The Graco DuetSoothe is a rocker and swing combined in one. This multi-functional product has various swing directions, a vibration setting, and many different songs and nature sounds. However, when it comes down to it, soothing is the most valuable resource a swing can offer, and the DuetSoothe did not do this as well as some other products. Unless you are specifically looking for the 2-in-1 capabilities this swing provides, we recommend looking at some alternatives.
REASONS TO BUY
Quality materials
Vibration feature
2-in-1 function
REASONS TO AVOID
Large footprint
Shallow seat
Simple mobile
Safety Alert
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a safety warning concerning some Fisher-Price rockers and similar baby gear (such as a baby rocker, bouncer, or swing) with more than a 10-degree incline. The CPSC advises parents and caregivers to monitor little ones while using these products and not allow a baby to sleep in the device. Also, it's important for your baby's safety not to add bedding and ensure that your child is correctly secured, following the manufacturer's directions. If your baby falls asleep in a baby rocker, bouncer, or swing, move them to a safe sleeping surface, like a crib, bassinet, or play yard, with a flat and firm surface and no bedding.
Quality materials, vibration feature, 2-in-1 function
Good soothing ability, multiple swing directions, interactive mobile
Inexpensive, compact, foldable
Compact, full features, less expensive
Fun for smaller toddlers, 5-point harness, durable
Cons
Large footprint, shallow seat, simple mobile
Large footprint, loud, difficult assembly
Basic, battery power only, no music/sounds
Difficult to assemble, basic infant insert
Not for soothing, lower quality, short ropes
Bottom Line
Perfect swing to fill a certain 2-in-1 niche, but other options might be better at soothing
Cute seat with exceptional soothing abilities but takes up a lot of space
Perfect foldable swing to use when traveling, but with limited soothing ability
A small swing ideal for babies who are accustomed to gliding but has limited motions
Fun and safe outdoor swing for use with older babies and toddlers, but not meant for soothing
Rating Categories
Graco DuetSoothe an...
Fisher-Price Cradle...
Graco Slim Spaces
Graco Glider Lite LX
Little Tikes Snug '...
Soothing(35%)
7.0
9.0
6.0
5.0
2.0
Ease of Use(25%)
8.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
Quality(25%)
6.0
5.0
6.0
6.0
4.0
Safety(15%)
8.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
Specs
Graco DuetSoothe an...
Fisher-Price Cradle...
Graco Slim Spaces
Graco Glider Lite LX
Little Tikes Snug '...
Dimensions
33"L x 34"W x 43"H
44"L x 35"W x 37"H
31.5"L x 22.8"W x 29.5"H
27"L x 26.25"W x 28"H
16.3''L x 16''W x 17''H
Footprint
1122 in²
1368 in²
718 in²
684 in²
260.8 in²
Weight
21 lbs
25 lbs
15 lbs
12 lbs
3 lbs
Usage Range
Swing: 5.5-30 lbs
Rocker: 5.5-25 lbs
Birth to 25 lbs
5.5-25 lbs
5.5-25 lbs
9 months up to 50 lbs
Harness
5-point
5-point
5-point
5-point
5-point
Power Source
AC Adapter
Battery
AC Adapter
Battery
Battery
AC Adapter
Battery
Manual
# of Speeds
6
6
Roller switch with infinite speed settings
6
NA
Sounds
10 melodies and 5 nature sounds
16 soothing songs & nature sounds
None
10 classical melodies and 5 nature sounds
None
Motion Direction
Front to Back, side to side, vibration mode
Front to back, side to side
Front to back
Front to back glide
NA
Seat Recline
2 positions
2 positions
No
No
No
Cleaning and Care
Machine wash cold, drip dry
Machine washable cover
Machine wash seat pad cold, line dry
Machine wash cold, drip dry
Cleaned with a damp rag or hose down
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Our Analysis and Test Results
Graco has been making baby products since 1953 when they made their debut in the baby market with an automatic swing. The swing was the first of its kind and wildly popular. Since then, their goal has been to create intuitive, long-lasting, safe products to make parenting easier. For over 60 years, Graco has been one of the most well-known brands for baby products, offering everything from travel cribs to strollers to car seats, and is often the go-to brand for many parents.
Performance Comparison
Mobiles are an important feature for baby swings as baby's have something to focus on while awake.
Credit: Dana Ellis
Soothing
This swing has ten songs and five different nature sounds. The mobile is a trio of cute little teddy bears, but because they are stationary and lacking in contrast, they don't catch a baby's attention as well as some others. We like that this swing is fully customizable with two recline positions, six swing speeds, and two vibration strengths to accommodate babies at different stages. Plus, you can rotate the seat on the base to allow it to swing either front to back or sway side to side. Despite all these great features, we were happier with this seat when used as a rocker because it seems to soothe fussy babies faster and is easy to transport from room to room.
Graco's DuetSoothe functions as either a stand-alone rocker with battery-operated vibration mode or as a full-size swing with mobile.
Credit: Dana Ellis
We appreciate the plush fabric and substantial infant insert that work together to keep your baby cozy, but the seat is not as deep as we like. It seems like the padding holds the baby too high out of the chair, which can leave them exposed.
Ease of Use
The DuetSoothe is relatively intuitive to use and has many handy features. The swing itself works by battery or an AC adapter but requires batteries to use the vibration setting. The buttons have clear labels with visual icons, and the swing-to-rocker transition is simple, only requiring you to lift the seat and slide it off the base. This separation can be especially helpful in breaking down the weight and bulk when moving the swing. Once the rocker removes from the base, it has a carry handle and is light enough to tote around single-handedly.
The Graco DuetSoothe Swing has the added feature of a stand alone rocker that vibrates.
Credit: Dana Ellis
This swing does not get any more compact; what you see is what you get, so you will need to set up a dedicated area for this swing to live until your baby has outgrown it. It has one of the largest footprints of the swings we reviewed. We very much appreciate the removable rocker seat the most and recommend it for a parent who is looking to have a swing with greater versatility.
Quality
The DuetSoothe has quality materials, and the design of the base keeps it sturdy without overwhelming the room with lots of extra gadgets and doodads. Some users complain that the noise level of the motor is too high, especially when the swing is at full speed. There seem to be lots of rhythmic creaks and humming, though this seems to be something that bothers parents more than the baby.
The Graco DuetSoothe has a simpler design than many other modern swings.
The base of the DuetSoothe is the second largest in the review.
Safety
With a 2-position adjustable recline, a substantial 5-point harness, and a secure, stable base, this swing covers all the bases when it comes to safety. The option to adjust the baby's recline angle is especially important when using the swing with newborns, keeping them in the most reclined position to ensure there is no slumping or any cause for blocked airways. The crotch strap does not have any padding to protect bare legs or prevent pinches, so you should take extra care when buckling.
BabyGearLab was founded by a Pediatrician Mom with a mission to provide a reliable, independent, source of information to new parents. Our experts have tested thousands of baby and kids products to share key performance, health, and safety findings. We spend tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats to inform our ratings. And, we combine our review work with gobs of expert parenting advice. To assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing by people who care.
