8 Best Nursery Glider 2023 – A Mom’s Guide & Reviews
Does your baby prefer constant motion? Are you looking for a comfortable way to cuddle your baby to sleep? Do you get tired carrying your little one around and swaying them to sleep? The best glider is exactly what you need, and we can help!
Glider chairs are an excellent addition to any nursery or home with a baby. They can be extremely beneficial. The truth is that most babies do prefer continuous motion and it can often be the best way to settle or soothe a baby.
Babies are hard-wired to crave the motion of being carried as well as the closeness of their mother or other caregiver. The problem comes in that even a tiny newborn can start to feel very heavy when you’re up swaying and walking with them for long periods of time. Gliders provide an amazing way to provide this important and comforting closeness and motion to your baby without completely wearing you out.
A great glider chair can make such a huge difference in your day-to-day life with a baby. I, honestly, don’t know how we would have made it through the baby-stage with our kids without our glider! I’m even planning to upgrade to an even more comfy glider chair before this next baby arrives!
| Glider | Included ottoman | Swivel motion | Fully upholstered | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Relax Mikayla | No (Reclines) | Yes | Yes | $$$ |
| Storkcraft Hoop Glider and Ottoman Set | Yes | No | No | $ |
| Davinci Olive Swivel Glider | Yes | Yes | Yes | $$ |
| Babyletto Madison | No | Yes | Yes | $$ |
| Storkcraft Tuscany | Yes | No | No | $ |
| Windsor Glider and Ottoman | Yes | No | No | $ |
| Delta Children Emerson | No | Yes | Yes | $$$ |
| Delta Children Sand | No | Yes | Yes | $$ |
How do glider chairs work?
A glider chair works more similarly to a swing than an actual rocking chair. It is basically a chair connected to a stationary base using a system of bars and suspension that allow the chair to move smoothly above the base.
The result is a chair that swings back and forth in a way that simulates a motion similar to that of a rocking chair. The biggest difference in the motions of the different chairs is that glider chairs tend to be a little smoother and don’t typically tilt as much. Instead, it moves forward and back.
Are glider chairs safe?
Glider chairs are certainly very safe. In fact, they’re safer than rocking chairs. Due to the way rocking chairs move, it’s easy for little hands and toes to get caught underneath base if the chair is rocking while your baby is moving around on the ground. This isn’t an issue with glider chairs since the base of a glider stays in place.
Obviously, you wouldn’t want to leave your little baby in a glider chair alone or allow them to sleep there if you are not actually holding them in the chair yourself. You’ll also never want to nap with your baby in the glider. Sleeping with a baby in a chair or on a couch is exceptionally dangerous and should always be avoided for baby’s safety.
Are glider chairs necessary?
Glider chairs are an important nursery addition that most parents would not want to go without. They are extremely helpful and beneficial for many reasons. They will provide an easy and comfortable way for you to effectively soothe your baby. They also help reduce strain on you while also allowing you to keep a continuous comforting motion going. Glider chairs also serve as an excellent place for you to feed your baby – especially for those middle-of-the-night feeding sessions!
How to Choose a Glider for Your Nursery
When it comes to shopping for a glider chair, you might be surprised to learn just how different some of your options are. I certainly was. I had always thought of glider chairs as looking and working in a very specific way. Before my first baby was born, I had no idea how many choices were available now! So, when shopping for your glider chair, you’ll want to be on the lookout for a few specific things.
You may like to read more about The Best Baby Walker.
Included Ottoman
Lots of glider chairs include an ottoman, but some do not. This can be a determining factor for some parents while others don’t care one way or another. The benefit of an ottoman is that you can put your feet up while using the chair and that it actually makes it that much easier to propel yourself for gliding back and forth.
Some people prefer to keep their feet on the ground, though. Not having an ottoman can also save space which may be an important consideration for anyone with less space to spare. If you do choose an option with an ottoman, you’ll also want to think about a stationary ottoman versus a gliding one. Some ottomans are designed to glide along with your glider chair while some simply stay in place.
Swivel Motion
Another big factor with glider chairs is if they are able to swivel in addition to the back and forth gliding motion. There are more and more swivel glider options available now and you’ll have to decide if this is something you want. Many times, swivel gliders are more expensive. However, the swiveling motion does add an extra element of motion that may show beneficial to soothing baby as well as remaining comfortable yourself.
Upholstery
Most glider chairs have some upholstery, but the amount varies. Some glider chairs have cushioning with exposed wooden frames while some chairs are fully upholstered. This effects the style more than anything. Although, fully upholstered options are often padded thicker for increased comfort.
