As you shop awaiting the arrival of your little one, there is one thing that must be top on your list of must-have items, and that is a vibrating bassinet. Not just because they are the most popular today, but also because these bassinets have features that help to entertain and soothe babies to sleep for the first months of their life. A vibrating bassinet may just be the solution to save you from having sleepless nights.
There are so many bassinets in the market that it might be hard for you to choose the one that fits your needs. With this understanding, we have spent a great number of hours searching and comparing products and hundreds of parents’ reviews to come up with the best bassinets with both vibrations and music. Our recommended bassinets have the best features to help meet every parent’s needs and make their experience enjoyable. Read on to discover the best bassinets, and hopefully, you will identify the perfect one for your family.
Are vibrating bassinets safe for babies and infants/newborns?
Vibrating bassinets are very safe, and they conform to the set CPSC guidelines for bassinets. Besides that, you don’t need to worry about your baby’s health because they mostly use batteries and thus do not emit electromagnetic radiation or hazardous substances.
How to Pick the Best Bassinets with Vibration and Music
Before we jump into the best bassinets, check out the factors you need to consider when choosing the bassinet that best suits your needs.
Soothing Features
Music– lullabies and nature sounds are very handy in getting your baby to relax and drift to sleep.
Vibrations-babies love sleeping on vibrating surfaces because it is very soothing. Some bassinets have different vibration levels for you to choose whichever your baby loves most. This is great as not every vibration level may be effective in soothing your baby.
Soft light -helps create a relaxing environment and enables you to see without lighting up the whole room.
Rocking/gliding motions
Gentle gliding motions are very calming and help lull your baby to sleep. Consider a rocking bassinet with a locking mechanism to keep it stationary whenever you don’t need the bassinet to rock, like once they have already fallen asleep. Once your baby starts to move more, the motion could tilt the bassinet causing your baby to be pressed against the edge, potentially risking suffocation.
Storage
Babies come with a lot of stuff from diapers, wipes, pacifiers, blankets, and tons of clothes and require storage space to prevent them from ending up scattered all over the place. Consider a bassinet with storage to provide you extra storage to keep the baby’s essentials neatly arranged and within easy reach.
Portability
You will be having a lot of stuff to do around the house in addition to taking care of your baby. Choose a lightweight bassinet with wheels so you can conveniently have your baby close as you attend to other issues. Also, make sure the wheels can lock stationary to keep the bassinet from rolling away accidentally or when placed on an inclined surface.
Canopy
Little babies are accustomed to their dark world in the womb, and bright lights are disturbing. A canopy will help block out light and scorching sun when you take them outside.
Budget
Bassinet prices range from as high as over $1000, like the Snoo bassinet, to as low as $50. The high-end bassinets have superior quality and luxurious features. But considering your baby will only use the bassinet for a few months, quality and durability may not matter a lot unless you plan to pass the bassinet down to future siblings. So, go with whatever option suits your pocket and provides the most basic features you need.
Quick Comparison Table of 5 Best Vibrating Bassinets with Vibrations and Music
| Name of the Bassinet | Features | Price |
| Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet | Vibrations with 30 minutes auto shut offSoothing music | Check Price |
| HALO Bassinet Swivel Sleeper | 2 level vibrations with 30 minutes auto shut off Four soothing melodies | Check Price |
| Graco Pack n’ Play Nearby Napper Playard | 2-speed vibrationsSoothing music and nature sounds | Check Price |
| Delta Children Smooth Glide Bassinet | Variable speed vibrationsSoothing music | Check Price |
| Delta Children Gliding Bassinet | Variable speed vibrationsSoothing music | Check Price |
Reviews of Bassinets with Vibration and Music
1. Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet
The Fisher-price soothing motions bassinet is our top pick for two reasons. It provides parents with a wide range of soothing options, and it comes at reasonably affordable pricing for most families. If you have a fussy baby, this bassinet will save your life as you have so many options to calm your baby without any direct effort from you.
Starting with vibrations, this bassinet has a vibrating unit attached to one side of the bassinet, and it is even better than you can detach it if you wish. The vibrations are preset to run for 30 minutes at a time before switching off. This is great since you don’t have to bother coming or waking up to switch it off every time. Most bassinets do not have this feature.
Besides the vibration, it also has soothing music and dual lights that can be set to night light or projector. Your baby will be fascinated by the sight of the moving starry sky being cast on the wall and ceiling. This is all you need for your baby to relax as they drift asleep. You can also remove the projector from the bassinet to use as a tabletop soother. Whenever you want to feed or check up on your baby at night, the soft night light will provide just enough light.
