travel crib reviews uk

The Best Travel Cribs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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TripSavvy / Jhett Thompson

A safe and comfortable travel crib is an essential accessory for parents who want to travel with their little ones without restriction. Sleepovers with friends and family, local road trips, and even international adventures—the world is your oyster with the right one. Some can be used as a permanent sleeping place for your baby or toddler, while others adapt throughout the first stages of their life from bassinet to cot or playpen. Things to consider include how long you want to use the crib, what you want it for (and, therefore, whether lightness or size is the greater priority), and how much you’re willing to spend.

To help you find the travel crib best suited to your requirements, we tested 19 of the most popular options in the TripSavvy lab. Each one was scored for ease of setup, portability, quality, durability, ease of cleaning, and overall value—giving us our overall winner, the Maxi-Cosi Swift 3-in-1 Bassinet, Travel Cot, and Playpen. This crib stood out for its attractive, high-quality design and the fact that it works from birth to approximately 3.5 years. Read on to find out which other models earned themselves a spot on our roundup of the best travel cribs currently on the market.

How We Rated

Other Travel Cribs We Tested

How we tested.

What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, maxi-cosi swift lightweight portable play yard.

Ease of Setup 4.8 /5
Durability 5 /5
Portability 4.5 /5
Quality 5 /5

Beautiful, high-quality design

Incredibly easy to put up and take down

3-in-1 design suits newborns to toddlers

Not the lightest option for air travel

The Maxi-Cosi Swift was a clear winner for us due to its ingenious design that combines three baby essentials—bassinet, cot, and playpen—in one high-quality product. The mattress unzips to fit the newborn bassinet, then zips together again to create an extra thick, comfy mattress for the toddler cot and playpen. This versatility means you can use the travel crib day and night through all stages of your little one’s growth from birth up until approximately 3.5 years—saving you plenty of money in the long run.

The manufacturer’s description claims that the crib takes one second to fold or unfold; however, our tester timed assembly at three minutes and disassembly at less than two. We did find it incredibly easy to set up, earning the crib a near-perfect score for this element of the testing process. At 15.4 pounds, it isn’t the lightest cot on this list and probably not the most convenient choice for air travel. However, we loved that its full size and sturdy construction meant it could double as your permanent crib.

We also fell for its beautiful design and high-quality fabric—in fact, our tester called it the most stylish pack n’ play they’d ever seen. We felt it was durable and likely to last a long time, with a convenient carry bag that makes it ideal for taking with you on your next road trip or staying at Grandma’s house.

Dimensions: 41.7 x 33.9 x 29.9 inches | Weight: 15.4 pounds | Maximum Weight Recommendation: 33 pounds

Best Budget

Munchkin travel bassinet.

Ease of Setup 5 /5
Durability 4.5 /5
Quality 4.5 /5

Incredibly lightweight

Folds down flat

Mesh panels for maximum airflow

Relatively short use window

Available online for a fraction of the price of our overall winner, the Munchkin Brica Fold N’ Go Travel Bassinet is the perfect fit for those on a budget. It’s also a very different product, intended for occasional use only during the newborn stage. Brica recommends stopping using the bassinet when your baby reaches three months, 15 pounds, or can push up on their hands and knees—whichever comes first. Nevertheless, we found it almost unbelievably easy to set up, with assembly taking one minute and disassembly taking less than 30 seconds.

With side walls constructed of breathable fabric and mesh panels for maximum airflow, the bassinet is also incredibly lightweight (less than 3 pounds). Its tubular steel frame is held in place by a four-point Safe-T-Lock system but folds flat for effortless transport. We felt it would be ideal for air travel—although we wished it came with a carry bag to help keep it clean. We thought it was relatively sturdy and easy to spot clean, though the removable mattress pad comes with a water-resistant sheet.

Dimensions: 30 x 21.25 x 11.75 inches | Weight: Under 3 pounds | Maximum Weight Recommendation: 15 pounds

KidCo Peapod Travel Bed

Durability 4 /5
Portability 5 /5

Essentially self-assembling

Great age range from 6 months to 3 years

Ultra lightweight

The material could be a little thicker

If you’re looking to spend under $100 on a product that still guarantees good quality and an extended lifetime, we recommend the KidCo PeaPod Travel Bed. It weighs less than 3 pounds and is incredibly lightweight and easy to carry using convenient shoulder straps. Once opened, the tent-like travel bed pops up on its own. We found that, including the time taken to attach the removable sleeping pad, it took less than two minutes to assemble and disassemble, and we felt that it would also be a great fit for outdoor uses such as backyard campouts and the beach.

The tent crib features a large zippered panel for easy access and walls made of lightweight mesh. These are great for maximum airflow and also double as an insect screen. The material is coated for UV protection, while anchor straps help to secure the tent against breezes (or active occupants!). We felt it would hold up well to the toddler years and be easy to spot-clean when necessary. Choose yours in colors ranging from Midnight to Cranberry or Tangerine.

Dimensions: 46 x 18 x 28 inches | Weight: 2.45 pounds | Maximum Weight Recommendation: 3 years

Best for Playtime

Chicco alfa lite lightweight travel playard.

Value 4.5 /5

Quick, intuitive setup

Smart safety features

Side panel for easy access

The mattress could be a bit thicker

For a travel crib that doubles as an on-the-go play yard, we love the Chicco Alfa Lite. It assembles in just three minutes with a snap-open motion that locks the legs in place and takes less than a minute to disassemble. We found both steps so intuitive that the instructions were unnecessary. The zip-open side panel was a particular highlight for us, allowing the gentle placement of younger babies and the freedom to come and go for older children. Best of all, the zipper is lockable from the outside to prevent wandering at night.

The full-size mattress creates ample space for playtime and is made extra secure by buckling underneath the cot to eliminate any risk of suffocation. If you need to move the cot around, we found it easy to do so with side handles that provide a good grip. Both the materials and the structure felt solid, and the crib survived our drop test undamaged. When folded back down into its zippered carry bag, we found it pretty light, too. Finally, the GREENGUARD Gold Certified materials are removable for machine washing.

Dimensions: 43 x 29 x 25 inches | Weight: 13 pounds | Maximum Weight Recommendation: 30 pounds

Best Portability

Zoe the cloud.

Ease of Setup 4 /5

Packs compactly into a backpack

Wipe-clean, mesh walls

Extra comfortable plush mattress

Disassembly may require some practice

If you’re traveling with a crib, the chances are you’re also traveling with the rest of the paraphernalia a small child needs. The Cloud from Zoebaby keeps your hands free for other gear thanks to its clever backpack-style carry bag and compact design. Although it weighs 15 pounds (more than most others on this list), it felt light to carry and also features wheels for moving it easily once set up. Setup and take-down took us around five minutes, though we thought this time would be much shorter once we were familiar with the crib’s straps and buttons.

The walls are breathable mesh with water-resistant Luxe fabric accents. The crib floor floats 3 inches off the floor, keeping your little one away from potential drafts—while the mattress was a particular highlight for us, being thicker and plusher than standard mattresses. The crib withstood our durability tests well, and we liked that its shallow depth made it simple to clean. There are six attractive colors to choose from, including practical gray to pastel pink or blue.

Dimensions: 44 x 28 x 26.5 inches | Weight: 15 pounds | Maximum Weight Recommendation: 30 pounds

Best 2-in-1

Baby joy travel crib 2-in-1 playpen.

Portability 4 /5

Zippered side entry panel

Very stable and secure

All fabrics are removable for washing

Not particularly easy to carry

Those searching for a travel crib that can act as a generously sized play area will appreciate the Baby Joy Travel Crib 2-in-1 Playpen. We timed setup and take down at approximately three minutes each, with most of that time used to attach the mattress’ Velcro straps. The actual cot is incredibly easy to unfold and lock into place. It’s designed for babies from birth to 3 years, with breathable mesh walls offering excellent visibility from across the room. A zippered side door provides easy access for crawling and toddling children.

We particularly liked how stable this crib is. With aluminum tubes reinforcing each corner, it felt rock solid even when we dropped a 25-pound sandbag into it and threw it around. We found it hard to tip over, even for an adult. Materials are high quality, while the mattress cover and crib fabrics can all be removed and washed as needed. The only downside was that the crib lacked portability. We felt an over-the-shoulder strap would have been more useful than the short carry handles included and that it was too wide for convenient air travel.

Dimensions: 45.5 x 31 x 27 inches | Weight: 11 pounds | Maximum Weight Recommendation: 33 pounds

Best Compact

Kidco peapod plus.

The age limit is up to 5 years

Folds flat for easy storage and transport

Adjustable sun screens and UV protection

Not particularly structured

For the maximum blend of space and compactness, choose the KidCo PeaPod Plus Travel Bed. As the larger version of the standard PeaPod already mentioned on this list, it’s for children aged 6 months to 5 years, yet still weighs in at just 3.65 pounds. When not used, it folds flat into a compact circle that can be easily slung over the shoulder or carried in hand. We loved that it’s small enough for easy air travel or to realistically keep in the trunk of your car for “just-in-case” situations.

It took us seconds to pop the tent up and less than two minutes to attach the Micro-Lite sleeping pad (this snaps on underneath the crib floor to avoid any risk of suffocation). Take down time was less than three minutes. Like its smaller sibling, the PeaPod Plus features lightweight mesh walls with a tight-enough weave to protect from insects and UV protection and adjustable sunscreens. Entry is through an extra-large, zippered side panel. The pod comes in Midnight or Camo and would be easy to spot clean.

Dimensions: 52.5 x 34 x 22 inches | Weight: 3.65 pounds | Maximum Weight Recommendation: 5 years

Best Splurge

Uppababy remi portable playard.

Buy Buy Baby

Zip-on bassinet attachment

Stood up to durability tests perfectly

Zippered panel for easy access

The heaviest option on this list

The UPPABaby Remi Portable Playard retails for roughly seven times the price of our budget pick; however, its excellent quality and intuitive design make it a worthwhile investment for frequent travelers or those who plan to use it as a primary sleeping space. It’s intended for babies up to 18 months old and comes with a zip-on bassinet attachment that allows easy bedside access to your newborn. Setting up the crib frame takes a matter of seconds and can be completed with one hand.

We did find that figuring out the bassinet attachment took us several minutes—however, once learned, this process would be much shorter. The crib also features a zip-open panel for easy access, mesh walls for clear views and optimum ventilation, and a triple-layer mesh mattress for ultimate breathability. We found it very sturdy even when moved around and subjected to our sandbag tests. The quality of the materials is top-notch. It is relatively heavy (20 pounds)—however, a good quality carry bag with handles on the top and bottom makes transportation easy.

Dimensions: 40.5 x 28.5 x 26 inches | Weight: 20 pounds | Maximum Weight Recommendation: 20 pounds

Best Bassinet

Chicco lullago anywhere portable bassinet.

Moving it around the house is easy and simple

Fabrics zip off for machine washing

It takes less than a minute to set up

A relatively short window for use

We love the Chicco LullaGo Anywhere Portable Bassinet for its high-quality design, which stood up well to our durability tests. It features a firm, flat sleep surface with mesh side panels for maximum visibility and ventilation; with metal legs that snap into place and a convenient shade canopy. It took us less than a minute to set it up and the same amount of time to fold it flat and fit it into its low-profile carry bag. At just 12 pounds, it’s wonderfully light—so much so that you can easily move it from one area of the house to another to keep an eye on baby during naptime.

Other thoughtful features include a mesh storage pocket for keeping essentials handy and a waterproof mattress with a fitted sheet. Best of all (during a stage when accidents happen often), all fabrics zip off for easy machine washing. For added peace of mind, the bassinet is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which means it’s been independently tested for low chemical emissions to ensure your little one is breathing the healthiest air possible. It comes in several colors, including Sandstone or Grey Star.

Dimensions: 30 x 28 x 18 inches | Weight: 12 pounds | Maximum Weight Recommendation: 20 pounds

How We Rated the Travel Cribs

4.8 to 5 stars: These are the best travel cribs we reviewed. We recommend them without reservation.
4.5 to 4.7 stars: These travel cribs are excellent—they might have minor flaws, but we still recommend them.
4.0 to 4.5 stars: We think these are great travel cribs, but others are better.
3.5 to 3.9 stars: These travel cribs are just average.
3.4 and below: We don't recommend travel cribs with this rating; you won't find any on our list.

Chicco Dash Instant Setup Playard : This was a solid crib with high-quality materials—however, we found it so difficult to attach the mattress' Velcro straps that we gave up, and it's too bulky and heavy for easy travel.

Graco My View Travel Crib With Stages : Compact and well-made, we liked that this crib was quick to assemble. It lost points due to its relatively small size, and the bassinet section doesn't fit in the carry bag.

Baby Jogger City Suite Multi-Level Playard : We loved this crib's look, quality materials, and lightweight construction. We didn't love that it required two people to set it up or that the mattress buckled slightly in play yard mode.

Pamo Babe Deluxe Portable Nursery Center : This crib initially impressed us by offering a bassinet mode, a travel crib/play yard mode, and a changing table. However, it started to collapse during testing, which made us question its safety.

4moms Breeze GO Playard : We assembled this crib without instructions and liked its sturdiness and simple mattress design. However, we felt the price was high for relatively few bells and whistles.

Dream On Me Nest Portable Play Yard With Carry Bag And Shoulder Strap : Although four separate testers tried, we could not successfully assemble this crib, which we found to be frustrating and useless.

AeroMoov Instant Travel Cot Playard : This crib was easy to set up, although the zipper for the bassinet section broke. It wasn't particularly structurally secure, either, and when folded, it was heavy and awkward to carry.

Gladly Family Merritt Portable Playard Suite : We loved this crib on most fronts—it's incredibly durable and sturdy, easy to clean, and boasts plenty of smart features. The only downside? It's possibly too heavy to be a true travel crib.

MiClassic Foldable 2-in-1 Stationary & Rock Bassinet : This bassinet was a win for us; easy to set up, light, easy to clean, and with a nice carry bag. Our only complaints were the jerky rocking function and the product's limited window of use.

Baby Delight Snuggle Nest Harmony Baby Bed : This baby bed is super lightweight and essentially assembles itself upon being taken out of the box. However, it has a minimal use period—only until the baby starts to roll over.

First, we timed how long it took to assemble the crib and evaluated how easy the setup process was. Where relevant, we checked how simple it was to adjust it to its different stages (from bassinet to cot, for example). We assessed whether the mattress would fit a standard crib sheet or required a special size; then, we moved the crib across the room while fully assembled to see how easy it was to do so and whether all the parts remained securely in place. We also examined each feature and shook the frame to determine its sturdiness.

Next, we placed a sandbag in the crib to replicate a baby or toddler (depending on the weight the product was certified for). We checked how the added weight affected the crib’s stability, then dropped the sandbag from 6 inches to simulate a toddler jumping up and down. Finally, we timed how long it took to disassemble the travel cot. Once packed away, we tested how easy it was to carry the crib before dropping it from waist height to test its durability further.

Each product was scored from 1 to 5 for ease of setup, portability, quality, durability, ease of cleaning, and value.

What to Look for in a Travel Crib

Weight and dimensions.

Travel cribs generally come in two styles. "Full-size" cribs that last through to the toddler years often double as a play yard, and smaller bassinets are meant exclusively for newborns. When choosing which one to purchase, consider your needs and whether the extended lifespan of a larger crib might make the trade-off of it being a little less portable worth it. The best option for you depends on your child's needs and how you plan on traveling—cribs for air travel will need to be much lighter than those packed in the car.

How much you can expect to pay for a travel crib depends on the style and brand you go for. For example, our category winners range in price from just under $50 to nearly seven times that much—but what you get for your money differs considerably, too (one’s a foldable bassinet, the other’s a bassinet, crib, and play yard that could be used permanently). When deciding how much to spend, consider what you can afford and the long-term savings of purchasing a product that can be used throughout your baby’s early life, from newborn to toddler.

Other Features

Other features to look out for range from the bassinet and changing table attachments to zippered side panels that provide easy access to the crib when you want it to double as a play yard. Any parent knows the value of baby equipment that’s easy to clean, so look for wipe-down surfaces and removable, machine-washable fabrics. Setup shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes, and if it’s possible to do it one-handed, so much the better. Finally, the best cribs fold down for easy over-the-shoulder or backpack-style carrying, keeping your hands free for everything else.

You should always consult the manufacturer’s guidelines before cleaning your travel crib since best practices differ from one model to the next. However, most can be spot-cleaned with warm water and a soft cloth, while the best feature fabrics can be removed and machine-washed when necessary. Many come with waterproof mattresses that can also be wiped clean. If yours doesn’t, after-market mattress protectors are often available, although you should always consult an expert before adding anything to your baby’s sleeping environment.

Some travel cribs fold flat and are small enough to pack in your suitcase. Others are compact enough to count as carry-on luggage and can be stowed in an overhead compartment. Often, even if your travel crib is substantially bigger, you can take it as checked luggage. Many airlines allow you to take a travel crib as an additional piece of checked luggage for free. However, rules vary, so check specific airline regulations for flying with children before deciding whether to take your crib with you.

Some parents choose to invest in a pack-n’-play-style travel crib as their child’s permanent sleeping place. Otherwise, having a travel crib as a backup is worth it if you travel regularly and don’t want the hassle of always having to check whether your hotel or vacation rental can provide a cot (or if you simply want the peace of mind of knowing the cot’s history and quality). Many parents also purchase one to keep at a place their child regularly sleeps—a grandparent or shared custodian’s house, for example, or even in another room of their own home.

Jessica Macdonald is TripSavvy’s Africa travel expert and a regular contributor to family travel articles. A mom of two who’s always up for the next adventure (from road-tripping around South Africa’s national parks with an 18-month-old to hiking up Scottish mountains with a six-week-old), she has traveled extensively with her kids and personally tested many different brands of travel cribs.

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The 8 Best Travel Cribs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We tested 19 travel cribs to find which one is the best for portability and safety.

Our Testing Process

Others We Liked
Tips for Buying
Why Trust T+L

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Whether you have a family trip coming up, need something for the occasional overnight visit, or are shopping for a baby registry, a good travel crib is essential. Sometimes called playards, these foldable contraptions offer a secure place for your child to sleep or play when you're on the go.

According to neonatologist Michael H. Goodstein, MD, FAAP, they're "a safe alternative to a crib, as long as the product is consistent with the mandatory guidelines established by the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission)." But, beyond safety considerations, not all portable cribs are created equal.

Travel cribs vary by size, weight, features, and functionality. We tested 19 models to narrow it down to the most user-friendly, portable, durable, and easy-to-clean options. (See more about our in-depth testing process below.) Our number one pick is the Maxi-Cosi Swift Play Yard, a sturdy, stain-resistant travel crib that takes less than two minutes to pack up.

Best Overall

Maxi-cosi swift lightweight portable play yard.

Ease of Setup 4.8 /5
Durability 5 /5
Portability 4.5 /5
Quality 5 /5

With an adjustable mattress and easy folding mechanism, this sturdy crib grows with your child and can be taken on any excursion.

It's not the lightest option we tested.

Clocking nearly perfect scores in all our tests, our top choice is the Maxi-Cosi Swift Play Yard. Even after six months of use, we loved how lightweight this portable crib is, making it super easy to set up and take down. Though the leg-folding mechanism is a little different than most models, we assembled it in less than three minutes and packed it back up in under two. It also has all the comfort and safety features we'd want in this type of product. The mattress lays flat on its own, you don't need to hook Velcro straps to keep it down, which is great for saving set-up time. The supportive yet bouncy design barely budged when we dropped a 25-pound sandbag on top, and the frame held strong too.

We're also big fans of the bassinet feature. For newborns and infants, you can detach the mattress from the bottom and raise it up for easier access to your baby. Then, when your child grows, lower it back down to prevent them from climbing out.

At 18 pounds, this travel crib is on the heavier side. However, it seems durable and long-lasting. The high-quality materials appear stain-resistant. All things considered, we think the price is right on point.

The Details: 41.5 x 33.5 x 31 inches (overall) | 33 x 11 x 12 inches (packed) | 18 pounds | 35-pound weight limit

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best Budget

Munchkin travel bassinet.

Ease of Setup 5 /5
Durability 4.5 /5
Quality 4.5 /5

This lightweight, compact sleeper is incredibly easy to set up and pack up, a perfect option for traveling with newborns.

It doesn't come with a carry bag, and the weight capacity is 15 pounds.

On a budget? Check out the Munchkin Brica Travel Pod. This on-the-go sleeper can be set up in one minute and packs back up in less than 30 seconds. At just three pounds, we were also impressed with the lightweight design. When it folds down, it's super small and doesn't take up a lot of space even though it doesn't come with a carry bag. The lightweight, compact design is undoubtedly convenient, but bear in mind the capacity is 15 pounds. In other words, you'll need something bigger once your child is about 6 months old.

The Details: 30 x 21 x 12 inches (overall) | 3 pounds | 15-pound weight limit

Best Splurge

Uppababy remi portable playard.

Buy Buy Baby

Portability 5 /5

This durable, splurge-worthy crib is super easy to assemble and packs into a conveniently compact bundle.

It's somewhat heavy (but super sturdy), and the carry bag is sold separately.

If you're open to splurging on a high-quality travel crib, UppaBaby won't disappoint. It's incredibly easy to set up, you just pull it out of the box and snap it into place. When folding it back up, the frame wraps into the mattress to create a conveniently compact bundle. After six months of use, we found it to be a great option to even leave up as an extra home crib.

We also appreciate the safety features, including padded edges, hidden zippers, and an elevated bassinet attachment. It's also pretty light and portable. So, while the price is steep (and you'll have to buy the carry bag separately), in the end, we think it's worth the investment for its durability and overall features.

The Details: 40.5 x 28.5 x 26 inches (overall) | 28.5 x 11 x 10 inches (packed) | 22.5 pounds | 20-pound weight limit

Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples

Best Compact

Kidco peapod plus.

Durability 4 /5

The ultra-lightweight, compact design is easy to take on the go and folds up into its carry bag in seconds.

It's not recommended for children under 6 months and the bottom of the crib is made of fabric that can be slippery.

For something more compact, consider the KidCo PeaPod Plus. We were able to set up this sleeper and fold it back down in almost no time. The ultra-lightweight design folds effortlessly into its included bag, and the carry straps make it easy to take on the go.

The tent-like design can be used indoors or for outdoor naps in your backyard, on the beach, or on family camping trips . While it's not the most structured, it holds its shape enough to provide a safe sleeping spot for a small child. Despite the compact size, bear in mind it's designed for kiddos between 6 months and 5 years.

The Details: 46 x 34 x 22 inches (overall) | 19 x 19 x 3.5 inches (packed) | 3.5 pounds | 100-pound weight limit

TripSavvy / Jhett Thompson

Best Lightweight

Chicco lullago anywhere portable bassinet.

Value 4.5 /5

This remarkably lightweight-yet-sturdy bassinet is easy to set up, move from room to room, and bring on the go.

The maximum weight is 20 pounds, and it doesn't come with a carrying case.

We were able to assemble and fold up the Chicco LullaGo in under a minute. This travel bassinet is remarkably lightweight yet still sturdy. After six months of use, it's holding up well and is a great option with a minimalist design. Though we wish it came with a carrying case, it's easy to move from room to room or bring on the go. We also like that all the covers are conveniently machine-washable.

Dr. Goodstein warns against using this product past the newborn stage, as the elevated platform isn't designed for larger infants. "When the babies are too old, they can fall out of it," he says. "It's just not safe."

The Details: 30 x 28 x 18 inches (overall) | 28 x 18.5 x 5.5 inches (packed) | 12 pounds | 20-pound weight limit

Best Playard

Chicco alfa lite lightweight travel playard.

This playard boasts easy setup, a sturdy design, and various safety features to keep your kiddo secure during naps or playtime.

It doesn't fold down as small as other options we tested.

The Chicco Alfa Lite can be assembled in three minutes and folded back up in less than 60 seconds. Thanks to the helpful 'push' buttons and intuitive design, you don't even need to consult the instructions for set-up and take down. Though the legs fold out with ease, the frame also feels sturdy, like it'll hold up well over time.

Designed for on-the-go sleeping or safe, secure playing, this playard has lockable side zippers and a mattress that buckles to the base. You can also unzip the side to let your child climb in and out during playtime. The mattress is a little flimsy, but other than that, we have no complaints. After six months of use, we love that this is even a good option to set up during playdates.

The Details: 43 x 29 x 25 inches (overall) | 21 x 9.5 x 9.5 inches (packed) | 13 pounds | 30-pound weight limit

Best for Car Travel

Baby joy travel crib 2-in-1 playpen.

Portability 4 /5

This lightweight, ultra-portable crib is a breeze to set up and pack into its carrying case.

The handles are somewhat short, making it hard to avoid dragging it.

The Baby Joy Travel Crib takes a mere three minutes to set up and folds up in a flash. It folds and unfolds easily, kind of like a camp chair. Once you know where the lock button is, the frame is incredibly simple to put together. After six months of regular use, we love that this can be used inside for naps and even outside for contained playtime.

The entire thing seems high-quality, which is impressive, considering the very reasonable price tag. Weighing only 11 pounds, it's one of the lightest options we tried. While we appreciate the included case, the short handles make it hard to avoid dragging it on the ground when carrying it — for shorter folks, at least. This portable crib folds up pretty compactly but is still probably too tall for an overhead bin, which is why we recommend it for family road trips .

The Details: 45.5 x 31 x 27 inches (overall) | 23.5 x 20.5 x 7 inches (packed) | 11 pounds | 33-pound weight limit

Best Stability

4moms breeze go playard.

Value 3.5 /5
Quality 4 /5

Set-up is straight forward and quick.

It's on the heavier side.

With less than four minutes to set up and only two minutes to take down, this is one of the easiest travel cribs to use. Once unfolded, you simply drop in the mattress and attach it to the frame using velcro straps to keep it stable and secure. The first time we assembled this crib, we didn't even need to read the manual because it was such an intuitive process.

In addition to its ease of use, this is one of the most sturdy and high-quality of all the travel cribs we tested. The material doesn't shift around at all and the slight suspension and shocks improve safety for any kiddo. We also love that it comes with its own travel case that helps keep the crib compact and organized while on the go. For anyone looking for an entry level travel crib that's simple and sturdy, this is a high-quality and reliable option.

The Details: 43 x 30 x 29 inches (overall) | 23.2 pounds | 30-pound weight limit

Travel + Leisure / Leticia Almeida

Travel + Leisure editors selected 19 travel cribs to try firsthand. We started by timing how long it took to assemble them based on the brand's instructions, noting any hiccups they ran into along the way. After assessing the features and materials, we lifted them up and moved them around the room to see how light and portable they were once assembled.

To evaluate the sturdiness, we shook the frames and dropped a sandbag into the center to see how well they could support a small child standing up or jumping around. Finally, we timed how long it took to fold down the cribs and put them in their carrying cases, noting how heavy they were when packed up. Each model was scored for ease of setup, portability, durability, ease of cleaning, quality, and value, and those with the highest average ratings were selected for this roundup.

