Chicco LullaGo Review

Chicco (pronounced kee-ko) is the largest baby brand-name in Europe, but with over 50 years under its head company Artsana in Italy, Chicco now serves the needs of parents and babies across 120 different countries, and six continents, focusing on founder Pietro Catelli's love for healthy family rearing. Chicco's mission is driven by the meeting place of current research and parental experience with your baby's happiness always in-mind.

We put the Chicco Lullago under rigorous review to see if it lives up to the company's renowned international reputation. Overall, though there is nothing overtly wrong with this product, it just wasn't one of our favorites, because there wasn't anything particularly great about it either to make it stand out against its competitors. Irregardless, if you are on-the-go frequently with your little one, or if you are looking for something that can be completely broken down quickly and easily, this may be an appropriate choice, but be sure to also read our review of the Brica Fold 'n Go Travel which takes a different approach on portability. Read on to see all that we found in our review.

Performance Comparison

Health and Safety

This unit rated very average under health and safety. Since we regard the health and safety of your babies as the most important detail of any products that are used in their care, this category is weighted heavily in our reviews, and hence, it lost a good amount of standing next to a few of its competitors who clearly focused on details such as materials used. The fabric that makes the lining is polyester, but we were disappointed that only a small window on either side is made of mesh. Although the fabric on the rest of the circumference is technically "breathable", we believe mesh is safest in the event baby's face gets pressed against the siding. The mattress is one of the firmest of the ones we rated, which is a good thing and in-line with ASTM standards. It fits snugly inside of the zippered fitted sheet that it comes with. We contacted Chicco for clarification about whether or not their materials contain flame retardants and we did not hear back from them, so one can only assume they do, another reason the LullaGo did not compete well next to others like the BabyBjörn Cradle which met the most stringent standards possible in regards to material integrity.

Ease of Use

Once assembled, although there are no bells and whistles, the LullaGo is perfectly functional as a freestanding stationary bassinet for your little bundle. The mesh paneling window that is on one end is a nice touch, but again, we wondered why they did not wrap it around the entire diameter of the sleeping area, which would guarantee a safer sleeping space for your little one, and thus, more ease of mind for you. The entire lining detaches easily with a zipper, which is a great detail since it allows for much easier and thorough cleaning when needed.

Portability

The LullaGo is designed for portability, and overall it is well-designed for this purpose. The legs snap in and out with the push of a button on each leg, and the frame folds in half with the not-as-easy push of a different button on the frame. The entire thing folds in on itself and fits inside of a large tote bag. We felt it was a rather significant design flaw that the provided tote bag is not better-designed for portability, as it does not close and the pieces fit loosely inside of it. Because of this, it would not be reasonable to take it on a plane, and it should be transported with care, so as not to let the pieces fall out of the bag.

Quality

Overall, the LullaGo appears to be well-made. We particularly liked that the lining unzips for cleaning, as well as the very firm mattress which is definitely designed with your baby's safety in-mind. We were unclear on the quality of the materials used, but it is certain that they did not use the same high-quality materials as some of the other products we rated, such as the Cariboo Folding Bassinet or the BabyBjörn Cradle.

Ease of Set-Up

Assembling the Chicco was easy; simply unfold it and snap the legs into their receivers, and it is ready for use.

Best Applications

This cradle would be most appropriately used by a family who desires a product that they can pull out and quickly assemble, but also one that can be put away to save space when not in use. Although very functional, we did not feel that it is the best for all-around use.

Value

The LullaGo landed in the middle when it came to value in comparison to the others we tested. However, for such a low price, you do get a full-size unit that can also be quickly broken down and easily fit in your car, which may make it a good option for some.

Conclusion

The Chicco LullaGo is less expensive than a lot of the others we rated, and though the lower price doesn't sacrifice a reputable name, we felt it did forfeit a few details that gave its contenders an edge against it, such as safer mesh paneling and meeting higher standards to assure the chemical safety and health of your little one. Still, its ability to break down so swiftly is great, and perhaps as an extra space to sleep at grandma's, could be a perfect buy.

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