REASONS TO BUY
Space-saving
Travel-friendly
Quiet operation
REASONS TO AVOID
Lower quality
More suitable for older babies
Ingenuity Portable Swing Review
A simple, travel-friendly swing with some shortcomings
The Ingenuity Portable Swing can easily fold for storage or transport.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
RELATED: The Best Baby Swings
The Skinny
The Ingenuity Portable Swing is a space-saving swing for infants weighing 6 to 20 lbs, or once a child can sit up unaided, whichever comes first. This lightweight, easy-to-fold contender is ready to entertain your baby while on the go, making it one of the most portable options. Whether you operate it using the AC adapter or batteries, you'll appreciate its relatively quiet operation compared to other swings. However, the Ingenuity Portable Swing has some shortcomings to consider. We aren't big fans of the product's quality, especially the seat's upright incline and limited recline. We feel this seat is more suitable for babies with head and neck control. But, with a maximum weight limit of 20 lbs, it has a shorter lifespan than some swings in the competition. Unless you need a travel-friendly product or have the tightest budget, we think other swings in the baby swing review will be better suited for everyday needs.
Editor's Note: We updated this gear review on August 10, 2023, as new baby swings were added to the review, including the Ingenuity Portable Swing.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Ingenuity Portable Swing | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | $100 List $81.13 at Amazon | $180 List $179.99 at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon | $90 List $67.99 at Amazon | $95 List $94.97 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A space-saving baby swing ready for travel | A big baby swing packed with exciting entertainment | A traditional baby swing with a more extended usage range | A travel-friendly swing that's basic | A baby swing for travel or for those on a tight budget |
| Rating Categories | Ingenuity Portable... | Ingenuity InLighten... | Graco Simple Sway S... | Ingenuity Comfort 2... | Graco Slim Spaces |
| Quality (35%) | |||||
| Entertainment (35%) | |||||
| Portability (20%) | |||||
| Assembly (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Ingenuity Portable... | Ingenuity InLighten... | Graco Simple Sway S... | Ingenuity Comfort 2... | Graco Slim Spaces |
| Manufacturer Usage Range | 0-9 mths; 6 lbs - 20 lbs, or once your child can sit up unaided, whichever comes first | 0-9 mths; maximum weight 20 lbs | 5.5 lbs - 30 lbs, or once your child attempts to climb out (approximately 9 mths), whichever comes first | 0-9 mths | 5.5 lbs - 25 lbs |
| Weight | 8 lbs | 17.9 lbs | 17.2 lbs | 7 lbs | 13 lbs |
| Dimensions | 22"L x 23.5"W x 23"H | 31.89"L x 42.13"W x 40.94"H | 30"L x 31"W x 38"H | 28.74"L x 22.64"W x 26.77"H | 39"L x 23"W x 29.5"H |
| Harness | 5-point | 5-point | 5-point | 5-point | 5-point |
| Power Source | USB Cord (wall adaptor not included), Battery | USB Cord (wall adapter not included), Battery | AC Adapter or Batteries | Battery | Battery |
| Number of Speed Settings | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | Roller switch with infinite speed settings |
| Sounds | 8 melodies, 3 nature sounds | 20 melodies, nature sounds, white noise | 10 songs, 5 sounds | 12 melodies | None |
| Motion | Front to back | Side to side, front to back (depending on seat position) | Side to side | Front to back | Front to back |
| Fold | Yes | Yes, semi-fold | No | Yes | Yes |
| Seat Rotate | No | Yes. Seat can rotate 180-degrees, so you can keep your baby in sight; 3 different directions. | No | No | No |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
Ingenuity is part of Kids II, which holds a comprehensive brand portfolio. Kids II designs, markets, and distributes more than 400 unique baby and infant products, and it's one of the world's fastest-growing baby product companies.
Performance Comparison
The Ingenuity Portable Swing has a 5-point safety harness with material covering the shoulder straps.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Quality
The Ingenuity Portable Swing has some room for improvement in terms of overall quality.
One positive we appreciate is the material on the crotch strap, which adds a touch of comfort for little ones during use. The swing is remarkably quiet when in motion, unlike some noisy swings.
The reclining seat offers two positions. However, we think the angles were somewhat disappointing, and prefer seats that provide a flatter recline, especially for infants. We suggest using the Ingenuity Portable Swing with older babies with better neck control to ensure an enjoyable swinging experience.
The Ingenuity Portable Swing is relatively low to the ground. This may require you to bend over or sit on the floor when loading or unloading your baby, which might not be the ideal setup, especially for postpartum moms. The toy bar can be a minor inconvenience as it easily pops off.
The Ingenuity Portable Swing offers different swing speeds, melodies, and nature sounds.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Entertainment
Some space-saving options compromise on entertainment features, but the Ingenuity Portable Swing offers more than the bare minimum. However, it's not a top entertainer.
It has five swinging speeds, melodies, and nature sounds. You can set a swing timer of 30, 45, or 60 minutes. For sounds, an auto-shutoff occurs after 20 minutes. While the toy bar is not as impressive as some other swings, it still offers some entertainment value. Our little tester could reach it and bat the toys, which captivated their attention for a bit.
The Ingenuity Portable Swing can easily fold for storage or transport.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Portability
This is where the Ingenuity Portable Swing excels. Being lightweight, compact, and foldable, it's incredibly easy to store and transport this product.
Folding the swing requires a few steps. Start by closing the child seat, which folds in a clam-like fashion. Next, underneath the seat, you'll find a button on the handle. Press the button, pull the handle, and the swing will collapse. Carrying the folded Ingenuity Portable Swing around the house, even up and down stairs, was a breeze for us. The swing offers both an AC adapter and battery operation, providing flexibility in how you choose to power it.
The Ingenuity Portable Swing has a few valued features on the harness, such as material covering the crotch strap and shoulder straps.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Assembly
Setting up the Ingenuity Portable Swing is uncomplicated and relatively quick.
While it does involve installing two screws (screwdriver not included), the process is straightforward and not at all challenging. We also found the user manual easy to follow.
The Ingenuity Portable Swing offers two hanging plush toys for entertainment.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy the Ingenuity Portable Swing?
The Ingenuity Portable Swing is better suited for parents prioritizing ease of transport and compactness. However, compared to the top baby swings, it has limitations. Unless you want to bring it along on travel, we aren't itching to recommend this baby swing for everyday life with your little one.
What Other Baby Swings Should You Consider?
When it comes to everyday use, a few baby swings stand out, and they all cater to different needs and goals. The 4moms MamaRoo Multi-Motion is a high-tech option with superior quality and exciting features. The Graco Simple Sway Swing takes a more traditional approach for an affordable price. If you want an entertainment-packed experience, the Ingenuity InLighten Swing may fit your needs.
—
Molly Bradac & BabyGearLab Review Team
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