Other Travel Cribs We Liked

KidCo Peapod Portable Travel Bed : This tent-style sleeper quickly pops open, and the padded base is a cinch to snap on. While the fabric is somewhat thin, it's super lightweight and easy to carry, too. However, in the end, we just liked the other KidCo model better.

Baby Delight Snuggle Nest Harmony Portable Infant Lounger : We liked the small, lightweight design of this product. But since it's technically a lounger rather than a crib, it's really designed to be a safe place to set your infant down — not necessarily a place to sleep. When in doubt, check with your pediatrician before using it.

Pamo Babe Deluxe Portable Nursery Center : While this crib was incredibly easy to set up, we thought it lacked durability as it had a tendency to collapse as it grew closer to the weight limit.

Tips for Buying a Travel Crib

Put safety first.

Whether for travel or nightly sleep, safety should be a top priority when buying a crib. Per the CPSC's current guidelines , the mattress should be relatively firm to prevent rolling. And you shouldn't add extra padding or bedding until your child is at least 12 months old, as the materials can pose a suffocation risk.

"Get a travel crib that is current from a major brand," says Dr. Goodstein, "and use the mattress that's included." He adds that, aside from a sleep sack, you really don't need anything other than a mattress and a tight-fitting crib sheet.

Know the important features

Travel cribs come with various features — some for safety and others for comfort or convenience. This may include user-friendly foldability, a carrying case, a firm mattress, padded edges, concealed zippers, or breathable mesh sides.

"Some have a bassinet feature, which is convenient for new mothers (not bending over) and small/younger newborns," says Dr. Goodstein. "With or without, they should be used properly, following the weight, age, and developmental limitations set within the product instructions and warnings."

Consider the type of trip you're taking

When browsing options, consider the type of trip you're taking and where you plan on using the crib. If you're traveling by plane , some (but not all) airlines allow you to check portable cribs for free (along with travel strollers and car seats). But if you're not checking baggage, make sure it's small enough to pass as a carry-on.

Some small travel cribs can be folded up super compactly and even tucked inside a suitcase. But larger options that come with their own carry bags will usually need to be toted around separately. If you just need something for the occasional overnight, you have more flexibility in terms of size.

The main difference between a travel crib and a regular crib is that the former is typically foldable and relatively lightweight. But as long as it has a proper mattress and sides that prevent rolling off, you can use a travel crib as a regular crib.

"The newer ones, for the most part, should be fine," says Dr. Goodstein. "If you're going to use a sheet in there, make sure it's a fitted sheet for that specific type of crib."

Travel crib mattresses are roughly 38 x 24 inches, which is the size of a mini crib mattress. Getting a fitted sheet in the proper size is crucial, as loose fabric can be dangerous for sleeping babies. "These little ones don't have good head [or hand] control — they can't brush something off of their face," explains Dr. Goodstein. "Something as light as a sheet can cause suffocation."

Some travel cribs fit into overhead compartments, but it varies by model. While it's different for each airline, the maximum dimensions for carry-ons is usually 22 x 14 x 9 inches, so be sure to measure the packed-up size before your trip.

While most airlines will check strollers and carseats for free, travel cribs are considered luggage and will be charged as such. Be sure to check with your specific airline in advance to determine what baby gear is complimentary.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Theresa Holland is a toddler mom and seasoned commerce writer specializing in travel, baby gear, and furniture. For this story, she compiled our in-house testing insights and combed through product specs to create a comprehensive roundup of today's best travel cribs. She is personally familiar with the offerings from UppaBaby, Munchkin, and Chicco.

In creating our list of best travel cribs, we also spoke to an expert in the care of newborns, neonatologist Michael H. Goodstein , MD, FAAP.

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13 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

Christy McGhee
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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 travelling somewhere hot with your little ones, take a look at our selection of the best pram fans .

Best travel cots at a glance

Best travel cot for easy assembly: Bugaboo Stardust, £225
Best lightweight travel cot for a good mattress: Venture Airpod Travel Cot, £119.99
Best multi-use travel cot: Silver Cross Slumber 3-in-1 Travel Cot, £195
Best travel cot for added extras: Graco Contour Electra, £100
Best budget buy travel cot: Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot, £37
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, £60
Best travel cot for newborns: Joie Kubbie Sleep, £99.99
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, £199
Best travel cot for no upper weight limit: BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light, £219.90
Best stylish travel cot: Tutti Bambini CoZee Go 3-in-1 Bassinet, Travel Cot & Playpen, £129
Best lightweight newborn travel crib: ErgoPouch Easy Sleep Portable Crib, £99.95
Jump to best travel cots and cribs in 2024
Jump to why do I need a travel cot?
Jump to what to look for when buying a travel cot
Jump to how, when and where will you use your travel cot?
Jump to how much does a travel cot cost

Here are the best travel cots for 2024

1. bugaboo stardust, £225, – best for easy assembly.

Suitable from: birth (with newborn insert) to 2 years/15kg | Travel cot weight: 6.7kg | Unfolded dimensions: L64cm x W98cm x H85cm| Folded dimensions: L 65cm x W14cm x H85cm | Newborn bassinet: Yes

Quickest to assemble
2 mattress height positions
Lightweight

More like this

Quite large when folded

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.”

Available from: Bugaboo , Boots and John Lewis

2. Venture Airpod Travel Cot, £119.99

– best for lightweight with good mattress.

Venture Airpod Travel Cot tester polaroid final

Easy to build and collapse
Mesh design
Good mattress
No newborn bassinet
Can’t be used as playpen

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.

Available from: Amazon and Venture

3. Silver Cross Slumber 3-in-1, £195

– best multi-function travel cot.

Suitable from: birth (with newborn insert) to approx. 3 years (up to 15kg) | Travel cot weight: 7.65kg | Unfolded dimensions: 112 x 80 x 67cm| Newborn bassinet: Included

3-in-1 functionality
Will grow with your child
Sustainable fabric
Large when assembled, expensive

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.

Available from: Boots

4. Graco Contour Electra, £100

– 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

Lots of accessories included
Good newborn bassinet

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.

Read our full MadeForMums Graco Contour Electra review

Available from: Smyths and Graco

5. Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot, £37

– best budget buy.

Easy to assemble
Thin mattress
Not very lightweight

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 alternative 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.”

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.

Good value with lots of features
Changing table included
Can wheel along when folded
Easy to assemble and transport
Thin, uneven mattress

The Hauck Sleep'n Play Centre Travel Cot has all the bells and whistles for under £100. This includes an integrated changing table, high and low sleeping positions (reducing back strain), a utility pocket, 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!

Our home testers found the cot to be well made and sturdy, and they particularly liked the wipeable fabrics. With a little practice, parents found it easy to set up and fold down as long as they performed the steps in the right order. "The cot feels sturdy when set up and the fabric is wipeable which makes life easy when on the go," says Shannon, who tested it with their 2-month-old baby Rae (pictured).

Testers would have liked the mattress to be a bit thicker, however, and didn't score it quite so highly for comfort (Hauck do sell a thicker mattress separately). One parent said they found the included mattress did not lie completely flat, but that “the unevenness was not to the extent that we had concerns about baby”. They also felt the changing table’s safety strap could be longer for older babies.

"It's good travel cot for the price with lots of features," said Jennifer, who tested the cot with her 3 month old Brianna. "It's large so will last while our child grows, and the ability to use from newborn up is obviously very helpful. The included change station an added bonus for when baby is small and I think the quality of the frame and materials is good."

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 even better value.

Available from: Boots and Online4Baby

7. Cuggl Deluxe Superlight Travel Cot, £60

– 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

Folds up small
Small footprint
Low weight limit

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. We found 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 we tested, but that means it folds up smaller too. However, for taller children a larger option like the Joie Kubbie or BabyBjorn might last you longer.

Available from: Argos

8. Joie Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot, £99.99

– 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

Simple drop-side feature
Grows with baby
Can be tricky to put up and down

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 .

Read our full MadeForMums Joie Kubbie travel cot review

Available from: Very and Argos

9. Red Kite Dreamer Bedside Travel Crib, £65

– 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

Permanent drop-side option
Flimsy newborn insert

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. Our testers were divided on the mattress' comfort levels. While our reviewer found it to be too firm for their 9 month old, other testers really rated it. "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 bassinet 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.

Read our full MadeForMums Red Kite Dreamer beside travel cot review

Available from: Argos and Red Kite

10. Chicco Next2Me PopUp, £199

— best travel cot for versatile newborn co-sleeping.

6 height positions
Quick and easy fold
Shorter life span than other options
Can be difficult to transport

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, 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 10.5kg, the PopUp 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.

Read our full MadeForMums Chicco Next2Me Pop Up travel cot review

Available from: John Lewis , Amazon and Boots

11. BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light, £219.90

– 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

No upper weight limit
Easy to set up
Premium feel
Extra thick mattress
One of the most expensive options

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 options 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 Head of Consumer Content and mum of 3 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 an early 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."

Available from: John Lewis and BabyBjörn

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

— best stylish travel cot.

Multi-functional
Quick to put together
Mattress included
Quite large

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."

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

13. ErgoPouch Easy Sleep Portable Crib, £69.97

Best for: lightweight newborn travel crib.

ergopouch portable bassinet crib tester image final

Very light and compact
Mosquito net included
Multifunctional

Considerably smaller – by design – than the more traditional travel cots on our list, this lightweight folding crib weighs in at a very portable 2.2kg. It is suitable for overnight sleep with newborns, so ideal for babies who are sleeping in a moses basket or crib at home and not quite ready to spend their holiday in a larger cot. Our testers found the breathable mesh sides make it easy to keep an eye on your baby, and the easy fold and included storage backpack make this a great shout for travel in the early days. The high sides and sturdy steel frame also make it a safe resting place for tummy time and play.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a lighter travel cot, but the downside of it being such as super-lightweight crib is that it has a relatively short usage span for sleep. ErgoPouch say the product is designed as a safe sleep area for a newborn infant, but do advise you discontinue use once your baby shows signs of rolling, or has reached 9kg (whichever comes first).

Holly, who tested it with her 7 week old, Charlotte, says, “My honest initial thoughts were that it was flimsy – however as soon as I assembled the product I realised it was exceptionally well produced - the materials are wonderfully lightweight which allows it to be carried in the accompanying backpack with ease. Similarly, I was worried that the mattress would be overly thin but in reality it is not much thinner than the mattress we currently have in the moses basket and is soft and comfortable. Great value for money!”

We also like the fact the mattress is breathable, and the cotton cover can be removed for washing. For lazy days by the pool or in your garden, it even comes with a mosquito net for extra protection for your baby. Folded down and popped in the travel case, it can also fit in overhead lockers on the airplane, or inside a suitcase.

Available from: Ergopouch and Natural Baby Shower

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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.

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 3D rectangular shape more suited to public transport, others fold flat to fit well in a car boot.

Weight — Travel cots vary significantly in weight - we found some that are under 7kg and others that weigh in at a hefty 10.5kg. There's even a super-light travel crib, albeit with a shorter usage period. 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 very 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. If you only plan on using it occasionally, a cot with a very easy, or intuitive fold, might suit you better than an 'easy once you've practised a few times' option.

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. This will also make bending down to lift them out easier if they need frequent settling through the night. Several of the cots 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 £35 up to more than £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. Of course, 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.

How did we choose our 13 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 .

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Best Travel Cribs for 2024 – Our Reviews of the Safest and Most Portable Models

In a Hurry?

We recommend the 4moms Breeze Plus Portable Playard or Guava Lotus Travel Crib as the best travel cribs that are extremely high quality and cost-effective.

As a mom who loves traveling with my little one, a portable crib that’s easy to set up and take down is an absolute must-have. After testing out several popular travel cribs on the market, I’ve discovered the key features to look for and compiled my top picks to make your buying decision easier.

A travel crib allows baby to sleep comfortably and safely whether you’re visiting relatives, staying in a hotel, or camping in the great outdoors .

In this guide, I’ll go over what makes travel cribs so useful for families on the go and review the top-rated options based on my hands-on experience assembling, using, and traveling with them.

Product Comparison

Reviews of the top 10 travel cribs: testing the products.

Before diving into our recommendations, it’s essential to understand that I’ve personally put these travel cribs to the test.

I know how crucial it is to have a reliable and convenient travel crib. So, I’ve tested these products rigorously to ensure they meet the highest standards of comfort, safety, and functionality for both you and your baby.

Now, let’s delve into the world of travel cribs and find the one that perfectly suits your needs:

Best Overall Travel Crib

4moms breeze plus portable playard.

Best Travel Cribs for 2024 – Our Reviews of the Safest and Most Portable Models 1

Weight: 28.46 Pounds

Size: 43 x 30 x 29 inches

Recommended Age: Newborn, Infant, Toddler

Maximum Weight Recommendation : 55 Pounds

A portable playard that’s easy to set up, durable and feature packed is a must-have for moms who travel frequently with toddlers. The 4moms Breeze Plus has been a total game-changer for our family. Its “one push open, one pull close” functionality makes it so simple to set up, even with my wiggly toddler in one arm. I love that it folds up into a compact carrying case, fitting easily in our car trunk alongside the rest of our travel gear.

We used the bassinet a ton during the newborn stage, especially for overnight trips to grandma’s house. Now that my daughter is a toddler, we appreciate the roomy playard space, which gives her plenty of room to play and move around. The flip changer has also come in handy for quick diaper changes on the go.

Compared to other playards like the Graco, this one is definitely pricier but worth it for the easy one-handed setup alone. I also like how sturdy it feels compared to the Chicco LullaGo bassinet, which seems quite flimsy. The Bugaboo Stardust is similarly easy to pop open, but it doesn’t have the flip changer or removable bassinet like the 4moms.

One-handed setup
Removable bassinet and flip changer
Stable and roomy playard
Carrying case included
Quite expensive

Most Portable Travel Crib

Babybjorn travel crib light.

Weight: 13 Pounds

Size: 44 x 24 x 32 inches

Maximum Weight Recommendation: 33 Pounds

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light has been an essential for overseas trips and visits to grandma’s cottage. At only 13 pounds, it’s one of the lightest and most portable options out there. I love how quick and easy it is to set up – just unfold the legs and you’re good to go in seconds. This comes in handy when I’m juggling a cranky toddler.

The mesh fabric sides provide great ventilation and give me peace of mind that I can easily check on my daughter while she’s sleeping. I do wish it came with a fitted sheet, as adding that extra piece can be annoying when I’m trying to set up quickly. The sleeping space is adequate but can feel a bit snug if my daughter moves around a lot. And it’s not ideal for nursing a newborn to sleep as there’s no side panel that opens.

Compared to the Guava Lotus, this one packs up smaller and weighs less, making it better for airplane travel. But the Lotus offers more space for a toddler to play while awake. I prefer the BabyBjorn’s airy mesh sides over the solid panels of the Maxi-Cosi Swift when it comes to breathability.

Very lightweight and portable design
Easy 15-second setup
Mesh sides for visibility
No fitted sheet included
Sleeping space can feel small
Not ideal for nursing

Easiest To Set Up Travel Crib

Bugaboo stardust playard.

Weight: 17 Pounds

Size: 25 x 38.8 x 33.5 inches

Recommended Age: Newborn, Infant

Bugaboo’s innovative Stardust Playard has been a lifesaver for impromptu toddler sleepovers at grandma’s apartment or sleepaway weekends at our family cabin. True to its promise, it pops open with just a one-second unfold . The adjustable height mattress is great for my aging back since I don’t have to bend down as far to lay my daughter down.

I like that it folds up with the mattress inside to become ultra compact. This is perfect for tossing in the trunk for weekend road trips where space is limited. The mattress and fitted sheet it comes with feel nicer quality than my friend’s Graco Pack’ N Play mattress. The fabric is soft but still durable enough to withstand my rambunctious toddler.

My only gripe is that setup is a bit trickier with just one hand since you have to unclip the sides before popping it open. The Chicco LullaGo sets up quicker when I’m holding my wiggly toddler. And it doesn’t have the naptime and nighttime versatility of the 4moms with its removable bassinet and flip changer. But for a basic and portable playard, it checks all our boxes.

Ultra quick one-second setup
Folds with mattress inside for compact storage
Higher quality mattress and sheet
Adjustable mattress height
Slightly tricky one-handed setup
Lacks extra features like changer and removable bassinet

Best Budget Travel Crib

Graco pack ‘n play on the go playard.

Weight: 21.4 Pounds

Size: 39.5 x 28.25 x 29 inches

Recommended Age: Infant

Maximum Weight Recommendation: 30 Pounds

My friend is using the Graco Pack ‘n Play On The Go playard , which has been a wallet-friendly lifesaver for their family. While it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of pricier models like the 4moms, it gets the job done for quick weekend getaways and overnight trips to grandma’s house.

She loves that the bassinet folds with the playard, making setup even easier when her toddler is eager to be let out of her carseat. The included toy bar has also been a great way to keep the little one entertained while she is packing up her things. Her husband appreciates how light and compact it folds up with the carrying bag.

That said, the Graco’s mattress is thin and flimsy compared to the premium mattress on the Newton Travel Crib. And the fabric feels cheaper than my BabyBjorn Travel Crib. I do wish the Graco had mesh sides for better visibility and fold up smaller like the Guava Lotus. But for parents looking for an affordable, no-frills playard for travel, the Graco does the trick!

Budget-friendly price
Folds with bassinet attached
Carrying bag and toy bar included
Lightweight
Mattress is thin and flimsy
Cheaper fabric
No mesh sides
Bulkier fold

Best Lightweight Travel Crib

Chicco lullago anywhere portable bassinet.

Weight: 12 Pounds

Size: 30 x 18 x 28 inches

Recommended Age: Newborn

Maximum Weight Recommendation: 20 Pounds

During my baby’s newborn days, the Chicco LullaGo Anywhere bassinet was a must for overnight trips to grandma’s and weekend getaways. At only 12 pounds, it’s one of the lightest bassinets out there, making it easy for my husband or I to carry while juggling all our other newborn gear. The included carrying bag was great for tossing in the trunk alongside our luggage.

Set up takes mere seconds with the snap-on legs. I like that the mattress has a firm, flat surface as recommended for safe newborn sleep. The mattress quality feels much better than the super thin, flimsy bassinet insert that came with my friend’s Graco Pack ‘n Play.

However, the sleeping space is quite small and wasn’t practical once my baby became more active. And it doesn’t offer the versatile playard space of the 4moms Breeze.

Overall, the Chicco LullaGo is an excellent choice for travel with a newborn. But for longer-term versatility, I’d go with the 4moms Breeze Plus with both bassinet and playard options.

Extremely portable at 12 lbs
Quick snap-on leg setup
High-quality firm mattress
Carrying bag included
Sleeping space is small
Not practical once baby is bigger
No playard option

Best Travel Crib for Twins

Baby trend lil’ snooze deluxe iii for twins.

Weight: 40.95 Pounds

Size: 35.5 x 28 x 41.5 inches

My cousin, who is a super mom of twins, absolutely loves the Baby Trend Lil’ Snooze Deluxe for all their fun family outings. The separate rocker bassinets have been perfect for keeping her twins happy in the car and on planes. She likes that each has its own toys, music, and vibration—it really helps distract them when their patience wears thin.

The large playard space has plenty of room for growing twins to play and nap comfortably. And they love listening to the nature sounds before bedtime. The deluxe organizer is great for storing diapers, wipes, and extra clothes on the go.

Compared to the Joovy Room2, I wish the sleeping space was bigger, as I could see her twins starting to feel cramped. It’s also very heavy and bulkier to fold than the Guava Lotus. Still, for parents of twins, the dual features make travel and sleepovers much smoother. I don’t know what they would do without it!

Dual rocker bassinets with music, toys, and vibration
Ample playard space for twins
Convenient organizer for travel
Portable for car trips
Heavy and bulky
Sleeping space could be bigger

Best Travel Crib for Airplane

Guava lotus travel crib.

Weight: 15 Pounds

Size: 45.5 x 31.5 x 25.5 inches

Maximum Weight Recommendation: No limit (mattress supported by floor)

If you are a traveler like me, you should know that the Guava Lotus Travel Crib has been my trusty companion on cross-country plane trips, busy family vacations, and weekends at the in-laws’ house. The genius 3D folding design makes it compact enough to fit in an overhead bin as a carry-on item. Setup and takedown is so simple, I can do it easily with one hand while holding my squirmy toddler in the other arm.

I absolutely love the side door panel—it’s been a game changer for calming my daughter to sleep while traveling and maintaining bonding through the night. The thick mattress is also comfier than any other travel crib mattress we’ve tried. The quality feels closer to a real crib mattress than the thinner, flimsier ones often included in cheaper playards.

The Newton does offer a bit more interior space for playtime. And the Bugaboo Stardust sets up quicker in one easy motion. But for families focused on air travel and portability, the well-designed Lotus is truly in a league of its own. I wouldn’t consider traveling without it.

Fits airplane overhead bins
One-handed setup in seconds
Side door for easy access
Thick, quality mattress
Interior space smaller than Newton
Slightly slower setup than Bugaboo

Best Travel Crib for Car Travel

Maxi-cosi swift lightweight portable playard.

Weight: 18 Pounds

Size: 41 x 33 x 31 inches

Maximum Weight Recommendation: 35 Pounds

I love the stylish, compact design of the Maxi-Cosi Swift for overnight trips and visits to grandma’s house. The two-stage mattress is a really unique feature—I used it on the higher bassinet setting for my newborn, and now my toddler has plenty of room with it unzipped to the larger playard size.

The one-step fold is awesome when I’m packing up a wiggly toddler in a hurry. It folds up so smooth and compact. I also appreciate that it comes with a carrying case, unlike some competitors like the BabyBjorn Travel Crib. The fabric and mesh sides seem very breathable and airy.

My main gripe is that the mattress is quite thin and flimsy—almost like a yoga mat! I wish it had the super plush mattress that comes with the Newton. And setup takes a tad longer than the ultra-quick Bugaboo Stardust. While the Maxi-Cosi Swift is slightly heavier than some competing options, it has proven to be an extremely sturdy, convenient, and stylish playard for car travel with our family.

Two-stage adjustable mattress
Smooth one-step fold
Stylish, compact design fits in the trunk of car
Mattress is very thin
Slightly slower setup

Most Comfortable Travel Crib

Newton baby travel crib and play yard.

Size: 51 x 34.5 x 28.5 inches

This Newton Baby Travel Crib has been an absolute dream for our cross-country road trips and busy family vacations thanks to its massive interior space. With nearly 10 square feet of play area, my tall toddler has plenty of room to play and move around even after being confined in her car seat.

I’m also obsessed with the innovative Wovenaire mesh mattress—not only is it perfectly breathable, but you can wash the whole thing! This gives me peace of mind, knowing it’s truly clean for my little one. I also love that I can easily spot clean the mattress pad after accidents or spit up. The thick cushioning provides ample comfort and support.

My husband did struggle a bit with setup compared to the foolproof Bugaboo Stardust. And it lacks the versatile bassinet and changing station features of the 4moms Breeze. But for families focused on maximizing play space for an active toddler, the Newton is hands-down the winner. My daughter would live in it full time if she could!

Huge 10 sq ft play space
Innovative breathable + washable mattress
Thick cushioned mattress pad
Easily spot cleaned
Slightly trickier setup
Lacks bassinet and changer

Best Travel Crib for Tall Babies

Joovy room2 large portable playpen.

Weight: 29.6 Pounds

Size: 39.75 x 39.75 x 31 inches

Most moms have struggled to find a playpen that provides enough space for their toddler to stretch out comfortably—until discovering the Joovy Room2 . With nearly 10 square feet of space, it’s roomier than any other playpen we’ve tried. This crib is designed in a way that prevents tall toddlers from climbing out of it.

I love that the mesh windows provide a 360-degree view so I can easily keep an eye on my busy bee while getting things done around the house. The padded mattress and fitted sheet seem very durable yet comfy enough for naps and overnight sleep. And the travel bag makes it easy to stash in my trunk for weekends at grandma’s.

Compared to the Guava Lotus, I do wish it had a side door for easy access when my toddler is sleeping. It’s also quite heavy and bulky when folded. But its expansive interior can’t be beaten for tall toddlers who need extra room to play and rest comfortably. If space is your top priority, the Joovy Room2 is the way to go.

Nearly 10 sq ft of space
360-degree visibility
Durable yet padded mattress
No side door access
Heavy and bulky when folded

Why Use a Travel Crib?

Portability.

The number one reason to use a travel crib is portability. Standard cribs are cumbersome to move from room to room, let alone take on a plane or in a car.

Travel cribs are designed to fold up into a compact shape with a carrying bag for easy transport. This allows the baby to sleep in a familiar environment no matter where your travels take you.

Safety is my top concern when it comes to my baby’s sleep space. Travel cribs offer secure, enclosed sides to prevent falls and keep the baby from climbing out.

Many also have mesh panels for maximum breathability. The best travel cribs meet current safety standards and feature sturdy but collapsible frames.

Convenience

Between naps, diaper changes, and feedings, it’s so convenient to have a portable sleep space for a baby wherever I need it. Travel cribs set up in minutes in any room or outdoor area.

Some even have features like mobiles, sound machines, and bassinets to help baby sleep soundly. The ability to provide consistent sleep for my little one while we’re on the go makes travel cribs well worth it.

Types of Travel Cribs

Not all travel cribs are created equal. Understanding the different types available can help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

1. Portable Playard: Versatility Meets Comfort

Spacious for active babies.
Doubles as a playpen during the day.
Offers a secure sleeping environment.
Can be heavier and bulkier.

These traditional rectangular playard-style cribs are perfect for babies who love their space. It provides ample room for play and sleep, making it a versatile choice for various situations.

2. Bassinet Travel Crib: Perfect for Newborns

Cozy and secure for newborns.
Often includes features like a changing table.
Compact and lightweight.
Suitable for a limited age range, usually up to 3-4 months old.

Bassinet travel cribs cater to the needs of newborns and infants. They offer a snug sleeping environment and often come with convenient extras like changing tables.

3. Pop-Up Travel Crib: Lightweight and Convenient

Incredibly lightweight.
Lightweight metal frames simply pop open.
Ideal for short trips.
Limited space for active babies.
Less durable than other options.

Pop-up travel cribs are designed for parents on the move. They are a breeze to set up and are ideal for quick getaways or when you need a crib in a pinch.

Key Features to Look for in a Travel Crib

Based on using a wide range of travel cribs with my daughter, here are the key features I recommend looking for:

Weight and Foldability

Since you’ll be moving the crib often, seek out lighter weight models (under 20 lbs) that fold into a compact shape. Look for a crib with a carrying case that makes transporting through airports and in cars manageable.

Sturdy yet Collapsible Frame

You want something that sets up and folds down easily but has a frame that doesn’t shake or collapse while in use. Metal tubing that clicks securely into place is ideal for stability.

Mesh Sides for Ventilation

Mesh sides allow maximum airflow so baby stays comfortable in warm climates or overly air-conditioned rooms. They also give parents better visibility.

