Dockatot vs Boppy Lounger: Are They Really Worth The Hype?

The Dockatot vs Boppy Lounger has 4 similarities and 7 differences. Read on to find out what are their uses and if they are worth the hype.

There is now a safety recall on Boppy Loungers. Please contact The Boppy Company for a refund if you recently bought one. Click to read more here.

pic from Reddit

You’ve probably heard of baby loungers and how almost every parent seems to be raving about it. 

But do you need it, is it a must in your newborn essentials? And if you feel like it’s necessary, which one should you get, the bestselling Boppy Newborn Lounger or the highly popular DockaTot?

In this article, I have listed down the uses of these baby loungers and how parents can still fully utilize them, even after their babies have overgrown them.

I have also thoroughly researched their differences and similarities so you can better gauge which one will work for you. I have also shared my take on both baby loungers and I hope this article will help you in deciding if these items are even worth it.

Let’s start with a quick comparison of their features below.

I hope you’ll love the products we recommend! Just a quick note: if you click on a product link below and decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission.

DockaTot Deluxe

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DockaTot vs Boppy Lounger Feature Comparison 

This is best viewed on a desktop. Check out the similarities and differences of the Boppy Lounger vs Dock A Tot at a glance.

FeaturesDockATot Deluxe+Boppy Lounger
Multi UseYesYes
SafetyOnly for supervised awake timesOnly for supervised awake times
Portable– Weighs 4.79 pounds
– Can purchase separately a Gateway Tote for traveling
– Weighs 2.89 pounds
– Can use its own case for traveling
Cleaning– Machine washable (except its pad) – Has to assembled after
– Can purchase extra covers separately
– Machine washable but only at hand wash or delicate cycle
– Need to buy extra covers from other retailers
Age RangeFor babies (0 to 8 months)For newborns (0-4 months)
Material– Certified for Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Class 1 (fabric is safe for babies)
– 100% cotton cover
Breathable, soft fabric
SizeBigger than Boppy Lounger
– 29 inches (73.7 cm) L (Buckle closed) x 18 inches (45.7 cm) W
-Interior dimension at approx. 22 inches (55.9 cm) L x 8-1/2 inches (21.6 cm) W
18 x 18 x 7 inches (LxWxH)
Design– Comes in a few dozen prints and colours
– Flat, padded surface
– Comes in 7 prints and colours
– Inclined, pillow-like nest
AccessoriesCan purchase separately: Toy Arch, Toy Set, Base Protector, Cabanda Kit, Extra Covers and Getaway Tote bag– No accessories
– Covers have to be purchased from other retailers
PriceWay more expensive than Boppy LoungersCheap
Return Policy and Warranty30-day return policy and 1-year warranty30-day return policy and limited warranty

Below is a more detailed information on the differences and similarities of the Dockatot vs Boppy Lounger.

DockaTot Deluxe

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Boppy Lounger vs Dock A Tot: Similarities

Multi-use

Both the Boppy vs Dock A Tot can be used for playtime, tummy time, bottle feeding, and bonding time with family and friends.

The Boppy Lounger has also been useful for babies with acid reflux.

dockatot vs boppy lounger_8
pic from Boppy website

The DockaTot can also be used for quick diaper changes and baby massages. You can also use it for an older baby if they still prefer to sleep in it.

Both can also be used as pet beds after your kids are through with it.

Safety

Both the Boppy vs Dock A Tot are only for supervised wake time only.

It’s highly advisable to NOT use the Boppy Lounger for napping. That has been stressed so many times on their website and I quote, “This product is for baby’s supervised awake time and not for sleep.”

Which if I was a parent with a newborn, I’d take it pretty seriously. 

The Boppy Lounger is not a flat surface and when you prop a newborn to sleep, a newborn who has weak neck muscles, that baby could slide down the lounger, causing their neck to bend in a way that could block their airway.

DockaTot also advises using their products only for “supervised lounging and playtime.” The DockaTot is actually banned in Canada because it’s considered unsafe to use.

Nevertheless, a lot of parents have both used Boppy Lounger and DockaTot for their napping babies, even letting them sleep unattended.

Portable

Both the Boppy Newborn Lounger vs Dockatot are easy to lug around the house, with the DockaTot weighing at 4.79 pounds and the Boppy Lounger weighing so much less at 2.89 pounds.

dockatot vs boppy lounger_6
pic from DockATot website

You can also travel with both. 

The DockaTot can be placed in its Getaway Tote (purchase separately) and while the Boppy doesn’t have its travel bag, it does have its carrying case.

Cleaning

Both Boppy Newborn Lounger vs Dockatot are machine-washable but the pad of the DockaTot has to be hand washed. 

And after the DockaTot dries, you have to assemble the whole thing again, which can be a little bit of a hassle.

While the Boppy Lounger can be washed entirely in the machine washing but only at hand wash or delicate cycle.

Also, the Boppy Lounger has a non-removable cover and they don’t sell extra covers on their website. You have to buy an extra Boppy Lounger cover from other retailers, which is odd but okay, whatever works for Boppy.

DockaTot has extra covers that you can purchase online.

To make things more convenient, just always buy an extra cover. 

DockaTot Deluxe

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Boppy Lounger vs Dock A Tot: Differences

Age Range

The Boppy Newborn Lounger can only be used for newborns (0-4 months) for supervised awake time.

The DockATot Deluxe+ is for 0 to 8 months. There’s also the DockaTot Grand for 9 months – 36 months.

Material

The DockaTot went through a lot of stringent testing and certification. Its material features air permeability, which is believed to reduce the risk of SIDS.

They also have the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Class 1 certification, which means that the fabric or material has been tested safe for health-hazardous substances.

It also has a 100% cotton cover, making it super soft and comfortable for your baby’s delicate skin.

The Boppy Lounger on the other hand has a breathable, soft fabric that’s easy to wipe for little messes. Their manufacturing process starts in China but to reduce their carbon footprint, their products are fulfilled, packaged, and shipped from US factories.

Size

The Boppy Newborn Lounger measures 18 x 18 x 7 inches (LxWxH).

While the DockaTot is at 29 inches (73.7 cm) L (Buckle closed) x 18 inches (45.7 cm) W, with its interior dimension at approx. 22 inches (55.9 cm) L x 8-1/2 inches (21.6 cm) W.

The DockaTot can accommodate bigger, taller babies by opening up its buckle (see below).

dockatot vs boppy lounger_5
pic from DockATot website

Design

The Boppy Lounger has only less than 10 designs and prints, compared to a few dozen DockaTot Deluxe+ designs.

The Boppy Lounger, has obviously, a more inclined surface, elevating your kid’s head while still keeping them secure in the pillow. Newborns can dangerously bend their neck in a certain way while laying down on it, causing positional asphyxia.

dockatot vs boppy lounger_4
pic from Boppy website

Hence the need to always supervise your kid and use only during supervised awake times.

The DockaTot on the other hand, for making newborns lay down flat on their backs. It also has more space for your newborn to wiggle in. It has 1-inch padding, to make it comfortable for your baby.

But there’s also a danger of babies rolling and smooshing up their faces against the bumper.

So as they advise on their website, only use this for supervised activities.

Some parents have used it though for their babies to sleep in, which can be possibly safe IF the baby can’t roll yet on their own and there’s enough space at both sides to prevent the baby’s face from smashing against it.

DockaTot Deluxe

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Accessories

There are no available accessories for the Boppy Newborn Lounger and they don’t even sell extra covers on their website. You have to buy a Boppy Lounger cover from another retailer. Which is very odd, why not just make and sell one on your own very site, Boppy?

Which is the total opposite of the DockaTot. You can accessorize the whole lounger and buy these items separately – Toy Arch, Toy Set, Base Protector, Cabanda Kit, Extra Covers, and of course, its very own Getaway Tote bag.

dockatot vs boppy lounger_3
Cabanda Kit, pic from DockATot website

Price

Now considering all the extra accessories and how humongous the DockaTot is compared to the Boppy Lounger, it does come with a price.

And it’s not a cheap one. The DockaTot is way more expensive than the Boppy Lounger.

Return Policy and Warranty

The Boppy Lounger comes with a limited warranty and has a 30-day return policy. 

The DockaTot has a 1-year warranty and has also a 30-day return policy.

DockaTot Pros

  • Can accommodate bigger babies
  • Travel-friendly by car
  • Comes with a lot of accessories, including covers
dockatot vs boppy lounger_2
Toy Arch and Toy Set, pic from DockATot website

DockaTot Cons

  • Super expensive
  • Difficult to bring in flights
  • Have to assemble after washing

dockatot vs boppy lounger
pic from Boppy website

Boppy Lounger Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Can travel and bring anywhere
  • Cheap

Boppy Lounger Cons

  • Highly dangerous for unsupervised times
  • No accessories nor covers (has to be purchase from other retailers)
  • Unclear on product material and testing

DockaTot Deluxe

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Dock A tot vs Boppy Lounger: My Recommendation

It depends on your priorities.

If money is not an issue, you have tried everything to make your baby sleep and a baby lounger is your last resort, then the DockaTot wins this comparison review, hands down.

You can use it way beyond the newborn phase, it has a lot of accessories and it has a lot more uses for an older baby.

If you have a limited budget but you’re desperate to get your hands-free, then the Boppy Lounger might just be what you’re looking for.

My Takeaway

I’ve personally never used a baby lounger. I didn’t see the hype around it and I don’t think there’s a need for it.

It’s also been recommended by the AAP to never use a baby lounger unsupervised or even for overnight sleep. Both the Boppy and DockaTot brands have highly stressed that in their website.

However, I do understand the challenges of parenting, especially if you have a very colicky, clingy baby who just won’t sleep.

I have been in that situation and even though it was risky, I also used a non-crib item for making her sleep in. I didn’t even use any crib alternatives, I used a baby bouncer. Fortunately, that phase only lasted for a few days.

So yes, I understand the need to soothe a baby and also to keep your hands free to do some work or chores. And if you’re last resort is a baby lounger, then, by all means, do what you think is best but just always be vigilant.

DockaTot Deluxe

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Julie