Like many parents, we’ve experienced the frustration of spending a holiday pacing around your hotel, doing multiple laps, trying to get our little one to take a nap in a stroller under the bright sunlight. It’s a common struggle that many parents face while on holiday.
The SnoozeShade Plus stroller cover can put an end to those struggles of getting babies and toddlers to sleep when it’s nap time and you are out sightseeing!
As a couple who love to travel, my husband and I always knew that having a family wouldn’t stop us from exploring the world. And when our first son arrived, we wasted no time introducing him to the joys of travel. However, we quickly realized that family trips now require a lot more preparation and baby equipment to ensure a stress-free holiday.
Initially, our holidays went smoothly as our little one slept peacefully in his infant travel stroller. But as our brown eyed angelic baby grew into an inquisitive toddler, we encountered new challenges, particularly with nap times and getting him to sleep in the evenings.
We didn’t want to spend our day naps and evenings confined to a hotel room, but we were finding it impossible to get Zachary to sleep in his stroller with all the distractions, lights, and heat.
We knew it was so important that strollers are not covered with blankets, cloths or any cover that prevents the air circulating. Covering a stroller with a blanket could lead to overheating, which can be very dangerous for babies & toddlers.
One trip to Mallorca left us feeling confused and defeated, as we tried every trick in the book to get Zachary to sleep. Frustrated and almost in tears that holidays will never be the same again, I spoke to a friend who recommended we try a SnoozeShade stroller cover.
To be honest, we were skeptical, but we decided to give it a try. And we’re so glad we did! Two children later, we never go on holiday without it and are excited to share this SnoozeShade Plus review.
This post contains compensated links.
What is a SnoozeShade?
The SnoozeShade is an award-winning sun and sleep shade for strollers designed for parents with babies and toddlers who struggle to sleep when they’re out and about. The SnoozeShade stroller cover acts like a portable blackout blind to help babies and toddlers sleep.
It is a cover which fits over a stroller or car seat, blocking out light and distractions to create a dark, cozy sleep environment for your little one. It’s highly recommended by baby sleep experts worldwide.
The SnoozeShade is made from a breathable, stretchy fabric that’s gentle on your babies skin. It features a universal fit, four-way stretch mesh fabric that allows air to circulate and provides UPF50+ sun protection.
It also has a zip front opening with shade and snooze panels to be used in four different modes – fully open, half open, sleep shade, and sneak-a-peek.
How Does the SnoozeShade Plus Work?
The SnoozeShade is so simple to use. Made of stretchy mesh fabric, they come in two sizes up to six months and six months plus. It fits over the hood of most strollers, and you attach the eight Velcro straps around any bars.
The SnoozeShade Plus covers the entire front of the stroller. It has a panel that can be used to allow the desired amount of light in.
In the fully closed mode (sleep mode), the SnoozeShade Plus blocks 94% of light and 99% of harmful UV rays. It also has a shade mode where the front panel unzips leaving a large soft mesh window where your child can still see out, but still blocks 80% of the UV rays.
You can easily check on your sleeping baby using the sneak a peek zip at the top. It also comes in a handy carry bag so you can simply keep it stored away in the basket of the pram when not in use.
We purchased the SnoozeShade Plus specifically for traveling. We have used it on lots of holidays both abroad and in the UK. The SnoozeShade Plus is always the first item I pack.
Its biggest benefit has been during the evenings when we want to enjoy dinner and some adult time, while ensuring that our little one, Zachary, gets a good night’s sleep. Thanks to the SnoozeShade, he can now sleep peacefully in his stroller, allowing us to stay out later without worrying about disturbing his routine.
Now with another baby son in tow, the SnoozeShade is getting further use, and we have gotten more than our monies worth! The SnoozeShade is excellent baby travel gear for sleeping.
SnoozeShade Plus Specs
There are different types of SnoozeShade products available. It’s worth checking out the SnoozeShade website to see all the different types you can purchase to make sure you get the right one for your family.
