Babies Gear Best for Nursery Creating a space for baby should be enjoyable. These award-winning products chosen by real parents and top experts for Parents' Best for Baby 2023 will help create a calming atmosphere. By Toby Lowenfels Updated on March 30, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article View All In This Article Best High Design Crib Best Cost-Effective Crib Best Smart Monitor Best Versatile Monitor Best Audio Monitor Best Bassinet Best Innovative Bassinet Best Diaper Pail Best Changing Pad Best Crib Mattress Best Glider Best Pregnancy Pillow Best Sound Machine Best Newborn Swaddle Best Sleep Sack Best Bouncer Best Activity Chair Setting up your nursery is often a beautiful rite of passage for parents waiting for their little one’s arrival. But let’s face it, it can also be stressful sorting through all the products new parents are told they “need” to have in place when they bring their baby home from the hospital. How do you narrow it down? Sure, you can ask your friends and you can ask Google, or you can take our learnings from top experts and real parents and quit your search here. These winners of the Parents' 2023 Best for Baby Awards will make help you check one more thing off your list. Meet Our 2023 Best for Baby Award Winners The Parents' 2023 Best for Baby Awards features 60 products that appeal to various budgets, a few tried-and-true classics, and the new kids on the block—all chosen and tested by top experts, real parents, and our parenting pro editors. Learn more about how we chose this year's winners and explore our top picks in each category: Best for Feeding Best for Bath and Health Best for On the Go Best High Design Crib Nestig Cloud Crib Courtesy of Nestig Why It’s a Winner: Babies sleep a lot in those first few months and you’ll want to give them the best possible spot to rest and grow. And since the crib is the nursery’s main attraction, you may also want a piece that’s just as visually appealing as it is effective. Nestig’s Cloud Crib is a win. Not only does it have a beautiful aesthetic with wooden accents, it’s also practical in that it’s able to adapt as your little one grows from the newborn to toddler stage. It’s also JPMA certified, meaning it meets the highest standards for quality, safety, performance, and functionality. This non-toxic, lead, and phthalate safe crib will help your kid catch some z’s for the long haul. Price: $749 Vetted and Tested We tapped into the insights of our commerce team to choose this winner! This product was expertly reviewed and/or tested by our team of parenting pros. Each product is selected based on a deep analysis of consumer reviews and most are thoroughly tested through real-world hands-on experience by real parents or in our New York City testing lab. Shop Best Cost-Effective Crib Delta 4-in-1 Convertible Crib Courtesy of Delta Why It’s a Winner: You also can’t go wrong with the Delta 4-in-1 Convertible Crib. Not only is this crib super cute (it’s made with solid pine and has angled legs!), it also grows with your little one. The crib converts into a toddler bed, daybed, and sofa bed, allowing you to get great use out of it for the years to come. Most importantly, it’s sturdy, free of toxic elements, and also JPMA certified. Price: $229 Vetted and Tested We tapped into the insights of our commerce team to choose this winner! This product was expertly reviewed and/or tested by our team of parenting pros. Each product is selected based on a deep analysis of consumer reviews and most are thoroughly tested through real-world hands-on experience by real parents or in our New York City testing lab. Shop Best Smart Monitor Nanit Pro Camera With Floor Stand Courtesy of Nanit Why It’s a Winner: Your baby monitor will be your lifeline to your child—a technological umbilical cord if you will. And though it’s a bit pricey, the Nanit Pro Camera can help ease your mind as you carry on while your baby is sleeping. The monitor streams from an app on your phone so you don’t have to worry about carrying (or losing!) another device. The Nanit Pro allows you to check on your baby throughout the day from remote locations, includes personalized sleep tips based on your baby’s patterns, and even has AirPlay so family members can check in on the baby, too. The company also just launched a developmental milestones feature to capture videos of the baby achieving select milestones. Oh, and there’s also a floor stand available with four different height settings so you can use it as your baby heads to a toddler bed, too. What Parents Are Saying: Parents are loving the Nanit because of all the features. “The stats, recommendations, recordings, video summaries, and app features are awesome!” says one parent. Price: $179-$399 Shop Best Versatile Monitor Motorola PIP1610 HD Connect Courtesy of Motorola Why It’s a Winner: There are already many new variables to manage when your baby arrives, so learning to work a new device can seem daunting. That’s why the Motorola PIP1610 HD Connect is the best fit for parents who need a genuinely easy way to check on their kids. This portable model has a 1,000-foot range and lets you see and hear your baby through video and high sensitive audio. It also plays pre-recorded lullabies and soothing sounds to help your little ones stay asleep throughout the night. Along with a motorized pan, tilt, and digital zoom, it’s wall mountable if preferred. Plus, you can choose to connect it to your phone or just use a more simple version without WiFi. This can also come in handy when family members and babysitters want to monitor kids from another room. What Parents Are Saying: One parent appreciates the variation this camera offers, saying, “I love the double cameras.” Price: $179.99 Everything You Need To Know About Basal Body Temperature and Implantation Dip Shop Best Audio