Best Moses baskets for newborns - cosy, portable and snug
Discover Mumsnetters' top rated Moses baskets for a safe and comfortable first bed for your baby. From traditional woven designs to modern, portable baskets, we've rounded up the best options on the market.
By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Aug 10, 2023
If you’re weighing up the pros and cons of different kinds of newborn beds, you’ve come to the right place. A Moses basket is great for if you want a space-saving first bed you can use at night as well as safely and easily carry around the house. Plus, the best Moses baskets are perfect for storing teddies in when you’re finished with them.
At Mumsnet, we know how important a decision it is to find the right equipment for your baby. We draw on the wisdom of the millions of parents who visit our forums, as well as consulting baby sleep experts in our quest to help parents make these tricky decisions. If you’re researching newborn beds, be sure to read our guides to the best cribs and the best cot beds, which are packed with information and recommendations from real parents. We’ve also got round-ups of the best travel cots, and a guide to choosing the best baby monitor for you.
From traditional woven baskets to high-tech modern designs, we’ve spent hours researching authentic Mumsnetter recommendations to bring you our pick of the Moses baskets on the market right now.
These are the best Moses baskets for 2023.
1. Best overall Moses basket - Clair de Lune Palm Moses Basket
RRP £40.49 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Dimensions: 75 x 28 x 24cm | Material: Palm | What’s included: Mattress, liner, coverlet, hood
What we love
Mattress and liner included
Good price
Durable
Trusted brand
What to know
Stand not included
What Mumsnet users say
“We’ve got a Clair de lune one; it’s been used for both my DC and my nephew and still got lots of life left in it.” (Recommended by Mumsnetter user1493413286)
“Clair de lune and still going strong 2 kids and lots of visiting babies later!” Tried and tested by Mumsnet user Starsinyourpies)
Our verdict
For a classic, high-quality palm Moses basket at a reasonable price, this one from Mumsnetter’s favourite Clair de Lune is hard to beat. Many don’t like the prospect of scratchy palm fibres next to their babies skin, and this Moses basket comes with a breathable cotton liner to protect those delicate newborn elbows.
Experts advise against loose covers for new babies, so you might want to dispense with the coverlet. The hood will come in handy on sunny days and the mattress is included with the bundle. Mumsnetters really rate Clair de Lune for its value for money and longevity, and this Moses basket comes with all the essentials for under £50. The only extra Mumsnetters think is best to get is a rocking stand, which is available separately.
Read next: The best nursing chairs to buy, as recommended by mums
2. Best budget Moses basket - Kinder Valley Moses Basket
RRP £25 | Buy now from ASDA
Key specs
Dimensions: 47 x 86 x 50cm | Material: Palm | What’s included: Liner, mattress, sheet, hood
What we love
Bargain price
Bedding and mattress included
What to know
Stand sold separately
What Mumsnet users say
“DS slept in his moses basket for 7 months, he only stopped using it as he couldn't lay flat in it. It was a £20 supermarket one.” (Sage advice from Mumsnetter fedupandlookingforchange)
Our verdict
A basic Moses basket doesn’t need to cost the earth, and many Mumsnetters swear by simply buying a new mattress and using a secondhand Moses basket. This one from Kinder Valley at ASDA is cheap, cheerful and comes with a mattress, sheet, hood and liner, all for under £30.
You can pick up a safe and comfortable Moses basket in many larger supermarkets, there’s really no need to break the bank when shopping for somewhere for your newborn to sleep.
Read next: The best nappy bins to eliminate smells, as recommended by parents
3. Best Moses basket with a stand - Snuzbaskit
RRP: £99.95 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Dimensions: 84 x 47 x 74cm | Material: Felt | What’s included: Stand, mattress
What we love
Cool, Sandi design
High qaulity materials
Larger than most other Moses baskets
What to know
Size doesn't always mean babies can sleep in a Moses basket for longer
Our verdict
Snuz says their Snuzbaskit is the Moses basket reinvented: “Bigger. Stronger. Lighter. More breathable.” It’s around 45% larger but 20% lighter than other Moses baskets, thanks to its unique recycled ‘Kinderfelt’ breathable fabric, mesh windows and 3D mesh mattress.
It comes with a sturdy, solid wood stand that folds away for easy storage and will elevate the Moses basket, making those night feeds that bit easier. The stand doesn’t rock, which could be a drawback for some. If you’re looking for a premium product that comes with everything you need at a reasonable price, the Snuzbaskit is a great choice.
4. Best rocking Moses basket - Shnuggle Dreami
RRP: £104.95 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Dimensions: 45 x 88 x 61cm | Material: Plastic | What’s included: Base, stand, mattress, dressings
What we love
Gentle rocking motion
Flexible plastic is quieter than natural fibres
Easy to clean
What to know
You need to turn the stand round to rock the basket, which can be fiddly
Expensive
What Mumsnet users say
"The actual Moses basket we used upstairs was a shnuggle one which isn't a "next to me" but is bigger than a standard Moses basket. Also just to note my DC still fits in the Shnuggle at 9 months." Tried and tested by Mumsnetter annie9876)
Our verdict
With its distinctive curved stand, the Shnuggle Dreami allows you to gently rock your baby to sleep. Thanks to easy-to-follow pictures, the Shnuggle Dreami Clever Baby Sleeper can be put together by one person and is very straightforward to assemble. Once the stand is set up, it takes seconds to fold, so it can be stored away without hassle when not in use.
