A baby swing is a boon to parents, but that doesn’t mean that you need to spend more than you need to on one. You don’t need to blow your budget.
With four kids, we’ve tried a few swings, and I can tell you that there is no reason to spend hundreds of dollars on a swing. The most money that I would spend on a swing is around $170-180, but my favorite swing was only $120!
How Much is a Baby Swing?
Let me show you why you don’t need to blow your budget on a baby swing. I’m going to compare three swings in my price range and what you can get for your money.
A Budget-Friendly Choice
If you have a tight budget, take a look at the Ingenuity Cozy Kingdom Portable Swing. For less than $60, here is what you get:
- A foldable, compact design
- A plush, comfortable seat
- Dangling toys above your baby
- Six speeds
- A quiet motor with gentle melodies
- Maximum weight limit of 20lbs
This is a no-frills baby swing, but for $60, it has hundreds of great reviews. Your child will be perfectly content in this swing with songs, multiple speeds, and a plush seat.
An Average Baby Swing
Here is my favorite baby swing out of the ones I’ve tried so far – the Graco Simple Sway LX Baby Swing. For $120, here is what you get.
- A multi-direction seat to find what your baby prefers the most.
- A 30lb weight limit
- Can use batteries or plug it into an outlet
- A vibrating seat with two speeds for the vibration
- Ten melodies and five nature sounds
- Six swing speeds
- A removable infant head support pillow
- Three dangling toys above your child
So, for double the price of the Ingenuity swing, you mostly get double the features. My last baby loved this swing, and it did just as much as the more expensive swings that I purchased for my other kids.
The Top of My Budget Baby Swing
If you want to spend a bit more, I suggest you look at Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Cradle ‘n Swing. It’s priced close to $160, and you do get quite a bit for your money.
- Two ways to swing – side to side or head to toe
- Two reclining positions
- Six swing speeds
- 16 songs and nature sounds
- Easy to move positions
- Plush seat pad with head and body support inserts
- Operates with batteries or a plug-in outlet
- Motorized mobile
So, for $40 more than the Graco Simple Sway, you get an extra reclining position, one more sound, and a motorized mobile.
Why I Don’t Recommend the Pricey Seats
Are you surprised that I don’t recommend some of the pricey seats, such as the MamaRoo?
While I know parents who love the MamaRoo and swings like it, you are paying for a lot of extras that your baby doesn’t genuinely need. Babies need a rocking motion that lulls them to sleep while relaxing in a comfortable, safe swing.
You can provide that for your baby without spending more than $160. Focus on what your baby needs, add a few extras, and save your money for other things that your baby needs.
Hey, this is Linda. My biggest accomplishment in life is being a mother of four children. Their current ages range from almost ten years old down to 20 months old.
I’m passionate about writing parenting articles because I understand so well all of the problems and trials you face as a parent. From breastfeeding woes to budgeting problems and behavior problems, along with everything in between, chances are I’ve faced it over the last ten years. Read more about Linda here.
