The Snoo, a popular and expensive smart bassinet, has recently faced a wave of backlash from its users due to the introduction of a new $19.99 monthly premium subscription. This change, which came into effect this week, has left many Snoo owners feeling frustrated and betrayed as some of the previously free features that new parents rely on have been put behind a paywall. The announcement of this new subscription model has sparked numerous complaints on the Snoo subreddit, with users expressing their discontent over the decision.
One user on the subreddit described the move as a “wild choice,” while another user likened it to a mechanic intentionally breaking a car just to sell the repair services. The general sentiment among Snoo owners is a sense of surprise and disappointment over the sudden paywalling of features that were initially promised to come with the bassinet. One Snoo owner from Australia, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared her concern, stating that it feels like a betrayal to have features that were previously included now locked behind a premium subscription.
The Happiest Baby app, which is used to control the Snoo smart bassinet, offers essential features such as sleep tracking and a weaning mode that helps transition the baby to a larger bed. However, as of July 15th, many of these features have been restricted to premium subscribers only. This decision is particularly disappointing for users given the hefty price tag of the Snoo, which retails for $1,695 at full price.
Happiest Baby has attempted to sweeten the deal for potential Snoo buyers by offering a premium subscription for one baby for nine months to those who purchase the bassinet directly from them or an authorized partner. Additionally, renters of the Snoo are given access to premium features for the duration of their rental period. However, users who buy a Snoo secondhand on the resale market are required to decide whether they want to pay for the subscription to access the premium features.
Some users, like Sarah from Australia, who bought her Snoo from a refurbishing company, are now faced with the choice of paying for the premium subscription despite not receiving any free months. Others, like Jordan Leventhal, who found a Snoo on Facebook Marketplace, are having second thoughts about their purchase knowing that they will have to pay an additional $20 monthly fee for premium features.
Despite the backlash, Happiest Baby has stood by its decision to implement the premium subscription model. According to CEO Harvey Karp, the move is necessary for the company to adapt and make the Snoo more accessible to a wider audience. Karp asserts that the subscription allows them to provide the same level of care and support to users who have purchased their Snoo on the resale market.
The introduction of the premium subscription model for the Snoo smart bassinet has clearly divided the Snoo community. While some users understand the need for additional revenue streams, others feel that essential features should not be locked behind a paywall, especially given the high cost of the bassinet itself. As the discussion continues within the Snoo community, it remains to be seen how Happiest Baby will address the concerns of its users and whether the benefits of the premium subscription will outweigh the backlash it has received.
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