The Graco Glider Lite LX is a perfect compact solution for parents who are trying to save on space. With the smallest footprint of all the swings in the review, it earned a Top Pick for Best Compact Soother. The unique gliding motion may help soothe babies who are accustomed to being rocked to sleep in mother's arms. It has all the benefits that would come with a full-size swing, like an AC adapter or battery operation, as well as songs, sounds, a timer and a mobile, but it has a footprint that is less than half the size of our Editors' Choice award winner, the Fisher-Price Cradle 'n Swing. This swing is not a good choice if you want the standard swinging motion, but the deep seat and cozy fleece fabric make it a nice place for baby to relax while giving mom's arms a break.
Graco Glider Lite LX Review
Pros: Compact, full features, less expensive
Cons: Difficult to assemble, basic infant insert
Manufacturer: Graco
The Skinny
Our Analysis and Test Results
Originally, Graco was a company that manufactured car parts. It started in 1942 by two men, Russell Gray and Robert Cone. In 1953, they decided to expand to include baby products and hired an engineer to design creative solutions to ease a parent's job. The tester product was a baby swing inspired by a coworker's crying infant. The swing was more successful than anticipated and launched Graco into the baby product market. Soon after, they started producing other baby gear such as strollers, car seats, high chairs, and more. Now, with over 60 years of baby gear experience, Graco is a go-to brand for many new parents.
Performance Comparison
The Graco Glider Lite LX is a unique glider and is the most compact swing in this review, earning it a Top Pick award for families who need something with a smaller footprint or alternate rocking motion.
Soothing
If you have tried other baby swings and had no luck with a more traditional swinging motion, this glider may be the perfect fit for your baby. The motion is very similar to what a baby would feel when rocking in a parent's arms in a glider chair, which may be more comfortable and familiar. It is extremely quiet even operating at full speed, with very few creaks and motor sounds. Although the mobile is very simple, it is attached to the seat (above left) of the swing and moves around when the seat is in motion. There are six different speeds, ten classical melodies, and five nature sounds to choose from.
The seat is deeper than many (above right), but it is also much wider. So while it may be cozy for baby, there is still more room than necessary, and the baby may not feel as closely snuggled as in other swings. The recline is not adjustable, and while it is at an acceptable angle for younger babies, there is no option for older babies to sit up after they gain better head and neck control. The edge of the seat and the insert are both lined with soft fleece material, and the bottom of the seat is covered with a slick feeling fabric that is wipeable in case of accidents.
Ease of Use
The controls on the Glider Lite are generally intuitive, with the exception of the timer. We had to review the manual to figure out how to set it and it takes several uses before getting the hang of it without the instructions. Otherwise, all the buttons have icons indicating their function (below left) and are backlit to make night time use easier. The mobile is attached to the edges of the seat and can be easily popped off to place baby in the seat. The fabric is machine washable but must air dry, so you will want to be sure to leave enough time between uses to allow it to dry completely.
Users complain that the assembly instructions are not user-friendly and we agree. We were frustrated with the amount of rereading, reworking and rebuttoning that had to be done while putting this swing together. The snaps are especially challenging because the fabric has to be pulled tight around the frame (above right). After the initial assembly though, the swing is lightweight and small enough to be easily carried from room to room as required.
Quality
For the price, this is a good quality swing. The fit and finish of the parts make it look tidy and minimalistic. The buttons are a rubbery material rather than hard plastic and have a silent operation. The mobile is a bit lacking, but we like that it moves when the swing is in motion and is removable.
Safety
The Glider Lite LX, along with every other swing in the review, adheres to the safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The 5-point harness is similar to many other swings in this review with five separate straps and can be kept out of the way when strapping in the baby. It doesn't have a padded crotch strap, so you'll need to be thoughtful when buckling baby in to avoid pinching. The very deep seat ensures baby won't roll around during buckling.
Other Versions
Graco manufactures many different kinds of baby swings, all with different features and their specialty. Two of their other swings are also in this review:
- Graco Slim Spaces — This is a compact, foldable swing. It is the least expensive traditional swing in the review earning it a Best Value award. While it has very basic features, we love the portability that this swing offers and like the idea of being able to easily move it around the house or tote it along for weekend trips.
- Graco DuetSoothe — The DuetSoothe is a swing and rocker combined into one product. The seat of the swing can be easily removed from the base and carried around the home to keep baby close. It has six-speed settings and a vibration mode. It earned a Top Pick award in our Baby Swing Review.
— Juliet Spurrier, MD and Abriah Wofford