It's easy to understand why exersaucers are such a sought-after item for babies and why the best exersaucer for baby is so often hunted for.
Rarely does a toy promise to combine entertainment with both cognitive and physical development. By supporting a baby’s weight and alllowing him or her to move under their own power, an exersaucer can contribute to the development of a baby’s gross motor skills.
Designers of exersaucers have added onto this basic design by attaching toys and activities around the rim that are specifically intended to develop different fine motor skills and cognitive processes. This includes lessons like visual development, hand-eye coordination, object permanence, object exploration, cause and effect, self-awareness, and tactile development.
While this might sound complex, it's just a fancy way of saying that your baby gets to bounce around while looking in mirrors, shaking rattles and squeezing stuffed animals.
Because exersaucers have proven to be so entertaining for a baby, they have developed a reputation for giving parents a much needed break. As with any great children’s toy, it's enjoyable for the parents as well as the kids.
A word of caution
Parents looking to purchase the best baby exersaucer may or may not be aware of a small controversy surrounding the toy. Some argue that spending time in an exersaucer harms the development of a baby’s posture and balance by artificially supporting them in positions they are not yet able to get into on their own.
Another argument against exersaucers is that they limit a baby’s natural tendency to explore the environment by confining them to one location. Information that addresses these concerns often also offers tips for how to modify a baby's time and experience in the exersaucer to address some of these issues.
That being said, spending some time in an exersaucer should not be seen as especially detrimental.
Exersaucers vs. jumperoos
Many people are confused about the difference between exersaucers and another common baby product: jumperoos.
The primary design feature of both exercausers and jumperoos is a harness for the baby to sit in; for this reason, they serve many similar functions.
The primary difference is that a jumperoo includes springs in straps connecting the baby’s harness to poles above the harness. These springs in the jumperoo make it easier for the baby to jump up and down—the primary function of the appropriately named jumperoo.
Baby swings are yet another product along these lines. They're great for entertaining as well as soothing babies. For some great baby swing options, check out this article.
Before you buy your exersaucer...
When trying to find the best exersaucer for baby, you want to ask yourself the following things:
- Is the seat height adjustable? Babies grow so fast, and you want an exersaucer that will last them awhile. Many are designed with multiple seat height adjustments and removable, machine-washable seat covers that make it last longer.
- Exactly what types of toys are included with the particular exersaucer? Exersaucers include so many different toys and activities for babies that it can be difficult to keep track of them all. If your baby particularly enjoys a certain type of toy, such as a mirror, finding the best exersaucer for baby may mean finding one that includes that favorite toy.
- Are batteries required? Most exersaucers have a variety of different toys and activities connected to them. Some of these toys and activities make electronic music and sound effects, thus requiring batteries. Knowing ahead of time whether or not your exersaucer will need batteries can avoid a stressful situation when setting it up.
- What is the theme of the exersaucer? Often, exersaucers are designed with a particular theme, such as the ocean or the jungle. Many times a particular style of exersaucer will come in multiple themes. Since the theme pervades everything about the exersaucer, from the printing on the seat cover to the toys that are attached, make sure you know what theme your exersaucer will display so that your baby (and you) will be happy with it.
Before we get into it, check out this handy table for a quick overview.
Quick comparison: Best exersaucer for baby
Exersaucer | Features we love | Rating | Buy it now |
|---|---|---|---|
Evenflo Exersaucer 
| - Helps baby develop neck, | ||
Evenflo Exersaucer Triple Fun Active Learning Center, 
| - Portable and easy to store | ||
Baby Einstein Rhythm of the Reef Activity Saucer 
| - Plays music and has volume control | ||
Bright Starts Sweet Safari Bounce-a-Round Activity Center 
| - Comes with a bounce pad | ||
Evenflo ExerSaucer Jump and Learn Jumper, Jungle Quest 
| - More than 17 |
Ready to move on? Let's take a closer look at the best models on the market at the moment.
Evenflo Exersaucer Bounce and Learn Sweet Tea
This exersaucer incorporates a tea party theme into the fabric of the seat and the toys available along the rim for the baby to play with. There are several different removable toys in the shape of tea saucers and kettles, as well as similarly shaped toys that form a rattle inside of a clear tube.
In addition to an adjustable seat height and removable, washable seat pad, this model definitely has plenty of different options for a baby to play with as they bounce and exercise.
Each of the half-dozen toys around the rim of the exersaucer is designed to promote a particular form of learning as well as fun.
Pros
- 3 different seat height positions
- Removable, machine washable seat pad
- Helps develop gross and fine motor skills
- 360 degree seat rotation
- Affordability
- No batteries required
Cons
- No musical toys
Our favorite feature
There are several features of this model that make it a good investment for the long-haul. The adjustable seat height ensures that a baby will be able to continue using the toy as they grow, and the removable, washable seat ensures that parents will be able to keep it clean for that long. The variety of toys accessible to the baby may help develop several different gross and fine motor skills and will definitely satisfy a baby’s natural curiosity.
Evenflo Exersaucer Triple Fun Active Learning Center, Life in the Amazon
This plastic model brings more than just a jungle theme to the exersaucer.
In addition to the Amazonian style, it offers 11 different toys, a playmat and an activity table all attached to the exersaucer. The playmat detaches and some of the included toys are designed for compatibility with the playmat; this affords an even wider range of play options for different ages and different moods.
