Did you know that your newborn will likely sleep 16-17 hours per day in the first few months of life? Even though it can be hard to put them down in the first few days (or weeks), you’ll eventually want your arms back. Keep reading to learn about the best and cheapest baby swings, bouncers, and bassinets.
Best Cheap Baby Swings
On average, a baby swing can cost anywhere from $30-150 depending on the number of functions and features. Baby swings usually have a basic swaying function, either battery-powered or operated when a parent pushes it back and forth. Other features might include vibration settings, music, or a toy bar.
There are also some more expensive swings which may cost $200-300 or more. These might have different swaying motions, Bluetooth connectivity, and other advanced features.
The Graco Swing and Ingenuity Swing both offer 6 swing speeds but there are some differences. The Ingenuity swing sways front-to-back whereas the Graco Swing sways side-to-side. The Ingenuity can also be easily folded up for travel compared to the Graco.
Graco Simple Sway Swing
At less than $100, cheap baby swing chairs like the Graco Simple Sway Swing are an affordable purchase that your little one will love. It features 5 melodies and 10 nature sounds, 6 swaying speeds, and 2 vibration settings. Even though it goes through batteries within a few days, there is an option to plug it into the wall.
The small design of the frame is perfect for keeping your little one close and out of the way. However, you’ll want to avoid setting it in sunlight as exposure to excessive heat or sun causes warping and fading. A simple mobile gives your baby something to look at.
This is designed for use by babies between 5.5 and 30 pounds and comes with removable head support. It also has a 5-point safety harness. One thing to note is that the seat may be too wide for a small baby but you can fix this with blankets. The product is also difficult to assemble but you can find useful tutorials on Youtube.
Pros
- 5-point safety harness and removable head support
- Multiple vibrating and swaying options
- Included toy bar
- Use with batteries or plugged into a wall
- 15 different sounds
Cons
- Susceptible to fading and warping
- Seat can be a little wide
- Difficult to assemble
Ingenuity Portable Swing
The beauty of the Ingenuity Portable Swing is that it folds up for easy travel and takes batteries, so you can literally set your little one down anywhere. Costing around $50-75, it is also a good budget baby swing.
Comfort features like removable head padding and soft fabric will help your little one relax. It has 6 extra-quiet speed settings and six unique melodies. The seat also reclines to two different positions. The toy bar is also a nice feature, especially since it pivots so you do not have to take it off as your baby grows and it is easier for them to reach when they are young.
This swing uses 4 C batteries for operation and does not have an AC adapter option. It is recommended for ages 0-6 months, so you cannot use it as long as some other swings. Another thing to consider is the music, which is a little loud and does not have volume control. However, your baby will enjoy the louder music when they are playing.
Pros
- Folds up for easy travel
- Head padding and soft fabrics
- 6 Speed settings and sounds
- Toy bar and recline
- Batteries or AC power
Cons
- Limited to use during the first 6 months
- No volume control
Best Cheap Baby Bouncer
Baby bouncers or rockers are perfect for wiggly babies that need a safe way to be entertained when you are cooking, cleaning, or need an extra hand. Most bouncers have a vibration function that is battery operated and work by harnessing your child’s weight to make them bounce.
On average, you can expect to spend $30-100 on a good affordable baby bouncer.
Bright Starts Bouncer
This cheap baby bouncer chair costs less than $20 and offers plenty of entertainment for your little one. With features like soft fabrics, engaging spinning toys, and a vibration function, the Bright Starts Bouncer is a great choice when you need to set your little one down.
This is designed for babies up to 25 pounds, so it cannot be used longer than the previous model. It only takes a single C battery but there is no option to plug the baby rocker into the wall. The battery does not drain too fast, however, the vibrations are very subtle.
A machine-washable cover makes it easy to clean up after your little one. There is an included removable toy bar that has toys that spin around. Another nice feature is the deep seat. However, the recline might not be sufficient for new babies, be sure they have enough head and neck support before leaving your little one inside.
Pros
- Soft, breathable seat pad that is machine washable
- Vibration function
- Interactive toy bar
- Super cheap baby bouncer
Cons
- Vibrations are very subtle
- Not a lot of head and neck support for newborns
Best Cheap Baby Bassinet
Bassinets are designed for babies right after they come home. They are usually smaller in size. They are a good choice for parents who may want their baby close, as they do not take up a lot of space. Some bassinets are also good for travel.
