What's the Difference Between a Rocker and Glider?
These famous chair types are a staple in nurseries. They also serve other purposes and uses of course. Many wonder “Is a rocker or glider better?” or like to enter the rocker versus glider but there is no such thing as a general answer to this. Instead, it’s better to understand what is the difference between rocker and glider, in order to better assess the best chair option for you.
A Smooth Movement with Different Motions
As the name indicates, the main difference between a rocker and a glider is the type of motion. A Rocking chair allow for a back and forward swaying motion on arched legs. The rocking motion can be generated by a fast or slow leg push, that can lead to a smooth movement or a more intense motion. while the glider’s motion is a straight back and forward one on a straight edge.
For what Do You Plan on Using Your Rocker or Glider?
When buying home furniture you should consider where it will be used the most before deciding on either rocker or glider styles. This of course relates to the use you plan on giving your glider or rocker. By thinking That way you can easily correspond with the adequate style, color and type.
Are you planning on getting a porch or nursery chair? Are you looking to spice up a little your living room with a contemporary and catchy furniture? Do you prior comfort or relaxation, or why not the best of both worlds!
The type of use you plan on giving your chair is key in helping you decided on a rocker vs glider.
Both are Very Popular Chairs in the Baby's room
Now, if we focus on nursery, details and small differences go a long way. You know that attending your baby is a pure act of love, but it can be demanding. So the more appropriate your nursery furniture is, the more you will enjoy this early parenting stage.
Have you ever noticed how babies calm themselves in a swing seat? Yep, that’s the magic of continuous motion!
The rocking chair is best for soothing your baby to sleep while gliders make an excellent place to rock your infant when nursing. But to feel confident when choosing a particular model, check our list of best nursery chair features.
A quick comparison between the rocker and glider can help you decide on the type of chair to buy for you living room or baby’s nursery. These are undoubtedly the two most successful nursery chair types ever.
The Glider, Optimized Functionality for Nursery
Sturdy, comfy and specialized nursery chairs
Depending on the chair’s design, gliders can be more functional for nursing. Therefore, it is common for a lot of glider models and brands to specialize in nursery chairs (Babyletto, Delta Children or Nursery Works ).
It is one of the most popular baby products on the market, or should we say mommy product!
A significative difference between rocking chairs and gliders is padding. After all, not all rocking chairs have a seat cushion. Nursery gliders are usually well padded and upholstered in a way to maximize comfort for nursing. This chair type have strong structure to support the gliding mechanism, so it is pretty reliable for newborn babies.
Gliders tend to have a stronger structure and a more classic design, which makes them look bulky at times. This is mainly because they have a gliding system on a fixed track that includes ball bearings and other metallic parts. This is why sometimes you might feel you need to push your legs a little more to obtain a more intense movement. Rest assured, best nursery gliders are smooth, solid and designed to be highly functional for nursery and very safe for your baby.
Bear in mind that gliders offer a limited movement due to the fixed track. Nevertheless, many gliders offer usually a lock feature for when you just wishes to stop the gliding movement.
Gliders can Look Modern Too!
A quality glider chair is sturdy, comfortable, easy to use and generally comes with a matching ottoman that sometimes glides as well. This is why they tend to be approximately 30% more expensive than similar rockers.
When compared with the rocker, most nursery glider’s designs tend to look more traditional. Nevertheless, higher end gliders with a more contemporary style can be found today online. We will soon publish in our website a top list of the best affordable contemporary gliders.
These aesthetically pleasing modern designs can be placed in your living room without anyone even noticing it is a nursery chair!
The Multi-Use and Relaxing Rocking Chair
Rocking Chairs Are Highly Versatile
The rocking chair continues to be very popular among moms with newborn babies, elderly and more recently among young couples. Some moms prefer that type of rocking motion and design for it is not a stiffed back and forth one.
Rockers come in different sizes and styles and are often used for nursery. They can also be placed in other areas such as the bedroom, the playroom, living room, porch or patio. Therefore, it is a very practical and multi-purpose “chill chair”. They are also great for outdoor travels, check our best camping rocking chairs picks for 2022.
Though rocking chairs do not come with ottomans, you can always buy it independently. So it’s a good occasion to look for a storage ottoman to keep useful things at hand. You just need to find a style and color that suits well with your rocking chair and baby’s room.
Plus, there are a lot of styles available that allow a more versatile use. For example, you could place your nursery rocking chair in the living room or porch area, depending on its design and style.
Its simpler structure allows for clean lines which is why it is easy to find contemporary designs and styles. Check out these benefits of rocking chairs for more.
The Rocking Motion is Best for Relaxation
Some find the balance like motion of a rocker to be more relaxing. Furthermore, their capacity to relax you as soon as you start moving back and forth, together with a good quality/price relation convinces a lot of parents.
Rocker’s arched legs create a smoother motion than the glider’s back and forth one on fixed track. This pendulum movement generated on rocking chairs is very calming, as it requires less effort to keep it rocking.
The long history of rocking chairs reveals it’s high participation in US society to this day, through key innovations and iconic models for near three centuries.
Regarding comfort, there are a lot well-padded upholstered rockers and contemporary designs. Furthermore, you can always add extra comfort with cushions, pillows and soft blankets. Also, by renewing a rocker you have more possibilities of changing its looks as the chair’s design is more versatile. Check our posts below for tips on how to reupholster your rocking chair.
Rocker Vs Glider: Which to Choose?
As we have discussed above, this answer will differ from person to person. The differences between rockers and gliders for nursery might be irrelevant for some and important for others. Both the nursery rocking chair and glider offer similar overall advantages regarding smooth motion and comfort.
Both you and your baby will enjoy most rockers and gliders available online, from the moment they are comfortable and reliable.
The nursery glider is particularly designed for nursery, which doesn’t make it look too appropriate in other settings. Unless you are willing to spend a little extra for a good quality contemporary nursery glider.
On the other hand, rockers might be one of the most relaxing and versatile chairs ever.
The budget and overall use will also play a definitive role in the buying decision. What is the intended usage, time and intensity you will be using your chair for? We reviewed the most popular models to come up with the best nursery chairs in 2021.
So, in summary, if you prefer to spend a little less or just have the possibility to use your nursery chair in other settings, a rocking chair might suit you best.
If you prioritize an optimized nursery chair, a glider would be a great buy.
