Best Moses baskets for babies 2023: 8 tried and tested options

Sleep is important at any age and the best Moses basket for your little one can make all the difference between a good night's kip and a great night's kip. 

Helping to keep your baby safe, secure and snug, a Moses basket is the first bed they will lay their head to rest. One of the best things about a Moses basket is the fact that many are portable, meaning you can keep your bundle of joy right by your side, no matter the time of the day. Most experts recommend using one of the best Moses baskets from birth until your baby is 6 months of age or starting to sit up. Once they reach this all-important milestone, it's time to move your baby to one of the best cot beds or one of the best bedside cribs. 

Back in the day, a Moses basket was a simple and sturdy wicker structure that was built to keep your baby snug and secure, while you watch over them. But nowadays, there is a whole host of designs and options to choose from. From versatile bassinets that can be moved around easily, to modern, multi-functional high-tech designs that play lullabies and sounds and can gently rock your baby to sleep with the tap of a button. 

We know it can be hard to find the right choice. So, to help, our Consumer Editor has rounded up her pick of the best Moses baskets all suitable from birth and then tasked a panel of experts - who are all mums - to put each one to the test. Here's what they had to say...

Best Moses baskets 2023 - our top picks

The Alysha Moses Basket by Mack + Milo (currently out of stock but the Alexandro Moses basket is a very similar design by the same brand) gets our vote as the best Moses basket you can buy. It's affordably priced but the design appeal is off the charts – it looks like a luxurious, premium product. There's no need to buy any pricy extras either because they're all included - that means no annoying hidden costs. We especially like the stylish look and feel of this Moses basket and the fact that it's considerably cheaper than many other Moses baskets out there. 

However, if you're looking for a top-of-the-range Moses basket, the PurFlo Breathable Bassinet gets our vote as the best premium option. Meanwhile, if you're shopping for a brilliant Moses basket on a budget, we recommend going for the Natural Knitted Moses Basket from Little Green Sheep.

Finally, the Happiest Baby Snoo Smart Sleeper Baby Cot deserves special mention. Our reviewer, who put it to the test with her four-week-old baby, says it drastically improved the whole family's sleep - and thus changed their lives!

You can also read about how we test and review products to find out how we chose the best travel Moses baskets to feature in this guide. 

Best Moses baskets 2023 as reviewed by our testers

Stock Note: The Alysha Moses Basket is currently out of stock at Wayfair so you might like to look at the Alexandra Moses Basket (£108.99) which is a very similar design by the same brand, Mack + Milo.

Our consumer editor says: This is one of the best Moses baskets money can buy. It's a chic and contemporary Moses basket that comes with cosy, luxurious bedding as well as a mattress. It has a rocking stand, which makes it a good choice for soothing your baby to sleep whilst sparing your back. It's practical as well as stylish, and not too heavy to move from room to room for daytime naps.

Tested by: Katie Prior, mum to Ryker, six weeks.

Our tester found this easy to assemble, although some of the screws were a little stiff. "It's really simple and straightforward to put together, and didn't take us long to assemble," she says. "The basket liner and blanket are made from beautifully soft waffle fabric, which looks very luxurious and comfortable – like putting my baby to sleep on a little cloud."

Made from wicker, this Moses basket is sturdy and robust with a rigid, fixed hood. This means access to your baby is a little restricted. However, our tester's baby seemed happy being in this fairly enclosed space. This is a good choice if you plan to move your Moses basket between rooms on the same floor - our tester found it easy to lift and carry thanks to the robust handles. However, it's a little bulky for carrying up and down stairs frequently.

The rocking stand is a lovely feature, although there's no fixed setting, which means you can't stop it from rocking. That's not necessarily an issue but it could mean your baby comes to rely on the rocking motion in order to sleep.

Verdict: "This is a gorgeous product and great value for money," adds Katie. "The bedding is soft and looks very comfortable, and the rocking stand is great, particularly as my baby loves being swayed to sleep."

