Save or Splurge – SNOO

_{Quick note: Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission to help keep our company going, at no extra cost to you.}

Happiest Baby’s SNOO Smart Sleeper is a tech-enabled bassinet designed for newborns up to about 6 months old. It features responsive technology that detects a baby’s cries and automatically provides calming motion and white noise to help them settle and sleep. The SNOO also includes a built-in swaddle system that keeps babies safely on their backs throughout the night. But at a whopping $1,695 price point, is the SNOO worth it? 

Pros

The SNOO offers several standout features that can make the newborn stage more manageable, especially when it comes to sleep and safety:

• Responsive to baby’s cries – Automatically starts rocking and increases motion until the baby is soothed or times out, allowing parents to stay in bed when the Snoo successfully soothes the baby.
• Allows parents to sleep more – In the early days, not having to rock baby back to sleep after each feeding is huge. Even if it’s only saving you 5 -10 minutes each time, that adds up over the night and any additional sleep is so valuable
• Secure swaddle system – Custom swaddles keep the baby safely on their back all night, offering peace of mind for parents concerned about SIDS. It’s also a safe place to put the baby down if you need to take a break for a few minutes.
• Companion app – Tracks sleep patterns and includes tools for logging feedings and diaper changes. It’s nice to have only one app to capture all this information.
• Weaning mode – When it’s time to transition the baby out of the SNOO, you can turn on weaning mode which stops the default motion while keeping other features active.

Cons

While the SNOO can be incredibly helpful, there are some important drawbacks to consider before committing:

• High cost – It’s a significant investment, and if it’s not for you, the return process involves a steep restocking fee plus self-covered return shipping.
• Short usage window – Typically used only for the first 4–6 months, making the cost-per-use relatively high. However, if you plan to have multiple kids, you can get more use out of the SNOO.
• Potential dependency – Some babies may become reliant on the motion to fall asleep, making transitioning to a crib more difficult.
• Not effective for every baby – While it works well for many, some babies don’t respond to the SNOO’s features. In fact most of the negative reviews of the SNOO are people claiming it’s not worth it because it didn’t work for their baby.
• Heavy – It’s not easy to move between rooms or locations, limiting flexibility around the house if you require the SNOO in different locations.

Other Considerations

Here are a few other considerations to keep in mind when deciding whether the SNOO is right for your family:

• Night nanny alternative – While pricey, the SNOO can serve as a lower-cost alternative to hiring a night nanny.
• Rental option available – You can rent the SNOO to try it out, though costs still add up and there are fees for reconditioning and returns.
• Strong resale value – If purchased new, it typically resells well, helping to offset the initial cost.
• Sales and promotions – The SNOO occasionally goes on sale; subscribing to their newsletter can help you catch deals. You can also make it a group gift on your registry and have people contribute towards it.
• Utilize Employer Benefits – Some companies offer the SNOO as a benefit, and for eligible customers the SNOO can be purchased with HSA or FSA funds.Though these benefits are only offered to a limited group of people, it’s always worth checking.

Recommendations

• Kathryn: I need a lot of sleep, and the early days are hard for me with the constant wake ups. With hopes of having more than one child, I bought the SNOO off a friend at a discounted price when pregnant with my first. I’ve lent it to two friends and plan to resell it when I’m done having kids so feel that I have fully gotten my money’s worth. 
• Caroline: I used Kathryn’s Snoo briefly with my first baby, and felt confident in his safety while in it, liked the aesthetic, and appreciated the motion that helped rock him back to sleep and encouraged longer sleep stretches. I kept the SNOO on weaning mode because I didn’t want him to become reliant on it knowing I’d only have access to it for a short period of time. My recommendation if you aren’t ready to commit is to try renting for a month or two. This might be all you need anyways!