For the first few months of your baby’s life, you’ll probably want to keep a close eye on him or her. While you may already have a crib in the nursery, it won’t be conveniently close to you at all times. That’s what a bassinet is for. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) safe sleep guidelines, room-sharing with your baby for the first six months can help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A bassinet will provide your baby with a safe, sleeping surface that’s portable and can easily fit into any space. So, which bassinet is best for your baby? Our tests and research came up with the 10 best in the market today.

Delta Children Sweet Beginnings Bassinet

When you think of bassinet, it’s probably something similar to what the Delta Children Sweet Beginnings Bassinet looks like. It has that fancy adjustable canopy (which you can remove if it’s not your cuppa). It comes with a comfortable sleeping area complete with a fitted sheet. There’s a nightlight and soothing music. The frame is conveniently lightweight. Coupled with the locking casters, you can easily move this bassinet around the home as you go about doing your chores while the little one is asleep or just lying around. Two large storage baskets underneath the baby’s bed lets you store a lot of the essentials so you never have to go back to the nursery for stuff. More importantly, this product meets all ASTM and CPSC Standards as well as JPMA Certifications. However, the mattress is pretty thin. The music isn’t all that soothing to a parent’s ears. And the included sheet isn’t all that soft so you might want to get a different one that fits with this bassinet. For the price though, this bassinet can’t be beat.

Dream On Me Karley Bassinet

If you want something that’s great for travel, the Dream On Me Karley Bassinet is just the thing. This bassinet folds flat. Yes, you read that right. It folds flat which makes it perfect for travel. It’s also very lightweight due to its aluminum frame. But don’t think that this isn’t sturdy because it is. Aside from being very portable, this bassinet has an adjustable double canopy which allow you to enclose your baby from mosquitoes, curious pets, etc. when sleeping at night. There’s even a storage space under for any essentials that you want to keep conveniently on hand. However, the max weight of the bassinet does vary depending on the color you pick. The pink one can only hold up to 10 pounds while the blue gray can hold up to 25 pounds. Also, some parents reported some off-gassing though it does go away after a couple of days. In addition, the included mattress is a bit too soft in our opinion.

HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper

The Halo Bassinest Swivel Sleeper features a modern design that may appeal to a lot of today’s parents. It has an adjustable height so you can set it to whatever height is comfortable for you. It even has a side wall that lowers, making it easier for moms to take care of the little one while recovering from a C-section. The bassinet also swivels and rotates so you can keep your baby as close to you as possible while sleeping. And there are the extras – a nightlight, 2 vibration levels, 3 lullabies, and 3 soothing sounds plus a 30-minute auto shut off. The mesh walls provide maximum breathability and visibility even as you’re lying down in bed. Plus, you can use this for your baby up until he or she is 5 months old. However, this is an expensive baby product which only has a short lifespan (unless you plan on having another kid later on). Because this is heavy and has no wheels, this may not be an ideal choice if you plan on moving the bassinet with you as you go around the house. And the side pockets do not provide enough storage space for essentials.

Brica Fold N’ Go

The Brica Fold N’ Go is the best bassinet to take with you wherever you go. Unlike most of our other picks, this one doesn’t come with legs. It lies directly on a surface, allowing you to set it up anywhere – on the beach, at the park, in a hotel, etc. This travel bassinet folds flat for easy storage and even comes with a carrying handle so you can take it with you wherever you go. The Safe-T-Lock System ensures that the bassinet won’t be folding down while you’re baby’s resting in ti. And the mesh panels provide breathability. However, this bassinet is on the small side; it’s only for babies up to 3 months or 15 pounds (whichever comes first). The mattress is a bit on the thin side.

Graco Dream Suite Bassinet

The Graco Dream Suite Bassinet is the perfect choice for parents with minimal space to spare. This is because it not only functions as a bassinet it also flips into a changing table for babies weighing up to 30 pounds. The four locking wheels allow you to easily move the bassinet from one room to another while the 2-speed vibration can rock your baby to sleep while you do some chores around the house. There’s also a huge storage basket where you can keep your baby’s things to make changing nappies a breeze. The fabric on the changer is easy to clean – just wipe it. However, the bassinet part is only for babies up to 15 lbs. The instructions for assembly are poorly written. And it can be hard to find replacement sheets for this one.

