Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best electric baby bedside cribs

Apr. 29, 2024

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The 6 Best Bassinets and Bedside Sleepers of 2024

Few things are more important to new parents than their baby’s sleep.

You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.

For newborns to 6-month-olds, the best place for that sleep is in a safety-certified bassinet, crib, or play yard in their parents’ room, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Of those options, a bassinet or a co-sleeper (a bassinet with a drop-down side, for positioning next to an adult bed) is often the most appealing choice, due to the compact, portable size and shallow sleep area (which makes it easy to lift out a just-awakened baby).

Best co-sleeping cots and bedside cribs ... - MadeForMums

Best bedside cribs and co-sleepers at a glance

Best bedside crib with an easy drop-down side: Chicco Next2Me Magic, £189
Best bedside crib with a removable bassinet: SnuzPod 4 Bedside Crib, £199.95
Best bedside crib for smooth rocking: Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib, £225
Best bedside crib for longevity: Shnuggle Air Bedside Crib, £180
Best bedside crib for extra storage: Maxi-Cosie Iora Bedside Sleeper, £149
Best bedside crib for one-handed operation: Joie Roomie GO, £180
Best value bedside crib: Red Kite Cozysleep Bedside Crib, £84.99
Best bedside crib with 360° swivel: Halo BassiNest Premiere Swivel Sleeper, £248.29

There are a wide range of options, so at MadeForMums we’ve analysed the bedside crib market closely to bring you the very best choices. We’ve used feedback from our expert journalist reviewers and parent testers, combined with results from in-house MadeForMums testing, which looked at key features such as breathability, mattress firmness, ease of building as well as functionality.

For each bedside crib we’ve listed the key technical features to help you compare across brands and models so you can find the best design to suit your needs.

If your baby is struggling to sleep through the night, take a look at our best sleep aids and white noise machines, best nightlights and best baby swaddles.

What is the new safety standard for bedside cribs?

All new bedside cribs manufactured since November 2020 have to meet a new safety standard (with the catchy name BS EN 1130:2019) that introduced new and more rigorous safety requirements for bedside cribs. However, you may find some older versions of cribs are still on sale that only match the previous safety standard. Slowly these will disappear from stores and the only ones available will meet the new standard.

The most significant new requirement for BS EN 1130:2019 is for a 120mm high barrier to be present around the sides of the crib, to ensure your baby is not able to roll off their own mattress onto yours. This means that new bedside cribs can no longer have complete drop-down sides – many now have 'half-height' walls instead.

This allows your baby to be positioned next to you with the crib lined up to your bed, but their mattress will be sunk a little lower, providing more of a protective barrier. All the cribs featured in our list comply with these new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements.

What to look for when buying a bedside crib

Will it work with your bed? – Certain bed frames can be trickier to use with a bedside crib. For example, if you have a divan bed you will need longer straps, and may not be able to tuck the legs of the crib underneath the bed and may need to look for a model that has foldable legs or works with your bed style.

Height of your bed – Most bedside cribs have adjustable heights to give you an almost perfect fit on most bed frames, but if your bed is particularly low or high, do check the measurements. Also check the size of the crib and whether it will fit next to your bed while allowing you to get in and out easily and safely. This is particularly important for those first few days and weeks after giving birth when your body is still recovering.

Mattress – The mattress needs to be firm, flat and breathable – this is a key safety feature. Don’t be tempted by a super soft mattress – your baby will sleep deeply and most importantly safely on a firm mattress.

Drop-down side – How easy is it to remove the side? Can you do it with one hand? As you may be doing this in the middle of the night, are there lots of noisy zips and clips? Can it safely be left down while you sleep? Do check this as the rules differ depending on the product.

How easy is it to assemble – Are there lots of parts to screw together? Will you need 2 people to build it? We’ve tested how easy different bedside cribs are to build in our reviews.

How easy is it to keep clean – Does the mattress have a waterproof cover to protect from leaky nappies, baby sick and dribbles? Is the fabric machine washable or will you have to hand wash it?

Portability – Is the crib light enough to move around your house? If you want to take it away with you does it crib fold flat and/or come with a storage bag?