The one we used was the SnoozeShade Plus. Aside from the SnoozeShade Plus, there are several other SnoozeShade products that are worth considering:
- SnoozeShade Original
- SnoozeShade Twin
- SnoozeShade for Infant Car Seats
- SnoozeShade for Travel Cots (a SlumberPod alternative).
Each of these also has a Deluxe version! You can browse them all on the SnoozeShade website.
Here’s what you need to know when deciding which stroller cover is best for you:
1. SnoozeShade Original
The SnoozeShade Original is ideal for babies up to six months and fits perfect over a bassinet stroller or carry cot. It can be used to create a canopy to keep your baby out of the sun or to completely cover the stroller. It’s made for babies who will be laying flat in the stroller.
SnoozeShade Original dimensions: 27.5 x 25 x 1 inch.
SnoozeShade Original weight: 9.6 ounces.
The SnoozeShade Original Deluxe is made with better fabric plus it attaches with poppers instead of velcro.
** Use BABYCANTRAVEL10 for a discount
2. SnoozeShade Plus
For babies older than 6 months and who will be sitting upright, the SnoozeShade Plus is the better option.
It’s larger than the SnoozeShade Original, making it more suitable for babies over 6 months. You’ll need to take it off to get your child in and out. The front panel is used to switch between shade mode and sleep mode.
SnoozeShade Plus dimensions: 28 x 25.5 x 1 inches.
SnoozeShade Plus weight: 11.4 ounces.
** Use BABYCANTRAVEL10 for a discount
3. SnoozeShade Plus Deluxe
The SnoozeShade Plus Deluxe is a premium version of the SnoozeShade Plus. It has a luxurious silver-grey fabric, plus both the outer and inner panels open fully. You won’t need to remove it to get your child in and out.
It also attaches with certified baby-safe poppers instead of velcro.
SnoozeShade Plus Deluxe dimensions: 11.4 x 6.7 x 1.2 inches
SnoozeShade Plus Deluxe weight: 7.05 ounces
** Use BABYCANTRAVEL10 for a discount
What we Love About the SnoozeShade
Versatility
One of the best features of the SnoozeShade is it’s so versatile. It’s designed to fit most strollers, which means you can use it with different brands and models. The cover is also adjustable, allowing you to control the amount of light and ventilation that enters the sleeping area.
Very Portable
Another benefit of the SnoozeShade how portable it is, it’s lightweight and compact, making it easy to take with you wherever you go. When you’re travelling the SnoozeShade can provide a familiar sleep environment for your baby or toddler.
Helps Keep Sleep Routine
It can be difficult to stick to a sleep routine on holiday. Before the SnoozeShade Zachary would be missing naps and staying up too late meaning he was getting overtired. This was resulting in huge tantrums and meltdowns. Not what I wanted from a relaxing family break!
Once we purchased the SnoozeShade he would fall asleep instantly and stay asleep for as long as he needed to nap. Luckily in the evenings, he would sleep in his stroller with the SnoozeShade on it. We would simply transfer him to his baby travel bed when we returned to the room without waking him.
Easy to Clean
It’s also machine washable, which is a big plus for busy parents as we all know how quickly children’s items can get dirty, especially when travelling!
Downsides to the SnoozeShade
While there are many benefits to using a SnoozeShade, there are also some potential downsides to consider before purchasing one:
Limited ventilation
While the SnoozeShade is designed to allow air to circulate, some parents may find that it doesn’t provide enough ventilation for their child. This can be a concern in hot weather or for children who are prone to overheating.
There have been times during extremely hot weather that I have been concerned about using the SnoozeShade, particularly during the day. However, this is a product recommended by experts worldwide and has been fully tested to check for ventilation.
Restricted View
While the SnoozeShade provides a dark, sleep environment for your child, it also restricts their view of the outside world. This may be a downside for curious children who enjoy looking around and observing their surroundings.
