The 7 Best Nursery Gliders for Babies

Why pick this one? This sleigh-style glider and ottoman set was voted as the very best. It’s the classic style of glider that moves front to back. It offers generous room in the seat, as well as padded armrests, and storage pockets on the outside of the arms, which is something that Pampers Parents loved.

This reasonably priced glider is the least expensive on this list, and it's also the favorite nursery glider among Pampers Parents.

The fabric is spot clean only, which might make this glider harder to keep clean in the long run. But you could always choose a color that won’t show stains as easily, such as dark gray or chocolate brown.

One important thing to note: The chair requires assembly.

Highlights: The frames of both the glider chair and ottoman are made from solid wood, which increases the stability.

Price*: about $129.99 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

Why pick this one? Pampers Parents loved the fact that this rocker reclined. It’s a feature that many found to be a major selling point. Not only does this chair rock, but it also swivels 360 degrees.

The Naomi Home Odelia Swivel Rocker Recliner has a built-in footrest, so you don’t need to sacrifice additional space in your nursery for a separate ottoman.

The chair itself has a great modern design with an elegant contrasting welt trim. With seven color options to choose from, including black, navy, and white, it can fit into any décor in any part of your home, which is an aspect you may appreciate if you’d like to use your glider for many years to come.

You’ll need to assemble this chair, which might be a drawback, but all the tools you’ll need are included.

Highlights: The seat is filled with spring core foam for comfortable support. And the gliding mechanism has ball bearings for smooth swiveling or rocking.

Price*: about $279.99 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

Why pick this one? This plush glider has what the manufacturer calls a whisper-quiet gliding motion as well as a soothing swiveling action.

The armrests are padded for the ultimate in comfort. A matching tufted gliding ottoman is available to buy separately if you’d like the additional comfort of putting your feet up.

Those who like a traditional look will appreciate this glider’s wingback-chair styling with tufted upholstery and contrasting welt trim. It wouldn’t look out of place in your living room, if you decide to move the glider out of the nursery in a few years. It comes in gray or beige, so the colors are neutral enough to work with most décors.

This gliding chair requires assembly.

Highlights: The seat cushions are removable for easy cleaning.

Price*: about $399.99 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

Why pick this one? This sleigh-style glider features a high-quality gliding system with sealed ball bearings. For the high price, you’d expect nothing less!

The chair also features a 45-degree reclining mechanism, which many parents loved. All you have to do is lean back to activate it.

The chair is made without sharp corners and does not contain lead, heavy metals, formaldehyde, or any other carcinogenic chemicals.

There’s a multi-position lock mechanism that lets you stop the glider at just the position you would prefer. The locking mechanism is a key safety feature to help prevent any pinched fingers, such as when your toddler or older child is exploring or cruising on furniture.

This chair does come pre-assembled, which is a big plus if you don’t like DIY furniture assembly. Keep in mind that you will still have to screw in four screws and position the cushions.

Highlights: The chair is handmade in Canada from sustainably sourced hardwood. The cushions are made from locally sourced high-density foam, which doesn’t sag.

Price*: about $538.48 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

Why pick this one? This is the high-tech glider on our list, as its main selling point is a push-button control panel that includes a USB charging port hidden on the inside of one of the armrests. This feature is great for charging your phone or tablet. It also could explain why this is the priciest glider on the list.

Since the chair requires electricity, there is a power cord you’ll need to plug into the wall, which may dictate the placement of your chair so that it’s close to an outlet. Make sure to baby proof the cord with a cord cover.

The chair can swivel 270 degrees and glides when it’s in the upright position. It also features a quiet reclining mechanism so the headrest and/or footrest can lower with just the touch of a button when you want to lie all the way back.

In terms of design, the glider is a modern take on the wingback chair.

Your purchase includes a lumbar pillow; however, a gliding ottoman can be purchased separately. As the glider chair has a built-in footrest, you may not want an additional ottoman, too.

The chair does require assembly, and since there are electric parts, the process may not be easy for everyone.

Highlights: The glider is Greenguard Gold Certified, which means it was manufactured without the use of chemicals such as formaldehyde or chemical-based flame retardants.

