Baby Gear Save vs. Splurge

SAVE: If you’re debating whether to save or splurge on a car seat, it’s helpful to remember this: regardless of price, all car seats are safe when installed correctly and tested to the same federal safety standards.

Considering that, the Chicco Keyfit 35 is a safe, lightweight (weighs just 8.5 pounds) and very well-priced seat. It’s one of our picks for the best infant car seats—it checks all the boxes most parents and caregivers are looking for when it comes to a rear-facing infant seat with features like a no-rethread harness (for easy adjusting as your baby grows) and a 35-pound rear-facing weight limit (allowing your baby to ride in the safest position for longer). It’s also very easy to install, according to Samantha Taylor, Child Passenger Safety technician (CPST), thanks to the LATCH connectors, single tightener that securely attaches the seat to the base and the built-in level indicator that ensures the seat is in the right position. I used this seat for my daughter and the installation was so easy that, instead of purchasing a separate travel car seat, we took the Keyfit 35 and installed it in the rental car in seconds.

SPLURGE: On the other end of the spectrum is Nuna Pipa Rx Infant Car Seat with Relx Base, a thoughtfully and beautifully designed seat packed full of high-end features that’ll cost you.

The standout features of the seat is the weight combined with versatility. At only 7.6 pounds, it’s lighter than most newborn babies and a lot lighter than other infant seats on the market (the Chicco Keyfit 35 is 8.5 pounds). While that might not seem like anything to celebrate, lugging a car seat with a baby inside is a workout. You can use it with or without the base, a huge perk if you’re frequently in a rideshare or taxi.

We also love the no-rethread harness for easy adjustments, the aerospace aluminum construction and crash-absorbent foam, the ultra-easy install and the lock stability leg that helps to absorb the force during an accident—adding an extra layer of safety.

SAVE: Convertible car seats, or infant-to-toddler car seats, are a must-have once your little one outgrows their infant seat, but the price can be tough to bear. This isn’t the case with the Scenera, a great seat from one of our favorite budget brands, Cosco, available exclusively through Walmart.

The Scenera Next is a fairly basic yet extremely safe seat—all for under $60. It can be used rear- and forward-facing, features side-impact protection and a 5-point harness with three buckle locations, and weighs only 7.8 pounds, making it easy to switch from one car to another if needed.

It can be tricky to get a tight installation in some cars, so be sure to Google installation videos before you try it.

SPLURGE: If a safe, modern car seat that many say is “built like a tank” is in your budget, then you need to check out the Clek Foonf.

Safety is the name of the game here. The Foonf incorporates European and auto industry safety features like Rigid-LATCH, an anti-rebound bar, and an aluminum crumple zone (a portion of the seat made to absorb the energy from a crash to protect your baby more effectively in an accident). Parents also love the seat’s sleek design and fun color choices.

Keep in mind that this seat is tall. Width isn’t the issue (you can fit three across in many vehicles), but height is, and if you’re on the shorter side, you may have trouble seeing out the back window when the seat is installed rear-facing.

SAVE: A safe place for your little one to sleep is a priority when considering what gear you want to buy or add to your registry. The LullaGo is simple in all the right ways: it’s light (so it’s easy to move around), it has basic mesh sides (great for breathability and air flow), features a large, firm mattress (with a zip-off pad) and folds flat, making it perfect for travel and easy to store once your baby graduates to their crib.

It doesn’t feature any movement or sound features, but most parents (and babies) are totally okay with that.

SPLURGE: The Snoo is the original smart bassinet and the ultimate sleep splurge. Imitating babies’ calming movements and sensations inside the womb, Snoo learns your baby’s wake patterns and auto-responds with gentle rocking and white noise to soothe them back to sleep. Some parents swear by it, reporting it helps their baby sleep longer stretches throughout the night, even very early on. There’s also a built-in swaddle that keeps baby from rolling into an unsafe sleep position.

So what’s the downside? Cost, of course. And the fact that some babies may not actually need all that much movement to help them sleep, meaning you could spend way less and have a baby who sleeps the same amount. Additionally, some of the smart features require a premium subscription, costing an extra $20 per month. We like the rental option if you want to give SNOO a try without shelling out thousands.

SAVE: The Sniglar crib is simple and affordable. It’s made from solid beech wood, so there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to unsafe paints or finishes, and it meets all safety standards. The crib adjusts to two different heights so you can lower it when your baby learns to stand and, when your baby is ready, you can remove one side and turn the crib into a toddler bed.

