REASONS TO BUY
Economical
Sturdy
Longevity
REASONS TO AVOID
Doesn't fold
Stationary mobile
Assembly
Graco Simple Sway Swing Review
A basic baby swing that provides side-to-side swaying motion
Credit: Abriah Wofford
RELATED: The Best Baby Swings
The Skinny
The Graco Simple Sway Swing works from 5.5 to 30 lbs, or once your child attempts to climb out, whichever comes first. Compared to the best baby swings, it's a simple option with a side-to-side swaying motion and some entertainment features. Customize your baby's experience by choosing from six speeds, two vibration settings, ten songs, and five sounds. You can use batteries or the AC adapter to operate this product, depending on your needs. Constructing this swing wasn't our favorite, particularly getting the seat cover snapped on. It's not designed to be folded, and the seat offers no recline. But, if you're seeking a basic swing to soothe or entertain your baby at home, we think the Graco Simple Sway Swing strikes a balance between being functional and economical.
Editor's Note: We updated this gear review on August 10, 2023, as the baby swing review has been updated with new products, including this product.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Graco Simple Sway Swing | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |||
| Price | $120 List $119.99 at Amazon | $150 List Check Price at Amazon | $100 List $88.05 at Amazon | $90 List $78.99 at Amazon | $95 List $94.97 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A traditional baby swing with a more extended usage range | A powerful gliding swing with longevity | A space-saving baby swing ready for travel | A travel-friendly swing that's basic | A baby swing for travel or for those on a tight budget |
| Rating Categories | Graco Simple Sway S... | Graco Glider LX Swing | Ingenuity Portable... | Ingenuity Comfort 2... | Graco Slim Spaces |
| Quality (35%) | |||||
| Entertainment (35%) | |||||
| Portability (20%) | |||||
| Assembly (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Graco Simple Sway S... | Graco Glider LX Swing | Ingenuity Portable... | Ingenuity Comfort 2... | Graco Slim Spaces |
| Manufacturer Usage Range | 5.5 lbs - 30 lbs, or once your child attempts to climb out (approximately 9 mths), whichever comes first | 5 lbs - 30 lbs; or when infant attempts to climb out (approximately 9 mths) | 0-9 mths; 6 lbs - 20 lbs, or once your child can sit up unaided, whichever comes first | 0-9 mths | 5.5 lbs - 25 lbs |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs | 18 lbs | 8 lbs | 7 lbs | 13 lbs |
| Dimensions | 30"L x 31"W x 38"H | 30.75"L x 25.5"W x 36.13"H | 22"L x 23.5"W x 23"H | 28.74"L x 22.64"W x 26.77"H | 39"L x 23"W x 29.5"H |
| Harness | 5-point | 5-point | 5-point | 5-point | 5-point |
| Power Source | AC Adapter or Batteries | AC Adapter, Battery | USB Cord (wall adaptor not included), Battery | Battery | Battery |
| Number of Speed Settings | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | Roller switch with infinite speed settings |
| Sounds | 10 songs, 5 sounds | 10 classic melodies, 5 nature sounds | 8 melodies, 3 nature sounds | 12 melodies | None |
| Motion | Side to side | Gliding motion | Front to back | Front to back | Front to back |
| Fold | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Seat Rotate | No | No | No | No | No |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The beginnings of the Graco company date back to 1942, in Philadelphia, with Russell Gray and Robert Cone embarking on a collaborative venture. Their initial endeavors focused on producing car parts, but Russell Gray eventually pursued a different route, and Robert Cone focused on baby gear. This transition led him to partner with an engineer to design and create products. With their first infant swing an instant hit, Graco was on the baby product map. Today, Graco is one of the world's leading producers of baby products.
Performance Comparison
The Simple Sway Swing includes a 5-point harness, with no features to prevent chaffing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Quality
The Graco Simple Sway Swing is a classic full-size design, offering a stable and durable structure. Some parts and components may not be the highest quality, but it still performs better than certain competitors in the baby swing review.
The Graco Simple Sway Swing has a spacious seat that's deep and wide, providing ample room for your little one. However, it's important to note that the swing doesn't recline, which might be a consideration for some parents looking for multiple seat positions.
The swing impressed us with a smooth swinging motion during testing, showing no signs of strain or resistance. It produces some motor noise during operation, but we found it more akin to a soothing lull than an annoyance.
The child harness on the Graco Simple Sway is simple with lower-quality components.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The plastic buckle component on the 5-point harness feels somewhat cheap and less sturdy compared to others in the competition. The harness also lacks padding behind the crotch and shoulder straps, which could impact the baby's comfort. We recommend being attentive when buckling your baby to avoid accidentally pinching their skin.
The Graco Simple Sway Swing is straightforward to operate thanks to an easy-to-use dial and visual icons that indicate different functions.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Entertainment
The Graco Simple Sway Swing offers some entertainment features to engage little ones. It's not a big entertainer, but it strikes a balance between being entertaining and simple yet allowing babies to have an experience without overwhelming stimuli.
It offers side-to-side swinging motion, vibration, and six different speeds, so you can select your baby's preference, whether that's a gentle sway or a more brisk swing. It's also equipped with ten songs and five sounds. The mobile has soft, plush toys that dangle above the baby. It doesn't spin, and it's very basic.
The Graco Simple Sway Swing is a standard full-size swing with longevity.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Portability
The Simple Sway doesn't fold or easily disassemble, which limits its portability. It's not designed for on-the-go use and will likely stay in one location.
It's worth noting that due to its wider frame base, moving it around may require a bit of care, especially when navigating through doorways without brushing against the door frames.
The child seat on the Graco Simple Sway Swing does not recline.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Assembly
Assembling the Graco Simple Sway Swing was a bit time-consuming and challenging.
Once unboxed, there are several parts to put together. The user manual's instructions could be improved as we struggled to follow them. However, the most significant hurdle we faced was snapping the snug seat cover over the seat frame.
The swing offers dual power options, allowing you to operate it with an AC adapter or batteries. The vibration function, however, is solely battery-powered. To ensure a smooth setup process, installing the batteries before completing the seat cover is essential. The battery box is easily accessible at this stage; otherwise, it becomes concealed by the seat cover.
The mobile on the Simple Sway Swing is basic.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy the Graco Simple Sway Swing?
The Graco Simple Sway Swing is a good economical choice for parents seeking a more straightforward and classic swing that still caters to their baby's desire for amusement or soothing. We think it's fine for the price.
What Other Baby Swings Should You Consider?
Among the baby swing competition, another option to consider is the 4moms MamaRoo Multi-Motion, which offers more quality than the Simple Sway. Also, it's hard to beat the entertainment on the Ingenuity InLighten Swing if lights and action match your baby's style.
Manufacturer Video
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Molly Bradac & BabyGearLab Review Team
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