A 3-position height adjustment for the exersaucer itself also helps ensure it will be part of a baby’s life for as long as possible.
Another feature unique to this model’s design is its portability. It is designed to fold up for easy storage and travel.
Pros
- 11 age-appropriate toys
- Plays music
- Exersaucer, playmat, activity table included
- Portable
- 3 different seat height positions
- Removable, machine-washable pad
- 360 degree seat rotation
Cons
- Baby may not enjoy each toy
- 9 AAA batteries required
Our favorite feature
What makes this exersaucer stand out is its versatility. Many exersaucers contain a variety of toys to entertain a baby, develop their motor skills and help them learn about the world around them.
In addition to all of the above, this exersaucer includes a playmat for those ages and moods when a baby might prefer to lie down and play and an activity table to play with at later developmental stages. Not only are all of these included, but the design allows the entire system to be easily folded up for storage or travel.
As many parents know, a particular toy can be hit-or-miss when it comes to capturing a baby’s attention and imagination. By providing different options, this exersaucer does its best to fit different ages, moods and playing/learning styles.
Baby Einstein Rhythm of the Reef Activity Saucer
In addition to an ocean theme for aspiring marine biologists, this model’s audio capabilities are particularly suited for a baby who loves sounds and music.
Included in this model’s dozen-plus activities is a miniature piano that lights up and plays real notes. The good news is that there's volume control on the piano for parents who can already feel a headache coming on. Along with piano notes, the piano toy’s buttons are able to play different melodies and even words in different languages; in keeping with the Baby Einstein name, this language-learning feature can be set to English, French or Spanish.
Several steps are taken in the design of this exerciser to provide maximum comfort for the baby as they play music under the sea. The seat height adjusts into five different positions—more than the average exersaucer—and a padded high back seat provides additional comfort and support.
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Toys light up
- Volume control
- 360 degree seat rotation
- 12+ activities
- 5 different seat height positions
Cons
- 3 AA batteries required
- Can be difficult to store
Our favorite feature
The best feature of this exersaucer is undoubtedly the audio component. While other exersaucers make sounds, this model makes an effort to play music and audio in a way that may help develop a baby’s musicality.
The language-learning feature that can be set to English, French or Spanish is also obviously unique and potentially beneficial as a baby develops language capabilities.
Bright Starts Sweet Safari Bounce-a-Round Activity Center
This model provides a wide range of activities that are designed to entertain and develop a baby’s fine motor skills.
The bouncing pad that serves as the floor of the exersaucer beneath the baby’s feet can be especially fun for an active baby who is always moving around.
The toys all incorporate a safari theme, a bonus for babies who like animals.
The adjustable seat height and parts that are easy to clean make it possible to get a lot of use out of this exersaucer, making it a good value buy.
Pros
- Affordability
- No batteries required
- 360 degree seat rotation
- 3 different seat height positions
- Washable seat pad
- Bouncing pad
- 12+ activities
Cons
- No musical toys
Our favorite feature
The design feature that is unique to this exersaucer is the bouncing pad that a baby stands on. This subtle bounce beneath a baby’s feet can increase the fun they have with all of the other toys and activities.
The fun a baby has on the bouncer has the added benefit of providing more exercise and further developing the gross motor skills that exersaucers are designed to develop. For a baby who likes to bounce more than anything, it's easy to see how the bouncing aspect of this model could be what makes it their favorite toy.
Evenflo ExerSaucer Jump and Learn Jumper, Jungle Quest
The primary feature of this exersaucer is the bouncy base that allows a baby to develop their gross motor skills by jumping up and down as they sit inside the central harness.
This bounce can make sure a baby has fun and stays engaged while playing with the many different toys connected to this exersaucer. The toys connected to this model are known as Take Away Toys and can be removed, so when a baby inevitably picks their favorite they’ll be able to take it with them when it’s time to go somewhere else.
Pros
- 100% polyester
- 17+ activities
- Bounce base
- 3 different seat height positions
- Engaging lights and sounds
- Removable, machine-washable seat pad
Cons
- 6 AAA batteries required
Our favorite feature
The bouncy base of this model sets it apart from many other exersaucers. If your baby is still in an early developmental stage, it may not seem like he or she will be able to jump very well on the bounce base.
Because this exersaucer has a three-position height adjustment, though, it is likely that at some point you’ll see your baby happily jumping up and down while looking in the mirror, shaking the rattle or gripping the stuffed animal that's connected to, and detachable from, this model.
Overall, once you’ve made the decision to purchase an exersaucer for your baby, the decision comes down to your personal feelings about what features your baby would enjoy most—or what features you feel they might not enjoy so much.
As the list above demonstrates, any quality exersaucer is going to feature an adjustable height and a removable, machine-washable seat covering. This means that if your baby enjoys the model you choose, they should be able to enjoy it for quite some time.
Because they're each designed to be used throughout multiple developmental stages, and because they each offer multiple toys and activities, all of the exersaucers above are potentially good long-term investments as far as baby toys go.
Perhaps the most striking difference between the above exersaucers is whether or not they play electronic music. For babies who are happiest jamming to a tune, this may be the deciding factor in which is the best baby exersaucer for you.
Of course, the electronic music comes with the added responsibility of using batteries; this is enough of a hassle for some to really enjoy a large, versatile toy with no batteries included.
Whichever model you choose, here’s hoping your exersaucer helps your baby grow big and strong.
Featured image: Nelson Kwok - Linden Exersaucer
