travel crib or pack n play

Best Travel Cribs

The best travel cribs are super portable to make your job as carrier-of-all-the-stuff a tad easier., by jen labracio.

Traveling with babies and kids can be so rewarding, but there’s one thing you need when you get going: gear. To make things easier, you may want to have a travel stroller (or maybe your usual travel system will work just fine) and a travel car seat , but no matter how lightly you want to pack, your little one will need a safe place to rest. The best travel cribs are super portable to make your job as the baby gear schlepper a tad easier.

Babylist’s Top Picks for the Best Travel Cribs

• Best Lightweight: Babybjörn Travel Crib Light
• Best Affordable Lightweight: Chicco Alfa Lite Lightweight Travel Playard
• Best for Flying: Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib & Play Yard
• Best Affordable: Graco Pack ‘n Play Portable Playard
• Best for Toddlers: Newton Baby Travel Crib and Play Yard
• Most Versatile: UPPAbaby REMI Travel Crib & Playard
• Most Portable: Aeromoov Instant Travel Cot
• Best for Small Spaces: Bugaboo Stardust Playard
• Best for Car Travel: Maxi-Cosi Swift Playard

In This Article

How we chose the best travel cribs.

• Our Top Picks

What Is a Travel Crib?

Do you need a travel crib, what to look for in a travel crib, babylist’s picks for the best travel cribs, best lightweight travel crib.

Babybjörn Travel Crib & Organic Sheet Bundle - Dark Green

Why we love it.

Weighing in at just 13 pounds, the Babybjörn Travel Crib is one of the lightest travel cribs on the market, making it especially ideal if you’re a family who’s routinely on the go. Top features include an incredibly easy setup (it unfolds and breaks down in one motion, and there are no loose parts to worry about), breathable mesh sides and a firm but ultra-comfy mattress that parents rave about. The mattress and the fabric frame are both machine washable, so it’s easy to clean. And when the crib is folded in its carrying case, it will fit within any airline baggage compartment. Wheels up, with baby in tow!

Keep in Mind

You’ll want to stop using this travel crib around three years old or until your little one is able to climb out of it. But unlike many other travel cribs, there’s no weight limit for the Babybjörn, since the crib’s mattress rests on ground. This means you’ll get more time out of this travel crib than most.

What Babylist Parents Say

“Very happy with this travel crib – lightweight, packable, set up is incredibly easy, and it’s simple to disassemble for cleaning. The thing that set this crib apart for other similar travel-appropriate pack-and-plays for us was the thicker mattress – our 9 month old slept just as well in this travel crib as she does at home. Great product, we would highly recommend!” -BH

Additional Specs

Best Affordable Lightweight Travel Crib

Chicco Alfa Lite Lightweight Travel Playard - Dove

A lightweight travel crib is a sound investment if you’re a family who’s frequently on the go or if you plan on using it for multiple children, but many cost upwards of $300, especially after you add on accessories like sheets. Chicco’s Alfa Lite is a stellar lightweight travel crib but is about half the price of other similar options. And don’t worry—you won’t be sacrificing on features or quality. It weighs 13 pounds, is easy to open and close, folds down into a zippered carrying bag (with a large shoulder strap) and even has a zip-down side for easy access to your little one.

The Alfa Lite is Greenguard Gold Certified. Some parents mention that the mattress is on the thinner side.

“This travel playard is perfect. The design is sleek and the safely measures are advanced. The side opening zipper is buckled to the leg so no little hands can magically unzip themselves. The mattress pad also gets buckled in place. It took seconds to set up and take down. The travel playard makes your life so much easier while traveling and doesn’t take up much of any space in the car. 100/10 recommend buying!!!” -Sophia K.

