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Are wifi baby monitors safe?

Mark Zalewski — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 03:03:14 +0000

When parents ask the question, “are wifi baby monitors safe?” They’re really asking 4 questions:

Can wifi baby monitors be hacked?
What happens when when my wifi goes out?
What about EMF radiation?
Ok, given all this, what monitors should I actually consider buying?

We’re going to dive into all 4 of these topics. But, spoiler alert, we think questions 2, 3, and 4 deserve most of your attention. So, feel free to skip ahead by clicking, or tapping:

Wifi baby monitor hacking & security
What happens when your wifi goes out?
Wifi baby monitors and EMF radiation
The only monitors you should consider buying

Question 1: Are wifi baby monitors secure? What about hacking?

Consider the following:

Just about any device connected to the internet is hackable
This includes wifi baby monitors
Non-wifi monitors can also be hacked, but this requires physical proximity and higher skill
A wifi monitor’s security also depends on your wifi network security
There’s no financial incentive for hacking a baby monitor. You can’t extract money from the monitor, or from a baby
Wifi baby monitor companies know that parents are very worried about hacking. So, the big brands (see below) have put tons of money and research into security. All things considered, they’re probably over-engineered from a security perspective.

You are welcome to draw your own conclusion from these statements. Here’s our take: wifi baby monitor hacking is kind of like shark attacks… if the shark had no teeth and the tensile jaw strength of your neighbor’s Chihuahua. That is to say:

Extremely rare
Still scary
Even if it happens, you’re all gonna be fine

Action plan: buy from a reputable company, whether you choose wifi or non-wifi. Buying the cheapest monitor on Amazon ain’t gonna cut it. Our picks below.

Question 2: what happens if my wifi goes out?

Wifi baby monitor companies LOVE to brag about signal quality and 4k resolution. But here’s the thing: a wifi monitor is only as strong as its weakest link. And for most monitors, that’s your wifi network. So, if your wifi sucks or has dead spots or outages—your monitor’s going to as well.

There’s one more potential weak link you also need to worry about with most wifi monitors: your phone, and the monitor’s app. If you’ve got notifications silenced or if the monitor’s app is buggy, you’ve got problems.

Knowing this, here’s what your plan needs to be:

Test the location(s) you plan to have your baby sleep before buying a wifi monitor. Pro tip here: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep in their parents room (though NOT their parents bed) for the first 6 months. So, if you have trouble watching Netflix in bed, chances are your monitor’s gonna have problems. Go ahead and test the nursery for months 7 onward, too.
Choose a reputable brand that’s thought through notification strategy and invested in a high quality app for your phone or iPad.
Consider a monitor with a dedicated “parent unit” (screen). All non-wifi monitors have these, but there are now a few wifi monitor companies that offer dedicated screens, too—more on that below.

Question 3: what about wifi baby monitors and EMF radiation?

If you’ve ever Googled “WiFi baby monitor radiation,” you know it’s a minefield of fear-mongering, marketing spin, and confusing science. Instead of trying to sort internet fact from fiction, I tested some of the most popular monitors myself, using a professional EMF meter and a repeatable setup. My goal? A definitive answer to a question parents have been asking for years—are wifi baby monitors safe, or do they emit harmful EMF radiation?

This is the companion blog post to our video — breaking down how we tested, what we measured, what the science says about those numbers, and how our results compare with published research.

Wi Fi baby monitors emit the same type of radiation as your microwave. Except instead of heating up leftover pizza, they’re pointed directly at your infant’s skull sixteen hours a day. So I bought nine of the most popular monitors, Wi Fi and non Wi Fi alike, and tested them with a two hundred dollar professional grade EMF meter. What I found completely flipped everything I thought I knew about monitor safety. I’m Mark with Fathercraft, and today I’m going to show you exactly what the data says, what it means for your baby, and which monitors you should actually be worried about. When parents ask, are Wi Fi baby monitors safe? What they really mean is three things. One, can they be hacked? Two, what happens when your Wi Fi goes out? And three, what about this thing called EMF radiation? In this video, we’re focusing on question number three. Do Wi Fi baby monitors emit radiation? But you should hit the subscribe button because questions one and two are legitimate concerns we’ll cover in a future video. Now before I show you the data, we need to talk about why this question is so confusing in the first place. Because if you go looking for clear answers on whether Wi Fi baby monitors are safe, you won’t find them. So let’s start with what the industry wants you to believe. Now you might be thinking, but baby monitors are FCC approved. They have safety certifications. There are standards. Yes. There are standards. But here’s where it gets weird. Phones are tested against something called the SAM Phantom. That’s specific anthropomorphic mannequin. Basically, a fake head modeled after a six two, two hundred and twenty pound military recruit. That test gives us a number called SAAR, specific absorption rate. Translation, how much radiation gets soaked up by a hunk of fake human meat. The FCC caps phones at one point six watts per kilogram. So, yes, your iPhone was literally tested by blasting a plastic soldier head until it glowed like a Hot Pocket. Now for reference, I’m six three, two thirty, probably. My scale is hiding from me. And here’s me holding my two year old son, Hank. So these standards were designed for the guy on the right, but are being applied to the baby on the left. Now baby monitors are tested a little differently than phones. They’re classified as mobile devices that must be kept eight inches or twenty centimeters away from people. So instead of measuring how much energy goes into your head, the test is how loud is the signal in the air eight inches away, which sounds fine until you realize those limits were still built to prevent adult tissue heating. Then we sit these devices next to infants whose skulls are about as thick as a graham cracker. So when companies brag about meeting FCC standards, what they’re really saying is, we’ve proven this won’t cook an adult brain at eight inches distance, which feels like a pretty low bar for infant safety. But here’s where this story goes from mildly concerning to genuinely what the actual A brand new peer reviewed study from SETIA published in twenty twenty five in the medical journal Curious followed a hundred and five babies for an entire year, measured the EMF radiation in their homes using medical grade equipment, and then tracked their development. And what they found should make every parent want to throw their baby monitor directly to the sun. In homes with the highest EMF exposure, infants were two point seven four times more likely to show fine motor delays and three point six seven times more likely to struggle with problem solving skills. That’s not a little concerning. That’s triple the odds in two core areas of early development. Oh, and living near a cell tower? No correlation at all. Which means the radiation messing with these babies wasn’t coming from outside. It was coming from inside the home from devices like this. Now, and this part is important, this is one study. It’s a data point, not an ironclad verdict. It doesn’t prove that every Wi Fi baby monitor is frying neurons like bacon in a pan. It does, however, raise a very loud, very uncomfortable question. Why on earth aren’t we using infant specific safety standards for this? Now you might think, well, okay, but if it’s safe for adults, it’s probably safe for babies. Right? Wrong. Catastrophically wrong. A baby’s skull is two millimeters thick. For comparison, an adult skull is six to seven millimeters thick. That means a baby’s skull provides about as much protection from radiation as a piece of cardboard from a cereal box. But it gets worse. Research shows that infants can absorb up to ten times more radiation than adults from the same source in certain tissues like bone marrow. That’s the difference between getting misted with a spray bottle and being hit with a fire hose. So when safety standards say, this is fine for humans, again, they’re basing that on preventing tissue heating in adults, not protecting developing infant brains that are still figuring out how to make their hands work. Now here’s what’s fascinating. Baby monitor companies clearly know that parents are worried about EMF, and they’re not saying relax, it’s harmless. They’re saying, don’t worry, we engineered around it, which is kind of an admission that there’s something worth engineering around. Nanit designed a directional antenna. Miku claims a thousand times less radiation than a phone. An outlet actually publishes their SAR numbers. So no matter what the marketing spin is, the fact they’re even talking about this tells you everything. This is a real concern and they know it. At this point in our story, it’s safe to say that I have become mildly obsessed. Everyone online says WiFi baby monitors are dangerous. Buy non WiFi monitors instead. So I thought, fine. Let’s actually test that claim. So I bought nine of the most popular baby monitors on the market, six WiFi monitors and three safe non Wi Fi alternatives, and then got one of these to test them. This is a Trifield TF two, a two hundred dollar professional grade EMF meter that measures radio frequency power density in milliwatts per square meter. This is what building biologists and EMF consultants use. Yes. Building biologist is a real career. Apparently, I chose poorly. Anyways, the point is it’s not a thirty dollar Amazon toy. And because I know you’re wondering how I set up this test, first, I measured the background radiation in my house to create a baseline and then tested my WiFi router and I iPhone to ensure the device was calibrated. Then I set up cameras in realistic crib scenarios, wall mounted positions both two feet and five feet above the device, and collected a series of data over the course of a few weeks. Finally, I averaged everything. In fact, I feel so strongly about getting this right that I published my testing methodology and raw data. Check it out at father craft dot com slash e m f. And what I found should make every non Wi Fi baby monitor company deeply uncomfortable. Let’s walk through it. In most homes, background emf is basically nothing. It’s around point zero two milliwatts per square meter. That’s the quiet of modern life. Now let’s talk about the usual suspects. Your phone, while on a call and making contact with the meter, averages around one point zero milliwatts per square meter with spikes up to fourteen. Back it up to two feet, averages drop down to point two, and at five feet, down to point zero five. Your Wi Fi router at contact averages two point o with peaks off the scale at twenty plus. Back it up two feet down to point four. At five feet, point zero eight. Why? Physics. Radio waves follow the inverse square law. Double the distance, intensity drops by roughly seventy five percent. So distance from the source matters. Great. Hold that thought. More on that in a minute. For context, the FCC public exposure limit is ten thousand milliwatts per square meter averaged over time. But remember, that’s designed to prevent adult tissue heating, not protect infants lying next to a device running sixteen hours a day. Alright. So I tested nine monitors. Let me show you what I found. Now before we dig into this, I want you to notice something. See these three monitors? The VTech, Hello Baby, and BabySense. These are the Wi Fi free monitors. The ones commonly thought of as the safer alternative to the big, bad, scary WiFi baby monitors. No WiFi needed, hack proof, radiation free. Except they’re not radiation free, not even close. Let’s start with the WiFi monitors that everyone is supposedly scared of. Peaks at two feet, Nanit Pro, zero point three five milliwatts per square meter, Miku Pro, point three five, Harbor, point six one, Owlette, point six two. Hubo, point nine four. And Cradlewise, two point six five. Pretty low numbers. All orders of magnitude under the FCC limit. Most are barely above background noise. Now let’s look at the safe non WiFi alternatives. Peaks at two feet. VTech, four point five two milliwatts per square meter. Hello, baby, five point one two. BabySense, twelve point six four. BabySense, the monitor that literally has sense in the name and markets itself as a non WiFi alternative, emits thirty six times more radiation than nanic. Thirty six times. Hello Baby and VTech aren’t much better. And here’s the kicker, every single one of these monitors, WiFi or not, operates at two point four gigahertz. That’s the exact same radio band. So what’s going on here? How can the Wi Fi monitors be so much cleaner than the non Wi Fi monitors when they’re using the same frequency? The answer is painfully simple, engineering quality. The WiFi monitors, Nanit, Miku, Harbor, Cubo, Cradlewise, and Owlette are made by companies with actual r and d budgets. They use directional antennas, which beam the signal where it needs to go, not everywhere. Power optimization, which means the signal is only as strong as it needs to be, and quality components, which means efficient transmission and less power is needed overall. The budget non Wi Fi monitors, they use omnidirectional broadcasting, which means they spray the signal in every direction like some possessed garden sprinkler. High power transmission, which means they crank the volume to boost the range and compensate for cheap components. And finally, no EMF optimization whatsoever because they’re marketed as Wi Fi free and safe, so why bother? It’s the electromagnetic equivalent of the difference between a laser pointer and a floodlight. Same light, completely different delivery. And this matters because these budget monitors are being bought by the most concerned parents. The ones who did the research saw WiFi equals radiation and specifically chose the non WiFi option to protect their baby. They paid eighty to a hundred and sixty dollars to expose their infant to up to thirty six times more radiation than the three hundred dollar WiFi monitor they were trying to avoid. And here’s the thing, these budget baby monitor companies know this. They’re not stupid. They just know that no WiFi needed sells better than we cheaped out on the antenna design. Now there is some good news here. Distance still matters. Look at the five foot measurement peaks. BabySense drops from twelve point six four to four point two five. Hello, baby drops from five point one two to one point three two, and VTech drops from four point five two to one point five four. Still way higher than the WiFi monitors at five feet, which dropped to basically nothing, but it does show that distance is your best friend no matter what monitor you own. Even the dirtiest monitor gets dramatically cleaner when you just back it up a few feet. Alright. Now that I’ve scared the out of you, here’s what you can actually do without moving to a cabin in the middle of the woods and putting grounding mats everywhere. If you’re buying a new monitor, the data is clear. If you want a monitor with lower EMF radiation exposure, buy a premium WiFi monitor. Nanit, Miku, Harbor, they’re engineered to be clean. Yes. They cost more, but you’re not just paying for the extra features. You’re paying for the engineering that makes them emit ten to thirty times less radiation. If budget is an issue, buy one of the cheaper monitors, but mount it six plus feet away. Our testing shows that by doubling the distance, you cut exposure by seventy five percent. If you already own a baby monitor, first, check your distance. Most people, myself included prior to this research, mount these two to three feet away from the crib. I’ve also seen a bunch of those cute little articulating arms that mount the monitor on the crib. Do not do that. Back everything up. Six feet minimum. You can do this before your baby’s next nap. It’s free and it’s effective. Second, smart usage patterns. Turn it off when no one’s sleeping. Use audio only during naps if your monitor has that option. You don’t need twenty four seven live streaming like it’s Twitch for grandparents. Look. I get it. This is terrifying information. Maybe you bought a WiFi free monitor specifically to protect your child, and now I’m telling you that it might be doing the exact opposite. It’s a bit like finding out that car seats are made out of dynamite. But here’s the thing. You now have information that most parents don’t have. You can make choices that dramatically reduce any potential risk while still monitoring your baby effectively. This also isn’t about becoming a paranoid parent who wraps their house in aluminum foil. This is about applying the same precautionary thinking that we use everywhere else in parenting. We don’t let babies play with small objects because they might choke. We don’t give them honey because of botulism risk, and we baby proof electrical outlets even though the odds of electrocution are tiny. So why wouldn’t we take these simple steps to minimize radiation exposure when they’re this easy and the potential consequences based on that twenty twenty five study could affect your child’s development. Your baby’s brain is developing at an incredible rate right now. Every connection forming, every neural pathway being built, the premium Wi Fi companies clearly think EMF reduction matters. They’re engineering solutions and marketing their safety features. Maybe we should listen to what their actions are telling us. So here’s what I’m doing. First, I’ve personally moved the monitor I use for my son, Hank, back a couple of feet. It’s free. It’s not really sacrificing image quality, and it feels like a no brainer. Second, I’m publishing all of our testing data and our full methodology to father craft dot com slash e m f. You’ll find the chart we referenced in this video so you can compare your monitor against the others. Don’t see your monitor? Drop it in the comments below. I’ll see if I can keep updating this data over time. And please share this with other parents because right now, most people are choosing baby monitors based on Wi Fi free marketing with zero idea that their eighty dollars safe monitor might be pumping out thirty times more radiation than necessary. Your baby’s developing brain deserves the same informed decision making that you’d apply to car seats, cribs, and baby food. So go check out where that baby monitor is mounted and maybe skip the BabySense. Alright. That’s all for today. Thanks for watching. We’ll see you next time. Adios.

How I tested

Meter used: TriField TF2 (RF mode, measuring in mW/m²).
Devices tested: Nanit Pro, Miku Pro, Harbor, Cradlewise, Owlet, Cubo, vtech, Babysense, HelloBaby. As benchmarks: a cell phone and a WiFi router.
Setup:
- Monitors mounted as they would be in real life.
- Distances tested: 2′ (approximate Cradlewise crib placement) and 5′ (Nanit wall-mount placement).
- Benchmarks (phone and router) also tested at contact (0″), 2′, and 5′.
- Meter placed at pillow height (baby’s head position), pointed up at the monitor.
- Monitors set to video streaming ON.
Recording: For each run, we logged:
- Average (big bottom number): a rolling time average, sampled at 1s, 10s, 20s, and 30s, then reported as the median.
- Peak (tiny top-left number): the largest burst captured in that window.

Device	Distance	Reported Avg (mW/m²)	Reported Peak (mW/m²)	Peak ÷ Avg
Nanit Pro	2′	0.051	0.434	8.6
Nanit Pro	5′	0.032	0.170	5.3
Miku Pro	2′	0.151	0.570	3.8
Miku Pro	5′	0.049	0.410	8.5
Harbor	2′	0.066	0.680	10.3
Harbor	5′	0.066	0.280	4.3
Cradlewise	2′	0.300	2.600	8.7
Cell Phone	Contact	1.000	14.0	14.0
	2′	0.200	1.800	9.0
	5′	0.050	0.600	12.0
WiFi Router	Contact	2.000	20.0	10.0
	2′	0.400	3.000	7.5
	5′	0.080	0.800	10.0
Background	–	0.020	0.055	–

For those of us who prefer data in graph form, here’s the 2′ and 5′ monitor numbers visualized:

What the science tells us

How to read the numbers:

Inverse square law: RF power falls quickly with distance. Move from 0″ to 2′ to 5′ and the readings collapse, even when the device is powerful.
Bursty transmissions: WiFi and phones don’t transmit smoothly. They fire short bursts of high power, which show up in the Peak number. That’s why the Peak ÷ Avg ratio is often 5–10×.
Relative scale: Phones and routers are much noisier than baby monitors.
- Phones at contact: peaks ~14 mW/m².
- Routers at contact: peaks ~20 mW/m².
- Baby monitors at 2′–5′: peaks <3 mW/m², averages <0.3.

The obvious takeaway from these relative scale numbers: 1) don’t put your phone up to your baby’s ear so she can hear grandma talk to her. And, don’t put a wifi router near where your baby is sleeping.

Context: The FCC/ICNIRP public exposure limit is 10,000 mW/m² averaged over time. None of these devices come close. The concern for baby monitors is not raw intensity but chronic proximity — a monitor inches from a baby’s head vs mounted across the room.

