Baby Gear The Best Baby Gadgets to Make Life with a Newborn A Little Easier By Ashley Ziegler Ashley Ziegler LinkedIn Ashley Ziegler is a lifestyle writer specializing in motherhood, family health, and consumer products. She has written for Romper, Moms.com, and more. Learn about our editorial process and Katrina Cossey Katrina Cossey Katrina Cossey is a freelance writer covering topics ranging from local and national news as well as writing and researching for parenting content. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 25, 2022 Medically reviewed by Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD Medically reviewed by Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD LinkedIn Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician and currently serves as the medical director of an outpatient clinic. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Verywell Family / Amelia Manley There is no shortage of items you need to add to your registry to make sure your baby is clothed, has a place to sleep, and can get from point A to B in the car safely. All of these things are for the baby though, not for the parents. That's where baby gadgets come in. They're usually designed to make things a little easier on parents and caregivers, whether it's making bedtime less of a struggle or giving them some peace of mind while their baby is asleep. Before filling up your cart with the latest baby gadgets, consider if you'll actually find it useful over a course of at least a year, is safe, and if it is highly rated to actually work well. We carefully considered design, material, ease of use and assembly, value, efficacy, and safety when assessing products. We also had a family physician from our Review Board review the contents of this article to ensure its accuracy surrounding target age groups and practicality. Here are the best baby gadgets available. Our Top Picks Best Sound Machine: Hatch Rest Night Light at Walmart Jump to Review Best Video Monitor: Miku Smart Baby Monitor at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Soothing: Baby Shusher The Sleep Miracle at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Mealtime: Busy Baby Silicone Placemat at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Hygiene: Oogiebear Nose and Ear Cleaner at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Bathtime: Yookidoo Baby Bath Shower Head at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Food Prep: Infantino Squeeze Station at Amazon Jump to Review Best Baby Food Maker: BEABA Babycook Neo Baby Food Maker at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Diaper Change: Bumco Baby Bum Brush at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Sleep: Happiest Baby SNOO Smart Sleeper Baby Bassinet at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For Why Trust Verywell Family Best Sound Machine Hatch Rest Night Light and Smart Sound Machine 4.9 Walmart View On Walmart View On Potterybarnkids.com View On Hatch.co Pros Night light Fully customizable Time-to-rise feature Cons App required Costly for some Controls on bottom of device Hatch Rest Sound Machine Review The Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine ranks high on our list because this white noise sound machine can be used in more ways than your standard sound machine, making it a great addition to a baby registry. This one not only plays sounds but also serves as a nightlight and later a toddler "OK to wake" clock, and you can control it completely from your smartphone. The night light's hue can be totally customized, and you can even create routines that will help prepare your baby for bedtime. Price at time of publication: $95 Best Video Monitor Miku Smart Baby Monitor Courtesy of Miku View On Amazon Pros Plays lullabies Two-way talking Night vision Cons Expensive App required No pan or tilt functions Once your baby moves into their own room, a video monitor allows you to keep an eye on them while they sleep and hear them if they cry out for you. This monitor even goes a step further by tracking your baby's breathing, motion, room temperature, and humidity levels. There's no need for a clunky monitor, either, because all of the information goes right to your smartphone. The camera unit also plays lullabies to help soothe the baby and allows for two-way talking when your baby needs to hear your voice. Price at time of publication: $465 Best for Soothing Baby Shusher The Sleep Miracle Sound Machine Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Buybuy BABY Pros Small and compact Removable wrist strap Adjustable volume Cons Batteries required Cannot continuously run Screwdriver needed to change batteries Making the "shush" sound is a great way to soothe a baby, but it can get a bit tiring, which is why this soother is such a great gadget. It's a small device that plays a rhythmic "shush" sound that mimics what a baby would hear when