Beautifully designed, exceptionally sturdy, and incredibly comfortable, these Nestig gliders are a dream!
By: Tali Ditye, Ph.D., Co-founderMommyhood101 independently tests and curates baby gear to help you make informed decisions. If you buy products through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
We put the beautiful new Nestig nursery gliders, the Drift Glider Recliner and Dawn Swivel Glider, through hands-on testing to evaluate comfort, build quality, usability, and real-world performance in a nursery setting.
Let's see how they performed!
Full disclosure: Nestig provided these gliders for testing. No compensation was provided, and all opinions are our own.
Nestig has quickly built a reputation for beautiful, design-forward nursery furniture, and these two new gliders are no exception. With premium materials, customizable fabrics, and thoughtful ergonomics, both the Drift and Dawn are designed to look as good in your living room as they do in a nursery.
Our Nestig Nursery Glider Review
Here are our findings right up front — what we loved, and a couple of things to consider.
✔️ Exceptionally sturdy
✔️ Heavy, high build quality
✔️ Smooth, quiet glide
✔️ Smooth, quiet swivel
✔️ Deep, supportive cushioning
✔️ Beautiful, durable fabrics
✔️ Excellent seams & stitching
✔️ Made in Brazil (not China)
✔️ Very easy assembly
✔️ Gorgeous wood base
✔️ Drift recline is quiet & smooth
✔️ Drift nearly lay-flat
✔️ Footrest raises independently before recline (great feature)
✔️ Chairs sit high, easy to stand up from
✔️ Stylish enough for long-term use beyond nursery
❌ Dawn seat width (20") may feel narrow for some parents
❌ Large shipping box requires two people to handle
Overall, both the Drift and Dawn impressed us with their premium feel, comfort, and aesthetics.
Unboxing & Packaging
One of the first things you'll notice is just how substantial these chairs are.
The shipping box is very large and arrives on a pallet, and moving it definitely requires two people.
That said, the packaging is excellent. Everything is well protected and wrapped, with no signs of damage during shipping.
Assembly is extremely simple: just slide the back onto the base. It takes about 2 minutes.
However, because of the weight, we strongly recommend assembling the chair in the room where it will be used (not in the living room, like we did!).
Our Hands-On Testing
We tested both gliders in our home, using them for feeding, rocking, and relaxing with a baby.
The glide motion is incredibly smooth, not jerky or overly loose, and the swivel feels controlled and stable.
Both chairs feel extremely solid, with no wobble or flex.
In addition to the comfort, this is one of the most noticeable differences compared to lower-priced gliders.
The Dawn glider also performed very well in our testing, providing smooth rocking and a slightly more upright seating experience:
Comfort & Ergonomics
Comfort is where both chairs really shine.
The cushioning is deep, supportive, and consistent throughout, including on the seat, back, and armrests.
The seat height is excellent, making it easy to stand up even while holding a baby.
The Drift takes comfort a step further with its reclining functionality. We tested the fully electric recline version, but it's also available with manual recline.
We especially love that the footrest raises first, followed by the back reclining. This is similar to modern movie theater seating, and gives you much more flexibility in finding a comfortable position.
For example, you can leave the back upright while raising the legrest, which is perfect for feeding!
The recline is smooth, quiet, and goes nearly flat, making it perfect for overnight feeds or even catching a quick nap.
One note: the Dawn's seating width is about 20 inches, which is roughly 1 inch narrower than the Drift. This may feel a bit snug for some (plus-sized) parents.
Features & Functionality
The Drift includes powered recline controls that are intuitive and easy to use.
The motor is quiet, and the recline transitions are smooth and controlled.
The rear panel hides the electronics neatly, with a Velcro cover and a long power cord.
The Dawn keeps things simpler with a non-reclining design, but still includes smooth glide and swivel motion.
We also love the removable back pillow on the Dawn, which adds both comfort and style.
Drift vs Dawn Comparison
Both are excellent options, but here is a feature and price comparison between the two Nestig gliders:
| Feature | Dawn Swivel Glider | Drift Glider Recliner |
|---|---|---|
| Recline | No recline | Yes, with powered recline and footrest |
| Comfort for long sessions | Very comfortable, but more upright | Excellent for long feeds, contact naps, and overnight soothing |
| Seat width | About 20 inches wide | About 21 inches wide |
| Overall size | Slightly more compact footprint | Larger and deeper overall |
| Swivel | 360-degree swivel | 360-degree swivel on the manual version, 180-degree swivel on the electric version |
| Glide motion | Smooth and quiet | Smooth and quiet |
| Seat feel | Slightly more structured and upright | Deeper, plusher, and more lounge-friendly |
| Armrests | Well-padded and supportive | Well-padded and supportive |
| Style | Sleek, tailored, and minimal | Cozy, plush, and luxurious |
| Best for | Parents who want a beautiful glider with a slightly smaller footprint | Parents who want maximum comfort and recline flexibility |
| Wood base option | Optional upgrade | Optional upgrade |
| Price | About $1,199 | About $1,399 to $1,599, depending on configuration |
Materials & Build Quality
These chairs are built to impress.
The fabrics feel durable and premium, with excellent stitching and attention to detail.
The chairs are made in Brazil using Brazilian wood, which we appreciate as a higher-quality alternative to many mass-produced options.
Nestig also makes beautiful cribs with Brazilian wood, which you should definitely check out!
The optional wooden base is especially beautiful and adds a premium look that elevates the entire chair.
It's $100 extra at the time of this writing, but we think it's worth it.
We also appreciate the adjustable feet, which help stabilize the chair on uneven floors.
They are small plastic feet that adjust within a range of about half an inch:
Safety Considerations
As with any recliner, safety is important.
Especially around children!
The chairs include clear safety warnings about keeping hands and feet away from moving mechanisms and ensuring children do not operate the recline.
We recommend always returning the chair to the upright position when not in use.
Value & Comparisons
Nestig positions these as premium nursery gliders, and they feel like it.
Compared to competitors, they stand out most for:
- Superior aesthetics and fabric options
- Excellent build quality and sturdiness
- Smooth, quiet motion
- Versatility beyond the nursery
The Drift is ideal if you want maximum comfort and recline functionality, while the Dawn is better suited for smaller spaces or those who prefer a simpler design.
Our Conclusions
Who These Gliders Are Best For
- Parents looking for a premium, design-forward nursery chair
- Families who want a glider that can transition into a living space (especially the Dawn!)
- Parents prioritizing comfort for feeding and rocking
- Anyone who values high-quality materials and craftsmanship
- Families who are willing to pay a relatively steep price for a luxury product
Both the Drift and Dawn are among the most beautiful and well-built nursery gliders we've tested.
The Drift stands out for its exceptional comfort and recline functionality, while the Dawn offers a slightly more compact and stylish alternative.
If you're deciding between the two, the Drift is the better choice for long nights and maximum comfort, while the Dawn is ideal if you want something simpler and slightly smaller.
We give the Nestig Drift Glider and Dawn Swivel Glider a 4.9 out of 5.0!