Babies love being swayed and rocked, and this bassinet does not disappoint. It treats your baby to gentle swaying motions that will help the baby calm your baby down. It also includes Velcro straps to lock it stationary whenever rocking is not desired, like when your baby is asleep.
It is also safe and comfortable with mesh sides to promote breathability and visibility. And, it has storage space underneath to keep the baby’s essentials close.
Pros
- It has vibrations, music, and a light projector to help soothe the baby
- The vibration unit has an auto shut off option after 30 minutes, which saves batteries
- Has mesh sides that allow air circulation and visibility
- Has gentle swaying motions and can be locked stationary with Velcro straps
- Has spacious storage basket underneath
- It has a night light setting to help you check on your baby at night
- Easy to install within minutes
- Great for small spaces
- Affordably priced
Cons
- It runs through batteries fast
2. Halo Bassinest Swivel Sleeper
The Halo bassinet swivel sleeper offers you great features just like Fisher-Price above, but it is expensive hence taking the second position. If you can afford to splurge some more money, this bassinet definitely has the best features that your and baby will love, in addition to exceptional quality and comfort.
Parents love the Halo bassinet because it affords them the convenience of attending to the baby without leaving the bed. It has a 360-degree swivel to allow you to bring the baby close to you and make it for you to get it out of the way when entering or leaving the bed. The base can be adjusted to reach bed heights of between 28 to 32 inches, while a lowering sidewall allows you to access the baby without leaving your bed. If you are a mama recovering from C-section or breastfeeding, this bassinet will make things a lot easier for you.
But coming to vibrations, the bassinet has vibrations that are adjustable to two levels to meet your baby’s needs. You can use a higher speed to calm the baby or a lower one when you want to soothe them to sleep. Soon you will know whichever works best for your baby. The vibration has a thirty-minute auto shut-off, but it is not removable like in Fisher-Price.
It also has a night light and sound feature. The soothing center can play four soothing sounds to help relax your baby for sleep.
For your peace of mind, the bassinet has mesh panels allowing plenty of airflows in and around and letting you and your baby see each other.
Pros
- It has two vibration levels to adjust to your baby’s comfort
- 360-degree swivel to draw the baby close and shift the bassinet when you want to get out of bed
- Has four soothing melodies to calm your baby
- It has a soft nightlight to enable you to see without disturbing your baby
- The base adjusts to different bed heights allowing you to have eye level from your bed
- Base legs tuck under the bed allowing the bassinet to fit in tight spaces
- It is easy to set up
Cons
- It is an expensive option which costs more than double our first option
3. Graco Pack ‘n Play Nearby Napper Playard
Coming third on our list is the Graco Pack n Play Napper. It is a highly versatile bassinet that offers multiple functions. You can use it as a vibrating bassinet, napper, changing table, and play yard. That means it will grow with your baby and save you the money you would have spent buying the items separately.
Why this playard takes the third position is because it is completely detachable and portable. You can detach the bassinet from the bassinet and take it with you by the handles. If you fold the bassinet legs and push it gently with a finger, it converts into a rocking bassinet.
The vibration function works in both bassinet and napper mode. It has two-speed settings allowing you to choose whichever is most comfortable for your little one.
On the side, it has a mobile device with vibrations, lights, and music, and nature sounds to help lull your baby to sleep. The mobile device is not fixed, which means that you can attach it anywhere you wish. Also included are toys to help to give your baby a focal point to keep them engaged.
Pros
- It has two-speed vibrations
- Mobile plays music and nature sounds to lull the baby to sleep
- Has a convenient diaper changing station that can be used by babies weighing up to thirty pounds
- It has storage compartments to keep the baby’s essentials
- Easily foldable with a push of a button for convenient storage and transport
Cons
- Difficult assembly
4. Delta children smooth glide bassinet
Delta children are known for providing parents with safe and good quality products at a pocket-friendly cost. Their Smooth Glide bassinet is adorable and charming and has various soothing options to help you lull your baby to sleep. It is also an excellent option for parents concerned about space since it has a small footprint.
The other benefit is that it is lightweight and has locking wheels so you can easily move it around your home. All of our previous models do not have this feature.
Coming to the vibration, this bassinet has an electronic pod attached to the front that produces vibration, music, and calming light to help set the most relaxing atmosphere for your little one to drift into dreamland. Many parents are so happy about the vibration feature because it has variable speeds that enable them to increase or reduce the speed to the baby’s comfort or need. It is the only bassinet that allows such customization.
You can also activate a gentle gliding motion with a light touch of your finger to further help you soothe your baby. And as with all Delta bassinets, it also has a removable canopy to help block out the light, helping create a relaxing, peaceful environment for nap and bedtime.