Extra features – Does it rock (useful for fussy sleepers), tilt (remember to use tilting with care), detach to become a moses basket or turn into an older baby cot or playpen? These extra features may not be necessary, but they could be useful.

How to do the baby mattress firmness test

Press your hand on the centre and the sides of the mattress
A firm mattress shouldn’t mould to the shape of your hand and you’ll feel resistance – it will obviously move beneath the pressure but your hand shouldn’t sink in
When you remove your hand, the mattress should snap back and regain its shape

For more safety information we've also covered breathability, bedding and how to use the tilting function here.

What are the benefits of using a bedside crib?

Safe sleep charity The Lullaby Trust, advises that the safest place for your baby to sleep is on their own sleep surface, in the same room as you, for at least the first 6 months. Bedside cribs allow you to have your baby sleeping right next to you at night, but in the safety of their own crib. This means you can still be close to your baby without bed-sharing, which carries a risk of suffocation and overheating.

Bedside cribs enable you to lean over and easily pick up your baby when feeding at night. This is especially useful if you’ve had a difficult birth or a c-section and find getting out of bed painful. You can also easily comfort your baby if they are fussing and have a good view of them while they are sleeping.

From a practical perspective, bedside cribs are smaller and more compact than most cots, which means they take up less space in your bedroom than a full-sized cot or cotbed.

Do I need a bedside crib for my baby?

You don’t have to buy a bedside crib. It's completely safe to put a baby in a regular cot from birth. But they’re a great option if you want your baby as close to you as possible at night, and for saving space. The downside is that most of these cribs only last up to 6 months and you’ll then need to move your baby into a full-sized cot or cotbed. A moses basket is a more economical option, but these can last even less time, and do not have the added features of a bedside crib such as a drop-down side, tilt, or multiple heights.

How much does a bedside crib cost?

It is possible to buy budget bedside cribs for under £100 but the majority we have reviewed are between £150-£300. Certain features, such as a rocking function or one-handed drop down side, tend to push the price up slightly.

How did we choose these bedside cribs?

Our 10 of the Best lists are compiled by qualified and experienced parenting journalists. They rely on a number of sources, including our independent reviews, testing undertaken during the MadeForMums Awards, and feedback from our home testing panel and Top Testers Club. Each year thousands of products are put through their paces by hundreds of parents across the country on behalf of MadeForMums, to ensure we’re bringing you honest and true reviews and recommendations.

When testing bedside cribs, we consider size, ease of build and fitting, mattress quality and breathability, ease and safety of the drop-down side mechanism and other features, comfort for baby, design and quality, and whether it's worth the money.

Our list is not an ordered ranking from 1-10, instead it is a carefully selected group of tried-and-tested products, each of which we believe is best for a different situation or requirement. We don’t just tell you what is best, we help you discover what is best for your family.

Here are our top 10 bedside cribs for 2024

1. Chicco Next2Me Magic, £189

– Best for easy drop-down side

The Chicco Next2Me Magic is the latest update to the original Next2Me side-sleeping crib, which has won fans for its versatility. It can be used from birth as a bedside co-sleeper, as a standalone crib or possibly as a travel cot, but at over 13kg it's not a light carry.

It is slightly more expensive than some other models, but standout features include a really easy drop-side that can be operated with one hand, 11 height levels, a lockable rocking function, 4 tilt options to help reduce reflux, and wheels to make it easy to move around your home.

A large sleeping area means more room for a bigger baby, plus a travel bag is included.

MFM tester Lucy said, “I found the Chicco Next2Me Magic a breeze to move around and set up, but also substantial and sturdy. The clever one-handed drop-down mechanism on the side panel can be used while holding your baby in your arms, which is brilliant.

"I've even used the Chicco in my kitchen for safe day naps when I need to be more focused on my older child.”

Pros: Firm and breathable mattress, retractable legs to fit any bed, quiet side zip, easy to transport
Cons: Tricky to initially assemble, mattress cover is hand wash only

Read our full MadeForMums Chicco Next2Me Magic bedside crib review

Available from: John Lewis and Mamas & Papas

2. SnuzPod 4 Bedside Crib, £199.95

– Best for removable bassinet

The latest iteration of Snuz's much-loved bedside crib, the Snuzpod4 features a new breathable system (called ComfortAir) that aids the flow of air around the crib and your baby. It offers more side vents, breathable mesh liner and mattress, plus a ventilated base.

But the key thing that we're delighted to see is that the Snuzpod4 has a firmer mattress than previous versions – as well as good breathability. Plus Snuz claims that the SnuzPod4 fits more bed heights than any rival, as it will now work with beds up to a maximum adult mattress height of 73cm. It's also designed to be compatible with a range of bed types – divan, ottoman and framed bed bases.

Made from sustainably sourced beech solid wood, the Snuzpod4 looks good. MFM mum home tester Mehack commented on "how stylish and contemporary the design is," praising how it "fits perfectly with the room decor".

We love its versatility – the two-part design includes a lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the house so you have a portable safe sleeping space for your baby, whichever room you're in. The bassinet also has a manual rocking function, as does the crib and the bassinet. There's an optional riser that can be added to create a slight incline to help babies with reflux, but for safety reasons, when the cot is tilted this stops the rocking function from working.

Pros: Stylish, removable bassinet, great storage
Cons: Can be difficult to put together

Read our full MadeForMums SnuzPod 4 bedside crib review

Available from: Snuz, Samuel Johnston and Amazon

3. Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib, £225

– Best for smooth rocking

While it is at the more expensive end of the market, what makes the CoZee Air stand out from the competition is its smooth rocking function. It comes with easy-to-remove caster wheels that you can switch with rocking bars, which easily attach to the legs of the crib. As a safety feature, the CoZee can also only be rocked when it is set up as a standalone crib – when used as a bedside crib, it has flip-out feet that prevent it from doing so. “The rocking feature is fantastic and really helped me to settle my baby when she was overtired and fussing,” said MFM tester Tara.

MFM testers also rated the crib highly for its portability – it is ideal as a travel cot, as despite its large size, it is compact when folded. A 30-second open-fold mechanism allows for a quick set up and it comes with a travel bag for easy transportation.

While the multiple mesh windows are great for breathability and being able to see your little one, there's a curtain attached to one side of the crib that you can roll down to protect your baby from draughts during colder months. This still leaves one mesh side open to allow for plenty of air flow.

When it comes to cleaning, the fabric lining can be removed and put in the washing machine, while the foam mattress can be machine washed if necessary. We also like the addition of a storage shelf that is useful for holding essentials such as baby wipes, nappies, clothes and muslins.

Pros: Smooth rocking, quick to collapse down, storage shelf
Cons: Higher price point

Read our full MadeForMums Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib review

Available from: Boots, Kiddies Kingdom and Tutti Bambini

With competitive price and timely delivery, Tacviw sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

4. Shnuggle Air Bedside crib, £180

– Best for longevity

While most bedside cribs on the market are only suitable for babies up to 6 months old, the Shnuggle Air stands out by offering 3 products in 1. It can be used as a standalone cot or bedside sleeper and then it transforms after 6 months into a full-sized cot when you buy the additional conversion kit (£109.95) and cot mattress (£50), which will last your child up until around 2 years old. This makes it a great long-term investment.

MFM judges and testers were particularly impressed with the firmness of its hypo-allergenic airflow mattress. This crib has dual-view mesh sides, giving it maximum breathability; this also means you can easily see your baby when both sides are up. This was also a feature that stood out to MFM reviewer Tara, who used it with her 6-month-old daughter Elodie. She said, “Elodie slept very soundly and she loved being able to see through the mesh sides.”

The drop-down sides are easily removed for nighttime access by releasing the safety catch on the top bar and undoing the zips. However, during the awards testing, it was noted that the safety catch makes a loud click. This was echoed by a MFM user reviewer who said: “The side makes a noise when you click it back in and that can wake up baby!” Unlike most of the others on this list, the side of the Shnuggle Air cannot be left down during sleep, it's simply there for access.

The Shnuggle Air is relatively heavy at 13.4kg, and doesn't have wheels, so it's not easy to move around your home. “I’d say once the Shnuggle Air is set up, it’s staying put,” Tara added.