My sons definitely preferred the SnoozeShade off the stroller, but if it wasn’t on the stroller, they wouldn’t have fallen asleep. This is one area where the SnoozeShade Plus vs Deluxe versions falls short. With the Deluxe you can fully open the front panel.
Limited Sun Protection
While the SnoozeShade does provide UPF50+ sun protection, it’s important to note that it only covers the sleeping area of the stroller or car seat. This means that your child’s arms, legs, and other exposed areas may still be exposed to the sun.
I personally never had the stroller and SnoozeShade in direct sunlight for more than a quick walk from the pool to the hotel. I always kept the stroller in the shade with the SnoozeShade on.
Is a Stroller Cover Safe?
A stroller cover, such as the SnoozeShade is safe when it is used properly. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and make sure that the cover is properly secured to the stroller or buggy.
When using a stroller cover, it’s important to ensure that there is adequate ventilation to prevent your child from overheating. Check that there are openings or mesh panels in the cover to allow for air circulation.
It’s also important to monitor your child while they are using a stroller cover, especially if they are sleeping. I would check on my sons regularly to make sure they are breathing comfortably and are not overheating.
Important features of Stroller Covers
While there are plenty of other stroller sun shades available, only two are really comparable to the SnoozeShade Plus. The other ones don’t fully cover the stroller in the same way. If you aren’t looking for full coverage, we recommend looking through the list we link to below.
When shopping for the perfect stroller sun cover, here’s what you’ll want to consider:
Fabric & Breathability
The most important factor to consider is the fabric that’s used and the breathability of the stroller cover. You want it to provide plenty of airflow and use a mesh fabric for maximum breathability. Anything covering a stroller has the potential to cause your baby to overheat, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your little one.
UV Protection
While you can use sunscreen on babies who are 6 months or older, it’s even better to keep your baby out of the sun. A good sun cover for the stroller will block most of the harmful UV rays.
Light Blocking
The entire point is that your stroller cover should block the light to help reduce distractions and get your baby to sleep on vacation! Look for one that blocks almost all the light for the best results!
Stroller Size and Fit
While most stroller sun shades have a universal fit, you want to make sure it will fit your stroller by checking the dimensions.
Ease of Use
Trust me when I say that the last thing you want to do is be struggling to secure your stroller sun shade when your baby is overdue for a nap! You want one that’s easy to put on and that’s easy to see PLUS get to your baby if you need to.
Safety
Safety is always one of the top concerns. Your stroller sun shade should be safe for use around your baby, meaning no small pieces, no choking hazards, provides plenty of air flow and securely fits on your stroller.
Price
Finally, price is always a factor to consider. You’ll want to think about how much you’ll use it compared to the overall cost of the stroller shade.
SnoozeShade Plus Comparisons
SnoozeShade Plus vs. CoziGo Stroller Sun Shade
The CoziGo Bassinet & Stroller Cover is another one of the best stroller sun shades you can get, so how does the SnoozeShade Plus compare on the key considerations?
The key difference between the CoziGo and the SnoozeShade Plus is that the CoziGo has a pop-open frame, where the SnoozeShade depends more on the frame of your stroller and it’s canopy to hold it up.
Fabric & Breathability – The CoziGo is made of a woven fabric that is 100% breathable. In addition, you can fully open each of the two side panels to let air flow through. With the SnoozeShade Plus, though made with a mesh fabric, you can’t fully open the front. You would need to purchase the SnoozeShade Plus Deluxe for this.
UV Protection – CoziGo blocks 97.5 % of harmful UV rays compared to the SnoozeShade Plus which blocks 99%. This would be with both panels fully closed.
Light Blocking – CoziGo blocks 97% of light compared to the SnooozeShade which blocks 94% of light. Either one would create a suitably dark environment.
Stroller Size and Fit – CoziGo will fit on bassinet style strollers as well as car seats. In addition, it can be used as a bassinet cover on airplanes. The SnoozeShade Plus has a universal fit, but they have a different product for use one car seats and it won’t work on an airplane bassinet.