Our results vs published research

Published benchmarks line up with what we measured:

Smart Cam (20 cm, McKenzie 2024): 0.32–0.85 mW/m² averages.
Baby Monitor (1 m, EMF-Portal): ~0.42 mW/m² average.
High Exposure Homes (Setia 2025): median ~8.66 mW/m², high tertile ~32 mW/m².
ICNIRP Public Limit: 10,000 mW/m².

The bottom line

Your choice of monitor matters, but placement matters more.

At 2′ (Cradlewise distance): hotter than Nanit/Miku/Harbor, but still far below phones or routers.
At 5′ (Nanit wall-mount distance): monitors blend into background.
Phones and routers are the bigger offenders in most homes.

Rule of thumb: keep WiFi baby monitors at least 6 feet from your child’s head. That step does more than comparing brand marketing claims.

Methodology and full data

Trial-Level Numbers

Type	Device	Distance	A Peak	A1	A2	A3	A4	B Peak	B1	B2	B3	B4
	Background		0.055	0.016	0.019	0.02	0.015	0.059	0.016	0.017	0.018	0.021
Control	Cell Phone	0″ contact	15.19	0.50	0.61	0.46	0.53	—
		2′	0.898	0.056	0.066	0.063	0.073	—
		5′	—	—	—	—	—	—
Control	Wifi Router	0″ contact	too hot	8.98	11.73	7.23	9.4	—
		2′	18.3	1.16	2.01	2.6	3.4	—
		5′	7.7	0.5	1.04	0.92	0.71	—
Wifi	Cradlewise	2′	2.65	0.22	0.33	0.27	0.18	2.52	0.217	0.174	0.198	0.228
Wifi	Cubo AI	2′	0.941	0.10	0.092	0.15	0.107	0.837	0.095	0.084	0.093	0.091
Wifi	Owlet	2′	0.618	0.07	0.06	0.12	0.08	0.736	0.07	0.08	0.07	0.122
Wifi	Harbor	2′	0.61	0.075	0.06	0.056	0.055	0.68	0.11	0.06	0.106	0.056
Wifi	Miku	2′	0.57	0.149	0.174	0.123	0.152	0.51	0.131	0.112	0.10	0.119
Wifi	Nanit	2′	0.35	0.047	0.044	0.049	0.053	0.434	0.047	0.054	0.046	0.067
Non-Wifi	Baby Sense	2′	12.64	4.25	4.46	4.29	4.19	13.25	4.13	4.27	4.49	4.43
Non-Wifi	VTech	2′	5.21	2.20	2.19	2.11	2.25	4.52	1.54	1.39	1.74	1.58
Non-Wifi	Hello Baby	2′	5.12	1.32	1.03	1.10	0.98	2.63	0.51	0.56	0.48	0.58
Wifi	Miku	5′	0.41	0.046	0.039	0.040	0.041	0.22	0.042	0.058	0.044	0.053
Wifi	Owlet	5′	0.322	0.24	0.24	0.24	0.24	0.403	0.25	0.26	0.26	0.25
Wifi	Cubo AI	5′	0.315	0.225	0.230	0.221	0.229	0.307	0.229	0.236	0.227	0.232
Wifi	Harbor	5′	0.28	0.061	0.065	0.074	0.066	0.25	0.069	0.058	0.060	0.059
Wifi	Nanit	5′	0.17	0.024	0.027	0.023	0.026	0.13	0.026	0.037	0.24	0.027
Non-Wifi	VTech	5′	1.21	0.33	0.23	0.19	0.26	1.06	0.37	0.44	0.33	0.39
Non-Wifi	Baby Sense	5′	0.87	0.36	0.35	0.36	0.36	2.11	0.40	0.39	0.38	0.40
Non-Wifi	Hello Baby	5′	0.54	0.32	0.30	0.28	0.29	1.09	0.26	0.27	0.25	0.26

All measurements in mW/m² (milliwatts per square meter) using TriField TF2. Scroll horizontally on mobile →

Question 4: so… what monitor should I buy?

Alright, you have the full dataset and testing.

Taking into account EMF data AND which of these monitors are actually good across the other factors I’ve tested, here’s what I think is worthy buying.

If you want the monitor with the absolute lowest EMF ratings, you should go with Nanit. And, bonus, Nanit has been our top monitor pick for many years running—it’s what we’ve used most with our own kids.

Miku and Harbor, two other wifi monitors, also have low EMF levels and are very solid picks. Harbor, the new kid on the block in the wifi baby monitor space, is our up-and-coming pick with its dedicated parent unit and fallback to a local network if your wifi goes out.

If your heart is still set on a non-wifi baby monitor…

Step 1: reconsider. Because the options, when you try to find the center of the venn diagram between 1) lower EMF scores and 2) does not suck, you will find the middle is… kind of empty.

Step 2: Do NOT mount your non-wifi monitor close to your baby. Higher EMF levels need to be countered with distance.

Step 3: Do NOT buy Babysense monitor. Worst EMF ratings AND scored low in our best non-wifi baby monitor testing (our YouTube video here).

Step 4: Choose the Vtech (Amazon). Our top overall non-wifi pick AND much lower EMF readings that Babysense. Hellobaby had a lower reading at 5′, but… it’s unfortunately a POS on just about everything else.

Please note Fathercraft is reader-supported, meaning, at no cost to you, we may earn a commission if you buy after clicking an affiliate link. Learn more. Also, we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Best 2025 Black Friday/Cyber Monday baby monitor and baby gear deals

Paul Zalewski — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 20:32:07 +0000

Well, Black Friday season is upon us. And it’s 2025. So, Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals often run together, and thre’s no need to leave your house to grab deals for baby monitors, baby gear, strollers, and more..

Here at Fathercraft, we’ve rounded up a curated list of our favorite Black Friday & Cyber Monday deals for expecting parents and new parents, and parents of young kids. We’ve personally pulled together the best deals from products we’ve tested, reviewed, or are top-rated. You’ll find Black Friday baby monitor deals for monitors like Nanit and Owlet, Cyber Monday baby deals, strollers, smart cribs, feeding supplies and more baby gear sales!

Editor’s note:
1. Since not all deals are available yet, if a deal isn’t online yet we’ve included what the deal was in 2024 so you can compare.
2. Fathercraft is reader-supported, meaning, at no cost to you, we may earn a commission if you buy after clicking an affiliate link. Learn more.

So, here we go, the best Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals of 2025: scan through ’em all or here they are, broken down by category:

Best Black Friday/Cyber Monday baby monitor deals
- Nanit Cyber Monday sale
Crib and bassinet Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals
- Snoo Black Friday sale
- Cradlewise Black Friday sale
Stroller Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals
Even more deals — breast pumps, toys, gifts for dads, and more …

The best Black Friday and Cyber Monday baby monitor deals of 2025

30% off site wide for the Nanit Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale

We’ve confirmed our all-time favorite baby monitor, the Nanit Pro will go on sale for Black Friday & Cyber Monday, with their best deal ever. Get 30% off site wide. We’re not 100% sure when this deal will go live, but you can check here.

But, here’s how to get early access: click the link below, tap on the “Unlock early BF access, and sign up for emails & texts.

Shop The Nanit Pro

Save up to $110 during Owlet’s Black Friday Sale

We recently re-reviewed the Owlet, with all of the upgrades they’ve made, and were quite impressed.

For 2025 Black Friday, you can save up to $110 on Owlet — on their Dream Duo 3 Sock/Camera package, or $100 off an Owlet Dream Sock. And, when you use this link, you’ll get a free gift with purchase ($40 value).

Shop Owlet Black Friday. (Sale starts Thursday, 11/20.)

$60 off a Cubo Ai Baby Monitor 3 for Black Friday

Cubo is one of our favorite baby monitors in the less expensive category. They’re innovative and constantly improving. For Black Friday, you can save $30 off a wall-mounted Cubo, or $70 off a Cubo bundle with 3 different stand options. Head on over to Cubo’s website.

Crib and Bassinet Black Friday / Cyber Monday deals 2025

Snoo Black Friday sale and Happiest Baby Early Cyber Monday Deals

Happiest Baby, makers of The Snoo smart bassinet, have their Black Friday sale live now. Use this link and the code to get 30% off Snoo and up to 40% off on select items. They also have some free gifts when you spend $250, $500, or $1,000—check them out here. It doesn’t go lower than this, folks.

Shop the Snoo Black Friday sale using this link + get a free gift with purchase.

Up to $800 (40%) off Cradlewise Black Friday sale

Cradlewise is the new powerhouse when it comes to smart cribs. Similar to the Snoo, it uses a combination of motion and white noise to soothe your baby. There are some big differences though—the Snoo’s “wings” prevent your baby from rolling over when sleeping, and are designed to ensure your baby remains on her back, which is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics as the safest sleep position. Cradlewise focuses on a more traditional firm mattress plus ventilated crib sides for safety, and has some interesting features Snoo does not, such as a built-in baby monitor and a larger size, which can accommodate your child for up to 2 years (vs 6 months for the Snoo).

For this year’s Black Friday sale, Cradlewise is offering up to $800 off retail price, starting now.

Shop Cradlewise and save up to $800

25% off a Newton crib mattress and Newton bassinet starting now!

Netwon Baby’s crib mattress is designed to be ultra safe (it’s ‘breathe-through’, meaning, according to the company, if your baby rolls onto her stomach she should be able to breathe through the mattress), plus it’s lightweight, hypoallergenic, machine-washable, and holds up for years — and is comfortable enough to transition to a toddler mattress and beyond.

Newton’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale allows save 25% on a Newton mattress and site-wide. Their sale starts now

Shop Newton mattress and save 25%

Shop Newton bassinet and save 25%

Stroller deals

25% off at Colugo

Colugo makes our favorite budget travel stroller—the Colugo Compact Stroller+. And, their baby carrier is another hit around here at Fathercraft. It’s currently 45% off on their website.

Shop Colugo, get 20% off sitewide and 25% off bundles, starting now!

Mockingbird’s only sale of the year

In the past, Mockingbird, which makes our favorite single-to-double stroller (because, let’s face it, you’re probably not just going to have one kid), hasn’t had a Black Friday sale in the past. That changes this year.

You can grab a Mockingbird stroller or high chair for 20% off here 11/25 – 12/1 … get 20% off either of these products or bundle for 25% off!

Even more Black Friday baby gear deals for 2025

Save $230 on the Fathercraft Dad-to-Be Bundle

Our own Black Friday sale is officially on! You can save on The Fathercraft Bag, our dad bag, Father’s Ed — our flagship online video course for expecting dads, and the Better Baby Sleep Bootcamp — our online class on better baby sleep. Or, you can get everything in one package perfect for the expecting dad: the Fathercraft Dad-to-Be bundle. When you get the bundle, you’ll also get 3 bonuses.

Shop the Fathercraft Dad-to-Be Bundle.

Save $50 on Fathercraft’s online course for expecting dads or $50 on our dad bag

Our own Black Friday sale starts now! You can get our best deal ever on our online course for dads-to-be, Father’s Ed, right here. Or, if you’re in the market for the ultimate dad bag for yourself as a gift, save $40 right here.

30% off the Willow wearable breast pump

A former Time Magazine Invention of the Year winner, our reviewers loved just how handy (or handsfree, that is) Willow Pump was. Basically, it allowed them to do just about anything while pumping, and did it quietly and in a spill proof manner.

Shop Willow Pump and get 30% off

Read our Willow Pump review

Save big on Molekule Air Purifiers

Why an air purifier on a list of the best baby gear deals for Black Friday? Well, with wildfires, increased pollution, and everything else going on in the world, indoor air quality is becoming an increased concern. Plus, you know, babies can be kind of stinky. We reviewed the Molekule Air Mini+ and have been customers ever since.

For Black Friday/Cyber Monday 2024, you can save $130 on Molekule’s Air Mini+.

Save on Kiwi Crates (and Koala Crates, and … all of them)

Kiwi Crate was the original subscription box service for little kids. And, it’s still one of the absolute best. Thoughtfully-designed, includes fun, educational cartoons, and mind-expanding projects that will keep your little one busy for a long time.

KiwiCo has two sales that are live right now—you can use code JOY to get 4 crates free with the purchase of an annual plan.

Shop Kiwi Crate, get up to 4 months free

Save up to 25% sitewide at Lovevery

Lovevery’s Montessori-inspired subscription toy kits contain high-quality toys that take the guesswork out of choosing brain-friendly toy for your baby or toddler. You’ll get a new kit every 3 months full of well-made toys. Or, you can buy individual Montessori toys at their site.

Starting 11/25, get up to 25% off—10% off when you spend $80, 15% off when you spend $125, 20% at $250 and 25% off at $500 or more..

Shop Lovevery and save

Save up to 50% on skincare for dads at Geologie

It’s easy for dads to throw personal care out the window when a baby enters the picture. That’s why we’re excited about Geologie, which takes a science-backed approach to skincare for guys.

Take their personalized skincare quiz and then save up to 50% for Black Friday.

And, that’s a wrap! There are tons of Black Friday/Cyber Monday baby deals out there for new parents and parents-to-be, but there’s also tons of stuff you just don’t need for your baby, so, we’re sticking to the best of the best.

If you’re overwhelmed by all of the baby gear out there, you can see our full list of what actually constitutes essential gear for babies here.

And, continue the search for that perfect new dad gift right here.

The best travel strollers of 2025: Real parents picked a clear winner

Mark Zalewski — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 22:17:49 +0000

We put some of the best travel strollers to the test: the Joolz Aer+, UppaBABY MINU 3, Bugaboo Butterfly, YOYO2, GB Pockit, the Colugo Compact Stroller+, and Baby Jogger City Tour 2

There are two kinds of travel stroller reviews: the ones written by someone who skimmed the product manual and maybe pushed the stroller across their living room—and the ones written by parents who’ve sprinted to a departure gate with a baby strapped to their chest and a preschooler yelling that they dropped their donut. Guess which one this is?

Kristan cruising through the airport with the YOYO2 and her socks/slides combo

At Fathercraft, we don’t mess around. We (Mark, toddler dad, and Kristan, bay and toddler mom) tested six of the best travel strollers in the wild—real-world conditions, real kids, and real travel chaos. In this article, we’ll break down what actually matters when choosing a compact stroller (and what doesn’t) when you’re trying to survive a trip with tiny humans in tow.

We put these six strollers through their paces:

Joolz Aer+ ($449)
UPPAbaby MINU V3 ($549)
Bugaboo Butterfly ($399-$479)
Babyzen YOYO2 ($449)
GB Pockit All-Terrain (~$270)
Baby Jogger City Tour 2 (~$260)
Colugo Compact Stroller+ (~$249)

Heads up: Fathercraft is reader supported, meaning, at no cost to you, we may earn a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Details in our policies.

Our travel stroller testing process

We didn’t just wheel these things around the driveway. This was real-world, real-parent testing in the chaos that is family travel. Mark—dad to a 20-month-old son—ran these strollers through solo airport missions, neighborhood walks, and daily errands, often while juggling a diaper bag and the squirmy toddler. Kristan—mom to a 3-year-old and a 7-month-old—tested the gear in full family-travel mode, including vacationing with two kids, a baby carrier, and a coffee run that became a full-body workout (more on that later).

Looking for our favorite full-sized strollers? Read about our top 2025 picks here.

Between the two of us, we folded and unfolded these strollers dozens of times, navigated TSA lines, fit them into overhead bins, and saw how they held up when pushed one-handed across gravel while balancing a drink carrier. We tested for what actually matters to make travel easier: ease of folding on the go, maneuverability, comfort for both baby and parent, and how much stress each stroller saved—or created—when it counted.

Is a travel stroller worth it?

If you’re looking at these prices, you might be asking yourself if a travel stroller is worth it at all? Can I just use my full-size stroller for travel?

If you’re traveling with small kids (4ish or under), the answer is a resounding yes. You’re going to need to move your kids around, just like you do at home, but your full-sized Mockingbird setup isn’t going to fit on a plane.

You might also be asking yourself if you can skip this review and get the $20 umbrella stroller at Costco. Kristan owns that stroller and has vacationed with it… and she wouldn’t do it again.

Two reasons:

This is how much luggage we (Kristan + my husband, Tim) brought with us when we were traveling with ONE kid. And we were packing light. It would have been really nice if that stroller would have folded up into a tiny square with a strap.

This is 6’0″ Tim trying to push that stroller. He ditched two things after this vacation: that stroller… and the beard.

#throwback

The best travel strollers, reviewed

When choosing a stroller for travel, here’s what to consider:

Is it lightweight and compact? Strollers that fit in overhead bins are really convenient—you’ll benefit from it in the airport. Plus, it won’t get banged up during the checked baggage journey. Weight matters too…at some point you will end up carrying this thing on your trip, and a your back will thank you for choosing a lightweight travel stroller.
How the stroller folds… and in particular, can you fold it one-handed?

The more you check these boxes, the more you can enhance your travel experience.

Feature	Joolz Aer+	UPPAbaby MINU V3	Bugaboo Butterfly	Babyzen YOYO2	GB Pockit	City Tour 2	Colugo Compact+
Price	~$499	~$499	~$399	$449	~$270	~$359	~$249
Weight	~13 lbs	16.7 lbs	~16.1 lbs	14 lbs	~10.5 lbs	~14 lbs	~16 lbs
One-Hand Fold
Smooth Ride
Carry-On?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Fits under seat	Yes	Yes
Storage
Harness

Joolz Aer+: The MVP

If you’re the kind of parent who wants their gear to just work—without a manual, without a meltdown, and preferably with a latte in the other hand—the Joolz Aer+ is your dream machine. This stroller was hands-down the favorite in our testing, thanks to a folding mechanism so smooth it borders on magic. It’s a true lightweight stroller, compact, and built with the kind of no-nonsense precision you want when navigating an airport solo. As Mark put it, “I could shut this thing down with a baby in one arm and a coffee in the other.” It’s not cheap, and the storage space is minimal, but for ease, reliability, and daily use? This thing takes the cake for the best travel stroller.

Best for: solo air travel, urban explorers, anyone who values smooth operation above all else.