Monitor VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor Courtesy of VTech Why It’s a Winner: Here’s the most affordable way to gain peace of mind while your baby sleeps in the other room. The VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor allows caregivers to have crystal clear transmission, without the annoying white noise you hear from many analog monitors. So the only sounds you hear are coming from your baby. There’s also a talkback feature, so you can communicate to your baby when needed. Setup is effortless making the VTech a no-brainer for parents. Price: $39.95 Tried-and-True Favorite This winner was determined by our readers! Our data and research team surveyed 500 readers across the Dotdash Meredith brands with children 18 months and younger to find out what their favorite baby products were within the last year to bring you the products that top people’s lists year after year. Shop Best Bassinet HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper 3.0 Courtesy of HALO Why It’s a Winner: There’s a reason the Halo BassiNest Swivel Sleeper is a bestseller: it has everything you need to keep your baby sleeping safe and sound at your bedside. It’s also spacious enough to allow plenty of room to stretch and grow. This model has the option to become portable so you can move it around the house for naps or use it while traveling. Oh, and the white noise option has just the right volume and there’s also a gentle vibrating feature. What Parents Are Saying: A perk of this bassinet is that parents can sleep right next to their little ones if they prefer thanks to a height adjustable feature. “My bed is unusually high, but the BassiNest reached high enough to let me swivel the bassinet right up to the bed, and it's easy to lower the bar and reach right in,” one parent explains. Price: $219.99 Shop Best Innovative Bassinet Juno Bassinet Courtesy of Juno Why It’s a Winner: Parents seeking a more minimalist approach when it comes to baby stuff can stop their search for the perfect bassinet. The eco-friendly Juno Bassinet is only 11 pounds and comes with a breathable, organic mattress. It’s easy to clean and is sturdy. Plus, it packs up easily for trips to the grandparents’ house. Did we mention it’s easy on the eyes? What Parents Are Saying: This bassinet is quick to set up and a good fit for small spaces or parents on the go. “This safe, cozy, lightweight sleeping structure that can be effortlessly transported from room to room—or over to the grandparents' place!—met my most pressing needs,” says one parent. Price: $99 Shop Best Diaper Pail Ubbi Diaper Pail Courtesy of Ubbi Why It’s a Winner: Sorry, there’s nothing cute about a diaper pail. But you’ll need one, that’s for sure. You can’t just choose any one though, because, well, you’ll want something that’ll really keep the stink at bay. That’s why you’ll want to bring the Ubbi Diaper Pail home because it keeps odors in, takes regular trash bags, and is easy to empty. Price: $69.99 Tried-and-True Favorite This winner was determined by our readers! Our data and research team surveyed 500 readers across the Dotdash Meredith brands with children 18 months and younger to find out what their favorite baby products were within the last year to bring you the products that top people’s lists year after year. Shop Best Changing Pad Skip Hop Baby Changing Pad Courtesy of Skip Hop Why It’s a Winner: It’s only a matter of time before your baby becomes a slippery fish on the changing table. So, you’ll need one that makes your life easier like the Skip Hop Baby Changing Pad. It’s not only a comfortable contoured changing pad that easily wipes clean, it also includes a tuck-away toy bar with a baby-safe mirror that will entertain little ones as they are getting changed. How perfect is that? A few more perks: it’s PVC- and phthalate-free, has a non-skid base, and comes with a safety belt. Price: $79.95 Vetted and Tested We tapped into the insights of our commerce team to choose this winner! This product was expertly reviewed and/or tested by our team of parenting pros. Each product is selected based on a deep analysis of consumer reviews and most are thoroughly tested through real-world hands-on experience by real parents or in our New York City testing lab. Shop Best Crib Mattress Delta Children Breathe Mattress Courtesy of Delta Why It’s a Winner: Here’s the truth about babies: they’ll sleep just about anywhere and they don’t really care what kind of mattress you buy. But it’s still a good idea to opt for a comfy and durable one. The Delta Children Breathe Mattress is sturdy, soft, and supportive. It also has a 100% breathable cover and it’s fully removable and washable making it easy to clean. And, best of all, you can use this mattress when it comes time to move your baby into a toddler bed. What Parents Are Saying: Along with being good quality and easy to wash, one parent also loves that it can be both an infant and toddler mattress. “It doubles the lifespan which is a great investment,” she says. Price: $139.99 Shop Best Glider Everlee Glider With Ottoman Courtesy of Everlee Why It’s a Winner: You’re going to be spending a lot of time in your glider chair, so you’ll want to choose wisely. The Everlee Glider With Ottoman is a great option because it’s comfortable and stylish—the perfect landing pad for all your quality time with the baby. Whether you’re feeding or reading to them (or doing both at the same time!), the Everlee Glider is a comfortable spot to sit in for long stretches of time. And, yes, it rocks, swivels, and reclines. The best part of all is that it’s stain resistant. It’s also easy to assemble and the accompanying ottoman can be used to store books and toys, making this a no-brainer registry item. What Parents Are Saying: Soft, aesthetically pleasing, and wide enough for comfort, this