Editor’s Note
The Ingenuity ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat is an older model, whereas, Ingenuity has released the newer 2-in-1 SimpleComfort Compact Baby Swing & Rocker. This updated version has some new modes such as one-handed swivel and turn, the vibration selection, 6 rather than 5 speeds, and the 16 versus 12 melodies. It is also a smaller swing at size 27″ x 29″ x 35.” It is a slightly more expensive model so parents will need to decide if the newer features are worth the additional cost.
The Ingenuity ConvertMe 2-in-1 Compact Portable Baby Swing & Infant Seat is unique. Not only is it a swing but it also locks into a seat and has both vibrating and swinging capabilities. However this swing has also been known to have useless or nonexistent directions, it can be complicated to make it swing, it may not support your newborn’s head, and the revolutionary technology that saves battery can also cause the swing to barely move at all.
The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing is a solid choice at a similar price. A more full-featured alternative is the Graco Duet Soothe Baby Swing.
Reviews
There aren’t a ton of reviews available for the Ingenuity ConvertMe 2-in-1 Swing & Infant Seat but most of the reviews are 4 stars which is fairly good and consistent. In general, most people love that it is convertible, swings and vibrates, but have issues with the swinging strength, directions and head support. I think that it’s better to have a minimum of several hundred reviews per store but I would guess this is still fairly representative of the product’s value.
- 4 stars, 190 Reviews- Walmart
- 4 stars, 66 Reviews- Target
- 3.4 stars, 47 Reviews- Buy Buy Baby
- 4 stars, 17 Reviews- Toys R Us
Key Features
Swing and Seat: The Ingenuity ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat can be both a baby seat and a swing. There are locks at the top of the arms on each side that control which mode it’s in. You can lock it into place to be a baby seat, or you can unlock it and let baby swing away! The good news is that it vibrates in either mode, and you can have music in both modes. The bad news here is that there is no way to adjust the recline for baby to interact with the toy bar. It has only 1 seat position.
Swings: This convertible baby swing has 5 different speed settings. It swings front to back and can vibrate while it swings. The different setting options allow you to adjust the strength according to your baby’s needs. If your baby is super fussy and needs to be distracted you can turn the swing to its highest setting. If your baby is already asleep you can put it on it’s the lowest setting just to help them stay asleep for longer.
Vibrates: This baby swing can vibrate when it is swinging or when it is locked in the seat or resting position. Because this cheap baby bouncer can vibrate it can double as a bouncy seat and a swing saving you money and space. As an expecting mom, I am always looking to save on baby gear and get products that serve as many needs as possible.
Compact: Weighing in at only 9 pounds the Ingenuity ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat is super compact. It is easily movable around your home and doesn’t take up much space. Because it swings forwards and backwards it can easily fit into small areas. This swing could fit nicely by your bedside or by a chair giving you easy access to your baby as they rock.
It also can be folded down for storage or portability. I love how lightweight this swing is. I am currently in the process of setting up my baby’s nursery and since I’m 7 months pregnant I’m not supposed to be lifting heavy things. Because this swing is so light I can easily move it now and will be able to even if I have a c-section.
Long Battery Life: This baby swing uses Hybridrive Technology which helps it to use less battery power and keep it quieter. The technology basically makes the most of gravity and magnets to keep your baby in motion once it starts swinging. It has a sensor that needs to be kept in aligned in order for it to swing.
The swing also requires that you give it a little push to start which is another way it prolongs the battery life. I don’t know about you but I think it’s a lot easier to give it a little shove in the beginning than it is to replace batteries once a week.
Melodies and Nature Sounds: The baby swing chair can also play 8 different soothing melodies and has 3 nature sounds. So when your baby is simply inconsolable you can place them in this swing on the highest swing setting, with the vibration on and a loud soothing melody and they should be calmed in no time at all.
Machine Washable Cover: Babies can be really messy so a seat that can’t be washed is useless. Thankfully the cover on this convertible seat is 100% machine washable. However there are still some things you’ll have to spot clean like the little elephant that covers the buckle.
Swing Timer: The Ingenuity ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat has a timer with 3 different settings. At 30, 45 and 60 minutes you can decide how long your baby needs to be swinging to stay asleep, while still turning off to conserve battery. This feature will be particularly helpful if you are trying to get stuff done while your baby naps.
Comfortable: Last but certainly not least this baby swing is super soft and cozy. It is contoured to fit your baby’s body and support them as they’re gently rocked to sleep or hold them in an upright position as they play with the toys swinging above them.
Cautions
Difficult to Buckle: There is an elephant or zebra covering the safety harness buckle, while this may ensure the baby doesn’t touch the buckle it makes the buckle difficult to access. In order to buckle or unbuckle your baby you have to flip the elephant towards your precious baby’s face before unlatching it. This isn’t ideal when you are trying to get your baby out of the swing quickly.
Head Support: Though this swing is marketed for newborns, the headrest doesn’t adjust downward so not all small babies can use the swing safely. It also makes it difficult to use for all ages. Though the weight limit goes up to 20 pounds you may not be able to use it till your baby is big enough to reach the head rest.
Bad Directions: The Ingenuity ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat uses the Hybridrive technology to keep the swing swinging while using less battery power. It does this by using gravity and magnets in order to keep the swing in motion but this also means you have to do more than simply turn the swing on to get it started.
To start the swing you have to first make sure that both buttons are unlocked, then you have to turn it on and give it a push to get it started. Since this isn’t straightforward it is important that the directions are simple and easy to follow. Unfortunately, they are poorly worded and confusing and sometimes they aren’t included in the packaging at all.
Doesn’t Always Swing: Because this baby swing uses more than just batteries to swing you have to turn it on then give it a gentle push. Because Hybridrive technology relies on gravity and magnets in addition to battery power there are more things that can go wrong and cause the swings not to work.
For the hybridrive technology to function correctly there is a sensor that must be properly aligned. If it isn’t aligned the swing won’t swing. The sensor tends to come unaligned after it is folded for storage and sometimes when it arrives in its box. Also if you didn’t read or understand the directions you may think that the swing is broken because the sensor isn’t aligned or you didn’t push it or unlock both of the unlock buttons and end up returning it which is inconvenient.
Swing is Not Strong: While there are 5 settings on the Swing-2-Seat sometimes the swing isn’t strong enough to push even a small baby. This is likely the fault of the hybrid drive technology. Though this definitely can happen most of the time the swing is plenty powerful enough to swing your baby.
Battery Life is Short for Vibration: Though the Hybridrive technology is employed to ensure that the batteries last longer on the swing the vibrating feature drains the battery’s very quickly. So if you are using both the swing and the vibrating features you can expect to change the batteries every month or so.
Product Video
Pros
- Convertible Swing and Seat
- Swings and Vibrates
- Long Battery
- Compact
Cons
- Difficult to Buckle
- Head Support that Does Not Adjust
- Bad Directions
- Short Vibrating Battery Life
My Overall Recommendation
Overall the Ingenuity ConvertMe Swing 2 Seathas a lot of functionality for a cheap swing and works well if you know how to use it and it isn’t defective. However with it being known to have issues swinging sometimes and not being good for some newborns because of the head support I am personally not going to register for this for my baby.