Price*: about $699.00 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

Why pick this one? This classic sleigh-style glider uses ball bearings, which help create a smoother glide. One Pampers Parent compared it to “floating on air.”

This glider is made from solid wood. Keep in mind that this chair requires assembly.

With your purchase, you’ll also receive a lumbar pillow. The chair's microfiber fabric is easy to spot clean.

Highlights: You have a choice of six different wood finishes and four different fabrics so you can create the glider and ottoman set that best matches your little one’s nursery.

Price*: about $179.99 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

Why pick this one? This glider features a classic bow back, which gives you plenty of width to find the most comfortable position when feeding your baby. You’ll appreciate this during those late-night feeding sessions. Also, the cushions are very plush, and better yet, easy to spot clean in case of spills.

The metal ball bearings in both the glider and the gliding ottoman provide a smooth gliding motion to help to lull your little one to sleep.

The chair does require assembly.

Highlights: The unique feature of this glider set is the ottoman, which includes a nursing stool that folds under when it’s not in use.

Price*: about $216.99 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

Features to Consider When Buying a Glider

Pampers Parents listed these as the main features to consider when deciding which glider to buy.

Price

The gliders on this list come in a range of prices, from the affordable to the high end at around $700, so think about how much you’d like to spend. Know that more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better.

When deciding how much it’s worth spending, consider whether you plan to use the glider in another part of your home later on.

You may even like to put a glider on your baby shower registry list along with other big-ticket items like a stroller. Your friends and family might band together and pitch in toward the cost.

Style

When most people think of a glider, they picture the old-fashioned wooden rocker style, which is often marketed as a sleigh glider. The mechanism, which may include ball bearings, makes the glider move from front to back, almost like the motion of gliding in a winter sleigh. Some people prefer this type of glider, whereas others find the wooden base to be less comfortable.

The more modern gliders available on the market look like chic upholstered accent chairs or recliners. These models usually have the gliding mechanism hidden underneath, and often offer other motions like rocking, swiveling, or reclining in addition to the gliding.

Pick the style of glider you like best, taking into account factors such as durability and comfort.

Comfort

Look for a glider with a wide seat so you don’t feel trapped between two armrests. The extra room is important when you have your baby in your arms or lap, and also if you plan to have a bulky nursing pillow on your lap as well.

Your partner will most likely use the glider, too, so keep that in mind when considering the size of the glider that would be best for your family.

Durable Seat

A good, durable glider should have springs under the seat cushion. This means much better support for you. If the cushion just sits on top of the frame, the glider chair won’t provide as much support or shock absorption, and you may not find it as comfortable over the long run.

Color

Depending on your home’s color scheme, you may like the look of a white, beige, or light gray glider. However, keep in mind that light-colored fabrics may show stains more easily.

Dark-colored fabrics might show less dirt and general wear and tear.

Easy to Clean

With a baby, you’ll want to have a glider that is easy to keep clean. Choosing a glider with fabric you can wipe off is a smart idea. You don’t want something that needs professional cleaning.

Most of the gliders on this list have fabrics that are spot clean only, but some have machine-washable fabrics, which could be a big plus for you.

Warranty

Your glider’s mechanism, which can include ball bearings, can wear out over time. Taking this into account, look for a glider that has some sort of warranty. A 10-year warranty is pretty good, but a lifetime warranty is even better.

A glider can be a nice final touch for your baby’s nursery. Make sure you find one that can withstand lots of use as you and your little one are sure to love spending lots of time in this comfy chair. We hope these Pampers Parents reviews have helped you find the best nursery glider for your family and your home.

Recall Notice

Before buying a product, always check that it’s approved and hasn’t been recalled on sites like the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

*Prices are correct at the time of writing.

How We Got These Results

We surveyed thousands of parents in the Pampers Community and asked them to choose the products they love the most, and to share their views on specific products and product categories. Based on the survey responses, we have taken the top product picks and added our own research to create this article. The aim is to help you choose the right product for you and your family. We might receive commissions on purchases made from the links in this article, but the products featured are the Pampers Community’s top choices.