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Stokke Steps Bouncer review: the supportive baby bouncer with a unique cradle motion
Softly cushioned, with a unique motion that mimics the feeling of being cradled, the Stokke Steps Bouncer is an exceptionally supportive bouncer for newborns. We put it to the test with our parent tester and her baby. Here’s our verdict.
By Laura Westerman | Last updated Sep 5, 2023
Overall star rating: 4/5
Price on writing: £159 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Suitable from: Birth to 6 months (or 9kg) | Fabric sling removable and machine washable: Yes | Additional features: Detachable toy hanger | Dimensions: 53 x 67 x 80cm (assembled); 53 x 13 x 80cm (folded) | Weight: 3.74kg | Batteries required: None | Warranty: 3 years
What we like
Offers excellent support
Unique cradle motion
Padded five-point harness
Folds flat for travel and storage
Can be used as part of the Stokke Steps modular highchair system
What we don’t like
Can only be used up to 9kg (approximately 6 months)
Toy bar quite low - limits which toys you attach
No toys included for the toy bar
Pricey
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Our verdict on the Stokke Steps Bouncer
Set up: 5/5
Safety: 4.5/5
Ease of use: 4.5/5
Design: 4/5
Ease of cleaning: 4.5/5
Value for money: 3/5
The ideal baby bouncer for newborns, the Stokke Steps is both comfortable and supportive. Developed in partnership with a paediatric physiotherapist, the newborn insert supports your baby’s neck and spine to make sure they’re in the correct position at all times while they’re in the bouncer.
While it only lasts till your baby weighs 9kg, which is around six months, the Stokke Steps Bouncer is a great buy if you’re looking for a safe and comfy place to lay your baby in the early months.
How we tested the Stokke Steps Bouncer
Tested over the course of three months
Used with a newborn
Used at least once a day
Our parent tester used the Stokke Steps Bouncer with her newborn. As a first-time mum with an understanding of the reassurance parents need when it comes to newborn safety, she put the Stokke Steps through a tough testing process in her day-to-day life, scoring the bouncer on how well it performed in a variety of real-life situations.
When it came to day-to-day use, she considered the following: how comfortable her baby looked in the bouncer, how entertained they were by the toy bar and how easy the bouncer was to adjust, fold and move around.
In terms of safety, she looked closely at the safety harness and attempted to click it in place when her baby was especially wriggly to see if there was any risk of getting little fingers caught in the clips. She also made sure to run her hands over every part of the bouncer to see if there were any sharp edges that could harm a baby.
Our tester conducted a wear and tear test by dropping the bouncer on the floor 20 times as well as attempting to push it over to see how sturdy it was. To test for bounce, she substituted her baby with a bag of flour and bounced the bouncer as hard as it would go. This was partly to test for safety and if a baby could fall out, but also to get a sense of how the bouncer bounced – whether it was a smooth and relaxing bounce or if it was jerky and unsteady. She also tested whether her baby could bounce the bouncer with his own movements.
To test for assembly, our tester timed herself from when she opened the box to when her son was safely strapped into the bouncer. She also made a note of whether the instruction manual was easy to follow.
To test for cleaning, our tester washed the cover in the washing machine to see if colours faded and if stains such as baby dribble and leftover lunch washed out completely. She also made a note of how easy it was to clean the toy bar.
What’s in the box?
Stokke Steps Bouncer
Bouncer insert
Bouncer shoulder pads
Detachable toy bar
Instruction manual
How easy is the Stokke Steps Bouncer to assemble?
Extremely easy! The Stokke Steps Bouncer comes pre-assembled, so all our tester needed to do was release the locking clip to unfold it and then open out the leg stand, which took a matter of seconds. She then attached the toy bar.
Read next: The best baby toys from newborn to 12 months
The Stokke Steps Bouncer comes in seven different colours
How does the Stokke Steps Bouncer look?
Minimal in aesthetic, with seven colour and frame options to choose from, the Stokke Steps is both stylish and sleek.
It’s available in Soft Coral, Cloud print, Deep Grey with a white chassis, Herringbone Grey with a white chassis, Herringbone Grey with a black chassis, Soft Sage with a white chassis and Soft Sage with a black chassis, so there are enough colourways to suit a variety of tastes.
As for material, the Stokke Steps seat is made from PU-coated polyester and cotton and a 100% PU foam padding, so is soft for babies to lay on.
