Finding Top 5 Best Exersaucers – Plus The Good And The Bad Of Using One
Full-time parents also need a break. Sometimes to take a bath, sometimes to wash the dishes, and sometimes just to take a quick breather. That’s the reason a lot of parents love the exersaucer despite all the controversy surrounding it. In this post, we’ll help you find the best exersaucer for your child and show you some of its advantages and drawbacks.
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Skip Hop Explore and More... | 1084 Reviews | from $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Evenflo Exersaucer Triple Fun... | 899 Reviews | from $130.49 | Buy on Amazon |
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Sweet Safari Bounce-A-Round... | 539 Reviews | from $72.79 | Buy on Amazon |
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KidCo - GoPod, Portable Baby... | 769 Reviews | from $74.63 | Buy on Amazon |
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Summer Pop N' Jump Portable... | 942 Reviews | $54.38 | Buy on Amazon |
Top 5 Best Exersaucers Recommendations
We’ve compiled a list of what we believe are the best models of exersaucers today. All of these serve the same purpose, but how each is presented separates one from another. Let’s take a look at each of these models and find out what the best exersaucer is.
**Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
#5 Skip Hop Explore and More
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Skip Hop Explore and More... | 1084 Reviews | from $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The name of this model itself should tell you that it has a more holistic approach as it aims to provide your child with the opportunity to play and learn at the same time. This model features a seat that could turn 360-degrees and could also stretch so your child could bounce on it.
What sets this device apart is its Discovery Window that allows your child to see his feet so that he could learn cause and effect. Another interesting feature of this device is that it grows with your child. It’s convertible and could be transformed into a sturdy table where your child could draw and color.
What you will love about it:
- It comes with a toy-attachment clip that lets you place his mobile anywhere within the device for your child to enjoy.
- It’s easy to fold and carry on trips.
- It’s an excellent investment as it grows with your child.
What you may not like about it:
- You might want to detach the owl toy until your child is big enough as it has a small gap where his finger might get caught.
#4 Evenflo Exersaucer Life In The Amazon
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Evenflo Exersaucer Triple Fun... | 899 Reviews | from $130.49 | Buy on Amazon |
The Evenflo Life In The Amazon Exersaucer is a three-stage baby activity center that grows with your child. It’s a play mat, exersaucer, and activity table in one providing age-appropriate fun for your little one every step of the way.
From 0-4 months, the play mat can give your child some play time while he’s lying on his back. As he turns 4, he can start enjoying his exersaucer that allows him to bounce, rock, and spin. Once he’s ready for some advanced learning at 2 years of age, you can convert the exersaucer into an activity table where he could still enjoy the same features but this time outside the constraints of the tray.
What you will love about it:
- The height can be adjusted into three positions as your child grows.
- It has a wide base and is completely stable.
- The seat moves smoothly allowing your child to twist and turn with ease.
What you may not like about it:
- Some parents may find the number of toys and the variety of colors a bit over stimulating for babies.
#3 Bright Starts Sweet Safari
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Sweet Safari Bounce-A-Round... | 539 Reviews | from $72.79 | Buy on Amazon |
Simple yet attractive, the Bright Starts Sweet Safari exersaucer is filled with features that will both encourage learning and provide fun for your child. It consists of a bounce pad, a supportive seat, and 12 exciting toys that promote fine motor skills development.
The smart seat is covered with a soft, comfortable pad and can rotate 360-degrees so your baby can see his surroundings and quickly reach toys in his activity station. The bounce pad, on the other hand, provides tons of bouncing fun for your child and will also keep his feet off the floor. Designed to save space at home, the Sweet Safari can be folded flat for easy storage.
What you will love about it:
- This model is an excellent option if you’re not into a lot of noise and flashing lights.
- Every part of this exersaucer is very easy to wipe clean.
- It’s lightweight and can easily be moved from one location to another.
What you may not like about it:
- Some of the toys are not that sturdy and may break easily.
#2 KidCo GoPod
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KidCo - GoPod, Portable Baby... | 769 Reviews | from $74.63 | Buy on Amazon |
The KidCo GoPod is not your traditional exersaucer, although it’s designed for the same purpose. What makes this activity station unique is that it’s made for both indoor and outdoor use.
And instead of plastic, it’s a combination of a nylon fabric and a metal frame. It also doesn’t come with a lot of frills - no toys, no lights, no music. However, it does have five nylon loops where you can hang your child’s favorite toys.
It even comes with a snack and drink holder. Meanwhile, it also features a floor pad to make sure your child’s feet stay clean. It’s especially convenient when you’re on the park or the beach.
What you will love about it:
- The seat can be adjusted to four heights to accommodate your child as he grows.
- It’s perfectly lightweight and quickly folds for storage or for carrying with you during trips.
- It stands up great to the weather and is excellent for outdoor use.
What you may not like about it:
- You’ll need to buy extra accessories such as toys and activities separately.
#1 Summer Infant Pop N' Jump
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Summer Pop N' Jump Portable... | 942 Reviews | $54.38 | Buy on Amazon |
Another infant activity center you’ll find interesting is the Summer Infant Pop N’ Jump. Just like the KidCo GoPod, it’s a foldable activity pod composed of soft fabric and a metal frame.
It’s also lightweight and foldable and comes to your doorstep fully assembled. Unlike the GoPod, however, this exersaucer comes extras - a mirror book, a teether, a rattle, and a spinner ball. But what totally separates this from the rest of the recommendations on our roster is that it comes with a UV canopy designed to protect your child from the sun’s harmful rays when he’s playing outdoors. And for easy carriage during trips or storage after use, this model comes with a compact travel bag with a shoulder strap.
