Hatch Rest+ (2nd Gen) Review: Smarter Sleep Support in 2026
By Ben Carter
9.1
Consumer's Best Score
Consumers Best Verdict: Hatch Rest+ (2nd Gen) Highlights
The Hatch Rest+ (2nd Gen) is a smart sound machine, night light, and time-to-rise trainer with app control, a backup battery, a soft-glow clock, and two-way audio monitoring. Versus the standard Rest (2nd Gen), the Rest+ adds that portable power and talk-back audio—handy when you don’t want to sprint back to the nursery. In 2026, it’s one of the most complete, parent-friendly options we’ve tested at Consumer's Best.
If you want one device to simplify nights, mornings, and everything between, the Hatch Rest+ (2nd Gen) nails it. The sound quality is smooth, the night light is beautifully tunable, and the app routines are the secret sauce—set it once, and your evenings start to run themselves. Compared with most sound machines, it’s more polished, more portable, and frankly, more dependable. The few caveats—some premium content behind a subscription and limited smart home hooks—don’t outweigh the daily wins. Look, after living with it, my honest take is simple: the hatch rest 2nd gen makes family sleep easier and more predictable, which is all I really want at 3 a.m. If you’re torn, I’d grab it while you can—mine’s been worth it, night after night.
In-Depth Look: Hatch Rest+ (2nd Gen) Features & Considerations
Core Features & Consumer Benefits
It’s the little quality-of-life upgrades that make the Hatch Rest+ (2nd Gen) feel special day to day.
App-automated routines
Build gentle wind-downs at night and predictable time-to-rise mornings—no more manual fiddling after bedtime.
High-quality sound library
From classic white noise to nature and soothing ambients, the audio is clean and consistent for uninterrupted sleep.
Two-way audio monitoring
Hear what’s happening and talk back from the app—perfect for quick reassurance without fully waking your kid.
Portable backup battery
Keep sleep on track during outages or travel; your routines and favorites still work when you’re off the outlet.
Thoughtful hardware touches
Tap-to-cycle favorites, a dimmable clock you can hide completely, and a child lock to prevent curious hands from reprogramming bedtime.
Important Considerations & Potential Downsides
- Optional subscription
Hatch Sleep Membership unlocks more stories, music, and channels, but key features work without it.
- Wi‑Fi reliance
App control needs Wi‑Fi; the device runs saved favorites offline, but remote tweaks won’t work if your network is down.
- Not a full monitor
The audio monitor helps, but there’s no video. If you need visuals or breathing alerts, you’ll want a dedicated baby monitor.
- Premium price vs basics
Pricier than simple sound machines, so the value lands best if you’ll actually use routines, audio talkback, and portability.
Who Is the Hatch Rest+ (2nd Gen) Best For?
New and sleep-deprived parents
You want one reliable device to handle white noise, night light, and time-to-rise without extra fuss.
Routine builders
You’re big on predictable wind-downs and wake-ups, and you’ll leverage the app’s schedules to keep everyone synced.
Traveling families
You need a portable setup with a backup battery so naps don’t get wrecked on the road or during outages.
Light sleepers and audio sticklers
You care about clean, loop-free sound that won’t pull you out of sleep at 2 a.m.
Toddler-time trainers
You’re ready to use gentle color cues and a dimmable clock to teach when it’s okay to get out of bed.
Who Might Want to Explore Other Options?
- Budget purists
If you just want basic white noise without app control or extras, a simpler, cheaper machine is enough.
- Video monitoring seekers
If you require video, movement, or breathing tracking, consider a dedicated smart baby monitor.
- No-Wi‑Fi homes
If you avoid connected devices entirely, you’ll be happier with an analog sound machine and a standalone night light.
- Smart home power users
If you need deep HomeKit or multi-ecosystem automations, integrations are limited on the hatch rest 2nd gen.