Best Travel Crib for Flying

Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib & Play Yard

If you’ve ever traveled with kids, especially via plane, you know the value of having one less thing to tote around. Meet the Lotus: the travel-crib-turned-backpack that no traveling family should leave home without. This ultra-lightweight crib folds seamlessly into a compact, backpack-style carrying case, leaving your hands free to deal with the other 142 things they’ll be tasked with for attempting to leave the house with your littles in tow. (This feature comes in especially handy in airports.) We also love the unique zip-down “door” feature of the crib’s mesh side—it makes getting down on baby’s level for cuddles, feeding or play super easy, then quietly zips back up and locks into place.

Like the Babybjörn Travel Crib, the Guava’s mattress is flush to the ground, meaning there’s no weight limit usage recommendations here, either. Some parents report that the mattress is fairly thin, however.

“The Lotus crib is one of the best products we have. It is lightweight, folds and assembles in just a few snaps, and has mesh sides. The fabric comes completely off and is machine washable.” -Kristin

Best Affordable Travel Crib

Graco Pack 'n Play Portable Playard - Reign

If you’re looking for simple, sturdy travel crib that will stand the test of time but won’t break the bank, this Pack ‘n Play from Graco fits the bill. Although it’s basic, the features are anything but—there are a ton of things that you (and your little one) will love. We especially appreciate the sturdy frame, the roomy area for play and sleep and the push-button fold for quick and easy breakdown. And at around $70, this travel crib is perfect for using as an extra playard around the house and for keeping at the grandparents’ house or anywhere else you know you’ll be visiting on a regular basis.

You can’t attach any extras to this travel crib, like a bassinet or changing table. And some parents complain that the mattress is on the thin side, so that may be something to consider if you’re planning on using it for more than just the occasional weekend away. It’s also fairly heavy, so you won’t want to use it if you’re traveling by plane or anywhere else where you’ll need to carry it around frequently.

Best Travel Crib for Toddlers

Newton Baby Travel Crib and Play Yard - Grey

As your baby grows into a toddler , many parents still need the safety that the confines of a crib provide—especially while traveling. But what happens when your toddler is too big for their travel crib but too little for a bed? Enter the Newton. The mattress is about two times larger than most travel cribs, making it ideal for an older toddler who may be sized out of a smaller playard. It’s also 100 percent breathable and washable, made with the same Wovenaire technology used in the brand’s much-loved crib mattress. It’s flush to the ground, so there’s no weight limit, and it’s super comfy and GREENGAURD Gold Certified.

The playard weighs in at about 17 pounds, so while it’s not the lightest on the market, it’s still fairly easy to travel with and the weight is for a good cause. Assembly and breakdown are easy and the crib comes with a travel bag for easy storage. And it’s not just for the toddler years; there’s a bassinet insert for use from day one. Oh, and when you are ready to graduate your toddler from the travel crib, check out these great toddler travel beds .

Because of the Newton’s larger sleep space, it’s a bit bulkier than some of the other travel cribs on our list. The travel bag only has a handle, not a shoulder strap or backpack straps. And the crib is too large to store in the overhead compartment of an airplane

“I despise traditional pack n play style things. Newton’s playard is innovative and will definitely grow with a child from infancy through the preschool years! My 4.5 year old can still sleep in it comfortably with plenty of space. I really appreciate the thought that went into this product.” -Mona

Most Versatile Travel Crib

UPPAbaby REMI Travel Crib & Playard - Charlie

And speaking of multifunctional products, the Remi from UPPAbaby is the best choice if you’re looking for an all-in-one travel crib and playard to use both at home and when you’re on the go. There’s a ton of functionality built in to this smartly designed (and beautiful) playard. It’s Greenguard Gold Certified and includes a removable bassinet, a zip-down side panel, a triple layer air mesh mattress and a smooth, simple fold that takes one hand and only a few seconds. There are also lots of accessories to add on. A few of our favorites include the changing station , organizer and canopy .

The Remi is expensive, and even moreso when you start adding on accessories. It’s also fairly heavy, weighing in at about 20 pounds. This isn’t a big deal if you’re planning to use it mostly at home and for the occasional overnight trip, but if your family travels frequently and you need to bring along a place for your baby to sleep, it may not be your best option.