• Read our full review of the Alysha Moses Basket by Mack + Milo

Our consumer editor says: This distinctive bassinet comes with a breathable mattress and mesh sides to encourage airflow. It has a 'soothing centre' that plays lullabies and nature sounds plus two vibration modes and a nightlight. The bassinet has a hood, which comes with hanging toys included, and the hood folds down easily for quick access to your baby. This is a good choice if you're short on space near your bed, as there's a storage area underneath the bassinet which is handy for keeping baby wipes and spare nappies close at hand.

Tested by: Katie Prior, mum to Ryker, six weeks.

This was easy to put together, with just a few connecting parts. "It was up and ready to use within 15 minutes," says Katie. "Having said that, the instructions aren't easy to follow, so we disregarded them and just used common sense!"

Katie loves the look of this Moses basket and found the soothing centre a useful extra. "This bassinet looks soft, cosy and luxurious – the 'soft truffle' is a lovely, warm beige colour – and the whole thing is surprisingly compact so it doesn't take up a huge amount of space."

"The lullabies and nature sounds are pleasant and not too 'tinny'. There are multiple volume and vibration settings, which my baby seemed to enjoy. However, the 'nightlight' is very bright and awkwardly positioned. We avoided using it, as it shines directly in my baby's face."

The hanging toys are a handy extra, but Katie found they didn't hold her baby's attention for long. "The toys aren't brightly coloured, so my baby wasn't very engaged by them," she says. Instead, she attached a mobile. "That was great, as I haven't been able to attach a mobile to any other Moses basket I've used."

Verdict: Overall, this is a stylish and compact bassinet, with useful functionality to help soothe your baby to sleep. "It's soft and cosy, and my baby was content both chilling and sleeping in the bassinet," adds Katie. "The muted colours, with beige or grey options will complement most nursery colour schemes. And the storage basket will come in handy in smaller rooms."

• Read our full review of the PurFlo Breathable Bassinet

Stock Note: There's 40% off the Snoo Smart Sleeper Baby Cot this weekend, bringing the price down to £687.

Our consumer editor says: It’s not often that we describe a bit of baby gear as a game-changer but the Snoo Smart Sleeper is exactly that. It's not technically a Moses basket, but it's worth considering if you're in the market for one because of its clever functionality. It’s also sleek and beautiful to look at - like an expensive but ultra-modern bedside crib. It has inbuilt rocking functionality and white noise features, which ‘respond’ to your baby’s cries and can be controlled via an app on your smartphone. See? We told you it was a game-changer.

Imagine no more pacing the floor with a screaming baby. Picture an end to rocking a crib for hours on end. And did we mention that it looks beautiful too?

Tested by: New mum Grace and her baby daughter

"This is really sleek - it looks like a big fancy hotel bathtub," says our tester, Grace. "Also there is just one button on the cot itself so you can’t go wrong in the middle of the night when you’re staggering around in the dark."

Despite being a high-tech product the Snoo isn’t intimidating to use. "You just put your baby in, swaddle them both sides and at the bottom, zip up the sack, and press start," adds Grace. "The whole point of the Snoo is that it’s complex, but not for you - the machine handles that part."

Two things to note - the Snoo isn’t light so it’s not suitable for moving between rooms. And if you’re a light sleeper and you place it on a wooden floor, you might hear the magic machinery within. 

"It’s very heavy, which of course is a good thing, as that makes it incredibly sturdy - an excitable puppy or toddler isn’t going to knock it over," explains Grace. "But if you’ve had a C-section or feel fragile after giving birth, you can’t lift or move it with ease."

During use, Grace heard some mechanical noises and squeaking - which definitely wasn’t coming from her baby. "If this is likely to disturb you, place it on a carpet or a thick rug, or get some feet pads to dull the sound," she suggests. "Or place the cot away from your bed."

Happiest Baby encourages running any such issues past their sleep consultants who are available 7 days a week - a service included in the initial cost of the cot.

Verdict: In conclusion, the Snoo is far more than somewhere for your baby to sleep. "On top of improving the length and quality of sleep, and allowing for adaptability and monitoring, it also claims to reduce the risk of SIDs," explains Grace.

In this case, these claims are not just marketing buzzwords. A great deal of thought has clearly gone into its design and creation. Baby is kept on their back with the Snoo sack - the recognised safest position for a baby to sleep. And the upper material is entirely meshed, making it breathable. As a baby grows and can begin to roll, the sacks allow for the baby's arms to be outside the sack. The bottom half is also loose, abating worries about hip and leg development. 

So is the Snoo Smart Sleeper worth its hefty price tag? Would our tester recommend the Snoo? "Yes and yes - wholeheartedly," she says. "I believe that sleeping better, thanks to the Snoo, has allowed my husband and me to enjoy these special early days and weeks with our daughter more, which is priceless."

It’s an expensive item, so it must deliver on all points. "But it does," says Grace. "Alongside its sleep and safety benefits, the Snoo is aesthetically appealing and well-sized, with an intuitive and easy-to-use app and free access to sleep experts over the phone."

• Read our Happiest Baby Snoo Smart Sleeper Cot review

Our consumer editor says: The Mamas & Papas Lua Bedside Crib is cleverly designed to make it easy to sleep with your baby safely by your side. It comes with a mattress - with a breathable fibre core - included.

The bassinet is removable so this bedside crib is a practical choice if you want to be able to use it in different rooms of the house, such as for daytime naps. The side is retractable with an auto-return feature, so it's quick and easy to lift your baby safely in and out of the crib.

Our tester says: The contemporary, modern design and mesh fabric side panels make this an appealing bedside crib for parents who like minimalist style. During testing, we loved the adjustable side because it makes lifting your baby in and out of the crib super easy. There's no fiddling around with zips or flaps, and the side pops back in place by itself.

We also love the inbuilt storage shelf and changing mat - so handy for making nighttime nappy changes quick and stress-free. Another standout feature of this stylish bedside crib is how easy it is to adjust. You can change the height quickly as required and even set it at an incline to relieve symptoms of reflux.

Verdict: Overall, this is a stylish, innovative bedside crib with lots of practical features that make it perfect for parents who want something a little more versatile than a standard Moses basket.

• Read our Mamas and Papas Lua Bedside Crib review

Our consumer editor says: The Little Green Sheep Moses Basket is a woven natural palm leaf basket. It has an organic knitted liner. It comes with a natural, chemical-free mattress, but the stand has to be purchased separately.

Tested by: Kate Wills, mum to Blake, aged 10 weeks.

The general look and design of this Moses basket impressed our tester. She found it easy and intuitive to use. "This arrived without too much packaging, and looks really good in our bedroom," she says. "The basket itself is well-designed and very light, so it's really easy to move around the house. The wooden stand also folds away easily and doesn't take up much space."

The quality of this Moses basket is impressive, and the knitted liner adds a touch of seriously cosy luxury. "It's very chic and looks quite Scandinavian in design," says Kate. "But it's also very practical – the liner stopped my baby from scratching her hands on the inside of the basket, which happens in our own Moses basket. That makes this one feel warm and cosy."

Despite the stand being an extra expense, this is still a good value choice. "The mattress alone is worth £40," adds Katie. "It's a lovely looking product overall, and looks much more expensive than it is."

Verdict: The only downside is that this Moses basket seems less roomy in comparison to others we tested, so it may not last your baby as long as others. "My baby was 9lbs at birth, so there's not much room in this for her to stretch out," adds Katie. "For that reason, it's probably better suited to smaller babies."

If that's not a problem, and you're not looking for the Moses baskets with the greatest longevity, this will make a lovely addition to your nursery. Lastly, if you're keen on organic and chemical-free products for your little one, this is the best Moses basket for you.