Mattress Quality and Fit

A padded mattress with a snug fit is key for safety and your baby’s comfort. Waterproof and machine-washable mattress covers are a major plus for inevitable messes and blowouts on the go.

Easy Assembly and Disassembly

When traveling with a baby, easy assembly in under 5 minutes is a must. Some cribs even allow you to unfold in mere seconds! The crib should fold back up compactly with minimal effort. Look for simple push button or latch mechanisms.

Extra Tips for Using a Travel Crib

Always Secure the Mattress Properly To prevent dangerous gaps, make sure the mattress is properly secured in place every time you set up. Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely.
Use the Carry Bag for Transportation and Storage When not in use, keep the travel crib in its carrying case to prevent damage. This will make it much easier to transport as well.
Keep It Clean Wipe down the crib and wash all removable parts like the mattress cover regularly. Cleanliness is especially important when using it in hotels or on multiple trips.

Before You Buy – My Closing Guidance

I hope this buying guide covers all the key factors to consider when selecting the best travel crib for your family’s needs.

My top picks offer great portability, safety, convenience, and features to make travel with your little one stress-free.

Just remember a quality travel crib can open up so many more travel opportunities while providing consistent sleep for the baby.

Let me know if you have any other questions – happy travels!

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is best for starting to use a travel crib.

Most travel cribs are suitable starting at birth as long as your doctor approves. However, some parents prefer bigger cribs for newborns and start travel crib use around 3-6 months when baby is more mobile.

Are travel cribs safe for overnight sleep?

Yes, as long as you always follow the safety guidelines like securing the mattress properly. Travel cribs that meet current safety standards are designed for both daytime napping and overnight sleep.

Can I also use a travel crib at home?

Absolutely! Many parents use travel cribs as their main crib to move around the house. They work great as a lightweight option you can move from room to room based on your needs.

Are travel cribs okay for airline travel?

Most airlines allow travel cribs as long as they meet carry-on size requirements . Some may even let you gate check the crib for free. Be sure to contact your airline to understand their specific policies.

How long can a child use a travel crib?

Many travel cribs have weight limits of 30-50 pounds and are advertised to use up to 3-4 years old. However, kids develop at different rates, so transition your child once he/she is climbing out or reaches the manufacturer guidelines.

Do I need a special mattress for a travel crib?

Travel cribs come with a mattress specifically designed to fit that model. You should use the manufacturer’s mattress for a secure fit. Using a different mattress could create dangerous gaps in the crib.

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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.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

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

Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for insider tips and product reviews from our shopping experts

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.”

The best travel cots for 2024 are:

Best travel cot overall – Graco foldlite: £80, Amazon.co.uk
Best budget travel cot – Red Kite sleep tight travel cot: £27, Asda.com
Best travel cot for entertaining baby – Mamas & Papas joie commuter travel cot change and bounce: £190, Boots.com
Best lightweight travel cot – BabyBjörn travel cot light: £219.90, Amazon.co.uk
Best travel cot for breathability – Nuna sena aire: £250, Nunababy.eu.uk

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Graco foldlite travel cot

Best : Travel cot 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)
Lightweight
Easy to erect and collapse
Strong base

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.

Red Kite sleep tight travel cot

Best : Budget travel cot
Dimensions : L101cm x W72cm x H71cm
Weight : 7.1kg
Age limit : Suitable from birth to 15kg
Budget-friendly
Mattress quite stiff

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 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.

Mamas & Papas joie commuter travel cot change and bounce

Best : For entertaining baby
Dimensions : L106cm x W70.5cm x H80cm
Weight : 14.8kg
Excellent value for money

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 : Lightweight cot
Dimenions : L 112cm x W 82cm x H 64cm
Weight : 6kg
Age limit : Suitable from birth to three years
Easy to set-up
Kind to sensitive skin

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 demonstrates 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 : L107cm x W73.5cm x H74.5cm
Weight : 12.26kg
Soft and sturdy

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.

Silver Cross slumber carbon travel cot

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

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
Rocking motion
Time-consuming to set-up
Newborns will outgrow it

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 downside 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
Keep its shape well
Newborn insert
Mattress is a little fir

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 : L75cm x W100.3cm x H108.6cm
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 spontaneous 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 your baby entertained and relaxed.

ergoPouch easy sleep portable crib

Best : For summer use
Dimensions : L80cm x W49cm x H27cm
Weight : 2.2kg
Age limit : Suitable from birth to 9kg (or when baby starts rolling over)
Ideal for summer
Short-lived usage

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 recommend 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.

Provide extra comfort by investing in the best cot mattresses

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9 Perfectly Portable Travel Cribs That Will Keep Sleeping Babies Secure

These Travel Cribs Are Safe and Easy to Use

If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?

The Best Portable Cribs

Best Overall: Bugaboo Stardust
Best Crawl Out: Silver Cross Slumber
Largest and Most Breathable: Newton Travel Crib and play yard
Best 3- in- 1: 4Moms Breeze
Best Bassinet: Guava Lotus Travel Crib

What You Need to Know

Most portable cribs are designed for babies from newborn to age 3, but a few of them either have an insert for younger babies that cannot yet sit up, or they're bassinet style for the youngest infants. Many of them also double as play yards/ playpens , making them a sound investment overall. One thing to point out is that although every travel crib on this list comes with a cover for the car or plane. It's a good idea to put an AirTag or another tracking device on it in the event the airline misplaces your luggage.

The truth is, while many hotels offer travel cribs or rollaway beds for babies , bringing your own and having that continuity of style and environment makes for a much easier transition from one place to another, which decreases stress and allows your vacation to feel like a vacation. Finding a compact travel crib that's right for your family isn't as tricky as it sounds — just focus on three main things: style, size, and sheet style.

Style: Here is where you see the real difference in travel cribs. Some compact models have a bassinet and compact models that do not. There are larger cribs, and cribs made just for babies.
Size: Your choice of size comes down to preference and necessity. You could get a super compact like the Bugaboo, one that folds up tiny, like the Baby Bjorn , or more traditional play yard styles, like the Century .
Sheet Style: This seems silly, but for convenience, it's big. Does it use a standard Playard crib sheet , or are you going to have to either buy custom sheets or clean the mattress pad often? Some travel cribs are worth the hassle, but not being able to buy a standard sheet can become a pain.

How We Chose

I evaluated each travel crib on this list and spoke with both real-life users of the product and testers who tried out new-to-the-market travel cribs. On top of that, I tested each one myself, evaluating them for durability, utility, and style. I also spoke with manufacturers to find out how they're made and the thought behind the design, and chose travel cribs that are not only useful, but long-lasting, easy to care for, and easy to fold.

Bugaboo Portable Indoor and Outdoor - Foldable On The Go Play Yard

When I first saw this travel crib, I wasn't expecting much judging by its looks — but oh, how I was wrong. Rather impressively, this portable crib folds completely flat , meaning it can be conveniently stored right under your sofa or in the back of a closet. Folding it is a breeze, too — it opens in 1 second and closes in 2.

It's compact, so it will fit in the limited confines of a hotel room but comes with a bassinet to easily get to your baby.

The whole thing is incredibly stable and sturdy, too. Sometimes, travel cribs can feel a bit flimsy, but this one is solid to the core. It doesn't tip or rock, and even if your little one is getting rowdy, this crib can take it. I particularly loved how easily the whole thing cleans. Our tester gave it a run for its money, and not a sticky fingerprint or scent lingered after a basic cleanup.

More: The 12 Best Jogging Strollers for Your Running Needs

Silver Cross Slumber 3 in 1 Travel Crib

The biggest difference between the Silver Cross and a few others on this list is that it was designed first and foremost as a travel crib, with the play yard being the bonus. On this list, it's one of my favorites for the overall feel of the quality of the materials. Silver Cross isn't skimping out on the fabrics or steels, even though it's under $300.

The bassinet slides in easily, but firmly, and the cushion feels just about perfect for a baby. Not too firm and not too soft. Folding it does take a minute to learn, but once you do, you're good to go.

The crawl-out side is one of the few that open at the far end of the travel crib, which I found handy when it had to go in a tight space. The gripping portions on the feet are also very stable. This is not a play yard that will rock about.

Newton Travel Crib & Play Yard

The Newton is the most-breathable travel crib on the market according to a study commissioned by Newton and conducted at an independent lab. Having felt it, I am inclined to agree. However, that's not why I love it. I love the size of this travel crib and play yard. It's almost 50 percent larger than most other play yards, and the bassinet is similarly large. There's plenty of room to grow with the Newton.

It's a cinch to put together and take down as well. I figured out how to do it in about 2 minutes without studying the instructions.

4moms Breeze Plus Portable Playard with Removable Bassinet

A real workhorse, this full-size travel crib, play yard, bassinet, and changing area is the picture of convenience. Even easier to open and close than the Bugaboo, the 4Moms is a real one-hand operation.

It's a bit bulkier when folded than the Bugaboo, which is why it's not in the top spot. The cover that it comes with is wonderful, weather-resistant, and durable, but it's not going to fit under your bed.

Our testers adore this travel crib's ability to morph back and forth between bed and play, with plenty of space to do both. The mattress pad on this model is washable, which is a real benefit that our testers loved.

guava kids Lotus Bassinet Kit & Travel Crib

You can wear this travel crib one as a backpack, it folds up that tiny. This bassinet/travel crib from Guava Family is the only bassinet you need at home or on the go for the first 3 months of your child's life.

The material is super smooth, soft, and easy to clean. It's lightweight, but thanks to the super-wide legs, it feels very stable. And again, it's so small that it fits in the overhead bin of a plane. Our testers noted that closing it has a bit of a learning curve, but other than that it's a home run.

BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light

This is a travel crib that's built for crawlers, and a surprising favorite of parents I spoke to. I admit I was a bit dubious about the low-to-the-ground style, but parents love how light it is, and the fact that it zips down the side for easy access.

The whole thing only weighs a few pounds thanks to the genius design, and all of the materials are machine-washable. Another thing parents told me that they love is the softness of the edges. Sometimes, the material that covers the frame can feel a little bit industrial, but not with the Bjorn.

This one folds flat like the Stardust, but it's nowhere near a one-handed fold — in fact, it's just as tricky as the Guava.

Century Century Travel On LX 2-in-1 Compact Playard with Bassinet, Playpen with Sheet Included, Metro Grey

The question of value and affordability comes up a lot in the parenting space. Century, made by Graco, is an affordable brand that makes quality products. This travel crib from Century is truly a gem for the price.

It's a compact size but plenty big enough for a bassinet, bed, or even a play yard when you're on vacation. Like everything made by Century, this is built for use, with machine-washable fabrics and durable materials.

It's a bit tricky to collapse and definitely isn't the smallest fold on the list, but it's a solid, affordable contender.

Chicco Alfa Lite

If you like the idea of a side zipper but are leery of tricky folds, the Chicco has you covered. The Alpha Lite is a great option for easy access, but slightly smaller than similar models.

However, you cannot overlook the fact that the fabrics on this model are entirely zip-off and machine washable. Chicco is known for their innovative, more environmentally-friendly fabrics, and the Greenguard Gold-certified Alfa Lite shines with its supple yet strong materials.

Parents who love this travel crib really love this one. It has a devoted following, with users praising its cleanability, durability, and quick fold. One parent raved, “I don’t take my kid anywhere without it!”

pottery barn Maxi-Cosi Swift Playard

The major benefit of this travel crib from Maxi Cosi is the luxurious mattress. It’s probably the most premium mattress of the bunch. It also has this cozy, breathable fleece cover over the top of the bassinet, which is strangely soothing when you’re putting your baby down at night.

It’s a cinch to open and close, hence the name “Swift,” and it stores in a super-premium cover. Parents love the feel of this crib, saying, “It just feels nicer than others I’ve had.”

Unfortunately, it’s spot-clean only, which is a pretty big drawback.

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Best Travel Cribs

When you're ready to travel with your baby, whether for an overnight jaunt or a weeklong vacation, a portable travel crib can really come in handy. We surveyed more than 3,000 Pampers Parents to find out which travel cribs were their favorites. Find out which products made the list.

8 Best Travel Cribs

There are many options to choose from when it comes to travel cribs. Here are the portable cribs that Pampers Parents voted as the best:

1. Graco Travel Lite Crib

Why pick this one? The Graco Travel Lite Crib is the number one choice among Pampers Parents, and for good reason. This travel crib converts to accommodate three different stages, growing along with your little one. You can use it as a bassinet for your newborn, as a crib for your infant, and finally as a play yard for your young toddler. The travel crib is lightweight, coming in at under 20 pounds, making it easy to take with you for travel, play dates, or family visits. Simply fold it into the carrying bag when it’s time to head out. Once assembled, it’s easy to wheel from room to room. You might also appreciate that when used as a play yard, the Graco Travel Lite Crib is 20 percent smaller than most other play yards on the market, making it ideal for small spaces such as apartments. The travel crib's airy mesh sides ensure plenty of ventilation for your baby’s safety and comfort. No part of the travel crib is machine-washable, but the mattress pad and the crib itself can be wiped down with a damp cloth.

Highlights: Included is a canopy with removable plush toys that your baby will enjoy looking up at before he snoozes. The travel crib is available in three different designs: Manor, Montana, and Ramley.

Price*: about $119.99 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

2. HALO 3-in-1 DreamNest Bassinet, Portable Crib

Why pick this one? This 3-in-1 portable crib from Halo can convert into a rocking bassinet, travel crib, or cot, making it a versatile product. It’s designed with all-around breathable mesh fabric, which is great for your baby’s comfort, and makes it easy to see your baby from any angle. Since your baby lies directly on the taut mesh fabric, there’s no need for an additional mattress when using this travel crib, and this can be a huge benefit when you’re on the go and traveling light. However, some Pampers Parents noted that the mesh stretched with prolonged use, making the crib less stable when the baby moved around. To engage the rocker function when the crib is in use as a bassinet, simply step on the foot pedal. With the included cot legs, the crib can be converted into a toddler cot when the time comes. When not in use, the entire travel crib and all its accessories fold into the carrying bag for easy portability. A matching changing table can be purchased separately. The changing table clips onto the crib for more comfortable diaper changes.

Highlights: The mattress fabric is removable for machine-washing.

Price*: about $249.99 on Amazon.com

3. Lotus Travel Crib

Why pick this one? This travel crib may be one of the fastest to set up—you're done in just 15 seconds, Lotus claims. It’s also the second-lightest travel crib on our list, weighing only 12 pounds. The backpack-style carrying case allows you to keep your hands free when you're transporting it, a big advantage at airports, for example. The travel crib/play yard comes with a thin foam mattress, and has mesh panels to promote airflow. A zippered door on the side lets you easily reach your little one and allows him to crawl out for playtime. However, some Pampers Parents noted that the zipper is rather noisy, so you wouldn’t want to use it while your baby is sleeping.

Highlights: The travel crib is GreenGuard Gold certified, which means it was manufactured without the use of chemicals or substances such as formaldehyde, arsenic, or mercury.

Price*: about $209.00 on Amazon.com

4. Dream On Me 2-in-1 Portable Folding Stationary Side Crib

Why pick this one? Though this portable crib from Dream On Me is made from solid wood, it’s still light enough to transport and it folds up easily. The crib includes safety wheels with locking casters so you can easily move the crib from room to room, and lock it safely before placing your baby inside. Keep in mind, this won’t be the kind of crib that you can easily travel with, so its use is limited. The crib’s mattress support can be adjusted all the way down or halfway down. The manufacturer claims that in the upper position, the crib can be used as a changing station, which may be the case; however, for some parents it may be difficult reaching into the crib for a diaper change. Note that the mattress isn’t included, which is a definite downside, as it can be difficult to find the right size portable crib mattress .

Highlights: Available in five finishes: natural, cherry, espresso, black, and white. The crib is manufactured without the use of phthalates, latex, lead, and BPA.

Price*: about $114.99 on Amazon.com

5. Flisko 2-in-1 Travel Crib & Bassinet

Why pick this one? This travel crib functions as a bassinet as well as a crib, so you can get plenty of use out of it. It’s ideal for traveling with your infant or baby as it’s lightweight enough to carry with one hand when it’s folded in the carrying bag. It’s also easy to set up and disassemble in just minutes. The firm mattress offers comfortable support for your baby and can go in the bottom of the crib, or in the bottom of the bassinet depending on what configuration you’re using. The mesh fabric is easy to see through and there’s a zippered opening on the side of a play yard for when you want to let your little one crawl out.

Highlights: A fitted sheet for the mattress is also included so you don’t have to search for the right size.

Price*: about $94.95 on Amazon.com

6. BABYBJORN Travel Crib Light

Why pick this one? This travel crib is the lightest on our list and comes with a convenient carrying case. Setup is simple and disassembly isn’t that hard either. All it takes is some folding, and voila — next thing you know you’re sliding the crib into the carrying case. It also includes a mattress, which easily folds in half to fit into the carrying case as well. The travel crib features breathable, see-through mesh fabric, which is free of any toxic chemicals.

Highlights: It’s available in black, blue, or silver. Both the travel crib fabric and the mattress cover are machine-washable.

Price*: about $299.99 on Amazon.com

7. Baby Delight Go With Me Nod Deluxe Portable Crib & Playard

Why pick this one? This portable crib and play yard from Baby Delight gives you options for your little one: Use it as a portable crib when you’re on the go or use it as a play yard inside or outside your home. It folds up compactly for travel, and can be assembled easily when you’re ready. The crib is made of breathable, easy-to-see-through mesh so you can keep an eye on your little one. There’s even a zippered panel for when you’d like to let your little one crawl out of the play yard. The carrying case doubles as the mattress, which can be safely attached to the inside of the travel crib when it’s assembled. Some Pampers Parents noted that it was difficult to find sheets to fit the mattress.

Highlights: The cover is removable and machine-washable.

Price*: about $149.99 on Amazon.com

8. Delta Children Folding Portable Mini Baby Crib

Why pick this one? Whether you’re heading to Grandma’s house for an overnight stay, or just need a crib to fit a tight space, this portable crib from Delta is a good choice. The crib folds up easily and can be wheeled anywhere. This may come in handy if you’d like your baby to sleep in the same room as you and are tight on space. The crib comes with a mattress that can remain inside the crib even when it’s folded, limiting the amount of room taken up while it’s in storage. The mattress height is adjustable so you can lower it as your baby grows to prevent her from climbing out. The mattress is hypoallergenic and waterproof, and is made of nontoxic materials. However, it may difficult to find sheets for this particular size mattress.

Highlights: The crib is available in natural, cherry, and dark chocolate wood finishes, and in white or gray painted finishes. The crib is made of sustainable wood from New Zealand.

Price*: about $102.49 on Amazon.com

How to Choose the Right Portable Crib For You

A portable crib can be a lifesaver if you plan to travel with your baby or are tight on space at home and are looking for something smaller than a regular crib. Many of the cribs on our list also double as a portable bassinet and/or play yard, which means you can get extra use out of the product. To decide which is best for you, it helps to consider whether you just plan to move your portable crib from room to room, need the crib to fit the trunk of your car when it’s folded, or need it to be compact and lightweight enough to be stowed in an airplane overhead bin. These are the kinds of questions to ask yourself before making a purchase:

Can the crib be converted into a bassinet, cot, or play yard?

Does the crib or play yard have mesh sides?

Does the play yard have zippered sides for easy access?

Is a mattress included?

How easy is it to find a fitted sheet for the mattress?

Does the baby lie close to the floor or higher up for easier access?

Is the mattress height adjustable?

How easy is it to assemble and disassemble?

Does the product come with a carrying case?

Are the fabrics machine-washable?

Is the product lightweight enough?

How compactly does the portable crib fold?

Is the footprint of the crib large or small enough for your needs?

The Bottom Line

There are many different options when it comes to choosing a travel crib for your little one. You could go with the more traditional wooden crib that folds up for storage and may even fit into the trunk of your car. This style could work well as a crib you can move from room to room, or to set up at the grandparents’ home for overnight stays. Or, you may prefer a more compact portable crib that doubles as a play yard and folds so small that it’s even great for airplane travel. Whichever option you select from this list, you’ll be making a great choice. A travel crib can be an essential piece of baby gear that you can't live without.

Recall Notice

Before buying a product, always check that it’s approved and hasn’t been recalled on sites like the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). *Prices are correct at the time of writing.

Healthy Children: How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained
Consumer Reports: Crib Buying Guide
Consumer Reports: Play Yard Buying Guide

Review this article:

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Meet Our Review Board

Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib Review

A lightweight travel crib that delivers on simplicity and portability

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib

Verywell Family / Charlene Petitjean-Barkulis

A breeze to pop open

Convenient and compact carry bag

Transforms into a play yard

Reasonably priced

Mattress is thin and made of cold plastic

No fitted sheet

Tricky to fold

With its quick setup, small footprint, and convenient carry bag, the Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib is a must-have for globetrotting families.

Setup Process
Portability
Competition
Final Verdict

We purchased the Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review.

Traveling with children gets physical quickly. The amount of stuff you have to schlep is slightly crazy. But the Lotus Travel Crib by Guava Family, one of the most highly rated play yards out there, is heralded for its lightweight construction, ease of use, and safe design. We tested it out on a trip to California to see for ourselves. Read on to find out how the pack ‘n play fared.

Setup Process: As user-friendly as it gets

I’ve broken a sweat trying to put together travel cribs before. Some of them require serious puzzle skills, too, but that’s not the case with the Lotus. It took me all but two minutes to set it up. You simply take the crib out of its bag and open the folded mattress that contains the frame when in the bag. Next, extend the aluminum legs and pull the sides of the crib open to arm’s width. At that point, the frame will fully extend, and the top rail will click sturdily into place. Add the mattress in, and voilà!

The only time-consuming step here is the last one: You have to secure the mattress to the frame. To do that, you have to feed the Velcro tabs that are on each corner and side of the mattress (six in total) to the base of the crib. This is a safety mechanism that’s common in travel cribs, so as to prevent space the mattress separating from the frame.

I’ve broken a sweat trying to put together travel cribs before…but that’s not the case with the Lotus.

Folding the Lotus can be slightly trickier, though still easier than other lightweight travel cribs we’ve used. Once you’re done using it, take the mattress out and loosen the frame by squeezing levers on each side of the crib. The levers are easy to locate; just look for arrows on the rail’s fabric. Once you do that, you’ll be able to zig-zag the mattress into a tight fold and secure it closed with the clip. That taken care of, you’ll want to fold the legs by pulling them back. This step didn’t come naturally to me and required the kind precision and strength that slowed the process down ever so slightly. Once you fold the legs, the frame is ready to fit back into the mattress, which can then go back into the carry case which can be conveniently worn like a backpack.

Design: Clean and simple design that will grow with your baby

The Guava Lotus Travel Crib has a simple and clean design. I particularly love its color block combo. The crib’s fabric is a soft grey and black mélange and its frame is a clean white which is ideal for modern, design-driven parents. The black carry bag that it comes in is sleek and fit seamlessly with our other belongings—no one suspected we were hauling a piece of baby gear around.

When assembled, the travel crib measures 46 x 32 inches. The mattress itself measures 41 x 23 inches, which is longer and narrower than other travel cribs. This is great for bigger kids. Our 2-year-old son, who’s already 37 inches tall, comfortably fits in the crib. There isn’t much room left, but that doesn’t seem to bother him.

No matter how much my little one moved in his sleep, the mattress stayed in place, which meant he didn’t startle or wake himself up.

The only downside to the crib’s unconventional size is that you have to purchase the brand’s fitted sheets which are specially made for the Lotus. These cost $20, so it’s an added expense to consider—especially since you’ll probably want at least two in case of a blowout or spit-up incidents.

Another design consideration we were perplexed by at first: The mattress, which rests directly on the floor without any elevation from your typical crib legs or feet. Guava Family notes that the floor-resting mattress is beneficial for a few reasons. It doesn’t shake or squeak when your little one rolls around; you can unzip the side and transform the crib into a play yard; and it doesn’t weigh as much as standard travel cribs. The last factor is one we can get down with as the Lotus weighs much less than other travel cribs and is therefore easier to lug around. And after testing it out, we did find that the floor-resting mattress—paired with the crib’s diagonal leg design—offered more stability. No matter how much my little one moved in his sleep, the mattress stayed in place, which meant he didn’t startle or wake himself up.

Verywell Family / Charlene Petitjean-Barukulis

Portability: Lightweight and easy to carry

No one wants to travel with a bulky crib that drags on the floor and that you ultimately need to check in at the airport. Luckily, portability is where the Lotus shines. When folded, the crib, which weighs a mere 13 pounds (less than half the weight of most mainstream travel cribs) shrinks to a very manageable 24 x 7 x 11 inches. It also slips into a carry bag that functions like a backpack. This proved to be an amazing feature as I was able to navigate the airport hands-free, tending to my children and even myself.

The Lotus Crib also folds down small enough to be taken through airport security and onto a plane. My husband and I have tried to sneak other travel cribs in, but we’ve always ended up being asked to check them in, so this was a major win!

The black carry bag…is sleek and fit seamlessly with our other belongings—no one suspected we were hauling a piece of baby gear around.

When open, the Lotus is just as easy to move around the house; and once you’re done using it, it’s compact and can be stored away in the tightest closet corner.

We’ve also used it for our nanny share, and it’s really simplified the drop-off process. I’ve been able to carry the travel crib as a backpack while hauling my little one in his stroller—and all of this without breaking my back.

Comfort: Perhaps more parent- than baby-centric?

Guava Family claims that their mattress is thick and comfy, giving babies “all-night comfort.” But I found it to be rather thin, which is problematic considering it sits directly on the floor. To us, the surface feels a bit hard and more appropriate for playtime than bedtime.

What’s more, the mattress, which is made of insulated foam, has a waterproof cover. This is great to protect against baby’s usual accidents, but it makes for a cold surface to sleep on. My son still slept through the night, and my nanny says that it hasn’t affected naptime, but I felt guilty having him sleep on a plastic-like austere surface. That’s why I think Guava’s crib sheets are indispensable. Note, however, that if you purchase the crib on Amazon, you will need to buy the fitted sheet separately .

One great feature is the crib’s crawl-through zipper door. This is great not only for playtime, but for soothing baby to sleep. Thanks to this thoughtful feature, I was able to comfort my toddler as he drifted off to sleep without having to lean over and break my back. This feature is an undeniable plus for parents who know they will have to tend to their kids at bedtime for an extended period of time.

Safety: Breathable and eco-conscious

Unlike many other travel cribs, the Lotus is constructed from a whole lot of mesh. It’s on all four sides, and from below the mattress all the way up to the top rail. This makes for a safe, breathable environment for littles to sleep in. What’s more, I’m able to peek in on my son from wherever I stand. If you have a super smart tot on your hand, you can also lock the side zipper in place to prevent them from escaping.

Last—but definitely not least—the Lotus is Greenguard certified. This means the crib has met strict chemical emissions limits and is free from PVC, phthalates, flame retardants, and other substances that pose a threat to your child’s health.

Price: Beats the competition

The Lotus Travel Crib has an MSRP of $249.95 but you can often find it for $200 or less at online retailers like Amazon. Considering all the bells and whistles it comes with, it’s certainly worth the price. While you can certainly find cheaper options, if you’re looking at well-known brands like BabyBjörn or 4moms, the Lotus is actually mid-range in price.

Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib v. BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light

Guava Family’s Travel Crib and BabyBjörn’s Travel Crib Light are very similar. They’re roughly the same size, they’re a breeze to set up, they’re lightweight, and they both have mesh on all four sides. That said, the Lotus’ carry bag, which can morph into a backpack, is much more convenient that BabyBjörn’s. Plus, the BabyBjörn travel crib retails for $320—that’s $70 more than the Lotus. If you’re looking for a long-lasting crib that won’t add to the exhaustion of family travel (or break the bank in the process), the Lotus is our top choice.

Yes, buy it!

If you’re in search of a travel crib that is compact, user-friendly, safe, and eco-friendly, the Lotus is everything you’re looking for. Get it and you won’t regret it!

Product Name Lotus Travel Crib
Product Brand Guava Family
SKU B00AKKDSNG
Price $249.95
Weight 13 lbs.
Product Dimensions 46 x 32 x 25.5 in.
Material Aluminum frame, mesh fabric
Warranty 30 days for a full return; 3-year warranty

Work With Us

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Review (Tried & Tested)

Written by Becca

Updated on April 26th, 2024

An infant in the Baby Bjorn travel crib playing with toys

BabyBjorn’s travel crib is the lightest travel crib I’ve used, by far. Is it also the best travel crib for its price? My review details my experience and thoughts!

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Table of contents

Summary of the Travel Crib Light
Features of the Travel Crib Light
Comparing the Travel Crib Light to the Graco Pack ‘n Play
Comparing the Travel Crib Light to the Guava Travel Crib
Is it worth the price?
Where to buy the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light
Tips for getting the most out of your BabyBjorn Travel Crib
What is the BabyBjorn brand?

After going on a few trips with a Graco Pack ‘n Play travel crib that we got as a hand-me-down, I was a feeling a bit let down by the stress of it. After all, the ubiquitous Pack ‘n Play crib is heavy, bulky, hard to carry and not outrageously attractive.

I learned that there were other better travel cribs out there, and I was excited to try the BabyBjorn Travel Crib as one that we’d be excited to use during trips. Even someone like me can fold it up and unfold it again, without much of an instructional manual.

In this review, I’ll detail how BabyBjorn’s travel crib is working out for us, from folding it up into its carrying case to how we even used it as a play pen for several months. Read on, to see my experience with this lightweight crib.

Women setting up the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib

BabyBjorn generously gifted us the Travel Crib Light ; however, this review is not sponsored and all photos and opinions are authentically my own.

Summary of the Travel Crib Light

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is one of two BabyBjorn baby products for sleep. It’s specifically for travel, as it folds up to the size of a “large briefcase,” as I’ve described it. Having a travel crib that your child is used to may be a safer alternative to a hotel crib, if you’re looking for tips for staying in a hotel with a baby .

What’s nice about how it folds up is that it’s slim, so you could put it flat on top of luggage in a trunk. I’d actually say that’s why it’s a great pick for road trips with a child who is past the “bassinet stage” and up to age 3 (if they fit).

The travel crib is different from the traditional Pack ‘n Play because the mattress is much closer to the floor, suspended by a mesh enclosure. You’re able to see the child from all angles, with no blocked areas.

Overall, it’s a minimalist design, with angles toward the bottom, and slim poles. There is soft padding over the top edges, so there’s nothing sharp or hard for toddlers who are able to stand up in the crib. Also, there’s no upper weight limit! The “able to climb out of it” is the designated time to stop using this travel crib.

Remember: the Travel Crib Light is NOT suitable for toddlers or children who are able to climb out of it on their own, and should also not be used in place of a bassinet for newborns.

Women carrying the Baby Bjorn travel crib inside

Features of the Travel Crib Light

I’ll name a few of the features of the Travel Crib Light that we’ve enjoyed while our daughter has been in it.

Weight and dimensions

When assembled, the Travel Crib Light measures 32 x 44 x 24 in. It’s not an overbearing size, and I think that’s something worth noting. We kept ours in our living room for months, as a play pen.

As for weight, the entire travel crib weighs 13 pounds including the carrying case. As it’s the lightest travel crib we own, it’s what made me feel comfortable asking my mom to carry it by herself to the car from my apartment (which is a bit of a walk to the parking lot).

The fact that the travel crib folds down so slimly overall makes it a less overwhelming item to bring over to a family member or friend’s house, for a child’s nap time or night sleep. Showing up at the door with the hefty Pack ‘n Play feels more burdensome to me.

Foldability and packability

To fold up the Travel Crib Light , I first remove the mattress, and fold it in half. This is what gives the Travel Crib Light its shape when it’s in its carrying case.

Then, I unhook and fold each pole using the arrow symbol as the way in which it should fold down. With the four poles folded toward the center, it’s then possible to fold the entire crib frame in half. With the frame nestled in the center of the mattress fold in the carrying case, all you have to do is zip it up for taking on the go.

Included items

What’s included in buying the Travel Crib Light is the carrying case, mattress and entire crib frame, as well as a fitted sheet. You can also get an extra sheet as an add-on.

Machine washable

The crib fabric is removable and able to be washed in a regular washing machine. This is great because especially when being used as a play pen, like we’ve used ours, you never know what can happen.

Safety standards

The Travel Crib Light upholds both the EN 716 (standard child sleep safety in domestic environments) safety standard as well as requirements for national fire safety.

Comparing the Travel Crib Light to the Graco Pack ‘n Play

The biggest comparable factor between the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light and the Graco Pack ‘n Play is the weight and shape. When we were packing and getting ready to take a road trip the Upstate NY, Dan told me to not even try to lift our Pack ‘n Play, because it was going to be too heavy for me.

He was right! That thing is like a rock.

Dan carried the Pack ‘n Play down to the car so that I didn’t have to (this was before we had the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light). That is because it weighs almost 19 lbs, and folds down to a bulky size.

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light folds down to 6 pounds less, and you can feel that difference. The shape into which the Travel Crib Light folds is manageable and carry-able. I have no problem lifting it with one hand.

The Pack ‘n Play is also pretty long and awkward when it goes into our trunk. The BabyBjorn crib is a much more manageable size when folded.

(Here’s a photo of our Pack ‘n Play, assembled at an Airbnb, before we got the BabyBjorn Crib)

Graco Pack n Play assembled on a hard wood floor

Comparing the Travel Crib Light to the Guava Travel Crib

More interestingly, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light and the Guava Lotus Travel Crib are worth comparing because they are both mesh travel cribs that have the mattresses on the ground. The designs are similar. The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light happens to weigh slightly less than the Guava Crib, which weighs 15 lbs.

Baby Bjorn travel crib feet on a hard wood floor

In comparing price, the Guava Lotus is less expensive and sometimes, it goes on sale. The Lotus folds down into a different shape, though, which is interesting. While the BabyBjorn Travel Crib folds down into the taller and flatter shape, the Lotus folds down into a compact long cube, and becomes a backpack for wearing while walking through the airport.

Both have that minimalist design through the slanted poles and the mesh crib body. Both fold down simply and are quite unassuming as pieces of luggage to take while you’re traveling with your baby.

I think the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is better for road trips if you often have a full trunk, due to how it’s a pretty flat item. The Guava Lotus may be better for how to fly with a baby .

Here’s a photo of our Guava travel crib in its case. To see our thoughts on the Guava crib, check out my Guava Lotus Travel Crib review .

Is it worth the price?

I think that for a lightweight machine-washable travel crib, what you’re paying for with the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is that it’s a thoughtful manageable shape and size for so many parents. The price reflects the lengths that BabyBjorn has gone through to get this crib down to 13 lbs. and into a slim carrying case with a simple fold-out method.

If you plan to have several children and use this crib for lots of travel, I’d say the decision is quite simple. Of course, if you don’t travel too often and the crib will get limited use, maybe try to borrow one from friends or family.

Also, if you’d like to do what we did, and use the Travel Crib Light as a “play pen” at home, try that! It’s easily foldable to remove from your living room or family room when you have company, so it’s like a temporary solution for containing a baby who’s sitting, but not yet crawling.

Where to buy the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light

While this crib is not carried everywhere, I’ve found it at these 4 retailers, including BabyBjorn.com (recommended).

BabyBjorn.com : Buying on BabyBjorn’s website will get you free shipping. The item will ship in 1-2 days! Buying here also lets you bundle with the sheet, which may not be possible at other retailers below. (Also, all 3 colors are available!)
Amazon (only black and silver colors are available)
Target (only silver color is available)
PotteryBarn Kids (only black and silver colors are available)

Tips for getting the most out of your BabyBjorn Travel Crib

Here are a few more nice-to-know things about this baby product for travel.

Flying with the BabyBjorn Crib

Due to the size when folded up in the case, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib (typically) can’t be carried on as a carry-on item for a flight. It’ll have to be checked as luggage upon check-in at baggage drop. The good news is that the mattress itself creates protection around the poles, so that acts as padding in-flight.

Update: some parents reported having success in getting the Travel Crib Light into an overhead compartment, but unless you’re traveling on a large plane with very spacious overhead bins, I wouldn’t bank on this.

Take it around a room or through the house

Something that’s different is that the Graco Pack ‘n Play is much bulkier to move around once it’s folded up. Because the BabyBjorn Crib is so light, you can easily pick it up and move it around the house without collapsing it.

This is less possible and more of a chore with a Pack ‘n Play. Just ask my mom, who has had to move the one at her house from room to room when my niece and our child are visiting at the same time!

Figuring out the fold-up process

Many parents find that the entire crib is pretty snug when you put it into the transport case. After packing it a few times, we got more comfortable with the process. To be fair, we’ve needed a few times of practice with both the Pack ‘n Play and the Guava Lotus Crib as well, before getting the hang of it.

Cleaning the BabyBjorn Travel Crib

Accidents happen, so is this crib washable? The mesh siding and mattress cover are removable and machine washable for cleaning, which helps. The poles could be wiped clean with child-safe cleaning products.

The mattress cover can be washed on a hot setting. Remember to wash the sheet (on “warm”) before use!

Getting replacement parts

If you lose or damage the main parts of the Travel Crib Light , you can buy replacement parts at BabyBjorn.com like the mattress , an extra fitted sheet and the entire transport bag .

What is the BabyBjorn brand?

BabyBjorn is a brand I was first introduced to with my use of the BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Mini , which Dan and I both used when our baby was a newborn. We liked the relative ease of use of the carrier, and versatility that it was a product for both moms and dads, and everyone in between. It let us tote our infant around Litchfield, Connecticut , and the Catskill Mountains , during weekends away.

From months 1-6, we also made great use of our BabyBjorn baby bouncer , which seemed to be a #1 pick among all our “parent friends.” This bouncer is so well-made and popular, it became a great product to plop our baby into when we’d visit friends’ houses. We’ve even considered taking it on road trips with a baby (but didn’t quite have the trunk space for it).

As we learned more about the brand, we saw BabyBjorn’s other baby carriers , products for sleep , kitchen items like feeding sets and potties for the bathroom . We’re about to read BabyBjorn’s blog about travel with a baby and see that other couples just like us are learning the ropes about how to leave home with a little one.

What we like about BabyBjorn products is that there aren’t too many of them . That’s right: the brand focuses on bestsellers and parent favorites in a few categories, and doesn’t have an overwhelming amount of products to make you second-guess your choices when checking out your cart.

The Best Cribs

By Anne Machalinski

A great crib will be versatile and solidly constructed, as well as an attractive centerpiece in your child’s room.

We spent 15 hours researching hundreds of cribs, and three days assembling and converting 10 of them, before concluding that the DaVinci Kalani 4-in-1 Convertible Crib is the best choice for most families. This sturdy crib converts to a daybed, toddler bed, and full-size bed, offering the potential for years of use.

Everything we recommend

DaVinci Kalani 4-In-1 Convertible Crib

The best crib.

This sturdy, traditional-looking, and versatile crib converts to a toddler bed and a full-size bed.

Buying Options

IKEA Sundvik

A simple, modern crib.

This bare-bones but attractive option is made from durable beech. But it’s less adjustable, and can’t convert to a full-size bed.

DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Crib

Vintage style, modern colors.

This distinctive-looking crib comes on (removable) wheels, converts to a toddler bed, and is fast and easy to assemble and convert.

Upgrade pick

Pottery Barn Kendall Convertible Crib

A super-sturdy hardwood crib.

This pricier crib, made of solid poplar, has a sturdy design that’s likely to repel nicks and dings better than our other picks.

We found that most parents don’t want to spend much more than $200 on a crib. The solid, sturdy DaVinci Kalani offers more versatility and value than any other crib we could find at that pricing level. This traditional-looking crib is made of solid wood (sustainable New Zealand pine) and is Greenguard Gold certified for low emissions. You can add a half-width rail (sold separately) to turn it into a toddler bed. Unlike most of the cribs we tested, it can also be converted into a full-size bed (also by purchasing an additional kit). This crib is widely available, with plenty of options to buy it without a hefty shipping fee. It comes in seven colors: white, gray, black, and four wood finishes.

The IKEA Sundvik is a simple, modern-looking crib that comes in white, a black-brown, or a grayish brown and is made of beech, a hardwood that’s generally considered stronger than the pine used in our top pick.

The Sundvik has two significant disadvantages when compared to the Kalani though: the mattress can only be adjusted to two different heights as opposed to four for the Kalani, and the crib does not convert to a full-size bed.

The DaVinci Jenny Lind crib is distinctive in both style and design, with retro spindle posts and wheels that make it much easier than any other crib we tested to move around a room, or pull away from a wall for cleaning. Of all the cribs we tested, it’s the only one with either of these features. It’s also the easiest of our four picks to assemble and convert to a toddler bed (with a kit, purchased separately), and it comes in more bright color options than any other crib we tested, including emerald green, cherry red, coral, navy, and lagoon blue, as well as white, black, and two shades of gray. It’s made of the same New Zealand pine as our pick and like our pick is Greenguard Gold certified for low VOC emissions. It doesn’t seem as sturdy, though, with spindle slats and legs.

The Pottery Barn Kendall Convertible Crib is made of solid poplar, a hardwood that is much less likely to get nicked and dinged than softer pine. The handsome, classic-looking crib is relatively easy to assemble and is Greenguard Gold certified for low emissions. If you’re someone who cares a lot that your furniture, including a crib, remains pristine-looking, the Kendall, which comes in white, gray, or a chocolate brown, may be the crib for you. But it usually costs about twice as much as our top pick. You can add a toddler bar (sold separately), but it doesn’t convert to a full-size bed like our top pick does.

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, how we picked, how we tested, our pick: davinci kalani 4-in-1 convertible crib, flaws but not dealbreakers, also great: ikea sundvik, also great: davinci jenny lind 3-in-1 convertible club, upgrade pick: pottery barn kendall convertible club, the competition, care, use, and maintenance.

Researching and testing for this guide was carried out in 2017. I started my research by reviewing the American Academy of Pediatrics’s data on safe sleep and asking follow-up questions via email of Fern R. Hauck, MD, the director of the International Family Medicine Clinic at the University of Virginia Department of Family Medicine, who was on the AAP task force on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). (I researched this guide in tandem with Wirecutter’s guide to the best crib mattresses .)

I then spoke to a lot of parents (via Facebook, email, and phone) about how they picked their crib and what mattered to them most when making this purchase.

To better understand the crib design process, including decisions about materials and color palette, I interviewed Matthew Grayson, a senior designer at Million Dollar Baby , the Los Angeles-based company that launched with the iconic Jenny Lind crib, and now manufactures six brands of children’s furniture under DaVinci , Babyletto , and Nursery Works labels, among others. I also asked questions via email of the design team at Crate and Kids (formerly The Land of Nod).

Personally, I’m a former newspaper editor and current freelance writer who covers health, parenting, and medicine for a variety of national publications. I’m also the mom of three kids, including twins who had just moved out of their cribs, which were configured as toddler beds, while I was working on this guide.

A baby sleeping in our pick for best crib.

Babies sleep a lot. And the safest place for them to get that shut-eye is on a firm mattress in a safety-approved crib, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics . Most parents will purchase a crib for a new baby, with some initially finding room for it in a corner of their own room and others immediately making it the centerpiece of a newly decorated nursery.

In our research, we found that most families use a crib for about four years, usually removing the front side to convert the crib to a toddler bed or daybed when a child is between 2 and 3 years old. Some parents prefer to buy a crib that also converts to a full-size bed that a child can use (with a full-size mattress) through childhood and perhaps even beyond.

To start the process of determining which cribs to test, I opened a new spreadsheet and listed every crib manufacturer I could find alphabetically. Starting with AFG Furniture and ending with Westwood Design, there were about 30 entries. For each manufacturer, I did some basic research on the different cribs they offered, noting their price and availability, and reading online reviews. Baby Bargains’s review of 50-plus crib brands was an invaluable resource during this process. I also looked at the Consumer Reports crib guide as a cross-reference.

After I finished this initial spreadsheet, I went through and eliminated about 15 brands because their offerings were either too expensive (more than $600); available in limited quantities or only at specialty stores; or had largely negative reviews.

Then I went through my condensed list of brands and added specific crib models to our consideration list. Some brands, like IKEA , DaVinci , Graco , and Pottery Barn , had three or four different cribs on that list alone. For each crib, I gathered more information on its price, user ratings, materials, dimensions, color options, ability to convert to a toddler and full-size bed, and other special features. As I was filling in this spreadsheet, I also put out a call on Facebook for parents to share what crib they had bought for their kids, and asked parents I know about their crib-buying experience. I heard the same brands crop up again and again, and sometimes even heard about specific models. IKEA cribs, DaVinci cribs, Pottery Barn cribs, and Graco cribs were among the favorites.

Two women standing in a room surrounded by different cribs.

Based on this background research, our interviews with experts and parents, and personal experience, we determined that a great crib should be:

Safe: To be safe for an infant or toddler to sleep in, a crib should comply with Consumer Product Safety Commission requirements , which all cribs sold in the United States do.
Made of quality materials: We wanted a crib that would last a minimum of four years for one child, and possibly much longer as a crib may be passed down to other family members or converted to a full-size bed. In considering sturdiness, we looked at what type of wood and/or industrial wood products (like fiberboard) were used when constructing the individual parts. While it wasn’t part of our selection criteria, we also noted when a crib was Greenguard Gold certified (formerly called Children and Schools certification). This means that an independent third-party organization has tested a product used around children or the elderly and guaranteed that it emits a low level of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. VOCs are emitted from products like the pressed wood in some cribs and dresser drawers, crib mattresses, laminate vinyl flooring, and plastic toys. We don’t know what impact, if any, VOCs have on kids’ health, and there’s no health data to back up the need for this certification on cribs, but some parents may find it offers peace of mind.
Affordable: Most parents we polled seemed okay with spending up to $200 for a crib. We found that many people who spent over that amount—myself included when I bought my first crib—ended up feeling like the value wasn’t there, and that they didn’t get more for that extra money. We considered the base, real-world price for the crib, looked at the extra cost of buying a toddler rail (if it wasn’t included), and calculated any shipping fees to determine the total spent.
Easy to assemble and convert: We ideally wanted a crib that has clear assembly instructions and is easy to put together. We also wanted a crib with a straightforward process for changing the mattress height, and one that is easy to convert to a toddler bed. All this work is going to be done by tired and busy parents, after all.
Versatile and adjustable: We wanted a crib that converts to a toddler bed, and gave bonus points for cribs that come with a toddler rail, which we found can cost anywhere from $12 to $140 when purchased separately. We also ideally wanted a crib with at least three levels for the crib mattress height—one high up for a non-mobile infant; one close to the ground for an older infant or toddler who can stand up and try to climb out; and a third option somewhere in between for when an infant can start to pull up to standing, but not really get around. When considering versatility, we also took into account special features, like wheels or a plastic teething guard.
Available in multiple color and design options: We ideally wanted a crib that’s available in a wide variety of colors, with a mix of wood stains and shades like white, black, and gray—an option that has become so popular in the past few years that it is now offered in almost every crib model, and is considered a “new neutral” by people who work in children’s furniture. We noted when a crib was part of a larger furniture collection—many lines include a dresser, side table and/or changing table—which some parents noted was important to them. We didn’t factor in our personal aesthetic preferences when selecting our top picks, but did note when the crib was low-profile, meaning that the rail to reach over is closer to the ground (an important feature for shorter parents), and when it converted to a full-size bed.

I got down to a shortlist of about eight crib brands that had strong online and in-person reviews and wide availability. Six of them were reasonably priced, and two were more expensive but had great reviews and a dedicated following, so we decided to test them in person. In some cases, selecting the specific models to test was easy. DaVinci’s Kalani crib is on a lot of best-of lists, and has the most reviews of any option on Amazon, so it was an obvious pick. DaVinci’s Jenny Lind , which also has great reviews, is one that people mentioned by name repeatedly, so we decided to check out that one, too. Pottery Barn’s Kendall Convertible Crib is one of the brand’s least expensive and most popular models.

A close up of the different rails on some of the cribs we tested.

For some of the brands, we first examined the specs of different models, then spoke to a marketing or communications rep, who told us which models were the most popular with consumers, and why. Out of these conversations, we decided to test the Babyletto Hudson , and the Carter’s by DaVinci Colby , which is a newly launched offering. After a conversation with two specialists from Storkcraft, Graco’s parent company, we decided to test the newer crib from Graco, the Solano , over the Lauren, an older model, because the Solano works with the brand’s universal toddler rail and has some unique options available, such as an under-crib drawer and an optional attached changing table. We also decided to test the inexpensive Storkcraft Pacific based on this conversation. The Fisher-Price Newbury 4-in-1 Convertible Crib (currently unavailable) was added to our consideration list as a model that gets great reviews, frequently shows up on best-of lists, and is among the brand’s top sellers. Finally, after speaking with an IKEA representative and considering feedback from several people who have used IKEA cribs, we decided to test the popular Sundvik crib over the less expensive Sniglar or Gulliver .

In the end, we tested a diverse mix of 10 cribs, which vary in price from just over $100 to close to $500.

A man and a woman assembling a white crib.

We had 10 cribs delivered in flat boxes to a Wirecutter office in downtown Los Angeles, where I worked with an editorial assistant who has above-average furniture-assembly experience to put together every one of them. This process took the good part of two days—one of them during an oppressive August heat wave that defeated the office’s air-conditioning unit. The sweat we shed came close to that expended by stressed-out new parents.

For each crib, I started a stopwatch as soon as we laid the box down on the ground to see how long it took us to put it together. While my assistant, Jack, says he enjoys putting together furniture, I can honestly say that this was the first time I had ever tackled a job like this. Case in point, I didn’t even know what an Allen wrench was when we got started. Trust me when I say there was a steep learning curve.

We typically unpacked everything in the box first, and took account of the number of pieces laid out on the ground. Referring to the written directions, we worked together to assemble each crib. When we were done, I stopped my watch, recorded the time, and made some notes about the process. I highlighted when the instructions were overly confusing or when we made mistakes putting the cribs together, which, sadly, happened a lot. Overall, we found through this process that crib assembly varies greatly. Some cribs had four parts and took just over 15 minutes to put together; most had a few more parts and took about half an hour to assemble; and two took well over an hour to complete.

When each crib was assembled, I popped in a crib mattress to confirm that it fit well (they all did), and ran through a checklist to see how well made and sturdy the crib was. I moved it around the room, shook it, pulled on the bars, and noted where it was easily dinged or nicked. We changed the mattress height for most of the cribs, and converted our top few picks to a toddler bed and back again to see how easy that process was.

Along with timing and rating the assembly and conversion process, I also analyzed the other items on our list of criteria, including price, materials, color options, and online reviews before determining our top picks.

Our pick for best crib, the DaVinci Kalani, with two stuffed animals sitting beside it.

The DaVinci Kalani offers the best balance of sturdiness, quality materials, versatility, and price of the 10 cribs we considered. For about $200, the Kalani offers a good value for parents who want a crib that’ll last for years. It’s Greenguard Gold certified for low VOC emissions, and we found that the 56-pound crib is much sturdier than other sub-$200 cribs, with thicker legs and side pieces. It’s also the only one of our four picks that converts to a full-size bed.

A close up of the wide feet on our pick for best crib.

The Kalani is made of solid New Zealand pine, a sustainable wood that, although relatively soft and easy to ding up, is also quite sturdy in this model. It has a look that could work in both traditional and modern homes and, although it looks relatively large, is only 35 inches tall from the floor to the top of the front rail—the same as some of the other low-profile options we tested (meaning that they’re typically easier for short parents to reach in and out of). It comes in white, gray, and black, and four wood tones that range from a light honey oak to a dark espresso, which has a rich, attractive sheen and is currently the most popular option. The crib is the best-selling model from the DaVinci brand (part of the Million Dollar Baby Company) and has excellent overall reviews, including from over 4,000 reviewers on Amazon .

For $80, you can purchase a half-width toddler rail . For about $100 extra, you can purchase a conversion kit , which includes side rails that allow the crib to transform into a full-size bed (the front and back of the crib become the headboard and footboard).

Our pick for best crib in its toddler configuration, with a lower front rail that runs halfway along the bed.

The crib comes in 14 pieces (not including the wire crib mattress support). While the instructions are straightforward and each of the pieces was clearly marked, it took my assembly partner and I more than an hour to piece together the Kalani, significantly longer than for any of our other picks. The conversion to a toddler bed is much easier: It took one person about 15 minutes to convert. We found it was also relatively easy to move the wire mattress support to another one of the four positions when you want to raise or lower the crib’s mattress. Many of the cribs we tested had three different heights, or, in one case, only two. The Kalani offers more versatility here, though we doubt many parents will end up using all four heights.

A woman reaching into our pick for best crib to pick up her baby.

We talked to several parents who own the DaVinci Kalani crib, and all of them report being happy with the purchase. One Wirecutter staff member said that while she relied on a Graco Pack ’n Play for her first child, she wanted a crib for her second, and was advised by other parents that the DaVinci Kalani was the way to go. She found the Kalani’s setup to be relatively easy (as my assembly partner noted, “you’re only doing it once”), and she’s now using the crib for her third child as well. Another mom of two from New York said she also bought the Kalani for her second child and has been happy with the purchase. “It’s a great crib,” she said.

There is a one-year warranty for all DaVinci furniture, and the crib is part of a larger furniture collection that includes a three- and six-drawer dresser.

The DaVinci Kalani has two major flaws. The first is an overly difficult assembly. Many of the cribs that we tested, including all three of our other picks, have four parts to assemble, plus the mattress support. Our other picks also all have front and back pieces that are identical, as well as two interchangeable sides. Essentially, they all have symmetrical designs that make it difficult to mess up the assembly. The Kalani crib, on the other hand, has 14 pieces out of the box and a sleighlike design with front and back pieces that are different from each other and need to face in a particular direction. Although all those pieces are labeled, we felt that the instructions rely too heavily on graphics over written directions. In terms of hardware, the crib uses bolts of five lengths (many cribs have just one or two), barrel nuts, wood dowels, and two types of washers. To put it together, you need the Allen wrench, which comes with the crib, as well as a Phillips screwdriver, which does not. We made several mistakes along the way and got pretty frustrated putting this crib together.

Our pick for best crib disassembled on the floor.

Most Amazon reviewers say that the Kalani takes about an hour to assemble (“Beautiful crib, nightmare to put together,” one person titles their review); in our case, the assembly took 78 minutes—the second longest out of the 10 cribs we tested, and a full hour more than some of the easier to assemble options.

The second flaw is that the New Zealand pine used in this crib is incredibly soft. When I dropped one of the sleigh pieces from about a foot from the ground (yes, I’m clumsy), a corner piece that was about an inch long cracked off. Then, when I was trying to secure the mattress support in place, a screw fell out of my hand and left a long scrape on the inside of one piece of wood. When I asked parents who have this crib about the soft wood, one mentioned that her son “ate it so bad”—meaning teethed on the side pieces, and left a ton of teeth marks along them—that she ended up getting teething guards, but not before he “had sawed a ton of it off.” Though the vast majority of Amazon reviews give the Kalani four or five stars, many of the one-star reviews mention the soft, easily damaged wood, with some buyers writing that their crib came already scratched up or cracked.

To be fair, most cribs at this price are made of pine. “This is a really consistent wood,” said Matthew Grayson, senior designer at Million Dollar Baby. That consistency is important not only for the look, Grayson said, but also for passing safety and strength tests. “Crib regulations are incredibly rigid. This is a wood that we know is always going to be the same,” with straight boards and no knots.

New Zealand pine is readily available and is grown and farmed in a sustainable way, so furniture manufacturers don’t have to worry about sourcing issues, Grayson said. As a soft wood—meaning that it comes from a coniferous tree—it’s much cheaper than hardwood counterparts (PDF) like poplar, ash, oak, walnut, or maple.

Our budget pick for best crib, the IKEA Sundvik. A stuffed frog is sitting next to it.

The IKEA Sundvik is a solid, modern-looking crib that comes in white, a black-brown, or a grayish brown and is made of beech, a hardwood that’s stronger than the pine used in our top pick. However, unlike the Kalani, the mattress can only be adjusted to two different heights, and the crib does not convert to a full-size bed.

When we asked parents on Facebook about their favorite crib, many answered with one word: “IKEA!” Our surveys found that many parents simply want to find a basic crib that works well, and after examining several other inexpensive cribs we think the Sundvik is that model (IKEA’s crib line includes two cheaper models .

Personal experience tells us that the 55-pound Sundvik, which is considered low-profile at just under 35 inches tall, holds up well to typical baby and kid wear and tear: I bought two of them when my twins were born, and they slept on them for more than four years before transitioning to twin beds. We put these cribs together, took them apart to move across the country, put them back together again, and they were still in good shape. We then took off the front pieces when our twins were around 2 and converted them to toddler beds—using the IKEA toddler rail. Recently, we had family visit from out of town and we put one of the cribs back together as a toddler bed; there were no issues with that reassembly process. After more than four years the cribs have some dings and minimal teething marks, but that seems expected. Both my own experience and that of other owners tells me that the Sundvik is sturdier than some other common IKEA products (dressers we bought at the same time haven’t done as well, with screws falling out and drawers buckling under the weight of clothes).

A close up of a baby laying in a white IKEA Sundvik crib.

All of IKEA’s cribs are made of solid beech, a hardwood. According to Grayson, the product designer from Million Dollar Baby, beech is stronger and more structural than pine, which means you can make cribs with thinner slats out of it. Unlike any of our other picks, the Sundvik also incorporates fiberboard, which is reconstituted wood fiber, aka sawdust pressed together with heat and glue. The solid panels on the sides of this crib are made of fiberboard, which is sometimes referred to as MDF, for medium-density fiberboard, and foil. All of the other cribs we tested have slats along all four sides.

The IKEA crib with its front bar removed.

The Sundvik took two people 25 minutes to put together, a third of the time of the Kalani. It was straightforward (if you’re okay with the silly pictures in IKEA assembly instructions), in part because the front and back of the crib are identical, and so are the two sides. Fitting in the mattress support, which is made of wood and mesh rather than metal like on most cribs, was the most frustrating part of the process; and this is why adjusting the mattress support from the top to the bottom position—there are only two heights, as opposed to three on most cribs and four on our pick—was more difficult than on other cribs. The process involves sliding tiny pegs on the mattress support into holes on the crib sides, and it basically requires two people to line up the crib pieces correctly without the entire loosened crib falling apart. The process of converting the crib to a toddler bed—you remove the front side—is also more difficult than with our other picks. We found it took two people another 25 minutes.

There are a few additional nursery items in the Sundvik collection, like a dresser/changing table combo and a kid-size table and chairs. IKEA generally allows buyers to return undamaged items they are dissatisfied with for a year after purchase.

Note that IKEA makes other relatively inexpensive cribs. The Sniglar is the cheapest model, at just $130, and the Gulliver is $220. We personally know people who have been pleased with the value of these cribs and have found that they last through multiple kids and can survive multiple conversions.

An also great pick for best crib,a red DaVinci Jenny Lind crib.

The DaVinci Jenny Lind crib is distinctive in both style and design, with retro spindle posts and wheels that make it much easier than any other crib we tested to move around a room, or pull away from a wall for cleaning. Of all the cribs we tested, it’s the only one with either of these features. The Jenny Lind crib weighs 45.5 pounds (about 10 pounds less than our pick) and comes in more bright color options than any other crib we tested. While the typical crib sticks to white and wood tones, with perhaps a gray option thrown in, the Jenny Lind comes in those colors plus hues like emerald green, cherry red, coral (shown above), navy, and lagoon blue, as well as white, black, and two shades of gray. It’s made of the same New Zealand pine as our pick and like our pick is Greenguard Gold certified for low VOC emissions. It’s not as sturdy, though, with thin spindle slats and legs.

We found that this crib is among the easiest to assemble of all the cribs we tested, and by far the easiest to assemble of our four picks. It took two people just 16 minutes to put it together for the first time; later, one person was able to complete the toddler bed conversion in about 10 minutes.

Like the Kalani crib, the Jenny Lind offers four mattress heights. The wheels, while uncommon on modern cribs, could be a nice touch for parents with small apartments who want to be able to move the crib from one room to another for naps or bedtime. Of course, they’re also a potential temptation for toddlers eager to turn their bed into a giant bumper car. While the wheels don’t have any locking mechanism, you can remove them when you don’t want the crib to be portable anymore.

The Jenny Lind crib with its toddler bar installed.

When I asked a mom of three from Florida about her thoughts on cribs, she said, “Jenny Lind,” right away. Another mom of three from Philadelphia wrote on Facebook that she bought this crib on sale from Kmart for her oldest and second-oldest kids. One of those was also passed down and used by a younger sibling. “It’s so simple, and I loved it,” she wrote. “I spent under $400 for three kids, and my friend used one of these cribs for her daughter, too. They went the distance.” And a mom from Queens, who bought a $600 crib for her older son that turned out to be a “total waste of money,” bought a Jenny Lind for her now 1-year-old daughter. Her review: “#bestcribever.”

The Jenny Lind furniture collection also includes a changing table and a stand-alone toddler bed, though neither come in as many colors as the crib. The DaVinci Jenny Lind crib comes with a one-year warranty.

Our upgrade pick for best crib, the Pottery Barn Kendall crib.

The Pottery Barn Kendall crib is made of solid poplar, a hardwood that is much less likely to get nicked and dinged than the softer pine used in our other picks. The handsome, classic-looking crib is relatively easy to assemble and is Greenguard Gold certified for low VOCs. If you’re someone who wants to ensure that your furniture, including a crib, remains pristine-looking, the Kendall, which comes in white, gray, or a chocolate brown, may be the crib for you.

A side by side comparison of the feet on the IKEA Sundvik crib and the Kendall crib. The Kendall's are much bigger.

One thing that sets this crib above our other picks is that while both of our DaVinci picks are made of relatively soft New Zealand pine and the IKEA crib is made of beech and fiberboard, this heavy Pottery Barn crib is made of solid poplar (the crib weighs 59 pounds, more than any of our other picks). According to The Hardwood Handbook (PDF), poplar is a hardwood that is, “generally straight-grained and comparatively uniform in texture.” Crib designers we spoke to from other companies told us that poplar is “a resilient, versatile wood,” that, “because of its color and straight uniform graining, is ideal for painted finishes,” and that a crib made of poplar is much less likely to get dinged or marked up with use than cribs made with softer woods like pine.

We found that the Pottery Barn crib felt equally solid and sturdy to our top pick, the DaVinci Kalani, but that it was obviously more solid and sturdy, as well as larger in profile, than either the DaVinci Jenny Lind or IKEA Sundvik.

The Kendall bed converted into a day bed with the front bar removed.

When we polled parents about their crib selection, several identified Pottery Barn as their most trusted brand and we personally know a handful of people who have owned this crib for many years. One of them is my own sister, who has two rambunctious boys, and used it with both. She doesn’t remember it getting any bite marks or scratches, and said that when they took it apart to upgrade to Pottery Barn bunk beds, it was still in great shape.

We found that this crib, which comes in four parts, was much easier to assemble than our top pick. It took us just 23 minutes, start to finish. The transition to toddler bed was similarly straightforward, taking just 10 minutes for one person to transform it into a mini daybed. (It would take at least a few minutes more to install the optional toddler rail .) The crib mattress can be adjusted to three heights, as opposed to four on the Kalani, though we don’t think this is a significant distinction as we doubt many people will bother to adjust their mattress height more than twice. We really liked the rounded mattress supports on this crib, which are easy to level and virtually invisible after the mattress is placed in the crib. Most of the other cribs we tested have straight bars connecting the mattress support to the side of the cribs, which in some cases show at the corners even when the mattress is in place.

The biggest drawback to this crib is its price. Though it has a sticker price of $600, it’s often on sale for $500. Shipping is $25, with an option to pay $160 to have the crib delivered and assembled for you at home. The toddler rail costs around $200, depending on the finish. Multiple crib experts recommend buying an optional rail at the same time as your crib if you know you’ll want one, just in case models or colors change in the interim. Unlike our top pick, the Kendall crib doesn’t convert to a full-size bed.

The larger Pottery Barn Kids Kendall furniture collection includes a standard dresser and extra-wide dresser, both with optional toppers that fit changing pads, a nightstand, a desk and hutch, and bigger-kid items, like bunk beds that can convert to two full-size size beds. You have 30 days to return the crib.

In choosing our picks, we focused primarily on value and versatility, as well as a crib’s materials and construction. As a piece of furniture that’s likely to be the visual centerpiece of your child’s room, aesthetics are obviously important as well and so we decided to photograph each of the cribs we tested individually. Every one of them meets safety standards, converts to a toddler bed (with or without a bar), and would be a perfectly fine place for your baby to sleep for several years to come.

The 54-pound Babyletto Hudson is another one that looks great, and will probably appeal to parents who like mid-century modern or Scandinavian design. Like the DaVinci cribs, Babyletto cribs are manufactured by Million Dollar Baby, (Babyletto is considered a younger, hipper and more modern brand). This low-profile crib, which is just under 35 inches tall, has rounded slats and tapered feet, and the one we built is in the “washed natural” finish that’s popular right now with parents who take nursery-decorating cues from Dwell magazine. The crib also comes in seven additional finishes, including two-tone options in espresso and white, gray and white, and washed natural and white. It’s Greenguard Gold certified, the toddler rail is included, it’s easy to assemble (it took 33 minutes), and it has strong online reviews . But again, the price, at almost $500, is too high for many parents, especially since it’s made of the same soft New Zealand pine as cribs that cost half as much, and doesn’t have other special features. It comes with a one-year warranty .

The 55-pound Colby (made by another Million Dollar Baby label, Carter’s by DaVinci) is another modern-looking, low-profile, Greenguard Gold certified option that has curved edges and thin slats and is made of New Zealand pine, as well as fiberboard. Like our pick, the DaVinci Kalani, it offers significant versatility for its sub-$200 price: It converts to a daybed, toddler bed (the $80 rail is sold separately ), and full-size bed, with a kit that costs $100 more . It took us only 17 minutes to assemble. But we found that this crib doesn’t feel as sturdy as any of our picks. The larger furniture collection includes a six-drawer dresser . It comes with a one-year warranty .

Assembling the Graco Solano crib with drawer got me so frustrated that I had to walk away twice in the process to re-focus. I stopped the clock each time, but it still took a soul-crushing hour and 38 minutes for two of us to put this one together. Much of that time was spent on the drawer alone, which, once intact, didn’t offer much storage—or functionality, as it got stuck almost immediately—for the extra price (the same crib is sold without the drawer for about $30 less). The long assembly time wasn’t our only problem with this crib, which at just under 53 pounds, didn’t feel as sturdy as our similarly priced top pick DaVinci Kalani, as our IKEA budget pick, or as the Fisher-Price crib described above. Like our pick, the Solano crib converts to a full-size bed, but unlike our pick it doesn’t come with a toddler rail , which costs $60 more. Also, some of the paint was chipped off out of the box, and we didn’t like the metal Graco logo on the front. It comes with a one-year warranty.

A close up of a small child standing up in a green crib.

No matter what crib you end up with, there are some basic things to keep in mind to help keep your baby safe and your crib in good condition:

Do some research before accepting a hand-me-down to ensure that a crib meets all current safety standards . On June 28, 2011, all cribs sold in the United States were required to meet new safety requirements (PDF) outlined by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Most notably, once popular drop-side cribs were deemed unsafe, and banned from sale. Current standards require cribs to have fixed sides. Wooden slats are also required to be stronger than in the past to prevent breaking; hardware and mattress supports are more durable; and safety testing is more rigorous. Make sure the crib was manufactured after the changes and check the CPSC’s crib recall list before accepting a hand-me-down.
After assembling the crib, check it for damaged hardware , loose bolts or fasteners, or other broken parts. Do not use the crib if you find anything amiss. Call the manufacturer immediately with any concerns rather than buying a replacement part yourself.
Put your infant to sleep on his or her back , and avoid putting any bedding other than a fitted sheet inside the crib. This includes blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, or bumpers (PDF). The AAP and CPSC both have detailed guidelines on safe sleep.
Keep the crib away from windows, blinds, toys, and cords. To ensure that your child is safe in their crib, they should not be able to reach or pull anything into the crib, like toys or a cord from a curtain or baby monitor. These items can present a suffocation or strangulation hazard.
Make sure your mattress is at the correct height for your child. Most cribs have between two and four mattress heights that allow parents to adjust how high or low a child sleeps in the bed. Typically, parents use the top height for newborns, which allows you to most comfortably reach in to put down or pick up a baby. As soon as a baby is able to pull up to a standing position—typically sometime after six months—the crib mattress should be lowered to ensure that they can’t climb out. As climbing ability improves, lower the mattress to the lowest position.
Don’t convert the crib to a toddler bed until your baby is at least 15 months old. Most crib’s instructions mention that before 15 months, sleeping in a toddler bed with an opening can present a hazard. Most parents seem to convert their crib between 2 and 3 years, or around the time a kid has learned to escape on their own anyway. If you’re not sure if your child is ready to sleep in a toddler bed, ask your pediatrician.
Keep your crib away from heating or air-conditioning vents and direct sunlight. This should keep the wood from warping or discoloring, and likely be more comfortable for your sleeping child as well.
Clean the crib with mild soap and a soft rag.
Do not refinish or repaint a crib. Cribs are colored with paints or stains that meet safety specs specific to children’s products and should not be re-treated.

Rachel Y. Moon, Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, “SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Evidence Base for 2016 Updated Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment” (PDF) , American Academy of Pediatrics , October 1, 2016

Fern R. Hauck, MD, , email interview , July 11, 2017

Matthew Grayson, senior designer at Million Dollar Baby , phone interview , August 29, 2017

The Land of Nod (now Crate and Kids) design team, , email interview , August 24, 2017

Best Baby Crib 2017 , Baby Bargains , August 2, 2017

Crib Buying Guide , Consumer Reports , May 1, 2016

The Hardwood Handbook: An Illustrated Guide to Appalachian and Southern Lumber (PDF) , Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association , September 18, 2017

Meet your guide

Anne Machalinski

The Best Crib Mattresses

by Anne Machalinski

We tested 12 crib mattresses and found that the Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer is the best for most families.

Things to Help Your Baby—and You—Sleep Better

by Winnie Yang

We compared dozens of cribs, mattresses, and monitors and talked to doctors Harvey Karp and Bill Sears to find the best bets for a good night's sleep.

The text "Most Popular Baby and Kid Picks 2022" in light yellow and pink on a baby blue background.

Wirecutter’s Most Popular Picks for Babies and Kids in 2022

by Wirecutter Staff

These useful baby and kid items were among the most-purchased Wirecutter picks in 2022.

Three bassinets; the Chicco LullaGo Anywhere LE, the Arm’s Reach Clear-Vue, and the Snoo Smart Sleeper; lined up next to each other.

The Best Bassinets and Bedside Sleepers

by Caitlin Giddings

Want a bassinet with storage? A co-sleeper with a drop-down side? Automated rocking? Whatever your needs, here are six models worthy of being baby’s first bed.

Lotus Travel Crib (Independent) Real-World REVIEW

If you’re looking for an independent, real-world review of the Guava Lotus Travel Crib, you’ve come to the right place!

We used this portable crib continuously for four years as both a primary bed AND travel crib . Yep, you read that right, FOUR years — NOT with the same kid, of course. That would just be cruel and unusual.

As you might expect, we’ve learned a little something from all those months and miles under our belts, and want to share that with anyone else thinking of getting a Lotus travel crib.

So, here goes!

Lotus Travel Crib Review The Ultimate Test

Guava Family Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib

Why we chose the lotus travel crib, our experience with the lotus travel crib, lotus travel crib review — pros (+).

Lotus Travel Crib Review — Cons (-)

Would We Buy It Again?

Guava Lotus Travel Crib review set up in room for toddler

When our first son, Noe, was born, Lori and I knew we were moving to Southeast Asia in a few months to start a new job. We needed a crib that could double as an ultra-portable infant bed, and eventually a portable toddler bed, too.

Our criteria was simple:

The portable crib had to be lightweight and easy to setup and take down (for traveling with the kiddo ), yet sturdy enough to be our son’s full-time bed.
The thing also needed to be well-built to handle the rigors of daily use and abuse, but also large enough to serve as a travel crib for a toddler someday.
And, of course, it needed to meet basic safety standards for infants .

And that was about it.

After considering other similar cribs and play yards like the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light and reading the latest Lotus travel crib reviews on Amazon , we decided to go with the Lotus crib.

What ultimately sold us on the Lotus crib (in addition to price and positive reviews) was the compact size , side zipper door , backpack straps , and overall build quality .

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True to its name, the Guava Family Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib (that’s one heck of a name!) has been everywhere with us — and when I say “everywhere” I mean it.

We moved to Laos when Noe was three months old, and—with the exception of a handful of nights on planes and a boat—he spent every night in this crib until the ripe old age of 2.5, when baby brother, Riley, moved in and Noe graduated to a big boy bed.

That includes dozens of budget backpacking trips throughout Southeast Asia, hotels in the U.S., and countless flights, buses, and boats along the way.

All the while, our son’s portable crib was traveling right alongside us.

So how did the Lotus travel crib held up? Read on to find out.

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Guava Lotus Travel Crib review for infant or toddler

Quick and Easy Setup (and Take-down)

When I first took the Lotus crib out of its package, it took about 10 minutes for me to initially figure out how to assemble and disassemble the thing.

Now, it takes me about three minutes to set up (including attaching the bed sheet — more on that later) and less than a minute to collapse and put the travel crib in its carrying case.

There are two hidden safety releases which must be squeezed at the same time to make the lightweight metal frame fold up for packing.

In order for the crib to fold successfully, each side must find its match, aligning moon to moon, star to star.

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Guava Lotus Travel Crib review setup and take down

Once the crib is folded flat, the four legs can be folded up by pulling out/down, then folding.

Folded crib goes inside the bottom pad (like a hot dog), then slides into the nylon carrying case.

I’ve included the diaper here, not so much to add some flair (though I do think it adds a nice little touch of reality), but rather to add some sense of scale of how compact the ol’ portable crib is.

Convenient Side Zipper

The Guava Lotus travel crib has a number of helpful features that we like. One of our favorite features is a convenient side zip door (for easy access to your little troublemaker)…

Guava Family Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib side zipper door

…and a zipper “lock” to keep said-troublemaker from not getting into more trouble, and help mommy and daddy sleep better at night…

…or during the day…

Lotus Travel Crib review real world for travelers

Lightweight AND Built Like a Tank

Obviously, the big selling point of any travel crib is its portability. Or, at least, that’s the idea.

In addition to being portable, we also wanted something that would stand up to both the rigors of both travel and daily use.

Many parents we know had Pak ‘n’ Play cribs, which they were very happy with. But they were just to big, bulky, and heavy for our needs.

Others swore by the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light , which lacked the side door and seemed a bit too lightweight for the durability we wanted.

The Lotus travel crib seemed to strike a balance between the two, which was perfect for our needs.

Easy to Clean

In addition to its portability and strong, yet lightweight construction, the Lotus crib is really easy to clean.

The whole soft shell zips off of the frame for easy machine washing, the vinyl pad makes cleaning up spills and other nastiness pain free, and the 100% cotton sheets are what you’d expect.

Lotus Travel Crib Review — Cons (-)

Velcro system could be improved.

As mentioned above, it takes me 3-5 minutes on a good day to completely set up the crib. It would actually take me a fraction of that time if it weren’t for the six velcro tabs that hold the sheet and pad securely in place.

But it’s nice to know that no matter how hard the kid tugs on it or rolls around, that sheet ain’t going nowhere .

2nd Kid Addendum

Our first son in his 2.5 years of residency never achieved this, but our younger son at 19 months is something of an animal, managing to yank the pad up occasionally. It’s worth noting that, as you might expect, the velcro has weakened a bit over the past four years of use and abuse.

If Guava Family did happen to come up with a quicker-release system that didn’t sacrifice the sheet and mattress’ firm connection to the base of the crib, I’d be very happy.

On the other hand, if I get to the point where I can’t even spare three minutes to get this thing setup, setting up a folding portable crib for a toddler is probably the least of my issues.

Some Toddlers Can Tip It Over

Yes, it is possible for some kids to be able to tip the crib over and escape.

This was never, ever an issue with our oldest son (he rarely even rocked the crib up through age 2.5 when he graduated to a bed).

However, our youngest surprised us around the age of two when he started flipping the crib on its side and escaping (which honestly took him quite a bit of effort, even at two).

Fortunately, it was never a safety issue for us, so much as a distraction for him, and after a few weeks the novelty wore off.

Not Quite Carry-On Size

While the Lotus travel crib folds up to a pretty compact size, you probably won’t get away with putting it in the overhead bin in today’s airliners.

With that said, if you are lucky (i.e. not on a domestic flight in the U.S.), chances are your airline still allows one free checked-in bag (even for your lap baby!).

For every other mode of transport—cars, trains, boats, camel—you should have no worries.

Sheets Are Not Included

It’s important to note that, at least as of this writing, the Lotus travel crib does not come with the custom, fitted sheets (they are sold separately here ).

Obviously, you’ll want at least one, but you’ll probably want a second as well…particularly if you plan on actually taking this travel crib on the road, as all good travel cribs deserve from time to time.

I’m happy to report that after four years of continuous use and abuse, the Guava Lotus Travel Crib surpassed our expectations. Even with the current offerings in 2023, we think we’d still be hard pressed to find a better travel crib at any price point.

If you are looking for a travel crib that’s built like a tank yet uber portable, easy to clean, easy to setup, and comfortable for baby or young toddler, then we’d recommend Lotus travel crib hands down .

Available on Amazon.com

Want more real world baby and toddler travel gear advice from two nomadic parents? Then be sure to also check out:

10 Baby Travel Essentials for More Fun, Less Stress
ErgoBaby 360 vs Omni 360 – A Traveler’s Review
10 Game-Changing Toddler Travel Essentials
15 Easy Tips for a Road Trip with an Infant or Toddler
Traveling with a Toddler – 10 Expert Tips from a Nomadic Family

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And That’s Our Lotus Travel Crib Real World Review

Do you have a Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below.

14 thoughts on “Lotus Travel Crib (Independent) Real-World REVIEW”

For checking these, did you put it in an additional suitcase or bag, or directly checked it as-is? We’re about to take our first flight and I’m not sure if I’m supposed to put it in anything extra when I check it.

Generally, it had to be checked. We always stuffed as much baby stuff as we could in them to get our money’s worth (diapers, blankets, toys, etc.) and never had an issue.

Hi- did you use the mosquito net? It sounds like you travelled to some pretty exotic places. We are considering using this for our 3 month old but are concerned with him sleeping so close to the ground, and need to be sure the mosquito net really does keep our any small creatures where we are going (lizards, etc). It looks like the net doesn’t work with the bassinet, only the crib.

Hi Maureen- We did have the mosquito net but honestly we never got the use we thought we’d get out of it. We had the “Fun Shade” from the very beginning, which we found much more useful in year 1 because it protected our son from mosquitoes while also blocking out a lot of light during naps (it covers the top and one long side). After our son began to pull himself up to stand, however, both the net and the Fun Shade became pretty useless. Even with the crib open on top, we never had an issue with crawly critters finding their way in during the 4 years we used it in Southeast Asia and Mexico with our boys. That’s not to say it can’t happen, of course, but I think it’s pretty unlikely. We didn’t have the bassinet, but I can see why it wouldn’t work with the net or Fun Shade.

We used this for our son as both a travel and primary bed after he started escaping his crib around 18 months. I will say that we had to stop using it around 2, when he simply could flip himself out of it or over the top. I still think we’ll get great use from it with out next one and plan to get the bassinet conversion, but thought I’d throw out there for reference on its longevity in our house.

Thanks Kirsten for sharing your experience! Incidentally, our #2 started tipping it over as well around 2 years, and your comment was a great reminder to add that to the review. Worth noting that #1 never even attempted (we moved him out at age 2.5), so I guess it depends on the tenacity of the kid.

We have been using the bassinet converter kit the first 4 months of our baby’s life and are transitioning to the regular set up now that she is starting to roll over. The bassinet was super easy to set up/take down and it was nice to have the option of rocking our daughter to sleep when she was really small, Having had a c section, I was glad we got the bassinet set up since I had less ability to bend over those first weeks (which was also when baby needed lots of ups and downs for feeding). Thanks for the review of the crib!!

Thanks for sharing, Kim! Super helpful info for other moms who find themselves in a similar situation!

This is quite descriptive. I like that it is super easy to set up and take down so the little one is put to sleep as soon as they need it. I think this makes it all the more fantastic for travelers.

Thanks Jerome. Agreed!

Thanks for this review! I am considering this as the main + travel crib too – did you put kid #2 into it from birth onward? They sell a version with a bassinet converter kit but I wonder why that would be necessary if they say this is safe for infant sleep? Would love any insight you can give! Thanks!

That’s a good question, as we’ve wondered that ourselves. When #2 came along, #1 was still sleeping in the Lotus. It wasn’t until we moved into long-term housing that we transitioned #1 to a big boy bed (@2.5 yrs) and #2 into the Lotus (@3 months). Our oldest started sleeping in it at around 3 weeks old and we were happy with the outcome. We never ended up getting the bassinet converter.

Thanks for replying! Good to know. I actually also sent Guava an email and they confirmed it’s certified safe for infant sleep (same certifications as most pack and plays). I guess the bassinet is a ploy to get extra money from clueless parents using that bassinet buzzword 🙂

Or when you dont want to bend all the way over after just giving birth to continuously pick up a newborn, I think the bassinet converter could be very helpful for that.

10 Best Baby Travel Crib Reviews 2023

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Are you off on a travel adventure with baby in tow? If so, you’re probably looking for the perfect travel crib for them to sleep in while away.

After all, babies aren’t well-suited to sleeping in hotel beds, roll-out-couches, airbeds, and camping cots. Or, whichever other sleeping spots are usually on offer, for that matter.

In fact, sleeping in any of these spots isn’t a safe option. As such, you’ll want to find a safe travel crib specifically for them.

In this post, I’m going to help you do exactly this! I’ve reviewed ten of the best travel cribs as voted by hundreds of customers – and included a helpful buyer’s guide.

At A Glance: Our Top Ten Best Travel Crib Picks :

Graco Travel Lite Bassinet, Crib & Playpen
Guava Lotus Travel Crib
Flisko 2-in-1 Travel Crib With Bassinet
Unilove Hug Me Portable Co-Sleeping Crib
Fisher-Price On-the-Go Baby Dome
Mornyray 3-in-1 Newborn Travel Bed Backpack
Besrey Rocking Travel Crib
INFANS 2-in-1 Rocking Travel Bassinet
Graco Pack’ n Play Playard Snuggle Suite LX
BABYBJORN Travel Crib Light

What is the Best Travel Crib?

The best travel cribs stand out from the rest for various reasons. They’re quality options with special features that are easy to use.

Apart from this, they’re also designed specifically for use on travels away from home. Their features are useful, they’re lightweight, and setting them up anywhere is a breeze.

Of course, they also offer a safe and sturdy place for your little one to sleep. With this in mind, here are some of the features you can expect from the best portable cribs:

lightweight
quick-to-fold
easy-to-clean
quality design
comfortable
certified non-toxic and low VOC emissions

So, now you know what to look for in the top travel cribs, let’s get into the best travel crib reviews!

1. Graco Travel Lite Bassinet, Crib & Playpen

Lightweight 3-stage travel bassinet, crib, and play yard – available in grey/cyan and blue/charcoal
Suits newborns, babies, and toddlers up to 35″ tall
Airy mesh sides
Shady canopy with toys
Quilted pad – compatible sheets and mattress sold separately
Comes with a travel bag
Integrated wheels
Push-button folds in seconds
23.2″ wide x 33.5″ long x 32.2″ high
Weighs 19 lbs

Things We Love!

This 20% smaller travel crib offers all the necessities of a regular crib at only 19 lbs. Apart from its size and weight, I love that it’s so easy to collapse and carry.

Simply press the buttons, fold it, and pack it wherever it needs to go. When using the Travel Lite, you also won’t need to worry about different age stages.

It comes ready to adapt as they grow from newborns, into an infant and then a toddler. The hanging bassinet has two height levels to suit them at both the baby and newborn stages.

Then remove the bassinet to reveal the toddler play yard. No matter the setting, though, you can easily see your little one through the airy mesh sides.

It’s lightweight and easy/quick to fold, making it ideal for use when traveling
Quickly transforms from a newborn and infant bassinet into a toddler play yard
The baby bassinet is height-adjustable and suits two age stages – newborn and baby
Pad isn’t removable; you can only wipe it down with a damp cloth

Overall Thoughts

I think this is one of the best travel cribs, especially if you need a crib that’ll fit into a tight space. It’s economical, too, as you don’t need to purchase a separate canopy or bassinet.

This travel crib will see them through from newborn age up until they’re toddlers. I think that the shady sun canopy with hanging toys is a welcome added bonus, as well.

2. Guava Lotus Travel Crib

Ultra-lightweight, modern travel play yard and crib – available in charcoal
Suits babies and toddlers from 0-3 years old
Airy mesh sides with a zippered side-door
Soft foam pad – plush quilted sheet and cotton sheet sold separately
Zig-zag folds and unfolds in seconds
42″ long x 32″ wide x 25″ high
Weighs 13 lbs
Greenguard Gold certified

You may have heard of Greenguard Gold certification when buying a crib mattress for your baby. Well, this travel crib just happens to be one of the few travel cribs that are certified, too.

Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR certified mattresses are tested and proven to emit the lowest VOCs. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemical compounds emitted by many items.

Some of these chemicals are toxic. Naturally, we definitely want to keep these emissions to the minimum around baby! So, it’s a welcome sight to find a baby crib that’s safe in this respect.

Apart from the safety aspects, though, I love that this crib offers extra convenience. Its unique zippered door lets them play and rest, and you cuddle, nurse, or even co-nap with them.

One of the few travel cribs certified Greenguard Gold for lowest VAC’s and emissions
This travel crib is ultra-lightweight, weighing in at only 13 lbs when packed
The unique zippered door allows for easy access, playtime, nursing, and cuddling
Newborn bassinet sold separately
No wheels or canopy

I think this is one of the best travel cribs in terms of safety. Sometimes, it’s not the things we can see that pose the greatest risks to our baby.

Invisible emissions can cause a variety of health problems , including allergies and asthma. With the Guava travel crib, you can protect them from these unseen and equally unsafe chemicals.

So, I think this crib is a great choice. This is especially true if you’re planning on using it a lot or as much as their standard crib.

After all, why go to the trouble to get a Greenguard Gold certified mattress and not a certified travel crib?

3. Flisko 2-in-1 Travel Crib With Bassinet

Utilitarian, 2-in-1 travel crib and play yard with newborn bassinet – available in grey
Suits babies from 0-3 years old
Airy, transparent mesh sides with a zippered door
1″ insulated waterproof foam mattress pad and sheet
Click-in/out and button folds in a minute
43″ long x 28″ wide x 28″ high
Weighs 14.42 lbs

This Flisko crib includes everything you need to get started. For its price, it’s definitely one of the best travel cribs, in my opinion. It even comes with a crib sheet and waterproof pad!

I love that it includes a baby bassinet, too, so you don’t need to buy any extras. All its sides are covered in a robust, airy mesh through which you can easily see them.

You can easily see baby as they sleep on the raised baby bassinet. So, you can easily check on them without getting out of bed or walking nearby and waking them.

The toddler play yard has ample space for them to play and sleep. And, you can join them, too, with its useful zippered doorway.

Comes with removable, mesh, clip-on baby bassinet
The crib pad is waterproof
Comes with a fitting crib sheet
No canopy or wheels

I think that this travel crib is great value for money considering all the extras included. You won’t need to buy a crib sheet, waterproof pad, or newborn/infant bassinet as they’re included.

It also sets up and folds quickly and easily, so you won’t need to waste time packing or unpacking it. Instead, you can spend more of your energy and time on fun activities .

4. Unilove Hug Me Portable Co-Sleeping Crib

Chic portable bedside crib – available in shadow grey and plum pink
Suitable for newborns from 0-6 months old up to 19 lbs
Suspended bassinet with
Airy mesh windows and zippered door
Comes with crib mattress and sheet
Comfy padded sides
360° rotating front wheels with anti-skid rubber strips and brakes
Tool-free assembly and disassembly in minutes
24.8″ wide x 36.22″ long

If you’ve gotten used to your bedside crib at home, you may just love this portable version. Though it may not fold as quickly as some other options, it offers a lot in return.

This crib features a sturdy design that fits neatly to almost any bedside. In fact, I love that baby can co-sleep safely within reach inside it.

This is easily achieved by adjusting the crib’s height to one of seven settings and unfolding the door. Of course, these types of crib are suited only to newborns and young babies, though.

However, if this is the type of portable crib for which you’re looking, you won’t find many better. Aside from its chic design and appealing color palettes, it’s comfy and functional.

Seven height settings ensure the crib fits snugly to your bedside
Has a side door ideal for co-sleeping
Its modern, stylish design is pleasing to the eye
Not suitable for heavier/older babies or toddlers who can sit or stand
Not waterproof
Difficult to find fitting sheets as the crib pad is an unusual size

I think that this is the best travel crib in the co-sleeping bedside category. Not only does it offer everything that a normal bedside crib does, but it’s also light and portable.

So, you can take all the comforts of home with you on the road. In fact, this travel crib is multi-functional and economical as it wouldn’t be out of place in your home, either.

5. Fisher-Price On-the-Go Baby Dome

Round portable baby crib – available in a variety of modern color designs
Suits baby from 0 months up to when they can push up on their hands and knees
Airy, transparent mesh sides
Shady, full-cover, retractable UPF 20 canopy with a mesh window
Detachable, washable pad
Button-folds in seconds
31.38″ wide x 22″ high x 5.38″ deep
Weighs 12.17 lbs

If you’re an urban explorer, you may be looking for something a little different for your ventures. Perhaps what you’re searching for is the unique On-The-Go Baby Dome?

It’s a travel crib that’s best suited for use outdoors – on that park excursion or even at a campsite. I love that it features a unique elliptical shape with a full-cover sunshade.

It’s so easy to fold and carry this portable crib bed, too. So, you won’t feel encumbered with the extra luggage. Simply click the buttons to fold it flat and go!

The On-The-Go Dome is also available in a variety of designs for boys and girls. Each of these comes with two matching dangling toys to entertain them while they’re snug inside their dome.

Perfect for outdoor use at parks and recreation areas
Comes with two detachable toys that dangle from toy loops on the canopy
Folds flat in seconds
Doesn’t come with a travel bag, and its folded dimensions may make it difficult to find a suitable one
Only suits younger babies, not toddlers
Doesn’t have wheels

I think this travel crib is well-suited to those who spend a lot of time lounging outdoors. It’s perfect for taking with on a family picnic, in-the-park birthday, or family camp.

Baby will get perfectly protected from bugs and the elements in their dome. And, you can easily check on them through the mesh windows or click open the dome to play.

6. Mornyray 3-in-1 Newborn Travel Bed Backpack

3-in-1 portable baby crib backpack – available in black, green, light green, light grey, and pink
Suits baby from 0-12 months old
Waterproof mattress
Diaper changing pad
A backpack that folds out into a baby bed in a minute
29.5″ long x 13″ wide x 8.66″ high
Weighs 2.93 lbs

As far as unique travel cribs go, this one has got to take the cake! Why? Well, because it’s a roomy, fully-functional backpack that literally expands into a baby bed.

Yes, you can store all your baby essentials and personal items in the special bag pockets. Then, pop it open when baby wants a lie-down without unloading your cargo.

For this reason, I think that it’s one of the best travel cribs to take on a hike. Of course, you could also take it on trips to the park or friends and family’s houses.

I love that it’s so inconspicuous – no one would ever guess that it’s a travel cot! If you’re looking for a bit more, there’s even a Deluxe version with a sun canopy and USB charging port.

This unique newborn bed folds out to become a backpack
Can be used as a portable changing mat, too
The backpack is fully functional, with plenty of room for necessities
Bag features a wet and dry separation bag, aluminum foil insulation, and ventilated mesh back support
Made from waterproof, stain-resistant fabric
No sun canopy
Small bed not suitable for toddlers

I think this backpack is perfect for minimalistic moms who don’t favor tons of baggage. It’s multi-functional, too. You get a stylish backpack for carrying your and baby’s stuff.

And, it pops out into a changing mat/baby crib for your little one to nap in. Sure, it’s not a sturdy play yard, but you might not want to lug around a travel crib on every short trip out.

7. Besrey Rocking Travel Crib

Unisex, foldable travel crib – available in grey
Suits newborns and infants
Weight limit of 44 lbs
Retractable, detachable mesh mosquito net canopy
Comes with 1″ soft, breathable foam mattress pad and pillow
One-handed self-standing fold in seconds
38.2″ long x 23.6″ wide x 41.3″ high
Weighs 20.7 lbs

If your baby can’t sleep without being rocked, you’re probably out to buy a travel crib exactly like this one. Yes, it’s a portable crib that swings them gently to sleep, so you don’t have to!

I love that it also features full mesh sides. So, you can see baby from every angle – your bed, the doorway, or anywhere else.

The extra storage space is also a welcome addition. This crib has a storage basket underneath, as well as a side pocket and a bottle holder.

So, you can stow toys, wipes, baby bottles, nappies, and whatever else you need within reach. Yes, there’s no wondering where you put all your baby necessities with this travel crib!

The full-cover mosquito net gives them complete protection
Has a side pocket, cup holder, and a storage basket underneath
Flip the leg supports to the 10° angled position to gently rock the crib from side to side
Only suits younger babies, not toddlers who can sit, climb, or stand

I think that this is the best travel crib for mums who want a travel crib as good as their rocking crib at home. It swings, has ample padding, extra storage space, and it’s portable.

The full-cover mosquito net keeps them well-protected from disease-carrying mosquitoes and other unwanted insects. It’s also perfect for hot climates as it’s roomy and ventilated.

8. INFANS 2-in-1 Rocking Travel Bassinet

Modern baby travel crib – available in light grey
Suits baby from 0-6 months
Weight limit of 55 lbs
Grey fabric sides with mesh windows
Transparent, detachable mosquito net
1″ mattress with washable cover
One-second, single-handed, pull-tab fold
34″ long x 22″ wide x 32.5-41″ high
Weighs 14 lbs

This Infans travel crib is another of the best travel cribs in the swinging category. However, it rocks a bit more than the Besrey travel crib at a 15° angle and is height-adjustable.

So, you can adapt it to your bed or mattress height – whether it be tall or on the floor. After all, being able to see baby while they sleep is a big concern for us moms.

Seeing them isn’t a worry with this crib – it even has mesh windows for extra visibility. So, you can check on baby without getting out of bed or fussing and risking waking them.

A full-cover mosquito net gives them complete protection from pests
Flip the leg supports to the 15° angled position to swing baby gently from side to side
You can adjust the height of this crib from 32.5″ up to 41″ to suit your bed height
Doesn’t come with a travel bag
Suits younger babies, not toddlers who can sit, climb, or stand

I think this is another perfect travel crib for fussy babies who demand to get rocked to sleep. You can swing them gently off to bed without much back-breaking action on your part.

Of course, its roomy, airy bassinet, and full-cover mosquito net are also perfect for hot climates. Simply add a soft, cool, breathable cotton crib sheet, and they’ll likely sleep like a dream!

9. Graco Pack’ n Play Playard Snuggle Suite LX

Deluxe travel crib, changing station, and play yard – available in grey/white
Bassinet, baby seat, and play yard suit babies up to 18 lbs and 35″ tall
Changing mat suits baby up to 30 lbs
Transparent, airy mesh sides
Detachable infant seat/bouncer with canopy
Built-in pad
Safe, 360° integrated wheels on two corners
Push-button fold
28.5″ wide x 40″ long x 33.3″ high
Weighs 34.5 lbs

If you’re looking for a little more, this deluxe Pack’ n Play may be just the thing! It’s collapsible and portable but still features plenty of extras befitting or exceeding those of your at-home crib.

It comes with three storage baskets, a detachable baby seat/bouncer, bassinet insert, and a removable changing mat. So, you’re spoilt for comfort and choice!

The toddler/baby play yard offers ample space for older bouncing and sleeping tots, too. I love its built-in soothing panel that calms baby with sounds, lights, and vibrations, though.

With this little gadget, you can let the crib take some of the soothing workload off your hands. What’s not to love about that?

The detachable baby seat doubles as a baby bouncer
Has three built-in storage baskets for baby essentials
Built-in 2-speed vibration, soothing sounds, including white noise, and look-light
Baby bassinet included
The baby seat/bouncer and changing station are both removable
Heavier than other travel cribs
It takes more time to disassemble

Additionally, I think this is one of the best travel cribs for those with two siblings. You can detach the baby seat and let your newborn nap in it separately from the main crib.

So, their big sister or brother can play, bounce, and nap freely in the play yard or bassinet. If either needs a nappy change, simply use the removable change mat wherever suitable.

10. BABYBJORN Travel Crib Light

Stylish travel crib – available in silver, black, and blue
Mattress pad
Click-fold/unfold in a minute
44″ long x 24″ wide x 32″ high
Weighs 13.2 lbs

The Travel Crib Light from BABYBJORN is a stylish, sturdy, and ultra-lightweight portable crib. In fact, its ultra-light weight makes it one of the best travel cribs for babies and toddlers.

This particular set also includes a BABYBJORN travel crib sheet at a fraction of the price. So, this set is definitely added value.

I love that the crib fabrics are Oeko-Tex Standard certified, and you can remove all and wash them. So, you can keep this travel crib squeaky clean, hygienic, and stain-free!

This crib is also available in a range of delightful nautical-inspired shades – great blue, black, and silver.

This set comes with a fitted sheet
You can easily find other non-branded sheets that fit its dimensions
The cribs sturdy, floor-bed design suits older babies and toddlers
All crib textiles are Oeko-Tex Standard certified free from harmful substances
The crib has removable fabrics that are all washable
No newborn bassinet or seat

I think this is the perfect option for those looking for a quality travel crib in which to invest. It’s good-looking, as well as functional, safe, and sturdy.

So, you can trust it will last the years as they grow from a baby into a toddler. The easy-to-clean, non-toxic fabrics are a plus, as is its light and easy-to-carry design.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Travel Crib

A travel crib is an important item to add to your baby travel checklist . Plus, it’s likely going to be with you for the next few years, so you’ll want to get the best one possible.

In this guide, I’ll help you to avoid common travel crib buying pitfalls. So, you can make the right choice the first time around and avoid disastrous trips and lengthy product returns.

Why Do I Need a Travel Crib?

Whether you plan to travel for fun or visit family, you need a light travel crib to take with you. After all, your at-home crib likely weighs as much as you and surely won’t fit into your bag!

Travel cribs are light, easy to fold, and, therefore, the perfect choice for trips. With baby on board, you definitely need one when on the road and staying at unknown locations.

Travelling can be exhausting, so you won’t want any extra stress or worries when you arrive, either. No, worrying about whether the hotel has or how to set up a complex crib isn’t desirable.

So, do take my tips on how to choose the best travel crib on board! Knowing the types of travel cribs and features to look out for when shopping online will definitely serve you well.

At What Age Can I Use a Portable Crib?

Usually, travel cribs suit babies from newborn age up to three years old and anywhere in-between. Each travel crib is unique, though.

Some are designed only for newborns, while others get made to last through to toddler years or beyond. So, you can start using a travel crib at any of these ages, really.

As long as baby is within the travel crib manufacturer’s recommended age, you’re good. Do follow the age, weight, height, and developmental limits when using a crib, though.

You see, when babies become more mobile, they may no longer be safe in the crib. That’s why the manufacturers test the crib and assign limits accordingly.

Types of Travel Cribs

There are a few different types of travel cribs. Each of these come with certain features. Some even come with unique, added extras.

So, do consider what each crib has to offer. Ultimately, the best travel crib for you will depend on your individual needs.

Suspended Bassinet Cribs

Suspended baby bassinet cribs are similar to a baby bassinet. They’re oblong, small, and perfect for newborns. These cribs feature a suspended and supported bed and mattress.

Some may even rock like a traditional newborn crib. Yes, they’re perfect for your new bundle! However, they’re not always well suited to bigger, bouncing babies and active tots.

Play yards feature a bigger floor space with a mattress that usually rests on the floor. As such, they offer plenty of support for your energetic, growing toddler.

Generally, this type of crib will last babies from newborn age up to three years old. They might not offer the best comfort for newborns, though, so do check if the crib comes with a bassinet.

Multi-Stage Cribs

Multi-stage cribs provide the best of both worlds with both a play yard and a newborn/baby bassinet. They might even come with storage space, a baby seat, or a changing mat!

They’re perfect for mums who want a crib that’ll last longer than a few months. As baby grows, you can swap them over from the bassinet to the play yard.

Usually, these travel cribs fit baby at multiple age stages, so they’re great value for money. This is why they’re a popular option amongst parents.

Co-Sleeping Cribs

A co-sleeping crib is a step up from your usual baby travel crib. Instead of just being able to see baby sleeping next to you, you can actually fit the crib to your bedside.

So, you can even reach out to cuddle baby as they sleep. If you’re into co-sleeping, this type of travel crib is a great, safe option.

Unique Travel Cribs

Aside from the cribs mentioned above, there are some other unique cribs. These unique designs vary, and each often something original.

How to Choose the Best Travel Crib for Baby

Follow these top tips to easily select the best travel crib:

Decide which travel crib type best suits your needs
Only choose from the top-rated travel cribs
Check your baby is within the travel crib manufacturers recommended age group
Make sure that the weight and dimensions of the crib are suitable for your needs
Select a crib that folds easily and quickly
Buy a quality crib that won’t pose a safety risk
Consider the warranty and returns policy before you buy

Conclusion:

As you can see, there are many fantastic travel cribs out there from which to choose. Finding the best travel crib is vital, but this process doesn’t need to be difficult.

I hope my buyer’s guide and reviews have helped you to find the perfect one for you!

Check out these other great articles:

10 Best Infant Car Seats for 2023
Best Baby High Chair Reviews and Buyer’s Guide
10 Best Baby Bottle Sterilizer Reviews 2023
9 Best Baby Playpens Reviews and Buyer’s Guide
9 Best Retractable Baby Gates Review and Buyer’s Guide

Travel Crib Buying Guide: Everything Parents Should Know

If your little one is getting ready to spend their first night away from home, you’re probably wondering whether a travel crib is a necessary purchase. In our opinion, it’s a total must-have for traveling families.

Whether you’ll be heading on an overseas adventure or staying at the grandparents’ house for the night, a travel crib is the simplest way to help your baby settle in right away.

In this buying guide, you’ll learn the key features to look for when shopping for a travel crib, plus some important health and safety tips to ensure your little one enjoys their trip to the fullest.

But first, let’s take a look at the benefits of purchasing a travel crib and why we won’t go anywhere without one again.

What Is A Travel Crib?

A travel crib — also known as a portable crib , play yard , or pack and play — is an easily transportable sleeping space for your little one.

Unlike standard cribs that are usually made from wood, travel cribs generally have foldable plastic or metal frames with mesh sides to offer both protection and optimum airflow.

Many travel cribs are multi-purpose, meaning they can be used for playtime or even as a makeshift diaper changing table in addition to being used as a bed.

What Are The Benefits Of Travel Cribs?

Aside from being multi-functional, the biggest benefit of owning a portable crib is that it provides a safe, familiar sleep environment for your little one no matter where they are. This can help them feel secure enough to sleep so everyone on your trip can rest.

And sure, many hotels have the option of renting a crib. But without knowing how clean, safe, or suitable the crib might be for your little one, it’s understandable that you’d want to bring your own.

Plus, if you’re staying at an Airbnb or at a relative’s house, chances are you won’t have access to a crib and will need to bring one with you regardless.

A travel crib helps provide a sense of comfort for your baby whether they’re just visiting a different house or an entirely different country. This can make bedtime a lot smoother and helps to maintain a sense of normalcy in line with your baby’s usual sleep routine .

A travel crib still has benefits if you aren’t staying overnight anywhere. Some parents pick one up to leave at Grandma’s house or other homes away from home.

This way, your baby can continue napping like normal, even if you’re visiting during their normal nap time. Consistency makes sleep training easier!

And since it’s already there, you don’t have to worry about packing it each time. Not having to bring as much stuff with you for a daytime visit is always a win.

However, if you need to haul a crib with you, these days, portable cribs are incredibly lightweight and easy to transport.

A portable crib can also provide a safe place to lay your baby anywhere in the house. Since your little one’s main bed probably can’t be moved easily, a travel crib provides flexibility that some parents prefer. You can set it up in the living room, hallway, or outside.

But not all travel cribs are created equal. Some might be lacking the features you need the most, while others might have inclusions that you just won’t use.

Keep reading to learn the key attributes to look for when buying a travel crib to ensure your little one sleeps soundly — wherever your family adventures may take you!

What To Consider When Choosing A Travel Crib

baby sleeping on a Newton Baby crib mattress

1) Make Sure It’s The Right Size For Your Baby’s Age And Weight

Like any crib, you’ll want to make sure your new travel crib is the correct size for your little one’s age and weight.

Some are designed with infants in mind, which means your baby can outgrow them relatively quickly. But they do provide a cozy, safe place for your little one while they’re small.

You can also buy larger cribs for toddlers to nap and play in. And some travel cribs that work for infants and toddlers can last for years.

The sizing information should be clearly outlined on the crib you’re looking to purchase, so check it out before you decide.

If the travel crib is too small, it won’t last your baby as long as you might like. And if it’s too big, it could pose a potential safety hazard. So it’s important to get this feature just right!

Verify Travel Size Restrictions

If you’re a frequent flyer, you’ll also want to ensure the travel crib is small enough to meet airline size requirements. Your airline’s website should have this information. But if not, you can call the company and ask about its restrictions.

Many travel cribs fold up small enough to be allowed as a carry-on, so you don’t have to worry about it getting damaged or lost as it goes through the baggage process. However, some are too big for this, so you may need to check a larger crib.

2) Opt For A Multi-Purpose Travel Crib

If you’re investing in a travel crib, it’s a good idea to choose an option that can also be used as a play area (and potentially for other purposes too).

The key is to make sure the crib is spacious enough for your little one to play in when they’re not sleeping.

Some travel cribs have additional attachments to create a diaper changing table, while others will enable a bassinet to be placed on top of the crib as a cozier sleeping area for newborns.

If you purchase a travel crib that you can use until your little one is a toddler, these features can make a big difference. Without them, you’ll need to bend over pretty far to get your baby onto the mattress.

That’s because the mattress height has to be low to prevent your toddler from climbing out. The inserts are much easier to reach when you have a newborn and can help save your back.

Whichever additional features you’re looking for, travel cribs can make adjusting to a new place easier for your baby.

3) Choose A Crib With A Travel Bag

Next, we recommend looking for a crib with a travel bag included. While not all portable cribs will have this additional accessory, it’s definitely worthwhile if yours does.

These travel bags are usually made from a waterproof material to protect your crib during transit, and since they’re specifically built to fit the crib inside, it makes packing up a breeze.

It also keeps your crib secure, so you don’t have to worry about it sliding around and falling out while you’re trying to haul it up a set of stairs. And a bag is much easier to carry around than a loose crib.

That means one less thing to worry about when you’re traveling with a baby!

4) Ensure The Crib Mattress Is Comfortable And Safe

While the majority of travel cribs will come with a mattress included, some may require an additional purchase to complete the set.

Others may leave a lot to be desired with a thin, hard crib mattress that your baby may not enjoy sleeping on.

In either case, it’s crucial to make sure your travel crib mattress is comfortable and safe for your little one to help them fall asleep and stay asleep during your trip. You might even consider swapping out the included mattress for one that’s built for durability and longevity.

If your baby typically sleeps well but isn't in the travel crib, it’s likely a sign that they’re not comfortable. Using a different mattress can help, making it more likely for you all to enjoy some rest when it’s in use.

Our Essential Crib Mattress is available in both standard and mini sizes and is safe, breathable, and comfortable whether you’re at home or on the move.

Our Wovenaire® Core allows your little one to breathe easily while they sleep and helps them regulate their body temperature to reduce nighttime sweating.

Plus, our mattresses are 100% washable to make accident clean-ups easy. For those times when you need a quick change, our Extra Crib Mattress Cover is great to have on hand, so your little one can get back to sleep sooner.

Remember, if you choose to switch out the mattress in your travel crib, it’s important that the new mattress fits snugly inside the travel crib frame. That means no more than two fingers should be able to fit between the mattress and the side of the crib.

It’s best to double-check the measurements of your crib against the size of the mattress before making a purchase to ensure it’s going to be the perfect fit. If it’s not, don’t risk it. Instead, take the time to exchange the mattress for the right size before using it.

5) Think About Your Budget

Finally, you’ll want to consider your budget when choosing a travel crib for your baby. You can pick up a basic one for less than $100 or pay more for one with more features.

While thinking about the money side of things, consider how long and often your baby will use this bed. That will help you decide which option to choose.

For instance, if you think they’ll only use it for the occasional sleepover at grandma’s house, a less expensive portable crib might be best.

However, this might not have the most comfortable mattress , so your child may not sleep as well. But for an occasional night, that might be a trade-off you’re willing to make.

If you plan on using it often for travel or as an additional safe space while you’re at home, you might consider spending a bit more on one with premium features that can be used longer.

As you’re shopping, remember that travel beds designed for both infants and toddlers may cost more upfront. But they will serve you longer and may provide a better value in the long run.

Weigh your options, consider your budget, and make a decision based on how you think you’ll get the most use out of your travel crib.

6) Check That It Has Machine-Washable Fabrics

Lastly, confirm that your travel crib is made using machine-washable fabrics. You’ll thank yourself later when it comes time to clean your baby’s crib.

Being able to toss mattress covers and mesh sides straight into the machine is a lifesaver whether you have a blowout mid-trip or you’re freshening up the crib before storing it once you’re back at home.

If you plan on selling your travel crib in the future, being able to wash it is even more critical. While you might not mind your baby sleeping in one that’s stained or a bit dirty, someone else will.

Additionally, many consignment shops won’t take any portable beds that have stains. If you find one that will accept it, you’ll likely get a lot less for it compared to a clean one.

Trust us — machine-washable fabrics are a great feature to have!

Travel Crib Health And Safety Tips

No matter the size of the crib your baby is sleeping in, it’s essential to follow crib safety practices . This way, your little one sleeps soundly and safely.

To help keep them safe, here are some important tips to remember about travel cribs.

1) Test Out The Crib Before You Travel

When your travel crib isn’t set up correctly, it’s not safe. If the sides aren’t locked properly, it can even turn deadly. As such, this has to be our number one tip for traveling with your baby: Make sure you test out the crib before you travel!

There’s nothing worse than feeling tired and rundown from a lack of sleep on vacation and trying to put something new together.

Additionally, you can’t expect your baby to sleep well in a new space for the first time, so it’s crucial that you’ve given your little one a chance to get used to their new crib before your trip.

Take time to set up and fold the crib several times before putting your baby inside. The process for each one is different, so always read the directions carefully. You don’t want it folding back down while your baby is inside.

Once you have the hang of it, try having your baby play in the crib during the day to start with, and eventually let them sleep in the travel crib a few times, even if it’s just during nap time.

This will help to build a sense of familiarity, making a new environment like a hotel room feel less daunting for your child when it comes time to travel.

This is also a great opportunity for you to practice putting the travel crib together and packing it away. This should be a straightforward process, not one that makes you frustrated, so make sure you’ve picked the right crib for your needs before you hit the road .

2) Set The Crib Up Carefully

Once you arrive at your destination, take your time when setting up the crib. First, look around the room and select the best location.

You don’t want your little one to be able to grab the strings from window blinds or anything else that’s dangerous. Always look around the area carefully so you can help prevent any accidents.

Finally, set your travel crib up on a level surface. It shouldn’t rock once you get it put together and locked.

3) Use Safe Sleep Guidelines

Whether your baby is sleeping in their regular crib, a bassinet, or a travel crib, always follow safety guidelines for sleep.

These include putting your little one to sleep on their back and keeping pillows, blankets , and stuffed animals out of their sleep space.

If it’s chilly in the room, consider swaddling your newborn . Our Organic Swaddle Blankets are soft and breathable, helping keep your baby cozy while they sleep.

However, it won’t take long for your baby to get too big for swaddling. Once they can roll over, it’s no longer safe, and you’ll want to transition them into a sleep sack.

This keeps them warm while allowing arm mobility in case they roll into an uncomfortable position and need to reposition themselves in the middle of the night.

4) Get The Right Sheets

As mentioned earlier, travel cribs come in various shapes and sizes. This means you need to shop for sheets carefully. Always make sure you have the correct dimensions before making a purchase.

If your baby is sleeping on a mini-mattress, our Organic Cotton Sheets are the perfect size. They are 100% breathable and offer superior airflow so your little one can sleep well. They also come in cute patterns to match your personal style.

No matter which mattress you pick, take time to test your new sheets out before your trip. That way, you don’t have an unpleasant surprise on your vacation.

While your baby doesn’t need a top sheet until they’re older, the bottom sheet should fit snugly all the way around. You don’t want to worry about it coming loose and ending up over your baby’s face at night.

5) Clean The Crib Thoroughly After Each Trip

This might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s very important to thoroughly clean your baby’s travel crib from top to bottom after each use before you pack it away.

Disinfect any soft materials, like mattress covers (plus the mattress itself), and wipe any waterproof areas down to remove bacteria that could build up in storage.

Be sure to follow any provided instructions regarding bleaching fabrics, such as the crib’s mesh frame, to avoid damaging it.

Once it’s clean, allow the bed to dry completely before you fold it back up for storage. Otherwise, you risk mold starting to grow on the damp areas. If that happens, you don’t want your baby sleeping on it.

6) Check It Carefully Each Time You Use It

Whether your travel crib has been in storage for three months or you used it last week, always check it before you put your baby in it.

Take it out of the storage bag and set it up before you pack it in the car. Make sure there aren’t any rips or tears on the sides. Check the mattress for wear and the sides for mold. And verify that everything is working properly and is in good shape.

If your travel crib is damaged, don’t use it. What seems like a tiny rip to you can quickly expand, allowing a big enough hole to form that your little one can get an arm caught or try to crawl through it.

You don’t want to take chances regarding your baby’s sleeping spaces, so err on the side of caution.

7) Know When To Stop Using The Travel Crib

While a travel crib can be a great additional sleep space for your child, it won’t last them forever. So keep tabs on their weight and height, and make sure they’re still in the appropriate range for the bed you bought.

No matter their age, once your child can climb over the sides, it’s time to look for a different option. You don’t want to worry about them getting hurt while getting out of bed.

Sleep Easily, No Matter Where You Are

It’s easy to see why a travel crib is a total must-have if you’re heading on a trip with your little one.

From providing your baby with a safe play area to helping them feel secure while they sleep, bringing a piece of home on your travels can allow your baby to settle into an unfamiliar environment much more easily.

As you’re deciding on the best travel crib for your needs, remember to find a multi-functional crib, opt for machine-washable materials, and ensure the mattress is safe and comfortable.

If you choose to upgrade your travel crib mattress, the Newton Baby Crib Mattress is there to help your little one sleep easily and safely night after night!

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The 4 best travel cribs for babies and toddlers in 2024.

Finalize your decision with one of these four travel cribs.

The Best Travel Cribs

Woman carries backpack of Guava Lotus Travel Crib while holding the hand of her child as they walk down the stairs

Courtesy of Guava Family

The Guava Lotus Travel Crib is so compact, you can wear it like a backpack.

There are an increasing number of travel cribs on the market these days, and nearly all of them are touted to have a lightweight design and an easy setup, which makes it overwhelming to choose the right one for your pint-sized travel partner.

Taking into consideration key factors like safety, comfort and convenience for travel – as well as recent consumer reviews, expert recommendations and our own experiences – we've chosen the best travel cribs for babies and toddlers.

Best Overall: Guava Lotus Travel Crib

Jump to features and traveler insights ↓

Best Lightweight: BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light

Best Budget: Graco Pack 'n Play On the Go Playard

Best for Toddlers: hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed

Note: All travel crib dimensions are listed in order of length by width by height.

Guava Lotus Travel Crib in gray against white background.

Highlights:

Especially convenient for air travel, the Guava Lotus Travel Crib can be worn like a backpack in an included carrying case with padded straps, then checked as a bag.
The Guava Lotus is GreenGuard Gold Certified , which means its emission levels are even lower (and better) than industry standards.
It doubles as a bassinet and playard featuring a zippered door for easy access to your baby.

Setup: The Guava Lotus is easy to set up. The sturdy aluminum frame's hinges swiftly snap in place with the touch of a button. Once the frame is assembled, a fabric cover with mesh sides can be zipped on before you place the included waterproof mattress with a sheet (which is not included) inside. Then the mattress is secured to the frame via a buckle on each corner. When it's time to take the crib down, you don't have to disassemble the entire thing – another reason to love this option.

YouTube tutorial: Guava Lotus Setup | Guava Lotus Teardown

Maintenance: The mattress is easy to wipe down, and the crib's fabric portion is machine-washable.

"I've taken this crib all across the world over the past three years, and it still looks as good as new. We initially bought this crib because we were wary of using hotel cribs during COVID. We quickly fell in love with it and still bring it on every trip we take. Additionally, we purchased the optional sun shade, which came in handy on beach trips in our daughter's infant days." – Tamiz Ahmed , co-founder of Poppylist

BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light in navy blue against white background.

Courtesy of BabyBjörn

If you're specifically looking for something lightweight, meet your match: The BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light is one of the lightest travel cribs on the market.
The crib comes with a mattress and carrying bag.
All materials meet OEKO TEX Standard 100, Class 1 standards for baby products – meaning the crib permeates low levels of chemicals and is also free from as many as 350 harmful chemicals, making it safe for a baby's skin and curious mouth.

Setup: The frame of the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light is assembled in one swift motion. Next, the mattress is placed inside and secured to the crib's legs. When it's time to put the crib away, the mattress and crib frame easily fold down.

YouTube tutorial: BabyBjörn Travel Crib Setup | BabyBjörn Travel Crib Teardown – Option 1 | BabyBjörn Travel Crib Teardown – Option 2

Maintenance: The mattress can be wiped down with a damp cloth, and both the mattress cover (which can be zipped off) and the other fabric on the crib are machine-washable.

Best Budget: Graco Pack 'n Play on the Go Playard with Bassinet

Graco Pack 'n Play on the Go Playard with Bassinet in black against white background.

Courtesy of Graco

This crib comes with a full-size bassinet insert that folds with the playard when it's time to transport or put away the crib.
The crib also has a toy bar with soft toys to amuse your curious baby.
A carry case is included with this crib.

Setup: First, hit the crib's push buttons to assemble the frame. Once the four rails are locked, you can push the crib floor down before placing the mattress inside. Finally, secure the mattress straps (on the bottom) to the playard. To disassemble, you'll reverse the process almost exactly: Unfasten the mattress straps, remove the mattress, pull the tab at the bottom of the crib and – using the push buttons – fold the crib down.

YouTube tutorial: Graco On the Go Playard Setup and Teardown

Maintenance: The crib can be wiped down with mild soap and water, while the carry bag is machine-washable.

" The Graco Pack n Play On the Go Playard offers all the bells and whistles of other travel cribs, but at a far more affordable price ($80 vs. $150-$300). In particular, the removable bassinet is a game-changer during those early weeks of parenthood. My family used it during our first two weeks home with our daughter, and I appreciated that it provided a safe sleep space but didn't require me to bend over and stress my sore body. After that, we moved it to my mom's house and, even though it's super easy to fold and store, she keeps it out because it doesn't take up a lot of space." – Leah Rocketto , Associate Commerce Director at What to Expect

hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed in white and blue against white background.

Courtesy of hiccapop

Long and tall bumpers ensure your little one won't roll off the bed.
It inflates with an included electric pump and rolls up into an included carry bag.
The bed comes with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee and top-notch customer service.

Setup: The setup for this toddler travel bed is similar to that of a traditional air mattress – simply use the included electric pump to inflate the bed frame with rails and a mattress pad.

YouTube tutorial: hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed Setup and Teardown

Maintenance: The hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel bed can be wiped down with soap and water.

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Guava Lotus vs. Baby Björn

When choosing the best travel crib to purchase, the final decision for many buyers often comes down to the Guava Lotus Travel Crib and BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light since they're so similar.

If you're undecided between the two, see which crib wins in the following categories:

Your decision may ultimately come down to the type of traveler you are. If you frequently travel (especially by plane), the Guava Lotus is the best choice.

Guava Lotus vs. Newton Travel Crib

Many people also compare the Guava Lotus with the Newton Travel Crib, a newcomer to the travel crib market. The Newton Travel Crib mimics the Guava Lotus almost exactly, but here are some key differentiators (and the reasons we ultimately recommend the Guava Lotus instead):

Price: At $299, the Newton Travel Crib is about $50 more than the Guava Lotus.
Weight: The Newton Travel Crib is also 2 pounds heavier than its predecessor, weighing in at 17 pounds.
Setup: While the Newton Travel Crib is easy to set up, many buyers say that disassembly is difficult.

Travel Crib Accessories

When purchasing a travel crib, think about the other essentials your baby will need for restful naps and nights in your destination – especially since they'll be in an unfamiliar environment. These might include:

Room-darkening curtains: If your little one is accustomed to sleeping in a pitch-black room at home, you'll want to ensure your hotel room or vacation rental bedroom is as dark as possible. There are a few ways to do this:

Use foil and duct tape: It won't look pretty, but covering the windows with foil and duct tape is a cost-effective option.
Invest in a Slumberpod: The highly rated SlumberPod ($180) is essentially a tent that goes over the travel crib, ensuring total darkness for a peaceful night's rest. For a cheaper alternative, check out the Dofilachy Blackout Cover on Amazon.
Buy portable blackout curtains: Purchase a set of curtains that won't take up too much space in your luggage. These portable blackout curtains from Amazon Basics are highly rated and come with a storage bag.

White noise machine: Even if you already have a white noise machine you plan to pack, you might consider buying an additional, more portable option to use in tandem with it – especially if you'll be in a small space with older siblings who stay up later. U.S. News editors say they've had good experience with both the Yogasleep Hushh Portable Sound Machine (also useful for stroller rides) and this option by Magicteam .

Portable fan: A small battery- or USB-powered fan is a useful accessory when traveling with little ones – you can attach it to the travel stroller and car seat on hot days and secure it to the travel crib on warm nights. There are a variety of affordable, well-rated stroller fans on Amazon, including this adjustable option by AMACOOL .

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Amanda Norcross is a family travel expert who regularly travels with her toddler. Shortly after she found out she was pregnant, she excitedly bought the Guava Lotus Bassinet Kit & Travel Crib and – despite its hefty price tag – never regretted it once.

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Travel Crib Reviews

Thinking about traveling with kids and want a compact travel crib or toddler travel bed? Looking for a portable crib for the home but thinking something less bulky might be the way to go? You have come to the right place. Here at Travel Crib Reviews, you can find reviews of all the best travel cribs and toddler travel beds written by a traveling mom.

There are a wide range of travel cribs (or travel cots, depending on where you are from) on the market and picking the right one can be confusing. Making the wrong purchase can cost you time and money.

See the top rated travel crib – click here.

Read our full review of the BabyBjorn .

Important Aspects When Choosing a Travel Crib

In order to help you pick the right travel crib or toddler travel bed, I reviewed all the best selling, popular and most quality choices of travel crib. I broke them down and reviewed them based on:

Portability – how small and lightweight the travel cribs are when dissembled.
Ease of use – how easy the travel cribs are to assemble, dissemble and keep clean.
Comfort – how comfortable the travel cribs are for your infant.
Age range – what age range each travel crib is suitable for.
Safety – how safe the travel crib or toddler travel bed is for your child. You can also read more about travel crib safety standards at the CPSC .

Check out the full travel crib buying guide here.

Advantages of a travel crib.

The main advantages that a travel crib has over a portable crib or a regular crib are:

They are lightweight so easy to transport
They fold up compactly making it easy to transport a travel crib
Many travel cribs are small enough that they can be taken on planes as hand luggage
They are not just perfect for travel, but also make a great second crib for use around the house. They are especially a good choice if you are short on storage space in the home.

What is a Toddler Travel Bed?

A toddler travel bed is basically a fold up bed suitable for toddlers and preschoolers. They are usually for children 2 – 5 years old. Unlike a travel crib, they do not have high sides and are not designed to keep your child contained. Read more about toddler travel beds including our reviews of the top rated beds. The Leachco BumpZZZ is a great example of a travel bed.

If you are looking for a travel crib for a one year old, a travel crib, rather than a toddler travel bed, should suit you better.

What is a Kids Travel Bed?

A kids travel bed is the same as a toddler bed, except bigger for older kids. Read our full guide to the best kids travel beds here .

What is a Portable Crib?

A portable crib is the same thing as a travel crib – just bigger and bulkier. They are also often cheaper so these can be a popular option if you are mostly looking for a second crib for the home or to leave at the grandparents.

Read our full guide to the best portable cribs here .

What is a Play Yard?

A play yard is a portable enclosure for your babies and toddlers to keep them safe while they play. Sometimes these double up as portable cribs or travel cribs and sometimes, they are just a small fence you can move around the house and outside.

Read our full guide to the best play yards here .

We also have reviews of other baby equipment on this site including the best baby gyms , the best crib mattresses and the best crib sheets .

Top 2 Travel Cribs

Each travel crib rates differently for the factors above. Here is a quick guide to the top 2 travel cribs on the market. You can read about many more in our guide to the best travel cribs .

1. Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light

2. Lotus Travel Crib

Check out the comparison chart here.

If you are trying to compare the Lotus Travel Crib vs Baby Bjorn, you really can’t go wrong with either option. However, the basic differences to consider is that the Lotus Travel Crib is heavier than the Baby Bjorn but it can be taken on the plane as carry on, the Baby Bjorn cannot. The Baby Bjorn is also more expensive, but more comfortable. The Lotus Travel Crib is cheaper and should last your child longer.

All travel cribs and toddler travel beds on this site meet all safety requirements. They are also safe for your baby to use. Unsure about whether you need a travel crib or toddler travel bed? Check out our article on this topic. Any further questions? Please contact me.

Baby Registry

Phil&Teds Traveller Travel Crib Review

Pros • Super light, only seven pounds • Front zipper converts it quickly from crib to playpen • Great for outdoor use

Cons • Mattress rests on the floor • Mattress is a little narrow • Not as stable as it could be

Bottom Line As one of the lightest (if not the lightest) travel cribs on the market, the Traveller is easy to put together and, once in its travel case, slips right over your shoulder—look Ma, no hands!

Rating: 4 stars

Ready to register? Shop our catalog for Phil&Teds Traveller Portable Crib .

Traveling with a toddler is crazy enough without having to lug a heavy travel crib through the airport—my diaper bag alone is enough to handle while going through security. So when I saw that Phil&Teds Traveller Travel Crib weighs only seven pounds, I jumped at the chance to give it a try. The entire crib fits into a sleek, yoga-mat-size bag you can carry over your shoulder, like a cross-body bag, and easily put in an overhead bin on an airplane. But I actually like to pack it in my large suitcase, since it barely takes up any space (it could even fit into a standard backpack)— then I don’t have to count it as an extra carry-on.

Right away, the Traveller reminded me of pitching a tent; in fact, my husband jokingly calls it “Phil&Teds Excellent Adventure” crib (like the Keanu Reeves ’80s cult classic). Setting up the crib is a three-step process that takes about 5 to 10 minutes total. First, you snap the aluminum rods together and push them through a slightly padded sleeve to create the top rim. Then you connect the four legs to the rim and secure the base of the crib to each leg. Finally, you blow up the mattress—I promise that you won’t be out of breath—cover it with the soft fitted sheet that’s included and latch it onto small hooks so it doesn’t move around. It’s a little bit more work than other pop-up cribs, but still way easier than anything you’ve managed to piece together from IKEA. You probably won’t even need it but just in case, you can watch the crib being put together here .

My 20-month-old son was particularly excited by the zip-away opening on one of the long sides of the crib. He happily plays inside, making a house for his toys and even inviting “Mama in tent.” (I don’t fit completely, but I can comfortably rest my head and torso inside—and, of course, I approve of any game that involves lying down!) I also love that because it’s so light, I can easily move it out into the yard or take it to the beach, creating a little fort on top of a picnic blanket. If you plan to use it outdoors a lot though, you might want to buy the mesh sun cover ($20) that keeps out UV rays and protects baby from bugs.

Performance

At first I was worried the blow-up mattress might not be thick enough since there is only a thin, tarp-like bottom that separates it from the ground, but my son slept surprisingly well. I realized that unlike me, who’s used to a plush feather bed, his crib mattress is super firm and he must be used to it. The mattress is also thermally insulated, so it’s not like he is sleeping directly on the floor. Still, I personally feel better when we’re using it indoors, on a carpeted surface.

I also love that he can crawl into his “tent,” and then I zip him up into it—he thinks it’s a fun game we’re playing, and that helps him adjust better to going to sleep in a new setting.

While the mattress is a cinch to blow up, I do have to use my yoga-mat-rolling skills to transform it back into a compact cylinder that will fit inside the carry bag. After several attempts, I’ve figured out that the best way to do this is by using my knees to push out air as I roll. I also get my son to help by stomping on the unrolled part, which, of course, he loves. Otherwise, disassembly takes just a few minutes.

One thing to keep in mind: Since the Traveller doesn’t have a heavy base and the walls are beams and mesh, not wood bars like in a regular crib, it may not withstand tantrums or climbing escapades. Luckily I’ve never had the Traveller tip over. But since the crib is designed for newborn to age 3, it’s definitely something to be wary of if your child becomes an Energizer Bunny once he learns to stand up and walk.

I’m a fan of modern and minimalist design, so the Traveller is right up my alley. It comes in two colors—black and silver—and both blend seamlessly into their surroundings, without blatantly announcing, “Hello, playpen in the room!” And, since the rectangular mattress is narrower (22 inches) than a typical portable crib, the Traveller fits pretty well in all kinds of tight spaces (like hotel rooms).

The trapezoidal shape (it’s 45 inches long, so it’s good for older toddlers too) also makes the assembly process pretty self-explanatory, especially after you’ve done it once.

As someone who dreads lugging around dead weight, the Traveller is a no-brainer, especially for a family on the go. You can store it out of the way in your coat closet when you’re not using it and then when it’s time to drive to the in-laws or fly off to a vacation in the Caribbean, just toss it in the trunk and head out knowing you’re covered for both sleep and play. It’s lighter than baby and it’s easy to put together—two key elements you want as a savvy traveler.

Yelena Moroz is a freelance writer and stay-at-home mom based in Richmond, Virginia. She loves spending time outdoors with her son Bradley. When they’re not exploring local parks and playgrounds, you can find them trying out new foods—although, pretty much anything in noodle form is a hit with Bradley.

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A Review of the UPPAbaby Vista V2, by a Mother of Four

Guava Lotus Travel Crib Review (Not Sponsored)

The Guava Lotus “everywhere crib” is the current darling of the travel crib world, and one of the most popular travel cribs on the market today. It’s also one of the more expensive options, putting it firmly into the awesome but pricey product category, along with other Instagrammable baby products like the Keekaroo Peanut or Lovevery blocks or play kits .

Compared to brands like Joovy, the Lotus travel crib is expensive. But compared to its peers in terms of the best travel cots out there – the BabyBjorn Light travel crib , the Phil and Teds traveller , or the Bugaboo Stardust – it’s frequently found within the same price range.

Which led me to wonder, is t he Guava travel crib worth it as a “cream of the crop” in travel cribs? And is it better than its closest competitors?

This Guava Lotus travel crib review dives in that question, and I share my personal experience with this travel crib so you can decide what the best travel crib is for your family.

Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib Review Key Takeaways

Durable carry bag with heavy duty zippers and straps
Carrying case converts to a backpack, giving you another way to carry it when you're at the airport or transferring locations in country
Side zipper door is great for babies who fall asleep in their parents arms or strollers, and need easy access to be transferred to their travel crib without (hopefully) waking up
Comfy mattress for baby (a waterproof mattress, at that!) with low VOCs
Very lightweight, weighing in at only 15 pounds (including travel bag), and manageable for many adults to carry it
Extremely fast set-up, on par with the BabyBjorn travel crib
360 degree mesh sides ensure excellent airflow, a huge plus in hot destinations
Free from harmful chemicals and materials, including no PVC, fire retardant chemicals, lead, phthalates, formaldehyde, arsenic, mercury, or cadmium.
Greenguard Gold certified
Bassinet compatible, although it comes at an extra charge
Great resale value when you're done with it
No upper weight limit, given that it's a floor resting mattress
Takes a bit of muscle to get the crib back into the backpack carrying case
Taking down the legs and folding them in requires some force and confidence you're not going to break it. The loud click is a bit alarming the first time
It's expensive for a pack and play. While you could use it up until 3 years old or so, it's probably more like 2 for lots of kids
Doesn't come with extras like a sun cover or mosquito net, so you may need to spend more money on a third-party solution depending on where you're traveling to

What is the Guava Lotus Travel Crib (& How is it Different from Other Travel Cribs?)

The Guava pack and play is a lightweight travel crib or pack and play that comes in its own sturdy carrying case, which can be used as a carry bag or a backpack. Named the “Everywhere Crib,” it’s particularly suited to families who travel with their baby – whether that’s across the world or across town to the grandparents house – and want a play yard that can travel with them.

The Guava travel crib is popular with good reason. It weighs only 15 pounds, thanks to its aluminum frame and super lightweight construction, and can be put set up in minutes. It packs up really small in its own bag, and is well designed for even petite adults to carry.

It also holds Greenguard Gold certification, which is common for cribs and mattresses, but not common for pack and play products.

Finally, since it’s a floor sitting mattress, there’s no upper weight limit on use as with a traditional play yard such as the 4moms . You can use it in the toddler years when your little one might stand in it , but I’d suggest that once they start doing their best to climb out of it , it’s time to stop using a pack and play or travel crib !

Detailed Review of Our Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib

If you’re intrigued by the Lotus travel crib, but want some more insight into what’s great about and what’s not – from someone who actually owns the product – keep reading! Below, I go into different criteria I look for in a travel crib, and evaluate the Guava travel crib based on those criteria and my own testing.

