr. Purdy recommends it as well, citing the benefits of its motion sensors, white noise generator, and adjustable height and incline options. Our tester found it easy to assemble and simple to operate via the device itself or the app. Everything from the gentle rocking motion to the built-in swaddle feature functions seamlessly. 

The SNOO even senses when your baby is fussy and gradually responds with motion and sound to soothe them back to sleep. The swaddle clips into the bassinet and keeps the baby flat on their back. As someone who had postpartum complications, our editor appreciated that the SNOO relieved her of some of the more physical duties of caring for a newborn, noting that the bassinet maximized her and her baby&#;s sleep, giving her body the extra time it needed to heal. 

What Parents Say

&#;I appreciated having multiple sleep sack sizes, and I also loved that SNOO had a &#;swaddle for dummies&#; feature that allowed us to simply connect a few velcro pieces for a snug fit.&#; &#;Phaedra, mom of a newborn

But Take Note

In testing, the SNOO improved infant sleep about 70% of the time, which is a little disappointing considering its $1,700 price tag. The bassinet is also on the small side: Our editor&#;s baby was already beginning to creep toward the upper limits of the space at two months old. If price is an issue, the manufacturer offers certified pre-owned bassinets and rental options.

The Details:

• Size: 36 x 19 x 31 inches
• Weight: 52 pounds
• Recommended age/weight: 33 pounds, infants up to 6 months or when they can roll over/push themselves up
• App compatibility: Yes

• PHOTO: Parents

• PHOTO: Parents

• PHOTO: Parents

Best Motion

4moms mamaRoo Sleep Bassinet

PHOTO: Amazon

$450 at Amazon

$450 at Walmart

View on Babylist.com

Why We Like It

If you&#;re looking for a bassinet that offers different types of motion but doesn&#;t take up much room, the mamaRoo is a compact option chock full of smart features. In testing, we loved how easy it was to set up, noting its minimalist design, small footprint, and built-in storage. It has five different motions with five different speeds, plus the ability to create preset settings and a customized setting that specifically mimics your body movements. 

Our tester liked the timer feature and appreciated being able to control the motion settings from the app or the bassinet itself, though some features are app-only control. Overall, she found the mamaRoo to be a reliable alternative to the more expensive SNOO, offering durability, easy cleaning, and a wider range of motion features for soothing your baby.

What Parents Say

&#;My newborn falls asleep in the mamaRoo faster and stays asleep longer compared with his mini crib. I'm pleasantly surprised to find myself using nearly all of the features every day, including for naps and nighttime sleep.&#; &#;Niusha, mom of a newborn

But Take Note

Our tester would&#;ve liked to be able to control all the bassinet&#;s features via its touchscreen. She also thought the bassinet was a little high, forcing her to get out of bed to lift her newborn out. With an unplanned c-section, this was uncomfortable.

The Details:

• Size: 34 x 24 x 39 inches
• Weight: 30.5 pounds
• Recommended age/weight: 25 pounds or until baby can push up on hands or knees
• App compatibility: Yes

• PHOTO: Parents

• PHOTO: Parents

• PHOTO: Parents

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Best Value

Graco Soothing Bassinet

PHOTO: Amazon

$399 at Amazon

$400 at Target

$399 at Walmart

Why We Like It

Our tester used the Graco SmartSense Soothing Bassinet with her second baby. Compared with the SNOO she used with her first baby, she found the Graco to be a reasonable alternative, providing many of the same convenient features as the SNOO for a fraction of the price, and offering a motion option that the SNOO doesn&#;t: vibration. 

In testing, the Graco scored highly in durability, smart features, and value. It has a washable mattress pad and options for vibration, back-and-forth motion, and music or white noise. Our tester really liked the ability to stream her own soothing Spotify playlist through the bassinet speakers via Bluetooth. The bassinet&#;s cry detection technology didn&#;t always kick in when needed, but when it did, it did a great job soothing her son back to sleep.