Our consumer editor says: This breathable Moses basket has more than 300 air holes to help promote airflow. Also, it comes with a water-resistant mattress and 100 per cent cotton liner. It's easy to wipe clean (hurrah) and comes with a stand so you can gently rock your baby to sleep.

Tested by: Katie Prior and her son, Ryker, six weeks. 

"At first I felt this looked more like a laundry basket," says Katie. "But it looks much more baby-friendly once the liner is added, and my baby seemed quite happy in it. The basket itself is very large and spacious but it's also very light, making it really easy to move around. Since it's made of plastic, it's also very easy to clean."

The mattress is washable but it's not a standard size, so factor that in when you're buying bedding. The plastic sides and handles add robustness, which makes this a good choice if you'll be carrying it up and down stairs frequently.

On the downside, assembling the stand for this Moses basket is a bit of a challenge. But once assembled, the stand was a hit. "The rocker option is great, and really helped soothe my baby to sleep," says Katie. "Also, I like that it can be set to static mode if you don't want it rocking all the time."

Verdict: Overall, this is a durable, lightweight Moses basket that's ideal for busy parents as it's so easy to move from room to room. It's also a good choice for a first baby – if you've got space to store this Moses basket once it's outgrown, you could use it again - and again!

Our consumer editor says: The Chicco Baby Hug is impressively versatile. That makes it a practical choice if you're short on space. Suitable from birth right through until your baby is three years old, it converts from an overnight crib to a reclining seat.

And, eventually, you can use it as a highchair. It's height-adjustable and easy to move between rooms, thanks to the wheels. It's also good value for money, since few items of baby gear are this multifunctional. It's also a good choice for babies who suffer from congestion or reflux.

Tested by: Katie Prior with baby Ryker, aged three months. 

"I found the assembly instructions very difficult to understand, with just pictures and no description or written steps, but once I found a video online to follow, it was actually quite simple to put together," says Katie. "The cot is a great size, with soft sides and breathable mesh walls, but it doesn't come with a mattress – you have to buy that separately."

Katie found it easy to adjust this for each of its different purposes. Overall, she found the highchair mode the most useful setting. "The movement between the different uses is smooth and easy, which really shows the product's quality, and the lockable wheels make it really easy to wheel the highchair from room to room or up to a table. However, there's no tray included, so you also have to buy that separately."

The Chicco Baby Hug comes with some extras including a musical arch with hanging toys. "The hanging toys are very basic but the melodies are great, with a selection of both upbeat and soothing tunes," says Katie. "If only the Baby Hug could also rock or bounce the baby – that would be a useful feature."

Verdict: We think this is an adaptable, good quality first bed for your baby. It feels sturdy and hard-wearing. However, it is a little cumbersome. For this reason, it's not ideal for carrying upstairs and downstairs. The fact that it can be used for various purposes until your baby is three years old adds real value for money and makes it a brilliant choice for keeping at the grandparents' house for occasional use.

Our consumer editor says: The WoolNest is a stylish, contemporary twist on a classic Moses basket. It's made from high-quality, blended wool felt with robust cotton straps. It comes with a breathable foam mattress with an aloe vera-infused quilt cover that's easy to unzip for washing. However, the stand isn't included, so factor that into your budget.

Tested by: Sonia Zhuravlyova, mum to Bran, six weeks.

"This basket was a little tricky to assemble but once we got it done it looked really stylish in our living room," she says. "The basket provides a super cosy space for the baby to nap in, and the mattress feels firm yet cosy. Bran loves being in this basket and sleeps very well in it during the day. The handles mean you can carry it easily from room to room, and the base folds down really easily."

Verdict: There are no 'bells and whistles' on this Moses basket - what you see is what you get. But despite the lack of musical features and no rocking mode, this is still a practical choice. In particular, it's ideal f you're looking for a sturdy yet stylish Moses basket that's lovely to look at but easy to move between rooms. "The Mokee Wool Nest will appeal to design-conscious parents because it has a pleasing Nordic aesthetic," adds Sonia.

