⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Bottom Line: After 3 years of daily use and still going strong with a friend's baby, the Hatch Rest+ 2nd Gen ended up being a smart investment. It's a sound machine, night light, OK-to-wake clock, and audio monitor that grows with your child from newborn to tween.
Quick Take: Which Hatch Should You Buy?
Best Overall Value: Hatch Rest 2nd Gen ($70) - Perfect for stationary nursery use
Best for Flexibility: Hatch Rest+ 2nd Gen ($90) - Battery backup saves the day
Best for Travel: Hatch Go ($40) - Clips to strollers and fits in diaper bags
Best for Expert Support: Hatch Baby ($90) - Built-in sleep consultant chat
My Experience: 3 Years of Real Use
I bought the original Hatch Rest+ 2nd Gen shortly after it launched and used it daily for three solid years with my kids. After that, I passed it on to a friend with a new baby, and it’s still going strong in her nursery. That kind of durability is what makes these feel like a smart investment rather than a short‑term baby gadget, but all the models can get confusing, so let's compare them.
Hatch Model Comparison
Here’s a side‑by‑side look at the core features of all the current Hatch Rest models so you can quickly see what you gain (or lose) as you move up in price.
Which Model is Right for You?
Choose Hatch Rest 2nd Gen ($70) if you:
- Want the best value for a stationary nursery setup.
- Don’t need portability or battery backup.
- Are fine without a clock display or 2‑way audio.
- Plan to keep it plugged into the same room permanently.
Choose Hatch Rest+ 2nd Gen ($90) if you:
- Travel frequently or visit grandparents and want to bring your sound machine along.
- Want battery backup for power outages or middle‑of‑the‑night toddler sleepovers in your bed.
- Need portability between rooms without re‑plugging constantly.
- Want a visible clock, Alexa compatibility, and 2‑way audio monitor in one device.
(New) Choose Hatch Baby ($90) if you:
- Want direct access to certified sleep consultants and built‑in guidance for wake windows, regressions, and routines.
- Are a first‑time parent feeling overwhelmed by sleep books and conflicting advice.
- Like the idea of predictive scheduling that adapts as your baby grows.
- Want the latest model and app experience with all the bells and whistles.
- This is best for parents who want an all‑in‑one sleep coaching hub – not just a sound machine.
Choose Hatch Go ($40) if you:
- Need something specifically for stroller naps, daycare, or overnights away.
- Want a super portable, drop‑friendly, toss‑in‑the‑diaper‑bag option.
- Don’t need a night light, clock, or app controls – just reliable white noise on the go.
- It’s a great secondary device, but I wouldn’t use it as your primary nursery sound machine because it’s smaller and quieter than the full‑size models.
The Minor Annoyances
Wi-Fi dependent: Requires Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for app controls. Spotty connectivity causes occasional hiccups (touch controls still work without Wi-Fi) but I never found it to be a big issue.
Firmware updates: Occasionally needs updates through the app. Happened twice in 3 years – mildly annoying but not frequent.
No Bluetooth speaker: Can't play your own music through it. Would be nice, but not a dealbreaker.
Sound volume (Rest Go): The portable Go is quieter than full-sized models – fine for strollers, not ideal as a primary sound machine.
Subscription: The Hatch Baby includes a 6-month subscription, which includes 1:1 Sleep Consultant Chat, Sleep Guides, premium stories and songs, dynamic lights, predictive schedules, Tuck-ins from a friend or family member, and the ability to play from your phone.
If you choose not to renew the subscription after 6 months ($70 per year), you will still have access to basic lights and sounds on Hatch Baby, and cues like Time-for-Rise and Time-for-Bed.
The 1:1 Sleep Consultant Chat and predictive schedules are probably going to serve you the most when your baby is a newborn so this might not be a big deal, but I will forever resent subscription models and it always gives me the ick.
The Verdict
I can only speak to the Hatch Rest+ 2nd Gen, but I found that it was worth it. It's thoughtfully designed, durable, and evolves with your child from newborn to tween.
After 3 years of daily use, I confidently gave mine to a friend knowing she'd get years more from it.
My recommendation:
- Tight budget? Start with Rest 2nd Gen ($70)
- Want flexibility? Get Rest+ 2nd Gen ($90) – the battery backup is great
- First-time parent? Consider New Hatch Baby ($90) for built-in expert support and the latest model
- Always traveling? Add Rest Go ($40) as a backup
Where to Buy
- Hatch Website (check for promos first)
- Target
- Amazon
Pro tip: Hatch often runs better deals directly on their site than through third-party retailers and I find the support better if you buy directly. Target is the easiest for returns, so it's a good option if you think you might change your mind about it. Only buy it from Amazon if the deal is too good to pass up – I find their quality control isn't great for baby items.
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About the Author: Amy Morrison is a mom of two boys who has been writing about pregnancy and parenting since 2010. She tests baby products in real life (not just for quick reviews) and shares honest, experience-based advice.
Last Updated: January 2026
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