What we loved: One-handed fold so smooth it feels like magic. Tight construction. Small footprint makes it a true compact travel stroller (and fits in the overhead bin). Just works.

“Holy crap” moment: “I could shut this thing down with a baby in one arm and a coffee in the other.” – Mark

Downsides: Modest storage basket. Premium price.

Overall Winner

Joolz AER+

True one-handed fold, smooth ride, and just works.

Shop on Amazon Shop on PBK

UPPAbaby MINU V3: The Cadillac

The UPPAbaby MINU V3 is practically neck and neck with the Joolz. Of the travel strollers we tested, it’s the one that oozes quality, from the plush seat fabric to the leather-wrapped handlebar, and pushes like a dream. Mark compared the experience to “driving a Cadillac.” It’s solid, stable, and feels premium in every way. The harness is secure and familiar if you’ve used UPPAbaby’s full-size models, and the fold is easy (though not quite Joolz-easy). The downside? It’s heavier and more expensive than its rivals. But if comfort, craftsmanship, and a brand name you can trust are your top priorities, the MINU V3 delivers.

Joolz Aer+ (left) vs. UPPAbaby MINU 3 (right)

Best for: Parents who value premium materials and don’t mind a slightly larger frame.

What we loved: Most solid in-hand feel. Leather-wrapped handlebar. Great harness system. Quality everywhere. Comes with a travel bag.

“Holy crap” moment: “Everything about this just feels nice—like driving a Cadillac.” – Mark

Downsides: Carry strap is weird. Said travel bag is huge and awkward. A little heavy. A lot expensive.

Premium Pick

UPPAbaby Minu V3

$499.99

This is the premium option for parents who want to travel in style. It looks good, it works well.

Shop on Amazon Shop on PBK

03/10/2026 04:02 am GMT

Bugaboo Butterfly: The Almost–Winner

The Bugaboo Butterfly sits comfortably in the upper tier of travel strollers—just a smidge behind the Joolz and MINU. It’s compact, well-built, and comes with thoughtful features like a roomy basket and a stellar canopy that actually blocks the sun (yes, it matters). It folds up small enough to fit in the overhead compartment, but finding the carry strap once it’s folded is a mini scavenger hunt—Mark gave up and just started carrying it by the frame. The brake system also left something to be desired, with Mark noting it was stiff and annoying to use. Still, it’s a well-rounded, everyday-use contender for parents who value premium functionality.

Best for: Families looking for a sleek travel stroller that doubles as a daily driver.

What we loved: Great canopy. Solid construction. Spacious basket. Compact fold.

Downsides: Brake is stiff. Carry strap is buried. Slightly behind Joolz in folding finesse.

The almost winner

Bugaboo Butterfly

$384.30

Lots to love with a few quirks.

Shop on Amazon Shop on Bugaboo

03/10/2026 04:01 am GMT

Babyzen YOYO2: The Smooth Operator

The YOYO2 is the stroller equivalent of a city scooter—slick, agile, and kind of expensive for what it is. It earns high marks for its maneuverability and ultra-smooth one-handed steering. Kristan pushed her three-year-old with one hand, while wearing a baby and balancing coffee in the other. That level of agility makes it great for urban parents who value portability and style. But the folding process? A nightmare. Kristan FaceTimed her husband in a coffee shop just to figure it out, but even together they were unsuccessful in getting it folded on the fly. The harness is frustrating, storage is minimal, and at nearly $500, you’re paying for brand recognition (the YOYO is now officially a Stokke stroller) more than convenience.

Stokke typically does make great products. Check out our Tripp Trapp high chair review here.

Mastering the one-handed push

Best for: One-handed steering lovers. Those interested in modular accessories (newborn kit, ride board).
What we loved: Rides like a dream. Extremely maneuverable. Compact. Carry-on compliant.
“Holy crap” moment: “I pushed my almost-4-year-old one-handed while balancing a coffee carrier and wearing a baby. This thing rocks.” – Kristan

Downsides: Folding is frustrating. Harness sucks. Pricey for what it offers.

Shaded? Yes. Easily strapped in? No.

Where to buy: Amazon

GB Pockit All-Terrain: The Tiny Marvel (that hurts to push)

If your priority is ultra-compact size and nothing else, the GB Pockit is…fine. It folds down small enough to fit under an airplane seat, making it a marvel of engineering—but not one of comfort. The handlebar is a nightmare for tall users (Mark is 6’3” and hated it), the harness system is weak, and the fold involves more steps than you’d expect. It’s not intuitive or fun to use, but it’s lightweight and good in a pinch. Think of it as your “emergency stroller”—the one you keep at grandma’s or in the trunk just in case. Just don’t expect it to feel good to push.

Best for: Packing into a backpack or fitting under a plane seat.
What we loved: It’s impossibly small. Like, fits-under-the-seat small.
Downsides: Two tiny handles. Terrible for tall people. Folding is multi-step and slow.
“This drove me insane”: Handlebar ergonomics and the harness system.

Where to buy? Honestly, don’t. But if you must, Amazon

Colugo Compact Stroller+: The best budget travel stroller

We’ve long been fans of The Colugo Compact. This stroller is for parents who want champagne on a white claw budget. And, in 2025, Colugo made some significant upgrades in the form of The Colugo Compact Stroller+, which upgraded the fold, the harness, and the push bar. Sure there are still a few tradeoffs but man is it a solid option. And, at literally $200 less than our best overall pick, it does warrant serious consideration. The Colugo will need two hands to fold, but its two-step fold action is smooth. It’s built sturdily and has a surprising number of well-thought-out features like an adjustable footrest and canopy.

Two hands to fold? Yes. Still smooth and satisfying? Also yes.

Best for: Those who want quality and features… but not $500 quality.
What we loved: Price. Sturdy build quality. Nearly flat recline. Features that punched above its price class.
Downsides: Bulkier and heavier than the Joulz Aer Plus. Smaller basket and less-intuitive recline.

Top budget pick

Colugo Compact Stroller+

$239.20

The budget pick with non-budget features and quality

Shop on Amazon Shop on Colugo

03/10/2026 04:02 am GMT

Baby Jogger City Tour 2: The Budget Backup

The Baby Jogger City Tour 2 is the kind of stroller you might begrudgingly accept as a hand-me-down. It’s affordable and reclines nearly flat (which is rare in this group), but that’s about where the praise ends. Mark was “over it before he even used it,” thanks to the awkward folding mechanism and cheap-feeling materials. It doesn’t stand up on its own when folded, and the handlebar flops around like it’s given up on life. It’s an okay option as a backup for occasional use, especially if you want something inexpensive, but it lags behind the rest in nearly every way.

Baby Jogger… best for stuffies

Best for: Secondary stroller at grandma’s house or for budget-conscious travelers.
What we loved: Price. Nearly flat recline. Decent canopy.
Downsides: Clunky fold. Cheap materials. Doesn’t stand when folded. Build quality = meh.

Budget runner up

Baby Jogger City Tour 2

$349.99

Shop on Amazon

03/10/2026 04:01 am GMT

Who Should Buy What?

Solo traveler: Joolz Aer+ all day
Luxury lover + accessory chaser: UPPAbaby MINU V3
Budget-conscious parent: Colugo Compact Stroller+
One-handed driver: Babyzen YOYO2
Tiny trunk or tight overhead space: GB Pockit
Just need something that works (and works well): Bugaboo Butterfly
Spare stroller for backup duty: City Tour 2

Final verdict: what’s the best lightweight, compact stroller for travel?

If you’re going to spend $400+ on a travel stroller, get the one that actually delivers on every front: Joolz Aer+. That one-handed fold isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a sanity-saver.

But the UPPAbaby MINU V3 is a very close second. And if you’re more into modular upgrades or one-handed steering, you might find yourself leaning YOYO2 despite some frustrations.

And, if you’re on a budget, the Colugo Compact Stroller+ is the way to go.

Bottom line: don’t buy based on hype. Buy based on what actually matters when you’re juggling bags, boarding passes, and babies.

Travel stroller FAQs

Can I use these strollers from birth?

Some travel strollers can be used from birth, but most are better suited for babies around 6 months and up. Models like the Babyzen YOYO2 and UPPAbaby MINU offer optional newborn attachments or car seat adapters that make them newborn-friendly. That said, if you’re traveling with a very young baby, wearing them in a carrier might still be your best move—especially when navigating airports.

Are they compatible with car seats?

Yes—many of the best travel strollers are car seat compatible, but it depends on the brand and adapter. The MINU, YOYO2, Joolz Aer+, and Bugaboo Butterfly all offer adapters that work with popular infant car seats. If car seat compatibility is a must for your travel setup, be sure to check the brand’s compatibility chart before buying.

Can you bring a stroller through TSA or onto the plane?

Yes—TSA allows you to bring a stroller through security, and most airlines allow you to either gate-check it or carry it onboard if it meets size requirements. In our experience, a quick fold matters most during airport security. Strollers like the Joolz Aer+ and Bugaboo Butterfly made the process smooth, while others like the YOYO2 required a full-on folding tutorial (and, in one case, a FaceTime call to a spouse).

Do they work on rough terrain?

Travel strollers aren’t built for trails or cobblestones, but some handle bumps better than others. The UPPAbaby MINU and YOYO2 were the best performers on uneven sidewalks or gravel. Just don’t expect all-terrain wheels or suspension systems—these are designed for portability, not off-roading.

What accessories should I consider?

Travel stroller accessories to consider include:

Cup holders or snack trays
Travel bags (some are included, some are sold separately)
Ride-along boards (especially for the YOYO2)
Car seat adapters
Rain covers and sunshades

Meet Fathercraft

Looking for more Fathercraft? Check out our list of baby essentials or our other product reviews.

Editor’s note: this list was originally published in May, 2025, but was updated in July, 2025 with information on the Colugo Compact.

Mockingbird high chair review: Parent-tested after 6 months of daily use

Kristan Barczak — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 02:24:54 +0000

The #1 thing people conveniently forget to tell you about parenting? Kids are hard to feed.

They’re picky. They’re messy. And despite all the pickiness and messiness, they’re bottomless pits from the time they’re born until, well… I think forever (my own mother paid for my dinner just last week… thanks, mom). And if your high chair is also a seemingly endless cavern of crumbs, squashed banana, and crusty old butter noodles? You’re cooked (pun intended).

I famously* hold grudges against high chairs, because in my experience as a mom of two kids, they’re bulky contraptions that only contribute to the worst aspect of feeding kids—the mess. But I decided to give the Mockingbird High Chair a try. I’m writing this review now after six months of daily feeding and cleaning, as well as shoving the chair around into various corners of my kitchen.

Mockingbird high chair review: At a glance

Price: $249 (available only at Mockingbird)
Best for: Parents who want a modern, practical, and easy-to-clean high chair that won’t break the bank.

Pros

Extremely easy to clean (wipeable straps = game changer)
Baby can eat at the table or with the tray
Adjustable footplate for proper support
Hooks to store straps when not in use
Converts into a toddler chair
Easy assembly (I built it solo with my 4-year-old “helping”)
Safe and sturdy
Compact footprint—tucks away neatly
Budget-friendly compared to premium brands

Cons

Chair slides a little when lifting baby out

Fathercraft verdict: That’s a long pros list. The Mockingbird High Chair is the best high chair I’ve ever used. After 6 months of daily meals with my now 11-month-old, I’d absolutely buy it again.

In this review, we’ll cover:

Our testing process
Design & build quality
Assembly
Cleaning—where this product shines!
Other features
Price
Mockingbird vs. Stokke
Other parent reviews
FAQs
Final verdict

Heads up: The Mockingbird High Chair tested for this review was provided free to us by the manufacturer. They received no promises of positive words for us. Also, Fathercraft is reader supported, meaning, at no cost to you, we may earn a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Details in our policies.

Our testing process

We’ve been using the Mockingbird High Chair for about 6 months with my 11-month-old (Adi), who’s deep into the messy, joyful world of finger foods. Testing involved daily mealtimes, snacks, and plenty of real-world messes—think avocado smears, yogurt splatters, and my worst nightmare: spaghetti.

Along the way, I kept notes of what I liked and didn’t like, waiting until I felt confident in the chair’s durability, comfort, and safety before writing this review.

Design & build quality

Mockingbird has made a name for itself with a feature-rich, modern single-to-double stroller, and the high chair lives up to the high expectations set by the brand. It’s compact without feeling flimsy and looks good in a kitchen or dining space (not a hulking plastic eyesore).

Adi fitting right into our kitchen

The chair grows with your child: the adjustable footplate and harness system work well for babies, and it converts into a toddler chair as your child grows. This kind of versatility helps justify the purchase price.

Mockingbird high chair specs

Feature	Details
Price	$249 (USD)
Footprint	24” D × 16.5” W
Height	35.5” (High Chair mode) / 28.5” (Child Chair mode)
Weight	16.5 lbs (High Chair with baby seat & tray), 12.5 lbs (Child Chair), 2.3 lbs (Tray)
Age Range	From ~6 months (when baby can sit independently) to toddler years
Weight Limits	High Chair: up to 35 lbs / Child Chair: up to 150 lbs
Harness	5-point, wipeable magnetic harness with silicone coating
Tray	Removable, dishwasher-safe tray liner
Footrest	Adjustable
Assembly	Tool-free, quick assembly + clear instructions
Materials	FSC-certified beechwood, BPA-free plastics, food-grade silicone
Colors Available	Multiple: Natural, Espresso, Pebble, Mint, Cloud Washed, Petal, Midnight

Assembly & ease of use

Confession: I don’t assemble things in my house.

I’m terrible at it. But I was excited about receiving the Mockingbird high chair, so I decided to give it a shot. Mockingbird provides extremely clear instructions, including the option to watch short videos of each step, making the process actually doable.

Virtual step-by-step instruction guide

I put it together in about 30 minutes, ~~in spite of~~ with thanks to my very helpful four-year-old.

My four-year-old sitting in big kid mode (that’s not a labubu)

Day to day, it’s intuitive. The tray clicks on and off easily (don’t underestimate the value of this… some high chair trays require a rocket science degree), and you can also push the chair right up to the table for family meals.

Family breakfast–no tray required!

One small quirk: when lifting my baby out, the chair sometimes slides a little. It’s not unsafe, but I find myself holding it down with a foot to lift Adi out.

Cleaning & maintenance

This is where the Mockingbird High Chair shines. Parents know a high chair lives or dies by how easy it is to clean, and Mockingbird nailed it:

Straps are silicone and fully wipeable (no more wrestling with grimy cloth straps)
The tray is dishwasher safe
The seat itself wipes down quickly, with minimal “crevices” for food to hide
Built-in hooks on the back keep the straps neatly stashed when not in use.

“Relax, Mom… This whole thing wipes clean”

If you’ve ever owned a chair that seemed to grow its own ecosystem of crumbs, you’ll appreciate the Mockingbird.

Other features

Size, storage & portability

The footprint is modest—easy to tuck away when not in use, and it doesn’t dominate a dining area. It’s not foldable, so it won’t collapse flat for travel, but that’s rarely a dealbreaker for everyday home use.

Safety & comfort

The harness system is secure, the seat feels stable, and the adjustable footplate keeps babies comfortable and properly supported (a detail many cheaper chairs overlook). I’ve seen one review noting the curve of the chair can make it hard for a smaller baby to sit up comfortably—but my 23rd percentiler has never had an issue.

Price & value for money

At $249, the Mockingbird High Chair sits in the middle of the high chair price spectrum. It’s significantly cheaper than premium models like the Stokke Tripp Trapp (which will set you back $319, minimum) but offers many of the same perks: longevity, modern design, and family-table compatibility.

Given the build quality and versatility, we think it’s an excellent value.

Mockingbird High Chair vs. Stokke Tripp Trapp

The Stokke Tripp Trapp is a classic—beloved for its Scandinavian design and unmatched longevity (it can truly last into adulthood as a chair, and it’s on display at the MoMA… yes, forreal). But it’s also pricey, and it requires add-ons (baby set, tray, cushion) to match the out-of-the-box usability of the Mockingbird.

Read our Stokke Tripp Trapp review

Key differences

Price: Mockingbird ($249) vs. Stokke ($319 minimum).
Ease of cleaning: Mockingbird has wipeable straps and simpler surfaces; Tripp Trapp straps are fabric and more prone to mess.
Longevity: Stokke edges out here—it truly grows into an adult chair, while Mockingbird caps at a toddler chair. We’ve also heard Stokke is more durable.
Style: Both are sleek and modern, though Stokke has a more iconic, furniture-like look.

Verdict: If you want a design piece that doubles as furniture for years to come, the Stokke may be worth the splurge. But for most families, the Mockingbird nails the balance of price, practicality, and style.

Other parents’ reviews

We’re not the only ones impressed. Verified buyers on Mockingbird’s site, plus a fair share of Redditors, consistently praise its easy cleaning, sturdy feel, and smart design. Common feedback echoes what we’ve seen: “wipes clean in seconds” and “surprisingly affordable compared to Stokke.”

A few note the same quirk we experienced—slight sliding when removing a child—but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.

FAQs about the Mockingbird High Chair

Is the Mockingbird High Chair worth it?

Yes—for most families, it strikes the best balance of affordability, modern design, and ease of cleaning.

What material is used for the Mockingbird harness system?

The straps on the Mockingbird harness system are made with BPA-free silicone. This means the straps easily wipe clean with a cloth or paper towel.

What age is it suitable for?

From about 6 months (when your baby can sit independently) up through toddlerhood.

Does the Mockingbird high chair fold flat for storage?

No, but its compact footprint makes it easy to tuck away.

Final verdict

After 6 months of daily use, I can confidently say the Mockingbird High Chair is the best high chair I’ve ever used. It’s sturdy, thoughtfully designed, and shockingly easy to clean (those wipeable straps deserve their own standing ovation).

It’s not the cheapest chair on the market, nor the most premium, but for families who want a high chair that works beautifully without fuss, it’s a near-perfect balance of price, practicality, and style. And I have to say it one more time… It is SO easy to clean.

Would I buy it again? Absolutely.

Looking for more Fathercraft? Check out our list of baby essentials or our best travel strollers of 2025.

