REASONS TO BUY
Very breathable
Machine washable
Nice styling
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Easy to compress mattress
MDF board
BabyBjorn Cradle Review
Nice, breathable, freestanding compact cradle
Given the amount of time your baby will be breathing deeply in their bed, the kinds of materials surrounding them are very important. The BabyBjorn Cradle uses mostly healthier materials, but the use of MDF under the mattress gives us pause.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
RELATED: The Best Bassinets
Our Verdict
The BabyBjorn Cradle is a stylish and straightforward bassinet made primarily of polyester mesh and wood. This product is one of the most breathable, with a skin-friendly mesh material that surrounds the sleeping area, offering visibility and air circulation. The fabric parts are machine washable (a rare find in this group) and it is easy to set up and small enough to keep by your bed. However, this bassinet is pricey, making it a poor choice for families on a tighter budget. Still, the soothing rhythmic sway and higher-quality OEKO-TEX-certified materials make this an excellent free-standing bassinet many parents will love. See it rated versus top competitors or start your search for a new baby crib and crib mattress.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
BabyBjorn Cradle | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Premium Quality Co-Sleeper |  Best Overall Bassinet |  Budget-Friendly Bedside Bassinet | Best For Small Spaces | |
| Price | $350 List $299.99 at Amazon | $290 List | $220 List $220.00 at Amazon | $180 List $159.99 at Amazon | $330 List $329.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | High-quality, breathable, and lightweight freestanding bassinet | Beautiful and functional wood bassinet you can use from your bed | A great choice for co-sleeping that is easy to move from room to room | A good co-sleeping or free-standing bassinet for money-conscious families | A versatile, quality option with a small bedside footprint |
| Rating Categories | BabyBjorn Cradle | babybay Bedside Sle... | Arm's Reach Clear-V... | Baby Delight Beside... | Chicco Close to You... |
| Ease of Use (35%) | |||||
| Breathability (25%) | |||||
| Sleep Surface (20%) | |||||
| Quality (15%) | |||||
| Eco-Health (5%) | |||||
| Specifications | BabyBjorn Cradle | babybay Bedside Sle... | Arm's Reach Clear-V... | Baby Delight Beside... | Chicco Close to You... |
| Assembled Weight | 12.1 lbs | 28.6 lbs | 22.1 lbs | 17.5 lbs | 32.6 lbs |
| Open Dimensions | 26.0"H x 31.5"L x 18.0"W | 37.1"H x 36.0"L x 20.7"W | 34.8"H x 34.5"L x 20.3"W | 26.0"-30.5"H x 39.0"L x 27.0"W | 37.0"-47.0"H x 33.0"L x 27.5"W |
| Age/Height/Weight Limit | 6 Months or 18 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant: Pushes Up On Hands And Knees |
5 Months Discontinue Use When Infant: Pushes Up On Hands And Knees Discontinue As An Attachable Baby Bed When Infant: Rolls Over Or Pulls Up To A Kneeling, Sitting Or Standing Position |
5 Months or 18 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant: Pushes Up On Hands And Knees |
5 Months or 20 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant: Pushes Up On Hands And Knees |
20 lbs Discontinue Use When Infant: Pushes Up On Hands And Knees |
| Product Care | Mattress, Mattress Cover Mesh: Machine Wash, Drip Dry |
Wipe Down | Mattress: Spot Clean Sheet: Machine Wash, Tumble Dry (No Heat) Metal Frame: Spot Clean Lining: Machine Wash, Drip Dry |
Mattress Cover, Mesh: Machine Wash | Matress Cover Mesh: Machine Wash, Drip Dry Plastic Frame: Spot Clean |
| Bassinet Mattress Height Above Floor | 15.4" | 3"-27" Adult Mattress Height 10"-31" |
19.5"-25.5" Adult Mattress Height 24"-30" |
14" - 19" Adult Mattress Height 18.5"-24" |
23.3"-33.1" |
| Special Features | Springy Movement | Solid Wood | Adjustable Legs | Foldable | Height-Adjustable, Changing Table Up To 35 lbs, 6 Melodies, 2 Vibration Settings, Nightlight |
| Modes | Freestanding Bassinet | Bedside Sleeper | Freestanding Bassinet Bedside Sleeper |
Bedside Sleeper Freestanding Bassinet Portable |
Bedside Sleeper Freestanding Bassinet |
| Chemical Flame Retardant Free | Yes - don't "use" but OEKO-TEX excludes most | Yes - don't "use" but OEKO-TEX excludes most | Yes - don't "use" | Yes - no flame retardant "treatment" | |
| Portable Design | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Wheels | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mesh Sides | Yes | No - Slats | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Included Accessories | None | None | Polyester Sheet | Waterproof Sheet | Polyester Mattress/Changing Pad Cover |
| Available Accessories | 100% Organic Cotton Fitted Sheet, Canopy | Classic Mattress, Relief Wave Mattress, Tranquility Wave Mattress, 100% Cotton Sheet, 100% Organic Cotton Sheet, Classic Cotton Mattress Cover, Relief 61% Polyester/39% Cotton Mattress Cover, Tranquility 52% Polyester/47% Lyocel/1% Cotton Mattress Cover, Dry Comfort Water-Resistant Mattress Cover, Boxspring Resistance Plate, Bassinet Conversion Kit, Bedframe Anchor Kit, Bassinet Hook Parts, Full Hardware Kit, Babycare Organizer, Barrel Assembly Kit, Canopy, Organic Canopy, Canopy Holder, Rolling Casters, Mobile Holder | Arm's Reach® Clear-Vue™ Au Naturel Mattress Pad, Puppy Luv Music Box, Replacement Strap and Plate | 100% Cotton Sheet | Mattress/Changing Pad Cover, Polyester Sheet, Diaper Caddy |
| Set Up Time | 7:19 | 39:14 | 29:20 (58:34 total with redo) | 6:50 | 21:18 |
| Materials | Oeko-Tex Certified Fabrics, Polyester, Cotton (website), Polyurethane (Manual), MDF Board | Oeko-Tex Certified Fabrics, Cotton, Beechwood, Water-Based Finishes | Strong Nylon Cloth, Cotton Polyester Blend, Polyester, Nylon Woven Strapping, Polyurethane Foam, MDF board | Polyester, Polyester Fiber Batting, MDF Board | GreenGuard Gold Certified 100% Polyester Body, 100% EVA Mattress Cover, 100% Polyester Sheet, Composite Wood Board |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The BabyBjorn Cradle is a stand-alone bassinet that can be used close to the bed.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Björn and Lillemor Jakobson started BabyBjörn in 1961. The company is headquartered in Stockholm and still family-owned. BabyBjörn's goal is to create functional, safe products that help families in their everyday life. BabyBjorn is continually striving for quality solutions and improvements. The company offers simple, modern takes on classic designs without unnecessary details. BabyBjorn believes gear should appeal to mothers, fathers, and babies. They provide products suitable for children from newborn age up to three years old.
Performance Comparison
The Cradle is harder to use than some of the competition; especially if your goal is a true co-sleeper.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
The BabyBjorn's score for overall ease of use is just average.
This metric incorporates daily features and functionality.
While a little harder to access from the parent bed, the Cradle can be used close to the bed and your baby can be reached in the middle of the night.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Accessibility
This bassinet is small enough to keep beside your bed, light enough to move away from your bed if it were in the way, and low enough to see baby while lying in bed. Unfortunately, the lower height may make it challenging to reach baby while sitting up in bed, and you will probably have to get out of bed to manage it.
The feet of the Cradle make it easier to arrange the bassinet closer to the bed.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Portability/Mobility
While this product doesn't have wheels or an easy way of moving it from room to room, it is relatively light at just over 12 pounds. This lighter weight combined with 26-inch height, 31.5-inch length, and 18-inch width means you can move it if you need to without much trouble. It is not suitable for travel, however, with no carry case and an easy way of folding it.
Ease of Setup
It took about 7 minutes and 2 seconds to set up this bassinet. The setup is simple and requires a screwdriver to connect the legs.
Cleaning
The fabric is machine washable but needs to hang dry. Even the mattress can be machine washed, something the majority of the competition couldn't boast.
With fully breathable mesh sides the Cradle offers superior breathability.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Breathability
The BabyBjorn earned an exceptional score for breathability.
The Cradle is one of the most breathable options out there, with a surround made of polyester mesh. The only non-mesh fabric is about 4.5 inches wide on each end with the required warning labels. It seems unlikely that a baby would be able to maneuver itself into such a position that it would be unable to breathe through the sides of this bassinet.
The Cradle sleep surface performed average compared to the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Sleep Surface
The BabyBjorn earned an average score for the sleeping surface.
The mattress on the Cradle is about one inch thick and is relatively compressible. This translates to reduced support for the baby and the potential for little ones to be resting on the bottom of the bassinet with less of a cushy feeling.
The Cradle may be thick but it easily compresses under pressure offering less support for your baby.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The mattress fits nice and snug inside the bassinet floor and doesn't shift, even when a finger is forced in near the sides. But, the design could create a low spot should your baby scoot down into one of the ends.
The Cradle uses high-quality materials put together with attention to detail.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Quality
The BabyBjorn earned an impressive score for quality. With a simple, stylish design, it looks good compared to the competition. It lacks the typical “babyish” vibe and can fit in with almost any decor.
This product is made with high-quality materials and has a sturdy design. The legs press down to create a rocking motion, and it rocks back and forth without feeling unstable. There is a keen attention to detail with no loose threads and fabric or poor connections that wiggle when they shouldn't.
The Cradle earned a decent eco-health score, but the MDF board under the mattress has off-gassing potential.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Eco-Health
The Cradle earned an above-average score in eco-health. BabyBjorn takes the eco-health of their products seriously and offers more information than most brands on the materials they use.
This product doesn't use chemical flame retardants, is OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100-certified, and can be purchased with an organic cotton sheet, but the mattress is polyurethane foam like much of the competition. The Cradle also uses an MDF board beneath the mattress, which can emit formaldehyde. BabyBjorn assured me that the Cradle is free from VOCs, BPA/BPS, flame retardants, PVC, lead, phthalates, heavy metals, PFAS, and harsh dyes or chemicals. While this eases some concerns with formaldehyde emissions from the MDF board, we wish BabyBjorn would replace it with a more eco-healthy option. We also wish they offered a mattress made with natural materials. This bassinet is also JPMA-certified.
Manufacturer Video
—Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz
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