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BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft review: the comfy and stylish bouncer that parents rate
The BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft is a lightweight and supportive baby bouncer that will grow with your baby. But how does it compare to the similarly designed BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss and is it worth the high price tag? MNHQ parents, Maaike and Kelly, put it to the test with their children. Here’s our verdict.
By Laura Westerman | Last updated Dec 4, 2023
Overall star rating: 4.5/5
Price on writing: £166.50 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Suitable from: Birth to two years (3.5-13kg) | Fabric sling removable and machine washable: Yes | Additional features: None | Dimensions: 58 x 89 x 39cm (highest position) and 89 x 39 x 11cm (folded) | Weight: 2.25kg | Batteries required: None
What we like
Dual use - converts from a baby bouncer to a toddler chair as your child grows
Lightweight
Can be folded completely flat for travel
Machine-washable seat
Sleek design and high-quality materials
Three different recline angles
What we don’t like
No toy bar included
Doesn’t vibrate or make sounds/play lullabies
Latest deals from trusted retailers
Our verdict on the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft
Set up: 5/5
Safety: 5/5
Ease of use: 5/5
Design: 4.5/5
Ease of cleaning: 5/5
Value for money: 4/5
Ergonomic, lightweight and easy to use, the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft is a great multi-use bouncer for babies and toddlers.
It functions as a baby bouncer until your baby weighs 9kg, which is somewhere between eight and 10 months of age, and then as a toddler seat up to 13kg, which is around age two. If you’re a parent of two under two, this is a bouncer that could be worth its weight in gold.
While you won’t find integrated vibration settings, music or a toy bar included, this no-frills bouncer does what it sets out to do and that’s to offer exceptional support to both babies and toddlers, excelling in particular when it comes to newborns.
At just over 2kg, it’s lightweight enough to be moved around your home wherever you need it, and it folds down completely (yes, completely) flat for both storage and travel. Our parent testers loved it so much that they both awarded it five stars in almost every category.
Read next: The best baby bouncers and rockers
How we tested the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft
Over six years of use
Used with newborns all the way to toddlerhood
Used at least once a day
The BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft was used over the course of six years by two MNHQ parents. Maaike, mum to a now three- and six-year-old, used this bouncer daily with both of her children from the newborn stage to toddlerhood. She used it with her eldest when she was only one week old.
Kelly, mum to a now two-year-old, also used the Balance Soft throughout the newborn and toddler stage. She found the bouncer particularly useful in the early days, using the bouncer for around two hours every day in short bursts. She then purchased an accompanying toy bar for the bouncer when her daughter was three months old.
What’s in the box?
BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft
Instruction manual
How easy is the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft to assemble?
Very easy! The BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft comes fully assembled so it takes just seconds to set up. It’s folded in the box so all you need to do is to open out the leg stand to start using it straight away.
Although you’ll find an easy-to-read instruction booklet included, Maaike says, “It’s super simple to set up, so it doesn’t actually require the manual.”
Read next: The best baby toys from newborn to 12 months
How does the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft look?
One of the reasons this bouncer is so popular with parents is its design. Minimalist in aesthetic, the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft oozes Scandinavian style.
It’s a fabric bouncer, so is comfortable for babies, and the breathable material allows for optimal airflow, with a choice of either 100% cotton, cotton/jersey or mesh depending on your preference. The fabric also conforms to the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 (class 1), which means that it’s been thoroughly tested to be certified safe for babies’ mouths and skin.
Maaike says, “It looks like such a simple bouncer compared to others in the market, so at first I wondered why everybody raved about it. I was given the bouncer [as a gift], so I didn’t choose the colour, but they have several colours, fabrics and patterns now. The design is simple, but slick. The frame is made of a strong metal and hence stands the test of time.”
The Balance Soft bouncer has a relatively small footprint, which means it won’t take up much space when in use or folded away, and the eight different colourways are neutral to suit all interiors.
Maaike continues, “I like how easily it folds. It barely takes up space for storage or to take along [with you] on holiday.”
Kelly echoes this sentiment and says, “[This bouncer] is easy to use and can fold down quickly for storage. [It’s made of a] lovely soft material and different height settings so [that your] baby can lie flat or sit up.”
She adds, “I think the design of this bouncer is very sleek and was my favourite when searching. The fabric is also very soft to touch and comfortable [for babies].”
How safe and stable is the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft?
The BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft conforms to European safety standard EN 12790:2009, and is praised by testers and reviewers for being both safe and sturdy.
Its ergonomic seat moulds to your baby’s body so that their weight is evenly distributed when they’re in the bouncer, which means it offers exceptional head, neck and back support. This is particularly important for newborns who can’t yet comfortably hold their head upright. Even though there are three recline settings to choose from, only the lowest recline is recommended for newborns.
The leg stand keeps the bouncer sturdy on all floor types, from carpet to tile, and the bouncer and leg stand combined are slimline enough to not be a trip hazard if you have a toddler running around the house. While the folding mechanism could in theory trap small fingers, it’s positioned far enough underneath the bouncer seat so as to not be of concern.
The bouncer boasts an easy-to-fasten three-point button harness to keep little ones securely in the seat, with a fabric overlay for additional comfort. You then reverse the cover, which subsequently hides the harness, to convert the bouncer into a toddler chair, but you’ll need to set the seat at its highest recline angle so that it’s fully upright for toddler use.