A Colugo baby carrier review

Paul Zalewski — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 01:14:13 +0000

Looking for a baby carrier that’s easy to use, comfortable to wear, and doesn’t skimp on style? In this review, we’re taking a close look at the Colugo Carrier—what works, what doesn’t, and how it stacks up after real-world testing with actual kids (and tired parents). Bonus… this carrier might even just have pockets!

If you just like watching your reviews, here’s our Colugo carrier video review (just keep scrolling if you prefer reading & pictures):

Editor’s note: Fathercraft is reader-supported, meaning, at no cost to you, we may earn a commission if you buy after clicking an affiliate link. Learn more. We also received free product from Colugo for this review.

Our Colugo carrier review

Here at Fathercraft, we consider baby carriers essential. They allow you to do all sorts of stuff with your child strapped to you. Which is great, because as you know or will soon learn, parenting is time-intensive.

Here’s John demoing just a few of the things you can do while your baby is in a carrier:

Back when we first heard about baby carriers (aka back in our day), it seemed like offerings from Ergobaby and Baby Bjorn were the only offerings on the market (and, yes, we’ve been in the game a long time). But since the OG Fathercraft babies were in carriers, a few new reputable brands have entered the market, including Colugo.

By the way, if you’d like to see how Colugo fared against the big guns in this space, check out our list of the best baby carriers.

We love Colugo’s stroller. So, when they reached out about their carrier, we were eager to test it out.

Colugo is a “direct to consumer” company (think Warby Parker, Casper, & Dollar Shave Club) that sell directly to you via their websites, which allows them to pass on savings. It’s a model that’s worked well for razors, mattresses, and glasses, and we think it’s perfect for the baby gear market. Why? Well, baby gear is something you need to try, with your baby, to really know if you’re going to like it. And, trying it out in the wild (with other kids in tow) is much better than looking at it on a shelf at a big box store.

Kristan trying out the Colugo again in 2025… art with the toddler while carrying a baby? Check.

Colugo offers a 100-day in-home trial—more than enough to decide if their stuff is right for you. So, you can make the grocery store your testing ground.

We’re here to check back in with Colugo and see how it’s held up against some of the new carriers that have come out recently. *Spoiler Alert* It’s still awesome… and we’ve been testing baby carriers ever since—with dads, with moms, with small babies, with big babies…we’ve gone DEEP on baby carriers over the years.

Tim, friend of Fathercraft, chilling with his 10-month-old

Let’s dive into the awesome, the wish it was different, and our final verdict.

The awesome

When choosing the Colugo as our overall favorite baby carrier, we considered the full package. The Colugo was most similar to the Baby Bjorn One from a structure and mechanisms perspective, but included some extra features, and customizations that made it stand out.

Overall comfort and usability

Half the battle with baby carriers is getting them on—yourself and your baby. The Colugo allows you to separate the process of getting yourself in and comfortable and then situating your baby independently. While this does make for some extra straps, we found the process made for an easier time getting the thing (and baby) on, and a more comfortable ride overall. Your baby might just fall asleep.

Fingers crossed for a good nap

Magnetic buckles

Buckles in action

A big part of putting on a carrier is the process of buckling the baby in. Colugo features magnetic buckles for the two final buckles you’ll use to put your baby in. They’re located on the front of the carrier near your armpits, have big pull tabs, and magnets to help you quickly align them when putting your baby in. It’s a clever and welcome addition to this final step of the baby carrier, which otherwise can require needing to look around a squirming baby to align buckles.

Here’s a closeup of the buckle in the closed position:

Magnetic buckle detail

Lightweight, breathable material

As we noted in our Ergobaby 360 review, baby carriers can get hot. We liked the material Colugo selected. It was lightweight, breathable, and flexible, improving comfort and ventilation.

The Colugo carrier also weighs in at just 1.5lbs and packs down pretty nicely for travel or shoving in a diaper bag.

Detail of the Colugo’s lightweight material

Pockets!

If the mention of pockets in a baby carrier doesn’t get you excited, you probably haven’t spent much time with one. A surprisingly small number of carriers include pockets at all, and those that do sometimes include non-functional pockets.

The Colugo’s pockets are thoughtfully designed and pretty functional (though as Calvin, our test baby, got bigger, he started to sag over the waist belt pocket, making it harder to reach).

Pockets in a carrier are really helpful if you’re just heading out for a quick jaunt—there’s no need to wear a backpack and a front pack at the same time, and nobody wants that. The Colugo’s pockets give you room for a diaper or two, wipes, keys, cell phone, and maybe a food pouch or two.

The newest model of the Colugo carrier has a removable pouch that makes life so much easier. Back in 2019, our Colugo carrier made it hard to reach into the waist belt pocket as Calvin got bigger, but with the removable pouch, that wouldn’t be an issue anymore.

Machine washable

The Colugo carrier (along with nearly all Colugo products) is machine washable. And all baby stuff gets dirty, fast. So, this is a welcome feature (though not super uncommon—all 5 of the carriers we tested were.

Back-carry option

When we first tested out the Colugo carrier, back-carrying was not an option. However, they have since updated the carrier and have certified the product to allow for both front and back-carrying.

Back and side carry can be nice as your child gets older and heavier, when the front carry position can start to strain your back.

Actually useful accessories

Colugo has been steadily improving the carrier over the years, and accessories are now bountiful. They offer a “The Drool Pack“—sounds gross, is gross, but hey, babies drool A LOT. They also offer “The Cozy“, which is basically like one of those high-tech sleeping bags for your baby that clips on to the outside of the carrier to keep her warm during the winter.

The wish it was different

Carrying capacity

We had to get really nit-picky to find something that we wished was different. The carrying capacity has been reduced to 33lbs from 35lbs, and we noticed that the bigger our baby got, the harder it was to put them in the right spot.

That being said, all we are really trying to say is we wish we could use this product forever. It’s that good. I would deliver my son to his college dorm in the Colugo if I could.

The Verdict

When we consider the complete package:

Price
Comfort
Magnetic buckles
Pockets
Material
100-day in-home trial

The Colugo is our clear choice for best baby carrier. It’s also part of our newborn essentials list, which details the items you’ll want to make parenting a newborn more awesome.

At Fathercraft, there are a few products we’ve been reviewing for years and have remained at the top of the pack through all that time—the Colugo Carrier is one of those.

Pricing, options, & where to buy

The Colugo Carrier is $145 (though it goes on sale with some regularity) and available at colugo.com. There are now 9 color styles from black to the ‘Wild Child Cheetah’ and 3 limited edition primary colors that won’t last long, so get to colugo.com and order one while it lasts!

An in-depth Cradlewise review — a smart crib with built-in baby monitor and white noise

Mark Zalewski — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 13:29:45 +0000

The Cradlewise is the first smart crib on the market to combine the trifecta of baby sleep products: a “smart” bassinet/crib, a baby monitor, and a white noise machine. For the modern parent who knows that helping a baby to sleep can be an event (think: more bachelor-party-gone-wrong than charity golf tournament), the Cradlewise might sound too good to be true. So… is it?

At Fathercraft, we decided to find out with this in-depth Cradlewise review. We tested the smart bassinet + crib comb o for over a year with two families. As the technology evolved, so did our verdict.

Read on to go with us on our Cradlewise journey. We’ll cover:

An introduction to the two families who tested Cradlewise
Unboxing, setup, and daily use
Mark and Marian’s Cradlewise review
Our ultimate verdict, including:
- Does the Cradlewise work?
- Did the technology improve?
More to know about Cradlewise
Pricing and where to buy
Cradlewise vs. Snoo
Wrapping up

That’s a lot of info. Feel free to click the links to jump to what you want to see most, or read straight through for the full experience, jokes and all.

No time for reading? We get it. Check out our ~7-minute video review (it also has jokes):

Editor’s note: Fathercraft is reader-supported, meaning, at no cost to you, we may earn a commission if you buy after clicking an affiliate link. Also, our testers received a free Cradlewise to complete this review. Learn more.

Cradlewise: Unboxing, setup, and daily use

Unboxing

The first thing you’ll notice about Cradlewise is how big and heavy it is. The box arrives with one of those “team lift” labels, and the label not kidding. Be careful carrying this box around, especially if you’re pregnant. Get help from a partner and maybe a friend.

Aside from the literal maneuvering of the box, unboxing is a pleasant and well-thought-out experience. Parts and boxes are well-labeled, and you’ll find fun baby facts and affirmations sprinkled throughout—a nice touch. Unboxing provides a peek into product quality and aesthetics, too.

You’ll also find that the Cradlewise is heavy for a reason—it’s built with high-quality materials that have a premium feel. It’s also heavy because of how big it is (more in a sec). Finally, it’s a good-looking contraption that’ll fit nicely in a modern nursery (or parents’ room, where the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends your baby sleep for at least the first 6 months).

One of our reviewers Jon starts in on the assembling experience

Assembling Cradlewise

Cradlewise setup and assembly involves two big steps:

Assembling the physical product
Setting up the mobile app

Assembling the crib involves a lot of steps. Like, the instruction booklet has a spine number of steps. But, while it takes a while to put together, the assembly instructions are actually helpful. It’s kind of like putting together a piece of Ikea furniture, except that the instruction booklet includes written instructions in addition to diagrams. It also makes sense that assembly involves a lot of steps as the assembly for a newborn starts with the crib and then adds the bassinet as an “overlay,” so you’re essentially setting up both the crib and the bassinet (and that baby monitor).

One-person assembly is perfectly possible, though there are a couple of steps where two would be nice (one unskilled laborer to hold stuff while the other uses an Allen wrench).

Mark remarked (see what we did there?) that Cradlewise is one of those companies that thinks of everything. It seems like they truly care about the parents they serve. For example, Cradlewise includes a screwdriver that caused us to think, “We have a new screwdriver! And it’s nicer than any of the ones we have here …” There are extra parts, but they come in a plastic bag clearly labeled, “spare parts.”

Just a couple of steps involved trial and error/futzing around with stuff, such as inserting bolts into the mesh tensioners.

Cradlewise App setup

Setting up the Cradlewise app should feel familiar if you own any smart-home-type gadgets already. Download the iOS or Android app, connect the device to your internet, register your Cradlewise, and complete a few in-app setup type steps.

A few key features of Cradlewise

Quickly (and if you know this already, jump ahead), what does Cradlewise do, again?

Bassinet/Crib in one. The core structure of a Cradlewise is a crib … and a bassinet. The ‘bassinet’ is an insert that is placed on top of the assembled crib, and kind of floats, suspended. Why? Your back, friend. Picking up babies from a crib requires bending way down. Your baby can use a bassinet until they’ve reached the stage where they might pull themselves up over the side and fall out. Your back will thank Cradlewise for this feature.

Editor’s Note: This is also helpful for anyone recovering from a c-section.

Bouncing. This is where things get interesting. The whole crib structure literally bounces up and down, mimicking the bounce that every parent quickly learns as a soothing technique (soothing because that’s how it feels to a baby in the womb).

Side note: In a video on their site, Cradlewise shows a parent bouncing on an exercise ball, which we’ve not tried but is a good idea … because babies seem to know immediately if you go from standing up and bouncing them to sitting down and trying to mimic this motion while sitting. Sorry.

Video baby monitor. Built into the crib (it’s on the arc of wood that sits over where your baby’s head will be) is a video/audio baby monitor. This provides a bird’s eye view of your baby, popularized recently by monitors like Nanit since it provides a much clearer view than a monitor that sits on a dresser and attempts to peer through the crib’s bars to see your baby.

Bird’s eye view of Mark and Marian’s baby, Henry, in the app

White Noise. No explanation needed, but built-in speakers play (you guessed it) white noise. You can choose from a library or bring your own.

Sleep analytics. Cradlewise uses data from its camera to determine what stage of sleep/alertness your baby is in and tracks this data through the course of a night or nap.

A recent screenshot of how sleep analytics looked for Mark and Marian

Using the Cradlewise

To use Cradlewise, simply put your baby in the bassinet or crib (all safe sleep practices apply: snugly-fitting pajamas/sleep sack, on her back, nothing else in the crib with her) and start the bouncing if you wish. To start bouncing, push the button on top of the wood arc, or use the Cradlewise mobile app. (You can push and hold the button to stop bouncing or use the app.

Within the app, you can do other things, too—use the monitor, turn on white noise, control bouncing intensity, and view sleep analytics.

Mark and Marian’s Cradlewise review (October 2023 – September 2025…)

My wife Marian and I tested (and are currently still testing… our son Hank will be able to use it until around September of this year) Cradlewise.

We love the Cradlewise. So, let’s start with “the awesome.”

The awesome

Cradlewise’s bouncing worked

I felt like I got more sleep thanks to Cradlewise nearly from the beginning.

Hank was just two weeks old when the screenshot from my Cradlewise mobile app was taken. The dark blue is deep sleep, the light blue/purple is fidgety, and the yellow is awake. The dots on the right side represent the times the Cradlewise was able to successfully “soothe” Hank back to sleep:

This is a great example of how much extra sleep that Cradlewise technology can give you.

There’s real merit to the integration of crib, baby monitor, and white noise

Marian and I found the integration of the three key elements of the modern baby’s sleep setup — a safe crib, white noise, and monitoring — together in one package to be really nice. No need for three separate systems.

We also didn’t feel the need for something like an Owlet. This preference for a separate monitor is a personal decision for your family, but Marian and I felt we had enough monitoring with the Cradlewise system.

Safety

Cradlewise doesn’t make any official claims about safety, but I felt like the extra sleep my wife and I got because of the Cradlewise helped prevent accidentally falling asleep in bed with their baby. Of course, there’s no way to know if this would have happened without the Cradlewise, but I enjoyed the extra peace of mind.

Versatility, longevity & aesthetics

The lifespan of the Cradlewise is a huge plus. Many of the things we buy as parents just don’t have a long useful lifespan—sometimes it feels like you’re using that cute onesie you got at your baby shower for a few weeks before it’s too small on your ‘little one’. This is also a downside of Snoo, which is designed for the first 4-6 months.

Cradlewise, by contrast, with its two-year useful life, is a breath of fresh air in this department. And, with the integrated, removable bassinet, you’re getting a bassinet when it’s useful that transitions to a crib in a few minutes when it’s time to make the switch.

Finally, this is undeniably a good-looking piece of baby gear. It’s right at home in the modern nursery (and parents’ room at first).

Quick shameless plug: If you’re looking for another product with a long lifespan and a cool aesthetic, we’ve got you. Check out the Fathercraft’s dad bags , designed to be versatile enough to grow with your kids, and cool enough that you can rock it anywhere.

The people

I was also impressed with the people behind Cradlewise. From assembly to the actual direction of the motion of the Cradlewise (up and down, mimicking what they experienced in the womb), it seems like they thought of everything and genuinely cared.

The wish-it-were different

Honestly, I had a difficult time coming up with a downside to Cradlewise. But, there are a few things you should be aware of…

Amount of alerts

I received a TON of alerts, especially when Hank was a newborn. This really bother me, because as anxious new parents, Marian and I almost welcomed them.

Lack of a physical button for white noise

The Cradlewise has a button on the crib to turn the motion on and off but he mentioned it’d be nice to turn the white noise off without using the app (yeah, this is nit-picky; there just weren’t many problems.

Lack of a light

The one thing sleep item I felt was missing? A light.

It’s not that a baby necessarily needs it. But it’s helpful for those middle-of-the-night diaper changes (Cradlewise can do a lot, but it can’t change a diaper).

Price

There’s no way around it: Cradlewise is pricey (even at its new, permanently lower price). Even so, in my estimation, a combination of a few things made this worth it:

Marian and I got more sleep as a result of Cradlewise, period.
Longevity: Because it’s a bassinet and crib, you could end up using it for a few years
Multiple products in one: You’re not buying a white noise machine and baby monitor on top of the bassinet and crib

So what’s the ultimate verdict?

Our ultimate verdict: Is Cradlewise worth it?

This depends on the answers to

We’re pretty impressed by how hard Cradlewise worked to improve their technology, and our ultimate verdict is a positive one: We’d buy this again.

If you’re still on the fence about price, here’s my thought: if you’re going to invest in one pricier baby item, a bassinet or a crib is what I’d recommend. Your baby spends so much time there, it’s worth the investment.

But if you’re still undecided beyond that, keep reading. Because this is Fathercraft, and when we review a product, we obsess over it. Here are a few more things that are good to know, plus how the Cradlewise stacked up against the Snoo for us.

More good things to know about Cradlewise

Since we go deep on our reviews here at Fathercraft, here are a few more things you might consider.

Th further out from your due date you buy Cradlewise, the cheaper it gets. If you’re considering Cradlewise, the best time to buy is now. Here’s why: the closer you get to your baby’s due date, the more expensive Cradlewise gets. This isn’t some trick Cradlewise is using to get you to buy it, rather if you order further out, it helps them coordinate their supply chain to save money. Check the price calculator here.

Weight. Cradlewise is very heavy. Especially compared to Snoo. This, of course, makes sense since it’s so much bigger, and not that big a deal unless you think you’re going to move it back and forth for naps and bedtimes or travel with it. This is a put it in a spot and move it when it’s time to transition to the nursery type of heavy.

Moving Cradlewise might require resetting it. According to Cradlewise, you may need to recalibrate your settings when you transition from the bassinet to a crib. Additionally, if you move the bassinet to an area with a different noise level (e.g., from your bedroom to the living room where your family keeps congregating to see the new precious bundle of joy), you will likely need to recalibrate. In between the above-mentioned weight and the recalibration, this is not something you buy for portability.

Cradlewise caused some sort of interference with The Owlet Smart Sock. We had a second couple test Cradlewise before Mark and Marian. They used the Owlet Smart Sock and Cam. When their son was in Cradlewise, the Owlet Sock base station had to be moved closer to him to prevent this interference.

However, as noted Mark and Marian didn’t use the Owlet and didn’t feel they needed it. So, this is where you insert your family’s unique needs to make a purchasing decision that’s best for you.

Pricing and where to buy

Cradlewise has an interesting pricing model—the further out you order it, the cheaper it gets. So, planning ahead saves you money. If you need immediate delivery, the price is $1,749 as of the time of this review. But you can save up to several hundred dollars by ordering up to 6 months in advance. (And, worth noting, sometimes immediate stock isn’t available.)

Cradlewise is currently only available directly from the Cradlewise website.

Cradlewise vs. Snoo

The Snoo has been around for 7+ years now. And you can tell that the Cradlewise team studied it, and tried to improve on some of the “issues” or shortcomings the Snoo has. Issues are in quotes here because some of these, while notable, are actually features of the Snoo—yes, it can be annoying to clip your baby in each time, this is exactly what prevents your baby from rolling over. If you ask the folks over at Happiest Baby, they’d undoubtedly tell you their white noise and rocking motions are the best, therefore you don’t need to switch them up.

With that in mind, here are some of the things Cradlewise attempts to improve upon or change from the Snoo, with varying degrees of success:

Snoo has no built-in baby monitor, Cradlewise does
Snoo has precisely one white noise setting, Cradlweise allows you to change the sound, and even play your own tracks
Snoo uses a back-and-forth rocking motion, Cradlewise uses a bouncing motion
To use Snoo, you need to clip your baby in. Cradlewise, like any normal crib or bassinet, you just place your baby in
The Snoo is pretty small, so your baby will grow out of it quickly. Happiest Baby advertises 6 months, Gordy, a bigger baby, grew out of the Snoo in 4.

So, how do Snoo and Cradlewise stack up? Let’s review key differences—we based this on our own testing of the Snoo, Mark and Marian’s testing of Cradlewise, and a couple who are friends of Fathercraft, Jon and Andrew, who used both Snoo and Cradlewise with their son Gordy.

Rollover safety. The Snoo is the only baby sleeper product on the market that’s designed to physically prevent your baby from rolling from her back to her front. Therefore, it’s the gold standard (and, quite literally received FDA De Novo approval for safely keeping sleeping babies on their backs). Kinda hard to beat that.

Though, as many billions of babies have been kept safe the old-fashioned way—by being placed on their back to sleep with a firm mattress, fitted crib sheets, and a crib free of toys and blankets, it’s worth noting for the many parents that can afford neither the Snoo nor any other smart bassinet that doing these things is safely putting your baby to sleep. Cradlewise is in that regard like a traditional crib—it uses a firm mattress, fitted sheets, and breathable mesh sides to keep your baby safe when sleeping.

All that said, Jon and Andrew said they felt safer when Gordy was sleeping in the Snoo, especially when he started trying to roll from back to front. Mark and Marian were satisfied with the Cradlewise.

Ease of putting your baby in and taking him out. Edge also goes to Cradlewise here. There’s no clipping in (again, note Snoo’s clipping is a feature). But also, Cradlewise is literally both taller (in bassinet mode) and bigger. With the Snoo, especially if your baby falls asleep in your arms, guiding him into the Snoo can feel like a high-stakes game of operation. With Cradlewise, your target is bigger and your back will thank you for less bending over.

Ease of cleaning. Cradlewise has the edge here—its mesh sides are removable (though that takes some doing), so in the event of a disaster (yes, you may experience projectile vomiting as a parent, exorcism not required), you can wash all the pieces of Cradlewise more thoroughly, vs the Snoo, which requires spot cleaning for the sides.

White noise flexibility and options. Again, Cradlwise wins here — white noise volume is adjustable, you can choose from several options (including playing your own music through its speakers). Again, we’d call out that the makers of Snoo are pretty confident they’ve developed the world’s best white noise option for babies, but that’s up to you to decide.

Sleep tracking reliability. Both Snoo and Cradlewise claim to be able to track the amount your baby sleeps. And, at least in Gordy’s case, both were wildly inaccurate. Jon and Andrew found their Owlet baby monitor to be much more accurate in this department. Mark and Marian reported that the Cradlewise would sometimes start tracking sleep a bit earlier than when Henry actually fell asleep, but they weren’t bothered by this.

Read (and watch) our full Snoo bass i net review.

By the way, if you’re interested in what Cradlewise has to say on the matter, here’s how they compare themselves to other smart bassinets.

The overall lesson? All babies are different. Snoo and Cradlewise technology both had a hard time tracking Gordy’s (Jon and Andrew’s baby) sleep. But Mark and Marian have had an easier time.

Who are Cradlewise competitors?

While the Snoo is Cradlewise’s most well-known competitor, others include the Halo BassiNest, the Graco Sense2Snooze, and the 4Moms Mamaroo Sleep bassinet. We’d note these others are quite a bit less expensive, and not on par with either Cradlewise or Snoo from a features or a build quality perspective.

Wrapping up

I wasn’t kidding when I say we go deep on baby gear reviews Hopefully, that was helpful as you think about your baby’s futuristic sleeping arrangements. While you’re here, hi, we’re Fathercraft. In addition to reviewing products, we create cool stuff for new parents and have a YouTube channel full of parenting-related videos.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally posted on May 4, 2023, and has been updated numerous times since then with more testing information..

Veer Cruiser Wagon Review: All-Terrain Stroller Alternative

John Doht — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 00:43:06 +0000

Product: Veer Cruiser (XL, All-Terrain, City models)
Made by: Veer
Product type: Stroller wagon hybrid + modular accessory system
Price: $699 – $799 (base models, before accessories)
Review period: 2+ years

Here’s the deal: most stroller wagons feel like compromises. They’re either too flimsy for real adventures, too bulky for everyday use, or missing key features that make them actually useful. But the Veer Cruiser promises to be different—a premium “adventure rig” that grows with your family.

After 2+ years of testing the Veer Cruiser XL in urban environments and parks with my sons Oliver and Calvin, we’ve got thoughts. Big ones.

An in-depth review of the Veer cruiser system

We’ve spent serious time with the Veer Cruiser XL, testing it in the real world where parenting actually happens. City streets, park paths, grocery stores, and yes, up and down more stairs than we care to count. We’ve also researched the All-Terrain and City models extensively.

Quick jump navigation:

What is the Veer cruiser?

The Veer Cruiser is a premium stroller wagon hybrid designed to be your family’s go-to transportation solution from toddlerhood through elementary school. At its core, the Veer system is built around modularity—an incredibly well-built base wagon that can be customized with dozens of accessories to fit your family’s specific needs.

But here’s where it gets interesting (and expensive): Veer offers three distinct models, each optimized for different family situations.

Veer cruiser models breakdown

Veer Cruiser XL ($799)

Best for: Families with multiple kids or bigger kids (up to 55 lbs per seat)
Key specs: 37″ L x 24″ W, 220 lb total capacity, 32.5 lbs weight
Our take: This is what we tested extensively. Maximum hauling capacity for adventure families, though it can feel overwhelming for daily urban use.

Veer All-Terrain Cruiser ($699)

Best for: Most families looking for the perfect balance of stroller functionality and wagon versatility
Key specs: Seating for 2, premium stroller feel with rugged wagon capability
Our take: As Veer puts it, this is “what happens when you combine a premium stroller and a rugged wagon.” It’s the world’s first all-terrain stroller-wagon crossover.

Veer Cruiser City ($699)

Best for: Urban families who want traditional stroller steering with wagon versatility
Key specs: Available in 2 or 4 seat configurations, swivel wheels for stroller-like steering
Our take: Perfect for families who love to push on sidewalks and through local attractions. The swivel wheels let you steer it like a traditional stroller when pushing, but the handlebar drops into wagon mode for pulling over uneven terrain.

How the Veer cruiser works

The build quality reality check

After 2+ years of testing, this thing is built like a tank. The aluminum frame feels solid in a way that gives you confidence when hauling precious cargo. The polyurethane foam wheels are genuinely impressive—removable with a button push and handle everything from smooth pavement to rocky trails.

What really stands out is the elevated seating position. Kids sit higher than in most wagons, which they love (better views!) and makes it easier for parents to get them in and out. All models come equipped with two cup holders and a drink and snack tray.

Push or pull versatility

You can push or pull the wagon depending on terrain and situation. The Cruiser City particularly excels here, with swivel wheels that enable stroller-like steering when pushing on smooth surfaces. There’s also a reliable brake system that engages with a simple foot pedal.

The folding reality

Let’s be honest: folding the Veer doesn’t save you as much space as you’d hope. When folded, you’re looking at a 37″ x 24″ x 14″ footprint. It’s still substantial equipment that won’t tuck away like a traditional umbrella stroller, something to seriously consider if you’re in a small apartment or have a compact car.

Veer cruiser pricing

Here’s where things get expensive. The base models are priced at premium levels:

Cruiser City: $699
All-Terrain Cruiser: $699
Cruiser XL: $799

But that’s just the beginning. Veer’s accessory ecosystem is extensive:

Infant car seat adapter: $80
Switchback Infant Seat: $399
Canopy: $150
Rain cover: $109

Want to use this as a true stroller replacement from birth? You’re looking at $1,100+ once you add the infant seat and essential accessories.

The awesome

Build quality that justifies the price After 2+ years of testing, including genuinely abusive scenarios with Calvin and Oliver climbing in and out constantly, the Veer shows minimal wear. The frame is solid, wheels are holding up beautifully, and all mechanisms still work smoothly.

Easy cleaning (the magic moment) You can hose this thing down completely. The Veer wagon is fully waterproof, which means beach days, muddy adventures, and inevitable spills don’t require careful spot cleaning. Just spray it down with a hose. This makes it genuinely bombproof for beach trips—there’s something liberating about not worrying if your expensive wagon can handle whatever chaos your kids throw at it.

The modular system actually works Unlike some “modular” systems that feel like marketing gimmicks, Veer’s accessory ecosystem is thoughtfully designed. Accessories snap in and out easily, and you can genuinely customize the wagon for specific activities.

Smooth ride quality The suspension system and large wheels provide a genuinely smooth ride. Even on bumpy surfaces, there’s no jarring or bouncing. Your kids will actually enjoy the ride.

The wish it were different

The accessory ecosystem can become a money pit. This is the Tesla problem: the base price seems reasonable, but by the time you add everything you actually need, you’re in luxury territory. Want full stroller functionality? That’s $400+ just for the infant seat. It adds up fast.

Urban maneuvering is genuinely challenging. Despite the swiveling front wheels, navigating tight spaces is frustrating. I found navigating the smaller quarters of my house quite frustrating, and crowded sidewalks, narrow store aisles, and especially stairs become genuine challenges.

The weight is real. At 32.5 pounds empty, plus kids and gear, you’re looking at a substantial load to push. On flat surfaces, it’s manageable. But hills, curbs, and especially stairs become serious workouts. Lifting the Veer into your vehicle over and over again can become that toe in the door of that CrossFit lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of.

Limited handlebar adjustment. The handlebar only adjusts about 3 inches up or down with only one angle position. For families with significant height differences, this gets annoying.

Veer vs Wonderfold

Since we’ve also tested the Wonderfold W2 extensively:

Size and capacity

Wonderfold W2: Larger overall (44.5″ L x 19″ W), 55 lbs, 200 lb capacity
Veer Cruiser XL: More compact (37″ L x 24″ W), 32.5 lbs, 220 lb capacity

Maneuverability. The Veer wins here. While neither is great in tight spaces, the Veer’s lighter weight and better engineering make it notably easier to navigate.

Price

Wonderfold W2: Around $700 for the Luxe model
Veer Cruiser XL: $799 base, but accessories add up quickly

Bottom line: The Wonderfold is better if you prioritize maximum capacity. The Veer wagon is better if you want something more refined and manageable for regular use.

The verdict

Is the Veer wagon worth it? For families with the budget and the right use case, absolutely. The build quality, ride comfort, and modularity create a premium experience that justifies the cost.

For urban families: Consider the Cruiser City model, but honestly evaluate whether you need a wagon at all. The maneuvering challenges in tight urban spaces are real.

For adventure families: This is where the Veer truly shines. If you’re hiking trails, going to beaches, or doing outdoor adventures with kids, the Veer’s ruggedness, waterproof design, and smooth ride quality make it worth the investment.

For families with infants: The infant car seat adapter ($80) makes this viable from birth, though the full Switchback infant seat system ($399) pushes the total investment well over $1,000.

Our Recommendation by Model:

Cruiser City: Best for urban families who want stroller-like steering
All-Terrain Cruiser: The balanced choice for most families
Cruiser XL: Perfect if you have multiple/bigger kids or haul lots of gear

The Veer Cruiser isn’t for everyone, but for families who can justify the investment, it delivers on its premium promises. Just go in with realistic expectations about the total cost and urban limitations.

After 2+ years of testing with Calvin and Oliver, we can confidently say it’s built to last and performs as advertised. Whether that’s worth the premium price depends entirely on your family’s specific needs and budget.

Our honest SNOO bassinet review: We tried, we liked it… we returned it

Paul Zalewski — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 19:29:29 +0000

We know that when it comes to the Snoo, parents want to know the truth: Is this smart, yet pricey, bassinet worth it? So, for our Snoo review, we spent 30 days with the Snoo Smart Sleeper from Happiest Baby, and meticulously and honestly documented the experience—the good, the bad, and the weird. Then, because you can’t have enough info when thinking about the Snoo bassinet, we had a second couple test it out and included their review, too. We’ll cover stuff like Snoo rental, the extra Snoo products Happiest Baby continues to roll out (like the Shoo net that keeps out mosquitos—and cats), and whether or not the Snoo actually works.

Finally, we’ll answer the big questions: Is the Snoo bassinet worth its hefty price tag? And, how can you get the Snoo cheaper?

Without further ado, we give you the following:

A video review of the Snoo
How does the Snoo work?
Magic Snoo moments and… Not-so-magic moments
Snoo Guilt: Is it a thing?
The official verdict
Pricing
Optional add-ons and new products
The rental program
Certified Pre-Loved Snoos
FAQs
Snoo vs. Cradlewise (and other bassinets)
A second couple’s review

Editor’s note: Since every baby is different, we tested the Snoo multiple times with different families to ensure we give you the most transparent and honest review possible. As a disclaimer, Fathercraft is reader-supported, meaning, at no cost to you, we may earn a commission if you buy after clicking an affiliate link. Learn more about how we operate and how we never guarantee a positive review in exchange for product.

Our honest Snoo bassinet review

To start, here’s our 5-minute video review of the Snoo

What is the Snoo, and how does it work?

The Snoo is like an ordinary bassinet (a small crib-like structure that allows your baby to sleep next to your bed for the first 6 months of life), except it’s equipped with sound sensors, wifi, speakers that deliver varying types of white noise, and a robotic motor that rocks your baby at different levels of intensity in response to any noise (from the baby) the sensors detect. Oh, and a swaddle and strap system designed to keep your baby from rolling over.

The Snoo bassinet is a collaboration between Dr. Harvey Karp (famous to some parents as the guy whose Happiest Baby on the Block book and videos recommend the “5 S’s” of calming your baby – these are quite effective by the way) and Yves Behar, a renowned industrial designer whose clients include Sodastream, Dyson, and Herman Miller office furniture to name a few.

The result of this collaboration is what Happiest Baby calls “the safest baby bed ever made” and “like a night nurse* for around $7 per night”.

It works like this: You swaddle your baby with the Snoo Sack that comes with the bassinet. The Snoo Sack has “wings” – clips that attach your baby to the sides of the Snoo sleeper so she can’t roll over (nearly all experts believe healthy babies should sleep on their back to reduce the risk of SIDS and SUID.) Once your baby is strapped in, the Snoo gently rocks your baby and plays white noise through its integrated speakers. This gentle motion and white noise continue all night unless your baby gets upset. If this happens, Snoo recognizes crying with its sensors and attempts to calm your baby with several levels of greater intensity – both in white noise and rocking. Ideally, your baby is calmed and goes back to sleep without you having to lift a finger … or, more importantly, get out of bed.

Happiest Baby notes that you’ll still need to feed your baby (hopefully this is a bit obvious) and that sometimes your child just needs to be comforted by a human, have their diaper changed, be given a pacifier, etc. But, the Snoo should robotically take care of the rest.

At this point, if you’re a parent who has experienced just how tired you can be taking care of a newborn, you’re thinking “Woah.” Or something to that effect. Perhaps with more profanity. If you’re not, it’s because you’re some lucky bastard whose partner did nearly all the work. I’m not judging, I’m one of them – and I was still tired a lot during this phase. You’re also experiencing some degree of serious skepticism. Perhaps some discomfort, confusion, and other mixed emotions thrown in there, too.

We weren’t sure how to feel about the Snoo either. But keep reading, and we’ll give you all the details — the awesome, the “wish it were different,” and even the outright weird.

The Snoo unboxing experience – what’s included. And, a good time to note — setup was remarkably easy.

*If you’re not familiar, a night nurse is a caretaker who comes over to your house at night and keeps an eye on your baby all night, calming them when needed, feeding them, etc. Pretty sweet, if you’ve got some serious cash.

The awesome, the ‘wish it were different’ and a final Snoo verdict

Because this was such a big-ticket, profoundly-different-than-the-alternative item, I’ve included full notes from our 30 day trial at the end of this post — as well as a review from a second couple. I’m an information junkie, so I would have found this useful before purchasing. But not everyone is, so if you just want the good, the bad, and the verdict, here you go:

The awesome (Does the Snoo work?):

The magic moments: There were a number of moments during the course of our testing when I thought, “holy cow if it weren’t for the Snoo, I couldn’t be doing X, because I’d be walking around trying to rock Ruby to sleep in my arms.” For me, “X” was:

Working from home when she was fussy and clearly needed a nap but wouldn’t have gone down without the Snoo
Spending time with my wife in the evening

Yeah, but … how do you know the Snoo worked? This was an easy one—we spent time without the Snoo before and after, and also took a trip in the middle of our testing. And, yeah … it was the Snoo that did the magic trick of calming Ruby and improving her sleep.

The safety measures: Happiest Baby markets the Snoo as “the safest baby bed ever made” due to the fact it keeps sleeping babies on their backs, the safest position for most (your baby should be sleeping on her back unless you discuss with your doctor). I felt deeply comforted by this fact, and this allowed me to relax more and rest easier — I’m one of those parents who went into kids’ rooms multiple times a night to make sure they were still breathing. You just might find you’re one of those, too.

An extra layer of assurance was added in 2023, when the Snoo received “De Novo” FDA approval for keeping sleeping babies safely positioned on their back (“de novo” approval simply means the Snoo is the first device deemed effective in solving this problem, with no prior solution offered from the medical field).

The Snoo Sack (swaddle): The swaddle is pretty amazing. In fact, I was inspired enough to leave the following Snoo sack review on Happiest Baby’s website, and it’s not hyperbole:

“As a dad who is utterly hopeless attempting to swaddle with a blanket and still struggles to get it right with the other velcro/zipper swaddling solutions I’ve tried, the Snoo Sack makes me feel like a pro! I’m able to get my daughter in it incredibly quickly, she feels secure, looks happy, and doesn’t escape within minutes like she does with other swaddling solutions. Just awesome!”

If a Snoo isn’t in the cards for you, fear not—Happiest Baby sells the swaddle separately as The Sleepea. You can find our review of that here.

Integrated white noise: If you believe in using white noise to help babies sleep, and you’ve had a baby, you probably know finding something to deliver consistent, not annoying, white noise for a 12- hour period is actually something of a challenge. So I very much appreciated the Snoo’s built-in speakers. While this isn’t exclusive to the Snoo — other smart bassinets have since copied this feature (more discussion on this, including Snoo vs. Cradewise and Mamaroo later) — Snoo does it extremely well.

The customer service: I contacted Happiest Baby a number of times during testing, on questions ranging from, “Isn’t Ruby going to get cold in a swaddle with mesh?” (nope, parents tend to overdress babies, and here’s how to check if you’re worried – touch her ear) to “the app isn’t working, help?” (they’ve since improved the app experience dramatically) to “the rocking at the beginning seems too vigorous” (It probably isn’t — these folks are pros, and thousands of babies have now used a Snoo. But an option for less vigorous rocking is now available via software update – how cool is that? I’d like to think we had a hand in changing this). In all cases, customer service was outstanding. Fast, thorough, and went well beyond my expectations for knowledge and general helpfulness of customer service folks.

The cool factor: Snoo has a serious cool factor. I felt the same feelings I felt as a relatively early adopter of the first iPhone (only maybe in dad form …)

The 30-day risk-free guarantee: With something this expensive, and this new, there can be a lot of angst about purchase. But, Happiest Baby includes a 30-day “worry free” guarantee, meaning if you don’t love the Snoo within the first 30 days of receiving it, you can return it for a full refund, less a $199 restocking fee.

The wish it were different:

Price: The Snoo costs $1,695. Yep, you read that right, $1,695 for a baby bed. (Before you give up, be sure to check out details of the Snoo rental program)

The price of a brand new Snoo is by far the biggest downside I came up with after extensive testing. So, a couple of considerations when it comes to price:

Walk into a high-end store like Restoration Hardware of Land of Nod and you can absolutely spend this much on an ordinary crib.
Your child will only be in Snoo for 6 months vs. maybe a couple of years for a crib (and new parents who don’t have a crib will need to buy a Snoo, then a crib too when the baby hits 6 months).
The company uses something very expensive – a night nurse – to compare against, and yeah, if you compare against that, Snoo is a bargain, but most of us can’t afford a night nurse.
Sleep for you and your significant other and time with each other, for work, for relaxing (the time that you would have spent rocking/soothing) are two things it’s very difficult to put a price on, but they’re worth a lot. I am confident for most babies Snoo would get parents more time and more sleep.
Happiest Baby rolled out a rental program that makes the Snoo a heck of a lot more affordable, so it’s worth taking a look.
If you plan to have multiple kids, get all accountant on this situation and amortize the cost across both kids. Then pass it on to another family … this thing is built to last.

Lack of portability: The Snoo is quite heavy and big. We took a weekend car trip during our testing and didn’t bother putting the Snoo in the car for this reason. The company’s sleep expert did point out to me that babies using Snoo do fine when away from it for up to a week, especially if you use the same white noise sounds (available on Apple Music) and the Snoo swaddle while you travel (this keeps things relatively consistent for the baby during travel).

Here’s the Snoo set up next to a full-sized crib for scale

Only one swaddle of each size, one fitted sheet: The Snoo comes with one small, one medium, and one large swaddle (called a Snoo Sack), and one fitted sheet. Extras are available from the website but are $38 each. [Update: the price of additional Snoo sacks has been lowered to $34.95, a small but nice gesture, and fitted sheets are now just $38.50 for a 3 pack or $19.95 for one] If your child spits up/throws at all and gets the swaddle size they’re using dirty, you’ll need extras/need to do daily laundry. But, probably worth noting, multiple swaddles are something you’d probably buy without a Snoo, and most aren’t that much cheaper than Snoo Sacks … so technically this isn’t an extra cost. Plus, as I mentioned above the Snoo Sack was definitely the best of the many I’ve tried.

The things to note (also known as “the weird”):

Snoo Guilt: When using the Snoo, I found myself feeling rather guilty sometimes in two scenarios

1) When I put Ruby in the Snoo when she was fussy and clearly tired

2) When the Snoo calmed an upset Ruby. I was letting a machine calm my kid. Was that my job as a parent? Was I missing out on critical bonding moments?

I’m confident Happiest Baby would tell me that the Snoo was helping Ruby get much-needed rest, and helping me and my wife get a much-needed break. I tend to agree with them – get rest and be a better parent during the day – but I still felt guilty on occasion. And, I wasn’t alone – other Snoo reviews I read mentioned similar feelings.

Wifi Shielding and Blue Light Emission (For those of you who think about weird things, like me): I am rather paranoid about exposing my kids to radiation from cell phones and wifi, so I worried about the fact the Snoo had wifi built in. But then I read that the Snoo has a built-in metal shield to protect the baby from any potential radiation. This was one of those, “wow, they thought of everything” moments for me that made me feel even more confident about the attention to detail on the product as a whole. Another of those moments came later when I saw Happiest Baby released “low legs” for the Snoo – designed to lower the Snoo for parents with platform beds who wanted to be able to see their baby without needing to fully sit up – a small but convenient touch (also capped off by an adorable dachshund in their picture of the legs).

I’m also obsessed with removing light (particularly blue light) from our bedroom to try and achieve the ‘sleep in total darkness’ thing, so the blue LED ring surrounding the power button annoyed me, particularly because it’s kind of bright.

Severe Congestion/Elevating the Snoo: If you’ve been reading this and wondering, “if this guy liked this thing so much, why didn’t he keep it? Well, here’s your answer. Ruby suffered from severe nasal congestion during our trial (in addition to some complications early on, we live in Denver, she was born in the winter) and as a result, two things happened: 1) frequent middle-of-the-night clearing of nasal passages – more on that soon – and 2) shifting Ruby from the Snoo to the Rock n’ Play. If you’re not familiar, a Rock ‘n Play elevates a child’s head. NOTE: most experts recommend most babies sleep flat, this happened before the Rock ‘n Play recall that occurred in mid-2019. We felt guilty using a Rock ‘n Play for extended periods of sleep, though did get the go-ahead from our doctor’s office. Ruby seemed to breathe easier with her head elevated in the Rock ‘n Play vs. flat in the Snoo. This is probably a rare problem – we live in Denver and when traveling to Phoenix for a weekend this problem magically disappeared, we presume with lower altitude. When I spoke with Snoo’s sleep expert about this he noted they were working on an insert for elevating, and in the meantime, we could try putting tuna cans under the two legs near Ruby’s head. Unfortunately, this didn’t seem to dramatically help congestion, though the idea of using tuna cans to elevate a (at the time) $1,200 bassinet was pretty amusing.

[Update] Those inserts the sleep expert mentioned are now here in the form of Snoo Leg Lifters. They elevate two of the Snoo’s legs (the ones closest to your baby’s head) to create a slight angle and relieve congestion.

Is the Snoo worth it?

First of all, if one or more of these things is true:

Can spend $1,695 on something your child will use for 6 months and feel fiscally responsible (or feel comfortable renting)
Have a particularly fussy baby or a poor sleeper
Desperately need more sleep, or, perhaps more importantly, have a partner who badly needs more sleep

…You should get a Snoo, hands down. It is just 100% worth it. The Snoo will almost without question save you time by helping your baby fall asleep faster without human intervention, help you get more sleep by helping your baby sleep more, and make you feel like you’ve given your child the safest possible sleeping environment you can, which is a great feeling.

If you:

Aren’t getting a Snoo for a newborn (your baby will stay in the Snoo only 6 months)
Have a baby who already sleeps extremely well
Know that $1,695 will cause financial strain
Aren’t planning on having multiple kids

Or some combination of the above, it’s a bit of a tougher call. Clearly, parents have survived for millennia without a motorized bassinet – you can too.

If your baby is much older than a newborn, your time with the Snoo is going to be shortened, especially by the time it arrives and your baby fully transitions to the point you both enjoy the full benefit.

If your baby is already a pro sleeper, you may not notice the benefits of the Snoo (other than safety benefits) all that often. Happiest Baby does point out that many babies who are at first great sleepers go through a period of “sleep regression,” during which they have a much more difficult time getting to sleep and staying asleep, and that those babies benefit from the Snoo. Can vouch firsthand for the concept of a sleep regression.

They also point out that most babies sleep better swaddled, but the American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t recommend swaddling a baby for sleep once the baby can roll over as it may increase SIDS and SUID ris k. Since the Snoo’s wings physically prevent a baby from rolling over while sleeping in the Snoo, it allows babies who are capable of rolling over to remain swaddled for sleep until they’re 6 months old, thus improving sleep.

So our overall verdict? This is a badass product. If you can afford it without financial strain, you should buy it – price is the only real downside to this product based on our testing. The Snoo also includes a 30-day money back guarantee if it’s something you feel like you need to try for yourself before committing to. And, as we’ve mentioned, If $1,695 is too much, check out the alternative options below.

You also don’t need to take our word for it – there are over 3,400+ reviews from verified buyers on Happiest Baby’s website including a star rating and text reviews, which are interesting to read.

Pricing, Extras, & Rental Program

Pricing

The Snoo’s price is $1,695. For that, you get everything you need to use the Snoo:

The Snoo itself
A mattress with fitted organic cotton sheet
3 Snoo Sacks in small, medium, and large – the right sizes to fit your baby as long as they’ll be in the Snoo.
Access to Happiest Baby’s sleep consultants, 7 days per week.

Add-Ons

Happiest Baby continues to add new products and extras to their collection, which can come in handy — whether you need something functional or something whimsical (although sort of expensive). In between white noise, decorative giraffes, mosquito nets, you can almost totally Snoo-ify your nursery (yes, that’s a word we just made up).

A complete list of current optional extras includes the following:

Extra Snoo Sacks – $34.95, or $73.40 for a pack of 3.

Extra sheets (3 pack) – $38.50

“The Big Bundle” (an extra Sack of each size and two additional sheets) – currently listed at $94.10

Leg lifters (to elevate the two legs closest to the baby’s head if congestion is an issue) – $24.95

Low legs (lower height of the Snoo for easy peeking in if you have a platform bed) – $69.95

SNOO Zoo Giraffe (for a “touch of whimsy and sense of wonder) – $495

Shoo Mosquito Net (for keeping out insects and apparently also cats) – $79

SNOObie Smart Soother (white noise machine) – $69.95

SNOObear 3-in-1 White Noise Lovey (a teddy bear with white noise capabilities) – $59.95

Sky Mobile (a mobile that can securely attach to the Snoo or hang from the ceiling) – $89.95

The Snoo rental program

The other reason we didn’t keep the Snoo at the end of our trial period? Price. Like many families having a baby, we weren’t exactly rolling in dough. And, so paired with Ruby’s congestion preventing her from using the Snoo some of the time, the price was a deal-breaker. I really wish Snoo rental had been an option at the time—we would have definitely used it.

The Snoo rental program allows you to (wait for it …) rent the Snoo. There’s no doubt the Snoo is a pricey item, so the rental program was designed to make it more accessible to those without large baby budgets who were also in need of a safe baby bed and extra sleep.

The rental program works like this:

Head to the Snoo website and select the rental option
Choose your delivery date (you can select any date up to 6 months out, perfect if your baby isn’t born yet, you can just have it arrive a few days before your due date)
You’ll pay for the first month of your rental plus a $99.50 cleaning & reconditioning fee up front (shipping is free to you!)
Each month thereafter that you keep the Snoo, your card will automatically be charged

When you’re ready to return it, send the Snoo back to Happiest Baby in its original box (return shipping is $59.50). Definitely keep the box, this thing is a beast to ship without it!
You’ll get a refund for any unused days in your final month

Snoo rental pricing

Right now, the basic Snoo rental program is priced at $159 per month month, with a minimum rental period of 1 month. You’ll pay $258 up front (one month + the reconditioning fee).

Every Snoo rental includes everything you need to use the Snoo—the mattress, an organic fitted sheet, and 2 sleep sacks. All of this is yours to keep after your rental is over.

Another nice benefit of the rental program) is that there’s no commitment beyond the first month. So, use it for 3 months, decide you’ve had enough, and send it back. In that scenario, you’ll pay $576.50.

You’ll find all the rental program details here on Happiest Baby’s site.

Rent or Buy?

As you’ll see by the math above, if you’ve got just one kid who’ll use the Snoo, and especially if you might not want to use the Snoo for the full 6 months (if your baby is already born, or you just don’t think 6 months is necessary — and we think you’ll certainly get value out of 3 months in the Snoo based on our experience), renting the Snoo will save you some serious cash.

If you plan on having multiple kids, or have a friend who might borrow/share the cost of the Snoo (or maybe buy you a really nice bottle of wine) after your first kid, giving it a good home before a potential second kid, outright purchasing the Snoo will save you money in the long term.

Snoo frequently asked questions

Here are some things we get asked a lot from readers and prospective buyers/renters:

Is the Snoo safe?

Snoo is marketed as “the safest baby bed ever made”, and for good reason: its design keeps your baby on her back, the safest sleep position according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Snoo Sack promotes a healthy hip position and prevents material from covering a baby’s mouth and nose.

Is the Snoo safe for newborns?

Newborns are tiny, fragile creatures. So it’s natural to wonder if the Snoo, with its automated jiggling of your baby and white noise levels, is safe for newborn babies. But, Snoo was designed to be used from day one, and extensively tested for newborn safety. It’s also been around for 5+ years and been safely used by thousands and thousands of families

Is the Snoo FDA approved?

In April 2023, the Snoo received “De Novo” FDA approval for keeping babies safely positioned on their backs. This basically means that, while the Snoo is not a medical device, it provides a solution to a problem that previously did not have one (i.e., there was no way for parents to physically prevent their babies from rolling over). Although there is no evidence to support that the Snoo directly reduces a baby’s risk of SIDS, Snoo’s FDA press release notes that two-thirds of SUIDS deaths occur while a baby is sleeping on their stomach, which the Snoo prevents.

Why is the Snoo controversial?

If you’ve heard the Snoo talked about as “controversial,” it’s likely because of one of these reasons:

“Snoo Guilt,” which we addressed earlier. Some parents might feel guilty letting the Snoo help them, but we’d remind those parents that we all need help, and we should take it where we can get it.
Some people worry that swaddling a baby up to six months of age (and keeping him on his back) might harm his development, but Happiest Baby notes that no studies have shown this to be true. They note that cultures that use extended swaddling show no impact on development; instead, they mention tummy time as the more important factor.

How long can my baby sleep in the Snoo?

The Snoo is designed for babies up to 6 month old, 25 pounds or less, who cannot yet get up on hands and knees, so whichever of these milestones occurs first means its time for your baby to move to a crib. For most babies, this is around 4-6 months.

Should my baby nap in the Snoo?

Yep. Snoo should be used for naps in addition to nighttime. You’ll likely see your baby’s naps are longer with Snoo than without it. So, it’s possible for Snoo to be your baby’s only sleep spot for a while. That said, if you miss a nap or travel, totally fine.

Does the Snoo ever stop moving?

The Snoo’s baseline level (what your baby will experience most of the time) includes a gentle rocking motion that keeps your baby moving all night long—this is part of the program designed to maximize sleep. You can turn this off with “weaning mode” via the mobile app.

Does the Snoo make noise all night?

Yes, the Snoo’s baseline level (what your baby will experience most of the time), does include a low level of white noise, which is part of the program designed to improve your baby’s sleep.

Does the Snoo automatically turn off?

If your baby begins to cry, the Snoo cycles through increasing levels of white noise and rocking, designed to calm your baby. However, sometimes your baby just needs human interaction (or a feed), so Snoo automatically turns off after a few minutes, signaling it’s time for you to go assist your child.

Where is the Snoo available?

The Snoo is currently available in the United States and in England/the UK. It’s available on Happiest Baby’s website and on Amazon.

Can you use breathing monitoring monitors like Nanit or Miku with the Snoo?

Since the Snoo employs constant, gentle motion to help your baby sleep, and monitors like Nanit and Miku rely on computer vision to notice the movement of your baby’s chest to determine that breathing is going on, the two aren’t compatible. That said, we’d note that you’ll use a baby monitor for years, you’ll use the Snoo for a maximum of 6 months, so we don’t necessarily recommend choosing your baby monitor based on this.

Snoo vs. Other Bassinets

At this point, a variety of alternative bassinets are available. So, how does the Snoo stack up?

Snoo vs Cradlewise

The Cradlewise is one of the only other smart bassinets we feel has the potential to truly compete with the Snoo, using motion and white noise to lull your child to sleep and sensors and video to detect wake-ups. However, in our Cradlewise review, we found that it doesn’t quite deliver yet, with functionality issues frustrating our testers. Both reviewers said they’d rather purchase the Snoo plus an Owlet Sock (you can read our Owlet Dream Sock review here). That said, a big advantage to Cradlewise over the Snoo is longevity — whereas the Snoo can be used for a maximum of 6 months, Cradlewise can be used for up to two years, meaning you’re getting a lot more bang for your (potentially even more expensive) buck — Cradlewise costs between $1,399 and $1,999 — the further out you order one, the more money you save. We also think that as their app improves, their potential to be competitive will grow.

Snoo vs 4Moms Mamaroo Sleep — which is better?

