Maxi-Cosi Kori Rocker review: the stylish and affordable 2-in-1 baby bouncer

Overall star rating: 4.5/5

Price on writing: £99 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Suitable from: Birth to two years (0-15kg) | Fabric sling removable and machine washable: Yes | Additional features: Toy arch | Dimensions: 72 x 42 x 48cm (highest position) and 73.5 x 15cm (folded) | Weight: 2.7kg | Batteries required: None

What we like

• Attractive design

• Can be folded flat for travel

• Very lightweight

• Well-cushioned newborn inlay

• Good-quality materials

What we don’t like

• Newborns may not be able to reach the toys on the toy arch

• Rocking motion not exaggerated enough

Latest deals from trusted retailers

Our verdict on the Maxi-Cosi Kori Rocker

• Set up: 5/5

• Safety: 4/5

• Ease of use: 5/5 

• Design: 4.5/5

• Ease of cleaning: 4/5

• Value for money: 4/5

Similar in design to minimalist, Mumsnetter-recommended bouncers like the BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss and the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft, the Maxi-Cosi Kori is a contemporary-looking bouncer and a great option for aesthetic-conscious parents. 

Offering good longevity for its price tag, it can be used with newborns all the way to toddlerhood, up to a maximum weight of 15kg.  

During testing with my five-month-old, I instantly noticed how well-cushioned the insert was and the compactness of the bouncer when folded up for storage. I would have liked the 'rock' to feel more substantial, but overall I would definitely recommend this product to other parents. 

Read next: The best baby bouncers and rockers

How we tested the Maxi-Cosi Kori Rocker

• Two months of use

• Used with a five-month-old

• Used at least once a day

I’ve been testing the Maxi-Cosi Kori out daily with my five-month-old daughter, using it in my living room at home.

As part of the testing process, I scrutinised every aspect of the bouncer and scored it on a number of different factors, including: assembly, safety and sturdiness, day-to-day use, design and aesthetics, ease of cleaning, and value for money.

What’s in the box?

• Maxi-Cosi Kori bouncer

• Newborn inlay and pillow

• Toy arch with toys attached

How easy is the Maxi-Cosi Kori Rocker to assemble?

To set up the bouncer from its folded position, you pull one latch so that it sits in the upright position, ready for use.

Assembling the bouncer was quite simple. The pictured instructions were very easy to read and straightforward to understand. Attaching the toy arch was a little more difficult as the two side clips were stiff and had to slightly bend around the outer wooden frame to attach properly. The toy arch then slides into the clips very easily. 

I didn't need any tools to set it up other than some scissors to remove some taped polystyrene.

Read next: The best baby toys from newborn to 12 months

How does the Maxi-Cosi Kori Rocker look?

Maxi-Cosi has prioritised style when designing this bouncer as the Kori is very modern and stylish. The grey colours and wood-effect frame nicely match plenty of my decoration and would look good in any modern home. 

It feels like a premium product. The material used for the insert is very soft, breathable and is made from Eco Care 100% recycled fabrics, however it’s quite thick so my daughter would be warm on hotter days. Overall, I'm impressed with the good quality of the materials used and how comfortable this bouncer is as a whole.

How safe and stable is the Maxi-Cosi Kori Rocker?

I found the Kori Rocker to be safe and sturdy enough to leave my daughter in, but the three-point safety harness does feel a little loose. Unfortunately, it doesn't allow much room for adjustments as I can only tighten it by about an inch on either side. 

I have concerns about leaving an active, slightly older child alone in case they were able to climb out. I do, however, like that the harness has clips on either side so it’s very easy to lift my five-month-old in and out without her legs getting caught.

The Kori bouncer also features optional stoppers on either side which are easy to use and successfully stop it from rocking. There are rubber grips on the front of the bouncer which prevent it from sliding on wooden floors when the stoppers are in use. However, the rest of the bouncer does not have rubber grips so it can slide on wooden floors when the stoppers are retracted.

What’s the Maxi-Cosi Kori Rocker like to use day-to-day?

The Maxi-Cosi Kori has been used everyday by my five-month-old and it’s been a lifesaver when I've needed to get on with daily jobs or just take five minutes to have a cup of tea. 

There are three recline levels which are all very useful (and can be adjusted with only one hand) and my baby felt very secure in all three positions. It can be folded down to an almost flat position which is handy for storage or travel away from home and, at just 2.7kg, it’s surprisingly lightweight given the sturdy frame. 

As my baby grows, I’ll be able to convert the bouncer from a rocker to a seat, with a maximum child weight limit of 15kg, which is around age two. 

Read next: Newborn essentials: your ultimate new baby checklist

Is it comfortable for babies?

My baby enjoyed sitting in the bouncer but struggled to sit up straight without the insert, however that’s likely because she's only five months old and not yet sitting independently.

The insert can be removed to accommodate an older baby but, while padded, the main seat doesn’t seem to be as comfortable without the insert.

The rocker feature feels a little minimal and could have been more exaggerated, but Maxi-Cosi says the gentle swaying motion “reminds infants of moving in the womb and the rocking movement can also soothe babies with colic.”

Does it have any extra features?

My five-month-old wasn’t able to play very much with the toy arch as she couldn't yet reach the toys, but nevertheless enjoyed looking at them. There are two toys included: Barry the bear (Maxi-Cosi's chosen name, not mine) and his forest tree.

I do feel that the toy arch detaches too easily at times, but it’s sturdy enough to be able to attach other baby toys to. My daughter liked the dangling stuffed toys and they caught her attention a few times, however because the bouncer doesn’t have lights, lullabies or vibrations, I think the toy arch could be more vibrant for babies.

Read next: The best pram toys for babies

Is the Maxi-Cosi Kori Rocker easy to clean?

My baby did spit up on the bouncer insert which I put in the washing machine as the fabrics are machine-washable. The stain didn't come out completely but is faint enough that it looks clean. The insert can’t be tumble-dried so my daughter had a day of not being able to sit upright in the bouncer comfortably while it dried. 

The main seat cover is very easy to remove. There are eight buttons, one Velcro strip and one zip. There is also a removable plastic base, but this, on the other hand, is quite fiddly to remove before washing. It’s very easy to get the cover back on the rocker after washing though.

Read next: The best baby walkers to encourage those first steps

Price and competition: is the Maxi-Cosi Kori Rocker good value for money?

As baby bouncers go, the Maxi-Cosi Kori is averagely priced, retailing at around £100 - cheaper than other similarly designed bouncers including the BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss and the BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft. 

I do think it offers excellent value for money if you're looking for a good-quality, premium-feel chair, but if you’re looking for a product with a more substantial bounce as well as extra toy features then this may not be the rocker for you.

About the author

Rachel Best is a Senior Developer at Mumsnet and mum of one. She has worked at Mumsnet for almost 12 years and has developed an exceptional amount of knowledge on what parents are looking for when it comes to baby products, most recently becoming part of our trusted team of parent testers.

About the editor

Laura Westerman is an editor, writer and Deputy Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet. Mum to a one-year-old, she’s 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 an editor and writer, 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.