What you will love about it:
- The canopy keeps your child shaded from the elements when you’re having a picnic at the park or the beach.
- The base is made of fabric that’s soft and comfortable and yet thick enough to protect your child’s feet when he’s jumping up and down.
- It’s lightweight, portable, and breaks down easily when you need to store or carry it.
What you may not like about it:
- The instructions on folding the canopy seems a little bit vague.
Our Pick Of Exersaucer
I personally love the Summer Infant Pop N' Jump, so I’m giving it my vote as the top pick on our roster of the best exersaucers. It seems to meet all the criteria we’ve set for a good infant activity center.
For one, it has a very sturdy frame and a broad base, so there’s no way at all that it’s going to put your child at risk of falling. It also provides just enough activities for your child to both learn and have fun. The seat is also bouncy enough, allowing your child to exercise his leg muscles while playing.
Regarding portability, there’s no question that the Pop N’ Jump is one of the most portable infant activity centers available. It’s lightweight, it’s foldable, and it comes with a travel bag where you can place it in when you need to go for a trip with your little one.
Finally, we love the fact that it features a UV canopy. It’s good to know that your child is safe from the elements when he’s outdoors. And speaking of outdoors, one more advantage of this model is that it can be used both inside and outside the home.
We know you’re excited to see our top pick in action, so here’s a quick video of the Pop N’ Jump by Summer Infant:
We don’t usually vote for second place, but the KidCo GoPod also got our attention, so we’ll show you a short video of this fantastic infant activity center as well.
Exersaucers - The Lowdown
An exersaucer is a type of baby activity center. It’s very similar to a baby jumper and is often compared to it. The only difference is that baby jumpers come with a bouncy seat that sort of help your baby “jump” as he pushes his legs from the floor, while an exersaucer has a “saucer” that supports your baby’s legs and feet while he explores the activities that come with the device. And as the name suggests, its primary purpose is to give your child some time to exercise.
Just like the baby walker and the baby jumper, though, the exersaucer is designed primarily as a safe place where you can put your baby for a few minutes so you can attend to other important matters hands-free.
When you need to answer the phone, for instance, you can hurriedly do so knowing that your baby is safely seated on his exersaucer. It’s also an efficient way to entertain your child without having to carry him in your arms or let him sit on your lap.
The first exersaucer was actually sold by Evenflo® under the name - well, you guessed it - ExerSaucer®. Today, most parents refer to baby-propelled bouncing or spinning devices as exersaucers, even though they may be sold under different names.
These devices also receive more favorable reviews from doctors compared to baby walkers since they have a lower risk of accident and are even encouraged as alternatives to baby walkers.
The Good And The Bad
Despite receiving more love from both parents and pediatricians, exersaucers are not free of controversy, just like its counterparts the baby walker and baby jumper. Before we go to the drawbacks, though, let’s see some of the benefits of this unique device.
Hands-Free Caregiving
Exersaucers allow parents to take a break even just for a few minutes. They enable you to put your baby down in a spot where you know he won’t fall or go near anything that may harm him. Once he’s settled, you can either play with him or attend to other chores such as washing the dishes, doing the laundry, or simply flop onto your couch for a good rest. Just make sure you don’t take your eyes off your child while you relax.
Mental Stimulation
Babies need mental stimulation, and exersaucers can give them just that. Most models come with an infant mobile or an activity center featuring colorful toys and gadgets that help with your child’s mental development.
Motor Skills
Experts claim that exersaucers, just like any infant exercise equipment, can slow down the motor development of babies. However, exersaucers can help with a child’s motor skills if they are given enough time to play outside or around the device because it helps them practice pulling their bodies up to stand.
It’s also good to know that there are models right now that come with a viewing window, allowing your child to see his legs and feet while being suspended in the seat.
Play Time
A significant benefit of an exersaucer is that it gives your child the opportunity to either play by himself or bond with you. Exersaucers come with toys and activities that provide lots of fun and learning for your little one.
3 Factors To Consider When Shopping For An Exersaucer
All exersaucers or infant activity centers have the same basic components - a base, a seat, and a tray where the activities are attached. Not all are designed the same way, though. Here are a few factors to consider when you’re in the market for an exersaucer.
Sturdy Frame. Safety should be your top priority when looking for an exersaucer. It should have a sturdy base and won’t easily tip over when your child is energetically jumping up and down in it.
- Activities
Activities are not all crucial for exersaucers, although it would be a good idea if the model of your choice could at least offer a way for you to attach toys to it. - Size and Weight
Exersaucers take up space, but a good one should be lightweight enough so you could easily take it with you on trips. It should also be foldable so you wouldn't have a hard time storing it every after use. - Ease of Maintenance
One quality every baby product should possess is that it should be easy to clean and maintain. Baby’s make a lot of mess and exersaucers are not exempted from getting stained.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Skip Hop Explore and More... | 1084 Reviews | from $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
|
|
Evenflo Exersaucer Triple Fun... | 899 Reviews | from $130.49 | Buy on Amazon |
|
|
Sweet Safari Bounce-A-Round... | 539 Reviews | from $72.79 | Buy on Amazon |
|
|
KidCo - GoPod, Portable Baby... | 769 Reviews | from $74.63 | Buy on Amazon |
|
|
Summer Pop N' Jump Portable... | 942 Reviews | $54.38 | Buy on Amazon |
Did you like what you’ve just read? If yes, let us know in the comments section below. And please don’t hesitate to click any of the share buttons to let the world know what the best exersaucer is!