10 of the best swaddle blankets to buy: tried and tested by moms and babies

So you've decided you want to swaddle your baby, but what are the best swaddles? 

The best swaddles make the traditional practice of carefully wrapping up your baby in a blanket to help them sleep super easy and fuss-free. If you've done your research, you'll know there are hundreds of swaddling options to choose from — which is great. But with such a variety of choices, it can seem impossible to work out which is best for you and your little one. 

Swaddling is nothing new. It essentially helps your baby feel calm, comfy and can help when you're wondering how to get a baby to sleep. But there's an art to learning how to perfect this practice, especially if you're considering using a classic swaddle blanket. On the other hand, more modern swaddles are designed with a whole host of useful features, such as zips and Velcro additions which make nighttime swaddling speedier. 

To help make the choice easier for you, we tasked a panel of moms to try out the best market-leading swaddles you can buy right now. After reviewing the latest guidelines on safe swaddling from the American Academy of Pediatricians and speaking to Lindsay Sinopoli, a certified pediatric sleep consultant, lactation counselor, and newborn care specialist — we've pulled together a guide that puts the safety (and sleep) of your baby first. 

From classic swaddle blankets and 'transitional' or arms-up swaddles to zip-up swaddles too. 

Best baby swaddles 2023

Tested by: Miriam Litvac and baby Gideon, aged 11 weeks.

The clever design of this swaddle means it can be worn for up to 18 months. Once your baby is showing signs of rolling, simply undo the side snap closures and the Woombie becomes an arms0out swaddle. Swaddle becoming a little snug? Just undo the side zips for extra wiggle room. When it’s time to switch to a sleep sack, there’s a zipper at the bottom that converts the swaddle into a roomy sleep sack for toddlers up to 33 inches tall.  

‘The Woombie has been a complete revelation for our family,’ says our tester Miriam. ‘It’s the easiest swaddle I've ever used.  Simply pop the baby in and zip - you're done!  It's even easier than putting on zippered pajamas.’  

There’s plenty to love about this swaddle. Middle-of-the-night diaper changes are simple, thanks to the two-way zipper. The stretchy but snug cotton-spandex mix fabric allows enough movement to mimic the comforting environment of the womb. Plus there are no Velcro panels to snag on clothes, dig into delicate skin, or get worn in the wash.

At $38.99, the Woombie is a mid-range swaddle, but our tester thinks it’s worth its price tag because of its premium features and longevity. ‘If you've got a baby like mine who works hard to get his arms out and then cries for you to put them back in (and rinse and repeat), the Woombie is by far the best swaddle of the many brands I’ve tried,’ she says.   

• Read our full Woombie Grow With Me review 

Tested by: Lauren Woosey and baby Iggy, aged 14 weeks.

The Ollie Swaddle is the only swaddle featured in our top ten of the best swaddles that doesn’t cover the baby’s shoulders. This is a bonus as it means it easily converts to a transitional swaddle simply by fastening below the little one’s armpits, leaving the arms free.  

It took our tester Lauren a few tries to position her baby Iggy correctly, but once he was in place the swaddle was easy to do up with a few sturdy Velcro panels and an elastic loop at the bottom. ‘The Ollie takes about ten seconds to do up, although the pace changes depending on how wriggly my baby is feeling,’ she says. ‘I liked the straightforward, intuitive design.’  

Available in five pretty but muted shades, it’s an understated but attractive swaddle that seems to be popping up all over Instagram. ‘It’s definitely a nice-looking swaddle, and the quality feels very good as if it will last a long time,’ says Lauren.  

The super soft fabric is woven with patented moisture-wicking threads which claim to reduce the risk of overheating. ‘It’s great that you could use the swaddle year-round because the fabric isn’t too thick or too bulky,’ says Lauren. ‘But it’s still substantial enough to keep the baby cozy.’   

A major selling point is easy access for diaper changes. Simply undo the elastic loop and open up the swaddle – there’s no need to fully unswaddle your baby. Some online reviewers note that they’re even able to manage diaper changes on a sleeping baby wearing this swaddle.  