Portability, Ease and Durability When Traveling With It

For me, this is the single most important factor when considering which travel crib to buy and take on your trip.

Travel with a baby is so much different than travel before kids, and it requires lugging a lot more stuff around. In my opinion, a travel crib needs to make parents’ lives and trips easier and better, and part of that means not being a huge PITA getting to and from the airport, and in between destinations.

When it comes to portability, this is one of the areas the Lotus travel crib shines.

And it comes down to the carry bag (plus the miraculous fact that the pack and play somehow folds up into the bag). The official dimensions for the travel crib in the bag are 24″ L x 12″ W x 8″ H. When I measured my own in the bag, it came out slightly bigger, but pretty close

For one, the carry bag has good dimensions for travel. The bag itself is fairly compact, and it’s made of a durable nylon with heavy duty zippers and straps. Durable straps is very important, speaking as someone who has experience with bag straps breaking while traveling!

It is also fairly compact as a carry bag, which is handy for getting stuff into a rental car, onto a train in Europe, or into a taxi. We’ve also owned the BabyBjorn Travel Light Crib , and the Guava Lotus has a better carrying case, in my opinion, for fitting into places as you travel, and offering a “back pack straps” option.

Setting It Up and Using It

After being easy to travel with, being easy to set up is my next most important quality when evaluating a travel crib.

If you’re taking a long flight or crossing multiple time zones, you want to be able to get your baby or young toddler into a comfortable bed ASAP once you actually arrive.

The first time I set up the Guava Lotus Travel Crib , I did it “cold” – without watching any videos beforehand or reading any sort of instructions. Out of curiosity, I set my stopwatch to see how long it would take me for a full “cold” set up (unzipping the bag to ready-to-use): 1 minute and 56 seconds.

(To be fair, I was well-rested, on my own time zone, and did not have a screaming baby with me when I did this test).

I actually couldn’t believe that was right…. less than 2 minutes. So after setting it up for the first time, I double checked the instruction manual and…BAM! I had done it correctly (although I later realized I hadn’t secured the mattress with the click straps).

It’s not quite as fast as the BabyBjorn LightTravel Crib (which takes me about 1 minute and 20 seconds) or the ultra fast Bugaboo Stardust (which can set up in mere seconds), but it’s quite a bit faster than the Phil and Ted’s Traveller , which requires the frame to be pieced together.

Setting up the Guava Family Lotus is easy. What about tearing it down, either when your vacation is over or you’re moving from one location to another?

For fun, I decided to pretended I was on a European sojourn, getting ready to leave Rome and head to Florence. I again used a stop watch to measure precisely how long it took me to put it all away (it was once again a cold test – no instructions or preparing).

It took me exactly 5 minutes, and I definitely made a lot of mistakes this time. It took me ages to find the little levers you need to squeeze to release the main frames. Once I found them, the frame collapsed easily.

I was also a bit worried I was going to break the legs when I was collapsing those, as the lever where they bend makes a clicking noise when you push on the legs to fold.

But still…5 minutes for my first time? Pretty awesome, and goes to show how easy the Lotus travel crib is to use (for set up and take down).

Out of curiosity, I timed myself again for a second test tearing down the travel crib: 2 minutes and 31 seconds. (I can take down the BabyBjorn travel crib in 1 minute and 14 seconds, so again it takes a bit longer than the BabyBjorn but is still very fast).

How Long Does it Take to Set Up The Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib?

After extensive testing, I’ve gotten proper setup down to just under 2 minutes (50 seconds or so to get it setup with the mattress in the play yard, and then another 50 seconds to attach the mattress to the frame using the click in system). This doesn’t include putting a fitted sheet on, but as you can tell from my tests, it’s very fast to set up!

I have proper tear down to about 2.5 minutes – about 1 minute 10 seconds to tear down the crib, and then another 1 minute 20 seconds to get the mattress and folded crib into its carrying case and all zipped up.

I think this is a fairly reasonable estimate of how long it will take most families.

Zipper Side Door Noise Concerns: Will it Wake a Sleeping Baby?

One of the nicest features of the Guava family Lotus is the side zipper door for easy access to baby. It’s not entirely unique among travel cribs (the Phil & Teds Traveller also has it, the Baby Bjorn , Bugaboo Stardust , and the Nuna Sena do not), but it’s great.

I love the zipper door feature. My kiddo has always been a “fall asleep with a parent” kind of kid, which means rocking in our arms and then placing to sleep. At home, this is fine, because the crib height makes it possible.

But with a floor resting mattress as with the Guava lotus travel crib ? It’s just too far down to successfully transfer a sleeping baby without waking them, especially if you’re a short person (like I am!).

Enter the zippered side door. When you’re ready to put a sleeping baby into the travel crib, prepare by opening the zip door, place them in through this side door, and then zip it back up….and hopefully enjoy a quiet evening in your hotel room or vacation apartment!

As your child gets older, this makes it a crawl friendly playard – you can leave it open and let them crawl in and out on their own.

This system has worked well for us in the past, but the one question most parents have about is this: won’t the sound of zipping up the side door again wake the baby?

Based on personal experience with side zip door travel cribs, I can say this didn’t happen to us. Once asleep, our baby (and in my experience, lots of babies) are pretty hard to wake with minimal noise.

The zipper door on the Lotus travel crib isn’t that loud. It’s comparable in my opinion to the Phil and Ted’s travel crib , and is about the same amount of noise as zipping up a jacket. If you go ever-so-slightly slower than normal zippering speed, it gets a lot quieter.

One additional feature the Guava Family Lotus crib has compared to the Phil & Teds (the other travel crib we’ve tried that has a zipper door), is the fact that the zippered side door can be “locked” in place by clipping the zipper pull to secure it. Great if you have an escape artist.

Pack and Play Travel Mattress Quality

One of the first “safety rules” of parenting an under one infant or baby is that comfy mattresses and safety don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand. Babies need a firm mattress for safety , and this is particularly so for babies under 12 months.

So how does the Guava Family Lotus travel crib mattress stack up, from both a safety and comfort point-of-view?

First of all, it is fairly comfy while still being firm! I’d put comfort around the same as the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light , which is more comfy than the Phil and Ted’s inflatable mattress system (which is fairly thin). There’s no need to go to great lengths to try to make it more comfortable , which is great from a safety perspective.

The Guava Family Lotus mattress is about 1.5″ thick, with a rigid bottom (which they call a “base plate” and is made from rigid polyethylene) and a padded layer on top.

On the under side of the mattress, each of the four corners has a strap and buckle system, which attaches to the main part of the crib floor to secure the mattress in place.

As I understand it, the company used to use velcro tabs to secure it in place in older versions of this crb, and the new buckle/click system is meant to be an improvement on the old velcro tabs system. I found the new system easy to use and not at all fiddly.

The padding is made from a low VOC polyurethane foam (it’s near impossible to get away from PU foam mattresses in travel cribs – the Phil & Teds Traveller uses a unique air mattress system as an alternative, but I’ve owned both and overall I prefer the Guava Lotus). It also has a waterproof cover made from polyurethane coated polyester fabric on the top side of the mattress.

Importantly, Guava doesn’t add chemical flame retardants , despite using a PU foam mattress. Additionally, this travel crib (the entire product, not just one or two components) is Greenguard Gold certified. You can check the certificate online yourself .

Also good to know? Because the mattress rests on the floor, there is no weight limit to this pack n play, unlike some other travel cribs (The bassinet does have a weight limit though).

Use the Guava Lotus with the Lotus pack and play sheets , not crib sheets , which are too large.

Washability and Cleaning

The fabric part of the crib is made from polyester (fabric and breathable mesh). And it’s machine washable, which is unique when it comes to cleaning a pack and play.

I’ll admit, I was kind of nervous to test out washing the fabric on this play yard. While it claims to be easy machine washing, anytime something is expensive, I worry about shrinking it, or not being able to get it back on properly. (I felt the same the first time I had to wash the Organic Dream crib mattress cover and the Newton crib mattress cover).

I followed the instructions I found online, but accidentally did it in the wrong order (and it still worked fine).

I removed the crib feet from the frame after already unzipping the fabric. This was the hardest part, as you have to compress the little buttons to get the feet out. I disliked this system, and comparing it to the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light (which has very easy to remove feet), it’s a lot more challenging to do so on the Guava Lotus.

I washed on cold, on the delicate cycle, using a gentle detergent (we currently use True Earth detergent strips ), and hung it to dry. Because I was nervous, I stuck the whole thing into a large mesh laundry bag we have to protect it from snags.

You can’t tumble dry it, so hanging to dry is a necessity.

Out of curiosity, I tested how long it would take to dry. While this will vary based on season, climate, and the place you hang it to dry, it’s helpful as a guideline in case you have a middle of the night vomit explosion while on your trip (this has happened to us) and need to wash it while on the road.

In my test, it took about 10 hours to dry. For point of reference, this is more than double what it took my BabyBjorn travel crib to dry when I ran the same test (you can read that review here ).

At the 2-hour mark, the bottom fabric and the mesh was dry, but the padded bits that zip over the top of the frame were not. In a pinch (i.e. nap time), I think I could have used it at that point, and re-hung to dry after use. But really, the padding needs a full “overnight” hang to dry to dry properly.

Putting the fabric back on the frame was also surprisingly easy – I again timed myself the first time I did it, and I was able to get the fabric back on properly in 4 minutes and 50 seconds.

It took me 3 minutes 40 seconds to get the fabric zipped back on during re-assembly. This part is pretty easy, because the fabric stays as one unit, so there is no messing around, trying to figure out which panel goes where. It then took me an additional 1 minute 10 seconds to get the feet clicked back in. The feet were a bit finicky, but under 5 minutes for total re-assembly is pretty good I think!

Backpack and Hand-Carry Storage Bag

The first time I took down the crib and tried to get it back into its case, I was worried I’d have to do a lot of wrestling to make it fit.

As it turned out, the folded crib fit pretty well in the bag, but it did require some wrestling and squishing. If the bag was ever-so-slightly larger, I think it’d be much easier.

Overall, the case looks like the other luggage we take on a trip: durable and nondescript.

One thing I love about the travel bag is you can carry it by a normal handle, like other luggage or bags, or you can convert it into a backpack for hands free transporting! I think that makes this travel crib particularly well suited to certain types of trips, such as multi-country trips and long trips that include multiple destinations.

I’m only 5 foot tall, and can wear it comfortably.

The Lotus Travel Crib is Non Toxic

For me, the fact that the Guava is fairly “non toxic” as far as travel cribs go is also important to me!

According to the company (from email communication):

“ All materials are 3rd party tested to ensure they are completely free of Lead, PVC, phthalates, flame retardants, formaldehyde, heavy metals (cadmium, arsenic, etc.), PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) that are commonly known as semi-volatile organic compounds (this includes Flourene, Pyrene, Napthalene and many more).

The Lotus Crib and Bassinet have also undergone 3rd party testing for stringent chemical emissions standards and have the GREENGUARD GOLD Certification .”

Design and Extras

My main criticism of this product is it doesn’t come with any extras, such as a sun shade or mosquito net .

This isn’t unusual when it comes to travel cribs, but I still kind of resent shelling out so much for the crib itself, and then still having to find a mosquito net and sunshade solution for some trips.

Guava Lotus vs Baby Bjorn

I have owned both the Baby Bjorn travel crib and the Guava Lotus travel crib at different times, so I feel like I’m in a good position to compare the two.

It’s also worth noting that both are great choices! We used the BabyBjorn A LOT and it was great! Here’s a gratuitous photo of it in our hotel room in Vienna:

Like the Guava, the Baby Bjorn is pretty lightweight and comes packed away in its own carrying case. The BabyBjorn is faster to set up, tear down, and re-assemble after laundering. It’s also easier to get into its carry bag, and dries faster after washing. It uses non-toxic OEKO-TEX certified textiles.

the Guava Lotus shines with the side zip door, which is particularly good for shorter parents or nursing/comforting baby to sleep, has a more convenient carry bag (smaller footprint and backpack straps option), has an optional newborn bassinet, and is Greenguard Gold certified.

I don’t have a hard preference for either, because I have tried both and feel they each have strengths and weaknesses. Rather, I think one or the other is better for certain types of trips and certain types of families (or stages of families, even).

If you want a newborn bassinet, the Guava Lotus is the only option.
Ease of use wise (set up, take down, and assembling after washing), the BabyBjorn is the winner, hands down. The Guava is still very good, but not as fast or easy as the BabyBjorn.
For very short parents, the Guava is the winner. I am 5 foot tall and can use the Babybjorn comfortably with a baby who’s old enough to sit up or stand up, but would struggle to safely lean over the crib and place a newborn on the mattress due to the crib height and my height.
If you’re going on a short trip to one destination, such as a vacation rental or resort, I would personally choose the BabyBjorn.
For longer trips and multi-destination trips, such as backpacking through South America or SE Asia, I’d take the Guava Lotus with me due to the backpack option of the carry case, and smaller footprint of the carry bag.
If your baby is a puker, or tends to get sick on trips, I’d choose the BabyBjorn as it dries much faster after washing than the Guava Lotus, based on my testing of both.

Shop for the Guava Lotus travel crib or the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light on Amazon.

Guava Lotus Travel Crib Review: Is it Worth It?

For my family, a travel crib has been worth it. We’ve owned three brands – the Guava , a Baby Bjorn , and a Phil and Teds – and so far the Guava is my favorite.

Whether that makes it worth it for your family, however, is up to you.

I wanted to invest in a travel crib to give my daughter some consistency when we were traveling, knowing she’d always sleep in the same bed at night. It also reduced stress showing up to a hotel that couldn’t guarantee they’d have a crib we could rent or borrow, due to a “first come, first serve” policy. Hygiene wise, I definitely felt better knowing we were the only family that used the crib, and I was confident it was clean.

Finally, while lots of destinations tend to offer cribs to guests for free, some destinations charge a lot. When we were in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, we were thankful to have our own travel crib as most hotels charged the equivalent of between $30 and $50 per night to rent one!

I hope this review helps you understand what I think are the pros and cons of the Guava travel crib, and makes it easier for you to choose it (or another travel crib).

If you’d like to purchase, the Guava Family Everywhere crib is available on Amazon.

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Nuna Sena Aire Review

Like all things Nuna, the Sena Aire is gorgeous… but its usability is limited and it's more expensive than other, better travel cribs. As one of the smaller travel cribs out there, the Sena Aire gets outgrown quickly. It's also heavy and bulky when folded, making it suboptimal for travel. On the plus side, it comes with a bassinet and organic fitted sheet, and it is easy to assemble.

Things We Love

Looks Great: Like all things Nuna, the Sena Aire looks great. We like it best in Night and Suited, but it looks nice in all of the available color options.
Easy to Assemble and Disassemble… Except on Carpet: Push down to expand the Sena Aire. Pull up to collapse it. It’s that easy. However, on certain surfaces, like chunky rugs or carpets, too much friction between the Sena Aire’s legs and the carpet can make this theoretically simple opening and closing mechanism quite difficult.
Organic Fitted Sheet Included: The GOTS organic fitted sheet is included with the price of the Nuna Sena Aire.
Integrated Bassinet: The Sena Aire has a wonderful bassinet for newborns and small infants. It’s on the bigger side for bassinets, the same size as the crib itself, and will work well for pre-mobile babies.

Things We Don't Love As Much

Very Heavy: Weighing in at 22 pounds, the Sena Aire is nine pounds heavier than the Guava Family Lotus and the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light, which makes a difference if you’re planning to carry this longer distances for travel.
Bulky When Folded: The Sena Aire folds to a bulky 31.5 by 13 by 11 inch package. It is one of the larger folded cribs out there, and similar in folded size to the 4Moms Breeze.
Too Small: Measuring 41.3 by 29.5 by 30.7 inches, the Sena Aire is one of the smaller travel cribs of the bunch and will be outgrown the most quickly.
So/So Mattress: The Sena Aire isn’t known for its super comfortable mattress, but it gets the job done reasonably well.
Add On Change Table: A nice-looking change table is sold separately and can be added to the Sena Aire for $59.95. (This add on makes the Nuna Sena Aire $60 more expensive than the comparable 4Moms Breeze Plus.)
Nuna Sena Aire – $299.95
Nuna Sena Aire Change Table – $59.95

Note: Nuna also sells the Sena Aire Mini, an even smaller version of the already too small Sena Aire, for $199.95. It weighs 18 pounds, measures 34.6 by 24.8 inches by 26.4 inches, and features an integrated bassinet, an included organic fitted sheet, and simple setup and breakdown. Although it looks good, there are other things on the market that are significantly more practical for the job (while also looking good too).

GO BACK TO ALSO MOM'S OVERVIEW OF THE BEST TRAVEL CRIBS.

You may also like, babybjorn travel crib light review, guava family lotus travel crib review, phil & teds traveller portacot review, 4moms breeze plus playard review.

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Preliminary findings and direction of travel (accessible)

Preliminary findings and direction of travel.

PDF , 245 KB , 14 pages

This paper is for all criminal justice parties who are interested in, or have participated in, the review. It sets out the review findings to date.

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IMAGES

5 Best Travel Cribs 2020: Portable, Lightweight Cribs
10 Best Travel Cribs for Babies & Toddlers (2024)
How to Choose the Best Travel Crib in 2020
Guide to the Best Baby Crib 2019
The 8 Best Travel Cribs
Best Travel Cribs 2020

VIDEO

Nuna COVE Aire Go Review
Newton Travel Crib & Play Yard Review
ParentLab JourneyBee Travel Crib Review
Tiny details: Travel Crib Light (UK English)
GRACO Travel Cot (Setup)
Travel Ready: Pamo Babe Portable Baby Travel Crib

COMMENTS

The Best Travel Cribs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best for Playtime: Chicco Alfa Lite Lightweight Travel Playard at Amazon ($170) Jump to Review. Best Portability: Zoe The Cloud at Zoebaby.com (See Price) Jump to Review. Best 2-in-1: Baby Joy Travel Crib 2-in-1 Playpen at Amazon ($90) Jump to Review.
The 8 Best Travel Cribs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
She is personally familiar with the offerings from UppaBaby, Munchkin, and Chicco. In creating our list of best travel cribs, we also spoke to an expert in the care of newborns, neonatologist ...
Best travel cots tested by parents for 2024 UK
Best travel cot for occasional use: Cuggl Deluxe Superlight Travel Cot, £60. Best travel cot for newborns: Joie Kubbie Sleep, £99.99. 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, £199. Best travel cot for no upper weight limit ...
The 4 Best Travel Cribs
The Baby Joy Travel Crib 2-1 Playpen is a similarly styled and shaped travel crib that might be a good fit if your budget is smaller or you only need it infrequently. The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is a quality option that feels sturdy using high-quality materials. Read more: BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light review
Best Travel Cribs for 2024
Weight: 13 Pounds. Size: 44 x 24 x 32 inches. Recommended Age: Newborn, Infant, Toddler. Maximum Weight Recommendation: 33 Pounds. The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light has been an essential for overseas trips and visits to grandma's cottage. At only 13 pounds, it's one of the lightest and most portable options out there.
14 best travel cribs and portable bassinets of 2024
BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light. Amazon. Listed at just 11 pounds, the BabyBjorn was rated the best overall pick when it comes to travel cribs by the popular parenting and pregnancy website What to ...
Lotus Travel Crib Review
With a weight of 13.9 lbs in the bag, the Lotus is one of the lightest options in the review. The product measures 12.6"H x 24.8"L x 9.3"W when folded, which makes it one of the smallest products as well. The Lotus Travel Crib is the only product we tested that offered a hands-free carrying option like the backpack straps.
Best travel cots 2024: Tried and tested for babies and toddlers
The best travel cots for 2024 are: Best travel cot overall - Graco foldlite: £80, Amazon.co.uk. Best budget travel cot - Red Kite sleep tight travel cot: £27, Asda.com. Best travel cot for ...
9 Best Travel Cribs for 2023
On this list, it's one of my favorites for the overall feel of the quality of the materials. Silver Cross isn't skimping out on the fabrics or steels, even though it's under $300. The bassinet slides in easily, but firmly, and the cushion feels just about perfect for a baby. Not too firm and not too soft.
Phil and Teds Travel Crib Review 2024: Our 5-Country Travel Crib Test
The phil & teds Traveller crib is a super light and ultra portable travel cot suitable for babies. This compact pack n' play is good from birth until kids are 35″ (890mm) tall, or around 2-years-old. It's made from a lightweight aluminum frame, polyester and nylon sides, and a fitted polyester sheet. The sides are made from breathable ...
Best Portable and Travel Cribs Reviewed
The travel crib features breathable, see-through mesh fabric, which is free of any toxic chemicals. Highlights: It's available in black, blue, or silver. Both the travel crib fabric and the mattress cover are machine-washable. Price*: about $299.99 on Amazon.com. Pampers Parents pros and cons:
Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib Review
With its quick setup, small footprint, and convenient carry bag, the Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib is a must-have for globetrotting families. We purchased the Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review. Traveling with children gets physical quickly.
BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Review (Tried & Tested)
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light folds down to 6 pounds less, and you can feel that difference. The shape into which the Travel Crib Light folds is manageable and carry-able. I have no problem lifting it with one hand. The Pack 'n Play is also pretty long and awkward when it goes into our trunk.
The 4 Best Cribs of 2024
Travel car seats; Seats. Baby bouncers & rockers; Baby swings; High chairs; All Baby. ... Baby Bargains's review of 50-plus crib brands was an invaluable resource during this process.
Lotus Travel Crib (Independent) Real-World REVIEW
After considering other similar cribs and play yards like the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light and reading the latest Lotus travel crib reviews on Amazon, we decided to go with the Lotus crib. What ultimately sold us on the Lotus crib (in addition to price and positive reviews) was the compact size , side zipper door , backpack straps , and overall ...
10 Best Baby Travel Crib Reviews 2023
At A Glance: Our Top Ten Best Travel Crib Picks : Graco Travel Lite Bassinet, Crib & Playpen. Guava Lotus Travel Crib. Flisko 2-in-1 Travel Crib With Bassinet. Unilove Hug Me Portable Co-Sleeping Crib. Fisher-Price On-the-Go Baby Dome. Mornyray 3-in-1 Newborn Travel Bed Backpack.
Travel Crib Buying Guide: Everything Parents Should Know
4) Ensure The Crib Mattress Is Comfortable And Safe. While the majority of travel cribs will come with a mattress included, some may require an additional purchase to complete the set. Others may leave a lot to be desired with a thin, hard crib mattress that your baby may not enjoy sleeping on.
The 4 Best Travel Cribs for Babies and Toddlers in 2024
BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light: Portability: Guava Lotus Travel Crib: Safety of materials : BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light: Setup: BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light: Unique features: Guava Lotus Travel ...
BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Review
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is an easy-to-use travel crib/play yard that is comfy and eco-healthy. This crib is one of the lightest options in the best travel crib review, with a folded size that is easy to carry. The carry bag has comfortable handles, and the crib fits inside without any hassle. The mattress is soft yet firm and made with ...
Travel Crib Reviews
This crib only takes moments to assemble and dissemble and is the most comfortable travel crib. It is recommended from birth until three years old and is the best travel crib for baby. Read the full review. 2. Lotus Travel Crib. The Lotus is one of the best travel cribs available as it is suitable for a large age range and comes with many extras.
BabyBjorn Travel Crib Review: Trip Tested & Not Sponsored
BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Frame Review. The Babybjorn travel crib light has a sturdy frame, with an angled set up whereby the top is a bit narrower than the base for stability (the Guava Lotus travel crib has the same general shape to it). There's a difference of roughly 10″ from top (narrower) to bottom (wider) on both the length and the ...
Phil and Teds Traveller Travel Crib Review
Phil&Teds Traveller Travel Crib Review. Every pound counts when you're carrying gear. This extremely portable crib weighs less than baby does. save article. By Yelena Moroz Alpert , Contributing Writer. Updated March 2, 2017. Pros. • Super light, only seven pounds. • Front zipper converts it quickly from crib to playpen.
Guava Lotus Travel Crib Review (Not Sponsored)
Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib Review Key Takeaways . Lotus Travel Crib - Backpack Portable, Lightweight, Easy to Pack Play-Yard with Comfortable Mattress - Certified Baby Safe. 5.0. $239.00. Pros: Durable carry bag with heavy duty zippers and straps;
Nuna Sena Aire Review
Gallery. Note: Nuna also sells the Sena Aire Mini, an even smaller version of the already too small Sena Aire, for $199.95. It weighs 18 pounds, measures 34.6 by 24.8 inches by 26.4 inches, and features an integrated bassinet, an included organic fitted sheet, and simple setup and breakdown. Although it looks good, there are other things on the ...
Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences ...
A paper summarising the preliminary findings from part one the Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences.

The Best Travel Cribs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Other Travel Cribs We Tested

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best Budget

KidCo Peapod Travel Bed

Best for Playtime

Best Portability

Best 2-in-1

Best Compact

Best Splurge

Best Bassinet

How We Rated the Travel Cribs

What to Look for in a Travel Crib

Other Features

The 8 Best Travel Cribs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

In This Article

Our Testing Process

Best Overall

Best Budget

Best Splurge

Best Compact

Best Lightweight

Best Playard

Best for Car Travel

Best Stability

Other Travel Cribs We Liked

Tips for Buying a Travel Crib

Know the important features

Consider the type of trip you're taking

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

13 of the best travel cots 2024 for babies and toddlers

Best travel cots at a glance

Here are the best travel cots for 2024

More like this

2. Venture Airpod Travel Cot, £119.99

3. Silver Cross Slumber 3-in-1, £195

4. Graco Contour Electra, £100

5. Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot, £37

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

7. Cuggl Deluxe Superlight Travel Cot, £60

8. Joie Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot, £99.99

9. Red Kite Dreamer Bedside Travel Crib, £65

10. Chicco Next2Me PopUp, £199

11. BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light, £219.90

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

13. ErgoPouch Easy Sleep Portable Crib, £69.97

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Why do I need a travel cot?

What to look for when buying a travel cot

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

How much does a travel cot cost?

How did we choose our 13 of the Best?

Read more...

How NatPat's wellness patches may help your family

Best Travel Cribs for 2024 – Our Reviews of the Safest and Most Portable Models

Product Comparison

Best Overall Travel Crib

Most Portable Travel Crib

Easiest To Set Up Travel Crib

Best Budget Travel Crib

Best Lightweight Travel Crib

Best Travel Crib for Twins

Best Travel Crib for Airplane

Best Travel Crib for Car Travel

Most Comfortable Travel Crib

Best Travel Crib for Tall Babies

Why Use a Travel Crib?

Convenience

Types of Travel Cribs

1. Portable Playard: Versatility Meets Comfort

2. Bassinet Travel Crib: Perfect for Newborns

3. Pop-Up Travel Crib: Lightweight and Convenient

Key Features to Look for in a Travel Crib

Weight and Foldability

Sturdy yet Collapsible Frame

Mesh Sides for Ventilation

Mattress Quality and Fit

Easy Assembly and Disassembly

Before You Buy – My Closing Guidance

Frequently Asked Questions