Baby mobiles can be a great way to provide visual stimulation for your infant while also helping to soothe them to sleep (1). Mobiles come in a wide range of styles, from those that play music to those that include soft, cuddly toys. Choosing the right mobile for your baby can help them to get the most out of this type of stimulation.
We gathered a wide selection of baby mobiles to choose from, whether you’re looking for a traditional option with toys hanging from it, or something more contemporary like a musical mobile. Plus we’ll also offer some advice on how to pick the best crib mobile for your baby, as well as safe methods for setting it up and using it.
Our Top Picks
- Best Baby Mobile Overall: Fisher-Price 3-in-1 Musical Mobile
- Best Baby Mobile For Newborns: Manhattan Toy Wimmer
- Best Musical Baby Mobile: Lambs & Ivy Jungle Safari Musical Baby Crib Mobile
- Best Wooden Baby Mobile: HABA Nursery Room Wooden Mobile Rainbow Balls
- Best Crib Mobile With Lights And Music: TUMAMA Baby Mobile With Lights and Music
- Best Ceiling Baby Mobile: let’s make Baby Crib Mobile
- Best Baby Mobile For Pack ‘N Play: VTech Soothing Ocean Slumber Mobile
- Best Projection Crib Mobile: Mini Tudou Baby Musical Crib Mobile
- Best Baby Mobile For Stroller: Tiny Love Pack and Go Mini Mobile
- Best Portable Crib Mobile: Tiny Love Meadow Days Take Along Mobile
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Baby Crib Mobiles Picks
Fisher-Price 3-in-1 Musical Mobile – Best Baby Mobile Overall
- Easy to assemble and attach to the crib
- Easy to move around
- You can also attach different dangling things to it if you don’t like the teddies
- The lights are lovely and slowly fade in and out and move
- Make sure you have batteries on hand- you need AA’s & AAA’s for the motor and the remote
This mobile is perfect for your little one’s nap or nighttime routine as the animals rotate slowly and the calming music plays for up to 20 minutes. Plus, it can also be easily attached to any stroller canopy for on-the-go fun!
Not only is it a great source of relaxation, but this musical mobile also helps in developing crucial skills for your baby. The soft animal friends spinning around help improve eye-tracking and visual skills, while the soothing music stimulates hearing and listening abilities. And when your baby is ready to play, the musical birdie can be taken out and activated by your little one, teaching them cause and effect.
Manhattan Toy Wimmer – Best Baby Mobile For Newborns
- You can switch out the cards and if you’re child really likes something you can customize a card for them
- Cards are very easy to switch out
- The holder is adjustable
- It gives your baby something to look at it and is modern and nice looking
- Ties are a bit short, especially for cribs with wide slats
Featuring removable graphic cards with high-contrast colors and pictures, this mobile introduces infants to basic visuals as well as more intricate patterns and designs. As your baby’s eyesight grows, simply adjust the cable to bring the graphics closer. Designed for infants up to 5 months of age, this toy is based on academic studies of early childhood visual development to give your baby the best possible start.
Lambs & Ivy Jungle Safari Musical Baby Crib Mobile – Best Musical Baby Mobile
- Soothing
- It’s very cute
- Easy to assemble
- The volume is just right
- Battery life is subpar
This fantastic musical mobile is decorated with charming embroidered elephants, a fluffy-maned lion, and a cute giraffe with embroidered dots. The ring top has an adorable fluffy white velour cloud pattern, and the arm scrunchie is made of silky gray velour.
The music box has a tan and gray leaf design and features an on/off button, volume control, and 20 minutes of playtime. The mobile plays three classic lullabies: Rock-A-Bye Baby, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Brahms Lullaby.
HABA Nursery Room Wooden Mobile Rainbow Balls – Best Wooden Baby Mobile
- The fishing line is definitely heavy duty
- Grabs your child’s attention easily
- The balls are very bright in color and solid wood
- Easy to install
- A bit heavy
This beautifully crafted wooden mobile is sure to capture the attention of both little boys and young girls. As it swings and glimmers above the bassinet or changing table, their eyes will follow the colors and shapes. The mobile is easy to assemble with adjustable bands on either side of the balls to keep them in place, and wooden rods that serve as balance weights.
The manufacturer recommends using a hook screw that is appropriate for your ceiling. Hang it over the bassinet, crib, or changing table at an adjustable height using the sturdy, transparent fishing line that is provided. The bands on either side of the linked balls can be adjusted to keep them in place. Also, the balls are made from sustainable German beechwood and are stained with a non-toxic water-based stain, ensuring that it is safe for your child to enjoy.
TUMAMA Baby Mobile With Lights and Music – Best Crib Mobile With Lights And Music
- Very vibrant colors
- The light show is very cool
- A lot of adjustment options
- Has a remote control
- Eats up batteries pretty quickly
Get ready to transform your baby’s room into a serene forest with this enchanting star and moon projection hanging toy! This delightful deer design is perfect for a woodland-themed baby shower, and the C clip on top makes it easy to use both indoors and outdoors.
This toy is suitable for most cribs, with two fixed orientations and adjustable options. The toys on this hanging mobile spin 360 degrees, capturing your little one’s attention while also helping to develop their eyesight. And best of all, the holder arm is easily adjustable, so you can position the toy exactly where your baby can reach and play with it comfortably.
As your child drifts off to sleep, the star and moon projection will light up the whole room, creating a calming atmosphere that will help them feel safe and at ease.
let’s make Baby Crib Mobile – Best Ceiling Baby Mobile
- Cute mobile for something without a bunch of lights
- Great color combos
- Great quality
- Easy to assemble
- Might be smaller than expected
Looking for a simpler mobile that doesn’t require all those fancy, high-tech features? Look no further than this delightful option! Its unique design eliminates the need for batteries or motors, while still providing plenty of soothing movement.
Your little one will love tracking the gentle sway of this ceiling baby mobile and exploring the different depths of its charming appendages. Plus, with its eco-friendly, hypoallergenic felt components, you can be sure it’s safe for your baby’s delicate health. Best of all, you won’t have to worry about the mobile abruptly stopping due to a dead battery – it’s a reliable, old-school classic that will keep your baby entertained for hours on end!
VTech Soothing Ocean Slumber Mobile – Best Baby Mobile For Pack ‘N Play
- The music is nice, even the singing is pleasant
- Motion sensor that starts the mobile backup with movement
- You can attach the animals to the mobile and/or the bottom of the whale
- Projector light on top of the mobile that puts stars on the ceiling
- The submarine sounds aren’t very calming
This innovative mobile features a collection of vividly colored ocean animals that can also be projected onto the ceiling, creating a calming underwater scene. With over 45 soothing lullabies, sing-along tunes, and melodies, your little one will be drifting off to dreamland in no time.
Plus, if your baby starts to cry, the built-in sound sensor will activate and start playing lullabies to help soothe them back to sleep. The music and projection timer can be set for 20, 30, or 40 minutes, allowing your baby to fall asleep at their own pace. As your child grows, you can easily remove the movable arm and use it as a crib toy or light projector.
Mini Tudou Baby Musical Crib – Best Projection Crib Mobile
- Rattles come off
- Has lights on it & a remote
- The timer to turn off is a great feature
- Variety of sounds
- No option to just have spinNo option to just have spin
This crib mobile boasts 150 lullabies, 10 organ pieces, 10 songs for babies, and 5 natural noise soundtracks to lull your little one to sleep. The box comes equipped with a timer that can automatically shut it off after 20, 40, or 60 minutes of playtime, ensuring your baby’s tranquility and serenity.
But that’s not all! This crib mobile also features four different projection modes, including red, purple, two-color, and two-color flashing, along with scene projections that can be displayed on the ceiling using the box. In the dark, the projection effect becomes even more apparent, creating a mesmerizing and soothing atmosphere.
This can be easily mounted on the bed’s arm or used as a stand-alone unit. As your baby grows, you can remove the pendant and use it as a rattle to grab their attention. Additionally, the hanging figures can be used as simple rattling toys by themselves.
Tiny Love Pack and Go Mini Mobile – Best Baby Mobile For Stroller
- The top of the mobile is in three sections that all fold in so it can be compact to pack and take with you
- Very easy to attach to a stroller
- Super cute
- The clip is pretty sturdy
- It makes a tinkling noise
This mobile has a bell-shaped wind chime that makes pleasant noises when touched, arousing your baby’s curiosity and senses. The mobile’s bright colors and simple designs are sure to capture your baby’s attention, and it can be easily collapsed for convenient storage and transportation.
As you gently swing the mobile, your baby will watch in wonder and eventually try to bat the toys, fascinated by their movement and vibrant hues. With its clearly defined shapes, colorful objects, rattling sounds, sweet chimes, and diverse textures, the Pack & Go Mobile is an excellent tool for stimulating your baby’s senses and promoting their development.
Tiny Love Meadow Days Take Along Mobile – Best Portable Crib Mobile
- It spins on its own and is battery-operated so you can take it with you when you use a pack-n-play or a rocker
- It looks cute
- It also plays music
- Great battery life
- The motor above the mobile is quite heavy and causes the mobile to sometimes sag or creep down
As your baby’s vision is still developing, the visually stimulating black-and-white contrasts will help their eyesight improve (2). The Velcro strap connection allows you to easily attach the mobile to your baby carrier, while the two-part connection arm can be used at home with your baby’s playpen, crib, or bassinet.
Plus, the mobile features five different tunes that play continuously for 30 minutes to keep your baby calm and entertained. Your baby will love the vibrant spinning toys, which showcase Tiny Love’s Tiny Pioneers characters, including Christopher the Fox, Marie the Hedgehog, and Emilia the Bird.
How To Choose The Best Crib Mobile?
- Safety: Make sure the mobile is securely attached to the crib and that there are no small parts that could pose a choking hazard. Toys in the US are required to pass the CPSC’s set of safety rules so you can be sure you are getting a safe product.
- Movement: Nowadays, motors can make baby mobiles do a variety of activities other than simply spinning in circles when a window is open. You have the option to buy a mobile that rotates in any of the following directions: clockwise, counterclockwise, up, or down.
- Stimulation: Look for a mobile with colorful, interesting patterns or shapes to help promote your baby’s visual development.
- Ease of use: Consider how easy the mobile is to assemble and operate. You’ll be spending a lot of time looking at it, so it should be something you enjoy looking at, too!
- Fit: Baby mobiles that attach to cribs are made to suit certain structures, but not all of them do. Regardless of whether the mobile’s edges are square or rounded, it should be possible to firmly connect it to the crib.
Types of Baby Mobiles
- Crib-Mounted Mobile: The most common style of baby mobile is the simplest to put up. All you need to do is attach it to the crib’s side. These mobiles can hold greater weight, so they often have more intricate designs.
- Ceiling-Mounted Mobile: This type of mobile is less common due to its immobility. The mobile phone must be hung on a hook that is suspended from the ceiling. If you ever wish to move the mobile phone, you must drill another hole in the ceiling.
- Portable Mobile: These are a great way to keep your child entertained while on the go. They are designed to be easily attached to most bassinets, playards, Pack ‘N Plays, strollers, cribs, and car seats, so you can take them with you wherever you go. Plus, they come in a variety of fun and colorful designs to choose from.
Crib Mobile Safety Guidelines
Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a crib mobile for your baby’s nursery:
- Make sure the mobile is firmly attached to the side rails of the crib so it cannot be pulled down by a curious baby (3)
- Avoid mobiles with small parts that could be a choking hazard
- Choose a mobile with soft, plush toys or gentle music to help soothe your baby
- Just like any other item in your home, your mobile phone will amass dust. Try to clean it once a week at the very least
- Pay great attention to the age range of your baby’s mobile. Newborns are the target audience for the majority of mobile designs
Are Crib Mobiles Worth It?
On one hand, crib mobiles can provide visual stimulation for babies. They can also help to soothe and calm babies, especially when they are trying to go to sleep. Crib mobiles can also be a fun and entertaining way for babies to pass the time. On the other hand, some parents feel that crib mobiles are unnecessary and that they can be hazardous to babies. There have been reports of babies getting tangled in the cords of crib mobiles, which can pose a serious safety risk.
What Age Is Crib Mobile Good For?
Most crib mobiles are meant for babies between the ages of 0 and 6 months. However, there are a few brands that make mobiles specifically for older babies and toddlers. If you’re not sure what age range a particular mobile is meant for, it’s always best to check the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Are Crib Mobiles Too Stimulating?
Some parents feel that their newborn will be overstimulated by a crib mobile. They are concerned that the mobile would overwhelm their baby’s senses and cause greater unrest and trouble falling asleep. Although there is no scientific proof to back up this assertion, it’s crucial to take your baby’s temperament into account when determining whether or not to utilize a crib mobile. A crib mobile might not be a problem if your infant is normally peaceful and content. However, you might want to avoid using a crib mobile if your child is highly stimulated or has trouble falling asleep.
Where Should Mobile Be Placed In Crib?
The best place to put a mobile in a crib is on the side that the baby will be facing when they are lying down. This way, the mobile will be in the baby’s line of sight and they can easily reach out and grab it.
Why Do Mobiles Calm Babies?
There are several potential explanations for why mobiles soothe newborns. One reason could be the mobile’s motion might mimic the baby’s natural rocking motion and comfort it. The infant can receive visual stimulation from the mobile as well, which may keep him or her engaged and at ease. Additionally, the sound of the mobile may calm the infant and aid in blocking out other sounds that can be disturbing or distracting.