“Incredibly easy to set up. Our baby just started crawling and we don’t have a good play yard set up yet, so this was great to put him in a for the meantime. We purchased it instead of a Graco pack and play because of the zipper access and mattress quality. Love it!!!” -Rachel

Most Portable Travel Crib

Aeromoov Instant Travel Cot - White Sand

Pop-up tent meets travel crib in the Aeromoov. This 11-pound playard works just as well for a day at the beach or the park as it does for an overnight at grandma’s and is our top pick if you’re looking for one piece of gear you can use both indoors and out. The origami-style fold takes about two seconds (literally), and once it’s folded down, the whole thing slips into a bag and is less than five inches wide. It’s easy to stash for travel or throw over your shoulder and carry if you need to bring it along for an outdoor adventure. (There are also lots of useful accessories available like a sunshade and a mosquito net.) Another feature we love: there are two levels, one upper level bassinet-style for newborns up to about two months and a the main lower level for older babies and toddlers.

If you’re using the crib indoors and your little one moves around a lot, the fabric makes a “swishing” sound that’s a bit loud.

Best Travel Cribs for Small Spaces

Bugaboo stardust playard - grey melange.

Simple, streamlined and seamless. The Bugaboo Stardust is one of the smaller travel crib + playards on our list, but it packs a big punch. Unlike most travel cribs that open from the center of the base and feature fold-out legs, the standout feature here is the accordion-style fold. It makes it quick and easy to open and close by either pushing or pulling each side. You can even fold the Stardust with the mattress still inside—a pretty big deal and a huge time-saving (and sanity-saving) feature.

The Stardust weighs about 14 pounds and has a compact design that’s ideal for spaces that can’t handle a giant playard, either at home or when you’re on the go. There’s also a bassinet attachment for younger babies, a really comfortable mattress and all-around mesh panels.

The maximum weight limit for the Stardust is similar to the other travel cribs on our list, but because of smaller size, your little one may outgrow it in height sooner than they would with other playards. It’s also on the pricier side.

“I’m a first time mom and it feels like I have tried all the baby products out there. We were in the market for a new pack n’ play so I recently purchased this for my 5.5 month old and it is a game changer when it comes to portability and ease. I’ve found other products like this are bulky and difficult to store, but the Stardust is slender, lightweight and unfolds in one second. (No exaggeration.) I would highly recommend this product for travel, sleeping or playtime - in fact, we’re looking forward to traveling with it over the holidays!” -AlexT

Best Travel Crib for Car Travel

Maxi-cosi swift play yard - classic graphite.

Weighing in at just over 18 pounds, the Maxi-Cosi Swift is too heavy and bulky for regular air travel. But it’s also quite a bit lighter than many of the standard playards on the market, so we still wanted to consider it for our best-of list. That’s why think it’s an ideal choice if you’re a family who travels frequently by car. While you won’t want to lug it around on the regular, it’s easy enough to load and unload from any vehicle. And the setup and breakdown? It’s an actual dream, especially during travel when you have 14 other things to do after you set up your little one’s sleep space. Parents rave about how easy it is—it actually folds in one step using only one hand. Other pros to love include a super sturdy design, a comfortable mattress and a bassinet attachment that comes included at no extra cost.

As noted above, the Swift weighs about 18 pounds, so it’s not the lightest travel crib of the bunch, but isn’t the heaviest, either.

“We have tried a handful of play yards and the difficulty of putting them down and back up is what always frustrates us. The swift is truly like no other. It takes less than 5 seconds to set it up and less than five seconds to break it down. Not only is it so easy but it’s also so aesthetically pleasing!!” -Momof3

• We analyzed results from Babylist’s Best Baby Products survey, which polled 6,000 Babylist users and asked them to share the baby products they love the most and why.
• We utilized insight from the Babylist editorial team, including Gear Editor Jen LaBracio, an expert in the baby space for over six years and a mom of two who has written hundreds of baby gear guides and personally researched and tested hundreds of baby products, including many travel cribs.
• We reviewed customer reviews from hundreds of real Babylist parents.

A travel crib is a portable crib you can use for sleep or play when you’re away from home with your baby or toddler. While you can use most playards for the same purpose, travel cribs are specifically designed with travel in mind; they’re lighter, more compact and easier to set up and break down than your average playard. Travel cribs generally accommodate newborns to toddlers about three years old.

Whether or not you need a travel crib depends on how often you travel and where you’re heading on your next adventure.

Many hotels and even some rental homes may supply a travel crib. Using a baby gear rental company is an option, too. But if you’re staying somewhere that doesn’t supply a crib, you don’t want to rent or you simply prefer to be in control of what your baby sleeps in while you’re away, investing in a travel crib is probably a good idea.

Besides being a place to rest, travel cribs are also a safe place for your little one to play, especially when you’re away from your usual surroundings and potentially dealing with a non- babyproofed space. (We’re looking at you, sharp table corners and exposed electrical sockets.) You can even use some travel cribs as a napping spot on days spent at the beach or park.

Travel cribs can be expensive. A travel crib is also something you’ll use for years, especially if your family travels frequently. Think through these features before you buy.

• Weight. This is one of the most important features to look for in a travel crib. A lightweight travel crib is easier to lift and carry than a heavier option. To figure out if this is important to you or not, think through how often you’ll be traveling and which modes of transport you generally use. Do you travel infrequently and often by car? Plan to use your travel crib only for a trip to the grandparents’ once a year? Then your travel crib’s weight may not be hugely important to you. Are you planning several trips by plane where you’ll need to bring your travel crib along? Then the weight of the travel crib you choose should jump to the top of your priority list.
• Size and portability. Similar to weight, the size and overall portability of your travel crib are important features, but also dependent on how often you travel and how you get wherever you’re going. If you’re a frequent flyer, you’ll want a travel crib that’s not only lightweight but portable, too. Look for a compact crib and something that has either backpack straps or another easy way to carry it through someplace like an airport or train station. If not, however, a slightly larger travel crib or one that doesn’t come with built-in carry straps may be just fine.
• Longevity. How long you’ll be able to use your travel crib is a big factor to consider while shopping. One thing to consider is the crib’s design. Although not outwardly labeled this way, there are two basic types of travel cribs: cribs with raised mattresses and cribs where the mattress lies flush with the floor. Most travel cribs with raised mattresses have weight maximums. This means that if you have a larger, heavier child, they may exceed the travel crib’s weight long before you feel comfortable letting them sleep in a regular bed or even a toddler travel bed while you’re away from home. Travel cribs where the mattress sits directly on the floor, however, often do not have weight maximums. While your little one still may outgrow the crib by height, these types of travel cribs often can be used for a longer period of time.
• Ease of breakdown and setup. Travel with babies and toddlers is no easy feat. Look for a travel crib that sets up and breaks down quickly and easily so you can spend less time grappling with gear and more time enjoying your vacation.
• Materials and breathability. Look for a travel crib with a breathable mattress, breathable mesh sides and one that’s made from soft, comfortable materials. If it’s important to you, you may prefer a travel crib that’s GREENGUARD Gold Certified or uses organic materials. Removable and machine washable sides and covers are also nice-to-have features in case of a mess.
• Budget. Travel cribs can get pricey, especially if you want one that’s extremely lightweight and portable. Thinking through how often you’ll be traveling and what types of features will make the most sense to you can help you determine your budget.

Jen LaBracio

Senior gear editor.

Jen LaBracio is Babylist’s Senior Gear Editor, a role that perfectly combines her love of all things baby gear with her love of (obsessive) research. When she’s not testing out a new high chair or pushing the latest stroller model around her neighborhood, she likes to run, spin, listen to podcasts, read and spend time at the beach. In her past life, she worked for over a decade in children’s publishing. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and their two boys, Will and Ben.

The 4 Best Travel Cribs

Which travel crib is the best for your baby? After researching over 25 options, we bought more than 8 portable cribs for testing. We conducted side-by-side testing of the travel sleep spaces for ease of use, portability, quality, comfort, and more. After months of side-by-side testing, we learned details to help you find the right option for your little one and your goals. Continue reading to learn more about travel baby cribs and what stands out.

Are you headed on travel or need other nursery items ? Other on-the-go gear can be valuable and help you stay organized. Consider the best diaper bag , a top-ranked diapers , our favorite portable high chairs , a table booster seat , or one of the best night lights for kids that's small enough to take along.

Top 8 Product Ratings

Best overall travel crib, babybjorn travel crib light.

• Ease of Use 9.0
• Portability 8.0
• Comfort 7.0
• Quality 8.0
• EcoHealth 10.0

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is easy to use, lightweight, and compact, making it a super portable option perfect for travel. It uses materials free of flame retardants, and it has the most comfortable mattress in our tests, with a soft but firm pad wrapped in a softer cover. We like that the BabyBjorn is easy to set up and fold with a functional travel bag that the crib fits in nicely without a struggle.

The price for this option is high compared to most of the competition. While this might make the Bjorn a no-go for tighter budgets, we think it's an excellent choice if your budget allows it. 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

Cool Side Open Crib

Lotus travel crib.

• Ease of Use 7.0
• Quality 7.0

The Lotus Travel Crib by Guava is a stylish, portable crib with a unique zippered side opening for snuggling with your little one. This eco-healthier option lacks flame retardants and has a soft mattress. It folds into a compact and lightweight travel-ready package with a unique backpack bag with straps that leave your hands free. The Lotus is easy to set up and close once you read the instructions and watch the company video on how to do it properly (no, really, watch the video).

While this option isn't as high quality as the BabyBjorn Travel Crib , it does come close and is just as comfortable for your baby sporting a wallet-friendly price. If a budget-friendlier price and straightforward hands-free bag (woohoo!) are priorities for you, then the Lotus should make your short list of considerations. Often, the Lotus can still sport a price tag that isn't best for the tightest budget; if this describes your situation, the Baby Joy Travel Crib 2-1 Playpen has a similar shape and design and could be a good stand-in substitute.

Read more: Lotus Travel Crib review

Best Portable Crib on a Budget

Baby joy travel crib 2-1 playpen.

• Ease of Use 8.0
• Comfort 5.0
• Quality 6.0
• EcoHealth 1.0

The Baby Joy Travel Crib 2-1 Playpen is an easy-to-use, less expensive travel crib that still gives you the necessary features and functionality without breaking the bank. This lightweight and smaller compact travel crib is a good choice for parents who need something for travel but perhaps don't travel often or aren't sure how frequently they will use it. This crib has a quick setup time, feels sturdy when open, and features a side zip panel for in-and-out play or easy comfort in the middle of the night.

This crib may have potential eco-health concerns as we aren't sure about the exact materials and can't find information about the contents on the product or on the Internet. If eco-health or comfort are your main goals, and your budget can stretch, both the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light and the Lotus are better and more transparent in their materials. The pad isn't as comfortable as some competitors as the foam pad compresses easily, and little ones are hitting the plastic board quickly. However, despite these imperfections, we think this option is similar to higher quality, more expensive choices and will give your little one their own sleep space no matter where the road takes you for a price most families can afford.

Read more: Baby Joy Travel Crib 2-1 Playpen review

Good Longterm Value

Graco pack 'n play on the go.

• Ease of Use 6.0
• Portability 4.0
• Comfort 6.0

The Graco Pack 'n Play On the Go is a budget-friendly portable crib/play yard with an infant bassinet. This crib is average for ease of setup and folding, with a travel bag that is large enough to prevent frustration when it's time to pack up. The best thing about this product is its longer lifespan and multiple uses. While it might not hit the mark for all families, we like that it can serve as a bassinet, travel crib, or play yard all in one.

This play yard potentially uses flame retardants (they don't say, and we couldn't find out). It is also heavier and larger than most top competitors, making it a no-go if your space is limited or you have difficulty lifting heavy things. Despite this, it is a good choice for families with a tight budget who long for a multi-use option with above-average performance. If you don't need a multi-purpose product but still want to save some money, the Baby Joy Travel Crib 2-1 Playpen is a good choice for occasional use. It may not be suitable for a play yard, but there is no need to pay for something you don't want. If you must have a travel crib or play yard, and a bassinet wouldn't hurt, this Graco is tough to beat for value over the product's lifespan.

Read more: Graco Pack 'n Play On the Go review

Not Recommended: Not an Actual Travel Crib

Dream on me travel light playard.

• Ease of Use 5.0
• Comfort 4.0

The Dream On Me Travel Light Playard is not a travel crib. This product is not designed for sleeping babies despite appearing in searches online for travel cribs. The company recommends children not sleep in it and suggests supervision at all times and the movement of little ones to an appropriate sleep surface should they fall asleep inside the playpen. We worry that parents will mistake this product for a travel crib as it looks almost identical to popular travel cribs. Even we didn't realize this was not a travel crib until we purchased it and read more about it. We worry parents will make the same mistake we did, which is why we decided to include it in this review as a Not Recommended option since it is not a product designed for sleeping. We believe it would be helpful if the manufacturer provided clear and accurate information about this playpen to help parents avoid making the false assumption that it is suitable for sleeping.

Read more: Dream On Me Travel Light Playard review

Compare Products

Why You Should Trust Us

We purchased and tested each travel crib in this review with side-by-side testing to compare competitors. This testing process provides detailed insight, as we are uniquely positioned to determine which products outperform the competition with the most valuable features and functions. Unlike a review of a single product with no comparisons, we include the details on why some options stand out and have features that can make your travel more manageable. Each travel crib is tested for ease of use, portability, comfort, quality, and eco-health. We conduct over 15 individual tests on each option to assign scores and determine rank and award winners. Testing exposes the details you need to find the right travel option for your family and wallet. Award-winning cribs for travel should be easy to set up and fold into their travel bags. They are lightweight, relatively compact, and easy to carry or fit in smaller spaces, so you can quickly stow them on public transportation or in crowded trunk spaces.

We've been testing baby gear since 2013 with updates to our travel crib review, including purchasing and testing over 15 options through the years. The portable crib team is led by our founder, Dr. Juliet Spurrier . Dr. Spurrier is a mother of 2 and a board-certified pediatrician. She uses her knowledge as a physician and her background as a mother in the crib selection process, focusing on safety and quality. The test team includes Bob Wofford , father of 7 and our Senior Review Analyst. Bob performs side-by-side testing for each metric, comparing the products against one another before moving on to our real-world parents. Wendy Schmitz and Abriah Wofford , Senior Review Editors, round out the team and participate in testing and analyzing the final results to help select winners and product ranks.

Analysis and Test Results

We tested popular portable cribs using a rigorous process, including in-house lab testing and real-world use, to determine the most essential features and which cribs offer the best performance .

Because a travel crib isn't essential for baby gear, the cost may be more of a consideration than it might be on a critical gear item. Luckily, some options perform well and sport reasonable prices or the higher-quality (more expensive) options can be used for more than one child, thereby dispersing the price over a longer lifespan. The Graco On-The-Go Pack N Play is a versatile travel crib that works as a playpen and infant bassinet. Multiple functions build a value that goes beyond its low price, making it a versatile mainstay for many families. The Baby Joy Playpen is a higher-ranking option with a reasonable price that gives parents an easy-to-use crib that is lightweight and sets up in around a minute, which is perfect for when you reach your destination after a long day of travel. The Lotus Travel Crib is more expensive. Still, the quality is evident, and the crib can also be used as a smaller playpen and bassinet, extending its useful lifetime.