Pros: Long-lasting, highly breathable, spacious
Cons: Not easily portable, side is noisy when released, hand wash only

Read our full MadeForMums Shnuggle Air Bedside Crib review

Available from: Amazon, John Lewis and Shnuggle

5. Maxi-Cosi Iora bedside sleeper, £149

– Best for extra storage

With its choice of muted colours, sleek design and quality materials, the Maxi-Cosi Iora is sure to fit in with most room schemes. The large storage basket at the bottom of the crib is great for parents who are short on space as it can easily hold numerous blankets, baby sleeping bags, nappies, wipes and spare clothes.

The Iora’s easy-to-adjust height (5 positions in total) and slide function (2 positions in total) also means it can fit snugly against most types of bed when used with the straps. “Our iron-frame bed is somewhat lower than average,” said MFM reviewer Georgina. “But the Iora also sat in the correct position with our mattress.”

One feature that our reviewer Georgina particularly liked was that when the side is down, there is a 7-inch (18cm) barrier to stop your baby rolling out. She said: “The Iora allowed me to sleep as close to my daughter as possible, but I was also safe in the knowledge that she was in her own sleeping area and I wasn't going to squash her!”

This crib is extremely straightforward to assemble (one of the quickest during MFM testing) and MFM reviewer Georgina managed to put it together speedily without using the instructions. She explained: “It was obvious which pieces go together, simple to build and had neat zips to keep everything in place.” A handy bag also means it can easily be used as a travel cot, especially as it folds down flat. Keep in mind that Georgina did find the outer fabric was prone to creasing when unpacked from the travel bag.

Pros: Extra storage, easy height and slide adjustments, portable, smart appearance
Cons: Mattress cover hand wash only, outer fabric prone to creasing, not as many height options as other cribs, only mesh on one side

Read our full MadeForMums Maxi-Cosi Iora review

Available from: Samuel Johnston, John Lewis and Amazon

6. Joie Roomie GO, £180

– Best for one-handed operation

Awarded Gold in Best Bedside/Co-Sleeper Crib, MadeForMums Awards 2023, the Joie Roomie Go packs in a lot of features for its mid-range price. Offering mesh windows on both sides, providing plenty of ventilation as well as making it easy to keep an eye on your baby, the stylish crib is available in a choice of chic grey or classic black. Our MFM home testers were impressed with the Roomie Go’s aesthetic, with one commenting, “It looks great, is made with good quality material and will look stylish in any room.”

The one-handed drop-down panels on both sides of the crib mean you can easily switch which side of the bed you attach it to. You should be able to simply click the handle to lift and lower, although one of our home testers commented that the first couple of times they attempted this the mechanism was a little sticky.

Its simple, compact fold means you can pack the crib away in less than a minute and take it with you in the travel bag included, for holidays or trips to the grandparents’.

The Joie Roomie Go is also on (lockable) wheels so you can move it around the home during the daytime. It has a tummy tilt for reflux/colic, and there are 5 height adjustments to fit most beds. Praised across the board by our MFM home testers for its comfy mattress and ease of assembly, it’s a great all-rounder both when at home and away.

Pros: One-handed operation, tilt function for reflux, comfortable for baby, drop-down panels on both sides, travel bag included
Cons: No storage, not as many height options as other cribs

Available from: John Lewis, Joie and Argos

7. Red Kite Cozysleep Crib, £84.99

– Best for value

Coming in at just under £85 the Red Kite Cozysleep crib offers really fantastic value. However, the great price doesn't mean there's a compromise on features or style. “It’s a well-made product that looks modern and would easily suit all bedrooms,” said MFM home tester Kiran, who appreciated the simple, yet contemporary look.

The crib has a drop-down side, 7 adjustable height positions, a tilt function (great for helping with reflux) and a handy storage shelf for things like nappies and wipes. It's on wheels, so it can be moved around the room or away from the bed with ease, and it also folds down to a more compact size for travel. There’s even a handy storage bag included, which our testers felt helps you to get even more use out of the Cozysleep as a travel cot.

One feature that really impressed our home testers was the quality of the soft, quilted mattress, with one MFM home tester commenting, “The mattress is brilliant! I have used other makes of co-sleepers/cribs and this mattress is triple the thickness. It feels soft but firm and very comfy.”

Pros: Great value, tilt function, good quality mattress, handy storage shelf, travel bag included
Cons: Only mesh on one side

Available from: Amazon and Kiddies Kingdom

8. Halo BassiNest Premiere Swivel Sleeper, £248.29

– Best for 360° swivel

This is American brand Halo's updated version of its popular BassiNest Essentia swivel sleeper. Offering a slightly different way to sleep closely but safely with your baby, the BassiNest Premiere is a standalone crib with a central stand that slides beneath the bed, rather than fastening on to the side of the bed.

Parents can then swivel the crib 360° for easy access, with one MFM home tester pointing out this also "makes it easy to get in and out of bed without disturbing the baby". There's no drop-down side, instead the mesh side has enough give that you can push it down to reach and get your baby before it automatically returns to the upright position.

Compared to cribs with open sides that sit flush with the bed, the BassiNest is more of a hybrid product, sitting somewhere between a moses basket and a bedside crib. While the BassiNest Premiere doesn't have a rock or tilt function, it does have a built-in “soothing centre” that features an amber nightlight, floorlight, 2 vibration levels and 4 soothing sounds, all with auto shutoff. To use this function you will need 3 x AA batteries (not included).

Pros: Flexible, useful when recovering from birth, customisable height to fit most beds, built-in soothing centre
Cons: Not a true bedside crib, very heavy, need batteries to access the soothing centre functions, expensive

Available from: Halo, John Lewis and Boots

How do you use a bedside crib safely?

The most important piece of advice for safe sleeping is to lie your baby on their back to sleep. Indeed, since the Back To Sleep campaign was launched in the UK 30 years ago, cases of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) have fallen by 80%.

When using a bedside crib, you should ensure there is no gap between the adult's and baby's mattress. Your baby’s mattress should be firm and flat, and sit snugly in the crib with no gaps.

Also look for a mattress that is breathable. There's a simple test you can do for this:

Our at-home mattress breathability test

Pick up the mattress and place it close to your mouth
Breathe in and see how easy it is to breathe out with the mattress near your mouth
If it’s easier this should mean the mattress offers good ventilation

Most cribs come with a mattress as standard, but if you are given the crib by someone else or buy one second-hand you will need to buy a new mattress – even if the existing one appears to be in good condition. Second-hand mattresses may increase the risk of SIDS and are less likely to be supportive after losing their shape over time. Always use the mattress designed to fit your bedside crib – most retailers sell them separately should you need a replacement.

When it comes to a safe sleeping position, place your baby in the crib with their feet at the end of the crib – called the feet-to-foot position. This reduces the risk of their face or head slipping down under the covers if you're using a blanket.

How to use tilting and rocking features safely

Some bedside cribs offer a tilt option, which may help babies with digestive issues, colic or reflux. If you are going to tilt your baby, you must do so with great care and only at a slight angle, to avoid your baby slipping down. We recommend speaking to your GP or health visitor for advice before using the tilt function.

Tilting (and rocking) can only be used when the bedside crib is set up as a standalone crib – for safety reasons, you should not tilt or rock the crib when the side is down as there is a chance your baby could fall out.

What bedding can I use with a bedside crib?

The Lullaby Trust advises, “Firmly tucked-in sheets and blankets (not above shoulder height) or a baby sleep bag are safe for a baby to sleep in.” Make sure you buy the correct size sheets that exactly fit your mattress. You may also choose to swaddle a newborn. The Lullaby Trust does not advise for or against swaddling, but it does have some basic swaddling guidance. You must stop using a swaddle as soon as your baby learns to roll.

Not all baby sleeping bags and swaddles are created equal, so make sure the brand you buy adheres to safety standards, is the correct tog for the room temperature and season, and is the right size for your baby, so they can't slip down inside.

Don’t use any soft or bulky bedding and never use pillows, duvets, baby bumpers or baby positioners. You should also remove any soft toys from the crib before your baby sleeps.

For more information, please visit electric baby bedside cribs.