The Best Bassinets to Keep Your Baby Close at Night

As a huge fan of Newton’s breathable crib mattress (I really love it), I was thrilled when the brand released a bassinet several years ago and couldn’t wait to try it. Turns out I love it just as much, and many Babylist parents agree: it’s one of the most registered-for bassinets in the Babylist Shop.

The mattress is the first thing that most parents tell me drew them to the Newton bassinet. I agree, as it’s also what I love most about it. Just like their popular crib mattress, this mini version is 100% breathable, washable and lightweight. This matters because anxiety over baby’s sleep is pretty common among new parents (raises hand…)—and anything that can help manage that is something I’m always here for. “The peace of mind with the mattress being fully breathable is awesome,” one parent told us in our annual Most Loved Baby Products survey.

Another feature I like about this bassinet is the sleep space. It’s big ("bigger than most bassinets,” according to another parent we spoke with), so you’ll be able to use it longer than many other bassinets on the market, and the sides are all mesh. It’s also sturdy and timelessly styled, making it a good investment if you plan on having more than one child.

The Newton was easy to adjust. There are eight height settings, so you can find the one that works best for you—just note that even the highest setting is still rather low if you’re on the taller side. (I’m 5’10” for reference.) And while I didn’t use it much, the zip-down side is good for easy access to your baby (a friend used it to slip her hand through to pat her newborn's back) or if you plan to use the bassinet as a bedside sleeper. Parents also like that it’s fairly lightweight and easy to move around the house, although note that it doesn’t have wheels.

Due to its larger sleep space, the Newton has a bigger footprint than some other comparable bassinets. The base doesn’t slide under your bed and takes up a decent amount of real estate, even in a larger bedroom or nursery. But the tradeoff is that there are no splayed legs to trip over, a common parent complaint about many “space-saving” bassinet styles.

Additional Specs

• Sleep Space Dimensions: 41.5” L x 22” W

• Child Guidelines: Designed for newborns up to approx 6 mos or up to 20 lbs; stop using when baby can push up on hands and knees or roll over

Love the Newton Bassinet but don't want to spend $300? Meet the Essential: the same breathable mattress, (almost) the same design and $100 cheaper. The Essential doesn't adjust to different heights and doesn't have a drop-down side, but it still features the brand's patented breathable mattress and has storage underneath similar to the more expensive model. It's also lighter and easier to move around your space.

Multi-function baby gear is always a win in my book. The Halo BassiNest pulls double duty as a safe place for your little one to sleep and a portable spot for them to chill around your home thanks to the removable bassinet. It’s also a popular choice among Babylist parents, with 15% naming it as their favorite bassinet in our Most Loved Baby Products survey.

Customization and versatility are big reasons the BassiNest has stayed so popular. It features a 360-degree swivel, an adjustable stand for beds up to 30 inches and a retractable side wall. “It makes tending to our baby during the night so easy,” one parent told us. This adjustability is especially useful if you’re sore post-delivery. One parent called it a “must-have” for C-section parents or anyone else struggling with core strength postpartum. “The drop side was a lifesaver,” she said.

The removable bassinet is a newer feature, and a thoughtful one. It pops off the stand to become a portable, safe spot for baby to hang out around the house (just note it’s not for sleep when detached).

A couple of caveats: the base won’t slide under low bed frames (Halo recommends at least 4.5 inches of clearance), and the splayed legs can stick out and be easy to trip over. Some parents also mention a slight tilt, often when the bassinet is swiveled outward and not centered on its base—something to keep in mind if your baby is on the heavier side.

Additional Specs

• Sleep Space Dimensions: 30” L x 17” W

• Child Guidelines: Birth up to 20 lbs (approx. five months); stop using when baby begins to show signs of pushing up to hands and knees

Many parents don’t want to splurge on something their baby will outgrow in a few months. And while there are countless other affordable bassinet options on the market, many of them are hard to put together, offer zero adjustability or aren’t very sturdy. This Delta x babyGap pick performs well in all of those categories and then some, all for under $150, making it my pick for the best affordable bassinet option.

The Whisper works as either a standalone bassinet or a bedside sleeper thanks to its drop-down side, a rare feature at this price point. It also offers height adjustability, breathable mesh on three sides and two storage pockets (though there’s no under-bassinet storage). A waterproof mattress pad and fitted sheet are included, saving you the trouble of buying extras.

One more interesting thing to note: all of the fabric, minus the fitted sheet, is made from recycled water bottles. Keep in mind that the sleep space in the Whisper is the smallest of all of the bassinets on our list, measuring about 28 inches long, but I wouldn’t call it small—especially considering the average newborn is about 19-20 inches long.

Additional Specs

• Sleep Space Dimensions: 28" L X 17" W

• Child Guidelines: Babies up to 25 lbs (stop using when baby shows signs of rolling over or pushing up)

A bassinet is about safety, but it’s also about aesthetics. And there’s something about the look and style of the Iora that makes it stand out from the crowd. Combined with impressive functionality and adjustability, it’s an option I frequently recommend to parents looking for a safe and beautiful spot for their baby to sleep. This Classic Oat color is a Babylist exclusive, so you’ll only find it here.

The Iora adjusts both up and down and side to side, so you can match your bed height and pull baby close for easy nighttime access. It’s not the largest bassinet on our list, but its roomy sleep space means you’ll get months of use before your little one outgrows it. Parents also love the mesh sides. "They kept our anxiety low," one noted in our annual survey. And while not especially light, the Iora folds flat for travel, rare for a full-size adjustable bassinet.

There are a few obvious cons to the Iora, including its larger footprint, lack of a drop-down side and price. But one of the less obvious quirks is the mattress pad cover. You can’t purchase one directly via the brand’s website; instead, you need to contact their Customer Care directly. And the brand recommends against using an aftermarket sheet from another manufacturer since it hasn’t been safety tested by Maxi-Cosi.

Additional Specs

• Sleep Space Dimensions: 32" L x 20" W

• Child Guidelines: 0-5 months or up to 20 lbs, or until baby can push up on hands and knees

A bassinet-plus-playard combo is a great choice if you’re looking to save space, minimize the amount of baby gear you’re bringing into your home and invest in a product with more longevity than a traditional bassinet. 

This Graco Pack ‘n Play is a parent favorite; 35% of Babylist parents named it their number one playard in our annual favorite products survey. It’s a true workhorse; you won’t come across many other baby products that can do so much for so long. In addition to two bassinets—both a full-size and a removable, portable option—it also includes a raised newborn seat, a portable infant seat, a wipe-clean diaper changer and a toddler playard. It’s well-priced considering all of the components, and includes a travel bag for storage and on-the-go.

“We use this constantly,” one parent told us. “It is our downstairs changing table, our three-month-old uses it as a night bassinet, we use it to travel. We even bought a second one for the grandparents' house. We LOVE this.”

Like many playards, this one is heavy, weighing over 30 pounds. There are wheels to help make moving it around your home easier if you need to, but keep the weight in mind if you think it might be an issue for you. And while I wouldn’t describe it as hard to open and close, it takes some practice and isn’t as smooth or intuitive as some other playards.

Additional Specs

• Sleep Space Dimensions: 27”L x 29”W x 30”H

• Child Guidelines: Infant bassinet: up to 15 lbs; Newborn Seat: up to 15 lbs, approx 3 mos, stop using if baby begins to wiggle out of position or head touches upper edge of seat; Changer: up to 25 lbs; Playard: up to 30 lbs or 35” (whichever comes first) or is able to climb out

• Product Weight: 32.9 lbs

As a baby gear expert, the product I get asked about the most is far and away the Snoo. “Is the Snoo worth it?” and “Should I register for the Snoo?” are questions I field all the time from expecting parents. My answer? It depends.

Created by Dr. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician, author of The Happiest Baby on the Block and creator of The 5 S’s, the Snoo is a smart bassinet that automatically responds to your baby’s cries with gradual motion and sound. It features a built-in swaddle to keep baby safely on their back, and the bassinet’s movements and sounds are designed to imitate the womb and add a few hours of sleep to your baby’s night.

Opinions on the Snoo are decidedly mixed. Many parents absolutely swear by it. “The Snoo was a game changer,” one mom told us. “It’s the absolute best,” said another. “We were able to get much-needed sleep, and our newborn loved the motion and comfort it provided. We also loved the safety aspects.”

Others, however, aren’t as obsessed. “It’s so expensive and just didn’t work for us,” said one parent in our annual survey. “Our baby hated it so much. He hated to be swaddled and that’s the only way you can use it…[and] when he would cry and the Snoo would speed up [and] it would scare him.” Sheehan, the pediatric sleep consultant we spoke to for this guide, doesn’t recommend it to her clients. “It trains babies to require motion, and is often hard for them to be weaned from,” she says. And some pediatricians and physical and occupational therapists recommend either using it only for a short time period or skipping it altogether because it limits babies’ movements and may lead to developmental issues.

Like so many baby products, I tell expecting parents that whether or not they should register for the Snoo comes down to personal preferences. It’s by far my favorite smart bassinet, and when used as directed can be a very good option for many families. But it’s expensive, has a short usage window and there’s no way to know ahead of time how your baby will respond to it. Two alternative options are to purchase a Certified Pre-Loved Snoo that has undergone a refresh and reconditioning process for about 25% off. There’s also a rental option for $159 per month (one-month minimum rental commitment), which works out to around five dollars a day.

Additional Specs

• Sleep Space Dimensions: 35.75” L x 19” W

• Child Guidelines: For babies 0-6 mos old who cannot roll over consistently

Sometimes less is more. The LullaGo Anywhere is a sleek, simple bassinet that truly lives up to its “go anywhere” name. It’s perfect for travel because it’s lightweight (just about 12 pounds) and breaks down compactly into an included tote. (Better news: it takes only seconds to set back up again.) And it’s just as great to use at home, too. “It is literally so easy to move and maneuver,” one mom told us. “We live in a small house and loved how compact and portable it was,” said another.

The bassinet comes with a fitted sheet, so you won’t need to purchase one separately. The sleep space is on the smaller side but still roomy enough for most babies for at least a few months. Since there’s no bottom shelf, there isn’t a ton of storage, but there is a mesh pocket on the side where you can stash a few smaller items.

One more small quirk worth mentioning: to pack up this bassinet, the mattress folds in half, creating a small ridge right down the middle. Your baby likely won’t notice it, but some parents worry about the comfort.

Keep in mind that the LullaGo doesn’t have wheels. If you’re looking for a rolling bassinet (and space isn’t an issue), Chicco’s Close To You 3-in-1 Bedside Bassinet is a solid choice.

Additional Specs

• Sleep Space Dimensions: 28” L x 15” W

• Child Guidelines: Infants up to 20 lbs or until baby begins to push up on hands and knees (whichever comes first)