The details of the upholstery are also something to consider when it comes to style. Some options are very simple without any special details. This can be nice if you want something more minimalistic. Other choices have special details like button tufting and welt trim for more elegance and formality.
You’ll also often have choices when it comes to the color of your upholstery. Common colors are greys, beiges, and other neutral colors. If you want something more specific, there are some options with lots of color choices available.
Special Features
Beyond the basics, there are a lot of glider chairs that have more specific special features. This can definitely make a big difference in value and help you choose what glider is best for your nursery or home.
One special feature you will come across in some gliders is the ability to recline. Reclining gliders do not include ottomans because they provide built-in leg support whenever you want it without taking up extra space when you don’t need it. Other special features can be things like storage pockets on the side, removable cushions, and included lumbar support pillows.
Our Picks: 8 Best Gliders Reviews
1Baby Relax Mikayla – Best Glider Recliner
Baby Relax Mikayla – Best Glider Recliner
- Recliner
- 3 functional positions
- Grey microfiber
- Welt trim
- Button tufting
- Swivel glider
- Track arm design
Check Pricing and Availability
For a high-quality and super comfortable glider, you can’t go wrong with Baby Relax. This chair in particular is the Baby Relax Mikayla and is our top pick for the best glider recliner!
This Baby Relax reclining glider chair comes in a nice grey microfiber design. It is easy to care for, super comfortable, and matches virtually anything. Careful details like the welt trim and button tufting add dimension to the chair and bring together the aesthetics nicely. The track arms add extra comfort for you while also adding to the overall look of the chair!
While this isn’t quite the most expensive glider chair that we’ve reviewed, it is still relatively pricey. The fact that it is super high-quality, has a beautiful design, and reclines increase the value, though. So, while it won’t be in everyone’s price range, it is still well-worth the purchase if this is the type of chair you’re after! This is a really nice glider option and certainly the best reclining glider out there. It costs a little more than a lot of choices but is still reasonable considering the high quality and unique features. It works well and looks amazing too! Check Pricing and Availability
Storkcraft is a name you’ll find more than once in our glider recommendations due to an impressive array of well-made glider chairs. This is the Storcraft Hoop Glider and Ottoman Set! It’s our pick for the overall best nursery glider! The cushions cover the seat, back, and arms of the chair for maximum comfort. This is also a glider and ottoman set! The matching ottoman is also upholstered with a comfortable cushion for increased comfort. One of the coolest things about his particular ottoman is that it also features a gliding motion to allow you to easily continue gliding even with your legs up.
The one thing that some parents do complain about with the Storkcraft Hoop Glider is that overtime, the cushions start to flatten out. This reduces the overall comfort of the chair. However, it can be expected with an option as affordable as this one. This is a great, more traditional glider option that is convenient, comfortable, and even very affordable! We love that it comes with a gliding ottoman and convenient side pockets! Check Pricing and Availability
The clean lines and modern design of this glider chair make it a very attractive option that will fit well with almost any décor. What we really love about the DaVinci Olive Swivel Glider, though, is the swivel motion! That’s exactly why it’s our top pick for the best swivel glider chair. This is another ottoman set as well! The included ottoman features the same clean and modern design as the chair itself. The only problem you may have is that the ottoman is completely stationary. Some ottomans glide the same way their chair counterparts do, but this is not one of those. Many people won’t be bothered by this, but it could be an issue for some.
It is no surprise that this incredible glider is actually the pricest option of those that we’ve reviewed. It’s about twice the price of the previously listed Storkcraft option. Of course, it is very high-quality, looks absolutely stunning, and features the unbeatable swivel option with the bonus of a lumbar support pillow. There is no doubt that this is an amazing option of glider chair for your nursery. It is super sleek and attractive, versatile, comfortable, and very well-made. It’s absolutely worth the money if this is a look you are going for! Check Pricing and Availability
Here we have our pick for the best modern glider! This clever glider is very unique compared to almost any other option out there. It even varies a good bit in design from most other more modern glider options. It’s the Madison Swivel Glider from Babyletto! In addition to looking fantastic, this chair is highly functional thanks to the swivel ability. Just like the DaVinci glider we reviewed, this option moves very freely. It can rotate a full 360 degrees in addition to providing that sooth back and forth gliding motion. It also happens to have a smaller footprint as to take up less space.
