We've also put other high-quality chairs and rockers through their paces to determine the best for every need – find out which came tops in our best baby bouncer round-up.
Good for parents who
Want a baby seat with a range of motions
Are looking for a portable swing
Prefer baby products that look attractive in the home
What we love
Transforms from a baby swing to a portable rocking seat
Handle and wheels make the frame easier to move from room to room
Swings from front to back and side to side, with six swing speeds
Two speed vibrations, 10 musical sounds and lights to soothe baby
Removable, washable covers
Three-position recline seat
Soft five-point harness with adjustable shoulder straps
Pivoting toy bar with two baby toys
Very easy to assemble
Can be plugged into a wall or powered by batteries
What to know
Cover can’t be machine washed
Too big and heavy for travel
Could do with alternative toys, like a rattle, for contrast
Product information
Age range: Suitable from birth up to 9kg (around six months)
Dimensions: 91.5 × 73 × 81cm
Weight: 10.9kg
Materials: Plastic, metal and 100% polyester
Colours: Currently available in six different colours and patterns: Abstract Arrows, Tile, Logan, Forever Flowers, Starry Night and Heyday
Batteries: One D (1.5V) battery
Retailers: Can be bought from a range of retailers, including Amazon, Argos and John Lewis
RRP: £189.99
What is the Joie Serina 2-in-1 Swing like to assemble?
The Joie Serina 2-in-1 Swing takes just 10 minutes to set up. It comes mostly preassembled with instructions to show you how to attach the base to the frame and seat in six clear diagrams.
The manual also shows you how to use the chair, including altering the buckles, adjusting the seat, inserting the batteries and rotating the chair. Our tester, Luci, found the instructions on how to rotate the swing a little unclear, but she eventually worked out that you simply just turn the whole seat.
For any assembly mishaps or missing parts, the Joie website has a copy of the manual and a customer service helpline. You will also find a video showing you how the swing works.
Is the Joie Serina 2-in-1 Swing safe and stable?
Our tester had no concerns about the safety of her baby in this seat. Weighing 10.9kg, the Serina 2-in-1 is more than three times as heavy as other baby bouncers we tested, such as the Fisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler Rocker, making it feel very solid and robust.
Despite the extra weight, the biggest part of the swing is actually the base. It is so sturdy that, during testing, our mum put her hand on the frame to steady herself while getting up off the sofa and it successfully held her weight. Her five-year-old son also liked to lean on the seat to play with his sister and, after knocking into it several times, it didn’t budge or slip around on the wood and slate flooring.
The swing has been designed to meet European safety standards and has a solid circular base with no corners to trip over or catch your toes on. From the strong, pivoting toy bar to the five-point harness with adjustable shoulder straps to ensure baby is always secure, this seat has clearly been made with a baby’s safety at the very core.
Our tester’s baby was 10lbs when she first used the seat and was on the second shoulder strap setting. With that said, there would be more than enough room to tighten it securely for smaller babies.
The soft, padded insert also makes it safe to use from birth and there are no gaps for inquisitive little fingers to get caught.
Joie states that the swing should not be moved with a baby inside and that parents should stop using the chair when their child reaches 9kg (approximately six months) or is able to climb out or sit up unaided.
For more on baby safety, our guide to the best baby thermometer has loads of accurate recommendations from real parents.
What’s it like in day-to-day use?
The Joie Serina 2-in-1 Swing has many features that make daily life that little bit easier. Our tester gave it top marks for how versatile and user-friendly it was to use.
Thanks to the soft, cushioned insert and cosy seat, her baby sat happily in the swing whether she was being entertained by the toys and lights or soothed by the gentle swinging and soothing lullabies.
There are two motions to choose from (side to side or front to back) and our tester especially loved the parent-like rocking motion. There are six speeds which increase gently and can be altered to your baby’s preference or mood. They are all very quiet too.
The Serina 2-in-1 also comes with two speed vibrations that can be felt all around the seat. This was very helpful during testing as it soothed our tester’s baby.
The three recline positions can easily be switched from upright to the lowest level using the button at the top of the seat. It doesn't have a lie-flat recline which meant that Luci's daughter did slump a little in the chair, however her head was still well-cushioned.
Sitting as tall as a traditional Moses basket, the frame is a lot larger and heavier than other baby seats we tested, such as the BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss, so it may not be suitable for smaller homes. With two wheels at the back of the frame and a handle at the top to make it easier to move around, the swing has, however, been made to fit through standard European doorways.
The seat can also be removed from the base and turned into a portable rocker with a strong handle, so you can carry it upstairs while you get in the shower. You shouldn't carry the seat with a baby inside, however, so you will need to move it when it is empty.
The swing can be powered by batteries or plugged into a wall so it works wherever you go, but it doesn’t fold down so wouldn’t be suitable for taking away from home. During testing, our baby made use of all the fun features and the batteries lasted throughout.
Joie has made sure there’s plenty to keep baby amused when you’re busy with other things, with five classical lullabies and five nature sounds to choose from, a soft glow nightlight with four brightness settings and a toy bar with two soft toys which meant that Luci’s baby was always very content.
While the toy bar does pivot to make it easier to get baby in and out, the toys are too high for a young baby to reach. As the toys are also dark in colour, our tester felt different textures and colours, plus a focus on the best sensory toys for babies, would have been more engaging for a baby.
Read next: We've thoroughly researched the best bath toys for babies, as recommended by parents.