It’s both bigger and sturdier than you'd expect and very functional too, with the plastic not only making it easy to keep the basket clean but much quieter so your baby can sleep undisturbed. Isn’t that what all new parents want?
Read our in-depth Shnuggle Dreami review.
5. Best modern Moses basket - Tommee Tippee Sleepee
RRP: £59.95 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Dimensions: 42 x 84 x 42cm | Material: Plastic | What’s included: Stand, mattress, liner
What we love
Easy to clean
Rocking stand
Makes a great laundry basket
What to know
Expensive in comparison to other modern Moses baskets, but not traditional ones
What Mumsnet users say
"We had a Moba, which my daughter loved. We carried it up and downstairs and she was in it until she was about 7 months. I think the company has been sold and they are called something else now." (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user BoudicasBoudoir)
"I was going to say Moba too. It's now the Tommee Tippee Sleepee. Fantastic and easy to clean and practical. The wicker one I had first time round drove me mad with noise and bent out of shape quite quickly." (Recommended by Mumsnetter Mynotsoperfectlittlefamily)
Our verdict
Formerly known as the Moba, Tommee Tippee’s Sleepee basket is a flexible plastic basket with over 300 airholes to make it breathable. It’s easy to clean, comes with a stand that can rock or stay in a fixed positon, and has strong handles that won’t flop into the middle of the basket like a traditional palm Moses basket’s might.
Another benefit of a plastic basket is that it doesn’t rustle like a palm one, which is a real plus if your baby’s a light sleeper. Reviewers say it resembles a laundry basket, and we think this is the perfect use for it after your little one graduates into a cot!
6. Best traditional Moses basket - John Lewis Little Dash Moses Basket
RRP: £89 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Dimensions: 30 x 77 x 25cm | Material: Palm | What’s included: Mattress, liner
What we love
Tasteful, simple design
Trusted brand
What to know
More expensive than other traditional baskets
What Mumsnet users say
“John Lewis. Can’t go wrong. Used it loads. In fact, I had one of those bedside crib things and my DS would only sleep in the Moses basket in the crib. I say sleep, “nap briefly” is more accurate.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user DaisyDando)
Our verdict
John Lewis is a favourite with Mumsnetters thanks to their high standards, excellent customer service and prompt delivery. This simple Moses basket is a tasteful, plain take on the traditional basket, perfect for those who find the Clair de Lune or Kinder Valley baskets too fussy.
The basket is lightweight and easy to move around, and it comes with a cute, gender-neutral liner and a firm quilted mattress. Reviewers say it makes a great-looking toy basket once it’s no longer useful as a bed.
7. Best luxury Moses basket - Little Green Sheep Organic Knitted Moses Basket
RRP: £119.95 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Dimensions: 24 x 82 x 42cm | Material: Palm | What’s included: Mattress, liner
What we love
All organic materials
Highly-rated mattress included
Washable liner
What to know
Expensive
What Mumsnet users say
“Little green sheep do really sweet organic non-synthetic Moses basket and mattresses. Think they’re about 100 and something quid though.” (Loved by Mumsnetter 333mumtobe)
Our verdict
For a great-looking Moses basket made from 100% organic, natural materials, this one from Little Green Sheep is a good bet. The basket comes complete with Mumsnetters’ best Moses basket mattress and an organic, cable knit liner.
At over £100 for a basket without a stand, it’s certainly pricey. But if green credentials are a priority for you, Little Green Sheep’s Moses basket is a winner.
Are moses baskets safe?
Baby sleep experts the Lullaby Trust say, “The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own clear, flat, separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket.”
Moses baskets are made from breathable materials and provide a flat surface for babies to sleep on - in terms of expert guidance around SIDS, they’re very safe. Not all Moses basket mattresses come with a waterproof cover, so it’s worth buying one of these if yours doesn’t.
How long can a baby sleep in a moses basket?
Each basket will have a specific weight or age specified, but it’s best to move your baby out of their Moses basket when they’re able to sit up unaided. This is because the basket could tip or your baby could climb out.
How to buy a mattress for your moses basket
The Lullaby Trust recommends that Moses basket mattresses are simply flat, firm and waterproof. It’s also important to check the size of your Moses basket, as there can be small differences between brands.
There’s an in-depth guide to buying a mattress in our round-up of the best moses basket mattresses.
What’s the best Moses basket to buy?
For a classic, long-lasting and good value Moses basket, we think Clair de Lune’s palm Moses basket is the best one out there. If you’re after something more modern, the Tommee Tippee Sleepee is a real hit with Mumsnetters, thanks to its easy-to-clean, breathable and quiet construction.
Why you should trust our reviews
At Mumsnet, we believe parents should be able to access impartial and honest advice about products and services they may purchase.
We consult real parents as well as experts so we can offer the benefit of honest experience and we don’t take payment for our reviews from companies.
Our team of writers is made up of experienced consumer and parenting journalists who between them have a wealth of experience and knowledge at their fingertips.