Kelly says, “I was very happy to leave my baby in this bouncer as it straps [them] in so there is no risk of them falling out and no small gaps for fingers etc to get trapped.”
It’s as supportive and stable for toddlers as it is for babies, but bear in mind that it has a maximum weight limit of 13kg, so can’t be used after this point.
What’s the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft like to use day-to-day?
If you have a newborn, the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft can be used for playtime or as a safe place to put them down when needed. It doesn’t vibrate or rock itself as some bouncers like the Tiny Love 3-in-1 Rocker Napper do - you’ll need to gently bounce the seat in order to create a rocking motion. But it’s the simplicity of it that makes this bouncer popular with both parents and babies.
Maaike says, “The bouncing isn’t mechanical. It’s just the frame that allows for some bouncing, but it’s enough to rock [babies] gently. I used it throughout the day. It was easy to move around to other rooms or other houses if I needed to. It allowed me to keep both of my babies calm and to have my hands free to do other things when they were unable to sit up by themselves.”
Kelly adds, “[It’s] super easy [to use] with a simple mechanism to open up and close the bouncer. This bouncer grows with age, which is great, and I found myself getting it back out for my toddler to lounge in. As a newborn, you have to push the bouncer but as they get bigger they can bounce themselves.”
She continues, “It’s perfect to use everyday and light enough to bring with you around the house, even in the bathroom when taking a shower so baby can stay close by.”
Once folded flat, the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft can easily be stored in a cupboard or packed neatly into the car boot for overnight stays or family holidays.
Read next: Newborn essentials: your ultimate new baby checklist
Is it comfortable for babies?
The soft material and well-designed seat make the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft extremely comfortable for babies and toddlers, as both Kelly and Maaike experienced with their little ones.
Maaike says, “My babies both easily fell asleep in the bouncer [although this isn’t recommended], so I think it was very comfortable. The setting for younger babies leans back more, so this probably means it’s easier to fall asleep. They could easily spend [time] in there whilst I was cooking, hanging the washing out, etc.”
She adds, “In the evenings or when I was on the sofa, I could gently rock the bouncer with my foot. Some babies discover how to bounce themselves. My children didn’t do this, but my brother and sister’s babies did and then they just relaxed themselves. It was really cute to see.”
Does it have any extra features?
When it comes to entertainment, there are no bells and whistles to this bouncer and it doesn’t come with any extra features, which might make it a deal breaker for some parents. It doesn’t play lullabies or music, for example. But you can buy a toy bar separately if you find your baby needs extra stimulation as they grow.
Kelly says, “I like that you can add a toy bar, but this does come at an additional cost. I bought the BabyBjörn toy bar once my baby was three months old which helped with interaction whilst [she was] in the bouncer.”
Maaike adds, “We also had a very simple bar that could be put on the bouncer which had a few colourful toys. Again, super simple, but brilliant for the little ones (bright colours and wooden shapes which spin around).”
Read next: The best baby toys from newborn to 12 months
Is the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft easy to clean?
Yes! One of the perks of the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft is that its cover is both removable and machine-washable - ideal for cleaning spit-ups or spills.
MNHQ parents Maaike and Kelly both found their bouncer easy to clean, with Maaike stating, “The fabric wraps around the bouncer completely and can be easily removed to put in the washing machine.”
BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft in mesh vs BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss in 3D jersey
How does the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft compare to the BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss?
Frequently appearing on best buy lists, the almost identical BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss is hugely popular with parents. It's a bouncer we also recommend in our best baby bouncers round-up.
When it comes to design though, the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft and BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss are one in the same. They are both equally lightweight, convert from a baby bouncer to a toddler seat and can be used with children up to 13kg (around age two). They also retail at the same price.
The main difference between these two bouncers is the extra fabric and material choice for the Bliss. While both the Balance Soft and Bliss are available in cotton, mesh and cotton/jersey options, the Bliss also comes in a 3D jersey fabric, which is the softest and most luxurious of all BabyBjörn fabrics.
Price and competition: is the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft good value for money?
With an RRP of £210, the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft is more expensive than many other baby bouncers on the market, such as the similarly designed Maxi-Cosi Kori (£99) and Babylo Gravity Baby Bouncer (£49.99), although you’ll find it online for closer to £160.
If you’re looking for a bouncer with music, toys and vibrations, the Balance Soft won’t be worth the price tag for you. But if it’s longevity you’re after, this bouncer turned toddler seat certainly represents good value for money.
Maaike says, “Ours still looks like new, even though we’ve used it for two children and it’s over six years old. [BabyBjörn bouncers] also tend to keep a lot of their resale value.”
As such, we think the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft is a great option for growing families, especially considering its versatility, comfort and excellent safety credentials. It is pricey though, so you’ll need to carefully consider how often you’ll use it and whether it can later be passed down to a sibling or two.
Read next: The best baby walkers to encourage those first steps
About the author
Laura Westerman is an editor, writer and Deputy Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet. Mum to a one-year-old, she’s always keen to make playtime safe and fun for her daughter, so is fully invested in finding the best and most affordable baby products on the market.
With over seven years' experience as a full-time editor, five of which have been spent writing, commissioning and editing product reviews and round-ups, Laura has a keen eye for what parents love and likes nothing more than putting together honest reviews to make parents' lives that little bit easier.
In addition to her work as a writer and editor, she has also appeared in a number of baby product review videos for Mumsnet's YouTube channel.
About Mumsnet Reviews
All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.