6 Great Sleepyhead Alternative Baby Pods That Won’t Break The Bank
You don’t need to hear about how much Sleepyheads pods are amazing. It’s everywhere. But with that comes a high price tag. Is it really worth it or can you find a Sleepyhead alternative for half the price?
We’re looking at other suitable baby sleeping pods and comparing them to the well known Sleepyhead pod. We review the feature, material, design and price…
Best cheaper Sleepyhead alternatives:
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PurFlo Baby Newborn | Price ££ | Check it out |
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Babymoov Doomoo Cocoon | Price: £££ | Check it out |
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ClevaMama Baby Pod | Price: ££ | Check it out |
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Tiny Star Sleeping Pod | Price: ££ | Check it out |
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Babymoov Cosydream | Price: £ | Check it out |
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Luchild Baby Nest | Price: £ | Check it out |
Cheaper Version of Sleepyhead under £80
While the Sleepyhead is a great product, it may be a bit pricey for new parents who are already having to spend hard earned cash on diapers, wipes, formula, etc. There are products that offer some of the same benefits as the Sleepyhead without emptying your wallet.
Purflo Nest vs. Sleepyhead
PurFlo Baby Newborn (0-6 Months)
The Purflo nest and the Poddle Pod has a similar shape, though a different bottom design. It’s like a cheap Sleepyhead while still having comparable quality and features when used into a crib or a cot.
Pros
- Half the price of the Sleepyhead
- Great quality material
- Hypoallergenic material is safe and breathable for your baby
Cons
- No back padding, but it’s also safer as long as you use it on an appropriate mattress.
Babymoov Cocoon vs Sleepyhead
Babymoov Doomoo Cocoon
Very simplistic neutral design. I found it offered one of the best quality material and padding. Very similar to the Sleepyhead but half the price. To me it’s the best cheaper version of a Sleepyhead if you want to use it around the house.
Pros
- Padded back
- Adaptable size so you can have the perfect size for every stage from 0 to 8 months
- It ties with velcro instead of ribbon like some of the competitors avoiding any accident
- Organic cotton and micro-breathable 3d fabric
- Machine-washable removable cover
Cons
- Cheaper than sleepyhead but the most expensive of this selection
- No spare covers yet
CleverMama vs Sleepyhead
ClevaMama Baby Pod
It’s one of my favorite pods with it’s elegant clean design. It’s very similar to the Sleepyhead. The main difference is on the pro side the memory foam mat in the central part of the pod and on the con side that the pod doesn’t open at the bottom. Overall it’s an excellent choice loved by many parents and babies.
Pros
- Padded back with soft foam that supports baby’s body while preventing flat head syndrome (plagiocephaly)
- 100% Breathable and Hypo-allergenic
- Machine-washable removable cover
Cons
- Doesn’t open up at the bottom
Tiny star pod vs Sleepyhead
Tiny Star Sleeping Pod
Another great Sleepyhead alternative of pod that offer the same functionalities as the Sleepyhead. The design is in my option not as elegant as the options before, but it remains a really good option.
Pros
- Very well padded sides
- Padded back
- Machine washable
- Replacement padding for around £10 available
Cons
- Less elegant design than the other options
- No cover
Sleepyhead alternative under £40
Babymoov Cosydream vs. Sleepyhead
The babymoov cosydream is another much cheaper version of the Sleepyhead.
Babymoov Cosydream
This is an unique shaped sleeping pod made for sleeping on the back only. The design and shape does not allow for much movement due to its rounded bumper at the top placed there to keep the baby’s head still. This added detail restricts any rolling, making it extra safe for newborns.
Pros
- Similar breathable fabric to the Sleepyhead
- Snuggy feeling, great for small babies and newborn
- Extra safe sleep, no rolling possible
- Amazing price
Cons
- No tummy time with this pod
- Only suitable from till three month old
Luchild Nest vs Sleepyhead
Luchild Baby Nest for Newborn and Babies
This one was in my friend baby shower list. I bought it for her without blinking. It’s a pretty good quality with neutral cute design. From 0 to 8 months.
Pros
- Machine washable removable cover
- Sides well padded
- Padded back
- Amazing price
Cons
- A bit bigger than the sleepyhead it might be a bit big for smaller newborns.
Poddle Pod vs. Sleepyhead
One cheaper version of the Sleepyhead is the Poddle pod. The breathable Poddle pod is a fraction of the price for a Sleepyhead and is also available online for purchase. The concept is similar though the shape is just slightly different. The contour, rather than an oval, is a rounded off square.
This shape allows for a little more room for play time on the Poddle pod than on the more expensive option. However this also means a little more room for rolling if the baby is a newborn or very tiny. Still, this version is equipped with elevated side bumpers to keep your baby from rolling out of it. The Poddle pod is designed for 0-36 month babies. Unfortunately it’s out of stock in the UK. We’ll update you as soon as it comes back in stock!
Should you go for a cheaper baby pod or stick with Sleepyhead?
If you’re reading this article it’s probably because like a lot of parents you like the idea of a baby pod but you find the price of the Sleepyhead a bit steep. And I agree with that.
The big question however is : is the Sleepyhead that much better than the other pods introduced above?
There is no cut answer however there are a few things we can go through to help you make the decision to invest in the expensive sleepyhead or to buy a more affordable baby pod.
Why is the Sleepyhead baby pod so expensive?
It’s not a secret the Sleepyhead is expensive, and not just a little bit. It is 6 times dearer than some of the options introduced above.
It’s a bit crazy when you think about it, a little pod made of cotton and foam is more expensive than an electric breast pump or a car seat. Surely the material and technology of the pod is not worth that much!
My personal opinion on that is that, while the pod itself is not that expensive to produce, when you buy a Sleepyhead, you don’t just buy any pod, you buy in the brand.
I bet you never heard any of the names of the alternatives like Babymov or Luchild… But you’ve heard of Sleepyhead. Everyone knows the brand.
It’s like the Mulberry of bags or the LandRover of cars. You could get something similar for much cheaper but it wouldn’t be the same unbranded.
Building such a strong brand and recognisable name takes a long time and requires a lot of money, hence the price.
Is the Sleepyhead still a good choice?
I can understand that at this point you’re thinking “I don’t want to over pay just because they have a big marketing strategy”. But it’s not all about marketing.
One of the most important things for a big brand such as Sleepyhead is their reputation. They will work really hard to keep it top notch. So you can count on them to control the quality of their products and offer excellent customer service.
Their pod is comfortable, very well designed with a feel of luxury and durable. For all these reasons the Sleepyhead is still a great choice.
Should you invest in a second hand Sleepyhead or a cheaper alternative
You can find a lot of cheaper Sleepyhead sold online on eBay or Facebook. Buying it second hand sounds like a great deal: lower price saving up to £100, same quality, you’d just need to thoroughly wash the cover or buy a new one.
However I would warn you that it may not be a great idea. The Lullaby Trust advises against using second-hand mattresses. Research has brought to light that there might be a link between higher rates of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and second hand mattresses. Depending on how it was used and stored some mattress may contain some mold, dust mites and bacteria, which presents a big risk for your baby. The risk is slim but still there so why risk it when there are other great alternatives that will fit your budget better?
The best pod at the end of the day is the pod that is in your budget. If you can afford the Sleepyhead, then go ahead it’s an excellent choice. But if your budget is tight then one of the alternatives above will do just fine.
Wrapping up
The decision you have to make is deciding which one fits your needs. There are several options to choose from ranging in color choices, accessories available, and the price that is in your range.
If you’re still not convinced by the alternatives then maybe the Sleepyhead pods are for you. Head over here to read our complete review of the Sleepyhead pods.