Our consumer editor says: The mattress and stand come included with this stylish, contemporary Moses basket. That means it's excellent value for money. Despite being robust for nighttime sleeping, it's also light enough to move around the house easily. The ventilated, hypo-allergenic base promotes airflow, and the luxurious quilted mattress has a breathable mesh cotton lining that's easy to remove for washing. The stand has two settings so you can use it in fixed and rocking modes.

Tested by: Kate Wills, mum to Blake, aged three months.

Our tester found the Shnuggle Dreami quite large compared to other Moses baskets. Therefore, she feels it's best suited to parents with plenty of space. But it's easy to wipe clean in the event of nappy leaks or milk explosions which are, of course, inevitable.

Overall, this Moses basket impressed Kate. "It's very easy to set up – you just need a screwdriver – and the design is definitely different to a traditional Moses basket," she says. "It's made of white plastic, which makes it easier to clean, and means it would suit a modern home or someone who likes a minimalist aesthetic. It's also light and quiet to carry around, yet it feels robust and sturdy."

Verdict: The best Moses baskets are cosy spaces but there's no hood on this, so it's a little less comforting than those made from softer fabrics. "It's also a bit larger than other Moses baskets, so it's a good choice for bigger babies - or ones who tend to wriggle a lot!" adds Katie. However, the design is clever as the stand folds away easily, and the basket can rock on it when it's on the floor.

 What to look for when buying a Moses basket

• Size - Your baby can safely sleep in their own bedroom from the age of six months. With this in mind, check the dimensions of a Moses basket before you buy. You'll want to make sure it fits in your bedroom and that you'll have enough space to move around it.
• Weight - The best Moses baskets are easy to move from room to room as your baby naps throughout the day. Think about how portable you'd like yours to be. With this in mind, choose a lightweight Moses basket. Secondly, check for sturdy handles.
• Fabric - Next, think about whether you want a durable, sturdy Moses basket or something made from softer, cosy fabric. Decide, too, whether you'd like a rocking stand. This gives you the option to rock your baby to sleep without straining your back.

Your baby should sleep in the same room as you from birth to six months -  even for daytime naps. Research shows that the risk of sudden infant death (SIDS) is lower when babies sleep in a cot or crib in the same room as their parents. Sharing a room with your baby is also convenient since it means you'll hear when your baby stirs.

Are Moses baskets safe?

Yes, absolutely. But don't just take our word for it. Hannah Love, who is a paediatric nurse and parenting and sleep expert says: "The NHS and The Lullaby Trust both include Moses baskets as a safe sleep space for babies.  In fact, they go beyond that and actually state that using a Moses basket can reduce the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

"They are also a cosy space for babies, with the ability to rock them slightly, which can, in turn, encourage sleeping in their own environment – rather than on you."

How we tested the best Moses baskets 

Our Consumer Editor Heidi Scrimgeour came up with a shortlist of Moses baskets based on her product knowledge and industry research, and by looking at the latest offering from the market-leading brands. As a mum of three and a parenting journalist for 15 years, what she doesn't know about baby products isn't worth knowing. 

Next, she selected the final product line-up from a broad range of price points - so there's something here to suit every budget. We then called on our pool of reliable parent testers and assigned each of them a Moses basket to review with their baby. They tested the product rigorously for at least ten days, before giving each product a rating out of five for overall performance. 

We also asked for comprehensive feedback on key factors including design appeal, manoeuvrability, functionality (how easy is it to assemble and fold/unfold), portability (how compact it is when folded) and value for money. We used all of this feedback to assemble this buying guide and the accompanying in-depth product reviews.

Once you've settled on the best Moses basket for your baby, take a look at our guide to the best bedside cribs and the best baby sleep aids. If you're preparing for a new arrival this might also be a good time to check out our guide to the best baby car seats, while our guide to the best baby carriers is a helpful read for those times when you want to keep your baby closer than the pram but still keep your hands free.