Our tester says, “[The bouncer] looks stylish and not out of place in a modern home. It’s not obtrusive at all and [I like that] it can eventually be added onto a chair too.”
How safe and stable is the Stokke Steps Bouncer?
The Stokke Steps Bouncer scored very well in our safety tests, particularly when it came to the padded seat. Stokke has worked with a paediatric physiotherapist to create an ergonomic newborn insert that cradles a baby’s growing spine to ensure they are properly supported right from the start.
The five-point safety harness, which buckles your baby in at the shoulders and waist, then keeps them fully secure while they’re bouncing. Our parent tester commented on how easy the harness was to clip and unclip, even with a wriggly baby, with no risk of her baby's tiny fingers getting trapped.
When it comes to stability, our tester performed a topple test to test the bouncer's sturdiness - it remained stable throughout. She also dropped the bouncer from waist height to see if it would break, but there was no damage reported. The base stays firmly in place no matter on all floor types from carpet to tile, so you won’t have to worry about the bouncer moving around on slippery floors.
While we didn’t test out the modular highchair system, if you want to mount the Stokke Steps bouncer seat onto the Stokke Steps Chair (which must be bought separately) to use it as a highchair or to give your baby a different vantage point, there is a safety indicator that turns from red to green when the seat has been properly attached for peace of mind.
Read next: The best toys for 9-month-olds
The Stokke Steps Bouncer folds flat for travel and storage
What’s the Stokke Steps Bouncer like to use day-to-day?
Our tester found the Stokke Steps Bouncer easy to use and adjust. Its different recline positions allowed her to easily alter the angle of the seat as her baby grew.
She loved the fact that the bouncer folds flat for easy storage and travel, with a locking clip to keep the bouncer safely locked in position, and she took the bouncer with her when visiting family members. She says, “I’m amazed by how flat it folds down. It’s great when visiting relatives as I can just fold it down and chuck it into the back of the car. It also easily fits behind my sofa when I want to store it away.”
She adds, “It only weighs eight pounds so it doesn’t break your back if you lug it around [the house].”
Read next: Newborn essentials: your ultimate new baby checklist
Is it comfortable for babies?
One of the major selling points of the Stokke Steps Bouncer is its unique and gentle cradle motion, which mimics the way a parent cradles a baby in their arms. The bouncer allows your baby to bounce independently too.
As such, the bouncer is very calming for babies, enhanced by the excellent support the soft and padded newborn insert provides.
Our tester says, “It’s not a high tech bouncer, but it does promote healthy physical and emotional development, and keeps my baby occupied for a good amount of time.”
The Stokke Steps Bouncer can be attached to the Stokke Steps Chair
Does it have any extra features?
Aside from the ability to attach this bouncer to the Stokke Steps Chair, the only additional feature of the Stokke Steps Bouncer is the detachable toy hanger, which keeps your little one's favourite baby toys close to hand. It can then be removed if your baby gets overstimulated.
We would have liked the toy bar to be higher to accommodate a wider range of toys, but our tester says, “It’s great that you can add your own toys so if [my son] gets bored I can add new ones.”
Is the Stokke Steps Bouncer easy to clean?
Yes! Stokke Steps Bouncer fabric cover is machine-washable at 40 degrees - ideal for cleaning spit-ups and spills.
Our parent tester reported that the fabric was very easy to clean and the seat cover came out like new when thrown in the washing machine. The frame can be wiped clean with a damp cloth if needed.
Read next: The best baby walkers to encourage those first steps
Price and competition: is the Stokke Steps good value for money?
Debatable. While you can’t put a price tag on comfort and support, especially when it comes to newborns, the Stokke Steps is pricey for the longevity it offers.
Retailing at £159, it’s at the higher end of the price scale compared to other baby bouncers on the market and you need to fork out over £200 for the Stokke Steps Chair if you want to use the bouncer seat as a highchair - although you can usually find the bouncer and chair online as part of a bundle for under £400. While the Stokke Steps Chair will last beyond 9kg, the bouncer seat won’t, so it will become redundant after the six-month mark regardless.
That said, we like the baby bouncer’s calming cradle motion and the ergonomic seat that safely supports your baby during playtime. As such, we think you’ll get your money’s worth from the Stokke Steps Bouncer - but only if your baby’s a fan.
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
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