Here are our top two choices for a super cheap baby bassinet, both of them costing between $50-100.
The Delta Bassinet is cheaper than the Dream On Me Bassinet but the Dream On Me does include a few more features including a zipper top and ability to fold up easily for travel.
Delta Sweet Beginnings Bassinet
The Delta Sweet Beginnings Bassinet is designed for use by infants up to 15 pounds. It has features like a canopy, soothing music, and a calming nightlight. Underneath, a two-section storage basket makes it easy to access diapers, a change of clothes, and anything else you might want to keep on hand.
An included fitted sheet and polyester fiber pad are machine washable, which makes it easy to clean and maintain this bassinet. The included canopy is adjustable or can be removed entirely.
For parents who are using the bassinet so their little one can sleep in their room, they’ll appreciate that the height is easily accessible. The bassinet is easy to assemble. Some parents report that it feels a little wobbly after assembly, however, it is not so wobbly that you’d be worried about your child falling out.
Pros
- Two-compartment storage area underneath
- Removable and adjustable canopy
- Machine washable fabrics
- Height is good for putting next to a parent’s bed
- Soothing music and nightlight included
Cons
- Low weight limit
- Feels a little wobbly once assembled
Dream on Me Karley Bassinet
The Dream on Me Karley Bassinet is convenient and versatile. It comes with a 1 mattress pad and has an upper part made of polyester foam fabric and mesh panels. The mesh panels stop the bassinet from getting too hot when it is zipped fully because the double canopy can be zipped completely to enclose your little one.
This bassinet is a good choice for indoor or outdoor use because of the canopy. It also folds up easily for storage and is incredibly lightweight. Under the bassinet, there is a storage basket that lets you keep important baby items close. It can be used by babies up to 25 pounds.
The one downside is the foam pad that comes as the mattress in this bassinet. There s an additional oval-shaped mattress you can buy for the company at an extra cost. Many parents believed this was too thin, however, flat surfaces are recommended for newborn safe sleep practices. Additionally, if you wash the mattress pad, after a few washes the material bunches up a little inside the foam pad.
Pros
- Mesh panels create breathability
- Option to completely enclose your little one
- Very portable and versatile
- Lightweight but sturdy design
- Storage basket underneath
Cons
- Hard to find the right sized mattress and sheets (aside from what is included)
- Mattress pad bunches after several washes
Compare Affordable Baby Swings and Bouncers
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Graco Simple Sway Swing | 9.9 | 9.2 | 109.97 |
| Dream on Me Karley Bassinet | 9.4 | 9.4 | 75.25 |
| Delta Sweet Beginnings Bassinet | 3.9 | 9.2 | 68.27 |
| Ingenuity Portable Swing | 9.3 | 8.8 | 63.99 |
| Bright Starts Bouncer | 9.9 | 9.2 | 37.99 |
FAQs – The Most Affordable Baby Swings, Bouncers, and Bassinets
Where are the best places to find inexpensive baby items?
Clearance shopping is a new parent’s best friend. As manufacturers come out with new models of baby equipment, sellers take the time to clear out their inventory and make more room. To make this happen faster, they often put baby items on clearance.
Stores like Walmart and Target are also good places to look for clearance baby items, especially since they have their own brands that might offer the same quality at a lower price than name brands like Graco.
One of the best things you can do is start shopping for your baby early. Give yourself time to shop around and look for the best baby swing, bouncer, or bassinet. Then, you’ll have time to wait for the product to go on sale or find it secondhand.
Is it okay to purchase cheaper items for my baby?
It is okay to purchase cheaper options as long as they are safe. For example, you may not want to purchase a car seat from the early 1990’s but it is definitely okay to find cheap or sale items for your little one. Even second hand items are fine to purchase since baby’s are little for such a short time. Sometimes you purchase something like a baby swing that you think is a must have but your baby doesn’t want anything to do with it. So you donate it or sell it and it has barely been used… so it is great to find those items. And baby items often are put on sale so hunt for the best prices and deals so that you get the most bang for your buck. Your baby doesn’t know if you spent $100 or $1000 on a bassinet.
