As a parent, you strive to ensure that your bundle of joy is safe, happy, and comfortable at all times. This is a particularly important consideration when it comes to their sleep. After all, a good night’s sleep is integral to the health and wellbeing of your bub. The thing is, this can be a challenging feat to achieve even in the comfort of your own home. So you can imagine that it can be tenfold more difficult when you’re trying to do so outside of your home. For example, when you’re visiting a friend’s house, on a business trip, or taking a much-needed family vacation.
The good news is that having the right baby travel crib on hand can boost your chances of achieving a good night of zzz’s not only for your bub, but you as well! To help you find the right one, we reviewed dozens of baby travel cribs to identify the best of the best. We looked at comfort, size, safety features, assembly, Amazon customer reviews, and more.
In the end, Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib was the clear winner. It impressed us with its lightweight and fully portable design, as well as the fact that it requires no assembly. This offering also exceeds numerous safety standards, making it a top choice for parents. Ready to learn more about this as well as the other 24 products we recommend? Keep reading!
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Travel Cribs
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Travel Crib Overall | Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib | 4.7 |
| Best Travel Crib with Washable Fabric | BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light | 4.6 |
| Best Budget Travel Crib | Pamo Babe Comfortable Playard | 4.4 |
| Best Travel Crib with 360° View Windows | Joovy New Room2 Portable Playard | 4.7 |
| Best Multi-Functional Travel Crib | MiClassic 2-in-1 Travel Crib | 4.5 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Travel Crib Overall: Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib
When you ask parents for their recommendation of a reliable travel crib, there’s a strong chance they’ll say the Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib. After all, this option has become well-known for being feature-packed and designed with babies’ safety, comfort, and wellbeing front of mind. Case in point: nearly 1000 customers have given it an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon. In fact, 86% gave it a 5-star rating, with a further 8% giving it a 4-star rating. So you can rest assured that this product genuinely lives up to the hype.
What makes this comfy travel crib such a stand out choice? For starters, it not only meets numerous safety standards for baby cribs and play yards, but exceeds them. Notably, it’s also the only travel crib on the market which boasts a GreenGuard Gold non-toxic certification. Parents will be certainly comforted to know that the Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib is free from a number of harsh chemicals and heavy metals including lead, PVC, formaldehyde, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury.
We also rate that this option is 100% travel-friendly. It weighs a mere 13 lbs in total. Did we mention that it comes with a handy backpack carry case? The fact that you can transport it on your back is evidence enough of how portable and lightweight this travel crib is! In terms of set up, well, it doesn’t get much easier than the Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib given that there’s no assembly required.
Graco Pack ‘n Play Portable Playard Key Features:
- Exceed safety standards
- 13 lbs in total
- No assembly required
- Includes a backpack to pack it in
Best Travel Crib with Washable Fabric: BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light
The BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light came a very close second behind our top choice above. We’re not the only ones to toss-up between these two fantastic choices; numerous customers on Amazon also shared in their reviews of these products that they had to make this tricky choice. So what did we find particularly appealing about this spacious travel crib from the Swedish family-owned business, BabyBjörn?
We love that it’s the very definition of “highly-functional design.” This rings true in every element of its design. Take the mattress cover and travel crib fabric. They’re not only free from harmful substances and approved according to Oeko-Tex Standard, but they’re also completely removable and washable. The mattress itself is also ultra-comfortable, while the crib features an airy mesh fabric that promotes high visibility.
Moreover, this 11-pound crib’s ease-of-use is also largely unparalleled. Amazingly, you can set up and fold up this product in just one swift move. The only problem we noted with this choice is the relatively higher price tag. While it’s indeed a more expensive option, if you can afford it, we believe the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light’s host of features makes it worth the investment.
BabyBjörn Travel Crib LightKey Features:
- Washable mattress cover and travel crib fabric
- 1-step set up
- Ultra-comfortable mattress
- Airy mesh fabric
Best Budget Travel Crib: Pamo Babe Comfortable Playard
If you’re after an affordable travel crib that won’t let you down, the Pamo Babe Comfortable Playard is it. While it lacks the bells and whistles of pricier options, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t offer the most important ones parents like you are after. Take, for example, its lightweight design, which for easy transporting from point A to B. Or, its easy assembly, which makes using it an absolute breeze.
You’ll also appreciate the fact that it can easily be assembled. This has been corroborated in customer reviews, such as the one elderly customer who said that they even found the assembly easy despite their age. Speaking of things the Pamo Babe Comfortable Playard makes easy, storing it is similarly a breeze. This is notable because unless you’re using your travel crib regularly, you’ll want to purchase one that won’t give you a headache each time you need to pack it away.
Pamo Babe Comfortable Playard Key Features:
- Easy to assemble
- No-fuss storage
- Simple design
- Excellent price point
Best Travel Crib with 360° View Windows: Joovy New Room2 Portable Playard
Checking on your baby while they’re resting or sleeping in a travel crib should be a completely trouble-free process. The thing is, if your travel crib has blind spots, you’ll have no choice but to get up and check on your baby each and every time. Not with the Joovy New Room2 Portable Playard, however. It boasts large 360° view mesh windows, which are designed to give you the peace of mind that your bundle of joy is doing A-OK at all times.
In addition to the excellent visibility it offers, this option gets our vote because of its roominess. With over 10 square feet of space, it’s nearly 50% larger than most traditional playards. But don’t mistake that its generous size will make it difficult to transport. The Joovy New Room2 Portable Playard is fully portable, and even comes complete with a travel bag.
Joovy New Room2 Portable Playard Key Features:
- 360° view mesh windows
- 50% larger than most traditional playards
- 10 square feet of space
- 100% cotton fitted sheet included
Best Multi-Functional Travel Crib: MiClassic 2-in-1 Travel Crib
As a parent, you’ll appreciate the convenience offered by multi-functional baby items. We know, then, that you’ll fall just as head over heels for the MiClassic 2-in-1 Travel Crib as we did. This ingenious travel crib won’t just provide your baby with an ideal sleeping environment when you’re away from home. It will also soothe them thanks to its rocking bassinet function.
The even better news is that converting MiClassic’s offering from a travel crib to a rocking bassinet is child’s play. Given how handy this functionality is, we don’t doubt for a second that you’ll get plenty of use out of it. Needless to say, you can even make use of the rocking bassinet when you’re at home! Other reasons you may want to give serious consideration to this option include its surround breathable mesh and the fact that it opens and folds in just one second.
Key Features:
- Converts into a rocking bassinet
- Easy to store
- Quick opening and folding
- Surround breathable mesh
Who Should Buy a Travel Crib
Any parent who’s planning on traveling with their baby should consider buying a travel crib. This can include vacations, business trips, or even a day trip. A travel crib is also useful to take along if you’re visiting someone else’s house. Your baby will inevitably want to take a rest at some point, so having a travel crib can help ensure they can get a proper night’s sleep even when not in their regular crib.
Speaking of their regular crib, if you’re after another one or are looking to upgrade your current one, be sure to check out our roundup of the 25 Best Baby Cribs.
Important Features to Consider
Travel cribs should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting a travel crib:
- Safety. Without a doubt, safety is the most important consideration to keep in mind when it comes to selecting a travel crib. We strongly recommend familiarizing yourself with relevant safety standards and other considerations regarding cribs. For more information, we suggest referring to relevant resources such as those from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Keeping Babies Safe, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Society for Testing and Materials.
- Comfort. Right behind safety, is comfort. The travel crib you choose should be comfortable for your baby to sleep in, so they can get a proper night’s rest. Look for cribs that are clearly designed with this feature in mind. For example, options that are soft, cozy, and provide a generally supportive environment for peaceful sleep.
- Portability. The whole point of a travel crib is to provide your bub with a safe and comfortable place to sleep when you’re away from home. That means portability is a must. If a travel crib is heavy, bulky, and difficult to transport, you’ll quickly find yourself at your wits’ end. Therefore, try to opt for products that are lightweight, compact when disassembled, and easy to transport.
- Ease of use. A travel crib that makes you want to pull your hair out every time you need to assemble and disassemble is a nightmare. That’s why it pays to pick an offering that’s designed for easy assembly and disassembly. Don’t forget about storing the travel crib, either! A travel crib should be compact enough to not make storing it a pain.
- Cost. Travel cribs come in a range of prices, so finding one that suits your budget will be a cinch. Generally speaking, more expensive travel cribs will boast more features, but that being said, there are some no shortage of budget buys that are feature-packed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do babies sleep in when traveling?
