A Review Of The Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet

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Creating a good sleep routine with a newborn isn’t easy. You can set up a system with a great night-time routine and a comfortable bassinet, but as soon as they start to cry, you are back in the room picking them up, soothing them, and starting all over again. A good way to break the cycle is to find a way to soothe children and let them drift off naturally without you being in the room. This allows for a better night’s sleep for them and more peace and quiet for you.

There are a few great products on the market that promise to provide this via a combination of motion, sound, and cry detection software. One of these is the Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet. This is a bassinet with a smart electronic device built-in that uses a sensor and motor to respond to fussy babies and provide the stimuli necessary to evoke a calm response and better sleep.

It also has additional features for the convenience of parents and the standard safety features necessary in the bassinet. However, this is not the only baby-operated bassinet to provide this sort of response. There is also the Happiest Baby Snoo bassinet with similar tech.

In this Graco Sense2Snooze review, I will focus on the Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet and the features and benefits the design provides to parents and children – as well as some of the potential problems you might experience and the limitations in the design. I will also talk about some of the other considerations like the extra features and costs.

From there, I want to compare this model to the more expensive Snoo bassinet to see which provides the best experience and most value for parents. Let’s start by looking at the features of the Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet and what you can expect.

The Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet with Cry Detection technology To Soothe Your Child With Appropriate Motion And Vibration.

The motion of this Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet is a little unusual compared to some bassinets and other products. You get a swaying movement that isn’t unlike the rocker on the best rocking bassinets. But, you can also make use of the vibration mode for a different sensation. There is no guarantee that your baby will respond positively to this feature – not to any of the other motions for that matter.

But, there are two settings to choose from to try and find the right intensity. There are also three speeds to the soothing motion of the rocker. Somewhere in here, you should find a combination that works well when manually setting up this system to comfort baby.

The motion of this Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet is a little unusual compared to some bassinets and other products. You get a swaying movement that isn’t unlike the rocker on the best rocking bassinets. But, you can also make use of the vibration mode for a different sensation. There is no guarantee that your baby will respond positively to this feature – not to any of the other motions for that matter.

One of the most interesting features on offer with this Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet is the cry detection software. This feature should detect when the baby starts to cry and adjust the motion accordingly. The idea here is that the device is more of an intelligent babysitter that you can rely upon to soothe your child while you are out of the room.

This motion could be enough to soothe the baby back to sleep and remove the need to physically come in and check. Or, it could just stop the situation from becoming worse before you arrive to deal with the problem.

Naturally, this doesn’t mean that you can rely on the device to watch the child at all times and it is still a good idea to have video monitoring and temperature gauges to be sure there are no deeper issues to take care of.

The Graco Sense2Snooze Is Still A Well-Made Bassinet With Great Materials Away From These Smart Features.

 

               The Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet

 

 

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The materials used in this Graco Sense2Snooze are also important because they have ensured a safe place for your child to sleep. You get plenty of breathable mesh around the sides of the bassinet. A thicker removable and reversible canopy that blocks out light as needed, and a nice firm mattress pad. That mattress cover should also be easy to clean if there are accidents and you could get some sheets to go over the top. More on that and other additional features later.

The Sensory Experience For Parent And Child Has Its Pros And Cons.

I appreciate products that put some thought into the sensory experience the child receives while they are in a bassinet or rocker. The motion and the feel of the materials are just the starts for a pleasant time and a good sleep. There are also the factors of what the baby can hear and see. When companies get this right, they can improve the health of the child.

First, there is the factor of sound. This is different for parents and babies. From the child’s perspective, they will benefit more from soothing sounds than anything that might cause alarm. The motorized parts need to be quiet enough not to wake them, which seems to be the case here. But, this Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet goes further with the use of audio features. It has a built-in microphone specially designed to hear baby’s cries and adjust the bassinet’s settings automatically.

You can set up the white noise system to create a tone that masks other noises from inside the room. Or, you can choose some nice nature sounds or music. An interesting factor here is that the sound should increase in volume when it detects the baby crying.

Visual stimuli can be helpful while the child is awake and distract them while you are busy. From the parent’s point of view, the visual quality of the product extends to the way that it looks when out in the room. Here, there isn’t too much to complain about because of the neutral tones of the materials.

There is a lot of grey in various shades and a faint polka dot effect on the inside of the canopy. It is worth noting that this is more for the parent’s benefit than the child’s because the pattern is too faint for the eyesight of newborns, who much prefer bold contrasting prints. In fact, there is little within the Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet to engage the child and no mobile to hang from the canopy.

I would argue that the rest of the design of this Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet is a bit ugly. The plastic frame and console don’t have a lot of style to them and end in the most basic of dark grey feet and wheels. It looks boxy and functional rather than something with any view towards becoming part of the décor.

On that note, it is important to consider the size of this product and the way it takes up space in the room. The dimensions are 41inch high, 19 inches deep, and 26 inches wide. I can’t help but compare this to other rocking bassinets like the Baby Bjorn Classic Bassinet I have also reviewed.

There there is a clear aim to create something aesthetically pleasing with the curved legs, clean line,s and Scani look of the white material and beechwood legs. Here you just have a large piece of furniture.

Here is a video from Kristie Walter if you prefer to watch:

 

The Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet Brings Additional Value With Some Extra Features.

With that said, there is the sense that Graco has deliberately focused on the functionality and helpful features of this product more than the look. So, let’s take a look at some of those details. I mentioned the presence of wheels on two of the legs. This allows for some portability as you can lift and wheel the product between rooms.

This is great if you want to use this in the nursery but then find it would be helpful during naptime in the living room. However, I feel that it may have been more beneficial to have a full set of wheels with locks instead. Less lifting and more pushing.

That boxy shape is due to another advantageous feature – storage. This large container should be a great place to store diapers, wipes, and other baby essentials close at hand items that your child may need during or after their nap. You can know that everything is on hand rather than having to leave to locate something important.

Finally, we need to talk about the console. While the console on the side of the Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet isn’t the most high-tech or attractive, it does serve its purpose. There are buttons here for the different motions and features, such as the audio elements. You can scroll through and pick what you want pretty easily. The company has also added a dimmable light to make it easier to use.

There Are Some Great Benefits Here For Parents And Children.

There is little doubt here that the Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet has great potential for providing a nice environment for a child. The quality of the bassinet is there, and those that get a fully responsive machine will get a lot out of the motion and the sounds. The bonus features are also appreciated by a lot of parents.

At its best, this machine has the potential to save parents a lot of time and stress. Those that set this up in the right setting and have a monitor close by can get on with tasks while their child sleeps and may not have to go in and attend to them until it is time to wake them up again. But, this isn’t the case for everyone.

There Are Also Some Risks Of Inconstancies.

Across this Graco Sense2Snooze review so far I have used the would “should” a lot when talking about the smarter tech included in this product. The cry detection software should kick in when your child gets fussy and the audio features should react in a similar way. However, there are times when this doesn’t happen.

As a result, Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet reviews from parents are divided on the value of this machine because some don’t get that experience with the detection software. They find that their child is either too quiet for the system to notice or that there are inconsistencies in the response of the sensor. So, the opinion of one parent can completely differ from another even if they were to use the exact same machine.

 

Other Considerations When Choosing A Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet.

The factors above show the pros and cons of choosing a Graco Sense2Snooze for your child. But, there are other factors to keep in mind when purchasing one of these. Commonly asked questions include the following.

 

Can You Get Graco Sense2snooze Bassinet Sheets?

Unlike other companies that provide sheets as an add-on at the online checkout, there is no option for this product. Instead, the company is keen to point out how the mattress is easy to clean and safe enough on its own. They discourage the use of sheets that could be hazardous. If you want to use a sheet on this mattress for extra comfort and protection, try and find one with a fitted form that is known to be compatible with this model.

Do You Get A Graco Sense2snooze Power Cord?

Yes. The machine runs on an AC power cord and this is essential for its operation. There is no battery backup to make it even more portable. Thankfully, the cord is a decent length and comes with the product. The length isn’t mentioned in the specifications. But, user photos show that it is more than long enough for you to move the bassinet away from the wall.

Can You Get Graco Sense2snooze Replacement Parts?

Graco has a dedicated service on their website where you can order replacement parts for their products. It is unclear what they have specifically, especially in relation to this Graco Sense2snooze Bassinet. But, you may be able to find mechanical parts, power cords, wheels, mattress pads, and more. If you don’t try, you don’t know. All you need to do is find the model number and manufacturing date on your product, enter them into the online form and see what happens. There are other third-party sites claiming to have Graco parts, but be cautious here.

Is there A Graco Sense2snooze Manual?

There doesn’t seem to be a physical manual for this product, but there is a pdf online. These can be a pain to read through unless looking for specific information. So, you may be better off going on forums, looking at online videos, or contacting the Graco support team with your query.

Is The Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet Safe For Babies?

Safety is always a concern with any bassinet, let alone a motorized one. This one has no safety concerns as long as you use it responsibly. Make sure to have the right mattress in the bottom with nothing that could pose a safety risk to the child. The product is certified for use with these young babies because of the shape, the quality of the pad, and overall durability of the structure. When used correctly, there should be no concern about the impact of the motion, the electronic parts, or any SIDS risks.

How Long Can You Use A Graco Sense2Snooze?

As with a lot of the best bassinets, whether they have motion control or not, there is a small window of time where they are suitable for use. Newborns can sleep soundly here on their backs until they are either too tall for the mattress or old enough that they can turn over or pull themselves up on the side. An older baby may enjoy the motion, but they are safe to be left alone in this device.

 

               The Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet

 

 

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The Pros And Cons Of The Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet.

[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Various modes with motion and vibration.
Lots of sounds to choose from.
The console is easy to use with a dimmable light
The bassinet is comfortable with plenty of breathable mesh.
There are the bonuses of the storage basket and canopy.[/i2pros][i2cons]Inconsistencies with the cry detector sensor, which means no motion for some babies.
The product is unattractive due to the bulky console, grey plastic, and large storage area.
Other products are smarter and have more interesting features.[/i2cons][/i2pc]

 

The Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet vs The Happiest Baby Snoo.

With these issues in mind, you might wonder if you are better off paying more for a high-end smart device that is more reliable. One such product is the Happiest Baby Snoo. The Snoo sounds quite similar to the Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet on first impressions because of its focus on the use of cry detection software and motion to create the ideal support system for you and your child. However, they also look a lot different and there is the factor of the high price tag on the Snoo. So, how do these products compare, and is one a better option than the other?

The motion

Motion is an important aspect of both of these products because this is what soothes the child when they start to fuss. As seen in the # review above, there are inconsistencies with the product that make this feature a little unreliable at times. But, you do get lots of options to pre-set when it does work.

The approach with the Snoo bassinet is comparable because there are 5 motion settings with a combination of vibration and motion. This also uses a sensor to set the device in motion when it detects the cries of the child. The device is designed to be smart enough to differentiate between the cries and any other background noise. there is still the risk that some quieter noises may go unnoticed, but parents generally seem to be impressed with the response of this system.

The Sounds

As mentioned above, the Snoo creates a nice combination of motion and sound to help babies drift off to sleep a little easier. The sounds are effective and the audio appears to be of good quality. But, there are fewer options here than in the Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet. There are just 3 white noise modes on the Snoo, while the Graco Sense2Snooze has a series of songs and nature noises to choose from.

The Controls

Next, there is the factor of the controls for these different motion settings. With the Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet, you get that slightly old-fashioned manual console with all the different buttons and indicators. With the Snoo, there is the added benefit of a mobile app. This means that parents can control the device remotely from across the room or perhaps another part of the house. Parent controls make it easy to use. This can prove to be a time-saver and great convenience as long as there is a good connection between the devices and a strong Wi-Fi signal.

Furthermore, an app also allows for access to other helpful features and software that you don’t get with the less-intelligent Graco Sense2Snooze. Here, parents have access to data streams that highlight the sleep patterns of their child and other important information. This helps to show them how well a setting is working and maybe encourage them to try a different mode if the improvements hoped for haven’t yet materialized.

The other benefit of having this sort of control system instead of the clunky console is that it saves valuable space on the body of the bassinet. The Snoo is much sleeker as a result, which leads nicely to our next point.

The Aesthetics

This is all subjective of course and you may not feel that the Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet is as ugly as I do. However, it is easy to argue that the Snoo is a much better-looking option because there isn’t so much bulk or so much grey plastic. The slim curving legs leg much nicer and minimize the footprint while remaining sturdy enough for the bassinet. There is also a minimal structure for the base and controls so the eye focuses on the soft material and clean lines of the bassinet.

The Materials

Away from the plastic grey base and legs of the Graco Sense2Snooze, there is a similar use of materials here. This is clear in the use of the breathable mesh all around the bassinet to ensure the baby’s comfort. This mesh creates a nice screen where you can see into the crib area with ease while they sleep and also provide optimal ventilation.

The Safety Features

This is another factor where the Snoo seems like a more effective and interesting option for parents. Both products are safe for newborns to use and made to high standards with appropriate certification. But, the Snoo goes a little further. The Swaddle system is an interesting feature that holds the child in a comfortable swaddle restraint but is also connected to the bassinet so that they are always on their back. This seems to be pretty easy to use and effective and should make the Snoo an even better choice for protection against SIDS.

The Extra Features

There is the sense that you get more for your money in some ways with the Graco product over the Snoo. That is because the Snoo doesn’t have the same sort of storage or the canopy. The issue here depends on what you want the bassinet to do as a more multifunctional product. If you are looking for a space-saving structure that just provides a secure sleeping environment and that reliable motion, the addition of a large storage area may not be ideal. But, you may also find that you could do with something to hold necessities close by.

As for the canopy, this also depends on your needs. The canopy of the Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet is great for providing a little more protection from the sun or privacy for the child. But, there is also the hassle of setting it up and gaining access and visibility to the bassinet. A small retractable canopy in the style of the rest of the product could have been nice here considering the price paid.

The Size

While the Graco model is 41inch high, 19 inches deep, and 26 inches wide, the Snoo is a little different. The height is just 31 inches, with the lack of the canopy accounting for much of this. The width/depth is the same as this is something that shouldn’t alter too much with a secure bassinet. But, this one is longer at 35.75 inches. It should also be noted that this one weighs 38lbs so isn’t the lightest around.

The Portability

While we are on the subject of the weight of this product, I want to talk about portability. Before, I mentioned that I thought the wheels on one side of the Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet made it a little bit awkward to move around. But, it seems to be more portable than other models. The Snoo doesn’t have any wheels or other means of moving it around, so presumably is designed to stay in one place in the nursery.

The Cost

Finally, for this Graco Sense2Snooze vs Snoo comparison, we have to mention the cost. One reason that parents are less inclined to get this product over the Graco is that there is a high 4-figure price tag. The costs may vary depending on sales and deals, or where you get it from. But, it is always a good idea to buy direct where you get to avoid issues with warranties and other concerns.

While this cost could be a massive deal-breaker that puts the Snoo out of the budget of a lot of parents, there is an alternative solution that I really like. In addition to the usual payment plans for owning a Snoo outright, there is also the chance to rent one for a small fee per day. That could be more cost-effective for what is meant to be a short-term product.

The only downside here is that you would need to make sure to take better care of the system because it is going to be returned and used by other parents in the future. Also, you don’t get the chance to pass the product on to friends and family or to keep it in storage for a second child.

 

Which Is Better? Graco Sense2Snooze Vs Snoo.

That is a tough question because there are such great benefits on both sides. The main considerations here are the reliability of the system, the need for the storage and canopy, and the impact on your budget. If money is no issue or you are happy to try the rental scheme, you might be better off forgoing the storage system and enjoying the reliable motion and the helpful app of the Snoo.

This is a smarter system with a lot that parents can appreciate, and it looks much better as a permanent part of a nursery. The bonus Swaddle feature helps too. However, there are more settings with the cheaper Graco model, especially with the sounds, and as long as the cry detector works as advertised, there should be few issues. It is bulky and less intelligent but still easy to use and comfortable.

 

Is The Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet A Good Choice For Your Child?

To summarize, while there are potential risks here, based on the inconsistencies experienced by some parents, there are also plenty of benefits across the design and functionality of this product. When the cry detector works as it should and provides the right range of motions and audio responses, it can prove to be a helpful tool in soothing children and giving parents a little more time to themselves.

The Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet is sold as a great babysitter and there is a good chance that it will do all that is asked of it. There is a gamble here but one that is worth taking if you don’t want to pay out for the most expensive Snoo.

 

Related Articles:

A Review Of Classic Baby Bjorn Bassinet
A Review Of 4 Moms Pack And Play
Uppababy Bassinet Review
8 Best Rocking Bassinets

 

Sandy

Sandy

This post is written and edited by Sandy who is a clinical pharmacist with over 20 years of experience specializing in pre-natal and post-natal care.