Ease of Use – The CoziGo has a pop-open frame. It took me some time to figure out how to close it properly! It needs a twist and fold to get it back in the pack. It definitely took me more practice to get it back in the carry bag than the SnoozeShade Plus.
Safety – Like the SnoozeShade Plus, the CoziGo has been tested to ensure breathability.
Price – Price is another key difference between the CoziGo vs SnoozeShade with the CoziGo being the more expensive model.
While there aren’t a lot of differences between a CoziGo vs. SnoozeShade, the price and versatility of the CoziGo are the two biggest differences. That being said, you really can’t go wrong with either of these options.
SnoozeShade Plus vs. RestCloud Sun Shade for Strollers
If you are looking for ultra-compact, budget option, the RestCloud is basically one piece of breathable mesh fabric with a zipper up the front. It will pack extra small.
Similar to the SnoozeShade, the RestCloud is 100% breathable and will block 97% of light plus those harmful UV Rays.
It has a universal fit and it also uses your stroller’s canopy and frame to drape over. Velcro straps hold it on and the front zipper gives easy access to your baby.
We definitely prefer the additional features of the SnoozeShade Plus, especially with the ability to have it in shade mode with the front panel zipped open. You don’t have similar options with the RestCloud, which is also reflected in the more affordable price.
Which Stroller Sun Shade is Best?
Our top choices for the best stroller sun shades are the CoziGo Bassinet & Stroller cover and the SnoozeShade Plus Deluxe. Based on our experience with the SnoozeShades and the CoziGo, our recommendation depends on when and how often you’ll use it.
If you are buying one immediately, we highly recommend going with the CoziGo since you’ll get the most use out of it. You can use it on car seats (only out of the car), on airplanes and on basically any type of stroller.
Compare this to the SnoozeShade Plus which is mainly for use on strollers. They have other products for car seats and bassinet style strollers.
If you are struggling with a toddler (or a baby who is mostly sitting upright) who no longer sleeps in the stroller, then save some money and go with the popular SnoozeShade Plus! It will work equally as well over the stroller and you don’t need it for those other purposes.
We do recommend the SnoozeShade Plus Deluxe since we really like how the front panel has the option of fully open, in shade mode with the inner plane closed or fully in sleep mode with the outer panel also closed (plus every variation in between).
SnoozeShade Plus Review – Final Thoughts
Overall, the SnoozeShade Plus is an excellent choice for parents who want to ensure their baby or toddler gets good quality sleep when they’re on the go. Its versatility, portability, and quality materials make it a worthwhile investment.
While the SnoozeShade Plus has some great features, the SnoozeShade Plus Deluxe goes one step further in the ease of use. The front panel that fully opens would allow for easy access to the child and to keep it open when your baby is awake, rather than fully removing it.
Either way, you’ll get the same benefit from both SnoozeShade Plus options. This will help your child feel rested, and you can help enjoy some adult time even when you’re away from home.
The SnoozeShade for strollers has been a game-changer for our family, and we highly recommend it to anyone traveling with young children. Looking back now to earlier holidays, I wish I had discovered the SnoozeShade earlier as it has 100% made our lives easier!
* Use code BABYCANTRAVEL10 for a discount when buying direct.
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Karen Basnett
Marketing Director and travel writer, Karen Basnett is a wife and the mother to two energetic boys Zachary aged two and Harrison seven months. Karen has a passion for travel, live music, fashion, and food, and loves exploring new holiday destinations with her family.
Celine Brewer is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she’s helped millions of new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade. In addition to writing on her baby travel blog, she has shared her expertise on traveling with a baby or toddler by contributing to articles about traveling with a baby with the Washington Post, USA Today, the Lonely Planet magazine and Pregnancy & Newborn magazine.
Celine also writes about family travel on the site FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her passion about her home and travel to Banff National Park and area on their site TravelBanffCanada.com.
