The 9 Best Cradles
This wiki has been updated 31 times since it was first published in March of 2015. Nothing soothes a newborn baby quite like a smooth rocking motion, which the cradles we've selected for you here provide. Our comprehensive selection includes something for every home, from the purely functional to the modern and elegant, all with the ability to help your little bundle of joy get to sleep quickly. We've ranked them by build quality, safety features, and style. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Babybjorn Lull
2. Green Frog Gentle Rocking
3. Baby Castle Modern
Editor's Notes
June 19, 2020:
While there may be some confusion as to the difference between cradles and bassinets, or between cribs and cradles, the signature feature of a good cradle is rocking motion. There are a few ways that companies approach this, and they're worth considering as you evaluate your options. Something like the Baby Castle Modern, for example, rocks along its length — in other words, from head to toe. This is the less traditional configuration compared with something like the Green Frog Allegro, which rocks from side to side. Some babies may be more responsive to one rocking motion than another, so it might be a process of trial and error at first.
There are some vital safety features to look for here, as well, but it's also important that you don't leave your newborn unobserved in their cradle. Fortunately, that's easier than ever with things like video baby monitors. Beyond observation, though, you might be worried about the hardness of the bars on some models, and rightly so. There are bumpers that hug those sides with soft material, but models like the Babybjorn Lull are designed not to need that kind of supplementation in the first place. And if you're worried the rocking motion might create a little seasickness in the tiny sailor, you should look for a model with a rocking brake like the one you see on the Orbelle Trading Ga.
Special Honors
AFK Furniture French This baroque model offers a finish with silver and gold gilding throughout, accenting its hand-carved ornamentation. Its appearance can be customized further if you contact the company directly, and its rockers have reversed curves at the tips to prevent it from going too far in either direction. Be advised, however, that this is a very expensive choice. afkfurniture.com
Restoration Hardware Caden Bassinet The fabric used on this model is a linen weave that's durable enough to be used on outdoor furniture, but remains both soft to the touch and mildew-resistant. Its basket sits on an antique brass rocking base and comes with a firm, but comfortable mattress with its own water-resistant cover. Its weight capacity is on the low side, though, supporting no more than 18 pounds. rhbabyandchild.com
4. Green Frog Allegro
5. Orbelle Trading Ga
6. Dream On Me Luna
7. Dream On Me Rocker
8. Badger Basket Portable
9. Green Frog Now And Forever
Daniel Imperiale holds a bachelor’s degree in writing, and proudly fled his graduate program in poetry to pursue a quiet life at a remote Alaskan fishery. After returning to the contiguous states, he took up a position as an editor and photographer of the prestigious geek culture magazine “Unwinnable” before turning his attention to the field of health and wellness. In recent years, he has worked extensively in film and music production, making him something of a know-it-all when it comes to camera equipment, musical instruments, recording devices, and other audio-visual hardware. Daniel’s recent obsessions include horology (making him a pro when it comes to all things timekeeping) and Uranium mining and enrichment (which hasn’t proven useful just yet).