they were in their mom's belly. Parents can set the Shusher out, set the timer for either 15 or 30 minutes, and let it lull the baby to sleep. What makes this sound machine stand out, though, is that it's compact and can be easily transported so the baby can be easily soothed in the car, at the grocery store, at their grandparents' house, or anywhere else they go. Price at time of publication: $35 Best for Mealtime Busy Baby Silicone Placemat Courtesy Busy Baby View On Amazon Pros Suction cups hold plate in place Dishwasher safe Two to four teethers can be attached Cons Suction cups may come loose at times Sticks best to flat surfaces Too big for certain high chairs In addition to a clean spot to eat, the Busy Baby Mat gives kids toys to play with while in their highchair that won't immediately fall onto the ground. The mat uses suction cups to attach to any smooth surface, and it comes with either two or four attached teethers that you can loop around your baby's favorite toys or pacifiers to keep them up on the tray instead of on the floor. After mealtime, you can toss the mat and the teethers into the dishwasher or quickly wipe it down with some soap and water. Price at time of publication: $30 Best for Hygiene Oogiebear Nose and Ear Cleaner Courtesy of Oogiebear View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Nordstrom Pros Easy to clean Budget-friendly Dual-ended design (cleans ears and nose) Cons Does not include a case Only the handle is made of soft, flexible rubber Tips are made of hard plastic Instead of trying to hold your baby still long enough to effectively use a suction bulb, you can use the Oogiebear to clean out their nose. It's a small tool that has two ends, one looped end for clearing out sticky boogers and mucus and a scoop end for dried boogers or for cleaning babies' ears. You can start using this as soon as you bring your baby home from the hospital until they're around 2 years old. When you're done using it, just wash it with a mild soap under warm water and let it air dry. Price at time of publication: $13 Best for Bathtime Yookidoo Baby Bath Shower Head Courtesy of Yookidoo View On Amazon Pros Two power settings Can be used with one hand Doubles as a bath toy once baby is older Cons Difficult to clean Batteries required Water may leak into battery compartment You can rinse your baby's hair and body easily with this shower head from the time they come home until they are about 2 years old. All you have to do is put the portable elephant base into the bathwater, and it will shoot water up through its trunk. It has two power settings and is designed to be used with one hand. It does require batteries but is designed for safe use in the water. Price at time of publication: $45 The 9 Best Baby Bath Products of 2023 Best for Food Prep Infantino Squeeze Station Courtesy of Infantino View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Dishwasher safe Non-skid rubber base Clear tubes for measurement Cons Extra refill pouches sold separately Pouches are not insulated Pouches are not reusable If you are planning to make some homemade baby puree, this gadget will make the storage process a lot easier. Just fill the tubes with the baby food, attach a pouch to the bottom of the tube, and then push the puree out of the tube using the presser. You won't have to worry about making and cleaning up a huge mess trying to transport the puree into the pouches, and all of the pieces, including the pouches, are reusable and dishwasher safe. Price at time of publication: $25 Best Baby Food Maker BEABA Babycook Neo Baby Food Maker Amazon View On Amazon Pros Blends, steams, defrosts, and reheats food Auto shut-off feature Measurement markings Cons Can leak during blending process Expensive Hard to clean This baby food maker can do more than make baby food—it steams, defrosts, reheats, and blends. It features an auto shut-off feature, has measurement markings for easier prep, and can hold about 5 cups of food. Available in four color options, this food maker can also let you know when food is finished by sounding off a signal tone for you. Price at time of publication: $260 Best for Diaper Change Bumco Baby Bum Brush Amazon View On Amazon Pros Keeps diaper cream off hands Easy to use Suctioned base Cons Needs to be washed regularly Suction cups may come loose May not be used for long Having to apply diaper cream to your baby isn't the most enjoyable experience in parenthood, which is why the Baby Bum Brush was created. While you're prepping the baby for their diaper change, squeeze some diaper cream onto the silicone brush and set it aside or upright using the suctioned base until you're ready for it. When the time comes, just spread it onto your baby's skin and then rinse it off after. It's quick, easy, and keeps your hands clean. You'll want to grab one for your diaper changing section at home and for your diaper bag. Price at time