The report card
- Motion & soothing30% of score7.0
Five swing speeds, ten built-in melodies and Bluetooth for music or white noise.
- Safety & build20% of score7.6
Lists EN 12790-1:2023, with a seat lock and two recline positions; for birth to around 9kg.
- Ease of use15% of score7.8
Touchscreen, remote control and 8, 15 or 30 minute timers.
- Size, power & portability15% of score8.4
Very light at 3.6kg, and runs on mains or batteries.
- Value20% of score6.8
Fair at £169, but owner ratings trail the similarly priced Munchkin.
The full review
The Alto is Mamas & Papas' take on the smart swing: a light, neutral seat on a wood-effect base, with a touchscreen, a remote control and Bluetooth, so you can play music or white noise from your phone, change the motion, adjust the volume and set a timer without getting up.
There are five swing speeds, ten built-in melodies, timers of 8, 15 or 30 minutes, two recline positions, a toy bar and a seat lock. It weighs just 3.6kg and runs on mains or batteries (three AA, plus a coin cell for the remote, neither included). Mamas & Papas lists EN 12790-1:2023 as its standard and says it's suitable from birth to around 9kg, until your baby tries to sit up.
Owners are broadly positive but less effusive than for some rivals, averaging 4.1 out of 5 from 38 verified reviews on Mamas & Papas' site. Note too that Argos excludes it from its 30-day money back guarantee, so check the returns policy wherever you buy.
Pros and cons
What I like
- Remote control, touchscreen and Bluetooth
- Very light at 3.6kg
- Mains or battery power
- Handy 8, 15 and 30 minute timers
What I don't
- Owner ratings trail the Munchkin and Cassia
- Batteries not included
- Excluded from Argos's 30-day money back guarantee
Key specs
- Motion
- 5 swing speeds
- Sounds
- 10 melodies; Bluetooth for music or white noise
- Controls
- Touchscreen and remote; 8, 15 or 30 minute timer
- Standard
- EN 12790-1:2023
- Age and weight
- Birth to around 9kg, until baby tries to sit up
- Power
- Mains or 3 x AA batteries
- Size and weight
- H73 x W63 x D74cm; 3.6kg
Head-to-heads
What I read
This is a research-led review. These are the main sources behind the scores, alongside patterns in verified owner reviews. How I review.