Pros
- It has vibration with adjustable speed to help set just the right speed for soothing your baby.
- The electronic pod plays soothing music and produces a calming nightlight help to set a relaxing environment.
- It has a removable canopy to block disturbing lights during naps or bedtime.
- It has a large storage basket underneath to keep the baby’s essentials close
- It gently sways the baby side to side with a gentle push.
- Portable with locking wheels
- Great for small spaces
Cons
- It is not the easiest to set up.
5. Delta Children Gliding Bassinet
Closing on number five on our list is another model from Delta, the Delta Children Gliding bassinet. It is just as adorable and simplistic as the previous model, and almost all the features are similar. The only difference is that this one uses lower-quality fabrics and may not be as durable as the previous one. But considering you will be using a bassinet for just a few months, the Gliding bassinet should hold up just fine, and it comes with an even cheaper price.
This bassinet has an electronic pod attached to the front that produces vibration with adjustable speeds. It also plays music and has calming light to help relax your baby to fall asleep quickly. The night light is also handy for nighttime feeds and checks just to make sure your baby is sleeping fine. Additionally, you can sway the bassinet gently to help soothe your baby with a simple touch.
Pros
- It has vibration with adjustable speed, music, and calming light to help relax your baby.
- It has a removable canopy to shield your baby from the scorching sun and bright lights at bedtime and naps.
- Has a large storage basket underneath to keep the baby’s essentials close for quick changes.
- Lightweight and portable with locking wheels
- Great for small spaces
- Affordable pricing and the cheapest on the list
Cons
- It is not very sturdy, especially when swaying.
- Electronic features do not stay on for less than ten minutes, and you have to press the button every time.
FAQs
Can a baby sleep in a vibrating bassinet?
Yes, in fact, vibrations help improve the quality of sleep for your baby. Vibrations are repetitive and rhythmic motions that help create a similar feeling to when you gently and rhythmically tap your baby’s back to lull them to sleep. In some way, it creates a womb-like atmosphere that helps the baby relax and fall asleep faster. Even when they wake, if the vibrations are activated, it makes it easy for the baby to fall right back to sleep, which translates to more extended sleep periods for your baby and you.
Vibrating pad for a bassinet
If your bassinet does not have a vibration unit, you can buy a vibrating pad so your baby can enjoy the benefits. It is usually placed on top of the mattress under the baby. There are many advantages of using a vibrating pad as you can still use it in the car seat or crib later once your baby has outgrown the bassinet. You can leave the vibrating pad on through the night or switch it off once your baby is fallen deeply asleep. Some good brands you might want to check out include:
- Tranquilo mat (this one also has white noise, and the vibrations and sounds can be adjusted to different levels)
- Munchkin Lulla vibes Vibrating mattress pad.
- About the Author
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Naomi Lambert is a mother of two and an elementary school teacher leading our product quality review here at Motherhood HQ. Naomi has a degree in Elementary Teaching from the University of Utah. She has also worked as a product tester for Consumer Reports. Naomi enjoys reading and getting immersed in new research, especially on topics related to parenting and pets. When she’s not reading or testing baby gear, Naomi enjoys hiking in the midwest and hanging out with her two dog pets. Naomi is originally from Salt Lake City, Utah.
Naomi work leading baby gear/product testing:
To test new gear before we review here at Motherhood HQ, Naomi goes through a multi-step process that includes reading up on the latest research, conducting her own hands-on testing, and evaluating the results. She also consults with experts in the field, such as pediatricians, to get their input. This comprehensive approach ensures that our reviews are accurate and helpful for our readers.
Testing involves using the gear with her own children, as well as observing other parents using the products. Ms. Lambert looks for safety concerns, ease of use, and whether the product actually lives up to its claims. She also takes into account the price of the product and whether it is a good value for what you get.
After testing a product, Naomi writes up her findings in a review. She includes both the positive and negative aspects of the product, as well as her own personal recommendations. Her reviews are honest and unbiased, and they can help you make informed decisions about which products are right for your family.
Aggregating Other real-user reviews from other moms:
A critical process in our reviews is incorporating feedback from other moms who have used the products we are testing. To get this information, we talk to parents in our networks and consult with product-specific experts.These experts must have published work in the field of early childhood development, have worked extensively with the product in question, or have significant experience in the manufacturing or design of the product.
We also read online reviews from other parents, but we take these with a grain of salt. We recognize that many online reviewers are not objective and that some may be biased because they were given the product for free or paid to write a review. For this reason, we only consider online reviews after they have been vetted by our team of experts.
If you are a parent who has used a product that we are interested in reviewing, we would love to hear from you! You can contact us at naomi.lam@motherhood
