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We’ll put it bluntly: The single “best” nursery chair does not exist. In the world of chairs—just as in the world of, say, jeans or plain white T-shirts or mattresses—there can only be favorites, decided upon by those whose tastes align with each particular item’s shape, size, material, bells and whistles (or lack thereof). When all is said and done, what looks and feels great to one person might downright repel another—but this is not not to say that learning from the experiences of others can’t be enormously helpful. In the search for niche products like nursery chairs, there’s much to be gained from hearing the opinions of parents with similar search criteria.
Ultimately, the details will come down to personal preference: Are you looking for a recliner, rocking chair, or swivel glider? Something traditional, modern, or minimal? Will it need to fit in a small space, or is there room to move? But to assist in what can truly feel like a never-ending hunt, we’ve asked our trusted community of contributors for their take on 12 popular choices on the market today. May their reviews play a prominent part in your research, and when you’ve settled finally on a winner—one that meets your standards and those of others who share your wants and needs—kick your feet up on its matching ottoman, extra wide seat, or comfy, stain-resistant footrest and know you’ve definitively found the best.
- For a classic look
- For a modern look
- For small spaces
- Under $500 (but you wouldn’t know it)
- For growing families
- For a pop of color
- For high-tech details
- For a living-room-worthy design
For a classic look
Tester: Pujah Shah, global director of audience development, analytics, and social
How was the delivery and setup? Delivery was quick and simple, as it came already assembled. The chair is also very light and easy to move around.
Why did you choose this chair? I initially chose this chair for its simple design but soon fell in love with its cozy texture and broad seating—it’s perfect for lounging.
Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? If yes/no, why? This is one of the coziest chairs I’ve experienced, so I definitely plan to continue using it for the nursery or another bedroom and during future pregnancies.
Pros:
- Simple modern design
- Small enough to fit in any corner of our nursery, but the seat is still wide enough to comfortably lounge on
Cons:
- On carpet this chair does tend to slide. I would recommend getting rubber pads or nonslip grips to put on the legs to keep it in place
Specs:
- Colors Available: 240-plus fabric and color options
- Materials: See above
- Warranty Policies: N/A, free return delivery
- Assembly Needed: No
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Tester: Katy Olson, contributor
How was the delivery and setup? It was simple and seamless, and assembly required about 10 minutes total.
Why did you choose this chair? Newly pregnant when I purchased it, I knew I wanted a swiveling glider in a neutral performance fabric for under $1,000.
Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? My husband and I will likely keep it in the living room for as long as we have young children. The silhouette is sleek enough that it doesn’t look like a typical baby product, and the fabric hasn’t stained in four-plus months of use, as it wipes down easily with soap and water.
Pros:
- Surprisingly chic
- Nubby white performance fabric
- Smooth gliding function
- Neutral enough to fit into our existing modern decor
- Elbow-height level of the arms makes it easy to rest baby in the crook of an elbow without the need for extra supporting pillows
Cons:
- Footrest feels wobbly and insecure
- The seat isn’t wide enough for me to have a bolster or other pillow to add support underneath my arm while breastfeeding
- The seat is a bit deep, which means I have to push myself off of it whenever I stand, causing the chair to rock forcefully
Specs:
- Colors Available: Cream, Gray, Ivory, Navy, Charcoal
- Materials: Performance fabric or boucle; FSC-Certified wood
- Warranty Policies: I purchased it from Buy Buy Baby, which has since gone bankrupt, but it is also available on Amazon, Wayfair, and elsewhere
- Assembly Needed: Required assembly; took one person about 10 minutes to assemble
For a modern look
Tester: Marissa G. Muller, contributor
How was the delivery and setup? The chair arrived well-packed and protected in plastic, and it was easy to take out and set up. It came in two pieces and the top piece easily slid right on.
Why did you choose this chair? You would never guess the price tag from sitting in this chair—its quality is on par with nursing chairs that cost twice as much. It has a better look than most of them too. Between the ivory boucle upholstery and the pretty wood base, the chair is light and airy and it doesn’t have a huge footprint, especially for a nursing chair.
Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? The Crewe chair delivers on the promise that it’s heirloom quality, especially for the price. This nursing chair feels like it would last two kids and it looks nice enough to stay in the primary bedroom after the nursing days are long gone.
