New parents spend a lot of time daydreaming about their little one's nursery, so finding the best nursery glider becomes top of mind.
It's not just any other chair. It's the sacred space in the baby's room where you’ll rock, feed, and snuggle your precious bundle. The best nursery gliders are essentially glorified rocking chairs to make those nighttime feeds and soothes more comfy for everyone: They move back and forth on a fixed track—and some even swivel 360 degrees for added mobility. Many gliders also come with ottomans, so you can kick your feet up, too.
But unlike baby carriers or play mats, nursery gliders (similar to reading chairs) come with a much higher price tag—it is a piece of furniture, after all. Not to mention there are tons of options out there. So how do you cherrypick the right one for such a big responsibility (you know, making sure the whole family can actually get some sleep)? We chatted with parents of infants and toddlers (I for one have four kids under the age of five), leaned on the real-life experience of our expert editorial team (who said they make great baby gifts, FYI), and scoured top retailers for the most highly rated options out there.
Best Nursery Glider with Ottoman: DaVinci Olive Swivel Glider with Ottoman, $399
When I was shopping for a glider, I wanted something relatively budget-friendly, but functional and attractive. This one checked all three boxes—and thus became my go-to through four children. When I was done, it was still in good enough shape to pass on to another parent who purchased it from me secondhand. The chair is slim enough to fit into a small space (my nursery was basically a glorified closet), but has a nice high back that made it suitable enough for my tall husband. It also comes with a comfortable ottoman to kick your legs up and relax while feeding the baby or rocking them to sleep.
- Pros: Budget-friendly, comes with an ottoman, slim profile
- Cons: Ottoman doesn’t move with the chair
- Dimensions: 39.25 x 25 x 31.5 inches
- Weight: 80 pounds
- Material: Polyester
- Colors: 5 options
Best Nursery Glider for Shorter Parents: Carter's by DaVinci Adrian Swivel Glider with Storage Ottoman, $599
This nursery chair may have nice, sleek lines and comfortable cushions, but it’s smaller than others we considered. Unless you have twins or a large frame, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing though. The chair is perfect for small nurseries, plus it’s sized right for shorter parents who don’t need a big, high back. The glider spins in a full circle for plenty of mobility that’s comfortable and soothing, despite the fact that the ottoman doesn’t move. It’s heavy, so it won’t move around on you (though it’ll be hard to rearrange). And—big bonus—this glider comes fully assembled, so there’s no work for you to do.
- Pros: Ottoman doubles as a storage solution, stain-resistant and water-repellant fabric, comfortable cushions
- Cons: May be too small for taller parents, heavy and hard to move, ottoman doesn’t rock with the chair
- Dimensions: 32 x 25 x 37.5 inches
- Weight: 97 pounds
- Material: Polyester, nylon
- Colors: 3 options