The Best Nursery Gliders Will Last Far Beyond the Baby Years

Sign Up for Domino’s Newsletter

Email address Join Thank you!

Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Reading up on Domino’s shopping guides is like having your own personal product concierge. We do the tedious part—deep-dive research, hands-on testing, and tapping experts for advice—so all you have to do is hit “add to cart.” That’s why we call them Simply the Best.

The sleepless nights of the newborn stage are not for faint of heart, but setting up your space to support a seamless feed-change-rock routine (well, as seamless as is possible with a baby) goes a long way. Thankfully, finding a comfortable chair for the nursery has never been easier. Digital director Lindsey Mather should know, because she personally searched all corners of the internet for the best nursery glider for her own daughter. And as Domino’s resident new parent, you bet she’s sharing my discoveries with you.

We also tapped Naomi Coe, founder of nursery-focused Little Crown Interiors, for her tips on what to keep in mind when you’re shopping. One thing both Coe and I can attest to: These days, the nursery classic, a rocking chair, faces stiff competition. “Gliders seem to be much more popular with my clients,” says Coe. Why? They have greater ranger of motion, are generally cushier, and many boast nifty features like reclining backs, pop-out footrests, and swivel capabilities. Here are our seven favorites: 

Our Favorites

• Best overall: Nurture& The Glider Plus 
• Best customizable: Monte Design Como Glider
• Best value: Delta Children Adley Nursery Glider Swivel Chair
• Best silhouette: Shoppe Amber Interiors Lindell Glider
• Best glider-recliner combo: West Elm Kids Paxton Paxton Swivel Glider Recliner
• Best slipcovered: Crate & Kids Ever Slipcovered Striped Nursery Glider Chair by Leanne Ford
• Best sustainable: Sarah Flint x Namesake Crawford Swivel Glider

Best Overall: Nurture& The Glider Plus 

Fabric: Polyester-nylon blend | Base: Birchwood and poplar | Size: 43-by-33-by-38 inches

Why we chose it: The sleek silhouette disguises a slew of high-tech, incredibly convenient features.

Nurture& is known for its gliders, but when it comes to the cream of the crop of its assortment, the Glider Plus does it all. Its cushy silhouette is covered in a stain-resistant (read: spit-up–proof) fabric that comes in four neutral shades. Despite its many features—keep reading—its silhouette is simple and modern, ensuring it will be able to pass as an everyday accent chair one day. So while the price is definitely on the splurgy side, we have to agree with shoppers who say it’s “worth every penny,” dubbing it the “best nursery investment we’ve made.”

The Glider Plus’s high back and quiet, motor-powered recline are ideal for all tired parents, but especially C-section moms who are still recovering. The design not only provides ample lumbar support but features a hidden, adjustable headrest, a bonus feature that one dad truly enjoyed, adding, “When reclined, it’s so great to support my head while looking down at my phone during those 3 a.m. sessions.” Compared to others on this list, its roomy depth-wise too, allowing you to rock two little ones at once. Did we mention you can charge your phone while you’re nap-trapped?

Best Customizable: Monte Como Glider

Fabric: Polyester or a cotton-, linen-, or wool-blend | Base: Solid wood or metal | Size: 33-by-38-by-30 inches

Why we chose it: Even the base is customizable, plus it’s just plain comfortable.

When only the most personalized chair will do, look to the Como. It can be upholstered in a number of different performance fabrics, from velvet to boucle, in colors ranging from classics (like petal pink) to on-trend (such as moss green). But more unique is the opportunity to choose your base; oak and walnut aren’t options you see often. On the comfort side, the seat’s back cushion has that sink-in quality thanks to a down-like fill; the arms are ergonomic; and there’s a lumbar pillow for additional support. The brand also shares details on its responsible manufacturing and sustainability efforts—everything is made in Canada!—which is always a good sign. But since this style is made to order, it can take up to 10 weeks to arrive at your door. Get it ordered ASAP!

Best Value: Delta Children Adley Nursery Glider Swivel Chair

Material: Polyester | Base: Metal | Size: 40.25-by-26.75-by-37.5 inches 

Why we chose it: It’s shockingly comfortable given the very reasonable price.

We all know the adage that you’re guaranteed to leave Target with something you didn’t plan on buying, and for Mather, it was this glider. Fun fact: Mather is six feet tall. So her hunt for a chair was hinged on a) finding a back high enough to accommodate her and her equally lanky husband and b) not spending a fortune. (The glider being relatively attractive was a given—she’s a Domino editor after all.) Many store models were tested, but the no-frills Adley at Target was the clear winner on all fronts. At under $250, you’d suspect the cushions to be stiff and thin. Not the case. Mather reports they were cushy upon delivery and remain so more than a year later.

Best Silhouette: Shoppe Amber Interiors Lindell Glider

Fabric: Polyester-cotton blend | Base: N/A | Size: 30-by-39-by-40 inches 

Why we chose it: You’d never know this was a piece of nursery furniture unless we told you.

Kids’ spaces need not be devoid of good design; in fact, here’s a piece you might want to steal for your own room. Traditional silhouette, crisp box-pleated skirt that completely hides the base from view, Amber Lewis stamp of approval—what’s not to love? Although the fabric is admittedly not labeled stain-resistant, the rich brown hue would hopefully hide any spills.

Best Glider-Recliner Combo: West Elm Kids Paxton Swivel Glider & Recliner

Fabric: 100% polyester or polyester blend | Base: Metal | Size: 33-by-39-by-42.5 inches

Why we chose it: The recline feature isn’t dependent on having a plug near your glider.

Juggling a sleeping baby? No problem. Whether you go with the manual or powered version of the Paxton, it takes only one hand to get yourself into almost-horizontal position complete with a pop-out footrest. For upholstery, you get a choice of 20 fabrics, which span water-resistant perfomance linen to a riskier (but dare we say worth it?) nubby white boucle. The knife-edge seams on the cushions add style points.

Best Slipcovered: Crate & Kids Ever Slipcovered Striped Nursery Glider Chair by Leanne Ford

Fabric: Polyester-rayon-linen blend | Base: Engineered hardwood | Size: 40.5-by-36-by-36.25 inches

Why we chose it: A nursery chair is going to get stained, so it might as well have an easy-to-clean slipcover.

If you’re set on light-colored upholstery, the Ever glider is your best bet: The linen-blend slipcover in tonal stripes gives you a taste of Leanne Ford’s signature all-white aesthetic without the worry about stains. Simply toss it in the washing machine and it will be good as new. You don’t even need to iron—a few wrinkles are part of linen’s charm. The cushions are similarly low-maintenance, with a feather-blend fill that plumps back up with a good shake.

Best Sustainable: Sarah Flint x Namesake Crawford Swivel Glider

Material: Performance weave made of recycled plastic bottles and yarn | Base: Metal | Size: 35.5-by-32.5-by-39.5 inches 

Why we chose it: Everything from the standout patterned fabric to the cushion fill was designed with Mother Earth in mind.

Sustainable furniture doesn’t have to sacrifice style or utility. The Crawford checks off all three boxes: dreamy lattice print and extra-plump back cushion; fabric made of recycled plastic bottles and yarn; and it’s stain-resistant and water-repellant. Namesake didn’t skimp on what’s inside either: The cushions get their loft from CertiPUR-US-certified foam, so it’s free of formaldehyde, heavy metals, and other not-so-nice materials, and the frame is crafted of FSC-certified wood.

How We Chose These Products

Shopping for nursery furniture can feel like an uphill battle, especially when you’re hoping to pick pieces that will last long after the newborn stage, so we made sure all of our favorite gliders could blend seamlessly in a living room or bedroom, too. We reached out to Coe, owner of the nursery-focused design firm Little Crown Interiors, who has designed 200 rooms for little ones and seen the quality of well-designed gliders firsthand.

Our Shopping Checklist

Size and Style

When it comes to gliders, Coe is looking for a few key things. “First and foremost, it needs to be comfortable,” she says. A high back will give you a place to rest your head, and a spacious seat will accommodate a variety of needs, from a breastfeeding pillow in the infancy stage to a wriggling toddler listening to stories before bed. Also, she notes: “A style that flows well with the rest of the home is ideal.” A glider is an investment piece, one that should last for a second child or potentially even work in another room after the baby years.

Material and Color

“Luckily a lot of glider brands offer great performance fabrics that stand up to stains,” says Coe. “Microfiber fabrics are better at keeping the spills on the surface so they can be wiped off.” With spit-up, milk spills, and other inevitable baby messes, a midtone fabric works well. Coe suggests a neutral color for versatility, as the room morphs from nursery to kids’ room or if the chair ends up in another space altogether. 

Price 

Upholstery and a gliding mechanism add up, and prices range from a few hundred bucks to the thousands. If you’re worried about cost, try to find a transitional glider, something stylish and durable enough that you can use outside the nursery, too. (Psst: You don’t have to look any further than our list of the best nursery gliders for these!)

Ask Domino

Q: Does a nursery glider need to recline? 

“It really depends on what each person is looking for,” says Coe of the slew of nursing chair options available. “I always suggest trying to find a local store where you can test a few out, just to see what types of features appeal to you.” 

Q: Are gliders safe for babies? 

Gliders are meant for parents and caregivers to use with a baby. A baby should never be left alone in a glider. 

Q: What’s the difference between a nursery glider and a rocking chair? 

A nursery glider is essentially a chair on a track that allows you to quietly cradle a baby in any direction without disturbing them from their slumber (at least when you actually happen to get them to sleep). A rocking chair, although a classic nursery accessory, only moves back and forth.

The Last Word

The best nursery glider is ergonomically designed and visually appealing, durable but also cozy. It’s a tried-and-tested tool for getting a fussy baby back to sleep, a spot for feedings, and a great way to reduce strain on the back and neck. Since it will serve as a companion for late nights and early mornings, take the time to find a glider that works for you.