Pros:
- Comfy to nap in—you wouldn’t mind spending eight hours a day sitting in it
- The height of the seat is ideal for resting your head on
- The seat cushion is perfectly cushiony but not soft, and the arms are well proportioned and the perfect height to hold a support pillow
- The lever to recline the chair is hidden away, instead of an eyesore on the side of the chair
- The seat is nice and roomy, easily accommodating both a baby and a toddler
Cons:
- It’s not the easiest to tuck away the recliner while holding a little one
- The rocker function also isn’t exactly quiet, even for a manual recliner; even after you’re no longer sitting on the chair, the rocking is somewhat loud
- After days of use, a slight indentation formed on the back of the chair
Specs:
- Colors Available: Cream, Grey, and Ivory Bouclé
- Materials: Greenguard gold-certified bouclé and wood from FSC-certified forests
- Warranty Policies: One-year warranty covers replacement or repairs from damage that’s the result of a manufacturing defect. Nontransferrable from the original owner
- Assembly Needed: The top needs to be slid onto the bottom; no tools needed
For small spaces
Tester: Shoko Wanger, contributor
How was the delivery and setup? Delivery and setup couldn’t have been smoother. Our communication with Sixpenny was seamless from the start; the delivery team was quick and professional, and we really appreciated that they carried the chair into the room of our choice. We live on an island where larger deliveries like this are a challenge, so we were doubly impressed by the whole experience!
Why did you choose this chair? I’ve always been drawn to the casual elegance of Sixpenny’s slipcover furnishings and liked that this piece seemed particularly well-suited to a smaller space. Our son’s room is tiny and oddly shaped, so its more compact frame was appealing. I also love that the slipcovers are removable and washable—essential with a small child!
Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? Definitely! As mentioned, the washable cover has me feeling confident that it’ll look great for years to come. And, much to my relief, it doesn’t scream “nursery” and would transition really well to a reading nook or another bedroom. Also, major points for a pink nursery chair that doesn’t read cloyingly sweet. It’s really subdued and sophisticated—such a plus.
Pros:
- Well-sized for a small space, but still deep enough to be cozy
- Washable slipcover
- Really smooth, gentle rocking motion. I’ve tried other gliders before and they’ve felt rickety; this is pleasantly sturdy
Cons:
- I mentioned this as a pro, which it is, but the chair’s depth might rule it out as an option in certain extra-small spaces. In two corners of our nursery, which are positioned under a slanted ceiling, it’s actually too deep—which is certainly not the worst problem to have.
Specs:
- Colors Available: 32 colors available, with choices varying by material
- Materials: Cotton canvas, cotton linen, thread-dyed cotton linen, washed cotton linen, washed cotton velvet, lightweight linen, medium weight linen, and recycled faux fur. Choose feather down or poly fill
- Warranty Policies: Limited lifetime warranty
- Assembly Needed: No
Under $500 (but you wouldn’t know it)
Tester: Briana Feigon, contributor
How was the delivery and setup? Great. We put this item on our baby registry and it was one of the first gifts we received! The chair arrived at our doorstep in a large box. All we had to do was open the box, and the chair was fully assembled.
Why did you choose this chair? I love the idea of a baby glider that can eventually transition into a long-term furniture piece in our home. This Babyletto swivel glider comes in a beautiful cream bouclé. The design is sophisticated; it has lovely, rounded edges; and it doesn’t take up too much space.
Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? I do. I love the design and it is ultra comfortable to sit in. I think the caveat is how clean the white fabric will continue to look after late-night spit-ups and a toddler climbing all over it.
Pros:
- Rich color, beautiful bouclé
- Super comfortable
- Perfect rock-ability to glide my daughter to sleep
- Up-levels the look of the nursery
- Easy to spot-clean
Cons:
- This is a design preference, but I would love not to see the black hardware
- Moving the chair is a bit challenging. It’s a heavy piece of furniture, which helps with its sturdiness, but because of the round base and glide functionality, it’s hard to move in a straight line. I find that I need to wiggle it to get it into the desired position
- I’m tall, and the backrest is a bit low for me. Usually it works great, but when I want to lean my head back, I find myself wishing that the back were taller
Specs:
- Colors Available: Blush Pink Velvet, Ivory Bouclé, Black Velvet, Black/White Bouclé, Performance Navy Eco-Twill, Ivory Bouclé, and Cane/Light Wood Base
- Materials: Velvet, Performance fabric or boucle, FSC certified wood
- Warranty Policies: One-year limited warranty
- Assembly Needed: Some assembly required, no tools needed
For growing families
Tester: Elaheh Nozari, contributor
How was the delivery and setup? Very seamless white-glove delivery. Logistics called about a week in advance to confirm the delivery time, and the driver called when he was about 15 minutes away. Two people brought in the chair; no setup was required.