What Parents Say

&#;The cry detection technology of the SNOO was a game changer with my first son. To have basically the same machine in the Graco SmartSense, with more variation and options for only $400 is a steal!&#; &#;Alicia, mom of a 2-year-old and a newborn

But Take Note

This bassinet doesn&#;t have app connectivity, which was a big downside for our parent tester, who was used to operating her SNOO with an app from her . Having to approach the bassinet to adjust the settings when her baby was beginning to stir wasn&#;t ideal.

The Details:

• Size: 22.75 x 31.5 x 36 inches
• Weight: 31 pounds
• Recommended age/weight: Babies 5 months or 20 pounds, or until baby can roll over or push up
• App compatibility: No

• PHOTO: Parents

• PHOTO: Parents

• PHOTO: Parents

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Best Bedside

Halo Bassinest Soothing Swivel Sleeper 3.0

PHOTO: Target

View on Halosleep.com

View on Babylist.com

Why We Like It

With a unique swivel design, the HALO BassiNest makes it easier than ever to reach over and tend to your baby in the middle of the night while still prioritizing a safe sleep environment.  The swiveling was one of our tester&#;s favorite features: Her newborn could sleep just inches away, and thanks to the lowering side wall, she could reach over to lay her baby down or pick him up without bending over or even getting out of bed. 

This means it offers the benefits of co-sleeping without any of the risks. That level of accessibility makes it a great pick for new parents who are recovering from a C-section or experiencing postpartum complications or anxiety. The BassiNest also has smart features, like vibration, white noise, and lighting.

What Parents Say

&#;I liked that the side wall of the Halo could be lowered easily; as a breastfeeding mom, this made it easy for me to grab him to nurse in the night without getting out of bed.&#; &#;Cassie, mom of a newborn

Want more information on electric baby bedside cribs? Feel free to contact us.

But Take Note

Our tester&#;s son wasn&#;t soothed by the vibration or any other smart features on the BassiNest. It doesn&#;t have any rocking or gliding motion options, so it&#;s better for parents who like the idea of co-sleeping but have concerns about safe sleep. It&#;s also not app-compatible, so you need to change the settings on the device itself. 

The Details:

• Size: 34 x 34 x 43 inches (can be lowered to 36 inches)
• Weight: 23 pounds
• Recommended age/weight: Up to 20 pounds
• App compatibility: No

• PHOTO: Parents

• PHOTO: Parents

• PHOTO: Parents

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Best Looking

TruBliss Evi Smart Bassinet

PHOTO: Amazon

$400 at Amazon

$400 at Target

$400

$340 at Nordstrom

Why We Like It

Our tester loved how sleek and attractive the TruBliss EVI Smart Bassinet was, blending seamlessly into her home decor. It also offers convenient functionality with a storage area for keeping newborn essentials contained and within reach. In testing, we liked the relatively easy setup, the spacious oval shape of the crib, the washable, high-quality fabrics, and its stability on both hardwood and carpeting. 

It comes with two light settings, four sound settings, and a swivel movement setting, all of which are adjustable through an app. The app was fairly easy to use except for a few minor quirks, but note that the product can only be controlled through the app&#;you cannot change settings on the bassinet itself.

But Take Note

It doesn&#;t roll or fold up, limiting its portability, and if your baby doesn&#;t like gliding, there are no other motion options. You can only control it through an app, and our tester also disliked how opaque the fabric is on the sides of the crib.

The Details:

• Size: 35 x 22 x 32 inches
• Weight: 28 pounds
• Recommended age/weight: Infants up to 5 months or when they can roll over/push themselves up, or 20 pounds
• App compatibility: Yes

• PHOTO: Parents

• PHOTO: Parents

• PHOTO: Parents

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• PHOTO: Parents

Best Bassinet-Crib Combo

Cradlewise Smart Crib

PHOTO: Cradlewise

View on Cradlewise.com

View on Babylist.com

Why We Like It

The Cradlewise Smart Crib is much more versatile and long-lasting than most other bassinets. It has an inner mattress that can be raised to make it a bassinet and then lowered to a crib height when your baby is bigger. This makes it a good choice for parents who don&#;t want to choose between a bassinet and a crib. The Cradlewise senses when your baby is stirring and uses a bouncing motion and gentle music to soothe your baby back to sleep. 

