7 Best Nursery Glider Reviews with Buying Guide for 2024

Babies have their warmest moments in the rocking chair or glider and in the lap of their moms, which is the coziest and safest place for a baby. The perfect bonding experience for them is when their mother reads them bedtime stories in the rocking chair. A little motion puts babies to sleep easily.

Rocking chairs and gliders have the same principle, these are the chairs that move back and forth! But future moms search for the best nursery glider often instead of a rocking chair, and there’s a reason for that. Rockers are highly prone to trapping your toes. And when they do, it’s like a Nagasaki inside that toe bone.

Gliders don’t do that. So, if you chose to go for gliders for your baby’s nursery, this review is for you!

What to Look Before Buying the Right Nursery Glider?

Picking the perfect glider for you can be such a hassle. There are so many fantastic chairs on the market that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But don’t worry, here’s a list of stuff you need to look into in a nursery glider next time you’re shopping for furniture.

Design

A nursery is a perfect place for the kids to grow in. This is a safe haven for the kids to stroll in. A glider is a quintessential part of a nursery because this is where the newborns bond with their parents over a bedtime story.

The glider needs to sit well with the theme of the nursery. If you have multiple color options, you’re lucky because then you can pick a color that best matches the interior of the room. A glider with an elegant design can sit well with any background and interior color.

Cushion 

This is tricky because all the cushions seem rough and perky at first. But how you use them will decide how long they’ll last. I’ve seen many folks complain that they need to refill the foams or replace the cushions frequently, but when I looked at their lifestyle, often they used their chair every single day.

The chair won’t last long if you use it too much; sooner or later, they’re bound to wear. So if you’re looking for a cushion for rough usage, you should start by looking at the reviews. Negative reviews about the cushions wearing off don’t necessarily mean they’re bad, but probably they can’t withstand rough usage.

Related article about cushion: Replacing nursery glider cushion and  Recovering nursery glider cushion. 

Head and Back Support

After a long day, nothing’s more relaxing than sitting in your glider with your kid on your lap and slowly rocking him to sleep. It’s so relaxing that it invites all the tiredness and makes you sleep as well. That’s why a glider with decent back support is necessary, so you don’t wake up with a sore neck.

But gliders are so welcoming to short people because pretty much any size of back support is enough for them. It’s the giant people that have to suffer the most. This is why you need to personally go to the furniture store and try out the chairs to ensure you have enough strong support for your back.

Wood

This will decide how long the glider will last. The glider itself is not a complicated contraption, but the frame is its key part. It’s what makes the chair strong and sturdy. When you’re sitting on the chair with your newborn child on your lap, the last thing you want is the chair to give up, leaving you on your head.

This may be even more dangerous for your kid. So, make sure the frame has premium quality wood to ensure the best support. You might want to search for the strongest chair out there that can carry both you and your child.

Cleaning

Just like a glider completes a nursery, a dirty glider will completely ruin it. The worst part about owning furniture is cleaning it. If you don’t want to go through the trauma of dusting the junction of the sofa again, you have to go for a glider that comes with a removable seat cushion.

That part somehow catches the most dust. It’s imperative to clean them regularly. But that’s not the worst a chair has to see. The fabric has to be strong enough to withstand a toddler’s death grip. You’re going to have to clean up puke or poop often; make sure the fabric releases stain easily.

Still, having a hard time cleaning the nursery glider cushion? Why don’t you check the tips on how to clean the nursery glider cushion a bit?

Glider Vs Swivelling Chair

This one solely depends on personal preferences. A glider is a kind of rocker. The only difference is that their movement is only restricted to forward and backward. They’re really relaxing, especially when they’re combined with an ottoman.

Swiveling chairs often do not have an ottoman, but besides going back and forth, they can also take 360 degrees turn. Kids particularly love going round and round.

Ottoman

Sometimes people underestimate their value. They’re not mere tools. You’ll instantly know their significance as you lift your baby to put it down on its crib after rocking it for an hour. If you don’t want your legs to go numb for minutes, you should definitely get a glider that comes with an ottoman to rest your legs.