Why did you choose this chair? I chose it because I wanted a chair that could be used for a long time in a kids room and wasn’t specific for newborns, like a glider that has a rocking motion. I also wanted a chair that was comfortable and plush but didn’t take up too much space, and one that had a neutral look.
Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? Yes, because it isn’t specifically designed for a nursery. It can be used for a long time in a kids room or moved to another room since it comes in a variety of neutral colors. Room & Board furniture is also very well-made (this is my second Room & Board seating purchase), and I know from experience that their pieces last a long time.
Pros:
- The size. It’s big enough to lounge on—but not too big
- The swivel is a nice touch that makes it feel a bit more like a statement piece
- Comes with two pillows
- It’s incredibly comfortable and doesn’t take time to break in
Cons:
- If you’re looking for a chair specifically designed for nurseries, this probably isn’t it. Gliders are very useful for newborns because they create a rocking motion, and this swivel movement isn’t comparable
Specs:
- Colors Available: 240-plus fabric and color options
- Materials: See above
- Warranty Policies: N/A, free return delivery
- Assembly Needed: No
Tester: Briana Feigon, contributor
How was the delivery and setup? Great. A delivery team brought in the box and unpacked and set up the chair for us. The communication leading up to the drop-off was great and we could even track when the delivery was slated to arrive during the pre-determined delivery window.
Why did you choose this chair? I liked the idea of finding a nursing chair that could evolve into an oversized snuggle zone to curl up with the kiddos and read books together before bed. The Kipton Swivel chair feels almost like a love seat, with easily enough room for a parent in the middle and a kiddo on each side.
Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? Maybe. I love the idea of this chair evolving into a reading nook for years to come. Our nursery is quite small, and this chair is definitely large, so we’ve moved into the living room. It’s still a bit too large for our space, however, nuzzling up on a Sunday morning with a crossword and a cup of team is an optimal way to take advantage of this plush piece!
Pros:
- Unique design
- Ultra comfortable
Cons:
- I wish I had gotten a swatch of the color before ordering, as the color looks different in person. I have the Plush Greystone, which feels a bit too corporate in person. If I were to order again, I’d steer towards the linen or ivory colors
- The swivel capability takes a bit of legwork to get moving. For the purposes of nursing my newborn, I’d like to be able to rock more easily
Specs:
- Colors Available: Badlands Stone, Linen, Snow, Azure, Bark, Brindle, Greystone, Indigo, Ivory, Mineral, Night
- Materials: Performance fabrics and sustainably forested wood
- Warranty Policies: Limited warranty, but protection plans are available
- Assembly Needed: No
For a pop of color
Tester: Shoko Wanger, contributor
How was the delivery and setup? Both were great! Article was incredibly clear and communicative, and we knew exactly when our delivery was arriving. On the day of, the two-person team met me in the driveway, carried the chair to the location of my choice, and were back down the hill in their truck minutes later. As for setup, there was no assembly required, so the process was as easy as removing a little padding and positioning the throw pillow on the seat.
Why did you choose this chair? I’ve had really positive experiences with Article in the past as a reliable source of affordable, high-quality furniture. This was no exception. I have always loved the idea of a classic rocking chair without any serious bells and whistles, and this seemed like the perfect pick. I was drawn in particular to its timeless silhouette and to its color, which is a refreshing change from so many neutral options. Plus, it just looked cozy.
Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? Yes! My husband and I love it, and so do all of our guests who have tried it. It’s very inviting—everyone wants to sit in it. I love having something like this that isn’t just for the baby or toddler years, because I know I’ll be able to use it long after our child has grown out of the nursing/rocking/bedtime story phase.
