9 best bedside cribs to keep your baby close

The most recent version of Snüz’s much-loved bedside crib is a bestseller all over the world for good reason. Not only does it have a wealth of technical features which make those long nights easier (for a great price point, we hasten to add), its dedicated “ComfortAir” technology focuses on regulating baby’s temperature and maximising airflow to ensure the best possible night’s sleep for your little one.

Though it took a little longer to set up than some of the other cribs we tried, assembly is straightforward and we completed the build in about 45 minutes thanks to the clear and concise instructions that came with it. There are a whopping seven colourways to choose from – we picked “natural” which, with its Scandi-style curves and pared-back palette, make this feel like a crib that was both functional and stylish. And as it’s made from sustainably sourced beechwood, the craftsmanship is clear to see once the whole thing has been pieced together.

The quality of the mattress also went down well – it’s firm yet sumptuous, and the permeable mesh liner within the interior of the crib is breathable and can be removed and thrown in the washing machine for easy cleaning. As well as having an optional tilt function for congested or colicky babies (simply slide the incline “leg” underneath one side of the base), the bassinet sits on a rather handsome-looking rocking stand to help soothe little ones to sleep when needed.

Snüz has also cleverly enabled the bassinet to be removed, so you can use it as a portable Moses basket by day.

As the least expensive crib on our list, the Bubba & Me from highly regarded brand Ickle Bubba offers really great value for money. For the price point, there’s zero compromise on quality or features – it has everything you could want from a good bedside crib including seven height adjustments, breathable mesh panelling, a spacious storage basket for essentials, and washable fabrics. It’s also one of the more travel-friendly options, thanks to the handy carry-bag that comes with it.

Assembling this crib proved to be straightforward, and the bassinet is deep, wide, and spacious so baby has plenty of room to grow. There’s perhaps not as much padding around the bassinet itself as some of the other brands we tested, but the mattress is comfortable, firm and offers a cosy space for your little one to snooze. The drop-down panel is intuitively lowered with zips, so you won’t find yourself fumbling around in the dark too much to reach your baby come 3am. This crib slotted well next to our tester’s bed too, with a sturdy base and strong straps that clipped together easily for ultimate peace of mind.

Having partnered with The Lullaby Trust numerous times, Halo knows a thing or two about getting our little ones to sleep soundly. The BassiNest has long been a hit with parents in the US and since it’s been available in the UK, it’s been an equally popular choice with new mums, including a few celeb faces.

Firstly, it’s perfect for anyone who’s short on space. It’s compact and has a central four-prong base which slides snugly underneath the parent bed, allowing baby to be close by. It’s sturdy but it is heavy, so you might find it leaves a footprint in the carpet after six months of being there. The bassinet itself has mesh panelling all the way round, so it’s ultra-breathable and easy to see baby from the comfort of your bed. It also has a handy pocket on the side for bits and pieces. One potential downside is that while the mattress cover is machine washable, the rest of the crib is wipe-clean only.

What sets this crib apart is the 360 swivel. It couldn’t be more perfect for mothers who are recovering from a c-section. Its movement and positioning on the bed allow baby to be as close to you as possible while maintaining your own sleep bubbles. Unlike most other co-sleeping cribs, it doesn’t have an opening panel, but the patented lowering bedside wall allows you to reach in and tend to your little one easily. In essence, it’s much like a Moses basket-bedside crib hybrid.

The premiere also boasts a wealth of fancy features, including an amber nightlight, floor light, two soothing vibration levels and four sound effects (all with auto shutoff, don’t worry!) to lull baby to sleep. The white noise, we thought, was a particularly great addition and eliminates the need for any additional sleep aids.

It may have taken us a little longer than some of the other cribs to put together, but it was love at first sight when we tested the lua from ever-trusted brand Mamas & Papas – now available in a brand-new colourway.

The first thing we noted was the craftsmanship. The quality is excellent; it feels sturdy and beautifully designed. The wood finish and fawn-coloured fabric (also available in grey) feels contemporary, and the mesh panels offer breathability, while the smart storage shelf which doubles as a changing station was probably one of our favourite features. It’s touches like this which make all the difference.

Unlike most of the other designs we tested, the lua doesn’t have a typical drop-down panel. What it does have is an adjustable side with enough give to allow you to lean in and pick up baby with ease (it also has an auto-return option for safety). So rather than fastening to the side of your bed, this design is more of a standalone crib. The pros, of course, include baby being able to nap anywhere in your home as the bassinet is also removeable, but this style may not be for everyone.

The fabrics are both removeable and washable. It has six height adjustments, including a tilt option, and it’s collapsible. It’s bulkier and weightier than some of the other more travel-friendly cribs we tested, but it does come with a handy bag to keep it clean and dust-free in storage.

As huge fans of Maxi-Cosi’s original iora, we were excited to give the new iora air a spin. But with such a long-standing reputation for being an outstanding crib, could this model compete with the brand’s signature design? Well, we’re pleased to say it holds its own in every way. As well as being super straightforward to set up (one of the easiest in testing, in fact), this enhanced version of the brand’s iconic co-sleeper boasts several new upgrades, including an optional rocking motion, an extra-thick mattress, and new and improved fabrics made from recycled materials that maximise air circulation.

Much like the original, every element feels well-made, and when pieced together, the crib feels strong and durable. The bassinet is deep and spacious, and the mesh that lines it all the way round feels light and soft to touch – plus, parents will be pleased to know it can be zipped off for machine washing. The mattress is the perfect thickness, in our opinion, and feels both firm yet soft underneath baby.

Like the original, the iora air has five height adjustments which can be moved up and down at the click of a button. The straps offer a secure fit and can be neatly stowed away, while the hidden built-in wheels make it easy to move the crib from one room to another.

For its reasonable price point, this co-sleeper by Nuby has a wealth of all-singing, all-dancing features that you might expect of a crib that’s far more expensive. That includes a storage basket, soothing colour-changing night lights, lullabies, white noise, and soft vibrations to help baby get to sleep. But this crib does it all for under £200. And it rrives packed neatly in its accompanying travel-friendly bag and is super easy to assemble – we had this set up in just 15 minutes.

The crib itself is deep and spacious yet has a very cosy quality about it thanks to the stylish and plush fabrics, while the anti-reflux incline option and opening side panel is easy for even the most bleary-eyed parents to operate – just swiftly unzip as needed. The mattress wasn’t the thickest we tested, though it certainly passes the firmness test, while the mesh panelling around the sides offers breathability and makes it easy to see baby at eye-level.

That brings us to our next point; it’s certainly more than sturdy enough for use across the room as oppsoed to your bed side, and it has lockable wheels which make it easy to move from one side of the room to the other. It feels slightly heavier than some of the other travel-friendly cribs we tested but it disassembles and folds away neatly for easy storage.

Weighing in at just 11kg, the voyager co-sleeper crib from Silver Cross rated highest in terms of portability and quick fold. Our tester was able to assemble the crib in 10 minutes and despite it being large and spacious, it folds down flat, and the travel bag that comes with it makes it perfect for holidays and nights away from home.

It has most of the features that all good bedside cribs have, too – an optional reflux incline, storage shelf, and seven adjustable heights (which is more than some others, in fact). The drop-down mesh panel is easy to navigate, even when it’s dark and you’re feeling exhausted. And like some other travel-friendly brands, this design has swivel wheels which are lockable but perfect for manoeuvring the crib around the house.

We found it to sit comfortably alongside our tester’s bed, and there’s an easy-to-use harness included that’s compatible with most beds, including divans. The soft grey marl fabric feels cushioned, plush, and cosy, and parents will be overjoyed to hear that it can be zipped off for straightforward washing. The foam mattress passed our firmness test, and is wipeable and easy to clean, too.

While initially our tester was worried that the so-called XL would be much larger than Tutti Bambini’s original cozee – and therefore too big for their bedroom – this design has similar dimensions to the brand’s signature crib. What makes it different is its ability to transform into a cot (and then a toddler bed and a sofa when you purchase the expansion pack) – extending the life of the product by at least 18 months.

Set-up was so simple, our tester didn’t even need to use the instructions. Each component was clearly labelled and can be pieced together without difficulty. We love the sturdiness, thanks to the strong base and the arched shape of the legs. It feels durable, even when moving it around the room. The drop-side function – which is present on both crib and cot modes – was initially more difficult to operate, but we’re pretty sure that’s because the zips were new and a little stiff. Once loosened, they moved up and down with ease.

It also fits in seamlessly as a piece of bedroom furniture and comes in two colourways. The wooden structure is wipeable, along with the fabric panels, while the mattress is firm and comes with a machine-washable protector, so there are no concerns about keeping this crib clean. There are six height options to choose from, including a tilt option, so it’s compatible with beds of every size. Plus, it’s also surprisingly easy to pack away once disassembled and slots neatly into the carry-bag that comes with it.

For design-discerning parents, this dreamy co-sleeper from Gaia Baby was without doubt the most beautiful we tested. In a world where many manufacturers are aiming to create baby furniture that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing, Gaia has certainly risen to the challenge with the hera. It comes in two colourways, but we tested the natural ash and walnut version with its buttery-soft cotton jersey fabric and solid-wood base. And since it’s crafted from real ash wood, it took slightly longer to piece together than some of the others in testing  – but believe us when we say it’s worth it.

Unlike most other bedside cribs, this design offers a unique drop-down panel on both sides, while the patent-pending perforated base creates an air cushion underneath baby that helps boost air flow. It also has an integrated reflux setting which means it can be raised slightly at one end, something our tester fully appreciated when dealing with a congested little one. The crib works with a wide range of bed types – including divans, which can often be tricky – and has five distinct height settings to ensure baby is always at the perfect level. Handily, the crib lifts off the base too, making this one of the more portable options out there.

The plush mattress that comes with it feels of excellent quality. It’s thick, padded, and water-resistant, but firm enough to allow your newborn to sleep safely. The hera is certainly one of the pricier cribs out there, but it’s a timeless piece of kit that’ll look great in any room.