But you also need to worry about their height too. If they erect too low or too high, it’ll do more harm than good. The ottoman has a soft cushion, so you can rest your legs on it. And of course, the color of the ottoman has to match. Otherwise, it’ll just not look good.

Material Safety

It’s a no-brainer really. Toddlers and newborns bite on anything. Therefore, if there’s anything in the nursery that’s made with toxic chemicals, you should get rid of it. The same goes for gliders. The material of the fabric, the foam, all of it needs to be non-toxic.

Types of Nursery Chairs

These are the basic types of nursery chairs.

Recliner Chair

You can see them in airlines or cars. They can be distinguished by their signature reclining back that can be slid back if you need to sleep. Of course, there’s support on the back of the legs, which also lift up when you slide the head support back. This completes the bed-like appearance of the chair.

In the nursery, it’s similar. The only difference is, the seat is a bit lower. Recliners gained popularity because most of the parents doze off while reading their babies’ bedtime stories. So, if you own a recliner, you can just slide the support backward and turn it into a bed.

Gliding Nursery Chair

Now, let’s talk about the chair this article is about. Gliding nursery chairs have gliding panes on the bottom instead of chair foot. They’re kind of like the panes rocking chairs have but a bit more complex. Because of the structure, the gliders are allowed to move only back and forth, not the full-arc-like rocking chairs.

There’s another type of glider named the swiveling chair. Instead of sliding panes, it has a wheel or a circular structure that it stands on. This lets it rotate a full 360 degrees. It can still move back and forth but not as vigorously as normal gliders.

Gliders are normally accompanied by ottomans, which basically work like the leg part of the recliners. Unlike them, the ottoman is a separate part that can be used as a stool also. But it’s used to rest the legs and, thus, complete the glider.

Rocking Nursery Chair

This is the most common type of nursery chair you can see. They’re low-budget, simple wooden chairs. Instead of legs, there are wooden slides on the bottom. Also, these are arched to give the chair a rocking or swinging motion. When they reach their full amplitude, the motion gains the best speed.

If you push it even further, there’s a risk of flipping over with the chair. That’s why it’s imperative to keep the rocking slow and at a minimum. You should also keep watch if the kids get on it to avoid accidents.

It’s also smart to keep your feet on the blade because if your foot gets stuck under the planks, it can lead to serious injuries. This is one of the reasons people prefer gliders over rockers.

7 Best Nursery Glider Reviews

Gliders are in fashion now. They’re elegant, and there’s no chance for accidents. I came up with a list of 7 of the finest gliders on the market currently. So, dive in.

1. Angel Line Windsor Glider and Ottoman Set

Angel Line Glider promises to complete a fashionable nursery. Being made with all imported parts, this guy will last all the childhood of your precious little angel and house all the memories!

The first thing you’ll notice is how big and spacious it is. Angel Line Glider can carry you and your baby while it’s on your lap. Its cushions are extra soft and comfortable. There are pads in the arms too. So, this guy takes the comfort game to the next level.

Since Angel Line Glider comes with storage pockets, you can keep stuff in them. You don’t have to leave the chair and risk waking up your child.

This guy can support both you and your child’s weight without breaking a sweat. The frame is made from solid and strong wood. But this build-up does not hinder the chair’s rocking movement as the sliding parts have metal bearings to ensure smooth sliding.

Normally the covers of the cushion have to endure a lot of strain and pull, and so the fabric has to be strong. Angel line used polyester to make the cushion cover. It won’t give up and tear easily. Moreover, the cushions are easy to remove. So, you don’t have to worry about cleaning the tricky spots of the chair!

Pros

• All polyester cushion fabric
• Big slide with a lot of space
• A strong and sturdy chair
• Easy to dust and clean

Cons

• Snaps are a bit tough to fasten

2. StorkCraft Hoop Glider and Ottoman Cushions

Here we have a stylish piece of furniture that can fit in any nursery! Enter StorkCraft Hoop Glider. Not only does this complete the playful and jolly theme of a kid’s room, but it also comes in multiple colors, so you have more options to choose from to match the interior of the room.