There is no ottoman or recline option with this glider chair. That does mean that it lacks any kind of leg support, which may be an important feature to some families. This is one of my absolute favorite glider chairs and we are strongly considering purchasing this before baby #3 gets here. It is so nice-looking, isn’t too expensive, and has the clever microsuede fabric to help keep it looking good for years to come! Check Pricing and Availability
If you’re on the shorter end like I am, you’ll understand that most chairs are just not made for adults of smaller stature. I really don’t come across a lot of chairs that I legitimately fit well into. That’s why we have chosen the Storkcraft Tuscany as the best glider for petite moms (and dads)! The other really helpful thing is that just like the DaVinci glider, this option from Storkcraft includes a lumbar support pillow. This doesn’t just provide better back support, but also puts a cushion between you and the back of the chair. That extra space keeps you a little closer to the front of the chair – which makes it easier for petite moms to get up and down from the glider!
Just like with our previous Storkcraft glider option, the cushions on this one will likely become slowly less comfortable over time. This does seem to take a long time, though. It’s also a pretty affordable option, so it makes sense that it might not last as long as some of the pricier choices. If you’re one of the shorter moms or dads out there like I am, you’ll appreciate this awesome glider chair. It’s much more comfortable and easier to use for anyone that’s on the petite side and has other great benefits as well like being highly customizable! Check Pricing and Availability
If you are on a tighter budget for your glider chair, this option from Windsor is ideal! This is a simple, yet very high-quality option that also happens to be the least expensive option on our entire list of glider recommendations! That’s why we have chosen it as the best budget glider! The fact that this is another glider and ottoman set adds even more value to it as the best budget glider. The included ottoman glides right along with the glider for smooth comfort. The sides of the glider also include convenient storage pockets perfect for pacifiers, small blankets, toys, and more!
The only real downside with this option is that it does tend to be squeaky. Most people don’t have a severe problem with squeaking, but some noise is fairly common. This isn’t the fanciest glider in the world, but it is a decent quality that looks nice and has great convenience factors. The best part is, of course, that it is extremely affordable! Check Pricing and Availability
Glider chairs are an excellent addition to any nursery, but some people will prefer their glider in a more common area like the living room! That’s actually how we prefer it, so that its easy to cuddle your baby during nap time while also still spending time with the rest of the family! If you think you would rather have your glider in the living room, you’ll want to consider the Delta Children Emerson glider – our pick for the best glider for living room! This is one of the few gliders that we included in our recommendations that does not come with an ottoman and also does not recline. So, this glider will not provide any type of leg support if that’s something that is important to you. This is a nice glider chair as long as you don’t mind not having a leg support option. It is high-quality, super quiet, glides and swivels smoothly, and goes perfectly in any area of the home including the living room! Check Pricing and Availability
A lot of glider chairs take up a decent amount of a space. This can be a problem if you’ve got less space to work with. Smaller nurseries are relatively common. So, if you’re looking for the best glider for small nursery, look no further than this incredible Delta Children option! This is a glider with a nice and simple design. The fact that it is so minimalistic actually makes it a great choice for more modern nurseries or a more classic look. It adapts well to whatever décor is around it. The really nice thing is that it is a swivel glider, so you do have that nice freedom of motion, which can make it even more functional in a smaller space. It’s also fully upholstered for a really lovely look that comes in multiple colors like grey, beige, black, and navy to best fit your preferences.
Just like the previously listed Delta Children glider, this option does not recline and also does not include a recliner option. While this actually makes it even better as an option for a small nursery, it can be annoying or inconvenient for some to not have the leg support option that many glider chairs offer. This is a simple, yet high-quality swivel glider that is absolutely perfect for those smaller spaces. It doesn’t take up a lot of room, but still remains highly functional and convenient. See more about The Best Potty Chair in our review. If you’re anything like I used to be, you might have been surprised to find so many different choices when shopping for a good glider chair for your nursery. There are certainly a lot of things to take into consideration in order to ensure you choose the best option for your specific needs. You don’t want to make a larger purchase like this on a whim. Carefully consider all of your options and what things are most important to you. Deciding on basic features that are important to you will help narrow down your choices. Once you choose if you want a swivel option, if full upholstery is important to you, and if you need an ottoman included, you’ll have a much easier time choosing a specific glider chair. Hopefully with the help of our glider buying guide and top 8 best glider recommendations, you’ll have an even easier time!
Storkcraft Hoop Glider and Ottoman Set – Best Nursery Glider
DaVinci Olive Swivel Glider – Best Swivel Glider Chair
Babyletto Madison – Best Modern Glider
Storkcraft Tuscany – Best Glider for Petite Moms
Windsor Glider and Ottoman – Best Budget Glider
Delta Children Emerson – Best Glider Chair for Living Room
Delta Children Upholstered Swivel Glider – Best Glider for Small Nursery
Final Words on Nursery Gliders
