The best baby bouncers

• Babies find bouncing incredibly soothing, and a baby bouncer can be a real lifesaver when you need a break.
• The Fisher-Price Deluxe Bouncer is the best bouncer for providing a safe, comfy, reasonably priced place for your baby to stay contained, entertained, and — if you're lucky — drift off to dreamland.

Bouncers are one of those pieces of baby gear that mystify expectant parents. Aren't they just another place to plunk a baby? And are they really worth the money? My answers: Yes, and probably. If you have a unicorn baby who is content to lie peacefully in his or her crib while you sneak away for a shower, move along. If your baby is, well, a normal baby who would prefer to be in your arms all the time, then a bouncer will give you the best shot at a little freedom.

To make our picks, we considered thousands of parent reviews on major retail sites, as well as my own experience using bouncers to contain my two young sons. Our favorite bouncers include a plush pick to lull small babies to sleep, a sleeker bouncer that offers a better perch for alert babies, a futuristic pick that's smartphone-friendly, a budget-friendly bouncer that converts to a rocker, and a swing-bouncer combo.

• Best overall: Fisher-Price Deluxe Bouncer
• Best minimalist baby bouncer: BabyBjorn Bouncer Balance Soft
• Best high-end baby bouncer: 4moms mamaRoo Baby Bouncer
• Best on a budget: Fisher-Price Infant to Toddler Rocker
• Best all-in-one bouncer: Ingenuity ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat

Prices and links are current as of 4/22/20. We also added a selection of related buying guides.