Stylish, Safe, and Secure—The 5 Best Bassinets Hit the Trifecta

Stylish parents share their picks.

By Amber C. Snider

Updated on Oct 12, 2018

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Finding the ideal sleeping situation for your newborn can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re a new parent. After all a bassinet isn’t just a place for your baby to sleep—it can be a vital tool to help facilitate bonding. And while safety, versatility, and convenience are all essentials to consider when it comes to choosing the best bassinet, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice aesthetics along the way—especially if you plan to keep it in your bedroom during those first few precious months.

Latham Thomas, founder of maternal health company Mama Glow, says it’s a good idea to stay extra close as your baby adapts to life outside the womb, and not just because it makes checking in on them all the easier. “After sharing body space with their mother or birth person, closeness is really important for newborns because they’re integrating—they’re learning how to breathe, how to maintain body temperature, and how to regulate their heartbeat,” she explains. “It’s important to put them in something that can still maintain proximity.” 

To help you narrow down the search, we asked a host of parenting experts and stylish moms for their favorite recommendations. Here are the ones they swear by.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

Size: Bassinets are typically smaller than traditional cribs and average around 15-by-30 inches. They tend to offer more mobility than cribs, and some designs have adjustable side panels to allow for safe cosleeping. Mattress heights are normally adjustable.

Storage: Not all bassinets can be easily stowed, but some feature a foldable design (with the mattress inside) for handy, under-the-bed storage. Others offer add-on options like canopies or getaway totes for easy transport. If you’re looking to maximize a small space, opt for a design with side pockets or under-carriage shelves to stash essentials. 

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Halo BassiNest Swivel Sleeper 

The Halo BassiNest Swivel Sleeper features a 360-degree rotating design, a lowering bedside wall, and a variety of built-in sleep enhancers, like the sounds of a babbling brook, heartbeat, or white noise, plus two levels of gentle vibrations. Built for babies up to 5 months, the Halo includes a removable bed and machine washable fabric. “We love the Luxe version for the detachable bed,” says Natalie Ebel, cofounder of Backdrop. “I think it’s a great choice for first-time moms because you can sleep with it right next to you.”

While the height is adjustable from 24 to 34 inches, Ebel opted for the Halo because of its mobility: “It’s been a game changer for me and my husband, who needed the ability to move from room to room with ease. We used it in our tiny New York apartment for our first daughter, and it moved with us to our Los Angeles home, where we’re using it again for our second daughter.”

Best for Cosleeping: Scandiborn SnuzPod 4

Designed to fit ottoman, framed, or divan bed bases, the SnuzPod is a great option for cosleeping. And it’s Pasadena-based author, chef, and photographer Julia Sherman’s top pick, too: “It’s sleek and a little larger than the standard bassinet, so it will last you more than six months if you need it to,” she says. “It is also really versatile, with a side panel that unzips in case you want to safely cosleep. The top bassinet is removable and can be carried into another room easily, while the legs stay in place. I also love the rocking function.” 

Scandiborn also offers a Slate bundle option with a SnuzPod Sleep Aid that includes four soothing sounds and two lights to choose from (either a pink glow or soft white light). The bassinet is lightweight for carrying and includes machine washable mesh sides and a breathable mattress. Sherman points out that it’s a great choice for first-time moms who are still learning what’s the easiest way to get their baby to sleep, plus it fits well in small spaces.

Best for Sleep and Play: Bugaboo Stardust Playard

Affordable and multifunctional, the Stardust offers a lot of bang for your buck. The collapsible design is lightweight with mesh sides and an adjustable mattress, making it ideal for cosleeping, travel, and play. It’s also a top pick for Thomas, thanks to its ability to pull double duty. “It has two levels: The upper level is a bassinet-style sleeper, and you can use the lower level as a playpen when the baby gets older,” she notes. Plus, she adds, it’s really simple to store: “When it folds down, it can fit under a bed really easily or behind a door.” It’s available in three core colors and comes with a built-in mattress. 

Best Tech: Happiest Baby Snoo Smart Sleeper

The Snoo might just be one of the most celebrated bassinets around. “Everybody I know—every client—loves it,” says Thomas. Developed by pediatrician and Happiest Baby founder Harvey Karp, the Snoo is equipped with smart technology meant to simulate human contact, like touch, rocking, and soothing. “Newborns are used to the maternal circulations and movements, so those are the qualities the technology is creating,” she explains. The Snoo’s secure swaddling prevents rolling and automatically responds to your baby’s fussing with continuous womblike motion and five levels of specifically designed sound. 

Best Alternative for Travel: DockATot Deluxe+ Dock

Featuring stylish colors in a variety of patterns, both the DockATot Deluxe + Docks (0–8 months) and the DockATot Grand (9–36-plus months) are versatile, lightweight pillow loungers designed to mimic the womb. Thomas says that, when it comes to tote-ability, the DockATock is a chic, handle-less alternative to a handwoven Moses basket. “The DockATot can go on the floor or on an airplane,” she notes. “Plus it’s great for spending time connecting with your baby throughout the day.” 

You can also add on a Cabana kit, which includes a retractable UV-protected shade of 50+ SPF to shield your baby from the sun. But the best part about the DockATock may be the familiar environment it provides: “When you’re moving around or traveling to visit family members, having something the baby is used to is great,” adds Thomas.

How We Vetted These Products

Every product in a Domino guide meets these criteria: 

  1. They blend form and function. We believe the best-designed products reflect your personal style and are a joy to use. 
  2. They’re expert approved. In addition to our team of editors, we tap a range of designers, makers, renovators, and all-around knowledgeable people to share their intel. 
  3. They’re endorsed by people who actually own them. We pay close attention to real reviews to know that they pass the test IRL.