This isn’t a cheap swaddle by any means, but the design means that you could get a good few months of use from it. In contrast, many of the other swaddles we tested are sized and thus offer a short window of wear. We like that the Ollie Swaddle will continue to fit your baby as they grow. 

• Read our full Ollie Swaddle review

Tested by: Joyce Ren and baby Noah, aged 10 weeks. 

Here’s a swaddle fit for a newborn photoshoot. Aden and Anais Classic Swaddle Blankets come in the widest range of prints of any of the swaddles we tested. From whimsical animal designs to sweet florals, these are pretty enough to gift even the fussiest of friends - definitely one of the best swaddles for a baby shower gift.  

Our tester Joyce, mama to baby Noah, loved the 100% cotton, open weave cloth that features a high thread count.  ‘The fabric looks really breathable and feels very high quality,’ says Joyce. ‘I also really like that it’s so large – even with my baby weighing 12 pounds, there's still plenty of fabric to swaddle him.’  

Old school swaddle blankets like this can take a while to get the hang of, but Joyce was surprised at just how easy it was to use – easier, in fact, than some more modern swaddles with multiple zippers, pouches, and Velcro strips to negotiate.   

A bonus to swaddle blankets is their versatility. Pop one in your diaper bag and you have a blanket for impromptu tummy time, for mopping up messes, or simply for keeping baby snug. Aden and Anais’ version definitely feels high-end – we like that the blankets had a lived-in softness right away but still felt like they will stand the test of time. Many online reviewers say that their little ones still love their Aden and Anais blankets years after they stopped being used as a swaddle - and our Consumer Editor can vouch for that.

'A friend gifted me an Aden and Anais swaddle blanket when my daughter was born and it literally came everywhere with us from day one,' says Goodto Deputy Editor, baby gear expert, and mum-of-three Heidi Scrimgeour. 'It was amazing for naps and nighttime swaddling and I loved that it doubled as a nursing cover when we were out and about. My daughter became delightfully attached to it and although we've had to replace our original Aden and Anais swaddle blanket a few times over the years, she still snuggles up with it at bedtime almost ten years on!'

Aden and Anais blankets are free from azo chemical compounds and come in fully recyclable packaging. Combined with their heirloom quality, longevity, and versatility, we think this swaddle is a good choice for a sustainable swaddle.  

• Read our Aden and Anais Boutique Cotton Muslin Swaddles review

Tested by: Joyce Ren and baby Noah, aged 10 weeks.

Newborn babies, especially those born prematurely or with a low birth weight, can struggle to regulate their body temperature. The HALO Ideal Temp Swaddle is made from a unique textile called Intellithread that can help keep a little one’s temperature consistent. When baby is warm, it stores some of the heat. When baby cools, it releases back some of the stored heat. The claim? Sounder, safer sleep.    

Our reviewer Joyce, mom to ten-week-old Noah, likes the versatility of the swaddle, which can be worn in a variety of ways. As well as the classic arms-in swaddle, the HALO Ideal Temp can be worn as a transitional swaddle with either one or both arms out for when your baby begins to show signs of rolling. The swaddle can also be worn hands-to-face for babies who like to self-soothe with their thumb or finger.

‘My son Noah seemed happy in the swaddle and slept well, napping comfortably for an hour at a time,’ says Joyce. But she did find it a bit tricky to get him in and out of it easily. ‘Because the swaddle zipper doesn't zip both ways, you need to line up the zipper nicely at the top before pulling down. It takes a few seconds to get lined up correctly, which can agitate Noah and wake him up.’   

Although the zipper was a bit fiddly, Joyce appreciated that the inverted design allowed for straight forward diaper changes. Finishing touches such as scratch-free zipper covers and a roomy, hip-healthy leg sack make this one of the best swaddles for newborns.  

• Read our HALO Ideal Temp Swaddle review

Tested by: Miriam Litvac and baby Gideon, aged 11 weeks.

With more than two million sold, the Miracle Blanket is a cult baby product. As well as being loved by new parents, the brand also claims to be the number-one most pediatrician-recommended swaddle in the world.  