If we had to find some cons, the crib is on the lower side, which can be frustrating for taller parents (but great for shorter ones!). And as is often the case with IKEA furniture, the assembly instructions leave a bit to be desired.

SPLURGE: If you love the simple, modern design and want a crib that can go the distance, you won’t mind splurging on Nurture&’s The Crib.

It’s the ultimate in transformations, converting from a crib to a toddler bed, so although it’s pricey, it’s the only sleep solution you’ll need for quite a while. The frame is constructed from sustainably harvested wood and the crib mattress platform has three adjustable heights.

SAVE: If you’re looking to cut your budget, this audio-only monitor from VTech will run you about $40 and more than gets the job done. We love that this one also has intercom capabilities so you can beg your toddler to nap longer when the time comes (and you’ll be able to hear them reply no crystal clear). There are also other useful features like the ability to play lullabies and view the temp in your baby’s room. Just be sure the transmission range works with your space.

The downside is that you can’t peek in at your baby or toddler, and since it’s not Wi-Fi enabled, your range is limited.

SPLURGE: Want to step up your monitor game and learn everything about your baby’s sleep? Then add this Nanit bundle to your registry stat because there isn’t much this monitor can’t do. The Nanit tracks your baby’s sleep, movement, vital stats, and even growth, all via a live stream right from your phone. The camera provides a crystal clear look at your baby both day and night, and the Breathing Band fits over your baby’s pajamas and monitors breathing motion with no sensors. There’s even a Smart Sheet to track height and growth. It’s all tracked and analyzed via the Nanit app.

This Babylist exclusive bundle includes a Nanit Pro Camera, floor stand, one small and three large breathing bands, one Smart Sheet, multi-stand, travel case, and one year of Nanit Insights (the subscription starts at $50 a year).

SAVE: A stroller is often a big-ticket registry item, but it doesn’t have to be. This travel system, known for its affordability, offers both your stroller and a car seat for under $250.

The stroller is lightweight and has many of the same features found in many higher-priced options, like eight different seating positions, a large sun canopy, a parent tray and child tray (both with two cup holders each) and a roomy storage basket. The car seat clicks right into the stroller frame, so you won’t need to deal with adapters.

Is this stroller as sturdy and easily maneuverable as its $800+ counterparts? It’s not. But for a fraction of the price, it’s safe for your baby and will make strolling around a pleasant experience—making it a great option for many families.

SPLURGE: A few things stand out about Bugaboo strollers: beautiful design, high-end materials and finishes, effortless maneuverability and an amazing suspension system that provides a cushy ride. The Donkey5 checks all of these boxes and more. It converts from a single to a double stroller in three easy clicks and fits through most standard doorways even when carrying two kids. It works for one baby, siblings of different ages and twins (our gear editor Jen LaBracio loves it for a twin stroller option) and can be configured in countless different positions.

This stroller is a definite splurge, but if you’re a city family planning on having more than one baby and whose main mode of transportation is going to be your stroller (or any type of family who’s planning a lot of excursions with baby), you’ll want to give it a look.

SAVE: A bouncer seat is a safe, comfortable place for your little one to relax and play. This one, our top pick for an affordable bouncer seat, is simple and that’s what we love about it. It bounces via your little one’s natural movements and has three recline positions so you can find the right angle for your baby, and a secure five-point harness for safe sitting. It’s lightweight (just 4.5 pounds), making it the perfect spot for your baby to hang out if you need to be hands-free to hop in the shower or cook a meal. This one also comes with an engaging toy bar (which can be removed when your baby has outgrown it) and a travel bag, all for less than $100.

The seat comes in five aesthetic colorways and can be used from birth to 6 months (or 20 pounds).

SPLURGE: Although this BabyBjorn model does basically the same thing as its lower-priced Baby Delight counterpart, there are some standout features worth mentioning if you want to splurge.

We love the beautiful simplicity of this seat, with its ergonomic design and grow-with-you features. It’s supportive in all the right places and made from an ultra-soft fabric that’s also machine washable. It can be used from day one and when your baby outgrows the bouncer, the seat can be positioned upright and transformed into a toddler chair. And since it has a higher weight limit (the Babybjörn’s limit is 29 pounds and the Baby Delight seat’s limit is 20 pounds), you can use it for longer, making the price more digestible.

