How We Tested

Because the Monte Design Cortina Glider Recliner is made to order, our evaluation began with the customization and retail experience. Best of the Year analysts visited a NYC showroom that carries the product, tried the chair and assessed its comfort, gliding, reclining and 360-degree swivel. The analysts also interviewed the store manager about the ordering process, customization options and customer experience, and reviewed the full selection of upholstery swatches in store and at home for fabric quality, feel and range of choices.

To assess the ordering process and the chair’s made-to-order features in a real home, we recruited a tester in her third trimester of pregnancy. She selected the fabric and base, and the completed chair arrived shortly before she brought her baby home from the hospital. She then used it during the newborn period to evaluate its comfort, support and practicality for everyday infant care.

Best of the Year analysts also reviewed the entry and submitted materials, including the chair’s construction, customization options, value and the environmental and social aspects of the submission. And finally, Best of the Year editors spoke to consumers and parents in local parenting groups and group chats about their overall experience with the brand, including one person who has had the original Monte Glider for almost 20 years, in other words, as long as the company has existed.

What Experts and Consumer Testers Said

The first thing our judges noticed was just how comfortable this chair is. One raved that it does the hard job of feeling plush without swallowing you up, with just the right amount of structure and support to meet the challenge of spending hours in a nursery chair. Another praised the “excellent craftsmanship,” noting she particularly liked the high back and arm height for cradling a baby.

Another judge, who assessed the in-store retail experience in at retailer in New York, had a similar reaction: “Absolutely comfortable and made from quality materials.” In fact, she came away wanting one for her own home — and there wasn't even a baby involved.

“A beautifully crafted glider that doesn't compromise on comfort, support, safety, or style. It's built to live on in the home for a decade-plus, not just the baby years.” -Best of the Year Judge & Home Category Expert

These findings confirmed what we already know about Monte. The brand already has a devoted following. One of our consumer testers reported pooling money with family to gift her sister the original Luca Monte glider when her first nephew was born (same kid just turned 18). Now he sits in that same chair to watch Netflix in his family room.

Other testers also confirmed that friends in their local parenting groups and group chats have been raving about Monte gliders for years. Several report using theirs through multiple babies, moves and even pets. One parent told us hers had gone through four babies and two international moves and was still plush and gliding smoothly; another reported that his still looked “brand-new” after more than four years of daily use with two children.

The Cortina is the newest addition to that lineup, and the recline is a big part of what makes it different. The mechanism stays largely out of sight, so you get the put-your-feet-up comfort of a recliner without having to look at a big, bulky recliner every time you walk into the nursery. You can choose between a hidden manual handle and cordless motorized controls, and the chair automatically stops gliding when you recline.

We can't deny that at $1,895 (and more with motorized recline), the Cortina is a serious purchase. Every Best of the Year tester acknowledged that, but it wasn't a big deterrent. “It's worth the investment, just remember to plan for the lead time,” says another judge. It's a good point: Because Monte bench-makes every single chair to order, you'll need to plan ahead rather than expect it to show up next week. On the flip side, you choose exactly what you want.

“Worth the investment if the budget allows, just plan for the lead time. It's the kind of piece you keep for years, not just the nursery.” -Best of the Year Judge & Design Category Expert

The materials provided another point in its favor. The Cortina is GREENGUARD Gold certified for low chemical emissions and uses CertiPUR-US certified foam. Those are the kinds of claims we like because you don't simply have to take the manufacturer's word for them. The Cortina itself is too new for us to tell you what it will look like after six years of babies, pets and everyday life, but Monte's track record with the Luca and high-quality manufacturing (see facility tour below) certainly suggests it will.

Best of the Year Bottom Line

You know you're going to spend hundreds of hours in a nursery glider per child, so having one that lasts (and you'll love forever) is key to your happiness as a parent. (Believe us!) That's why we recommend the award-winning Cortina. It's beyond comfortable, supportive in all the right ways/places, beautifully made-to-order and you won't grow out of it, even when your kiddo does. Yes, $1,895 and up isn't cheap. But if your budget allows and you're looking for a piece of furniture you'll keep long after the 2 a.m. feedings are over, this one makes a pretty compelling case for itself.

Why Trust Us?

The Best of the Year Media team comprises award-winning editors, analysts, subject-matter experts and consumer specialists who have spent their careers helping people make smarter, more confident decisions. With deep expertise across consumer lifestyle categories, our team brings decades of experience evaluating products, brands and services. Our recommendations are grounded in rigorous evaluation combined with expert judgment and consumer insights, giving readers trusted guidance on products, services, and experiences worth bringing into their lives.

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