The 4Moms Mamaroo Sleep might look similar to the Snoo, have some of the same benefits (moves your baby, built in white noise) and cost you a whole lot less (The Mamaroo Sleep is currently $449.99), but in reality, it doesn’t really compare. Primary differences? The Mamaroo Sleep doesn’t strap your baby into the bassinet, therefore it doesn’t prevent rollovers, a major benefit of the Snoo. Additionally, the Mamaroo Sleep isn’t “smart” in that you can set a timer on the motion patterns (you can choose from 5) but they don’t respond to your baby’s cry, they’re just on or off.

Snoo vs Graco Sense2Snooze

The Graco Sense2Snooze took a cue from the Snoo’s cry detection technology, and can start its vibration when it hears your baby cries. But, this is about where the comparison ends. Again, as with the Mamaroo Sleep, the Sense2Snooze is missing the Snoo’s key feature — the clips that connect your baby to the Snoo and prevent rollovers AND prevent your baby from being moved around the bassinet by the vibration. Again, really not a comparable product.

Snoo vs Halo Bassinet

The Halo Bassinet looks pretty sleek, and has some nice features like the ability to rotate and raise and lower its bed height. But don’t let those fool you—this is not a Snoo competitor. The Halo (like the rest of the competition) lacks the ability to clip your baby to the bassinet bed, thus it doesn’t stop your baby from rolling over. And while it does feature white noise options and vibration, these aren’t ‘smart’ — they’ don’t adjust to your baby’s cries. Additionally, Halo is only designed for babies up to 15 lbs (vs 25 for Snoo), meaning its useful life is going to be pretty darn short.

A second Snoo review: Liz & Arys

With a product like the Snoo, you might want to hear what multiple people thought. So, our Snoo review features two reviews! Here are thoughts from thoughts from Friends of Fathercraft Liz & Arys.

Liz and Arys used their Snoo for 4 months and found it helpful to say the least. They loved the technology that came with the Snoo. The fact that it would turn on motion and white noise in response to their baby crying was so helpful and worked to put her back to sleep many times without anyone ever having to go in the room. Amazing!

They kept the motion set to “limited” the entire time they used the Snoo and felt that was enough motion for a tiny baby.

Liz and Arys also appreciated being able to see how long their baby was sleeping, because life with a newborn is a bit hectic. It was easy to forget what time she actually fell asleep and woke up.

The Sleep Sack was also a bonus that came with the Snoo. Baby Aviana loved being swaddled, so the Snoo Sleep Sack, which acts as a swaddle prevented her from getting her arms out during naps and at night. She had a hard time sleeping anywhere other than the Snoo, so they rented a Snoo when they were on vacation for consistency. Liz said she thinks their trip would have been much less enjoyable without the Snoo.

Liz said the transition out of the Snoo wasn’t terrible, but they stopped using it when Aviana was 4 months old because she was rolling over and their doctor said she should not be swaddled anymore. She does still rely on white noise for sleeping, but how many babies don’t need that?

The Snoo has a very sleek appearance, and they appreciated that it looked nice anywhere they went with it. They liked the look of the Snoo and said it was easy to assemble.

Liz and Arys did not use the Snoo for their firstborn. If you have a “good sleeper,” the Snoo might just get the baby used to “luxuries” that he or she will then need to be weaned off of.

Liz definitely thinks they all benefited from extra hours of sleep that the Snoo provided – what family with a newborn doesn’t want that? She does suggest renting a Snoo before purchasing, or even renting for the 4-6 months that you use it. She rented hers while on vacation and thought it was definitely worth the cost.

Finally, Liz and Arys think that the price of the Snoo is justified because the technology is so advanced and it helped them get some much wanted extra sleep with a newborn baby.

The Awesome

The Technology – The Snoo automatically turns on white noise or motion based on sensors that detect if your baby is making noise. This allows the parents to hopefully not even enter the baby’s room unless necessary.

The Snoo app also records the baby’s sleep. This allows sleepy parents to easily access the baby’s sleep patterns.

The Swaddle – many babies love being swaddled as newborns. The Snoo comes with a sleep sack that clips into the bassinet so that babies don’t become escape artists.

The Appearance – the Snoo has a sleek and modern design that becomes an accessory in most rooms. It fit nicely in the space Liz and Arys used it in.

Easy Assembly – Liz reported that the Snoo was very easy to put together.

Option to Rent – the Snoo has a hefty price tag, and you can only use it until your baby can roll over (typically about 4-6 months). Liz and Arys rented a Snoo and found that well worth it while on vacation. On the Happiest Baby web site, the Snoo rental is $159 per month plus a reconditioning fee—check the Happiest Baby site for special offers on rentals—they do pop up.

The ‘Wish it Were Different’ … was the Snoo worth it for Liz and Arys?

The Price – The Snoo costs almost $1,700. While Liz said the technology makes the Snoo worth the cost, she also said she never would have even considered the Snoo for her firstborn who slept well. She said despite the cost, she wouldn’t change anything about the Snoo or the app.

The Verdict

The Snoo is totally worth it if your baby has any issues sleeping, but it’s probably best to rent and make sure it helps. You will only use the Snoo for 4-6 months anyways, so renting for the entire time is probably the way to go no matter what – unless of course you’re planning on a house full of children!

Find more information on Snoo rentals, including the current “Newborn Special” right here.

Wrapping up, additional photos & full notes

Hopefully that was helpful as you consider the Snoo! We’ve included some additional photos of the Snoo below, as well as the notes I took as we were testing it out.

Based on what we saw firsthand of the Snoo, plus the positive reviews elsewhere (we’ve also got a friend of Fathercraft testing the Snoo for us right now–she, too, loved it), we’ve added the Snoo to our newborn essentials list, which covers all the stuff you need for your newborn, plus a few splurge to make your life easier items like the Snoo.

Before we dive into the additional photos & notes, an editor’s note: this post was first published in March 2017 but has been updated with more relevant details and updates to the Snoo over time and republished several times, most recently in April 2022.

Additional Photos

The Snoo unboxing experience – what’s in the box

The Snoo, fully assembled

The tech underneath the mattress, including built-in speakers

Notes from the journey

Below are the notes I took along the way on what we observed, how we felt, etc. I’ve edited them for clarity.

Pre-Delivery

Sticker shock

Ordering process very much like interacting with a modern tech company. Mobile ordering worked well, well-designed emails

Disappointed b/c the website noted if I ordered before noon PST it’d be shipped that day, it didn’t ship until the following day

Nice series of well-timed emails preparing me for Snoo delivery – setup and use emails came on the day the Snoo arrived

As someone who likes to read lots about products before I buy them, I found myself wanting more. Snoo has a list of questions from prospective customers and answers in the reviews section, but it wasn’t very robust. A bit more information lived in blog posts, but this wasn’t obviously accessible
Most of the 3rd party sites I found when searching for Snoo reviews were actually just press the company received when launching

Day 1 (12/30/16)

Unboxing and Setup

Very easy to put together. Loved the fact no tools were required. Legs snapped in with a very satisfying click and the double hand-tightened bolts made me feel like they were very secure

The unboxing experience felt much more like unboxing a new iPad or MacBook than a standard piece of baby equipment

Only trouble was trying to get the power cord to stay in the small channel along a leg
Really heavy

First Night

Jamee remarked the sack’s straightjacket like effect and the all-white design made it look like Ruby was in some sort of institution when we laid her down in the Snoo

Actually turning it on was quite easy to do, just the push of a button. Ruby started to cry and the Snoo cycled up through higher levels of rocking and white noise, which sound like rain, a vacuum cleaner, and a washing machine at higher levels

This was noticeable but didn’t prevent me from falling asleep

The rocking is quite vigorous. Ruby’s head rocked back and forth in a manner that was close to alarming at higher levels of intensity. Jamee asked if I was certain the Snoo knew how old Ruby was and was rocking an appropriate amount

The 3rd level of Snoo’s white noise/rocking combo calmed Ruby and stopped her crying and she slept for a while in the Snoo but seemed more restless than she has in her Rock ’n Play, which has been her previous bed. This certainly could be a familiarity thing and since I’d read Snoo’s tips for transitioning to the Snoo (can take a few days for babies to get used to, up to a week for older babies) it made me less anxious the Snoo wasn’t going to work
After about an hour and a half in the Snoo and another feeding, we decided to resume Snoo training the next day during naps and returned Ruby to her Rock ’n Play due to restlessness in the Snoo

Day 2

First nap

Put Ruby in the Snoo Sack when she was getting tired after some play, rocked her to sleep in our arms and put her in the Snoo. The transition went well and Ruby slept peacefully for about 45 minutes while the Snoo gently rocked her.

I realized after the initial “purple” level the Snoo’s rocking slows down and white noise quiets down as it transitions to a “sleep” level marked by a blue light. Rocking and white noise continues at some low level the whole time Snoo is on.
At 45 minutes, Ruby got hungry and the Snoo cycled through its levels as she started to cry. I decided to pull her out before it went through the full cycle since I knew she was hungry

Day 4

First full night in the Snoo

Successfully used Snoo to calm down Ruby when nothing else was working, get ourselves 15 precious minutes to eat dinner
Pulled Ruby out of the Snoo around midnight when it wasn’t calming her down, but then was able to put her back in. Pretty much a normal night, Jamee was too tired to give her thoughts but I slept well

Day 5

Ruby got fussy after being in the Snoo before we went to bed and wasn’t calmed by increased motion and white noise. Pulled her out, which instantly calmed her and tried again.

Repeated this process several times. She seemed to be having gas pains and seemed to be calmed when her head was elevated, which we accomplished by holding her and putting her in the Rock ’n Play. It was hard to tell whether the Rock ’n Play was actually better at keeping her calm during the gas pains, we alternated between Rock ’n Play and Snoo throughout the night.
Note here: it’s really hard to tell with kids whether one thing is working better as you can’t try both simultaneously

Day 7

Ruby fell asleep in my arms the early evening for a nap and I thought about sticking her in the Snoo, but then thought about the extra few seconds it would take to stick her in the Snoo Sack and then the Snoo, and that she might wake up, and ended up just using the Rock ’n Play

Peacefully down at night in the Snoo, a few minutes later she vomited all over the Snoo Sack, mattress, and through the mesh onto the floor. Since there were only one small sleep sack and one fitted sheet, we put her back in directly on the mattress and in the medium sleep sack, which seemed to fit fine.

Really, only one sheet and one sack of each size? Price of extras felt exorbitant

Down awake in the Snoo
Jamee read about Snoo winning awards as we lay in bed after the incident

Day 10

Put Ruby down in the Snoo. About 15 minutes later I was reading out loud when she got fussy. We decided to get see if the Snoo could calm her. She cried for the first 2 levels (2 minutes). At the 3rd level, she calmed and then went to sleep. Wow. I would have had to get out of bed to rock her in my arms for who knows how long if it hadn’t been for the Snoo.

Day 11

Ruby was fussy when we got her ready for bed and in a Snoo Sack for the evening around 10:15. Jamee suggested I put her in the Snoo instead of trying to rock her calm/to sleep. I did. She calmed pretty darn quickly. Woah, that was pretty sweet. Almost made me feel guilty.
15 minutes later, fussy again, calmed at orange level.

Day 14

Calmed Ruby in my arms before bed and put her in the Snoo. She got fussy upon being put down but calmed as the Snoo went up a few levels

Day 15

Snoo app updates. Pretty cool to have a baby bed that gets smarter with software, just like your iPhone or a Tesla

Day 18

Had discussions with Jamee about just how useful this thing really was. On the downside, it didn’t work when Ruby had stomach pains. However, at other times when Ruby was tired but just seemed to want to be carried around, we put her in the Snoo and it gently rocked her while she was calm and went to sleep. We started to realize this probably saved us 30 minutes a night of walking her around while she fell asleep

Day 20

The Snoo was a huge help today while working from home. It was clear Ruby was getting tired but wouldn’t sleep in the Rock ’n Play and was fussy even when I held her. Put her in the Snoo for two naps and she conked right out both times.

Day 21

Experiment day.

Put Ruby down for a nap in her crib while she was asleep. She woke herself up by vomiting, put her back down after a change of clothes and she went back to sleep in the crib
We tried again at night. Ruby was fussy in her crib. After about 5 minutes Jamee asked, I wonder what would happen if we put her in the Snoo. Would she calm down right away? I wholeheartedly agreed. We did and she calmed instantly, even though she was still awake. Jamee, “this is how they hook you. What wouldn’t you pay for your child’s happiness?” Me, “and your own” Jamee, “it’s win-win”

Day 23

another experiment with putting Ruby down in the crib for the night. She’s fussy and we give up after approximately 5 minutes, put her in the Snoo, and find she’s perfectly calm and goes to sleep
We begin to wonder if Ruby is addicted to the Snoo. Is this now just her comfortable place?

Day 24

Time to make a decision.

Here are some things we consider: 1) The Snoo absolutely calms Ruby and puts her to sleep in the evening and for naps. 2) We have no way of knowing whether, if we hadn’t gotten a Snoo, whether Ruby would have trained herself to fall asleep in the crib just as she did in the Snoo, 3)The Snoo has absolutely saved us some evenings of walking her around while she falls asleep, 4) Unless you have twins, you can’t really run an experiment on your baby to see how effective something is or isn’t. Even with twins, small sample size, 5) Other than her congestion and stomach pains, Ruby seems to be a good sleeper. There haven’t been any instances where Ruby woke up in the middle of the night (other than to feed) and the Snoo calmed her back to sleep. 6) Ruby’s reflux (we assume it’s that) is causing her to be majorly congested at night. We end up trying to clear her nose 1x per night, and also finds that she seems to breathe easier in the Rock ’n Play so we end up transferring her there with frequency. This makes the Snoo less useful, though we’d both rather have her sleeping flat if possible. 7) There have definitely been some ‘miracle/night-nurse moments in the evening as we were getting ready for bed where Ruby was fussy and only calm when we walked her around, we got exhausted, tried the Snoo, and she calmed right down as if we were holding her and walking 8) our first daughter was an excellent sleeper. Maybe Ruby would be too without the Snoo? (She didn’t start out that way, but maybe she just needed time?)
We determine the only way to really determine how effective this thing is to put her back into the crib for a period of 7-10 days. This should give her enough time to get used to the crib – it took almost a week for her to adjust from Rock ’n Play —> Snoo

Day 25

I email the Snoo people and tell them we need to return the Snoo as our 30-day trial period is almost up, the reflux/transfer bit, and that we’re not fully convinced this thing is “night nurse” level
They email me back right away with a very nice message saying that they’re very sorry to hear the Snoo hasn’t lived up to expectations, are happy to process my return, but before they do would I want to talk to their Sleep Expert who has 30 years of experience

Day 31

After getting back from a long weekend where Ruby was in the rock n play (lack of portability), we put Ruby in the crib. She lets out the occasional annoyed squawk for about 20 minutes while falling asleep, but does go to sleep without interference from us

Day 32

Ruby is relatively alert when bedtime rolls around, and we rock her to sleep in our arms for a total of about 15 minutes. While I’m doing my portion of this, I think “I am basically a human Snoo” and ask myself questions like, “is this time when I’m bonding with my daughter, and therefore something I *should* be doing? / as a busy parent, should I not have to feel guilty about doing this rocking for me?”, “What would I rather be doing? What do I have to do?”, “If I spend this amount of time each night for the next 4.5 months, how much time will that be? And what would the Snoo be worth on a per-minute basis to save my time?”

About half an hour later, Ruby starts to be unsettled and crying a bit. We give it a couple of minutes then I go in there, hold her while walking her around and walking for about 5 minutes. Put her back and she goes down again
Middle of the night snot clearing. Out Ruby down in the crib after and she got fussy. Had to pick her up and rock her for 5 min. Wanted to attribute not being able to fall asleep after this to rocking, not sure if this is fair – Ruby was fussy again, got fed, was congested, I put her in rock n play

Editor’s Note: this post was originally published in 2017, but we’ve updated it numerous times along the way with new information and a new review. It was last revised in February 2025, removing the no-longer-available pre-loved Snoo program and updating pricing for accessories.

CuboAi Smart Baby Monitor 3 review: How does the new model deliver on connection, resolution, and more?

Paul Zalewski — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 02:52:29 +0000

Tweet, tweet. That’s the noise the bird-shaped CuboAi Smart Baby Monitor 3 makes, via an alert on my phone, when my daughter cries.

Honestly, the little bird noise takes the edge off the 3:00am wakeups. And, beautiful birdsong aside, the new and improved CuboAi monitor has a lot going for it. So, in this CuboAi baby monitor review, we dive into the latest improvements to notification speed, connectivity, and resolution. Plus, we’ll cover how this monitor stacks up against the rest of the wifi baby monitor crowd.

Check out the whole review or jump to what you need:

What is the CuboAi baby monitor?
What’s new with the CuboAi smart baby monitor 3?
Setup and use
CuboAi pros
CuboAi cons
Is it a pro? Is it a con? You decide
Verdict
Pricing and where to buy

Please note: Fathercraft is reader supported, meaning, at no cost to you, we may earn a commission if you buy after clicking an affiliate link. Learn more.

What is the CuboAi baby monitor?

The CuboAi 3 shares features common to other wifi baby monitors like the Nanit (you can find all of our baby monitor reviews here):

Unlimited range. If your child unit is connected to wifi and your phone is connected to wifi or cellular, you can connect to your monitor.
Use your phone as the parent unit. No need to carry around an (often bulky) additional parent unit.
Strong picture quality. Since you’re using your phone’s display, if the monitor’s got a good camera, you’re going to get a good picture vs often lower-quality displays on traditional monitors.

CuboAi also has a solid list of advanced features that set this monitor apart:

Covered face alerts: Cubo uses AI to recognize when your child’s face is covered by a blanket or swaddle. Since a covered face can be extremely dangerous for young babies, this is a really nice safety feature… when it works correctly (we’ll talk about this later, but… holy notifications).

Temperature and humidity sensors and alerts: Cubo Plus monitors temp and humidity via a discreet cord that runs through the monitor stand (so there’s no chance of your child grabbing on—an improvement from the original model). You can set a “comfort range” and CuboAi will notify you if you’re out of range.