In testing, the bouncing helped our baby get back to sleep during longer sleep periods, but other times it started bouncing just as we were laying our baby down, rousing them out of lighter sleep. One feature we really appreciated is the built-in camera. It allowed us to get an overhead view of our baby through the app, which usually isn&#;t possible with a standard video baby monitor. A picture-in-picture feature lets you do so while you're doing other things with your . 

But Take Note

The app was pretty glitchy during testing, though the brand assures us the crib's firmware and app have since been updated. We were disappointed with the sound quality of the audio feature and ultimately ended up turning off many of the smart features. Plus, the $2,000 price tag is steep. 

The Details:

• Size: 40 x 25 x 42 inches
• Weight: 88 pounds
• Recommended age/weight: Up to 24 months old or 33 pounds
• App compatibility: Yes

• PHOTO: Parents

• PHOTO: Parents

• PHOTO: Parents

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Photo: Connie Park

Best for: Folks who are willing to pay (significantly) more for a responsive bassinet that might help their family get more hours of sleep during those desperate early days of parenting.

Why we like it: The Snoo Smart Sleeper is an expensive, well-engineered smart bassinet that makes a lot of big promises about increasing your baby&#;s sleep. Specifically, the claim is that it will add one to two hours per night to their schedule and sleep-train your baby. (For our full assessment of the Snoo, see Is the $1,700 Snoo Smart Sleeper Bassinet Worth It? What to Know Before You Buy.)

The bassinet is outfitted with a microphone and sensors that allow it to tell (via sound and motion clues) whether your baby is awake and in need of soothing. The bassinet responds accordingly with automated swaying and shushing, coaxing the baby to sleep and ultimately allowing parents to get more rest during the bleary, exhausted first months of newborn life.

In our case, it actually worked. But for every Snoo devotee out there, you&#;re likely to find a hater or&#;more commonly&#;a parent who paid a pretty penny only to be underwhelmed when their infant didn&#;t follow the script.

To activate its smart features, the Snoo requires the use of proprietary &#;Sleep Sack&#; swaddles, which have wings that clip into the side of the bassinet, securing the infant in place.

Photo: Connie Park

The Snoo rocks at its baseline speed&#;that is, what it would typically do throughout the night when a baby is asleep and calm. (Note: The doll used for this photo shoot was 18 inches long; the average length of a newborn is 18 to 22 inches.)

Video: Connie Park

To activate its smart features, the Snoo requires the use of proprietary &#;Sleep Sack&#; swaddles, which have wings that clip into the side of the bassinet, securing the infant in place.

Photo: Connie Park

The concept behind the Snoo isn&#;t anything new. It was designed by Dr. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician who popularized a method of calming babies, called the 5 S&#;s, in his best-selling book The Happiest Baby on the Block (first published in ). Caregivers have long been responsible for implementing the S&#;s (including swaying, shushing, and swaddling). But the Snoo lets you outsource&#;er, automate&#;some of them, enabling an infant to sleep longer and more deeply with less parental intervention.

It&#;s not like humans are totally forgotten in the process, though: The Snoo&#;s features are designed to mimic the relaxing sounds and motions of the womb. The idea is that a baby feels comforted by the familiar at a time when the outside world is an unfamiliar and unsettling place.

Video: Connie Park

At first glance, there&#;s nothing that reads particularly high-tech about the Snoo. It looks like a sleek and stylish bassinet, with white mesh walls anchored by a wooden base and chrome legs that give off a vaguely Scandinavian vibe. The cover of the mattress is water-resistant, and the mattress and mesh can be spot-cleaned with a mild soap or detergent.

