Best for Travel: Summer Infant 2-in-1 Baby Bouncer & Baby Rocker

We tried out several bouncers that intended to be portable before deciding that the Summer Infant 2-in-1 Baby Bouncer and Baby Rocker is the best bet for most folks.

The best bouncers for travel must combine two factors: light weight and easy-to-collapse/fold design. This one passes both of those tests with flying colors.

What We Liked

• Easy to assemble.

• Quickly folds flat for travel.

• Toy bar and toys are removable.

• Machine washable padded insert.

• Weighs just 5.5 lbs.

What Needs Work

• Only the padded insert is machine washable. The rest of the fabric isn’t removable. 

• Some folks thought it could be more bouncy.

Best Budget Friendly: Fisher-Price Baby Bouncer

When it comes baby bouncers, like much of the gear that is sold for baby, simple is often the best. Case in point: the Fisher-Price Baby Bouncer. It’s basically a seat with built-in vibration (battery-operated) and a toy bar. And it works! Here’s an overview:

What We Liked

• Best at soothing. It may seem simple, but vibration is one of the key ways to soothe a fussy baby. And this seat does that well!

• Easy to assemble. We also found this seat easiest to use.

• Machine washable pad. An important feature for any bouncer!

• Affordable.

What Needs Work

• Recline angle isn’t adjustable. Plus as kids get older, their feet can hit the vibration control switch . . . turning it off or on when you don’t want that!

• Doesn’t fold for travel. Some of our testers unscrew the frame in order to travel with it—but that is quite a pain.

• No auto shut-off. If you forget to turn off the vibration feature when you remove baby, the batteries will drain fast.

• Short term use. This seat can only be used up to 25 lbs.—that’s about six months for most babies. Other options can be used longer.

• Care should be used to prevent tipping. Once baby is closer to the weight limit (25 lbs.), it is possible for them to tip over the bouncer—always supervise a baby in this chair, especially at that stage.

Best Low-Tech: BabyBjorn Bouncer Balance Soft

Yes, the most popular baby bouncers have many gizmos and gadgets (vibrating seats, toy bars). But there is another category of bouncer to consider that is just as worthy: the low-tech bouncer that is, well, just a bouncer.

The BabyBjorn Bouncer fits the bill perfectly. No flashing lights, no fancy toys . . . in fact, no toys at all. It’s just a bouncer seat. And guess what? It works well at soothing baby, which is the main purpose for a bouncer anyway!

What We Liked

• Light weight (5 lbs).

• Washable cover.

• Soft, comfy fabric.

• 3 height adjustments are helpful.

What Needs Work

• Pricey.

• Safety warning tag at head height isn’t very pretty for pictures.

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability. When we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!