The Baby Delight seat comes with fun extras like the toy bar and the travel bar, while the Baby Björn Balance Soft doesn’t (though you can purchase the compatible toy bar separately).

Keeping your baby close and your hands-free are two huge benefits of adding a baby carrier to your registry. The Flip from Infantino offers four different carry positions for your little one—normally a feature of much higher-priced carriers—at a fraction of the price.

We love this carrier’s supportive waist belt, adjustable arm and leg straps, and padded shoulder straps for extra comfort. However, different brands of carriers work differently for parents and little ones, so it’s always worth doing a test run, if possible, before making a purchase.

Keep in mind that some parents say the carrier doesn’t work as well for bigger babies.

SPLURGE: Ergobaby makes some of the most-loved, higher-priced baby carriers, and the Omni Breeze is a favorite. Like the Infantino version, this carrier can be worn four different ways and has tons of options that maximize comfort and fit for baby and whoever’s doing the carrying. The other standout feature is the material; it’s made from a soft and lightweight mesh so you won’t overheat while wearing it. The ergonomic design emphasizes hip health, which is a nice reassurance if you’re worried about how your little one is positioned in the carrier. And as for whether it’s worth the extra spend or not, lots of parents and caregivers say it is—but you’ll really need to test it out for yourself to see if you agree.

SAVE: If you’ve ever spent an hour rocking a screaming baby, you know why a swing is so popular among new parents. Despite being more compact than its counterparts, Graco’s Simple Swing has everything we’re looking for to soothe and calm a fussing little one, like several sway speeds (six, to be exact), two vibration settings and even calming sound options.

It’s marketed as “compact,” which it is when compared to many baby swings, but take that with a grain of salt—it’ll still take up a decent amount of space in any room.

SPLURGE: What stands out about the mamaRoo is the swing’s unique movement. In addition to traditional side-to-side swinging, the mamaRoo offers four other motions designed to mimic parents’ natural motions when comforting a newborn—think a gentle wave or the bounce of a parent’s arms. You can combine the movements with one of five speeds and four sounds any way you’d like, creating a completely customizable soothing experience for your baby that can stay the same or change over time as your baby grows and their preferences shift. You can also pair the mamaRoo with Amazon Alexa or Google Home for voice control and connect to Bluetooth to stream in your favorite music.

There is a con to keep in mind, though: some parents report their babies just don’t love the types of motion the mamaRoo makes. If that’s the case with your baby, try coming back to it in a few weeks; babies’ likes and dislikes change so quickly over the first few months that it’s often just a matter of timing.

This no-frills playard is the ideal spot for your baby to sleep when you’re on the go or for a safe place to play while you’re busy doing other things. Despite the low price, you’ll get a few key features to any playard: a durable frame, mesh sides for breathability, wheels for easy moving from room to room and an easy fold.

We don’t love the weight (it’s almost 20 pounds) or the thin mattress, but at this price point we’re happy to overlook those features and focus on the positives instead.

SPLURGE: If you’re going to splurge on a playard, the Remi from UPPAbaby is an excellent choice and our top pick for the best all-in-one playard.

The best thing about this playard is the quick, easy fold. It takes one hand and only a few seconds, which is a pretty big deal if you’ve ever wrestled with a tough-to-break-down playard or travel crib. We also love the mesh sides and the zip-down panel on one side, which gives you easy access if you’re trying to soothe your baby to sleep. The mattress is great, too; it’s made from a triple-layer air mesh, so it’s comfy and breathable.

Pro tip: although this playard is also marketed as a travel crib, it’s on the heavier side, weighing about 20 pounds. If you’re looking for something better suited for travel that’s much lighter, we love the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light.

SAVE: Picked as our favorite affordable high chair, this no-frills chair is compact, sturdy and ultra-easy to clean. It’s also lightweight and easy to move from room to room…all for under $20.

Cons? It doesn’t fold up, there’s no footrest and it’s not ideal for younger babies. But the good news is you can buy adorable accessories to help.

SPLURGE: The Stokke Tripp Trapp has a large and loyal following. This iconic Scandinavian chair looks like a piece of furniture rather than a big, bulky plastic high chair. It pulls right up to the table, so it’s easy to make your little one a part of family meals. And it grows along with your baby; it’s the only chair you’ll need from the beginning of your solids journey all the way through the big kid years.

Keep in mind that there are lots of accessories that can drive the price up, though. Things like the tray and cushions will set you back even more.