There are no zippers or Velcro panels to snag or dig in. Instead, the swaddle works by containing baby in a cozy pouch, with each arm tucked down in the ‘batwing’ position and secured with a strip of cloth, then wrapped snugly in a final outer layer. 

Our reviewer Miriam, mom to 11-week-old baby Gideon, found it fiddly and time consuming to put on. But once little Gideon was wrapped up, she was impressed with the swaddle’s staying power. ‘The difficulty of putting it on is definitely a major disadvantage, but if you have a baby who is constantly breaking his or her arms out of swaddles and waking up miserable because of it, this will fix that issue,’ she says. ‘Since mine has been breaking out of swaddles for a few weeks now, this swaddle really was a miracle.’  

We were impressed with the softness of the cotton and liked that the swaddle can be used to wrap baby with arms down, in, or out, as well as hands to heart for self-soothing. The swaddle is available in a wide range of different prints, although some feel a little dated.  

If you can get past the fiddle of wrapping your little one, you just might get some extra sleep. Miracle Blanket is so confident that their product is a ‘cure’ for sleep deprivation, that they offer a money-back guarantee.

• Read our Miracle Blanket review

Tested by: Erika Michelle and baby Isabel, aged16 weeks.

Chances are that if you’re an exhausted new parent, you’ve probably heard about the Snoo Smart Sleeper – you may have even been tempted to buy one. The beloved bassinet – essentially a robot rocker that costs well over a thousand dollars – has been a bestseller since it hit the market in 2016. The Sleepea swaddle, from the makers of the Snoo, features an almost identical design to the ones that clip into the bassinet.  

The Sleepea was invented by one of America’s leading pediatricians, baby whisperer Dr. Harvey Karp (most famous for being the creator of the baby soothing technique the 5 S’s). It works by strapping baby’s arms down with sturdy Velcro strips, securing them with an additional Velcro panel between the legs, and then zipping baby up in an outer layer with a two-way zipper. 

‘I’ll be recommending this swaddle to all my new parent friends from now on,’ says tester Erika. ‘I love the coziness of the fabric and the ease of securing the baby in the swaddle. My daughter didn’t struggle at any point, and once she was in there was no way for her to 'Houdini' her way out, unlike with some other swaddles we’ve tried.’

Features that we love include the soft organic cotton and the mesh panels that ensure the baby doesn’t get too hot. The two-way zipper means that middle-of-the-night diaper changes are possible, although we’ve seen better swaddles for diaper access as changes in the Sleepea involve unfastening the Velcro panel between the legs, which naturally slows things down. 

• Read our Sleepea Swaddle by Happiest Baby review

Tested by: Natalya LaGrange and baby Sasha, 11 weeks.  

When babies fall asleep unswaddled, they most likely lie with their arms up above their heads. This is the most natural, comfortable sleeping position for little ones, and comes with the added benefit of hand access for thumb or finger sucking, cheek stroking, and general self-soothing. The Love to Dream Swaddle Up is designed to allow this preferred sleeping position, with the added benefit of gentle swaddling pressure around the torso plus comfy snugness on the arms. 

‘My baby Sasha slept very well in this position,’ says our tester Natalya. ‘She seemed to feel very secure and comfortable while wearing the Swaddle Up. I loved the smooth stretchy fabric – it feels like it will wear well and hold up to regular washing.’

This bestselling swaddle is loved by parents of babies who hate having their arms constricted, but still need the comforting snugness of a swaddle. It’s won consistently high reviews across sites like Target, Amazon, and Buy Buy Baby, with many parents labeling it a ‘life saver’ and a ‘game changer.’   

Perks of the Swaddle Up include a two-way zipper for diaper changes, pleasingly smooth cotton fabric, and a range of sweet designs. Love to Dream also offers one of the widest ranges of TOG ratings we’ve come across. We also like the straightforward design that features a single zipper and no fiddly Velcro panels or pouches to place the baby in.