Even tiny movements wake babies up, and then the crying starts. If you want to get snacks or drinks or storybooks without having to move, then you can keep them in the storage pockets. There are large pockets on each padded arm so that you never run out of snacks or reading materials.

There are soft cushions on the seat, arms, back support, and on the ottoman, and these are really comfortable. This chair is spacious, so you won’t have to worry about enough space for you and your baby.

The chair is designed to ensure maximum comfort and a fun experience every time you sit on it. There are metal ball bearings on the slide, which makes movement easy and smooth. This chair doesn’t come preassembled, so you have to do the hard work yourself. But it’s easy to put together and worth it.

But wait, there’s more! The cushion covers are made of durable polyester. You can clean the spots left by baby pukes, colors, etc. easily.

Pros

• Spacious storage pockets in the arms
• Easy sliding and rocking movement
• Elegant style with multiple base color options
• Strong and easy to clean cushion cover

Cons

• Needs to be assembled

3. Graco Parker Semi-Upholstered Nursery Glider

Babies don’t sleep in a snap. Sometimes it takes hours of rocking constantly and multiple sacrifices to the sleep-god. Keeping your baby up on your lap for that long time will hinder the blood flow to the legs rendering it numb. You need an ottoman to rest your legs, and Graco Parker Glider has come up with the best one!

The ottoman has a really soft and comfy pad on its crown for you to rest its legs. But if you prefer to rest it at a lower level, you also have that option. This ottoman has a pull-out nursing stool to rest your legs, and you can fold it back in when you don’t need it to reduce its footprint.

That’s not all, the ottoman is designed to mimic the smooth rocking movement of the chair! Speaking of the chair, it has metal balls housed in solid metal cases to ensure maximum smoothness when you’re on it with your baby. It’s a spacious and durable chair that can take the weight of both you and your baby.

Normally cushion covers have to endure a lot of punishment. Babies pull it, puke on it, color it, and it gets dirty quickly. But don’t worry, Graco Parker Glider has cushion covers made from polyester fabric that’s strong and easy to clean. You don’t need to work much to remove the stain and spots.

Pros

• Synchronized movement of chair and ottoman
• Easy clean and strong cushion apparel
• Strong and durable ottoman and chair
• Easy and smooth sliding movement

Cons

• Complicated assembly of the chair

4. DaVinci Olive Upholstered Swivel Glider

If you don’t like to go through the trouble of assembling the glider, this one is for you. DaVinci Swivel Glider was made for the parent and the baby. The first thing you’ll notice is the wheel beneath. That allows it to swivel 360 degrees and move back and forth, so that’s a bonus over normal gliders. 

Raising a baby is tough work. How many times have you fallen asleep with your baby on your lap and woke up with a pain in the back? It happens when the back support doesn’t cover the entire back. That’s why DaVinci Swivel Glider has a high and strong back that supports your backbone completely.

That’s not all, there’s a lumbar pillow to comfort your back totally. It also comes in handy, supporting the head of the little one when it’s resting on your lap. This takes the pressure away from your arms. The chair is durable and will see your kid grow into a toddler without missing any of its parts!

DaVinci Swivel Glider has received a GREENGUARD Gold Certification, and it improves the air quality. It was tested for over 10,000 chemicals. The material is perfectly safe for kids since it’s PBDE(Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers) and formaldehyde-free.

Pros

• 360 degrees swivel along with gliding movement
• A long and sturdy back support
• Doesn’t need to be assembled
• Made with non-toxic and safe materials

Cons

• It’s bulky and difficult to carry

Note: We have a list of best swivel chair for your, to know more check it out. 

5. Naomi Home Brisbane Nursery Glider and Ottoman Set

One for the coffee lovers! Naomi Glider and Ottoman Set will immediately win you over with its coffee color and a mesmerizing espresso finish! The ottoman that comes with it also has matching colors. This is an elegant piece of furniture that’ll captivate anyone who walks into your kid’s room.

This is one solidly build a piece of furniture, let me tell you. The frame has to be strong to be durable to last a long time. Naomi Glider and Ottoman Set are built from the finest quality wood that ensures durability. For smooth movement and rocking, this guy has ball bearings that are restricted in their spots.

Naomi Glider Set is one of the most comfortable chairs on the market! The cushions on the seat, headrest, arms, and on the ottoman is soft and comfortable. There are big pockets on the arms for you to stuff books, essentials toys, etc. So, when you need them, they’ll be at an arms reach!

It’s made from polyester fabric and polyurethane foam, all of which are safe for your child. These are also easy to clean materials, so the stains on the couch come off easily without any hassle. This is a glider that appeals to the parents, people who work from home, and senior citizens! So, you can be sure of its quality.

Pros

• Made from premium quality wood
• Materials are safe for the babies
• Elegant design and smooth finish
• Easy to put together

Cons

• Has a small head-support
• The cushions are not made for everyday usage

6. Delta Children Blair Slim Nursery Glider Swivel Rocker

I love black, and charcoal is one of the most graceful finishes you can give to furniture. Delta Glider Swivel Rocker Chair comes in an elegant charcoal finish that’ll complete the look in any child room. But you have other color choices like taupe and white. So, you can pick a color that suits your interior best.

Their color choice is bold, I must say. Because all of them have a reputation for getting dirty too easily. The stains are quickly noticeable. But don’t worry, the fabric is easy to clean. Just mild soap is enough to take care of that nasty stain. You can remove the seat cushion too for easy dusting.

Delta Glider Swivel Rocker Chair is made from the most durable materials, and that’s why it lasts long. The strong wooden frame makes it stable when you’re rotating it non-stop. This chair is perfectly silent and doesn’t squeak because of the solid way it’s built.

The thicker the cushion, the comfier the chair! Delta Glider Swivel Rocker Chair has a thick and soft cushion in its seat, arm piece, and headrest, so it’s super comfortable. It’s a compact chair that has one of the smallest footprints on the market so that you can use the space of the room most efficiently.

Pros

• Three elegant color choices
• A strong and durable chair
• Can be cleaned easily
• Thick and compact cushions

Cons

• It’s a chair for short people
• Doesn’t come with an ottoman

7. CostzonNursery Baby Glider and Ottoman Set

Costzon Glider and Ottoman Set are made from an ingenious combination of rubberwood and bentwood to get the maximum strength and sturdiness. The trapped ball-bearings make the chair mobile and smooth.

This is a chair worthy of the name. Costzon Glider supports the arms and back, balances the buttocks perfectly to give you maximum comfort. The ottoman is there for your legs. It relaxes the knees, feet, and leg bones. You can bet that this chair will give you a relaxing experience every time you sit on it.

Thick cushions are really comfortable because of their elasticity. They indeed are strong and don’t stay deformed for long. The cushions must always remain perky so that they can best support your waist and body. These cushions can also be detached in case you need to clean what’s underneath.

A chair as amazing as this can fit into any room. Why should only the parents have so much fun? Readers, bosses, even dads coming home after a hectic day can relax and watch TV, or read books, or work in this chair. It’s a perfect addition for the bedroom, nursery, living room, etc.

And of course, like most chairs on our list, this glider also has large spacious pockets on both sides, so you can keep stuff in it, keeping them at an arms reach. Having features this impressive, Costzon Glider can very well take home the title of best quality nursery glider.

Pros

• A long back support
• Thick and elastic cushion
• Big and spacious frame
• Fits in any room

Cons

• Some complained that the ottoman is too low

Advantages of Using Nursery Glider

Nursery gliders aren’t just some piece of furniture; a lot of things depend on it. These are just some of the many reasons you absolutely need a glider in your kid’s nursery room.

Relaxes the Baby down

Maternity isn’t easy, and a crying baby makes it even harder. When the baby starts screaming, you’ll do everything in your power to settle it down. Often motion works. Having a nursery glider really helps since the back, and forth motion calms the baby down.

Bonding Opportunity

Babies spend some of the best moments of their lives in the glider chair, bonding with their parents. Leaving the warmth of the womb on this cold earth isn’t easy. No wonder why they cry a lot! But cuddling the baby, introducing your soft voice will calm it down.

These are necessary for ensuring the proper mental and physical growth of the baby. Taking care of its needs and attending to it lets you develop a bond that’ll last a lifetime.

Eases the Backbone

Hosting a baby for nine months takes a serious toll on your body. Many women also gain weight during this time, which further adds stress to the backbone. Even after the baby is born, you can’t frequently lean forward all the time for breastfeeding or reading its stories.

That’s why a sliding chair should be bought during the months of pregnancy. It’s a chair a future mother can sit on and rest her body, and thus, relieve the stress from her backbone. This is absolutely necessary for her health and to prevent future complications.

Releasing Stress

It’s important not to forget mental health as well. While pregnancy is definitely stressful, the real test of patience begins after the baby is born. The sleepless nights, all the crying can keep your blood pressure elevated all the time. But a time with your baby on your lap on the glider can melt that stress away like butter.

Increased Milk Production

The first few moments are a bit tough. Stress definitely doesn’t help when your baby is not getting enough milk. Research has proven that a little bit of motion can elevate milk production.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got some questions? We have a list of FAQs for you to check out.

Do I really need a glider for nursery?

It’s not a necessity to have a glider, but it’ll make your life a whole lot easier. The rocking motion is enough to calm down both the baby and the mother. Having a nursery glider has physical benefits, too, like supporting your backbone and eliminating back pain. These are just on top of my head.

How much space do you need for a glider?

The average footprint of a glider chair can be 25*25 square inches, but it can be more or less based on your requirement. If you’re not short, you shouldn’t compromise on size. Keep in mind, the glider is usually accompanied by an ottoman, which you also have to make space for.

How long do you use glider in the nursery?

If you can take care of any furniture, there’s no reason why it won’t last long. Now, if you use the chair every day, it won’t last long. You can get the best wood, and all the mileage you’re gonna get is 5/6 years if you use it every day, which isn’t bad. The longevity of the chair depends on how much you use it.

What is a swivel glider chair?

You can say it’s a subtype of the glider chair we all grew up watching. Besides the back and forth motion, you’re also getting a rotating movement from the chair. The foot of the swiveling chair is not like the gliding chair. Its circular foot also helps with rotation. So, you’re getting more from a swiveling chair.

Is a glider or rocker better for nursery?

The real question is, how much are you willing to spend? Rocking chairs will cost lesser than gliders in most cases. But if for some reason you get your foot underneath the arc plank, this can lead to some serious injuries. That’s why I prefer gliders over rocking chairs any day.

What is the most comfortable rocking chair?

Rocking chairs are comfortable too. There are some premium quality rocking chairs on the market. If you talk about comfort, the name Amazon space, Best Choice, GCI, etc. will pop up. These guys make some of the toughest, strongest, and most comfortable lawn chairs and rockers that you can find currently.

Does a glider recliner rock?

The basic difference is in motion. Yes, you can say the gliders are a type of rocking chair, but rocking chairs can get a swinging motion when they gain more energy. At the same time, gliders are only allowed to move back and forth in a linear pathway. I wouldn’t call that rocking.

Conclusion

This article is solely focused on helping you find the perfect glider you can get. There are several things you need to consider before buying it. But the most important part of choosing a glider is first deciding what you need to have in your perfect chair.

It’s out there somewhere, and the only way you can find it is by knowing what you need. You’ll be doing both you and your child a favor if you can find the best nursery glider.

Last update on 2024-12-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API