Pros:
- It’s lovely to look at. The wooden legs are stunning
- Very comfortable and cozy
- Great quality for its price point
- Its color! So nice to see after scrolling through endless grays and off-whites
- Smooth rocking motion
- Can fit any room and most any style
Cons:
- Since it isn’t specifically a nursery chair, some might find it harder to sit up in or get up from compared to an item designed for nursing or feeding a baby
- The wooden legs can slide a bit on a hardwood floor
Specs:
- Colors Available: Cloudburst Gray, Oleander White, Global Green
- Materials: Oak, pine, plywood, MDF, foam, polyester fiber, duck feathers.
- Warranty Policies: One year manufacturer’s warranty, effective from date of delivery
- Assembly Needed: No
For high-tech details
Tester: Katy Olson, contributor
How was the delivery and setup? The chair was shipped quickly and the setup took under seven minutes despite the bulky box. Bringing the Glider Plus home was simpler than expected.
Why did you choose this chair? The gold-standard glider for breastfeeding moms, Nurture&’s Glider Plus earned rave reviews from my friends who had already rocked out with it. I was eager to try a more technically responsive chair, and, with a power recline and power lumbar support, plus a 200-degree swivel, the glider makes finding the right position as easy as the gentle tap of a button or two.
Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? We’ll keep it as long as we have young children, but it wouldn’t integrate well into our decor outside the nursery. It feels durable and high-quality enough to pass along to a friend or family member after we’re finished with it.
Pros:
- Exceedingly comfortable, cushy yet firm
- Appropriate-height arms for breastfeeding
- Comfortable and customizable positions make it a worthwhile choice, particularly for breastfeeding moms who need sturdy elbow and arm support for those ’round-the-clock night feedings
Cons:
- The silhouette feels cartoonishly larger-than-life for a New York apartment, making for a clunky addition to the living room or other communal spaces, but it’s a good fit for a nursery
- It requires an outlet
Specs:
- Colors Available: Ivory, Gray
- Materials: Stain-resistant fabric: 96% polyester/4% nylon; FSC-certified birchwood and poplar plywood
- Warranty Policies: One-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Assembly Needed: Required full assembly. It took two people about seven minutes to assemble the chair and the instructions were straightforward
Tester: Pujah Shah, global director of audience development, analytics, and social
How was the delivery and setup? Super easy to assemble. The chair comes in two pieces which are the base and the back. It took us less than 10 minutes to set up and move into our nursery.
Why did you choose this chair? This, to me, is the MVP of nursery chairs. This magical chair reclines, swivels, and rocks—it does it all! And the cream colorway looks effortlessly sleek in our nursery.
Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? One hundred percent! Because this chair has so many features, it can be used in various rooms (family room, a bedroom, etc.). I plan to keep this chair for many, many years to come.
Pros:
- The electric recliner is incredibly convenient since we don’t have to push our feet into the footrest or search for a handle while holding a sleeping baby
- It’s so comfortable that I’ve actually fallen asleep in this chair several times. The back is tall enough for both my husband and I to rest our head and neck on. Plus, the armrests are at a great height for me to nurse comfortably
- The USB port on the side is very helpful when nursing, rocking the baby to sleep, or just hanging out in the nursery
Cons:
- The name is deceiving—the chair doesn’t actually “glide,” but it does have a rocking type of motion
- It’s extremely heavy, so be sure to have your delivery team bring it to the actual room it will stay in
Specs:
- Colors Available: Grey, Cream
- Materials: Stain-resistant poly fabric
- Warranty Policies: No
- Assembly Needed: Yes, but minimal
Tester: Marissa G. Muller, contributor
How was the delivery and setup? Delivery left the box at the bottom of the stairs and it was definitely a pain to bring up. The chair’s packaging wasn’t the most protective and the sides of the chair were up against the box. Fitting the back into the base took a little more finessing than anticipated—it didn’t easily slide on like other chairs.
Why did you choose this chair? Babyletto’s Sigi Recliner and Glider has all of the thoughtful finishes you’d want in a nursing chair: silent and silky smooth reclining with the press of a button, a built-in USB port to charge your phone, and water-repellent and stain-resistant fabric that won’t show every spit-up or worse.
Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? The chair feels like it would last throughout a nursing cycle and maybe beyond, but it doesn’t feel like a forever piece. The loose fabric around the arms isn’t going to get better with time and the cushioned back has a strong imprint from days and hours of sitting in it.
