In-depth reviews guided by a Pediatrician

HALO Bassinest Essentia Review

Great for c-section moms and parents who'd like a safer alternative to co-sleeping
Editors' Choice Award
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Price:   $240 List | $238 at Amazon
Pros:  Mesh breathability, swivel versatility, easy access to baby bedside
Cons:  Spot clean only, hard to move from room to room
Manufacturer:   HALO
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Jan 20, 2019
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73
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#4 of 13
  • Ease of Use - 35% 6
  • Breathability - 25% 8
  • Sleep Surface - 20% 8
  • Quality - 15% 9
  • Eco-Health - 5% 5
RELATED: Best Bassinet

The Skinny

The HALO Bassinest Essentia is a versatile and adjustable bassinet that is great for mothers with c-sections and parents looking for a bedside bassinet for a safer co-sleeping environment. We like the breathable mesh fabric in the sleeping area of this product and the dip side access that makes reach baby a breeze. The height of this bassinet adjusts to most beds, and we think parents will love that it can swivel around and smoothly moves when you need to get out of bed. With a reasonable price point, there isn't much to dislike about this bassinet, and we think it is an excellent choice for most families and an especially wise choice for mothers with limited mobility.

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Our Analysis and Test Results

The HALO Bassinest Essentia is a unique side sleeper that can swivel over the bed for superior access to your bad bedside.
The HALO Bassinest Essentia is a unique side sleeper that can swivel over the bed for superior access to your bad bedside.

In 1991, Bill and Cathy Schmid lost their daughter, Haley, to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). After the loss, Bill began researching the latest medical information and recommendations for safe sleeping environments for babies to help other families avoid the same tragedy. As an engineer, Bill became devoted to creating new ways to limit sleep risks. With the loose fabric risk in mind, he started HALO Innovations and developed the SleepSack Wearable Blanket. The SleepSack is sleeveless and worn over pajamas replacing blankets and other bedding. The HALO SleepSack is the nation's bestselling wearable blanket and is used in hospitals nationwide. As an advocate for safe sleep, HALO continues to use innovation to create safer products, including their Swivel Sleeper bassinet that lets parents sleep close to baby while reducing the risks of bed-sharing.

Performance Comparison


The locking mechanism for the HALO side wall is hidden under the frame fabric but still easy to access.
The locking mechanism for the HALO side wall is hidden under the frame fabric but still easy to access.

Ease of Use


The HALO came in close to average for ease of use.


This metric includes the features and functionality you will encounter in everyday use of your bassinet.

It is easy to reach in for little ones when using the HALO bedside.
It is easy to reach in for little ones when using the HALO bedside.

Accessibility


This bassinet is one of the best options for accessibility. The bottom of the stand can slide under your bed, and the height is adjustable to fit your preference.

The side wall on the HALO can lock in place or be dipped down for easier access to baby while you are in bed.
You can adjust the height of the Halo for your specific bed or needs. This helps get baby closer to you or makes reaching into the bassinet easier.

If that isn't enough, it swivels 360 degrees, so it is accessible both from the bed and a standing position. The side dips down slightly for better access to your baby when lying down. This dip makes it an excellent choice for C-sections mothers who will want to avoid getting out of bed or lifting baby while standing. The height also easily adjusts to match the parent bed.

The HALO has a sturdy metal base that makes it very stable but difficult to move on a regular basis.
The HALO has a sturdy metal base that makes it very stable but difficult to move on a regular basis.

Portability/Mobility


This product weighs 33 lbs, measures 36.9"H x 45.3"L (base) 33.8" (bassinet) x 21.8"W (bassinet), and has no wheels. This weight and size make it heavy and awkward to move regularly, so you'll want to set it up where you plan to use it and leave it there. It also isn't good for travel, but it doesn't claim to be, nor does it need to be.

The HALO has a mesh side pocket for storage but it isn't large enough for the items you may really need like diapers and wipes. It will fit a pacifier and diaper creme.
The HALO has a mesh side pocket for storage but it isn't large enough for the items you may really need like diapers and wipes. It will fit a pacifier and diaper creme.