glider is getting rave reviews from parents. And the best part is babies love it too. “Baby loves being fed in the chair or gliding back and forth in the chair,” says one parent. Price: $400 Shop Best Pregnancy Pillow Newton Baby The Pregnancy Pillow Courtesy of Newton Baby Why It’s a Winner: While technically you’ll be the one using this product in your bedroom before baby arrives, it is a winner nonetheless. You know that phrase all pregnant people are used to hearing: “You better get your sleep before the baby comes!” Well, now you actually can with the Newton Baby The Pregnancy Pillow. It’s soft enough to give relief with a firm structure to keep your belly from hurting. You can sleep on your side with ease with no more tossing and turning. So you’ll hopefully wake up feeling refreshed—at least until the baby comes. What Parents Are Saying: One parent who tried four other pregnancy pillows before this one says, “This one is more compact because you can detach a part of it, which works well for how I sleep. Additionally, I like this pillow because I can easily toss and turn during the night (restless sleeper over here!) and it doesn't become a big 'to-do' to move around in the bed with the pillow.” Price: $79.99 Shop Best Sound Machine Hatch Rest 2nd Gen Courtesy of Hatch Why It’s a Winner: Here’s a product you might not think you need but you just wait until that 4-month sleep regression hits. A suitable solution? Grab the Hatch Rest 2nd Gen sound machine and work the wind down stories into your baby’s bedtime routine to set the tone for relaxation. Then wait for the night light to turn on and tiptoe out of the room as the white noise starts. Easy peasy! The sound is quality and being able to control it from anywhere in the house is extra nice. One of our favorite parts is that as your baby becomes a toddler, they (and you) will appreciate the “OK to Wake” feature. There’s little the Hatch Rest can’t do. What Parents Are Saying: One parent tester says they "love the red light and the ability to dim or brighten using the app." Price: $69.99 Shop Best Newborn Swaddle Happiest Baby Sleepea Swaddle Courtesy of Happiest Baby Why It’s a Winner: Swaddling your baby has been found to improve their sleep. But not every swaddle is made equally and having to fix a complicated one at 2 a.m. is never fun. The Happiest Baby Sleepea Swaddle is a favorite among parents because it can help wrap your infant in five seconds flat. With velcro closure, it’s easy to use and your baby’s arms will be secure. And it’s designed by renowned pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp meaning it’s made with safety in mind. There’s nothing more important than that. What Parents Are Saying: Parents love that this swaddle is functional, simple, high-quality, and easy to clean. And it really works! "Baby slept very well in this swaddle," says one tester. Price: $32.95 Shop Best Sleep Sack Ollie World The Alphie Sleep Pouch Courtesy of Ollie World Why It’s a Winner: The Ollie World The Alphie Sleep Pouch is like a cocoon for your baby: soft, warm, stretchy, and snug. It’s worth every penny because the material is high quality, it reduces the need for blankets in the crib, and comes with a custom closure. The sack is super-easy to use and will leave your baby feeling secure before heading off to the land of nod. We’re just waiting around for them to make these sleep sacks for adults. What Parents Are Saying: The ease of this sack is a win and one parents says "We have been using the Alphie close to a month now and we are absolutely in love with the functionality, comfort and fit of it. My daughter usually wakes up about 2x per night but since using the Alphie, she sleeps the entire night." Price: $85 Shop Best Bouncer Ingenuity Smartbounce Automatic Bouncer Courtesy of Ingenuity Why It’s a Winner: Get ready to meet your other new best friend. When you need to put your baby down to do stuff around the house, or simply take a break, the Ingenuity Smartbounce Automatic Bouncer will give your bundle of joy a spot to cuddle while offering a range of speeds designed to mimic your movements. The seat is made of plush fabric for ultimate comfort and the bolster cushion can be removed as your baby grows. It’s a brilliant invention and you might cry the day your baby outgrows it. But—hush, hush—don’t worry about that now. Price: $80 Vetted and Tested We tapped into the insights of our commerce team to choose this winner! This product was expertly reviewed and/or tested by our team of parenting pros. Each product is selected based on a deep analysis of consumer reviews and most are thoroughly tested through real-world hands-on experience by real parents or in our New York City testing lab. Shop Best Activity Chair Smart Steps Explore N' Play 5-in-1 Booster Courtesy of Smart Steps Why It’s a Winner: Some babies love to be held all the time. And that’s sweet at first but, eventually, you’ll want to use your arms. The Smart Steps Explore N Play 5-in-1 Booster is the perfect spot to park your baby. With five different positions for sitting and playing, the seat helps your baby build fine motor skills and develop core strength while being entertained with toys. Parents will adore how easily the tray and cup holder wipe clean and babies will love the booster seat that allows them to sit at the table like the big kids. Your baby is now in a really adorable, really messy stage of life making this activity chair a necessity. What Our Experts Are Saying: Parents of multiples, especially, need products that make life simpler and this one does just that. ”You know that twin moms love products that turn into a zillion things so we can save some money,” says Natalie Diaz, founder of Twiniversity. “Our moms are going nuts over this.” Price: $60 Shop Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit