Travel Baby Swings

A travel swing is useful on the go or in a small living space.

If you want to take a swing when you travel or just need something to leave at grandma's house, a swing with a small footprint that folds up for storage is the way to go.

Parents say the InGenuity Smart & Quiet Portable Swing (*Est. $70) lives up to its name with near-silent operation and an easily foldable frame. They also appreciate the plush padding, modern design and soothing music. Like other travel swings, the Smart & Quiet is very low to the ground and only takes batteries. However, reviewers are very pleased with battery life, which InGenuity says is three times that of competing swings. Complaints about this swing are sparse, but it is one of the newer models on the market.

Slightly more versatile than the InGenuity, the Fisher-Price Space Saver Swing & Seat (*Est. $60) can lock into place and vibrate gently. Reviewers say the Space Saver is easy to assemble and to transport, and most are satisfied with battery life. They also like the whimsical, colorful design. But some say the padding is thin and that newborns may slump without extra head support. Others say the included toy bar is uninteresting and awkwardly placed, and that there isn't much difference between the swing's six speeds.

The Bright Starts Comfort & Harmony Portable Swing (*Est. $60) is a longtime travel-swing favorite, but there are some issues that make the InGenuity a safer choice for newborns.  The Comfort & Harmony has a five-point harness, but some reviewers say their babies slip out of the harness when the seat is in its upright position; there is no extra padding for a smaller baby to help prevent that. However, owners also say the frame is easy to set up and folds nearly flat, making the swing an ideal choice for parents who frequently hit the road. The gender-neutral fabric choices also have a lot of fans. Others say the swing's motor lacks power with heavier babies, and there are some reports of swings that would work only when they were empty. However, all swings will slow down somewhat as your baby gets heavier.