If you plan to travel with your baby in tow, you may be wondering what exactly they can sleep in. There are three main options to choose from. Out of all of them, a well-made, baby-safe travel crib will likely be the safest one to take.
If staying in a hotel, you may be able to borrow one of their cribs. But as we discuss below, you simply don’t know what condition the crib will be in, and ultimately, whether it will be safe for your baby to use. One final option is co-sleeping/bed-sharing. As you may know, both are associated with an increased risk of SIDS. As such, if you do decide to co-sleep with your baby, we strongly recommend consulting your pediatrician first.
Are travel cribs safe?
Generally speaking, travel cribs are safe to use while traveling. Needless to say, we cannot speak for every travel crib on the market, as they can vary dramatically. It’s therefore crucial to always do your own research before purchasing a travel crib to ensure it does indeed comply with safety requirements. As a rule of thumb, always check any information provided by the manufacturer and read customer reviews.
Can a baby sleep in a playpen instead of a crib?
The short answer is that no, a baby should not sleep in a playpen instead of a crib. The reason is that research has found doing so to pose a significant risk to your baby. After all, playpens are designed for play, not sleep. Consequently, they do not meet the safety standards in place to protect babies in their sleep. It’s worth taking a read of the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s report on the matter of deaths associated with playpens if you’re considering putting your baby to sleep in a playpen.
Do hotels provide baby cribs?
In the U.S., most hotels should provide a baby crib. However, this isn’t something you should leave up to chance. The same goes for other countries; hotels may have a baby crib you can use, but they may not. If you wish to borrow a baby crib from the hotel you’re staying in, it’s vital to confirm they’ll have one for you well ahead of time.
However, keep in mind that even if they do have one, there are no guarantees it’s in good working order. It may be all but falling apart, poorly-made, or unhygienic. For these reasons, it can be risky to use a hotel’s baby crib. That’s why it pays to bring along your own travel baby crib.
Other Travel Cribs We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other travel cribs. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best travel cribs, they’re the best of the rest, and are still great options. The information you need to compare each one is included with the listing.
Extra Lightweight Travel Cribs
While this BabyBjörn travel crib with washable and removable fabrics looks pretty much the same as the one we featured in our Top-5, it’s slightly heavier. That being said, it’s still one of the lightest high-quality travel cribs you’ll come across, coming in at a mindbogglingly low weight of 13.98 pounds.
- 13.98 lbs.
- Airy design
- Washable and removable fabrics
UNiPlay Portable Lightweight Baby Playpen Playard Travel Crib
A travel crib that’s spacious enough for both sleep and play? Tick. One that weighs less than 10 pounds, but can hold up to 120 pounds? Tick. This option offers all of these useful features and more.
Key Features:
- 8.82 lbs.
- Holds up to 120 lbs.
- Very spacious
Cost: $70
4moms Breeze GO Portable Travel Playard
The one-step assembly and disassembly the Breeze Go offers will be a tempting feature for busy pass up. This high-quality travel crib is ultra-easy to move around and comes with a convenient travel bag.
Key Features:
- One-step assembly and disassembly
- 23 lbs.
- Travel bag included
Cost: $250
Graco Pack ‘n Play Portable Playard
Showcasing the beauty of simplicity, the Graco Pack ‘n Play Portable Playard is a highly-reviewed, durable travel crib that features surround mesh.
Key Features:
- 20.1 lbs.
- Surround mesh
- No-fuss design
Cost: $54
Aussie Cot Net Co Portable Travel Crib
One of the most uniquely designed travel cribs on the market comes from Aussie Cot Net Co. This durable offering includes a tent not only to prevent your baby from escaping but also to keep out bugs as well as pets.
Key Features:
- Tented top
- Easy to set up
- 360° view windows
Cost: $122
Dream On Me Travel Light Playard
With a sturdy aluminum frame and a safety locking system, Dream On Me’s travel crib is one of the safest and lightweight options on the market.
Key Features:
- Sturdy aluminum frame
- 13 lbs.
- Safety locking system
Cost: $75
With a range of colors/patterns to choose from and a no-nonsense design, this JPMA-certified wheeled travel crib is a steal at only $60.
Key Features:
- Meets ASTM safety standards
- JPMA-certified
- Choice of colors/patterns
Cost: $60
Another ultra-lightweight option from Graco, it’s hard to believe this wheeled travel crib with a canopy weighs a mere 19 pounds.
Key Features:
- 19 lbs.
- Canopy with toys
- Integrated wheels
Cost: $120
Beyond weighing only 11.5 pounds, you may find the ElanBambino Travel Crib a fantastic choice due to its zippered front as well as its removable mosquito net and sunshade canopy.
Key Features:
- 11.5 lbs.
- Zippered front
- Removable mosquito net and sunshade canopy
Cost: $134
Kidco TR3011 TravelPod Plus Portable Playyard
From its water-repellent covered mattress to its lightweight aluminum frame to its full mesh sides, it’s clear that this travel crib from Kidco was built for practicality.
Key Features:
- Water-repellent covered mattress
- Lightweight aluminum frame
- 11 lbs.
Cost: $180
Multi-Functional Travel Cribs
Baby Joy 4-in-1 Portable Baby Playard
Featuring a bassinet, changing table, foldable bassinet bed, and an activity center which includes a music center and mobile, Baby Joy’s offering certainly doesn’t skimp on functions and features!
Key Features:
- Activity center
- Changing table
- Foldable bassinet bed
Cost: $160
Flisko 2-in-1 Travel Crib & Bassinet
Talk about handy! Flisko’s fully portable travel crib comes complete with a bassinet as well as a durable mattress and sheet. The side zipper is also a stand out feature, considering how easy it makes attending to your baby.
Key Features:
- Bassinet
- Breathable mesh
- Side zipper
Cost: $75
With a removable full-size bassinet, diaper stacker, and gorgeous mobile to boot, Baby Trend Nursery Center is a top find if you want an option that’s bursting with features that make traveling with your baby a cinch (well, as much as this is possible!)
Key Features:
- Bassinet
- Breathable mesh
- Side zipper
Cost: $80
Baby Trend Deluxe II Nursery Center
Impressed by Baby Trend’s product above, but want more bells and whistles? The JPMA-certified Baby Trend Deluxe II Nursery Center is a great next-level alternative. It features a swing-away changing table, a stacker you can use to store wipes or diapers, a music center, and a mobile to boot!
Key Features:
- JPMA-certified
- Swing-away changing table
- Music center
Cost: $150
Kidsry 2-in-1 Portable Playard
Over 800 customers have given this choice, which comes with both a travel crib and bassinet, a strong average rating of 4.6 out of 5. Customers particularly love how easy it is to assemble, its high-quality mesh sides, and attractive design.
Key Features:
- Bassinet
- Mobile included
- Easy assembly
Cost: $72
Graco Pack ‘n Play Portable Seat & Changer Playard
Considering that it not only includes a travel crib, but also a portable seat and changer, this offering is surprisingly lightweight and portable.
Key Features:
- Portable seat and changer
- Side diaper stacker
- Carry bag included
Cost: $160
We love that the HALO bassinet provides not just one, but multiple useful functions: a rocking bassinet, portable crib, and travel cot.
Key Features:
- Rocking bassinet
- Breathable mesh mattress
- Easy setup
Cost: $199
Costzon 3-in-1 Portable Playpen
This aluminum-framed, compact option includes a comfortable bed, changing table, play yard with a music box in one.
Key Features:
- Travel bag included
- Aluminum frame
- Music box
Cost: $96
Joovy Room Playard and Nursery Center
This is the original version of the playpen by Joovy that we featured in our Top-5. Along with a flip-away changing table, you’ll be pleased to find a range of useful add-ons included in this feature-packed option, such as waterproof cotton fitted sheet, diaper organizer, and travel bag.
Key Features:
- Flip-away changing table
- Waterproof cotton fitted sheet
- Travel bag included
Cost: $200
Micralite 3-in-1 Sleep & Go Portable Travel Crib
With its sleek looks, it could be easy to assume that this option is only mono-functional. In actual fact, it boasts three useful functions: a bassinet for newborns, an infant bed for children from 6 months to 36 months, and a playpen.
Key Features:
- Quick to fold away
- Breathable mesh sides
- Travel bag included
Cost: $170