• Read our full Love to Dream Swaddle Up review

Tested by: Merel Vlasveld and baby Friso, aged12 weeks.  

There’s nothing like a bleary-eyed, middle-of-the-night diaper change to have you hating a swaddle that seemed great at nap time. Happily, the Zipadee Zips Zippy Swaddle offers the best diaper access of any of the products we tested. With a wide zipper at the base of the swaddle and a generous leg sack, diapers can be changed quickly and easily by simply unzipping and rolling the fabric up.  

Our reviewer Merel, mom to 12-week-old Friso, thinks the zip function is the stand-out feature that makes diaper changes a doddle. ‘The design is easy to use, and I love that it also leaves plenty of room for the baby to kick their legs,’ she says. ‘Plus, the fabric is nice and breathable, and I like that it’s made of cotton.’

The swaddle is straightforward to use but does require following a few steps. Wrapping up the little one involves holding the baby's arms out of the way and using a thick Velcro waist strap to fasten, then wrapping a wing over and tucking it underneath the baby, before Velcroing a final outer layer. It isn’t hard, but it’s also not the speediest. At $21.95, this is one of the cheapest swaddles we tried. It’s also available in multipacks, so it's one of the best swaddles to choose if you're stocking up on multiple swaddles to allow for spit-ups and blowouts.  

If you’re looking for a super speedy to wrap swaddle, this probably isn’t for you. But if you find yourself changing a lot of diapers, this one promises to make life a lot easier.  

• Read our full Zipadee Zips Zippy Swaddle review

Stock note: similar Carter's swaddles are available at Kohl's.

Tested by: Erika Michelle and baby Isabel, aged 16 weeks.

Pick the right swaddle blanket and you could be using it for years to come. These diaper bag heroes have multiple uses from burp cloths to breastfeeding covers, as well as making excellent good old fashioned swaddle blankets.   

At $23.20 for four, these Carter’s Little Planet Swaddle Blankets are particularly budget-friendly. They’re also part of Carter’s newest brand, the more environmentally friendly Little Planet. Carter’s sells ten products for every child born in the US, so it’s good news that they’re now offering more eco-friendly options. 

We really like that the minimalist packaging is made from recycled materials and that the blankets themselves can be used long after your baby outgrows the swaddle. Made from 100% organic cotton muslin, they’re also gentle on newborn skin. Plus, GOTS certification means that all workers involved in making these swaddles were treated ethically.  

For a budget swaddle, they’re also surprisingly beautiful and could easily pass for a higher end product. ‘These swaddle blankets are very pretty,’ says our tester Erika, mom to baby Isabel, 16 weeks. ‘I love the prints and patterns, particularly the Botanical Pinks ones I tried out.’ We are also fans of the sweet panda print pack and the classic golden orchard designs.  
  

However, Erika did find them to be on the small side, meaning they don’t work as well for swaddling bigger babies. At 30” x 40”, they’re substantially smaller than the Aden and Anais swaddle blankets we also tried (47” x 47”).   

• Read our full Carter’s Little Planet Swaddle Blankets review

Tested by: Natalya LaGrange and baby Sasha, 11 weeks.  

Transitioning out of a much-loved swaddle can be a daunting task. But as soon as your baby shows signs that rolling is on the horizon, it’s essential to transition out of a traditional ‘arms in’ swaddle so that they can continue to sleep safely. A rolling, swaddled baby wouldn’t be able to use their arms to reposition themselves, and because many babies lack neck strength, this places them in danger of suffocation.   

Our reviewer Natalya agrees, and says her daughter slept exceptionally well with her arms out. ‘I really like the versatility of the design – the ability to remove the arms is great,’ she says. ‘It’s a high-quality swaddle, one I hope to use with multiple babies to come.’  

Other features Natalya appreciated include a soft cover to keep the zipper away from Sasha’s face, plenty of leg room for her to wiggle in and a tumble dryer-friendly design for easy care. While the two-way zipper allows for diaper changes, Natalya wasn’t confident that it would be possible to change Sasha without making a mess.  