At 38 pounds, the Snoo is heavy to move, but it&#;s easy to assemble without tools, and it has a compact footprint. The bassinet comes with an organic cotton sheet and a starter pack of Snoo Sleep Sacks&#;proprietary swaddles you zip your baby into and then hook onto two plastic clips affixed to the bassinet&#;s base. (The Snoo&#;s motion function cannot be activated if the swaddle is not attached properly to the hooks.) By attaching the swaddle to the mattress clips, you are effectively immobilizing your child on their back within the bassinet.

The Snoo&#;s app is easy to use. As of July 15, , Happiest Baby, which makes the Snoo, will offer two subscription options for the app.

The basic version is available to everyone free of charge; it includes the ability to control the Snoo&#;s speed and sound, and to receive alerts if the baby needs attention.

Along with the functions of the basic app, the premium version lets you track your baby&#;s sleeping and eating patterns over time. It also has some advanced settings for motion and sounds, and more. The premium version is free for nine months for those who buy the Snoo directly from the company or an authorized seller; those who rent it get the premium membership for the length of the rental plus one extra month. For people who buy their Snoo secondhand, borrow from a friend, or want to extend the membership beyond nine months, it costs $20 a month.

If you bought your Snoo from Happiest Baby or an authorized seller before July 15, , and are currently using it, you&#;ll have nine months of free premium access starting from when you began using the Snoo.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

For most families, the Snoo&#;s price will be its biggest drawback. At the time of publication, it was $1,700 purchased at full retail (though it does go on sale); this is a number that might sound outrageous or reasonable, depending on your budget and desperation for more sleep.

Still, the Snoo is known for having a healthy resale market, so you&#;re likely to be able to recoup a good portion of your initial investment. Or a Snoo can be rented directly from Happiest Baby, for $159 per month. You should also factor in the cost of purchasing additional Snoo Sleep Sacks, which come in different sizes, if you want to have extras.

The criticisms about the Snoo should not be rejected out of hand. Some parents we surveyed complained that it simply didn&#;t work for them&#;their babies just didn&#;t like it. Others had difficulty weaning their babies from the Snoo and moving them to a traditional crib after four to six months.

I interviewed multiple experts who were in favor of the Snoo, but I also spoke to experts who voiced concerns. Among the issues? The Snoo can work so well that babies may not wake up on their own to eat. If parents aren&#;t diligent about setting alarms every two to four hours for feedings, babies could potentially end up suffering from &#;failure to thrive.&#; This is the term for when a child&#;s weight or growth rate falls significantly below that of their peers, cautions Aleesha Burke, a lactation consultant in Layton, Utah.

Stacy Conder, a physical therapist, and Susan Klemm, an occupational therapist&#;both of the Carolina Kinder Development pediatric practice in Charlotte, North Carolina&#;also advise against using the Snoo. Because Snoo babies aren&#;t repositioned often enough, they said this could potentially exacerbate head and neck conditions such as plagiocephaly (back-of-the-head flatness), torticollis, and brachycephaly.

And since the Snoo Sleep Sack pins the baby to the bassinet surface, it keeps the infant from practicing developmental skills, like rolling over, as they grow. A pediatrician I spoke with didn&#;t name the Snoo specifically, but they suggested that a smart sleeper that uses prolonged swaddling could hamper gross motor development, by preventing a baby from trying to roll in the two- to four-month window. The Snoo&#;s maker says it can be used for up to six months. But six months is a long time to go without the freedom to roll over, considering how many hours infants log in their beds. Finally, the Snoo provides no storage space.

For more on our personal experience with testing the Snoo, see Is the $1,700 Snoo Smart Sleeper Bassinet Worth It? What to Know Before You Buy.

Key specs

Assembly time: 3 minutes
Dimensions when assembled: 35¾ by 19 by 31 inches (LWH)
Bassinet weight: 38 pounds
Baby weight limit: 25 pounds
Adjustable: no
Storage: no
Included accessories: three Snoo Sleep Sacks (S, M, L) with Snoo purchase or two (S, M) with Snoo rental, one fitted sheet
Other special features: responsive swaying, white noise

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