Additional Features


The Essentia model only comes with storage caddies on each end of the bassinet. For additional features, HALO has three other variations of the Bassinest, with a wide variety of included options from baby soother centers to waterproof mattress pads.

Ease of Setup


It took about 27 minutes to set this bassinet up for use and unpacking the parts consumed almost half of that time. The assembly itself requires attaching the legs to the base and connecting the sidewalls and clicking in the bassinet. It looks much worse than it is and is relatively easy to put together.

Cleaning


Unlike the BabyBjorn Cradle with machine-washable fabric and mattress, this product allows spot cleaning only, including the mesh and bedding. The bed and frame wipe clean without a hassle, but a blowout or spit-up on the mesh will be a more significant undertaking.

The sides of the HALO are primarily made of a mesh material for good breathability.
The sides of the HALO are primarily made of a mesh material for good breathability.

Breathability


The HALO earned an excellent score for breathability.


This product has mesh side walls with two seven inch panels of fabric, one at the head and one at the foot of the bassinet. This design is similar to the BabyBjorn Cradle, which has two four-inch panels. There is also an additional strip of fabric in the middle of one side. Both the mesh and fabric are taut and do not appear as though they would impede or limit breathability.

The sleep surface of the HALO performed well compared to the competition.
The sleep surface of the HALO performed well compared to the competition.

Sleep Surface


The HALO has a superb sleeping surface. It earned one of the highest scores in the metric.


The mattress on the HALO is .8 inches thick where the maximum allowed is 1 inch. This mattress is the firmest in the group with the least amount of compression in our tests. This perk will keep baby comfortable while still providing a safe and stable place for them to sleep.

The HALO mattress is the least compressible option we tested offering more support for your infant's body.
The HALO mattress is the least compressible option we tested offering more support for your infant's body.

This limited compression could translate to potentially better support for little bodies. The bassinet is very stable and has a tiny tilt when you press on the sidebars. The side is designed to do this and doesn't impact the bassinet's overall stability.

We weren't really able to fit fingers between the mattress and the side wall of the HALO.
We weren't really able to fit fingers between the mattress and the side wall of the HALO.

The mattress pad fits snuggly inside the bassinet frame, and we are unable to get many fingers in the crack compared to the competition.

We were impressed with the quality of the materials used to construct the HALO and the apparent attention to detail in the manufacturing process.
We were impressed with the quality of the materials used to construct the HALO and the apparent attention to detail in the manufacturing process.

Quality


The HALO earned an outstanding score for quality. It is one of the best in the group and stands out with very few bassinets earning a higher quality score at a lower price.


This product has a stable design with sturdy metal legs that allow for tilting and swiveling without concern. It also has smooth edges, taut mesh, and no imperfections with apparent attention to detail. The overall fit and finish are simple, functional, and clean.

Because your baby will spend so much time sleeping it is good that HALO has used some healthier materials in the construction of this bassinet.
Because your baby will spend so much time sleeping, it is good that HALO has used some healthier materials in the construction of this bassinet.

Eco-Health


The HALO earned score for eco-health, which is slightly below the high of 6 for the group. Thanks to the use of polyurethane foam in all of the bassinets, none performed that well in this metric.


This product is JPMA certified and conforms to ASTM F2906-11, ASTM F2194-12a, CPSC, Health Canada, SOR/2010-261 (Canada). HALO describes the materials used in this bassinet as:


"The polyurethane foam mattress pad and fabrics used in the Bassinest Swivel Sleeper do not contain any toxic flame retardants. Additionally, all the plastic and paints used on the Bassinest are lead, phthalate, and BPA free. The Bassinest is independently tested and certified to meet all Consumer Product Safety Administration and California chemical standards for flame retardants."

This bassinet earned points for the lack of flame retardants, but the foam type and lack of third-party certifications hurt it in the end.

Manufacturer Video



— Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz