If there’s one thing you hope for while traveling with little kids, it’s probably sleep. That’s why having a comfortable travel crib — and a travel car seat! — where your little one can rest is important. Of course, you can always ask your hotel for a crib, but you might find that they’re old, in poor condition or maybe even too small for your child. And there’s always the chance that you get to your family vacation spot and the crib you arranged in advance is no longer available. It, unfortunately, can happen.
This is where a portable travel crib comes into play — one that is comfortable, easy to carry, easy to check as luggage and capable of being set up and collapsed in no time. Bringing your own travel crib with you means you know exactly what your child is going to sleep in. But even with a travel crib, you’ll still want to make sure you’re following the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) safe sleeping guidelines.
Fortunately, there are many portable travel cribs for you to bring on your vacation. We found 14 cribs, bassinets and travel beds that are lightweight, compact and comfortable for your child. These cribs can be used while staying at a hotel, visiting Grandma and Grandpa or even on your next camping trip.
Our favorite travel cribs
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 Expect. The crib sets up and breaks down in seconds, folding into an easy-to-maneuver carrying suitcase. The mesh sides keep your kiddo contained and let you keep an eye on them while the thick mattress will lull your baby into a cozy slumber. While the price point makes it more of an investment than other cribs, the travel-friendly nature is a must for frequent flyers, and the spacious crib can fit most kids until their ready for a real bed.
The Baby Joy Travel Crib also weighs only 11 pounds while featuring a mesh cloth design and a zipper door to allow your child to get in and out of the crib more easily. Another unique characteristic is that the entire crib fabric can be removed and washed. This comes in handy if the crib gets dirty during your travels, although there’s an easy-to-use bag to store the crib.
The Nuna Sena Aire Travel Crib will give you everything you’re looking for. The crib will grow with your child, as it offers a higher bassinet position for the infant stage and then a lower position for once your child is more mobile.
The Bugaboo Stardust Playard folds down extremely thin, making it easy to take on the go in the included storage bag. The crib offers two heights — one for newborns and one for the toddler stage. At about 17 pounds, the fabrics are machine-washable and chemical-free. The mattress is also multilayered, which is thick and comfortable for a child. However, the crib is slightly smaller than some other travel cribs and is advertised to fit children only up until 2 years old.
The 12.5-pound lightweight design of the Chicco Alfa Lite is incredibly easy to set up and break down. The crib offers a zipper door for easy access and the mattress cover and frame fabrics are fully removable, allowing you to throw them in the washing machine. Additionally, it comes with an easy-to-transport carry bag. One Amazon reviewer states, “I have tried many different travel bed options, and this by far wins. Super light, easy to set up and take down.”
The Baby Trend Portable Playard With Bassinet grows with your child due to the removable bassinet option. The crib features a set of wheels, making it easy to move the crib from one room to another. Although this travel crib has a slightly bulkier design when closed, it comes with a storage bag and handle for easy portability.
Transporting the Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib and Playard is incredibly easy due to the backpack storage case and the fact that it’s only 11 pounds. The crib comes with a GreenGuard Gold nontoxic certification and offers mesh sides for breathable air circulation. Getting your child in and out of the crib is also incredibly easy with the side-zippered doors. This allows your child to crawl in themselves — or you can easily slide them in — without it being hard on your back.
With its one-push open and close feature, setting up and taking down this playard is as simple as it gets. The mattress is water-resistant, but similar to many cribs, you’ll have to purchase a sheet separately. The crib comes with a travel bag — with a shoulder strap — although the weight is on the higher side at just over 23 pounds. The 4moms Breeze Go Playard is also free of flame retardants, BPA, PVC, BPS, lead phthalates and heavy metals.
The Graco Pack ’n’ Play Portable Playard is your no-frills travel crib at an incredibly low price. Based on personal experience, the frame is extremely sturdy, but the breakdown and setup aren’t as straightforward — or easy — as some of the other cribs on this list. The crib folds up into a carrying bag but is slightly bulky and is recommended more for travel via car.
Our favorite travel bassinets
If you’re looking for a travel crib specifically for the baby stages, then the Delta EZ Fold Ultra Compact Bassinet is perfect for your needs. With its detachable mesh canopy, the bassinet allows your baby to be fully protected. This can come in handy if you’re looking to use the bassinet outdoors and there’s a concern about bugs and insects. While this crib will not grow with your child as they hit the toddler stage, it can be used up until your baby is 15 pounds.
Want to pack as little as possible while traveling with an infant? If so, the Munchkin Brica Baby Travel Pod weighs just 2.45 pounds and will keep your child safe while sleeping. The bassinet folds in half and can be packed right in your regular suitcase. For those first few months of life — it’s recommended only until 3 months old — this travel crib is as easy as it gets.
The Baby Trend Quick-Fold 2-in-1 Rocking Portable Bassinet offers a quick-fold system that allows you to easily pack up the bassinet in the included bag and take it with you on the go. With a quick switch on the feet of the crib, the bassinet can be changed between rocking mode and stationary mode.
Our favorite baby travel beds
At just 2.45 pounds, this is by far the lightest travel bed to bring for your child. Easy to fold, this bed is perfect for beach trips or picnic, with a lightweight UV mesh cover that serves as both a sun canopy and mosquito net. However, this is not a crib or playard, as there are no sides to keep your child from escaping, which also means you’ll need to make sure the space is babyproofed.
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