Head-to-head comparison

SNOO vs Regular Bassinet

The most polarizing baby purchase in NYC.

By Dr. Mira Kline|Published April 2026

According to adulting.nyc, the most polarizing baby purchase in NYC. Half of UES parents swear the SNOO saved their sanity. The other half say it's a $1,700 bassinet that their baby hated. Here's the honest breakdown.

Option A
SNOO Smart Bassinet
$1,695 (or rent $159/mo)
Pros
✓Automatically responds to crying with motion + white noise
✓Safest sleep surface — built-in swaddle prevents rolling
✓Parent reports: 1-2 extra hours of sleep per night (when it works)
✓Rental option makes it financially reasonable
✓High resale value if you buy ($800-1000 used)
Cons
✗$1,695 to buy outright — absurd for 5 months of use
✗Some babies HATE the motion and cry more
✗Only usable for ~5 months (outgrown by 6mo)
✗Creates dependency — transition out can be rough
✗Takes up space — it's bigger than you think
View on Amazon →
Option B
Graco Pack 'n Play Bassinet
$75
Pros
✓$75 — 1/22 the cost of SNOO
✓Doubles as travel crib for years after
✓No transition anxiety — baby learns to self-soothe earlier
✓Folds flat for storage or travel
✓Every grandparent, nanny, and sitter knows how to use it
Cons
✗No auto-soothing — you are the SNOO
✗Just a box — no smart features
✗Mattress pad is thin (upgrade recommended)
✗Not as aesthetically pleasing
✗You will be awake more (probably)
View on Amazon →
The verdict

So which one should you get?

Rent the SNOO ($159/mo × 5 months = $795) instead of buying. If your baby loves it, you got 5 months of better sleep for less than buying. If your baby hates it, return it. Never buy the SNOO outright — the rental is the smart NYC move.

Get the SNOO Smart Bassinet if:

RENT (don't buy) the SNOO if you can afford $159/mo and want to try the auto-soothing. Return if baby doesn't like it.

View SNOO Smart Bassinet →
Get the Graco Pack 'n Play Bassinet if:

Get the Pack 'n Play if you prefer simplicity, want to save $1,600, and are OK with more hands-on soothing.

View Graco Pack 'n Play Bassinet →
Affiliate disclosure: Product links go to Amazon. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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