Chicco LullaGo Portable Bassinet

The Chicco Lullago Bassinet Travel Crib allows you to still enjoy adventures around the world with your newborn. This bassinet features Snap-On legs which can be removed for easy disassembly. The rest of the bassinet folds flat and can be placed in the included carry bag for easy travel. The fabric parts of the bassinet are all removable and machine-washable. The mesh windows makes it easy to keep an eye on your baby while the anti-sleep feet ensures the bassinet stays stable wherever it is placed. And this is much larger than your average bassinet, able to accommodate babies weighing up to 20 pounds. However, the mattress sheet isn’t top quality and cannot easily be replaced. The carry bag doesn’t zip closed which means it isn’t ideal for air travel. And the legs are not adjustable which may not be ideal for parents who can’t bend so far (like moms recovering from a C-section).

Arm’s Reach Concepts Cambria Co-Sleeper Bassinet

If you want your baby to safely co-sleep with you without actually placing him or her on your bed, then the Arm’s Reach Concepts Cambria Co-Sleeper Bassinet is the perfect choice for you. This bassinet not only allows you to roll over the bassinet right beside your bed, it even has a strap that attaches the bassinet to the bed, ensuring that there’s no gap in between. It’s also height adjustable which means you can easily set it to lie flush with your bed. And there’s one side that folds downward, enabling you to easily reach for your baby at night for 3am feedings. The mesh sides ensure maximum breathability and keeps the baby visible to you at all times. The large storage baskets below enable you to store a lot of essentials, keeping them conveniently on hand. As an added bonus, the beautifully curved wooden ends will look great in any decor. However, the mattress is a bit too hard in many parents’ opinions. It can be difficult to find affordable sheets that fit. And some parents reported that the finish on the wood can get easily dinged.

BabyBjörn Gentle Rocking Cradle

The BabyBjörn Gentle Rocking Cradle is elegant in its design and perfect for small spaces. It is compact and lightweight which means you can easily pick it up and move it around the house. The soft mesh fabric is super breathable and allows you to keep an eye on the baby. The mattress and the bassinet’s fabric are easily removed and washable. The bassinet comes with a spring suspension system that allows you to gently rock your baby using your hand or foot. Even your baby’s movements can cause the bassinet to rock, soothing him/her to sleep. The legs are wide and stable so you never have to worry about your baby’s safety. And this is JPMA Certified. However, the fitted sheet is not included (sold separately). The height isn’t adjustable and this one is already set very low on the ground. And, as it is very small, it probably won’t last as long as 6 months like the manufacturer claims; your baby will most likely outgrow it within 3.

Contours Classique Wood Bassinet

The Contours Classique Wood Bassinet is another bassinet that features a beautiful wood frame. However, there is more to this than just its looks. The bassinet comes with a removable Moses basket so you can carry your baby anywhere in the house without taking the entire thing with you. If you don’t want to carry the basket, the bassinet also has wheels for rolling it around the house. It comes with a changing table that you attach on top to use. When not in use, you can clip it beneath the bassinet for easy storage. And it has hanging side pockets plus a huge storage basket underneath, providing you with lots of storage options. However, the bassinet fabric is not machine-washable which just adds to the ton of things you already have to do. The mesh panel is very small; your baby could end mushed up on the part that isn’t mesh. Also, the mattress is thin. Plus, this one has a max weight limit of 15 lbs.

MiClassic 2in1 Rocking Bassinet

The MiClassic 2in1 Rocking Bassinet is another travel-friendly option for parents who like to be on-the-go. It features a one-second open & fold system; just use the Quick Pull Up to get the bassinet folded and ready for travel. Like some of our other picks, this bassinet also comes with a carry bag. It has breathable mesh siding all around, a waterproof mattress cover, and two modes – stationary and rock modes. Aside from being great for traveling, parents will be glad to note that this bassinet can handle up to 35 lbs and has enough space to accommodate a growing baby. However, it doesn’t have an adjustable height which can mean bending over too much for people with bad backs or moms who just had a C-section. Also, regular bassinet sized sheets don’t fit so you have to buy directly from the manufacturer. Take note of the dimensions of this bassinet because it may be larger than what you have room for.

Baby Bassinet Buying Guide

For the first six months of your baby’s life, you’ll need to make sure that he or she always sleeps nearby. Unless you can have a crib set up in your bedroom, a bassinet is the perfect choice for a snug, sleeping space for your little one that can be set up right beside your bed. The great thing about bassinets are that they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. You’re pretty much spoiled for choice. However, that also means choosing the right one for your family isn’t going to be easy. This brief guide should help you learn everything there is to know about making the right decision.

Types of Bassinets

Free-standing or Traditional Bassinets

This type of bassinet, as the name suggests, can stand on its own. You can place it near your bed or anywhere around your home. Some will have wheels for better mobility, others won’t. The sides of a traditional bassinet will be fixed; you can’t lower them for easy access. But it will have mesh sides so you can see your baby as you lie down on the bed. The Delta Children Sweet Beginnings Bassinet is a free-standing bassinet.

Co-sleeper Bassinets

This type of bassinet, as it already states, allows a parent to safely co-sleep with their baby without sharing a bed. It usually allows you to attach the bassinet onto the side of the bed or swing the bassinet over the mattress, allowing parents to easily attend to the little one without getting out of the bed. Like the free-standing bassinet, this one also features mesh siding. However, one of the walls can usually be lowered to allow nursing mothers to easily access the baby. A lot of co-sleeper bassinets like the Arm’s Reach Concepts Cambria Co-Sleeper Bassinet  also allow you to adjust their height so it can lie flush to the bed.

Travel Bassinets

This type of bassinet is designed specifically for portability. It is usually easy to assemble and disassemble. You can fold it and bring it with you to the park, Grandma’s house, or on your next vacation. Some like the Brica Fold N’ Go feature a carry handle for easy transport while others like the Chicco LullaGo Portable Bassinet even come with a carry bag.

Important Factors to Consider

Size

In almost all things in life, size always matters. Not just any size will do. You need to consider where you’ll be placing the bassinet. Some bassinets are built to be compact like the BabyBjörn Gentle Rocking Cradle while others like the MiClassic 2in1 Rocking Bassinet are spacious.

One factor that affects size is lifespan. Some bassinets may be small enough to fit your allotted space. However, it may mean that you’ll only get a couple of months’ use out of the bassinet if your baby grows fast.

Weight limit

Most bassinets can be used for babies up to 3 to 6 months of age. However, all models will have a maximum weight limit that must be adhered to whatever your baby’s age may be in order to ensure his/her safety. Some models will have a low weight limit, only 10 pounds. Others will have as high as 35 pounds. Generally, most will be able to safely hold babies weighing 15 to 20 pounds. The Dream On Me Karley Bassinet is one model that has different max weight limits depending on the color you choose.

Breathability

Any bassinet that you end up choosing needs to be safe for your baby. That means having breathable mesh covering helps lower the risk of suffocation should your little one roll over and mush his face against the wall of the bassinet. Also, it increases circulation which keeps your baby cool and comfortable as he sleeps. The HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper is just one of several on our list that provides maximum breathability.

Portability

The point of a bassinet is to always be near at hand while your newborn is asleep. Most bassinets are easy enough to move around the house. However, having a set of wheels like the Graco Dream Suite Bassinet makes it even easier. Some like the Contours Classique Wood Bassinet come with a removable Moses basket that allows you to move your baby around without bringing the entire bassinet with you.

Mattress

For safety, the mattress should fit snugly inside the bassinet without leaving any gaps between the sides where your baby could get stuck. Also, it should be firm enough that it will hold its shape even when the baby lies on top of it. You should take note that, even if the mattress seems very uncomfortable, it is for your baby’s safety – preventing your little one from suffocating and reducing the risk of SIDS.

What extra features should you look for in a bassinet?

Storage: a lot of models like the Arm’s Reach Concepts Cambria Co-Sleeper Bassinet feature storage baskets under the bed to enable parents to have easy access to all the baby’s essentials.

Entertainment: some models like the Delta Children Sweet Beginnings Bassinet feature soothing music and/or sounds plus soft toys to keep your baby happy while in the bassinet.

Canopy: some models will feature a canopy to help block out light, creating a more restful environment for the baby. In addition, some canopies such as the Dream On Me Karley Bassinet are able to keep the entire bassinet enclosed which protects them from insects and curious pets.

Rocking: some models like the BabyBjörn Gentle Rocking Cradle are able to gently rock either through your help or on its own. Some will even vibrate, lulling your baby to sleep. Just make sure that the bassinet does not tilt, become unstable or cause your baby to roll to the side and suffocate.

Convertibility: a few bassinets have more than one functionality. Some like the Contours Classique Wood Bassinet will convert into a changing table which enables you to save space if that’s a concern.