Safe zones and a ‘fence’ for alerts: You can set a virtual “fence” around your child’s crib that will let you know if she climbs out of her crib when she’s older, or set a “danger zone: (your kitchen, for example) for older babies or toddlers who are crawling or walking around. If your child goes past this fence, the monitor will alert you. We love this feature, because it increases the lifespan of CuboAi… it’s helpful for older children, too!

Automatic photo capture and events replay: The latest model uses its motion detection to automatically capture photos of your child moving about during the night or during naps, and you can watch video replays of your child’s night (CuboAi 3 stores 72 hours of video).

Get daily pictures like this

Sleep analytics: CuboAi’s analytics isn’t as fancy as Nanit’s, but you can get basic information about night-time wakeups, time spent asleep, and caregiver visits. You need a fancy-pants subscription to get daytime nap analytics.

And more…: Honestly, the amount of CuboAi’s features are one of its strengths. We could keep going, but you’d probably stop reading, so to quickly sum up the rest: adjustable night light, in-app lullabies, bird’s eye view.

Our original CuboAi video review is below. Want to know what’s new? Keep reading.

What’s different from the old model?

CuboAi is starting 2025 off strong, with some major upgrades on their new CuboAi Smart Monitor 3. Since I’m now out of the baby monitor stage, I asked Kristan and Tim (who also write stuff for Fathercraft) to test out this latest model with their three-month-old. Here’s what’s improved since I last used a Cubo monitor:

Faster notification speed: With improved AI capabilities, Cubo managed to speed up its notifications by 6x! In other words, you basically get the notification instantly when something’s up with your baby (e.g., she cries, covers her face, etc.). Kristan and Tim confirmed they consistently get notifications just a second or two after their daughter starts crying.

72-hour playback: Scrub through a 72-hour playback with no subscription required.

Growth tracker: CuboAi’s Smart Monitor 3 will measure and track your baby’s height.

Connection: With the very first model, we dealt with a fair number of connection issues that seemed to improve with the second model… but the internet remained skeptical. Tim and Kristan say they rarely dealt with connection issues with the Gen 3. When issues did arise, Cubo quickly released an update that resolved them.

CuboAi 3 setup and use

Like all wifi monitors, to set up CuboAi you need to first download the app (free from the Apple App Store or Google Play store), and then follow the app’s instructions for connecting the child unit to your home wifi.

The app’s setup guide is well done and much easier than the previous Cubo model’s. The old Cubo app used to have issues connecting to Wi-Fi, but the newest model has upgraded the user experience. They also included some super useful tips on the bottom of the main page. Good job, Cubo!

Setting up the Cubo!

Once connected, you can set danger zones, allowable temperature and humidity ranges, and more.

The biggest choice for parents of babies will be where to mount your Cubo. As we’ve discussed with other baby monitor reviews, we strongly prefer a “bird’s eye view” mount, which has your monitor mounted above the crib looking straight down into it. This prevents any blind spots and gives you a great view of what your baby is doing.

Cubo’s stand allows for this type of mounting, and crucially keeps cords contained inside the stand itself, preventing the cord from being grabbed by your baby and possibly wrapped around her neck. (Cords from monitors and all other devices should be positioned at least 3 feet away from your baby’s crib for safety.)

There is no automatic pan or tilt with the CuboAi, but you can manually move the camera up and down to find optimal viewing angle.

Once you’re set up, you’ll do everything from the app, which is simple and easy to use. The home screen displays the live feed, automatic photos, your child’s age, and more:

There are three other tabs in the app:

Sleep Analytics tab shows when your baby went to bed, average time to fall asleep, caregiver visits, and longest sleep period.
The Notifications tab shows a history of the camera’s alerts including temperature and humidity warnings, baby cried, motion, etc.
The Settings tab allows you to adjust settings, get help, pair a new camera, and more.

Our CuboAi smart baby monitor 3 review

CuboAi pros

Image and sound quality: With the upgrades to image quality, both Cubo’s day and night image quality is among the best, and it’s audio quality is quite good, too. These things paired with the bird’s eye view mean you can easily see, hear, and understand what’s going on with your baby. Out of all the monitors Tim and Kristan have tested or used, CuboAi takes the cake with this one. Added bonus? The cute, high-quality pictures the monitor automatically takes for you.

Breath detection: With the purchase of a sleep sensor pad, CuboAi can detect your baby’s breathing. You can see how many breaths per minute your baby is taking, and CuboAi will alert you if it detects no breathing. We’ve received no false alarms with this feature, which we appreciate.

Design—both real world and the app: Cubo is a well-designed product. It looks really nice, kids will love the design as they get older (the same cannot be said for some other baby monitors), and everything from the unboxing to the mobile app is well-designed and intuitive.

Temperature and humidity alerts are actually accurate: We’ve tried monitors in the past that never seem to have the temperature right. This monitor seems ot accurately detect the temperature and humidity of the room. Tim and Kristan can actually see the improvement when they use a humidifier, for example. Super helpful in the winter!

Distinguishes baby noise from background noise: CuboAi seems to do a great job knowing when a noise comes from your baby vs. some other kind of background noise. CuboAi “knows” when your baby is in the crib, so you don’t get notifications when your baby isn’t in the crib.

CuboAi cons

Water bag is used with the floor stand: Kristan and Tim appreciated the inclusion of the floor stand, but wished it was just weighted. Instead, you have to fill up a water bag, which felt a little sketchy.

“Covered face” alert is overly sensitive: This is by far our biggest con. Tim and Kristan’s baby tends to sleep on her side, and sometimes rests her little hand on her face:

CuboAi registers this as a “covered face” and notifies them constantly. Here, you can see where Kristan received 100 notifications overnight (some of which were also about humidity):

To be fair, you can turn this feature off, but it would be a lot cooler if it was just a bit more accurate.

Is it a pro? Is it a con? You decide

AI: Obviously the CuboAi uses AI. Hopefully, if you’re considering buying it, you’re good with that kind of thing. AI is responsible for a lot of Cubo’s standout features, like its ability to “know” when your baby is in the crib, to take pictures, and to alert you when baby’s face is covered. But we know it may freak some people out, and Kristan noted having some environmental concerns with the usage of AI.

Lack of a parent unit: Most traditional monitors come with a parent unit—the thing you carry around and use to look in on your sleeping little one. Most wifi monitors (including the CuboAi) don’t have a parent unit, because you can use your phone. Some people (like Tim) prefer this, because you aren’t carrying around an extra unit, you can get notifications when your baby cries (as opposed to having the video constantly playing), and the resolution is typically so much better it’s hardly even comparable.

But some people (like Kristan) prefer a good, old-fashioned parent unit. In her words:

I wouldn’t return the CuboAi for a different wifi monitor. I think it works great for what it is. I also love using it during the day and taking advantage of some of the features, like the breath detection and the photo library. But I still use a backup monitor with a parent unit at night (the Harbor). It’s not exactly affordable to invest in two monitors, so I think it’s important to know what you’d prefer. CuboAi’s notifications often don’t wake me up, and I sleep a bit easier with the constant stream coming from a parent unit.

A verdict

The Cubo’s design is both fun and functional, it’s feature list is substantial and full of stuff that’s actually useful. If you’re looking for a solid wifi baby monitor at a quite-reasonable price point, CuboAi is a good bet as long as you’re okay with using your phone as the parent unit.

Pricing and where to buy the CuboAi smart baby monitor 3

You have two options when purchasing the CuboAi 3:

Floor stand set: $359
Wall mount set: $239

Both sets come wiith:

The bird-shaped monitor
Either the floor stand or a wall mount, depending on. what you chose to purchase (obviously)
A mobile stand
1 free year of the CuboAi premium subscription

At the time of writing, CuboAi’s 3rd generation model can only be purchased on Cubo’s site.

What’s next?

Here at Fathercraft, we make stuff to help parents become the best versions of themselves. Preparing for a new baby? Check out our baby essentials checklist for all things baby-related and our third trimester checklist for all things parents-related.

Editor’s notes:

This article was originally published in 2021, but was updated in January 2025 to reflect our experience with generation 3
Also, we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Mockingbird stroller review: Why the Single-to-Double 2.0 is my favorite new piece of baby gear

Kristan Barczak — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 18:35:40 +0000

The Mockingbird Single-to-Double 2.0 is Mockingbird’s newest stroller model. Think: smoother ride… better straps… a larger sun canopy to shade your child from their incredibly bright future. I put it to the test to see if it lives up to the hype.

Spoiler alert: I love my Mockingbird stroller.

But I wasn’t originally convinced this would be the stroller for me. Even though the Mockingbird has always been highly rated, a voluntary recall in 2022 left some customers wary of cracks in the frame, and Reddit almost had me convinced to try something else (I’m glad I gave it a shot anyway).

My kids on our Mockingbird

In this Mockingbird stroller review, I chat about the great and the not-so-great… and how the Mockingbird Single-to-Double 2.0 ultimately won me over.

Read straight through or skip to what you need:

What’s so special about the Mockingbird stroller?
What’s new with the 2.0?
My setup
Where I use this stroller
The pros and cons
Pricing
Mockingbird vs. UPPAbaby
What about that recall?
The final verdict

Heads up: The Mockingbird stroller tested for this review was provided free to us by the manufacturer. They received no promises of positive words for us. Also, Fathercraft is reader supported, meaning, at no cost to you, we may earn a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Details in our policies.

What’s so special about the Mockingbird stroller?

Mockingbird’s biggest flex is how easy it is to customize and change your setup with Mockingbird’s accessories. Kids seated and facing you? Check. Facing each other? Check. Riding board? Bassinet? Car seat? Check, check, and check.

The base model price is $450, which makes it a more affordable option than something like the UPPAbaby Vista 2. But full disclosure… my setup came to a grand total of $935 (more on that later).

My base model + accessories. Minnie Mouse not included.

Mockingbird Single-to-Double 2.0 specs

The base model comes with:

a stroller frame
four wheels
one seat with a detachable child bar
an extendable canopy
The storage basket underneath

That means second seats, organizers, and, yes, even cupholders, are sold separately. Pro: You can save a bit by only purchasing what you need. Con: You’ll probably need to purchase a cupholder.

With one seat, the stroller is 27 pounds… with two seats, that becomes 35 pounds. Frankly, it’s a little heavy, but I wasn’t necessarily expecting a heavy-duty double stroller to feel like a lightweight compact stroller. So, I don’t personally have a problem with the weight.

Assembly is easy… everything snaps into place!

Other dimensions:

Unfolded: 25.5” (widest point) x 40” (wheels to handlebar) x 33” (front to back wheel)
Folded: 34” x 25.5” x 18”

What’s new with the 2.0?

The Mockingbird Single-to-Double 2.0 was released in 2024. Its basic design and concept are all the same as its original model, but the 2.0 has the following improvements:

Larger sun canopy
Easier-to-use straps
More intuitive fold
Smoother ride

As a heads up, we reviewed the original Mockingbird single-to-double in 2021. You can find the 9-minute video review of the original at the bottom of this page.

My setup

I have two kids—a three-year-old and (at the time of writing) a 10-week-old infant. So, I needed some configuration options.

These are the accessories I received with my Mockingbird stroller:

Grand total: $935

This is what my Mockingbird looks like 90% of the time

The biggest reason I love my Mockingbird? How much I can do with just those accessories. 90% of the time, my infant is in her car seat and my three-year-old is on the riding board. Sometimes, she’ll opt for the seat (and I like having the option of having them both in a seat when my infant is older).

I’ve also done this:

Just the riding board—if I’m out with just my three-year-old, sometimes I’ll push her around on the board so that I can have the storage basket. Looks weird, works great.
Just the infant seat—a lighter option when I just have the baby
Bassinet + toddler seat—I honestly only used the bassinet once or twice. It’s probably the only accessory I wouldn’t purchase again. Nothing wrong with it! Just hasn’t been used as heavily as the car seat adapter.

Mockingbird: It’s best for sidewalks

Just because I love this stroller, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will. I think stroller choice should larely depend on lifestyle and where/how you’re going to be using it. So, let’s see how much we have in common!

I live in a suburban neighborhood with a bunch of other kids. I frequently walk the neighborhood with my two kids to meet up with other families (or just to get some exercise), and that’s where I use my stroller the most—on the sidewalk.

I’ve also taken the stroller to festivals, markets, parks, and the local Target. I take up a bit of space at a market or a festival, but I can navigate it pretty easily and without feeling like I’m taking up more than my fair share. Below, I’ve detached the second seat altogether for a lighter stroll through a local festival (P.S., check out the Fathercraft diaper bag fitting perfectly into that storage basket).

“Elsa” and I at a Halloween festival

I wouldn’t go off-roading in this thing, but you can lock the front wheels if you need to cut through some grass, which works well enough.

What about the sidewalk cracks?

For some reason, I’m seeing a lot of flack online about the Mockingbird not being able to handle a sidewalk crack. I’ve not found that to be true (and I live in a neighborhood with some construction, so we have some rough sidewalks at times). I’m thinking this is an improvement they made with the 2.0.

My official Mockingbird stroller review

The pros

Change things up with ease

I love that this stroller works for basically any situation I’m in. I can stroll with one kid or both. It grows with them as they age. They can face each other (or not). There are 19 official configurations, but the options honestly feel a bit endless.

The best part? Changing up the configurations is easy. Accessories snap on and off intuitively (and safely).

Everyone enjoys a smooth ride

The first thing I noticed is that this stroller glides so much smoother than the Graco stroller I bought for my first. It’s kind of fun to push. Oh, and the handlebar is adjustable, so it’s comfortable for everyone.

Accessories are high-quality

Yes, you have to buy accessories. Yes, I wish they would just include the cupholder. But, at the very least, all of the accessories seem to be of super high quality. The cup holder is flexible, so it fits my knock-off “Stanley.”

Maybe it’s a Stanley. Maybe it’s a $15 Walmart dupe. Either way, it fits.

The riding board is honestly my favorite thing about the whole setup. My three-year-old loves it, and it’s made toting her places much much easier (she typically protested my old stroller).

Large storage basket

Multiple kids need lots of things. All of those thingsl fit in the Mockingbird’s generous storage basket. Enough said.

I could have more kids and not need another stroller

A third child would change a lot of things. But not my stroller. The Mockingbird single-to-double can accommodate a “squad” with a total weight limit of up to 90 pounds in the seats (45 pounds in each seat)… and then there’s the riding board.

The cons

Heavy / bulky to store

The stroller is heavy and takes up a fair bit of space, even when folded. Also, the second seat has to pop off before you can fold it (in fact, I pop most of the accessories off). That said, it’s a permanent fixture in the trunk of my minivan, so if you’re extremely cool like me and rock a minivan, you’ll have plenty of room.

The lever to break it down gets a little jammed

I’ve been using this stroller for about four months, and the lever used to collapse the stroller recently started jamming a little. It still works, but I wouldn’t call it a flawless, one-handed fold.

You’re not going off-roading with it

The front wheels lock, but I’m not going to do a lot of off-roading in this stroller. To be fair, I probably wouldn’t do a lot of off-roading in any stroller. That’s what a carrier is for.

Pricing and where to buy

The base model is $450 and can be purchased directly from the Mockingbird website. You won’t find it in most stores, because Mockingbird sells directly to the consumer, which helps keep the cost down. But Mockingbird has provided a few ways to try the stroller:

Try it at home risk-free for 30 days: If you purchase the stroller through Mockingbird’s website, you can return it within 30 days, no questions asked.
Check it out at Target: Mockingbird recently partnered with Target, so you can try out the base model and purchase it in store.
Connect with a “parent host”: Mockingbird now has official “parent hosts.” You can use this tool on their website to find a parent near you that will let you try out their stroller.

The face-off: Mockingbird stroller vs. UPPAbaby Vista

If you’re picking between these two double-converting stroller options, which is better? We picked the Uppababy Vista V2 for our favorite luxury stroller in 2024, but we prefer the Mockingbird as a more practical, affordable option. Here’s a quick comparison between the two:

The price: $450 for the Mockingbird base model, $799 for the Vista V2 (and $899 for the new Vista V3). Adding a second seat is another $145 for the Mockingbird and $249 for UPPAbaby.
The kid’s dimensions: The Mockingbird can actually support a taller child (42″) than the Vista (40″). However, a single seat on the Uppababy can support a child up to 50 pounds, while the Mockingbird only supports up to 45 pounds.
The stroller specs: Both weigh the same at just over 26 pounds. They also fold to about the same size, but the Mockingbird is three inches shorter unfolded.
Configurations: The Uppababy actually has more configuration possibilities than the Mockingbird (30 vs. 19).

Both are pretty similar in features like maneuverability (although our Uppababy tester had a hard time with it at the mall), adjustable handlebars, and standing ability while folded. But we ultimately sided with Mockingbird because of its affordability.

What about that recall?

I mentioned a recall earlier—so what was that about?

In 2022, Mockingbird issued a voluntary recall of several lots of their original Mockingbird single and single-to-double stroller. Approximately 0.1% of customers had reported hairline cracks in the frame, which could have posed a fall risk to children. No injuries or fatalities were reported, and Mockingbird supplied customers with a “reinforcement kit.”

Mockingbird made improvements to the 2.0 frame, which not only helps correct this issue, but also gives you a smoother ride.

My personal opinion? I take my children’s safety extremely seriously (we still rear-face my three-year-old, and who knows when I’ll stop cutting her grapes), but I feel safe with my stroller and will continue to use my 2.0 model.

The final verdict

The Mockingbird Single-to-Double 2.0 is a resounding yes for me. Out of all the gear we’ve used with our second child, this stroller is easily my favorite.

I love how easy it is to change up the configurations, and I feel like I can navigate anything from our neighborhood sidewalks to local markets and festivals with ease.

So… don’t walk, don’t run… fly to get this stroller (sorry).

Looking for more Fathercraft? Check out our list of baby essentials or our best diaper bags of 2024.

Editor’s note: We originally reviewed the Mockingbird Single-to-Double in 2021. We re-tested the stroller with the 2.0 model, beginning May 2024, and wrote this review. Our original video review is below: