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The best next to me cribs and bedside cots for safe and sound sleeping for you and your baby

SnuzPod 4 Bedside Crib

Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Crib

Shnuggle Air Bedside Crib

Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib

Silver Cross Voyager Co-Sleeper

Chicco Next 2 Me Magic 2 Bedside Crib

Clair de Lune Organic Folding Crib

Chicco Next2me Side Sleeping Crib

BABYLO Cozi Sleeper² Bedside Co Sleeper Crib

The best next to me crib and bedside cots for your baby will allow you to be close to your precious newborn whilst ensuring your little one's safety. Next to me cribs, also known as bedside cots, are designed to be right next to your bed, so they are within touching distance. This allows your baby to see, smell and hear you, which often makes them feel more settled.

So, what exactly is a bedside crib? Essentially, it's a bassinet-style cot that fixes to your bed. One side can be removed or dropped down and out of the way so that you can easily lift your baby out towards you for night feeding or, if you need to, soothe them back to sleep. They're especially great for mums recovering from a c-section. Thankfully, there are loads of different styles that you can choose from.

With so much choice when it comes to the best bedside crib or bedside cot, it is important to know what you need. For most new parents, restful sleep is high on the priority list, and a bedside crib might help, as well as making those nighttime wake-up calls a little easier because baby will be close to you and easily accessible for feeds and comforting.

Best next to me cribs at a glance

• Editor's choice: SnuzPod 4 Bedside Crib, £199.95 • Best next to me crib after having a c-section: Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Crib, £179.10 • Best portable next to me crib: Shnuggle Air Bedside Crib, £174.95 • Best next to me crib for travel: Silver Cross Voyager Co-Sleeper, £139 • Best eco friendly next to me crib: Clair De Lune Organic Folding Crib, £149.99

New mums also want to ensure their little one is safe, and a bedside crib gives you the security of being close to your baby while also being practical to use. Other important things to consider are space, you need to ensure there is room by your bed and also think about the style of the bedside crib and any special features such as a rocking function.

Unlike Moses baskets and other cots, many bedside cribs can be raised to meet the height of your bed and even put in an incline position which is great for babies with reflux. You can also get some travel cot options which are ideal for families who travel a lot. As with most baby products, there are so many to choose from, so it can be hard to decide which is the best next to me crib for co-sleeping. Things to consider include price, safety, weight and size (especially if space is limited, or you want to move the crib to a different room during the day), age suitability, how easy it is to clean, as well as comfort and the material it is made from.

The benefits of next to me cribs

A bedside crib offers you the benefits of safe co-sleeping with the added safety of them having their own space. When you first bring your little one home, you probably won't want to be apart from them for a moment, even at night. The benefit of a next to me crib is that you can keep little one right beside you as a safe alternative to co-sleeping.

Most next to me cribs are lightweight and portable, meaning you can move them from room to room if you need to, or even travel with them. The benefit of this is that you won't need to purchase an additional Moses basket and you can save some money on baby products.

With your little one next to you all night, bedside cribs are brilliant for fuss-free feeding. You won't need to get out of bed to reach baby because they will be right there beside you, which is a big benefit. Plus, with little one in their own space, it will start to build independence, and your little one will start to learn how to sleep independently.

If you have had a C-section , then your movement might be a bit restricted for a while, and a bedside crib is a great option while you heal. You will easily be able to access baby without having to get up, so it should help you to rest and heal.

How to choose the best next to me crib

Is it suitable for your bed.

A bedside crib must be compatible with your bed, as the baby's mattress must be level with your own. If your bed is lower or higher than most, opt for a crib that's height-adjustable. Triple-check compatibility as some cribs are designed to clip onto bedstead frames and, therefore, won't work with a divan.

Check if the bedside crib mattress is a standard size.

If it isn't, you might be limited to buying bedding from the crib manufacturer. This could prove to be more expensive than an alternative regular bedding set , so factor this into your budget. Check, too, whether the mattress is included or has to be bought separately at extra expense.

How easy is it to assemble?

Some next to me cribs are easy to assemble without the use of power tools. While others will test your DIY skills and possibly your patience!

Do you want to co-sleep?

Bedside cribs usually have a side panel that can be lowered so you can see and touch your baby. Some let you keep the panel down at night. This gives the closeness and convenience of co-sleeping without the risks of bed-sharing. Others are designed so that the side panel pops back up after you lift your baby out, and these are a good option if you have concerns about the risks of co-sleeping.

Can you use it as a standalone crib?

Many next to me cribs are designed to convert to standalone cribs. This can be useful if you want to use the crib elsewhere in the house for daytime naps or keep it in your room. But move it away from your bed once your baby starts sleeping for longer at night. Will you convert the crib back and forth from a co-sleeper to a standalone crib regularly? If so, choose one that is robust and doesn't need to be attached to your bed. If you're happy to keep the crib attached to your bed for the duration of its use, don't spend extra money on the standalone functionality.

How much space have you got?

Bedside cribs come in many different sizes. Consider the size of your bedroom and how much space you need to get in and out of bed without disturbing your baby. If you're tight on space, choose a compact crib. Don't forget to factor in that your baby might outgrow a smaller crib before they're six months old.

It is important to check the safety features on all bedside cribs and also that they comply with British Safety Standards. If you buy the next to me crib second hand do ensure that both the bed and mattress are in good condition. Things to look for include checking that the bed is sturdy and well-made with no gaps or loose parts. You also need to consider the mattress, which should be firm and baby's head should not sink into it by more than a few millimetres. The mattress should also be flat with no cushioned areas, and it should have a waterproof cover to keep it clean and dry. Finally, check the age suitability and that your little one will have room to grow.

How we chose and tested the best next to me cribs

Our Mother&Baby Awards are renowned in the industry for being one of the most highly respected product awards for baby and parenting products, and every year, we arrange for thousands of independent mum reviewers to test the latest products on the market.

We've tested the best models available in the UK, with around 10 reviewers per product to ensure that we get a range of views on the product. Our independent mums review the products based on their usability, design, quality, and value for money. Reviewers give us qualitative feedback on their experience with the product, which our team of journalists review to decide our recommended products.

From all this work, our  best baby crib award winners  are chosen and listed below in our finalised and definitive list of the best bedside cribs, one for each key category, along with the quotes we found to be most useful when choosing our selection.

Find out more about how we test and what considerations we take into account in our testing process.

Our editorial team is also constantly looking for new baby bedside cribs to test so that we can help you find the best - be that a cheaper product that we want to test for value for money or the latest style of bedside crib.

Are next to me cribs safe?

If you'd like to be able to see and reach your baby during the night and for your baby to be able to see you, then a bedside crib is a good choice. If you like the idea of safe co-sleeping but are concerned about the risks of doing so, the best option by far is a co-sleeper crib.

Official safe sleeping guidance from both The Lullaby Trust and the  NHS advises that your newborn sleeps in the same room as you for the first six months but not in your bed due to the risk of suffocation and overheating. The chance of sudden infant death syndrome is also lowered when your little one sleeps in a separate cot in the same room.

In addition to this, since November 2020, all next to me cribs have to meet the BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirement. The biggest safety requirement is that the drop-down barrier doesn't drop completely. This means that baby won't be able to roll from their mattress onto yours.

Types of next to me cribs

There are lots of types of next to me cribs to choose from, including:

• Adjustable

• Freestanding

• Drop down side

Best next to me cribs for co-sleeping 2024

1. snuzpod 4 bedside crib, editor's choice.

www.johnlewis.com

Description

Designed for use from birth to six months, the SnuzPod 4 Bedside Crib allows you to sleep next to your baby within easy reach when the night feeds occur. Our testers liked that it has a light bassinet and can be used as a bedside crib, stand-alone crib or a Moses basket/bassinet. It has nine different height settings, ensuring the crib is the right height for your bed, as well as an optional reflux incline function. Although it is suitable from birth to six months, some mums didn't think it grows well with baby, however, the Chicco Next 2 Me Magic 2 is ideal for taller babies.

Tested by mum Maria Martin; she said: "Out of all the bedside cribs on the market, the SnuzPod4 is up there with some of the most stylish (even if everything out there is bathing in a sea of grey). Second baby round and it's nice having a piece of bulky, baby furniture which doesn't scream 'there's baby crap everywhere'. Although the design may not have made my life easier, it certainly made my life (and mind) clearer with its sleek look."

Read our full SnuzPod 4 crib review

• Includes mattress
• Machine washable lining
• Doesn't grow well with baby

2. Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Crib

Best next to me crib after having a c-section.

Rrp: £ 199.99

The Maxi-Cosi lora won the Gold award at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.

The Iora gives parents peace of mind to rest easy knowing that their baby is sleeping in the utmost luxury, only an arm's reach away. We liked how it is sophisticated, adjustable and comes with a mattress. There are five different height positions to choose from and a co-sleeping slide function. However, some mums said it was not that easy to move from room to room. For a more portable option, the Shnuggle Air beside crib is easy to move.

Mum Jasmine Abbott tested the crib for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards; she says: "This crib is fantastic, I love it. It's a great design. Really easy to set up and use. It's the perfect height I was able to pick my baby up with ease right from bringing him home after I had a C-section. A lot of other cribs, bedside cots, cot beds and Moses baskets are lower down forcing you to bend more and causing discomfort and disrupting the healing process.

"The storage compartment underneath is ideal for spare blankets, nappies, clothes to grab in the middle of the night if needs be, making life so much easier whilst trying to deal with a crying baby. The mattress is easy to find sheets for too and it’s larger than most Moses baskets so will last longer before I need to upgrade him to a bigger crib."

Read our full Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Crib review

• Five different height positions
• Easy to set up
• Not easy to move around from room to room

3. Shnuggle Air Bedside Crib

Best portable next to me crib.

Rrp: £ 179.99

Shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards in the best cot, crib or Moses basket category.

The Shnuggle Air Bedside Crib is designed to maximise airflow and make it easy to see your baby via the mesh sides. This crib converts to a standalone cot for use for up to two years (conversion kit sold separately, £109.95.) which our testers liked.

To reduce the risk of overheating, it comes with a hypo-allergenic fibre mattress that's 50 per cent more breathable than standard foam mattresses. It has storage space for nighttime essentials and an incline setting to help soothe the symptoms of reflux, however, it doesn't have a rocking feature. For a great crib with a rocking feature, the Chicco Next 2 Me Magic 2 is a great choice.

Tested by mum Paige Barker for the Mother&Baby Awards 2021; she said: "The idea of a crib next to my bed always appealed to me more than a Moses basket, due to it being bigger and the baby being able to stay in my room for the full 6 months advised. This bed is great quality, nice colours and looks very nice. It's sturdy, but light enough to move if I ever want to push it away from the bed. Overall a great bed."

Read our full Shnuggle Air Bedside Crib review

• Breathable mattress
• Easy to move around
• Doesn't have a rocking feature

4. Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib

Best next to me crib for a divan bed.

www.tuttibambini.com

The older version of the CoZee Air, the Tutti Bambini CoZee won Bronze in the 2018 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category.

So quick and easy to open and fold – just the ticket if you're looking for a truly travel-friendly option. We liked that you can use it as a co-sleeper or as a standalone crib which rocks, and it's height-adjustable to match your bed. There's a handy storage shelf for stashing nappies, and the two breathable mesh windows make it easy to keep an eye on your baby. We love the incline setting to help ease reflux. Size-wise it's one of the larger bedside crib options, so if you're short on space this might not be the one for you. We'd suggest the Clair de Lune bedside crib as a great fold-away option.

Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert said: "The versatility of the CoZee Air, being able to use it as a bedside crib or standalone crib and with rocking bars or wheels really helps it stand apart from competitors and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to other parents-to-be. It's a shame that you have to choose between the rocking feature and being attached to the bed though."

Read our full  Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib  review

• Easy to build
• 6 height positions
• Storage shelf
• Comes with lockable rocking bars
• Different colours available
• May be too big for those with smaller spaces
• Crib can't be attached to the bed if you want to rock

5. Silver Cross Voyager Co-Sleeper

Best next to me crib for travel.

www.silvercrossbaby.com

The Silver Cross Voyager co-sleeper is designed to keep your baby closer to you so you both get a great night's sleep. The deep foam mattress, mesh air-flow panels, and optional incline setting offer the best comfort for your little one, however, there is only one incline setting available, so maybe the Tutti Bambini CoZee with more incline settings would be another option too. The quick-and-easy, compact fold makes the Voyager ideal for holidays or nights away from home which our testers liked. We also really liked that the removable fabric can easily be washed.

Our mum tester Sian said: "Sleep-deprived and ready to try anything that gave us a slither of extra sleep, we were eager to try the Silver Cross Voyager Co-Sleeper. The immediately obvious gain was the ability to place it flush to the bed and zip down the side to, in essence, create an extension of our bed, making those checks infinitely easier.

"The ability to touch your baby without moving from the comfort of your bed offered much-needed comfort to both us and the baby in the middle of the night. I honestly can't emphasise the benefits of this feature enough, it really was a game-changer and helped us to relax a bit more in those blurry first few months as parents."

Read our full Silver Cross Voyager Co-Sleeper review.

• Ideal for travel
• Handy storage space
• Only one incline setting

6. Chicco Next 2 Me Magic 2 Bedside Crib

Best next to me crib with removable side.

www.boots.com

Shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, the Next2me Magic is a newer version from Chicco, more advanced than ever.

The push of a button is all it takes to remove the side of this bedside crib, although some mums did find this a little tricky! We also love that it's a rocking bed too, which is brilliant for soothing babies back to sleep! The mesh mattress and side panels allow for plenty of air to circulate, and it's easy to adjust the height to suit your bed, although some mums found the side panel a bit tricky to move up and down. If this side access is key for you, look at the Maxi-Cosi lora . It has four tilt levels to help ease reflux, and we love that the legs have swivel wheels and brakes.

Tested for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards by mum Lauren; she said: "I would recommend this product for a number of reasons but the main one being that it is big enough that it will last any baby for at least the first 6 month in a parent's room... It was also easier to get baby in and out for night feeds. The added features of the being able to tilt it or rock it was great to have if you needed it." Read our full Chicco Next2me Magic crib review

• Good for taller babies
• Comes with a travel bag
• Some mums found moving the side up and down wasn't a very smooth manoeuvre

7. Clair de Lune Organic Folding Crib

Best eco-friendly next to me crib.

clair-de-lune.co.uk

Made from GOTs-certified organic cotton, the Clair de Lune Organic Folding Crib is ideal for parents with a smaller bedroom as it can easily be folded away when not in use. We really liked that this crib was designed with practicality and design in mind, it's both lightweight and secure when in place. With its organic materials, breathable design, and premium bamboo mattress, this crib will surely provide your little one with a restful and healthy night's sleep.A disadvantage is that you can't adjust the height, so if this is a problem, the BABYLO Cozi Sleeper has five easy-to-adjust height settings.

Mum Hannah tested the crib, she says : "I find it a lot easier to get to my baby in the night because I can have this right beside the bed, but then can fold it away when it's not in use. The cot is a good side too I feel happy and comfortable that my baby has the room to have a wiggle! From a cost perspective, I feel this will last my baby a lot longer and it can easily be moved around the house so I am getting the most out of my money."

• Spacious crib
• Stylish design
• Can't adjust the height

8. Chicco Next2me Side Sleeping Crib

Best convertible next to me crib.

This co-sleeping crib has been shortlisted in the Mother&Baby Awards for several years, won Gold in 2017 in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, and a year later was shortlisted in the 2018 Mother&Baby Awards.   It's a consistently popular choice with mums and always impresses the experts.

This Chicco Next2me Side Sleeping Crib converts easily from a co-sleeper to a stand-alone crib – ideal if you want to switch between naps and nighttime. It's height-adjustable, quick to assemble, and easy to attach to your bed. It weighs just 9kg and comes with a handy travel bag which our testers liked. The mattress can be inclined, making it suitable for babies with reflux, but it is a little firm so if you prefer something more comfortable the Silvercross Voyager has a deep foam mattress.

Tested by mum Hannah Jhutti for the Mother&Baby Awards 2018; she said: "This was much easier to use than a Moses basket. My back was hurting from having to lean over the bed to lift baby out, but with this crib next to me, I just sat up and scooped baby out! During the night, if baby cried, I could reach in and hold his hand or stroke him to comfort him back to sleep. I loved being able to see him lying next to me, knowing he was safe and that I couldn't roll on to him"

Read our full Chicco Next2me Crib review

• Easy to transport
• Six different height settings
• Mattress is on the firm side

9. BABYLO Cozi Sleeper² Bedside Co Sleeper Crib

Best budget-friendly next to me crib.

A great budget-friendly option, this BABYLO Cozi Sleeper² Bedside Co Sleeper Crib features a zip-down side panel and two clip-on straps to hold it safely against your bed, although some mums did find it a little flimsy. However, our testers liked that you can use it as a stand-alone crib too. There's an adjustable incline to help with reflux and a five-height adjustment.

Amazon review: "We bought this for our 3-month-old as he had outgrown his Moses basket. Really easy to assemble and comes with a firm mattress and two sheets. Great for night feeds and he has slept well in it from the first night with no issues. Would use again from day one next time."

• Five adjustable heights
• Storage compartment
• Some mums felt it was a bit flimsy

What features to look for in a bedside crib

Check if you can sleep with the side of the crib lowered, as this means you can see and reach your baby more easily. If your baby is likely to nap in the crib when you're not in bed beside them, make sure the side panel is easy to re-attach.

Pockets or shelves for storing nappy-changing essentials are very handy on a bedside crib, especially if your room isn't huge.

The crib fabric should be easy to clean in case your baby is unwell or has a nappy leak. It should be easy to remove and re-attach and machine-washable.

Next to me cribs come with the mattress supplied, but check that it's suitably substantial to provide a comfortable sleep for your baby.

Some cribs have an incline feature, so you can elevate the mattress to soothe symptoms of reflux . Check that it's easy to adjust without waking your baby.

Your baby's bedding must fit the crib and mattress securely, with no loose sheets. Check whether standard crib sheets will fit. If you need to buy specialist bedding, it might be an additional expense.

Some cribs have a detachable bassinet, which you can use in another room for naps. Check it's light enough to carry easily from room to room.

Safety and comfort are the most important features of a crib, but pick one you can happily live with in your bedroom for the next six months! Think about where you'll put it when your baby outgrows it. Choose one that folds compactly if you plan to keep it for another baby.

Extra features

Some of the cribs we tested have features designed to help settle your baby, such as rocking. You might think you don't need this, but many babies find it soothing. A rocking crib may spare you from pacing the floor with a wakeful baby!

Do I need a next-to-me crib for my baby?

If you already have a stylish cot for your baby , you might be wondering whether you need a co-sleeper. It's fine to put your baby to sleep in a cot from the very first day as long as you always position their feet at the foot of the cot. However, a smaller sleeping place is cosier, and your baby is more likely to settle well in this more secure environment right next to you. A bedside crib takes up far less floor space in your bedroom than a larger cot.

The main advantage of a bedside crib over a Moses basket or standard crib is the lack of a barrier between you and your baby provided by the convenient removable side.

A co-sleeper crib also makes nighttime feeds and soothing your baby back to sleep much less of a faff as you get to stay in bed. If you have restricted movement, perhaps after a C-section, a co-sleeper will prove invaluable.

Should a next to me crib be level with the bed?

Yes, the next to me crib should always be level with the bed. It is also important that there are no gaps between the bed and the crib. Babies do move around in their sleep and, especially if they have started rolling over , you don't want them to get trapped in any gaps created between the bed and their crib.

When is baby too big for a bedside crib?

Most babies will tend to outgrow their bassinet by the 6-month mark. It's all based on your little one's physical development, which can massively vary from baby to baby. It's a good idea to check the weight limit of your baby's bedside crib to make sure you're not putting your baby in a crib they're now too heavy for.

How to clean a bedside crib

Whether it's a nappy that's leaked, some spilt milk or some baby vomit, cleaning your bedside crib regularly is an essential chore you must do to keep baby safe from germs.

It's advised to wash sheets twice a week. Any obvious marks or spills on the crib should be cleaned when you spot them to avoid staining. You'll also want to make sure any cleaning and washing products you use are baby-friendly.

We'd recommend giving your bedside crib a deep clean every month. This involves removing the mattress and any components that can be removed. Using a vacuum cleaner to remove any crumbs or dust.

Next, wash all the sheets with a gentle and mild detergent and wipe down the surfaces with a baby-safe anti-bacterial spray. Before reassembling the cot, allow everything to dry fully.

How to dismantle a next to me crib

Every bedside crib dismantles differently, so you'll want to check the manufacturer's instructions before dismantling yours. There are also a lot of very helpful YouTube videos online that helpfully demonstrate exactly how to dismantle most leading bedside cribs. Here is a good demonstration of how to dismantle the Chicco Next To Me Magic crib.

Are bedside cribs the same as next to me cribs?

There are a number of different names for bedside cribs. Some parents call them their next to me crib, and others refer to them as co-sleeping cribs or even co-sleeping cots. Whatever you call them, these kinds of cribs are characterised by their three sides (or sometimes a side that can be lowered), the attachment to the bed that can be adjusted to the right height.

Do babies sleep better in next to me cribs?

Nothing can guarantee that your little one will sleep, but babies are reassured and comforted when they are with you. A next to me crib does mean that even when baby wakes up you can stay in bed and simply reach over to comfort your little one, and they make night feeds easier too.

Is a next to me crib better than a Moses basket?

A next to me crib is likely to last longer than a Moses basket and it is more convenient for night wake ups and feeds. However, a Moses basket might take up less space and could be more portable. It is really a personal preference whether you get both or choose either a Moses basket or next to me crib.

A journalist since 2015, Emily Gilbert  is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for seven years. Emily writes about everything from the top baby products to pregnancy, fertility and maternal mental health. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.

12 of the best travel cots 2024 for babies and toddlers

Our pick of the best cot and bassinet options to provide your baby or toddler with a portable sleeping space for travel, put to the test by parents

• Janet Martin
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Travel cots are portable, safe places for babies and toddlers to sleep when away from home. They’re lightweight, have collapsible sides and fold into a portable format with a carry handle, making them great for holidays, breaks and overnight stays.

We’ve analysed the travel cot market and rigorously tested a range of different models to find the best ones for your family. Whether you're looking for something safe for a newborn, or a roomy cot for an older toddler, you'll find it here. Some travel cots can also be used as playpens for a baby, although, if you're looking specifically for a playpen check out our best playpens for babies and toddlers . For cosy bedding inspiration, take a look at our list – tried and tested by real parents and their kids. If you're traveling somewhere hot with your little ones, take a look at our selection of the best pram fans .

Why do I need a travel cot?

One of the main benefits of travel cots are their portability. Regular cots are often made of wood and to disassemble and put in a car or suitcase would be quite a task! With a travel cot disassembly is usually a matter of a few minutes (or even seconds) and some of the travel cots on our list fold small enough to fit in a suitcase or overhead locker alongside the stroller.

Travel cots are an on-the-go sleeping option that means you won’t have to rely on sleeping arrangements at your destination. For frequent travellers they can be as familiar to little ones as their regular bed; helping to aid sleep in a different environment.

Best travel cots at a glance

• Best travel cot for easy assembly: Bugaboo Stardust, £168.75
• Best lightweight travel cot for a good mattress: Venture Airpod Travel Cot, £109.99
• Best multi-use travel cot: Silver Cross Slumber 3-in-1 Travel Cot, £150
• Best travel cot for added extras: Graco Contour Electra, £115.99
• Best budget buy travel cot: Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot, £35
• Best travel cot for versatile features: Hauck Sleep'n Play Centre Travel Cot, £79.95
• Best travel cot for occasional use: Cuggl Deluxe Superlight Travel Cot, £65
• Best travel cot for newborns: Joie Kubbie Sleep, £99
• Best budget travel cot for co-sleeping: Red Kite Dreamer Bedside Travel Crib, £65
• Best travel cot for versatile newborn co-sleeping: Chicco Next2Me PopUp, £159.20
• Best travel cot for no upper weight limit: BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light, £187
• Best stylish travel cot: Tutti Bambini CoZee Go 3-in-1 Bassinet, Travel Cot & Playpen, £129

What to look for when buying a travel cot

Portability — Travel cots have lighter-weight components and are designed to be easily carried and stored. But they're still cots, so none of them are going to fold into a truly tiny package. They fold into different shapes so look for the folded style that suits your needs. Some of the travel cots on our list fold into a long rectangular shape more suited to public transport, others fold flat to fit in a car boot.

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Weight — Travel cots vary significantly in weight - we found some that are under 7kg and others that weigh in at a hefty 11kg. Think about how often you’re going to use it, and if you’ll be lifting it up and down stairs or in and out of a car. If you want frequent use, a super lightweight travel cot may suit you best. Of course, a heavier cot is likely to feel more sturdy and offer more functionality.

Ease of assembly/disassembly — Once you have the knack, putting a travel cot up and down should be a very quick process - a matter of minutes, if not seconds. Do read the instructions though, many have a knack and have parts that need to be put together in a very specific order.

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Age suitability — Age suitability really varies for travel cots. Most can be used from birth – we’ve specified the manufacturer’s instructions – but the travel cots that have a built-in bassinet offer a cosier, elevated sleep environment for newborns. Some even have drop-down sides to allow them to be used as a bedside crib. Some cots can only be used for a few months while others are suitable up to around 3.5 years.

Mattress — Travel cot mattresses tend to be thinner and harder than normal cot mattresses. This is partly to enable a compact fold and easy storage, and is why travel cots are usually not recommended for permanent overnight sleep. But remember, a firm mattress is important for safe sleep for your baby, and doesn’t mean your child won’t be comfortable. Most manufacturers will state that you shouldn't add an extra mattress to a travel cot.

Extra functions — Some travel cots can serve as a handy playpen once babies can sit up. Some also have a changing station, which could be useful if you’re frequently travelling with a baby.

How, when and where will you use your travel cot?

Do you plan to use the travel cot frequently during the year, or do you need it for a particular holiday? The frequency and location of where you’ll use it will help when considering weight, functionality and budget. For example, if the travel cot will be used for overnight stays at relatives or friends every month, you won’t need to worry too much about weight and the ease of assembly – especially if it can remain constructed.

For holidays in hot climates, a breathable mattress and all-around mesh panel are factors to consider. These help with air circulation and will provide a more comfortable environment for your child to sleep. Some travel cots include or offer the option of an insect net and sun protection.

For travel involving flights, it’s worth investigating your airline’s baggage allowances. A light, compact-folding model with easy assembly could be your best solution.

How much does a travel cot cost?

Our list covers travel cot prices ranging from £30 up to £200 - so quite a wide scope. For items at all price points, we expect a safe, comfortable and stable sleeping environment.

When looking at budget options, our reviewers found that they certainly did the trick and functioned well as a travel cot but were quite basic with limited added extras. For example, you shouldn’t expect a changing station included on a lower priced travel cot.

When considering more high-end travel cots we still expect good value (not overpriced), premium components and extra thought on a design that will make traveling with kids a breeze. Also, the more often you travel, the easier it is to get your money’s worth out of a more expensive travel cot.

The mid-range options on our list – priced under £100 include many great benefits and may tick quite a few boxes but without some of the lush extras of more expensive models.

Here are the best travel cots for 2024

1. bugaboo stardust, £168.75, – best for easy assembly.

Suitable from: birth (with newborn insert) to 2 years| Travel cot weight: 6.7kg | Unfolded dimensions: L64cm x W98cm x H85cm| Folded dimensions: L 65cm x W14cm x H85cm | Newborn bassinet: Yes

Forget tricky folds, the pop-up style mechanism of the Bugaboo Stardust takes just seconds: simply pull the cot open from flat by pulling both sides. It’s perfect for a hassle-free bedtime when you’re not in the comfort of your own home.

It conveniently folds back down in the same amount of time, too, although it is worth noting this model folds down to a large flat shape, like a suitcase, making better suited to sliding into a car boot or under a bed than taking on public transport.

Along with the ease of assembly, the built-in mattress is what you pay for with this model: it's not only comfortable but can be adjusted to two height positions (with the newborn insert) making it easier to lift out newborns and babies not yet sitting up unaided. This is particularly handy if you’re prone to back problems or have just had a C-section. The mattress can be folded down inside the cot, meaning no extra assembly is required.

Although one of the priciest travel cots on our list, the Stardust can still deliver great value if you’re using your travel cot regularly with your baby. MFM home tester Rovenna, who tried it with her 4-month-old, said, "The fact it has both a raised zip in baby bassinet or a deep bed for toddlers – as well as a comfortable and generously filled built in mattress – is fantastic. It’s compact and lightweight, meaning it can be easily moved from room to room and transported in its handy carry bag.”

Pros : Quickest to assemble, two mattress height positions Cons : Quite large when folded

Available from: Bugaboo , Boots and John Lewis

2. Venture Airpod Travel Cot, £109.99

– best for lightweight with good mattress.

Suitable from: birth to 3 years | Travel cot weight: 6kg | Unfolded dimensions: L85cm x W55cm x H66cm| Folded dimensions: 60cm x 15cm x 50cm | Newborn bassinet: No

This travel cot is very lightweight, comfortable and easy to carry. It's available in a number of colours and features mesh panels on all sides. The mesh means that you can get a great view of your baby or toddler, while also ensuring good air circulation at night time.

Travel cot mattresses are often the feature that parents are least satisfied with, as they are often thin and flimsy. However, the Airpod travel cot has a better quality, more luxurious mattress than you might expect. Although the Cuggl Deluxe is very similar and quite a bit cheaper in price, we found that the mattress in this travel cot was of much higher quality.

Although this cot doesn't have an all-in-one pop-up assembly, it's still easy to put up and down, so much so that some of our home tester parents didn’t need the instructions. “It was very easy to remove from the carry case and put the cot together.” said MFM home tester Sarah. “It was also easy to take apart and put back into the travel case. No fiddling or spare parts. The easiest baby item I have actually put together.”

The Airpod Travel Cot is suitable from birth, but it doesn't come with a bassinet, something that you might prefer for a newborn. Offering a good amount of room, the travel cot can also be used as a play pen, and offers a comfy night's sleep for babies and toddlers.

Pros : Easy to build and collapse, mesh design, good mattress Cons : No newborn bassinet, can’t be used as playpen

Available from: Amazon and Venture

3. Silver Cross Slumber 3-in-1, £150

– best multi-function travel cot.

Suitable from: birth (with newborn insert) to approx. 3 years (up to 9kg) | Travel cot weight: 7.65kg | Unfolded dimensions: 112 x 80 x 67cm| Newborn bassinet: Included

If you're looking for a multi-use travel cot that will grow with your child from birth, then the Silver Cross Slumber is a stylish design that offers 3-in-1 functionality in one portable package. Made of breathable mesh with a padded mattress included, the Slumber has three distinct uses as a bedside co-sleeper, travel cot and playpen.

Zip in the newborn insert to create a bedside crib suitable from birth until approximately 6 months old. The newborn insert sits at the top of the cot, meaning your baby will be at the height of your bed - although these is no option to drop the side in this mode as with some bedside cribs.

As your baby grows, you can use the Slumber as lightweight travel cot, using the same mattress. A waterproof carry case is included to allow for easy portability on the go. You can also use the Slumber as a secure play pen, and there's a zip-open door your toddler can crawl in and out when they are older.

At 7.65kg it’s a lightweight design that can be transported easily and stored away when not in use. The Slumber also has an easy fold function meaning it can pop up and fold down quickly. For eco-conscious parents, Slumber features quilted material crafted using a yarn made from recycled plastic bottles that would have otherwise been sent to landfill. It looks good too, with an attractive, minimalistic design. This is a useful product that will grow with your child and a stylish option from a trusted brand.

The Silver Cross Slumber is available in two different colourways, carbon and stone.

Pros: 3-in-1 functionality, lightweight, will grow with your child, sustainable fabric, stylish minimal design Cons: Additional functionality if you just need a single-use travel cot, not the smallest when assembled

Available from: John Lewis

4. Graco Contour Electra, £89.99

– best for added extras.

Suitable from: birth to 15kg | Travel cot weight: 10kg | Unfolded dimensions: H:91cm W:73cm D:104cm| Folded dimensions: H:85cm D:23cm | Newborn bassinet: Yes

If you're looking for a travel cot that will do double or even triple duty, this could be the product for you. The Graco Contour Electra comes bursting with added extras, including practical additions like a cot-top changing unit, and fun ones like the mobile and battery-operated unit that plays tunes and vibrates the cot.

MFM home tester Jessica said, “ The Graco Electra travel cot has proven to be a lovely cot for my 5 month old son. It folds up to an easily transportable, small travel bag and has lovely extras such as the hanging toy bar and night light which are well thought out."

There's a newborn bassinet that fastens in to keep tiny babies close, and the whole unit is on wheels so it can be moved easily. It's definitely not the lightest product on our list, but remove any accessories you're not using (such as the changer or bassinet) and this significantly reduces the weight to make it easier to move or carry.

Pros : Lots of accessories, good newborn bassinet Cons : Heavy, can be difficult to transport

Read our full MadeForMums Graco Contour Electra review

Available from: Smyths and Graco

5. Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot, £35

– best budget buy.

Suitable from: birth to 15kg (approx 3.5 years) | Travel cot weight: 8.7kg | Unfolded dimensions: L99cm x W59.5cm x H80.5cm| Folded dimensions: L27cm x W25cm x H80.5cm| Newborn bassinet: No | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.2 stars

The cheapest cot on our list, the Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot is a great choice if you're looking for an affordable but sturdy option. The mattress, as you'd expect, is quite thin, so if you do look to buy an additional one, take note of the dimensions and ensure anything you buy is the correct size. It must be a snug fit with no gaps around the edges.

Where this travel cot does excel is the ease of assembly. “Once you have pulled up the handle in the bottom and un-assembled the cot, it is very easy to fold shut and put into the carry-bag,” stated our MFM reviewer Jessica, who called it “hassle-free and very quick.” Travel cots of this type usually have an order in which each section has to be assembled (or taken down), so pay close attention to the instructions.

This cot's purse-friendly price point doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality – you’ll find plenty of useful design features like a full padded top rail and mesh sides to provide visibility and air flow. Our MFM reviewer and parent testers also found it felt robust once built. One parent tester said, “It feels secure, with the side bars locking in place, and is sturdy enough to accommodate a lively toddler.”

Pros : Affordable, easy to assemble Cons : Mattress may need replacing

Read our full MadeForMums review of the Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot

Available from: Amazon and Halfords

6. Hauck Sleep'n Play Centre Travel Cot, £79.95

– best for versatile features.

Suitable from: birth to 15kg (approx 3.5 years) | Travel cot weight: 8.5kg | Unfolded dimensions: L125cm x W68.5cm x H82cm| Folded dimensions: L22cm x W21cm x H76.5cm | Newborn bassinet: Yes

The Hauck Sleep'n Play Centre Travel Cot has all the bells and whistles for under £100. This includes a changing mat that can stay attached but out of the way, high and low sleeping positions (reducing back strain), a zip-down side panel for a fun playpen adventure (crawl in – crawl out) and a fun design with pops of colour.

For ease of moving about, it also has two wheels when folded up that means you can pull it along like a suitcase – genius!

With an extremely impressive 4.5 stars out of over 7000 reviews on Amazon, it’s safe to say the German brand has come out on top. Customer reviews repeatedly mention good value and great quality. “It is quite heavy but that gives it the stability, we also purchased the extra mattress for when we need to use it for a bed,” said one parent review on Amazon. The heavier weight and insufficient mattress were echoed by other reviewers too.

Bargain hunters will be happy to hear that despite the £79.95 RRP, we’ve seen online deals for less than £60 - which would make this option a superb return on investment.

Pros : Changing table included, can wheel along when folded Cons : Needs an additional mattress

Available from: Boots , Amazon and Online4Baby

7. Cuggl Deluxe Superlight Travel Cot, £65

– best for occasional use.

Suitable from: birth to 15kg | Travel cot weight: 6kg | Unfolded dimensions: L85 cm x W56cm x H86m| Folded dimensions: L50cm x W61cm x H15cm| Newborn bassinet: No

Coming in at only 6kg, this is one of the lightest travel cots on our list, and also one of the most affordable. If you're looking for an all-rounder for occasional use during the first couple of years of your child's life, it's a good value option that performs well. It can be constructed in minutes and folds up to a suitcase size, although it's sadly not quite small enough to take as hand luggage on a plane.

The built-in mattress is 2.5cm deep, putting it on a par with most travel cot mattresses but perhaps not up there with the likes of the Bugaboo Stardust. Overall, the cot is smaller in size than some other options, but that means it folds up smaller too. The weight limit of 15kg means most toddlers will have grown out of it by about 2.5 years old. If you're looking for longevity beyond that, the Venture TravelPod and the Micralite Sleep 'n' Go have a slightly longer lifespan, but will cost you a little more.

Pros : Lightweight, folds up small, easy to assemble, affordable Cons : Mattress isn't the best, small footprint, low weight limit

Available from: Argos

8. Joie Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot, £99

– best for newborns.

Suitable from: Birth to 15kg | Travel cot weight: 8.79kg | Unfolded dimensions: L99cm x W59.5cm x H80.5cm| Folded dimensions: L 27 cm x W 25 cm x H 80.5cm | Newborn bassinet: Yes | MFM Review Star Rating: 3.8

For parents who want a travel cot from birth – perhaps to keep at a family member or caregiver's house – the Joie Kubbie Sleep combines the functionality of a travel cot with that of a bedside crib, with a drop-down side operated by a button that allows easier access to a newborn while in bassinet mode. It does sit quite high up so the exact functionality will differ depending on the type of bed you have, but in those early days when mum is healing it could be a lifesaver.

"One of the great features of the Joie Kubbie Sleep travel cot is that it can be used beside the bed once its straps are attached to the bed, and its side is dropped," said MFM reviewer Dominic, who tested this with his newborn daughter. He was also impressed with the durability, saying, "I’m really impressed with the quality of the build, despite the ‘sticky’ mechanics. Once assembled, it feels sturdy enough to last a number of years, which will be helpful for when our daughter can start using it as a playpen."

Once your baby is old enough, you simply put up the side, drop the mattress down to the base of the cot, and it becomes a generously-sized travel cot and playpen that'll last until the child weighs 15kg. The pull-and-click functionality takes a few minutes to master, and like others of this style there's an order you need to memorise in order to get it to go up and down smoothly, but Joie has a great instructional video to help .

Pros : Simple drop-side, grows with baby Cons : Not very lightweight, can be tricky to put up and down

Read our full MadeForMums Joie Kubbie travel cot review

Available from: Very and Argos

9. Red Kite Dreamer Bedside Travel Crib, £62

– best budget travel cot for co-sleeping.

Suitable from: birth (with bassinet) to 15kg | Travel cot weight: 7.6kg | Unfolded dimensions: L99cm x W57cm x H76cm| Folded dimensions: L27cm x W71cm x H26m| Newborn bassinet: Yes

Like the Joie Kubbie sleep, the Red Kite Dreamer offers the perfect travel option for families with newborns that use a bedside crib at home, as it has the same drop-side functionality built into a more portable travel cot. However, unlike the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which has a button-operated drop-side, this one is fastened with buckles, making it more suited to those who want to keep the cot fastened to their bed with the side dropped permanently down, for a safe way to cosleep with a newborn.

Once the baby is older, it becomes a travel cot that's almost a metre in length, offering lots of space for a growing toddler and a mattress that our parent testers really rated. "As travel cots go this is one of the comfiest mattresses I’ve seen. It feels nice and padded and had a solid firm base underneath to secure into the cot," said home tester Bridget, who tested this with her 4 month old.

Our testers did find the basinette insert for newborns a little flimsy, but fine given that's only used for the first few months before moving to the full travel cot. It's also lightweight to carry and one of the smaller folds on this list.

Pros : Permanent drop-side option, good mattress Cons : Flimsy newborn insert

Read our full MadeForMums Red Kite Dreamer beside travel cot review

Available from: Argos and Red Kite

10. Chicco Next2Me PopUp, £159.20

— best travel cot for versatile newborn co-sleeping.

Suitable from: birth to 6 months | Travel cot weight: 10.5kg | Unfolded dimensions: L97cm x W80cm x H82cm | Folded dimensions: L97cm x W84cm x H23m | Newborn bassinet: No | Awards: Silver – Travel Cot, MadeForMums Awards 2023

The PopUp is the latest offering from the Chicco Next2Me range and is a great option for parents who will be travelling with their young baby a lot in the first 6 months. The Red Kite Dreamer and Joie Kubbie Sleep also offer co-sleeping but, unlike these, the PopUp has a range of features that make it a really great choice for newborns.

We love that the crib has 6 adjustable heights to better help it align the barrier of the crib to the parents' mattress — this is particularly useful if you're travelling and staying in different places. Also, thanks to its foldable feet, it is suitable for use with beds with storage compartments. It also comes with straps that allow the crib to conveniently attach to different beds. It can be used as a standalone or bedside crib and transforms easily between both. It also has 2 wheels that make it easy to move from room to room around the house.

There is an ergonomically designed mattress included and the crib itself has mesh panelling on all 4 sides, providing great visibility and air ventilation as your baby sleeps.

MFM reviewer Helen who tested the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up with her 1-month-old son Alessio said, "The Pop Up works very well as a crib for the early months of a baby’s life, especially for people who will be travelling a lot with a young baby, because it is so easy to put up and down. It would certainly be a practical buy if you are going to be driving to stay away from home several times in the first 6 months of your baby’s life."

The crib has an impressively quick and easy 3-second fold that Helen thought was one of the standout features of the travel cot: "The ease of putting the cot up and down with the 3-second fold, and without the need to dissemble anything, is the main selling point and for good reason. It easily folds up into one piece and is easy to insert into the travel bag included." However, at 10kg, the PopUp (along with the Graco Contour Electa) is the heaviest option on our list and is quite bulky when folded. Whilst compact and able to fit under some beds while not in use, it does have a large footprint and therefore takes up quite a lot of car boot space and may not fit into the boot of smaller cars.

Pros: 6 height positions, quick and easy fold, mesh design Cons: Heavy, shorter life span than other options, can be difficult to transport

Read our full MadeForMums Chicco Next2Me Pop Up travel cot review

Available from: John Lewis , Amazon and Boots

11. BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light, £22o

– best for no upper weight limit.

Suitable from: 0-3 years | Travel cot weight: 6kg (including travel bag) | Unfolded dimensions: L112cm x W64cm x 82cm | Folded dimensions: L49cm x W60cm x H14cm | Newborn bassinet: No

This lightweight, easy-to-use travel cot impressed our parent tester for a number of reasons – as you'd expect for one of the most expensive option on our list.

The brand known for stylish baby products won't disappoint parents on the go, with a sleek silhouette, premium-feeling fabrics and excellent functionality. It's impressively easy to set up and fold down – a true highlight compared to trickier styles such as the Joie Kubbie Sleep. Simply pull out each leg, click it into place on the top frame, then place the mattress inside and secure with poppers.

MFM Consumer and Reviews Editor Christy commented: "It's so easy to set up, which is really useful if you forget how between holidays, or are asking a grandparent to help. I had no worries about sleepily packing it up at the airport hotel before we took a flight."

The mattress is extra thick, an essential luxury as the base rests on the floor. This design means there's no weight limit, a real plus point for parents with heavier-than-average toddler.

Christy, who tested the cot with her tall 2 year old, says: "I loved the fact that the BabyBjorn has no weight limit. With a heavy toddler who is not ready for a bed, it's perfect. He slept very well, even though we tested it on a hard tiled floor."

The cleverly designed shape, with the sides inclining towards the top, also makes it harder for little ones to climb out of, and the mesh walls give great visibility from any angle.

The cot folds up into a flat rectangle shape, stored in a carry bag. Christy adds: "We took it as hold luggage out our TUI flight, and could even have fitted it inside our large family suitcase to avoid dropping it off at the 'oversized luggage' desk."

Pros: Lightweight, no upper weight limit, easy to set up, premium feel, extra thick mattress, comes with a carry bag Cons: One of the most expensive option

Available from: John Lewis and BabyBjörn

12. Tutti Bambini CoZee Go 3-in-1 Bassinet, Travel Cot & Playpen, £129

— best stylish travel cot.

Suitable from: Birth (with bassinet) to 3 years | Travel cot weight: 6.5kg | Unfolded dimensions: L133cm x W98cm x H65cm | Folded dimensions: L72cm x W62cm x H14cm | Newborn bassinet: Yes | Awards: Bronze – Travel Cot, MadeForMums Awards 2023

Suitable from birth and adapting to a toddler travel cot and playpen, this Scandi-style cot impressed our testers with its appealing, stylish design and ease of use.

It's a breeze to initially put together and then fold away and, at 6.5kg, it is one of the more lightweight options on our list. It's suitable from birth with the included newborn bassinet and foldable mattress. As your baby gets older, the mattress can be unfolded to be used as a floor-level travel cot. Then you can zip open the mesh window and you've turned it into a playpen.

The mesh fabric all around the cot provides great visibility and airflow and, available separately, is the Day & Night Shade which can help your baby switch off and sleep in bright or unfamiliar places. We also love that there is a carry case included for storage or travelling. It's not the most compact travel cot when it's assembled and is still quite large when it's folded — it's wide and square, which may be awkward to transport in smaller car boots. Our testers also found that fitting everything in the carry case and zipping it back up again could be difficult.

Parent tester Cali, who tested the CoZee Go with her 13-month-old son Teddy, really loved the style and quality of the travel cot: "There are cheaper travel cot and playpen options out there but they don't look as stylish or high quality. I absolutely love the minimalist look, it's stylish and neutral. All of the materials feel extremely good quality — this is definitely one of the comfier travel cots that we've used."

Cali also praised its different elements, "The CoZee Go makes a great playpen, the zip opening was especially good for giving my son the freedom to come and go as he pleases. As a travel cot, its a really good size so should last well into toddlerhood."

Parent tester Claire, who tested this with her 3-month-old son Zach also praised the design of the cot, "It is a high-end, stylish travel cot that’s built to last and worth its price tag. It also packs up compactly for ease of transport and has a very comfortable mattress that I think little ones will sleep well in."

Pros: Stylish, multi-functional, premium feel, quick to put together, mattress included Cons: Quite large, can be difficult to transport, pricey

Available from: Kiddies Kingdom , Natural Baby Shower and Tutti Bambini

How did we choose our 12 of the Best?

When testing travel cots, we considered size and weight limits, mattress quality, effectiveness, ease of build/fold, ease of transportation, any extra features or additions, and value the money.

Our 10 of the Best lists are compiled by qualified and experienced parenting journalists. They rely on a number of sources, including our independent reviews, testing undertaken during the MadeForMums Awards, and feedback from our home testing panel and Top Testers Club. Each year thousands of products are put through their paces by hundreds of parents across the country on behalf of MadeForMums, to ensure we’re bringing you honest and true reviews and recommendations.

Our list is not an ordered ranking from 1-10, instead it is a carefully selected group of tried-and-tested products, each ofwhich we believe is  best for  a different situation or requirement. We don’t just tell you what is best, we help you discover what is best for  your family .

About the author

Read more....

• Best lightweight buggies under 7kg
• Best baby carriers
• Best compact folding buggies

Janet is mum to two children aged 6 & 9 and a great-Aunt too. She began writing early, penning her first book aged just 7. She has published 2 books

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11 best travel cots for hassle-free holidays and overnight stays

Help little ones (and yourself) get some shut-eye with these best-rated snug and secure travel cots, article bookmarked.

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All of the travel cots in this round-up meet the European Standards for safety – your first consideration when buying a travel bed

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Babies don’t travel light. But if you’re planning a relaxing trip, whether it’s a UK staycation or something more exotic , you can’t skimp on the travel cot.

While some hotels and Airbnbs promise to provide travel cots for the tiniest members of the family, you’ve no idea how many children have slept on them before your little darlings, or predict what that means for how comfortable and sturdy they are. Taking a baby out of their usual safe, strong cot with a supportive mattress and putting them in a shaky cage with a rock-hard or spiky mattress is a fast way to ensure nobody in the family gets much shut-eye.

Different travel cots have different age and weight limits, so, before buying one, consider how many years of use you want to get from your cot. Size is another key factor when looking at travel cots, as those with a larger surface area can double up as a playpen in the day. Also, if you’re in unfamiliar territory and are travelling with a mini-escape artist, a travel cot with high mesh sides means you can see your child and they can see out, but they’re perfectly safe at all times.

However, size should not come at the expense of portability. Remember, you’re going to have a lot of other things to carry as well as the cot, and every extra kilo counts. Plus, heavier cots tend to be more effort to erect and collapse, and you don’t want to waste precious moments of your holiday in a sweaty mess trying to put up your travel cot.

All products in this round-up meet the European Standards for safety, which should always be your first consideration when buying a travel cot. Christina Rolles from safe sleep charity The Lullaby Trust says: “A travel cot should have a rigid frame and base, and a firm, flat mattress, covered in a waterproof material. Travel cot mattresses are often thinner and feel harder than those in a permanent cot, but don’t be tempted to place folded blankets or a quilt under the baby to make them more comfortable, as this could cause injury, suffocation or overheating.”

Related stories

How we tested.

With the help of a seven-month-old and a two-year-old, we tested the travel cots for size, comfort and safety. The toddler has a habit of swinging their leg up and escaping their regular cot, so we tried to find ones that kept them contained. We also tested each cot for speed of assembly and disassembly, and picked it up when folded, to see if it was something that could be carried around an airport.

Take into account any age and weight limits before you buy

The best travel cots for 2023 are:

• Best overall – Graco foldlite: £79.99, Gracobaby.eu/uk
• Best for entertaining baby – Mamas & Papas joie commuter travel cot change and bounce: £175, Mamasandpapas.com
• Best lightweight cot for your back – BabyBjörn travel cot light: £220, Babybjorn.co.uk
• Best for breathability – Nuna sena aire: £250, Nunababy.eu.uk
• Best for value – Red Kite sleep tight travel cot: £37, Amazon.co.uk

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Graco foldlite

• Best : Overall
• Dimensions : L 119cm x W 63.5cm x H 68cm
• Weight : 6.78kg
• Age limit : Suitable from birth to 15kg (approximately three years old)

The foldlite from Graco is up to 30 per cent lighter than most other cots, which we definitely noticed and appreciated – you can easily lift it one-handed. You might even find it lighter than your nappy bag, which is a win if you’re carrying a lot of other luggage for your trip.

Erecting this cot was a joy – taking less than 30 seconds. All you need to do is unwrap the mattress, push up the sides, put the mattress in the bottom and it’s ready to go. Collapsing it is just as simple – it folds up super thin, too. We also liked the sturdy material and strong base. It’s a great price at £80 and it’s made to last.

Mamas & Papas joie commuter travel cot change and bounce

• Best : For entertaining baby
• Dimensions : L 106cm x W 70.5cm x H 80cm
• Weight : 14.8kg
• Age limit : Suitable from birth to 15kg

This is a travel cot, changing table and bouncer in one, so you can create a home from home for your baby when you travel. The bouncer is a decent size, providing a place to relax and play for babies too young to sit up. It even has cuddly toys for little ones to reach and grab.

The starry print, which is exclusive to Mamas & Papas, gives the smallest babies something to look at to help them make sense of the world, and this also helps older kids relax. We suggest counting the stars on the mattress to encourage early numeracy skills in a fun way.

This cot is taller than most others we tried, which is great if you have a mini Houdini. It makes for an excellent play and sleep solution to keep at grandparents’ house and works out at excellent value for money, when you consider it’s three useful items in one.

BabyBjörn travel cot light

• Best : For your back
• Dimenions : L 112cm x W 82cm x H 64cm
• Weight : 6kg
• Age limit : Suitable from birth to three years

This gets top marks for ease of setup. There’s no need to bend down or fiddle with anything on the floor – all you need to do is shake it out and then secure the sides. There’s a handy YouTube video showing how to put it up in just 25 seconds, and the presenter demonstrating it isn’t even going at top speed.

Weighing just 6kg, including the carry bag, your back will thank you when you’re taking it in and out of cars or planes. Our toddler tester approved of the mattress, which makes for a cosy sleeping place. But what we liked most about this cot is knowing that its fabric is OEKO-TEX-approved, which means all materials coming into contact with your baby’s skin are kind to sensitive skin.

Nuna sena aire

• Best : For breathability
• Dimenions : L 107cm x W 73.5cm x H 74.5cm
• Weight : 12.26kg

If you’re all sharing a bedroom when you travel, it may get stuffy very quickly, especially if it isn’t an air-conditioned room. We like how the Nuna sena aire addresses this issue with its mesh sides, floor and mattress providing 360 degrees of ventilation, for ultimate airflow. The better a child can breathe, the deeper they sleep, giving everyone a more relaxing trip.

We were really impressed by the feel of the triple-layered mattress, which is designed to pull away heat and humidity, and will come in useful if you’re jetting off to tropical climes.

Its clever zigzag leg design pops open easily into a soft, sturdy dreamland and it’s one of the easiest to collapse – we found we could do it one-handed.

Red Kite sleep tight travel cot

• Best : For value
• Dimensions : L 101cm x W 72cm x H 71cm
• Weight : 7.1kg

This is the cheapest travel cot we tried but it’s perfectly functional. It’s safety-tested, comes with a carry bag, is easy to assemble and it has mesh sides, to give you a clear view of your child as they rest or sleep.

It doesn’t win any prizes for design, as there are no frills – it’s simply a place to sleep. Plus, the mattress is a tad on the stiff side, so you may want to spend some of the money you’ve saved on the cost of the cot on a plumper mattress. However, it’s still a very good choice if you’re only going to use it now and then throughout the year.

Micralite sleep and go 3-in-1 travel cot

• Best : For style
• Dimensions : L 112cm x W 80cm x H 67cm
• Weight : 6.25kg

The first thing to note is this comes with a premium duffle bag carry case, so you’ll look stylish when you arrive at your destination. Open the cot – with ease, as it weighs just 6.25kg – and you’ll notice the material on the top and sides feels very high-quality. The decently padded mattress caused our two-year-old to exclaim, “I like ’dis one!”

We really liked the newborn insert, which raises very young babies to typical bed height, so you don’t have to break your back lifting them in and out of the cot. It also makes it easier to nurse a baby and transfer them back to a cot. If you’re using this as a playpen, you’ll also appreciate that one of the sides unzips, so tots can crawl in and out.

Kinderkraft lovi 3-in-1 baby crib

• Best : For fussy babies
• Dimensions : L 88cm x W 61cm x H 85cm
• Weight : 5kg
• Age limit : Suitable from birth to 9kg

While it takes a bit of time to erect this travel cot and rocker, there’s a very good YouTube video to show you the process. You can access it via a QR code on the instruction leaflet included, and it’s very simple to follow along.

The rocking motion is brilliant for little ones that need movement to settle, mimicking the gentle swaying motion of the womb. Babies are at a higher level in this cot, too, so you can pick them up and settle them down without pulling a muscle.

The only slight down side to this cot is that a baby will outgrow it within the year. That said, our youngest tester loved playing with the toy bar and three adorable hanging toys that come with it, so, while their time in it may be short, it will also be very sweet.

Bugaboo stardust travel cot

• Best : Two-in-one cot and playpen
• Dimensions : L 64cm x W 98cm x H 85cm
• Weight : 6.7kg
• Age limit : Suitable from birth to two years old

Setting up this pop-up travel cot was a total breeze, despite how tall and strudy it is once erected. We were surprised by how much the mattress kept it’s solid shape, with no crease or fold from being flat-packed within the cot and travel bag.

Mums will be grateful for the newborn insert, which raises babies to bed level. The breathable mesh is ideal for all seasons to keep baby’s temperature regulated.

The mattress is nicely padded for playtime but feels a little firm for bedtime. When topped with a matrress protector and Bugaboo’s breathable fitted sheet (£27.95, Bugaboo.com ), we nailed baby’s recquirements for a peaceful snooze. You really do get more bang for your buck with this travel cot, as it doubles up as a playpen and lasts until your little one is two years old.

Halo flex portable bassinet

• Best : Portable bedside crib
• Dimensions : L 75cm x W 100.3cm x H 108.6cm
• Age limit : Suitable from birth to five months

A lightweight and portable bedside crib is hard to come by, so, we were very grateful Halo’s offering ticked a lot of boxes for parents to get that reassuring ‘home away from home’ feeling when on the move.

It can be a daunting experience taking a little one away for the first time, especially when they are used to co-sleeping at home. We were delighted that this bassinet meant babies could feel just as close to their parents as they do at home. The mattress is extra soft when wrapped in Halo’s 100 per cent cotton fitted sheet (£16.64, Halosleep.co.uk ), and the cot is surrounded by breathable lining to suit all temperatures, and enable parents to keep a 360 view of baby.

We have to admit, we did use this more at home than on our travels, as it was so easy to adjust the height of the crib for when you’re sitting on the sofa during the day or when you’re sleeping at night and want to comfort your baby quickly. The side of the crib lowers easily, with no need to stand-up or hunch over. This is particularly helpful for mums recovering from C-section delivery as well as for night feeds.

An over-the-shoulder carry bag comes included but it is less sturdy than other holdalls we’ve tested, and one side is partially open, due to its drawstring closing, which didn’t feel as secure. The packing away was a simple enough four-step process.

Fisher-Price On the Go travel baby dome

• Best : For on-the-go parents
• Dimensions : L80cm x W76cm x H71cm
• Weight : 2.5kg
• Age limit : Suitable from birth to five months (until babies can sit unaided)

This travel cot combines the perfect solution for on-the-go parents and tired babies. It’s lightweight, easy to set up and allows babies to nap or play wherever they are.

We love that this cot can be used indoors and outdoors, to encourage the whole family to get more vitamin D. The canopy keeps your little one protected from the sun as well as keeping out creepy crawlies.

As it folds up flat, we found it easy to keep it stored in the car for spontanious day trips and overnight stays with the grandparents. However, it doesn’t come with a carry bag, which would have made it easier to keep clean and compact. Two overhead linking toys are included, to keep baby entertained and relaxed.

ergoPouch easy sleep portable crib

• Best : Lightweight travel cot
• Dimensions : L 80cm x W 49cm x H 27cm
• Weight : 2.2kg
• Age limit : Suitable from birth to 9kg (or when baby starts rolling over)

You can’t get any more portable than this lightweight pop-up cot that folds up as a small rucksack and weighs just 2.2kg. The mosquito net is ideal for summer babies, if you want to get some fresh air and let them have a safe daytime nap outdoors.

If you are travelling with a baby less than three months old on a flight, we recommended taking this one for sleeping on-the-go, if you get the luxury of seats with extra leg room. The backpack will fit neatly under your seat or in the overhead lockers.

The only downfall is this bassinet is only suitable until your baby shows signs of rolling over, so it’s quite a hefty price for short-lived use.

Travel cot FAQs

What age is a travel cot for.

This will depend on the cot you buy – bassinets are designed for newborns up to three months old, while larger options are available for children up to five years old.

Can a baby sleep in a travel cot every night?

It’s not recommended to use a travel cot regularly for a long period of time, as they’re not designed to support your baby’s development. Instead, limit their use for short trips away and daytime naps.

What to look for when buying a travel cot

You already have enough to think about while travelling with your baby, so the best cots are hassle-free. They should be easy to assemble, collapse and store, while the addition of wheels and a carry bag should make cots easier to transport from A to B. If you’re shopping for a newborn up to three months old, a bassinet is the way to go – these are raised, to give you a clearer view of your little one during the night, while you can lift them up without the risk of throwing out your back.

Do travel cots need a mattress?

Yes – the cots themselves are thin and hard, so a mattress is essential, though most of our top picks come with a mattress included.

The verdict: Travel cots

The Graco foldlite is excellent value for a lightweight cot that’s easy to erect and collapse, and we felt both our seven-month-old and two-year-old testers were safe in there. It will grow with your child, and provide a secure place to sleep and play for up to three years.

The BabyBjörn travel cot light also deserves praise for ease of setup and for the comfort of its mattress, while the Mamas & Papas joie commuter travel cot solves three of a baby’s needs – sleep, play and hygiene – in one neat package.

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Best Travel Cots For Babies And Toddlers

Traveling with little ones in your family often means having a few must-haves for families immediately accessible and travel-ready everywhere you go at a moment’s notice, including a portable cot. Nap time or sleep can strike at any moment, and having a safe place for your baby to sleep is a requirement. These portable cots are easy to carry, set up, collapse, and store, making them helpful for setting up your baby’s sleeping spot on vacation.

Portable travel cots are perfect for when your little one needs a break to sleep or calm down after an exhausting day. Portable travel cots also help your little ones stay safe during sleep (they won’t have to share a bed with you or someone else) and provide a germ-free environment to play, rest, and sleep. On day trips, cabin stays, or other excursions, portable travel cots are a true lifesaver for families packing for a baby . These reviews cover some of the best travel cots on the market, creating the best option for families and babies everywhere.

Table of Contents

Best Portable Cots For Traveling With A Baby Or A Toddler – Our Picks + Reviews

Lotus comfortable travel crib.

This popular travel cot is a favorite pick for the best travel cots by parents everywhere. This multipurpose travel cot is sturdy and certified baby-safe, offering a comfortable play-yard and mattress that is lightweight and backpack portable. Each crib is a safe and non-toxic certified rest and play place that features full-height mesh with best, breathable airflow to cool off your baby.

The Lotus Travel Crib is designed to withstand all kinds of travel. It fits into a compact, light backpack carrying case and set up takes less than fifteen seconds to complete. Featuring an innovative quiet side zipper door that you can use to lay down your baby without waking them up. The easy-to-adjust mattress folds and is full of thick, soft foam that’s been approved for newborns and infants to sleep in safely. At $209, this is a fairly priced crib that will last you and your baby a lifetime.

4Moms Breeze Plus Portable Playard

This all-in-one care station is designed to set up with one hand as a portable playard with removable bassinet and changing station that’s the perfect solution to moms and dads’ needs. This easily accessible and collapsible design creates instant comfort and sleep as well as a place to take care of all of your baby’s needs. The playard is easily transportable and packs into a travel bag for carrying and packing in cars, airplanes or other stowaway containers.

Your baby can sleep, play, or bounce around in this sturdy portable playard that sets up anywhere. Drop them off at a caretaker, bring it on vacation, or set it up in the living room to hold your kiddo while you do your chores. Made from strong, durable polyester and heavy-duty support beams, this is the best travel crib for flying with, as it packs up conveniently for travel and set up. Priced at $600, this is an extremely expensive option, but its durability and flexibility as well as its removable bassinet and changing table make it a good investment.

BABYBJORN Travel Crib Light

Made for simple and busy parents on the move, the BABYBJORN Travel Crib Light is designed to be adventure-ready and convenient to set up and collapse at a moment’s notice. Made of soft and sturdy polyester fabric, the lightweight, water resistant fabric of the BABYBJORN Travel Crib light can handle any kind of spills or stains and makes the crib perfect for any kind of restless baby. Designed with travel in mind, the BABYBJORN Travel Crib Light is definitely the most comfortable travel crib there is.

The BABYBJORN Travel Crib Light is a multifunctional and versatile baby play pen that’s a game changer for parents of active babies. Your baby can play, rest, stand, toss, and turn within the safe and comfortable confines of this travel crib that packs up into a light bag that transports safely everywhere. Ergonomic and stable, the BABYBJORN Travel Crib Light is designed to provide comfortable support and supervision of your baby from wherever you’re traveling. The BABYBJRON Travel Crib Light has a price of $300, a fairly midrange price for the durable and reliable crib you’re getting.

Flisko 2 in 1 Travel Crib & Bassinet

Known as the baby play yard that does it all, the Bassinet and Travel Crib is constructed with a supportive structure and solid frame that keeps your baby safe at all times. Built with high-quality rugged materials that prevent collapsing or folding and completely non-toxic. This lightweight and easily portable crib has a comfortable lifting weight and small size that’s perfect for when you’re on the go. A sleek design and foldable build are perfectly sized to fit anywhere.

The crib doesn’t require extensive setup and can be set up or disassembled in just a few minutes. It folds into a simple bag and can double as a bassinet and a full-sized playpen or crib, making it a 2 in 1 travel set that’s great for flexible and versatile families. Super soft and comfortable, the travel basset is lined with soft fabric that pads and protects your baby, as well as a plush, insulated foam mattress pad and sheet. For just $110, this is a great bargain on a versatile and multifunctional travel cot that’s the best travel crib for 2-year-olds or other children as they age.

Graco Pack and Play on the Go with Bassinet

The Graco Pack and Play on the Go is designed to function everywhere with flexible and durable use around the clock. With dual-function sleep and play as well as an insertable bassinet for holding younger children or changing diapers, the Graco Pack and Play is a useful and multipurpose construction that works well for every family. If you are traveling, you might also want to invest in a good portable diaper changing kit to make things easier and change your baby on-the-go wherever you are. Travel has never been simpler than with the Graco Pack and Play, which is extremely affordable at a price of just $75.

The Graco provides comfort and support for all your baby with sturdy mattress pads that support firm sleep and rest. Breathable mesh side panels let you supervise your baby’s play from a distance allowing for you to get some work done while still keeping an eye on your little one. Your baby can fall asleep gently and comfortably in this padded and supported playpen that provides levels of comfort, changing, and sleep for best results for you and your baby, making it one of the most comfortable travel cribs on the market.

Funny Supply 3 in 1 Pack and Play Travel Cot

This Funny Supply 3 in 1 Pack and Play is convertible, functional, and designed to grow with your baby. Converting from baby bassinet to playpen and play tunnel, children of all ages can enjoy and use this fun pack and play. Each travel pen can be assembled in less than 15 seconds without any tools, creating an easy fold inside a carrying case you can haul with you anywhere. It also features comfortable and ergonomic carrying options and can tuck into trunks or stowaway containers, making it one of the best travel cots for flying.

The Funny Supply Pack and Play creates hands-free convenient baby support that will let you take baby along on vacations or set them up while you run errands without having to worry about cradling or protecting your baby at every moment. Set them down for a nap in the bassinet as a baby and once they grow out of it, set it in a larger play pen. As toddlers, unfold the wall to create a play tunnel you can crawl through or use as a fort. Create opportunities for bonding and developmental benefits at all times with this adjustable and magical play pen that will engage your baby at all times.

Baby Delight Deluxe Portable Crib & Playard

Promising multifunction, user-friendly, and flexible sleeping and play spaces for babies and caregivers, the Baby Delight Deluxe Portable Crib & Playard is a comfortable and actively designed travel crib made with soft mesh and a thick and comfortable foam mattress pad. Simple to set up and easy to disassemble, the travel crib creates a comfortable and soft place for your baby to rest, play, and sleep. Safe and useful for newborns and toddlers alike, the Baby Delight Deluxe Portable Crib & Playard is a versatile and convertible space for sleeping and playing alike.

Made to last through the childhood of active and growing babies, the Baby Delight Deluxe Portable Crib & Playard converts into a bassinet for smaller babies, a playard, and a crib. A shaded hood allows for easy sleep and hanging mobiles for baby’s entertainment. A removable sun and insect canopy means you can even set this playpen up in your yard or outside. Your pen packs up neatly and is a great travel cot for toddlers for a very affordable price.

Pamo Babe Lightweight Portable Travel Cot

Comfortable, functional, and built for versatile use by parents and babies alike, the Pamo Babe Lightweight Portable Travel Cot creates a comfortable rest and play space for wearer and baby. Offering a comfortable mattress pad for additional support while your baby sleeps, your cot is a restful and relaxing place for your little one. You can also convert it into a trampoline for diverse and exciting entertainment. Four supporting feet at the bottom of your crib maintain balance and stability while your baby moves around and prevents the crib from tipping over.

Equipped with a movable mattress to provide the most comfortable sleeping environment for the baby, your mattress can also be easily removed and washed depending on stains or damages. The breathable mesh allows your baby to breathe easily and lets you keep an eye on your baby from afar. Adjustable, comfortable, supportive, and versatile, the Pamo Babe is a budget choice and all yours for a very affordable price, a portable and convenient travel cot for babies and parents.

Skip Hop Portable Playard And Travel Cot

This gentle and comfortable baby cot is designed to swaddle and cradle your baby to sleep with a gentle mattress pad and comfortable space for sleep or play on their own. This soft and sturdy travel cot offers airy mesh fabric sides for visibility and ventilation and expands from a travel crib to a play yard in mere seconds. You can also tuck this cot into its travel bag and carry it with you anywhere for additional on the go sleep support for you and your baby.

The expanding base grows as your little one does, expanding from small to large based on the size of your child and the space they need to sleep or play. Because the travel cot is so portable it’s easy to swap between caregivers or other people looking after your little one. Easy to maintain and machine washable, the Skip Hop is also washable, stain-treatable, and packs tightly into a storage pouch to sit in your car. At $100, this is a sturdy and trustworthy purchase your baby will feel safe in at all times.

BABY JOY Baby Foldable Travel Crib

Gentle, soft, and comfortable, the BABY JOY Foldable Travel Crib features simple and spacious sleeping and playing space for babies from newborns to three years. The mattress is protected with a soft and thick mattress pad that allows your baby to sleep comfortably. Machine washable fabric and sheets keeps your baby warm, swaddled, and comfortable while also easily treatable for spills, and other stains that naturally accumulate over time. The travel crib is designed with full-height mesh cloth that allows full visibility, breathability, and protection for your baby.

The comfortable and firm structure is built with sturdy aluminum and iron tubes that are safety certified. The four feet are evenly balanced to prevent your playard from tilting or tipping while your little one is in it. With a comfortable and cooling design and a secure base for support, your baby will rest easy as you go about your day thanks to this affordably priced $80 BABY JOY foldable crib.

A Buyer’s Guide to the Best Baby Travel Cots

Purchasing a travel cot is a great way to secure your little one no matter where you’re visiting, but there’s a few different things you’ll want to keep an eye on as you shop around for the perfect fit. Your baby needs to be able to sleep and play in a secure and safe environment so make sure your cot meets all of these important requirements to be a good fit!

Flexibility and Versatility

Babies are an exciting but expensive addition to your family, so a flexible and versatile travel cot that will last you through your baby’s initial growth spurt, their changing sleep and play needs, and even a few different babies is a great choice. Look for a cot that converts from bassinet to play pen to larger sleeping pen for the best value!

Stain-Resistant yet Soft

Babies are messy, and accidents happen. A cot that can withstand quite a few accidents from your baby is a great choice. Look for a mattress pad that can be removed or washed and a polyester material that wipes down easily. A cot that can comfortably handle the outdoors, stains, sweat, rain, and more will be a versatile and functional part of your family routine, but you’ll also want to make sure it’s still soft enough that your baby can rest comfortably inside.

Travel cots for babies are a big part of ensuring your baby is comfortable sleeping and at play r while you go about your day whether you’re at home or traveling. Picking a sturdy, soft, secure, and reliable travel cot that lasts your child a long time is key to easing your transition into new parenthood and ensuring a happy and healthy sleep and play balance in your baby’s life.

I'm Angela Corrias, an Italian journalist, photographer, and travel writer located in the heart of Italy's capital. Welcome to my website, your comprehensive source for your travels and expert guidance for crafting your dream travel experience.

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Travel cots

A weekend trip to visit grandparents, or a longer vacation? Once your holiday plans start including your baby, their needs come first and foremost. Sleeping away from home can be stressful for your baby, and so it's good to make sure they're safe and comfortable. A travel cot is ideal for trips together with your bundle of joy. Its light weight, simple folding and functionality will pass the test in all sorts of conditions. Such a cot will also fit into a small car and can act as a playpen in which your youngster can play freely. Some Kinderkraft travel cots are equipped with additional accessories, such as changing table and shelf for nappies, which will be of great help on trips with your child.

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• Review Rating: from highest
• Price: from lowest
• Price: from highest

• Folds and unfolds in 5 seconds
• Two mattress levels

• Folds up and down in 5 seconds
• Built-in mosquito net
• Easy to transport in its cover

2-in-1 cot: co-sleeper cot and cot

Two-step incline adjustment

Mattress included in the set

• The perfect travel cot
• Mattress and 2 sheets included

Travel cot and standard cot

Folds in five seconds

Lightweight and stylish

A night away from home can be a challenge for babies. The presence of their favourite soft toy and the caring arms of their parents will make falling asleep much easier. The space in which they fall asleep is also important. They need to feel safe and comfortable. A travel cot will provide them with adequate intimacy and peace. It's a reliable parent helper that's a must-have on trips.

Which functions should a travel cot have?

As an adult, you've probably gotten used to the fact that sleeping away from home is, simply, different. Sometimes it's uncomfortable, and sometimes you can't sleep for half the night as you toss and turn. This isn't pleasant for an adult, and even more so for children, who need the right amount of sleep to develop correctly. That's why ensuring an adequate, comfortable place to sleep is one of the most important challenges you'll face on trips.

Firstly, a travel cot doesn't necessarily have to be less functional than a normal cot. Our travel cots are made of materials that are perfect for little sleepyheads. They feature mesh, which ensures excellent air flow and allows you to keep an eye on your child at all times.

With Kinderkraft travel cots, you don't have to sacrifice comfortable sleep. LEODY and LEODY in the version with accessories are cots that have two mattress height options. You can carry them easily thanks to the handy bag, and after setting it up, you can move it wherever you like thanks to the wheels on one side of the cot. The accessories are also highly sought-after elements that travelling parents love. The shelves for nappies and the changing table will make it easier for you to tend to your child, and the toys on the mobile will soothe your tired baby and keep them entertained for longer.

Our travel cots can also act as 2-in-1 cots (a cot for the home and a co-sleeper cot), 3-in-1 cots (a cot for the home, co-sleeper cot and cradle), and even 4-in-1 cots (a cot for the home, travel cot, playpen and cradle). Our cots include ones that'll be perfect for both newborns, babies, and slightly older sleepyheads.

With a travel cot, you don't have to sacrifice anything!

Even on trips, you don't have to give up your rituals, such as night-time rocking. Some of our cots, such as JOY with accessories and LOVI, can easily be converted into a cradle that'll calm your baby and make them feel safe.

If your baby likes falling asleep with the mobile on, you'll love the accessories we include with some of our cots. You just put the mobile on with the sound, lights and toys, and your youngster will feel like they're at home!

All products from our online shop are created based on the years of experience of our staff. We use materials that are not only safe for children but also functional and esthetically appealing.

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12 of the best cot beds to buy in 2024 all tested by parents and babies

Ace their sleep space from baby to toddlerhood and beyond with the best cot beds

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The best cot beds

5 things to consider, how to choose the best cot bed, cot bed safety, our review process.

Choosing between the best cot bed for your baby is no easy task —   but that's where our parent-approved guide comes in. 

The best cot beds do it all. Some double up as brilliant storage spaces for stashing spare bedding, most come with an adjustable mattress base so that it’s easier to reach your baby and others look like a work of art, while making for a comfy and safe spot to rest your little one’s head. 

But aside from this, how do cot beds differ from conventional cots? Or the best beside cribs ? Getting more bang for your buck, cot beds allow your baby to continue to sleep in it long after toddlerhood. A standard cot typically needs to be replaced with a bed once your child is around three years old, whereas you can simply convert a cot bed into a bed at this stage. So it's pretty handy, right?

But how do you find the best cot bed for your little one? Of course, the best cot bed for your baby is one that fits your budget, taste and wish list of features. Whether that’s in terms of size, style or storage space.

So, to help you work out which one to consider buying, we shortlisted our pick of the best cot beds and then assembled a panel of parents to put them to the test. All the cot beds featured are suitable from birth and we asked our testers to try out the cot beds for several weeks with their babies, aged between 12 weeks and two years old. Here’s what they had to say...

Made from solid pine, this cot bed has three mattress height settings, so you can lower the base as your baby gets older, making it easy to reach your newborn but also helping to prevent an adventurous toddler from climbing out.

Buy it if: You're looking for a timeless, stylish, and robust cot bed. "There is a real sense of class about this cot bed - it oozes quality and you can tell it will last many years," says our tester Donna, mum to seven-month-old Daisy. It's also a good buy if you're a fan of easy assembly items. "I put it together on my own during one of Daisy’s shorter naps," adds Donna. "After initially putting the base too low by mistake, I then had practice changing the height and found it really straightforward to adjust."

Don't buy it if: You need a budget-friendly, affordable cot bed. However, if your budget can stretch to this, it's a worthwhile investment. "It has a solid pine frame and sturdy plywood base, and with the recommended Nutkin mattress ( sold separately - £125 ) you'll have a beautiful, well-made cot bed that will last for years," adds Donna. "I looked at cheaper mattresses costing around £50 and the difference in quality is vast - it's well worth spending more money for better quality."

A beautifully-designed, vintage-style cot bed that's impressively sturdy with three height positions so you can adjust it as your baby grows. Remove the bars to create a bench-style bed. It's available in off-white or stylish green.

Buy it if: You're looking for a striking cot bed that will make a stylish centrepiece in the nursery. "I was curious to see it as colours can look different online but I wasn't disappointed," says our tester, Gemma Fromage-Crawford, mum to Boden, 13 months. "It's a beautiful shade of green. Previously, I had only considered a traditional white cot bed but this has totally changed my mind. And even though it's described as vintage, it's a stunning piece that looks great in a modern nursery."

Don't buy it if: You'd prefer a basic, inexpensive cot bed and you prioritise value for money over design aesthetics. That said, it's super robust and easily stood up to the ‘trampoline test’ inflicted on it by our tester. "Boden loves to hold onto the frame and bounce up and down," says Gemma. "He also uses the bars to pull himself to standing so the frame takes a lot of his weight. You can't always judge how robust baby furniture will be, but the Willox is very sturdy and well made."

Disclaimer: this is out of stock. We'll update the link as soon as the product is available. 

The perfect cot bed if you love contemporary design and can handle a fiddly assembly process. Longevity is its standout feature, as it's suitable from birth to age four, or until your child is 10 years old if you buy the extension kit.

Buy it if: You're a big fan of Scandi-chic design and want to invest in a beautiful cot bed that will last your child for years - right up until the age of 10 if you're happy to pay extra for the extension kit. "It has three mattress height settings which is a bonus and although it's not cheap, it's actually significantly less expensive than many other similar Scandi-inspired cots," says tester Kate, mum to Blake, aged six months. "And the fact that it can be used up to age four (or even ten) makes it a true investment piece."

Don't buy it if: You hate DIY as the assembly is tricky - but worth the effort. "It took two of us 90 minutes to put together," explains Kate. However, once it was eventually assembled she did conclude that it looks "amazing" in her baby's nursery. The finish on the wood isn't flawless - but it's made from natural beech wood with no MDF or veneer so that's to be expected. Do note that the mattress and extension kit have to be purchased separately so factor in the additional expense.

An elegant, timeless design with a smart, panelled look. The cot has adjustable height levels for your baby's safety. It is functional, beautiful, and good value for money if you factor in the years that it will be in use.

Buy it if: You're a fan of classic design and want a highly crafted cot bed that could be passed down to future generations. "It's a good choice if you have a boisterous toddler," adds our tester. "It's a safe and sturdy cot that is immovable by toddlers who might try to rock it." It's also very easy to build and took our tester just 12 minutes to assemble.

Don't buy it if: You'd prefer an inexpensive cot bed that you won't reuse or pass down. "This cot bed feels very solid and sturdy - it's comforting that there is no way my toddler can tip it over," says our tester. "It's expensive but it could take your baby from birth to four years, making it an investment piece of nursery furniture that can evolve with your family's needs.

This simple but stylish solid pine cot bed is suitable from birth to three years. It comes with a mattress and has an in-built storage drawer. In terms of value for money, this is one of the best cot beds you could choose. 

Buy it if: Value for money is your priority. "I didn't expect a storage drawer on an inexpensive cot bed but it's so useful and helps make a toddler's mess more manageable," says Emma. "I felt confident loading it with blankets, toys, and anything I want to hide neatly out of sight. The sleek, minimal design isn't spoiled as an extra panel covers the drawer.

Don't buy it if: A flawless finish matters to you and value for money is less important. The cot rattled when our tester's baby was restless and the finish isn't perfect. "The screws are visible on the edges of the wood, which detracts a little from the overall minimal, stylish look," says Emma. "The edge of the bed guard also seems a little sharp on the corners."

Disclaimer: this is out of stock. We'll update the link as soon as the product is available.

This sturdy cot bed has a storage drawer and a handy hanging rail. Teething rails are included and the adjustable base has two height positions. Assembly is a dream thanks to alphabetically labelled parts and great instructions.

Buy it if: You have plenty of space and want a cot bed that's relentlessly sturdy - a good choice if you hope to grow your family. "This is a beautiful, stylish cot bed that'll save you money and hassle," says tester Annie Quinn, mum to Leo, 12 weeks. "The storage drawer is a lifesaver with limited storage space. I keep sheets, blankets, swaddles, and towels in it."

Don't buy it if: You're short on space because this is bulkier than other cot beds. Overall, however, Annie feels it's a classy and well-made cot bed. "It's a bit pricey but you can see the quality and craftsmanship the moment you look at it. It's a real statement piece. I haven't stopped talking about it or taking photos of it. I am genuinely so happy with this cot bed."

A minimalistic cot that's brilliant value for money yet made from high-quality beech with a removable panel to transform it into a toddler bed. It has an impressive range of mattress base positions too - seven in total.

Buy it if: "We tested this as a toddler bed and our daughter took to it really well." says Gabrielle, mum to Milla, aged two. "I think she likes the feeling of being in a cot with the accessibility of a bed. She's had six nights' undisturbed sleep, which is a miracle!" Highly affordable, it's available in four colours with lots of accessories available to coordinate your look.

Don't buy it if: You don't like budget buys or think they're sometimes a false economy because you end up replacing it when it doesn't stand the test of time - although that's not an issue with this cot bed. Whether you're kitting out the nursery on a budget or just don't want to spend a lot, this is the best cot bed for money savers. 

This curved, compact cot bed is made from sustainable solid wood and has two base heights. Unlike any of the other cot beds we tested, this has lockable castors so it's easy to move between rooms or position close to your bed at night.

Buy it if: You want a compact cot bed that fits beside your bed and is easy to move when the time comes for your little one to sleep in their own room. It's also "exceedingly easy" to put together according to our tester, Jill Reilly, mum to Grace, aged six months. "The shape also means it can take centre stage in a child's bedroom, rather than being shoved up against a wall." 

Don't buy it if: You'd prefer a conventional toddler bed. "You remove one end (and later have the option of turning it into a child's sofa) so I'm nervous that entry via the foot of the bed may be slightly bizarre for a toddler," says Jill. "Also, it may be tricky to get out of bed quickly. However, you don't have to buy a separate bed guard or worry about falling out of bed."

An inexpensive, compact cot bed that's ideal for smaller bedrooms, impressively sturdy and yet highly affordable. It's a good choice if you're looking for a neutral cot bed that will look good alongside existing nursery decor or furniture. 

Buy it if: You want a cot bed that's robust enough to suit an energetic toddler. "It feels very solid and well built, with very little 'give' in the structure," says our tester, Catherine Lofthouse, mum to Robin, 19 months. "My wriggly toddler thrashes about at night and tries to wobble the sides when he wakes up but it has coped with everything he's thrown at it."

Don't buy it if: You'd prefer a full-sized cot. The finish isn't perfect either. "One of the screw holes hadn't been drilled all the way through and the paint finish was a little patchy in places, but I had this assembled by myself in less than 50 minutes," says Catherine. "It's also easy to move into another bedroom in the future."

This stylish, slimline cot is a modern twist on a classic sleigh bed design and it comes with under-bed storage drawer so you can keep all baby must-haves out of sight but in reach. It's good value, well-built and can be used for years to come.

Buy it if:  You want a 21st century spin on the classic sleigh bed minus the usual cumbersome and bulky feel these designs can often come with. Our tester Vicky Carr, mum to six-month-old Alicia, found this design to be "more slimline than many others of that type, which would make it easier to fit in a small nursery". 

Don't buy it if:  You have a very thick carpet. While the storage drawer underneath was a big selling point for our tester, there was one slight difficulty when it came to using it every day. "It's on small wheels rather than runners attached to the cot itself, so it might not move very easily on a thick carpet when it's full and heavy," Vicky said.

Stokke can help you bring some Scandi-style to your nursery thanks to this impressive oval-shaped cotbed that can be adjusted as your child grows as it's suitable for use up to the age of five, as a day bed.

Buy it if:  You're looking for a unique, stylish and high-quality cot bed that injects some Scandi-style. It's easy to put together and good-quality. Charlie Bond, mum to 13-month-old Seb, tested this for us and said: "I particularly liked the look of this product and also the way it can 'grow' with the child - the side can be removed to turn it into a toddler bed."

Don't buy it if:  You're short on space. While the smooth oval shape is pleasing to the eye: "If you have a smaller home or children's room then it might not be practical for you," Charlie says. Plus, at more than £300 for the mini and over £500 for the original, it doesn't come cheap. "But it's designed to last a longer time than a standard cot," Charlie added. 

The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed ticks all the boxes including: design, aesthetics and usability. There are loads of great extras too, including a gigantic storage drawer, teething rail and adjustable heights. 

Buy it if:  You've got a nursery where space isn't an issue. Or if you're after a cot bed that doesn't skimp on storage. "One of my favourite things about the cot is actually the drawer underneath," parent tester Grace Holliday said. "Not only does it have a huge 77L capacity, split in two with a divider, it is really smooth to pull out and put back," said Grace. 

Don't buy it if:  Space is lacking or you have nowhere to store the extra parts once this cot is turned into a bed."Because it goes up to four years, there are some additional pieces you'll need to have space to store away for use down the line," Grace explains. "When she outgrows it, we plan to use it as a day bed for her to play on in the other corner of her room," she said. 

• Read our full Little Wren Cot Bed review
• Read our full Willox Cot Bed review  
• Read our full Ickle Bubba Snowdon Classic Cotbed review
• Read our full Stokke Sleepi Cot Bed review
• Read our full Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed

1. A cot bed saves you money The benefit of a cot bed is obvious; it converts from a cot to a bed. This means you won't need to buy a toddler bed when your baby outgrows the cot and is ready to start sleeping in a big bed. In other words, you'll save money. And who doesn't like doing that?!

2. A cot bed helps your child cope with change But the other advantage of a cot bed is that it can help your little one to make the transition from sleeping in a cot to moving into a bed. It's a big change for a little one, and the familiarity of going to sleep in the same piece of furniture can help to smooth this important transition.

3. Check the cot bed dimensions before you buy Before you decide which is the best cot bed, remember that your baby should sleep in the same room as you for the first six months of life. That means it's important to check the dimensions of the cot bed to ensure it will fit in your bedroom if you plan to use if from birth. Some cot beds are bulkier than others so if you're short on space in your room, choose one of the more compact models. Alternatively, you could use a Moses basket beside your bed for the first six months and then move your baby into a cot bed in the nursery.

4. Don't forget to think about the visuals It's easy to get caught up in the spec or the safety features when you're shopping for the best cot bed but don't forget to consider the design and style of your baby's room. Since a cot bed will be in use for longer than a standard cot, choose one that will suit the look and feel of your little one's first bedroom.

5. Location, location, location Also, think about where you plan to position your baby's cot or toddler's cot bed. A cot or cot bed should be kept well away from radiators to reduce the risk of your baby overheating. Never place a cot near windows or looped window blind cords either if you have them, as these are a safety risk.

There are three factors to take into consideration when deciding which is the best cot bed for you:

• Price - Work out your budget, taking into account that you won't need to fork out for a toddler bed at a later date.
• Size - Measure the space where you'll be using the cot, factoring in that you may wish to use it from birth and that the safest place for your baby to sleep during the first six months is in a bed of their own in the room where you sleep. After six months, your baby could sleep in a cot in a room of their own. 
• Functionality - Decide which features are essentials and which you can live without. A storage drawer is handy for keeping spare bedding, nappies and sleepsuits, especially if you're short on space, but consider whether it's a design feature that you're happy to pay more for. 

How can you make sure a cot bed is safe?

All cots and cot beds sold must comply with British safety standards. If it bears the code BSEN716, the cot is safe to use. When buying a cot mattress, look out for the BSI number BS 1877-10:1997.

There are several important things to keep in mind when shopping for a cot for your baby, including the following:

• Cot bars: These should be vertical, with a distance of no more than 6.5cm between the bars. This is to ensure your baby's limbs don't get stuck between the bars.
• Depth and space: The distance between the top of the mattress and the top of the cot sides should be at least 50cm, to help prevent your baby from climbing out of the cot.
• Circulation: Some experts recommend cots with four sides that have bars to allow air to circulate freely around your baby.

Not only does the cot need to comply with a variety of rules and regulations; the mattress does too.

• New is best: Buying a new mattress is strongly recommended. It must be clean, dry, free from cracks and tears with no sagging.
• Firm: Choose a firm mattress rather than a soft one, and make sure it's no thinner than 8cm.
• Size matters: There are two sizes of cot mattresses – standard and continental. Check which one is compatible with the cot you choose.
• Hygiene: It’s a good idea to choose a mattress with a removable, machine-washable cover. We hate to mention it, but nappies - and babies - sometimes leak! A mattress protector is also a good idea for the same reason.

What about cot bed mattress safety?

For more information on both cot and mattress safety, our baby bed safety guide has all the info you need in regards to keeping your little one as safe as possible.

So-called budget brands are sometimes a cause for debate. It goes without saying that safety is a priority when shopping for a cot, but cheaper brands still have to pass product quality and safety tests and are sometimes manufactured by the same companies as more exclusive cot brands.

Second-hand cots are okay but do check that they comply with the latest British safety standards. 

What is the best baby cot for small spaces?

Why you can trust GoodtoKnow. Our experienced Consumer Editor & parent reviewers spend hours testing products to help you make the best choice. Find out how we test and review products.

We believe the Ickle Bubba Coleby Mini Cot Bed makes for the best baby cot for small spaces thanks to its compact size and its sturdy stature. Measuring in at 95cm high, 65cm wide and with a diameter of 124cm, this mini cot really is small in size.  

This cot is suitable from birth until around 4 years old and is ideal for those who are working with small spaces, sloped ceilings or for anyone who doesn’t want to eat into floor space. Then, when you’re ready, you simply just need to split the ends to convert the cot into a bed fit for your toddler. 

Our Deputy Editor  Heidi Scrimgeour  came up with a shortlist of cot beds based on her product knowledge and industry research. She looked at the latest offering from the market-leading brands - and as a mum of three and a parenting journalist for 15 years, what she doesn't know about baby products isn't worth knowing. 

Next, she selected the final product line-up from a broad range of price points so there's a best cot bed recommendation here to suit all budgets. Then, we called on our pool of reliable parent testers and assigned each of them a cot bed to review with their baby. They tested the product rigorously for at least ten days.

After this, our parent testers gave each product a rating out of five for overall performance. We also asked for comprehensive feedback on key factors including design appeal, functionality (how easy is it to assemble and move between rooms), sturdiness, value for money, and how easy each cot bed was to assemble and convert to a toddler bed. We used all of this feedback to create this best cot bed buying guide and the accompanying in-depth product reviews.

Read more about how we test so you can rely on our guidance. 

Once you've settled on the best cot bed, take a look at our guide to choosing the best cot mattress . If you're not convinced a cot bed is right for you, read about the best Moses baskets and the best bedside cribs instead. And to prep for some seriously sound sleeping, check out the best baby monitors and the best baby sleeping bags .

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As a parenting specialist for more than 15 years, Heidi has written for most national newspapers and for a wide range of consumer magazines, including Mother & Baby where she was the Shopping Editor for six years, looking after regular consumer features including buying guides and gift roundups.

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Travel Cots & Cribs

At Baby Elegance, we have been designing and manufacturing sleep products for over 40 years. Our  travel cots and cribs  have evolved over the years. We are excited to have produced some beautiful and innovative pieces of baby furniture that will ensure your baby enjoys a good night’s rest if you have to travel together.

From our super easy to use and easy to carry travel cots with changing units to the multi-award-winning  Kangu foldable crib  we have the sleep solution to suit you and your baby. We want any trip to be made easy, enjoyable and comfortable for you and baby alike.

Our travel variety provides a comfy sleep space for your little one while also ensuring good air circulation at night time to allow for a safe sleep.

Check out our range of easy to assemble travel cots and matching mattresses and machine washable sheets to fit your crib or travel cot. Talk with us about your needs and we can help you to choose the best cot or crib to make life during any travel, that little bit easier.

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RUSSIA TRAVEL HOME

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RUSSIA TRAVEL PACKAGES A selection of Russian tours to take as they are or adjust to your needs.

THE GOLDEN RING Visit the heart of ancient Russia. What is the Golden Ring?

MOSCOW TOURS What you can see in Moscow.

MOSCOW DAY TRIPS Get out of Moscow and take a relaxing trip to some of these places

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LAKE BAIKAL TOURS Hiking and trekking around the world's deepest lake in the heart of Siberia

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Christmas gift guide to Moscow surroundings

Visitors from America and Western Europe might be surprised to discover that Russia celebrates Christmas on January 7th. That’s because the Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar. After the end of the Soviet Union, some Russians have begun celebrating Christmas on December 25 in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. But many Russians still observe the tradition of fasting on January 6th, breaking the fast with a large feast on Christmas Eve after the first star has appeared in the sky.

During the Soviet era, Christmas and religious traditions were banned in Russia. Santa Claus was replaced by Ded Moroz, or, Grandfather Frost, an old man with a long white beard who would bring gifts to children on New Year’s instead of Christmas. According to Russian tradition, Ded Moroz is accompanied by his granddaughter, Snegurochka, the Snowmaiden, who helps him on his journey to give presents to children.

Although the tradition of having a Christmas tree, known as a yolka in Russian, was also banned during Soviet times, Russians got around this by having New Year’s trees from which they hung homemade decorations. Today, the restrictions of the Soviet Union have faded into history, and during the Christmas season visitors to Russia can even purchase Christmas ornaments in the shape of matryoshka dolls, or religious icons that depict nativity scenes.

Heading counterclockwise around the Golden Ring this holiday season, northeast of Moscow, your first stop will most likely be the city of Vladimir, home to some of Russia’s most striking churches and cathedrals. The Vladimir region is known for its fine crystal. Stop by the Crystal, Lacquer Miniatures, and Embroidery Museum ( 2 Bolshaya Moskovskaya ) for an overview of traditional crafts before visiting the gift shop in the museum to browse the crystal selection. Vladimir Chic ( 2 Dvoryanskaya ) also sells local glass and crystal work.

Typical souvenirs are also for sale in Vladimir’s old town, especially by the Golden Gate, a triumphal arch and defensive tower that is one of the last-remaining parts of the wall that once surrounded ancient Vladimir and a sure stop on any tour of the Golden Ring.

Just 63 kilometers from Vladimir lays the nearby city of Gus-Khrustalny , the ‘Crystal Goose,’ also home to a rich glass and crystal making tradition. You can visit the glassmaking factory in Gus-Khrustalny and buy gifts ranging from plates and vases to decanters, or visit the outlet store back in Moscow ( 4 Ilyinka ) just east of the Kremlin.

North of Vladimir, you’ll arrive in Suzdal, one of the Golden Ring route’s more tranquil towns. Suzdal boasts a number of small bazaars and stands outside the main tourist sites where visitors can purchase local honey mead, called medovukha, along with traditional crafts, like a pair valenki, or Russian woolen boots, which make an ideal Christmas gift for friends and family back home. The shopping stands outside Suzdal’s Museum of Wooden Architecture and Peasant Life ( Ul. Pushkarskaya ) are also highly recommended. Market Square ( Torgovaya Pl ) houses a number of shops where visitors can search for arts and crafts.

Following the Golden Ring north of Suzdal, many tours will stop in the city of Kostroma, a former trading outpost on the immense Volga River. One of the city’s highlights is the Museum of Linen and Birchbark ( 38 Tereshkova ), where visitors can view exhibits on traditional Russian crafts woven from flax and bark. A gift shop in the basement sells tablecloths, napkins, baskets, linen dolls, and traditional clothing typical of the region.

South from Kostroma, stop in the city of Rostov-Veliky for enamel jewelry, a craft which allows artists to produce small paintings on metal that are then fired to produce a thin glaze over the image. Rostov became famous for its tradition of enamel work. Today, visitors can purchase rings, earrings, bracelets, brooches, and jewelry boxes in the gift shop of the Rostov Enamel factory ( 3 Borisoglebskoye Highway ).

While you’re in Rostov, visit the House of Crafts ( 16 Vtoraya Tolstovskaya Naberezhnaya ) for local pottery and the Souvenirs shop ( 5 Ul. Kamennyi Most ) for ushanka hats—Russian fur caps with earflaps—paintings, and samovars for tea lovers.

The last two stops on a tour of the Golden Ring are the cities of Pereslavl-Zalesskiy and Sergiev Posad. Pereslavl is most famous for its embroidery work, available at the Art Salon ( 12 Ul. Sovetskaya ) along with souvenirs made of wood and stone. Nearby Sergiev Posad is considered the place where Russia’s matryoshka dolls were first invented, and was the chief production center of the dolls before Soviet times. Visit the city’s Toy Museum ( 123 Pr. Krasny Armii ) to get a better sense of the birthplace of one of Russia’s most recognizable toys, then head over to the market alongside the Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius—one of the city’s most important sites—to load up on matryoshka dolls, painted eggs, and icons before going home.

If you’ll be in the Golden Ring during New Years, the city of Vladimir hosts an impressive Christmas fair, with an iceskating rink and performances by local artists, in the main square ( Sobornaya Pl ). In most other Golden Ring cities you’ll find similar events in the center square as Christmas nears.

Most shops and markets in the Golden Ring are open year round. If you’re coming to Russia for a short period of time, whether in winter or summer, consider a trip to this stunning part of the country, and bring an extra bag if you plan to go shopping for Christmas gifts.

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Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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