The Best Nursery Gliders to Rock, Soothe and Comfort Your Baby In
Your nursery glider will be your home base for soothing your baby. It should be comfortable and stylish too.
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If you have to be up all night with a baby, you may as well be comfortable. A nursery glider serves as a cozy, supportive spot to hang with your little one, whether it’s for a 2 a.m. feeding or a pre-bedtime story. Many become a staple in the nursery for years and can even live on in other parts of your house once the baby days have passed you by.
Aside from being a cozy place to hang out with your baby, your glider can tie your nursery decor together, whether you go with neutral creams and whites or a colorful theme.
Instead of crowning a single glider as the best overall, we picked several options that align with different lifestyles, spaces, and needs. We asked Babylist team members and read through user reviews to find gliders that come highly recommended. We also added real photos to give you an idea of how the nursery glider actually looks in a real space. That way, you can focus on finding the glider that fits your home and your daily routine, not just a one-size-fits-all winner.
Best Affordable Nursery Glider
A comfortable design, tons of color options, a coordinating ottoman and a super-affordable price point? Yes, please. Coming in at a price far below many of the other nursery gliders on our list, the Storkcraft easily nabs a spot as the best affordable nursery glider. This popular chair features comfy cushions, padded arms (one with two storage pockets built right in) and an ottoman that glides in tandem with the glider chair. And from dark wood to light and solids, there’s something for every nursery style here.
Courtesy of Babylist reviewer
Best Nursery Glider Recliner
Namesake Crewe Recliner and Swivel Glider - Blue Gingham With Light Wood Base
From $799.00In case smooth gliding isn’t quite comfy enough for you, this nursery glider takes things one step further by adding a recline feature and a pop-up footrest. The Crewe features water-repellent and stain-resistant eco-performance fabric and a hidden recline mechanism to keep little fingers safe. We love the trendy gingham pattern but you can choose from a handful of more neutral tones if that fits your nursery better.
Courtesy of Babylist reviewer
Best Nursery Glider for Small Spaces
babyletto Toco Swivel Glider and Stationary Ottoman - Performance Beach Eco Weave
From $424.15Lots of parents want the comfort and convenience of a glider but don’t think they have the space. Think again—the Toco boasts one of the smallest footprints of the many nursery glider chairs on the market but doesn’t sacrifice one bit of comfort. It’s perfect for tight city living or for room sharing with your baby. The high back and included lumbar pillow and ottoman make for extra support, and the metal base offers a 360-degree swivel for smooth gliding.
Courtesy of Amanda Michelson
Best Nursery Glider for Tall Parents
babyletto Sigi Electronic Glider - Ivory Boucle With Light Wood Base
From $934.15For taller caregivers, the standard nursery glider might lack neck and back support or the seat of the chair may sit too low, driving your knees into your chest (as a 5-foot-10-inch mom, I understand). The Sigi chair checks the tall parent box. It features a high back over 40 inches in height for proper neck and back support. The seat also has a depth of 39 inches, so if you have longer legs, you won’t feel like a piece of origami trying to get comfortable. We also love the smooth glide (it glides forward, backward and electronically reclines with the touch of a button), plus the material is stain-resistant.
Best Wide Seat Nursery Glider
A nursery glider with a wider seat is not only more comfortable for some body types, but it also allows for more space for different feeding positions and room for toddlers or pets to sit next to you. This nursery chair has a seat width of 25 inches, and to give some perspective, most of the top nursery gliders have a seat width of about 20 to 23 inches. The pillow-top armrests give your elbows a comfy place to land when you're feeding or rocking your baby to sleep. And according to Babylist parents who love this glider, it’s super quiet (a major nap time plus).
Best Nursery Rocker
Storkcraft Northern Lights Nursery Rocker - Natural/Ivory
From $250.06If you’re in the market for a more traditional style rocker, this one by Storkcraft is a good option. The mid-century look will align with most nursery designs and since it doesn’t have a ton of built-in mechanisms to make it glide, swivel and recline, it has a minimalist feel while still helping you rock and soothe your baby (plus it’s quiet).
Best Splurge-y Nursery Glider
This nursery glider from Nurture& is a splurge, but one that’s very much worthwhile since, according to the brand’s website, you’ll spend over 930 hours in a glider as a new parent. Created with feedback from real parents, this beautifully designed, premium quality chair has thoughtful features packed throughout, like an adjustable head support, power recline, built-in USB port and a smooth glide. It’s made from stain-resistant fabric that’s designed to wick away spills and moisture and has a roomy seat and seat depth so your body won't feel like it is squeezing into place. You can add an ottoman, too, but it's sold separately.
If you’re looking for a glider with even more bells and whistles, check out The Glider Plus. It boasts the same features as The Glider, as well as high-quality extras like automated lumbar support and a 200-degree swivel.
Courtesy of Babylist reviewer
Best Stylish Nursery Glider
daVinci Maddox Recliner and Swivel Glider - Vegan Tan Leather
From $499.00When we spoke with nursery designers Naomi Coe and Stephanie DeBrincat about trends to expect in 2026, one of the trends they highlighted was a preppy, traditional aesthetic (think sophisticated with pops of whimsy that you’d expect in a nursery). If this trend is your vibe, DeBrincat said leathery accents, like this glider, are stylish anchor pieces that can bring that trend together. Aside from being nice to look at, this nursery chair glides, reclines and swivels so you can easily soothe your baby in the most comfortable position.
Courtesy of Babylist reviewer
Why Trust Babylist
We analyzed results from Babylist’s Most Loved Baby Products survey, which polled 6,000 Babylist users and asked them to share the baby products they love the most and why.
We utilized insights from Commerce Editor Latifah Miles, an expert with years of experience in the baby product space and a mom of two who has tested and reviewed hundreds of baby products. As well as Gear Editor Jen LaBracio, an expert in the baby space for over six years and a mom of two who has written hundreds of baby gear guides and personally researched and tested hundreds of baby products, including many nursery gliders.
We reviewed customer reviews from hundreds of real Babylist parents.
Do I Need a Nursery Glider?
A nursery glider is a nice-to-have, not a need-to-have. But if you have the budget and the space, many parents would consider a glider to be a great investment, especially during those first few years.
A glider chair is a perfect spot to cuddle, soothe and read to your little one. Add an ottoman for extra foot support and it also becomes a comfortable, supportive place to breastfeed or bottle-feed. You could certainly curl up on the couch or on a traditional chair, too, but you'd miss out on the rhythmic motion, which simulates the womb and helps babies settle into sleep, and the back support.
At some point, it may cross your mind that a nursery-specific glider or rocker isn’t much different than a regular armchair. But that isn’t completely true. Nursery gliders usually have wider arms for better support when you are cradling your baby’s head. They also are designed to have a squeak-free glide or rock (and any tiny creek can potentially wake a sleeping baby). I made the mistake of going with a rocking armchair versus a nursery glider, and in retrospect, it was one of the products I wish I would’ve splurged on and researched more because I spend a ton of time in my unsupportive rocker.
What Is the Difference Between a Glider and a Rocking Chair?
The main difference between a glider and a rocking chair is the way they move. A glider moves in a smooth, back-and-forth motion, similar to a swing, while a rocking chair moves in a more traditional rocking motion, with a curved bottom that allows it to rock back and forth. Both types of chairs come in many different styles, including wingback, extra wide, traditional and more.
Another difference is the mechanism of movement. A glider typically has a base that allows it to glide on a track or bearings, while a rocking chair relies on the curved bottom to create the rocking motion. Some rockers have detachable legs that turn the rocker into a stationary chair so you’ll be able to use it after the baby years.
Some parents consider gliders more comfortable and soothing, as they provide a gentle and continuous motion while rocking chairs can be more jarring and have a shorter rocking arc. However, deciding between a nursery glider and a rocker is generally a matter of personal preference. It can also come down to space and what aesthetic you prefer.
What to Look for in a Nursery Glider
Comfort and design are the features that parents tend to think about the most when shopping for a nursery glider, but check this full list of what to consider before you make a purchase.
Support and comfort. Odds are you're going to be spending a lot of time in your nursery glider. Look for one that has comfortable cushioning, good lumbar support and an easy, effortless rock or glide. You can also look for nice-to-have features like recline, a built-in charging port or an included ottoman.
Size. Nursery gliders are on the larger side, but some have much bigger footprints than others. Be sure to measure your nursery space (or wherever you’ll be using your glider) before you buy. Don’t forget to take into account the extra space your glider will need to rock or glide. You’ll also want to consider the glider’s depth, width and back height to see how they measure up to you and your partner’s size. If you’re tall, for example, you’ll need a glider with a higher back, and if you’re on the shorter side, you may want to make sure the glider you choose isn’t too deep so your feet can still touch the floor.
Durable construction. Gliders and rockers can be expensive, so you'll want one that goes the distance. Ensure that the nursery glider you choose is made of high-quality materials and has a strong frame to withstand regular use and last for years. You also may want to choose a glider that can double as a chair in the long run.
Easy to clean and maintain. Look for a glider with washable cushions or upholstery that is easy to clean, as spills, spit-up and accidents are inevitable.
