Best Bedside Sleepers of 2024
Bedside bassinets offer a safe way to keep baby close during the night.
By Babylist Team
Figuring out a safe place for your baby to sleep is likely one of the first things you’ll be thinking about as you get ready to welcome your new addition.
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ safe sleep guidelines recommend room sharing—keeping your baby’s sleep area in the same room where you sleep—for the first six months of your little one’s life, and ideally up to a year. A bedside sleeper is a safe way to give your little one their own sleep space while also keeping them close by and having easy access to them when they need comforting or when it’s time for a feeding or diaper change.
What is a Bedside Sleeper?
A bedside sleeper is similar to a bassinet or a mini crib but has one additional feature: a retractable side that can be raised and lowered in order to provide direct and easy access to your baby.
Many bedside sleepers also feature special safety straps or anchors that secure the sleeper to an adult bed. This provides additional stability to ensure the sleeper is secure, especially when the retractable wall is in use.
When Do You Need a Bedside Sleeper?
Like bassinets, bedside sleepers are ideal for the first few months of your baby’s life. Most can be used from the newborn stage until your little one either reaches the sleeper’s weight limit (usually around 20 pounds or so depending on the model) or begins to show signs of pushing up on their hands or rolling over, often between about three and five months of age.
Bedside sleepers offer an additional convenience factor when compared to traditional bassinets thanks to their retractable wall. You’ll be tending to your little one quite frequently during the newborn months, whether for overnight feedings and diaper changes or simply to check in on them. Being able to retract the sleeper’s side and reach your baby right from your bed is a pretty big plus, especially around 2 a.m.
Bedside sleepers are also a good choice for parents who’ve had a C-section and may not be able to stand up and reach over the sides of a crib or bassinet to pick up their little one.
Bedside Sleepers and Sleep Safety
Bedside sleepers are required to meet the same safety standards as bassinets in order to be sold in the US. However, due to the lack of research or studies on bedside sleepers, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not officially recommend for nor against them in their safe sleep guidelines.
There are some important safety checks you’ll want to put in place when using a bedside sleeper. Please consult your sleeper’s manual for specific instructions, but always keep these general safety guidelines in mind:
- Always be sure the sleeper is securely and correctly attached to the adult bed per the manufacturer’s directions.
- There should never be more than a half-inch gap between the sleeper and the bed. Check this gap each time before use to be sure the sleeper is securely attached to the adult bed. If the gap exceeds a half inch, don’t use the sleeper—and never try to fill it with a blanket or other loose objects.
- Never allow bedding from the adult bed to extend into the bedside sleeper.
Babylist’s Picks for Best Bedside Sleepers
Most Versatile Bedside Sleeper
The Scoop
- Fully customizable for height and position
- 360-degree swivel
- 2-in-1 design converts to portable lounger
What Our Experts Think
This bedside sleeper from Halo is one of the most popular choices among Babylist parents. Customizable positioning and portable convenience are the highlights here. The BassiNest features a 360-degree swivel and an adjustable stand so you can find just the right spot that’s comfortable for both you and your little one. Need more portability? The sleeper portion pops off for a safe place for baby to sleep or relax around your home.
The BassiNest is designed with a base that slips right under your bed, a big space-saver if you’re looking to minimize the amount of baby gear taking over your bedroom or if you live in tight quarters. The retractable wall lowers to provide easy access to your baby, and we love the sheer mesh sides for breathability and visibility.
What’s Worth Considering
The 3.0 version of this bassinet is over 30% lighter than previous models.
What Babylist Parents Say
“The best. I had two C-sections. This had just come out when I had my second, and the difference is huge—being able to stay completely seated to get the baby out to nurse gave a much-needed break to my healing wound. Total game changer as far as I’m concerned.” -Catherine K.
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Ages 0–5 mos or 20 lbs (discontinue use when your baby shows signs of rolling over or pushing up) |
Most Affordable Bedside Sleeper
The Scoop
- Under $200—most affordable option on our list
- Lightweight and easy to move between rooms
- Height adjustable
What Our Experts Think
The Baby Delight bedside bassinet offers many of the same perks as other bassinets on our list but comes in at a lower price point of under $200. This bassinet’s two standout features are its breathable mesh sides (a big factor in keeping your new parent anxiety down, trust us) and the six different height positions. Like the other bedside sleepers on our list, this one has a zip-down side panel for easy access to your little one. It’s also significantly lighter than many of our other picks—about 18 pounds—so it’s a good choice if you’re looking for something you can move from room to room.
What’s Worth Considering
Some parents comment that even on its highest height setting, this bassinet is still too low to line up properly with their bed’s mattress, so we suggest measuring before buying.
What Babylist Parents Say
“Easy to bring baby in bed to nurse at night, have baby right next to you, and still know they’re in a safe sleep environment.” -Jennifer
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Ages 0–5 mos or 20 lbs (discontinue use when your baby shows signs of rolling over or pushing up) |
Best Bedside Bassinet for Small Spaces
The Scoop
- Small footprint, perfect for smaller spaces
- Lots of built-in storage
- Portable
What Our Experts Think
Arm’s Reach created the first co-sleeper bassinet over 20 years ago, and the brand has been going strong since. They make some of our favorite co-sleepers on the market—and the Mini is one of our top choices for smaller spaces. (Or for any space, really.) Its tiny footprint makes it ideal if you want all the benefits of a full-size co-sleeper but don’t have the space. It’s easily portable thanks to two wheels on one side and works as both a freestanding bassinet and a co-sleeper with a zip-down side. We also love all of the built-in storage options for diapers, wipes and anything else you need to stow away.
What’s Worth Considering
The Mini works best for bed heights starting at 24” (measured from the floor to the top of the adult mattress). If your bed is taller, you’ll need to purchase a leg extension kit, sold separately.
Not pressed for space? The Arm’s Reach Cambria Co-Sleeper Bassinet offers similar features and is more spacious than the Mini.
What Babylist Parents Say
“The co-sleeper makes keeping my baby close but safe so easy. The mattress pad is easy to clean and the side slides down for easy access to my little one through the night. It also easily folds away like a pack and play. This co-sleeper has been a life saver and I will use it for every baby I have!” -Brittany
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | 0–5 months or until baby is able to push up on their own |
Best Bedside Sleeper That Grows with Baby
The Scoop
- Transforms from bassinet to cot
- Seven height adjustments
- Breathable mattress
What Our Experts Think
This multifunctional sleep system is in it for the long haul. The Air transforms from a bedside sleeper with a zip-down side or a standalone bassinet to a larger cot that you can use until your little one is about two years old. It also features maximum breathability. The mesh sides promote airflow, and the hypoallergenic fiber mattress that’s included is 50% more breathable than standard foam mattresses. The Air has seven different height adjustments so it should be easy to find the one that matches up with your mattress height.
What’s Worth Considering
The Air is the most expensive bedside sleeper on our list, although it’s also the one that will last you the longest. You’ll have to buy the Cot Conversion Kit as well as the cot mattress separately when it’s time to make the bassinet-to-cot transition.
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Recommended for 0–6 months (or when baby starts to roll over, pull up or reaches approx. 20 lbs) |
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