of publication: $7 The 8 Best Diaper Rash Creams of 2023 Best for Sleep Happiest Baby SNOO Smart Sleeper Baby Bassinet 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Potterybarnkids.com View On Happiestbaby.com Pros Rocks and shushes Mesh sides for easy visibility Can be used immediately after birth Cons Expensive Will not be used for long period of time (6 months or less) Not Greenguard certified This is definitely a splurge product, but it's worth the investment, and if you're not totally sold on the price tag, the brand offers a renting option to save on money without compromising on sleep. This smart bassinet senses when the baby is crying or wiggling and plays white noise and rocks and sways to help the baby fall back asleep. It's designed for babies from birth up to 6 months old, and it has mesh sides for air circulation and a firm surface for safe sleeping. Price at time of publication: $1,695 The 9 Best Bassinets of 2023 to Keep Baby Close and Comfortable Best for Runny Noses FridaBaby NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Smallflower.com Pros Gentle for kiddos Small (doesn't take up much storage space) No batteries or charging required Cons Filters cannot be washed or reused Cleaning method may gross out some parents and caregivers Can be difficult to use Cleaning out a child's nose is no easy feat, especially if they're little and still learning how to properly blow their nose. For children who are unable to blow their noses fully, there's the FridaBaby NoseFrida Snotsnucker, which performs exactly like it sounds. Simply place the red mouthpiece on one end of the tube and connect the other end to the blue tube (don't forget a filter!). Once you start sucking, you'll see your little one's snot being removed. While the method sounds gross (and can be gross, too), it's actually effective at removing snot. Price at time of publication: $21 Best for Upkeep B&K Electric Nail File Courtesy of B&K View On Amazon Pros Six different filing heads Four speed settings Nail file and accessories included in case Cons Batteries can be pushed out of place easily May be too noisy for some children Light is dim Clipping a baby's nails can be one of the more anxiety-inducing tasks for new parents, but this electric nail file helps ease that fear. It comes with six different filing heads and has four-speed settings. The file is whisper quiet and has a light attached to it, so you can even trim baby's nails while they're sleeping to make the task even easier. It's safe to use on both toes and fingers, and it can even be used on adults. Price at time of publication: $14 Final Verdict Out of all of these gadgets, the Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine & Nightlight (view on Amazon) ranks highest because of its multi-purpose use and longevity. For an inexpensive, unexpectedly useful pick, the Bumco Baby Bum Brush (view on Amazon) makes a daily (and sometimes hourly) task easier and mess-free. What to Look for in Baby Gadgets Safety There are plenty of products on the market that seem like brilliant solutions to common parent problems, but not all of them are as safe as they should be. Take a look at how the product works, and if it doesn't go against any AAP safety guidelines, then it's good to go. Products like inclined sleepers, positioners, and crib bumpers are unsafe for babies. Another branch of safety is ensuring that you are using baby gadgets intended for your child's age specifically to avoid user errors. Some products are designed for older babies who have reached certain milestones, so check the age recommendation from the manufacturer. Helpfulness Will having this product make your life easier in some way? If it's just a "bells and whistle" product, it'll probably get used once or twice and pushed aside. A good gadget gets used a lot, and you don't know how anyone could live without it. It also can be used for a few years to come and even from baby to baby if you have a larger family. Gadgets can be shiny and alluring, but if they aren't really helpful, the purpose is essentially gone. Whether you're buying for yourself or a friend, pick a baby gadget you think will make life easier. Efficacy Most gadgets attempt to solve a problem that other products don't. With that in mind, it is important to do some of your own research to determine if it actually works as it should. Read reviews and ask fellow parents to find out what other users think. Why Trust Verywell Family Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 1- and a 4-year-old with recent personal experience in researching and using baby products. Key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include safety, functionality, and purchaser reviews. 1 Source Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Inclined sleepers and other baby registry items to avoid. HealthyChildren.org. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit