SnuzPod5 vs Chicco Next2Me Magic Evo: Which Bedside Crib Belongs Next to Your Bed?

COMPARISON · NURSERY & SLEEP

Choosing your baby's first bed is one of the most researched decisions you will make as a new parent, and the bedside crib question almost always comes down to the same two names: Snuz and Chicco. Both brands have spent years refining their co-sleepers, and their latest models - the SnuzPod5 and the Next2Me Magic Evo - are closer in quality than ever. That makes the decision harder, not easier.

We dug into parent forums, tester feedback and real-world specs to work out where each crib genuinely shines and where it falls short. Both meet the latest safety standards and both are used by hundreds of thousands of UK families, so you are not choosing between good and bad here. You are choosing between two different design philosophies: one that prioritises style and portability, and one that prioritises adjustability and value.

This comparison breaks down everything from sleeping-area dimensions and mattress comfort to side-access mechanisms and reflux support, so you can stop scrolling forums at 2 a.m. and actually pick the crib that fits your bedroom, your bed height and your baby.

Lil' Bubba's verdicts

• Best Overall: SnuzPod5 · 8.5/10 - Beautiful 3-in-1 design with a lift-off bassinet that no competitor matches
• Best for Adjustability: Chicco Next2Me Magic Evo · 8.0/10 - Eleven height settings and a reflux tilt make it the practical pick

At a glance

Feature	SnuzPod5	Next2Me Magic Evo
Price (approx.)	~£180	~£149
Rating
Sleeping area	97 x 49 cm	99 x 64.8 cm
Crib weight	12.9 kg	10.7 kg
Height settings	Adjustable (max 70.5 cm)	11 positions
Reflux tilt	-	4 positions, up to 10°
Rocking mode	Yes (on stand)	Yes (standalone only)
Side access	Zip-down wall	One-hand sliding barrier
Lift-off bassinet	Yes	No
Travel bag included	No	Yes
Safety standard	BS EN 1130:2019	BS EN 1130

How we picked the two

We started with the bedside cribs most frequently added to BubsNest registries, cross-referenced against current UK availability and active retailer pricing. The SnuzPod5 and Chicco Next2Me Magic Evo are consistently the two most-compared cribs in parent discussions and product roundups. We then gathered real feedback from parents who have used each crib day-to-day, focusing on night-time practicality rather than marketing claims.

What to look for in a bedside crib

Sleeping-area size. Newborns do not care, but by four months a broader sleeping surface means less chance of arms and legs pressing against mesh walls. Check internal dimensions, not the outer frame measurement printed on the box.

Height compatibility. Measure from your floor to the top of your mattress. If your bed is high (divan with a thick mattress, ottoman base), you need a crib that adjusts high enough to sit flush. A gap between adult mattress and crib wall is a safety concern.

Side-access mechanism. You will open and close this panel multiple times a night while exhausted. Zips are quiet but need two hands. Sliding barriers are louder but faster. Try to see both in person if you can.

Tilt and reflux support. If your baby has reflux or congestion, a crib that tilts at the head end can help. Not every crib offers this, and aftermarket wedges are not recommended.

Portability. Some parents move the crib between rooms during the day. Wheels, weight and whether the bassinet lifts off all matter here. If you travel regularly, a folding crib with a travel bag is worth the compromise on looks.

Mattress quality. A firm, breathable mattress is non-negotiable for safe sleep. Most bedside cribs include one, but the thickness and comfort vary significantly between brands.

1. SnuzPod5 / 10 · Best Overall

The SnuzPod has been one of the most-recognised bedside cribs in the UK for over a decade, and the fifth generation refines everything that made the originals popular. The sleeping area is 17% larger than the SnuzPod4, the DualMesh+ panels improve airflow, and the whole thing still manages to look like a piece of Scandinavian furniture rather than medical equipment.

What sets the SnuzPod5 apart is its 3-in-1 versatility. Unclip the bassinet from the rocking stand and carry it to the living room for daytime naps. Zip down the mesh wall at night for easy feeding access. Or use it as a freestanding crib when your baby outgrows bedside mode. We hear repeatedly from parents that it receives compliments from visitors, which is not something most baby gear achieves.

What parents love

• Stunning design. Available in nine colours including three new 2026 shades. One parent told us: 'It is the only piece of baby equipment that actually looks good in our bedroom.'
• Lift-off bassinet. Unclip the top and carry your sleeping baby to another room without disturbing them. No competitor in this price range offers this.
• Breathable mesh. Dual-view mesh windows and a 3D mesh mattress keep airflow high. Parents in warmer months say their baby sleeps noticeably cooler.
• Build quality. The wooden frame feels like furniture, not flat-pack. A parent shared: 'We used it for two babies and it still looks brand new.'

What to know before you buy

• Narrower sleeping area. At 49 cm wide, it is noticeably tighter than the Chicco's 64.8 cm. Bigger babies may feel the walls sooner.
• Heavy at 12.9 kg. The wooden frame that gives it that furniture feel also makes it cumbersome to move between rooms, even on wheels.
• Premium price. At around £180 it costs roughly £30 more than the Chicco, for a crib your baby will use for six months at most.

Best for

• Parents who want their nursery to look curated, not cluttered
• Families who will move the bassinet between rooms during the day
• Second-time parents who know they will reuse the crib
• Anyone whose bed height is at or below 70.5 cm from the floor

2. Chicco Next2Me Magic Evo / 10 · Best for Adjustability

The Chicco Next2Me has been a go-to recommendation for new parents for years, and the Magic Evo is the most feature-packed version yet. It focuses on practical adjustability over aesthetics: eleven height settings, four tilt positions for reflux, a one-hand sliding barrier and foldable feet that let it sit flush against ottoman beds with solid bases.

Where the SnuzPod wins on looks, the Chicco wins on sheer flexibility. The rocking mode soothes fussy babies when it is used as a standalone crib, the travel bag lets you take it on holiday, and the wider sleeping area (64.8 cm versus 49 cm) gives bigger babies noticeably more room. At around £149, it is also the more affordable option.

What parents love

• One-hand barrier. Press a button and slide the wall down with one hand while holding your baby in the other. Parents we hear from say this is the feature they use most at 3 a.m. One parent told us: 'So easy to get baby in and out, and I felt he was really safe.'
• Reflux tilt. Four tilt positions up to 10 degrees. If your baby struggles with reflux or congestion, this is the single most important feature to look for.
• Eleven height settings. Fits almost any bed on the market, including divans, ottomans and high-frame beds. A parent shared: 'Very easy to adjust and quick to set up to new beds.'
• Wider sleeping area. At 64.8 cm wide, it gives your baby significantly more room than most bedside cribs. Parents with larger babies consistently praise this.

What to know before you buy

• Fiddly assembly. The image-only instructions are small and unlabelled. Parents report needing about 30 minutes and a video tutorial to get it right first time.
• Firmer mattress. Several parents describe the included mattress as harder than expected. It is still safe and firm (which is recommended), but it feels less plush than the SnuzPod's.
• No rocking in bedside mode. The rocking function only works when the crib is used freestanding, not when it is attached to your bed.

Best for

• Parents of reflux or congestion-prone babies who need a tilting crib
• Families with unusual bed heights or ottoman bases
• Budget-conscious parents who want maximum features for the price
• Parents who travel and want a crib with a proper travel bag

What about the Silver Cross Lunar or Maxi-Cosi Iora Air?

Both are strong alternatives worth considering. The Silver Cross Lunar (around £145) is a beautifully designed co-sleeper with a natural bamboo-lined mattress and seven height positions, sitting comfortably between the SnuzPod and Chicco on both price and feature set. The Maxi-Cosi Iora Air (around £172) brings premium recycled fabrics and a rocking function with a thicker mattress. If neither the SnuzPod nor the Chicco quite fits your priorities, both are worth exploring in our catalogue.

How to choose

Pick the SnuzPod5 if your bedroom is the kind of space where aesthetics matter, you want a bassinet you can lift off and carry between rooms, and your bed height sits below 70.5 cm. The premium is roughly the cost of two takeaway coffees a month over the six months you will use it, and the build quality means it will look good enough to resell or reuse.

Pick the Chicco Next2Me Magic Evo if you want the widest sleeping area, the most height-adjustment options and built-in reflux support. It is the more practical choice for parents who prioritise function over form, and the included travel bag adds genuine value if you stay away from home regularly. At £30 less than the SnuzPod, it is also the better pick if budget is tight.

Whichever you choose, both cribs meet the latest safety standards and both will keep your baby safely at arm's reach through those first precious months.

Add it to your Nest

Building a registry and want help picking your bedside crib? Add your favourite to your free BubsNest registry and let friends and family know exactly which one to buy. No more guessing, no more duplicates.