Happily, this swaddle can be used to ease transitioning for babies used to wearing any type of swaddle and according to Reddit, it’s particularly popular with parents of Snoo babies.  

• Read our full Love to Dream Transition Swaddle review

What to consider

Lindsay Sinopoli

Educated and certified in numerous sleep behavior techniques and response methods, all of which are supported by positive psychology, Lindsay Sinopoli is the founder of Jolly Good Sleep. She provides bespoke sleep plans and follows an adaptable approach based on a child's temperament and your parenting philosophy since no two little ones are the same. Lindsay supports families nationwide and globally through virtual video consultations, and telephone and email support.

To choose the best swaddle for your little one, there are several factors to consider:

• Temperature - Firstly, how warm is your home? You’ll want to choose a swaddle with a TOG (thermal overall grade) rating that suits your home’s temperature. Remember, the AAP recommends keeping the room temperature between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.  
• Diaper access - Next, consider how many night-time blowouts your baby tends to have. A beautifully wrapped swaddle blanket may work well for daytime sleep but might prove too much for a bleary-eyed night change. If you often find yourself changing diapers at night, look for a swaddle that has easy diaper access.   
• Fabric - For Lindsay, Velcro is another key factor in choosing a swaddle. ‘Make sure the Velcro is of thick, good quality, to keep strong Houdini babies from bursting the fastening open,’ she says. ‘Thin Velcro panels do not hold up well with multiple washes.’  
• Quantity - You’ll probably need to own at least three swaddles to ensure you always have a clean one to hand, so cost will also be a factor. Swaddles don’t need to cost a fortune. ‘Always choose quality over a bargain,’ says Lindsay. ‘If an expensive swaddle promises to get your baby sleeping through the night, it is always too good to be true. Don't waste your money.’   

How long should a baby be swaddled?

Disadvantages

Weighted swaddles

How we test

We asked our mom testers if they think any of the swaddles they tried are deserving of the award for best swaddle overall, best budget swaddle, or best premium swaddle. Our Deputy Editor gets the final say on these three ‘winning’ categories but we never apply them to a product unless the tester thinks it’s a worthy winner.

This process allows us to create honest, authoritative, and trustworthy reviews based on real-life experiences with the products we write about so that you can make an informed decision about which is the best swaddle for you.

Our testers reviewed the swaddles and swaddle blankets with the following factors in mind:

• Design - Is the swaddle intuitive to use or fiddly to get to grips with? Does it require lots of practice or can you use it with confidence right away? Is it a stylish or appealing item that you'd be happy to give or receive as a gift?
• Comfort - Did the tester feel their baby was comfortable, cozy, and secure in the swaddle? Can the baby escape easily or does the swaddle remain safely in place?
• Features - Does the swaddle have any extra features that make it stand out from other similar products in the market?
• Value for money - If it’s a budget buy, will it last for a reasonable period of time and wash / dry well? If it’s expensive, is the price tag justifiable? And if it’s a mid-range product, is there anything that makes it a better value buy than the cheaper or more expensive swaddles or swaddle blankets?

Goodto testers: who are we?

• Goodto reviewers are a carefully-selected pool of moms who have specifically volunteered to test swaddles. They know all too well how disruptive broken sleep can be and they’re keen to find products that help them - and their babies - get more sleep.
• Our testers are not paid for their reviews which means we can be sure their feedback is impartial. If they wish, they’ll usually get to keep the item they review or gift it to a friend/charity. Perhaps they’ve struggled to find a swaddle they like or they’re curious to see if the swaddle that celebs and influencers love will live up to their expectations.
• We’ve made sure that our tester’s babies are the appropriate age/weight to try out the swaddles they’re reviewing. Where possible, we try to match a product to a mom’s particular problem or need. If she’s tired of tricky nighttime diaper changes with a fiddly swaddle, for example, we’ll ask her to review one designed to make that easier to find out how it compares.

While you're searching for the best swaddles, you might also be interested in the best bottle warmers, the best baby food makers and blenders and the best baby carriers which make carrying your baby easy, safe and simple leaving you hands-free.