Besides the crib, a glider may be the most important piece of furniture in your baby’s nursery. If you ask veteran parents, they’ll tell you a good nursery chair is an essential part of your comfort during that first year with baby.
For one, you’ll be spending long hours in this special room with your sweet new baby. In fact, you’ll likely spend a good portion of your day (and night) snuggling, feeding, and holding them in this very chair. You’ll want and need a comfortable, supportive place to sit.
Secondly, the rocking motion of a glider chair is soothing and can help gently guide the baby to sleep.
Finally, even as your child grows, a comfy chair is also a great place to read bedtime stories, sing songs and lullabies, and chat together.
For these important reasons, it’s a good idea to research your options well. But the market is flooded with hundreds of options and literally hundreds of thousands of reviews. We’ve done the legwork and heavy lifting for you and published our results below.
If you can, it’s a great idea to pop into your local stores to sit in a variety of chairs. If that’s not a possibility, choose from one of the options below and be sure you are able to return the chair in the event that it does not end up working out for you.
How much is a nursery glider?
We’re going to share an inconvenient truth right now: you won’t find a truly great nursery glider for under $300.
Believe us, we looked for it. (And, because we get a small commission when our readers buy items on Amazon from our links, we actually have an interest in recommending products from there. But we just couldn’t find any under $300 that we really felt comfortable recommending.) However, if you are on a very strict budget, it is definitely worth your time to scour the reviews on Amazon, and try to sift through the very low-cost options to find one that might work perfectly for you. It’s just that it will be a gamble, not a sure thing.
For a glider that will not creak loudly after a few months, that will be very comfortable and supportive for you and your partner, no matter your size, and for a chair that will stand the test of time (and perhaps be passed down to other sibilings), you’ll want to look at these high quality options.
Without further ado, here is our curated list of the very best nursery gliders in 2022:
1. Best Overall: Comfort Glider & Ottoman ($999 from Pottery Barn)
This ultra comfortable glider is true to its name. We chose the Comfort Glider & Ottoman from Pottery Barn as the best overall glider because, well, you’ll love sitting it in it. And in that first year of baby’s life, you’re going to be doing a lot of sitting in this chair.
The high-quality and eco-friendly construction – including springs made of recycled heavy-gauge steel – ensures that it will last for years to come in your home. The hardwood frame is even kiln dried and corner blocked for structural integrity.
The cushions foam core centers are made from soy-based foam, and it’s crafted in America with imported materials.
It’s all Greenguard Gold Certified which means it meets stringent chemical emissions standards, and there won’t be toxic emissions in your nursery.
Note: This chair does not recline. For chair options that recline, keep reading.
2. Best Value: Soho Swivel Glider ($349 on Wayfair)
This contemporary classic chair has a modern silhouette and thousands of rave reviews on Wayfair from satisfied parents. The Soho Swivel Glider has a tall upholstered pillow back, and the seat cushion is made with supportive foam cushioning.
The best part is that you you can find it for a very reasonable price on Wayfair, making it our top pick for the best value in a nursery glider.
The gliding mechanism swivels 360 degrees with a smooth gliding motion, making it easy to reach the baby gear you need in the moment.
There is also a matching ottoman that you can purchase separately.
Cons: The chair does not recline. Some customers said the material starts to pill after several months.It has a weight capacity of 250 pounds, so it may not be suitable to very large or very tall parents.
3. Best Wingback: Wingback Manual & Power Swivel Glider Recliner ($1299 on Pottery Barn)
If you’re looking for a wingback style, this plush reclining chair from Pottery Barn Kids will be your new favorite spot in the house.
It has a classic winged-back design that offers plenty of shoulder and elbow space for parents and babies. With it’s rolled armrests, it’s the ultimate comfortable place for you to sit with your snuggle buddy. It’s perfect for parents who want plenty of room in their chair, and for tall parents, too.
The chair is extremely quiet as it reclines and swivels 360 degrees, so it wont wake your baby up. And if you’ve never had a baby before, let us be the first to tell you – this is extremely important! When you’ve gotten your baby to sleep, you are not going to want anything to disturb them, especially your own chair.
Plus, the easy access reclining mechanisms are within reach, which is key because you’ll probably have a sleeping baby in your arms as you reach for whatever you need.
It’s constructed with a solid hardwood frame, thick padding, and steel sinuous springs.
It comes in durable fabric options in different colors that can all be spot cleaned using regular soap and water.
And, it is Greenguard Gold Certified, meaning there are low chemical emissions for cleaner indoor air, and no funny smells upon arrival.
With this chair, it’s important to order early. They can take several weeks to ship.
Important Feature: There is a power version of this gorgeous nursery glider that has a recliner mechanism on the interior, right-hand side. It also has a usb port. The power version requires a plug outlet.
4. Best Made in the USA: Canna Swivel Reclining Glider ($679.99 on Wayfair)
If craftsmanship is important to you, the Canna Swivel Reclining Glider may be just the option for you. It’s made in the heartland of America with domestic and imported materials. This chair is made from a kiln-dried, native hardwood frame, and benefits from the use of computerize scan-and-cut systems to eliminate defects.
This comfortable glider is on of the most highly rated on Wayfair. It has a button tufted wing back, clean lines, and it glides with a 360 degree swivel motion.
It also reclines which is key for many parents who knowt hey’ll be in the baby’s room often during their inevitable sleepless nights.
Reviewers say it is extremely comfortable and made with high-quality construction. There is some assembly required but reviewers say it is easy to put together, stands the test of time, and is worth the splurge.
After baby’s room, it can easily be used in the living room or another room of the house.
5. Best Wooden Glider: Dutailier Adele Glider / Recliner ($599 on Amazon)
For a step up from traditional rocking chairs, the best wooden glider we found was the Dutailier Adele Glider, which can also come with a matching ottoman for extra support.
This modern rocking chair is made of hardwood and the gliding system is made with top quality sealed ball bearings, ensuring it will last for a long time. There’s a multi position locking mechanism to stop the glider where you prefer, and a 45 degree reclining mechanism that allows the backrest to be fully adjustable.
The best part for new parents is that is comes pre-assembled.
And, nursing moms will appreciate the padded arm rests during night feedings.
6. Best High Back Glider for a small space: Olive Swivel Glider with Ottoman ($399 on Amazon)
Small spaces require smaller and perhaps more narrow furniture so that the size does not overwhelm the room.
This nursing chair, with its narrow frame and smaller overall size, is an excellent choice for tight spaces. It will be the perfect place for late nights with baby, and it’s an affordable option, too.
The Davinci Olive Upholstered Swivel Glider has a metal base that allows for a smooth and gentle 360-degree swivel and rocking motion, and is made from FSC certified wood. It’s also Greenguard Gold Certified, meaning it has low chemical emissions for cleaner indoor air in your baby’s room.
It has a comfortable headrest with a higher back for head and neck support. It also comes with an upholstered ottoman to rest your feet, and a matching lumbar pillow for extra back support. This chair is a good choice for taller moms.
New parents will love that there is no assembly required.
Reviewers described the chair as sturdy and stylish, and said that its narrow frame made it easy to nurse in.
Cons: While it has a swivel feature, it does not recline. It will remain in its upright position.
7. Best Low Back Glider for Small Space: Madison Swivel Glider by Babyletto ($329 on Amazon)
Another great option for smaller spaces is the low back Madison Swiver Glider.
This comfortable chair is made with microsuede that is durable and easy to clean (hello, spit up!). It’s a mid-century style chair which is very trendy right now – but also classic – and it has a smooth gliding 360° swivel metal base. It also comes in a dreamy velvet fabric. The rounded shape is perfect for cuddling your baby, and it’s made with eco-friendly materials.
This chair is also Greenguard Gold Certified, meaning it has low chemical emissions for cleaner indoor air.
There is no assembly required for busy, tired parents-to-be. (That’s you.)
Reviewers say it’s a perfect fit in their small spaces. They consistently report that the chair looks high-quality and stylish, and that it has stood the test of time.
After baby’s nursery, it would look great in the living room or elsewhere in the house as an accent chair.
8. Best Slim Fit Glider: Gabby Pillowback Swivel Glider
This slim glider has a narrow frame, and is plush and durable with a high pillow back and back-and-forth gliding motion.
At just $299, this Gabby Pillowback Swivel Glider is a great value for the good reviews it receives, and it’s available on Amazon.
Several reviewers confirmed that the the headrest offers good head and neck support, even for taller and larger parents.
There is a matching ottoman that is sold separately.
Bonus point: No tools are required for the one-step assembly. It arrives in two pieces.
This is another glider that is space efficient due to its narrow frame. It will fit nicely in a space that has less room than average.
Reviewers say it’s firm, comfortable, and easy to put together.
9. Best Power Recliner: Babyletto Kiwi Electronic Power Recliner ($799 on Amazon)
This top pick comes with bells and whistles. The best part of this power recliner is the hidden control panel in the armrest with buttons that control reclining, plus a USB port, so you can have electronics conveniently on hand. It silently swivels so you won’t disturb your peaceful sleeping baby.
The Babyletto Power Recliner is upholstered by hand in eco-friendly stain-resistant fabric that is easy to clean.
Environmentally-conscious buyers will appreciate that it is made from at least 30% recycled materials, is Greenguard Gold Certified for a cleaner indoor environment, and is made from a eucalyptus wood frame.
It also comes with a separate pillow for lumbar support.
Cons: Some assembly is required. One noted difference from the other gliders on this list is that this recliner only swivels 270 degrees, not the full 360 degrees. Some reviewers noted that the material started to look worn after a year or so.
10. Most Versatile: Paxton Power Recliner from West Elm
For a nursery chair that will look great anywhere in the house for years to come, you can count on the Paxton Power Recliner from West Elm Kids.
It power reclines to various angles so you can find your perfect fit, it has a swivel base, it’s covered in durable fabric of your choice, and it has a USB port so you’re not left in the middle of the night with a dead battery.
The flanged seat and back cushions give this chair a casual, relaxed vibe that is stylish and will look great in any room of the home.
The construction is sturdy, with a kiln-dried hardwood frame, no-sag steel spring support, foam cushions and polyester padding.
Related Posts:
100 Baby Girl Nursery Ideas You’ll Love
Baby Boy Nursery Themes You’ll Love
100 Best Books for Your Baby’s Nursery
8 Best Nursery Recliners According to Reviews
Best Blackout Curtains for Your Nursery
35 Best Activities for Three Month Olds
We hope you loved this curated list of our favorite nursery gliders.
You’re going to be spending a lot of time in this chair, so we hope this article helped narrow down the overwhelming market for you.
If you’re stuck, create a list of must-haves for your perfect nursery chair, and search for options from there.
Whether you choose a high-end power recliner, a smaller nursery glider, or a stylish chair that can be used elsewhere in the house, our sincere hope is that this list helped you sort through the options and make a decision you’ll be happy with.
We hope you are blessed with many sweet memories with your child in your perfect nursery glider. Happy shopping!
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