Pros:
- Reclining could not be easier in this chair. The buttons are silent and smooth
- The seat is wide enough to keep a water bottle right next to you—and have room to plug in your phone
- The base feels sturdy and gives the chair a modern feel
- The lumbar pillow it comes with is a nice touch and adds a lot of comfort
- The arms are nice and wide enough to rest your pump on while pumping
Cons:
- There should be separate adjusters for the recliner and the footrest so you have more options
- The chair would be so much better with a 360-degree swivel feature
- The fabric fit was loose and wrinkly on the arm rests, and some reviews online said that the armrests were damaged when the chair arrived
- The plug-in situation isn’t the best for crawling babies unless the chair is truly tucked away in a corner with an outlet
Specs:
- Colors Available: Grey, Beach, and Cream
- Materials: Greenguard gold-certified LiveSmart performance fabric made from least 45 recycled plastic bottles and at least 30% REPREVE recycled polyester yarn. FSC-certified wood
- Warranty Policies: One-year warranty that covers replacement or repairs from damage that’s the result of a manufacturing defect. Nontransferrable from the original owner
- Assembly Needed: The back needs to be slid on
Tester: Marissa G. Muller, contributor
How was the delivery and setup? The box gets dropped off right at your door but not inside. It’s definitely a two-person job to carry it in, and, most likely, you’ll have to turn the base on its side to fit it through the door. The chair isn’t packaged in water-repellant material, so you don’t want it delivered on a rainy day. Once you do get it inside, setup is quite easy. The back of the chair slides right on in a minute, and one person can do it alone.
Why did you choose this chair? The chair has all of the features of a traditional power recliner but with an updated look. The curves, fleecelike fabric, and the round wood base give it a modern feel, and the easy reclining and USB ports to charge your devices make it easy to sink into it for hours—whether you’re nap-trapped or just want a cozy place to sit and rest.
Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? The quality matches the price tag on this chair, so it does feel like it will outlast the nursing stage and toddler stage. Once your child outgrows it, you might even want to keep it in your own room.
Pros:
- The chair is super comfortable, and the deep seat and padding on the back feel luxurious
- Using the recliner won’t wake up your baby because the process is virtually silent
- The rocking and the swivel are super smooth
- The arms are low, which means that when you’re fully reclined you don’t feel like your shoulders are up to your ears like they can be in other nursing chairs
Cons:
- If you’re tall, your head might hang off the top of the headrest. When you’re reclined, you can scoot down and fit your whole head on it, but in a seated position it’s not the best chair for a tall person
- The arms are also really low in a seated position, which means they don’t support a nursing pillow very well
Specs:
- Colors Available: Chantilly Sherpa
- Materials: Greenguard gold-certified Sherpa fabric, FSC-certified wood
- Warranty Policies: One year warranty that covers replacement or repairs from damage that’s the result of a manufacturing defect. Nontransferrable from the original owner.
- Assembly Needed: The back seat needs to be slid onto the base. No tools required
For a living-room-worthy design
Tester: Pujah Shah, global director of audience development, analytics, and social
How was the delivery and setup? Easy and convenient. The chair came assembled, but it is very heavy. I would recommend asking the delivery team to bring it to the actual room and floor it needs to be on.
Why did you choose this chair? This is by far the chicest chair that I’ve ever had the pleasure of sitting on. I initially chose this chair because of its gorgeous, contemporary design, but it has quickly won the hearts of visitors by being the preferred seat for many.
Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? I can definitely see this piece being with us for a very long time. It has been a beautiful addition to our family room, where I love to curl up with our newborn and sneak in those early morning and late night cuddles. I absolutely adore this chair.
Pros:
- Chic appearance and sleek design
- High-quality fabric
Cons:
- The Nomad Snow colorway is gorgeous, but will not be the easiest to keep clean and fresh with kids!
Specs:
- Colors Available: Nomad Snow, Wiley Flax, Wiley Denim, Wiley Earth, Wiley Eucalyptus, Wiley Parchment, Wiley Sienna, Wiley Slate, Wiley Snow
- Materials: Crypton Home Performance Fabric
- Warranty Policies: Limited warranty
- Assembly Needed: No