Ease of Use

Testing ease of use for portable cribs includes setting up, folding, and fitting them in the travel bag. We did not test the accessories for these products, as these varied widely and were not comparable, but depending on what they are, you may want to take a closer look at them and how they might meet your needs.

Setup time for these varies significantly between 1 minute to over 27 minutes for the initial setup. Setup time decreases considerably with practice, but the harder cribs remain challenging because they have more steps or assembly. While practice can make perfect (or at least quicker), you can't change a convoluted process into a simple one, no matter how many times you practice.

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light earns a high score for ease of use with an average setup of 1:37 minutes after multiple tests. This option requires unfolding, locking the legs (above left), and securing the mattress (above right). This short turnaround time means you can have a sleeping baby resting peacefully quickly after a day of travel. The Baby Joy also has a quick setup of 1 minute on average once you know what you are doing. The Phil and Teds Traveller, on the other hand, earns the lowest score . This crib takes an average of 8:34 minutes to set up, even after significant practice. The Traveller requires complete assembly and dismantling every time you use it. It comes with more parts than the competition, and your baby could be wide awake and crabby by the time you assemble it. This time seems excessive to us. Most of the competition is closer to 2 minutes, as the Graco Pack 'n Play On the Go takes an average of 1:47 minutes, and the Lotus Travel Crib requires 2:13 minutes.

We also test the ease of folding and fitting the cribs into their included travel bags. This experience varies between easy and unbelievably frustrating. The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is easy to open and close and is the easiest to fit in its travel bag, thanks to its smaller size and a well-designed bag that includes some wiggle room (why don't they all do this?). Alternatively, the Lotus Travel Crib is easy to set up but a struggle to fold and fit into the bag (why can't they make the bag a wee bit bigger?). Sometimes, we failed to squeeze the Lotus into the bag and had to open and refold it to fit it in the bag, which felt like a design flaw to us. The Phil and Teds Traveller is the hardest to open, close and fit into the bag. The crib parts need to be precisely arranged in the bag to ensure everything fits since it doesn't fold like the competition; if you get it wrong, you'll have to take everything out of the bag to try again.

Portability

The primary use for travel cribs is to provide a safe sleep location for your baby when you are away from home. If a crib is too heavy to lift and carry or too large to stow in small spaces, it could be a stress creator instead of helpful gear. For this reason, we think portability is one of the essential features of travel cribs. The smaller and lighter a crib, generally speaking, the better.

Your fitness level or the kind of travel you plan to do could make this metric feel less critical to you. A more substantial option might work if you are a bodybuilder with an SUV driving to your destination. If you are a petite person who is traveling alone on a plane, the size and weight and how easy it is to stow might override most other considerations.

The Phil and Teds Traveller is the lightest product in this review, with an in-bag weight of 7.4 lbs. It is also the smallest when folded/dismantled, measuring 6.5"H x 27.2"L x 8.8"W. However, it didn't score well in other metrics, and the setup time of over 8 minutes may negate the small size and lighter weight. Of course, if you're packing this crib for a longer distance, you may find the arduous setup acceptable to have a lighter weight.

On the other hand, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light weighs 12.8 lbs, measures 19.5"H x 23.6"L x 6.6"W when folded, and scored well in every metric, earning the top overall score. Adding five extra pounds may seem like a lot, but when you consider that the Joovy Room2 weighs 26.8 lbs , it will seem feather-light in comparison. Probably a good compromise of higher performance and lightweight is the Baby Joy Playpen , 10.25 lbs, and measures 22"H x 24"L x 7"W when in the carry bag.

The Phil and Teds Traveller earned a high score for portability, with the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light, Baby Joy, and the Lotus Travel Crib all coming in second. The Joovy Room2 and the 4moms Breeze came in at the bottom of the pack. The 4moms Breeze is the largest folded option, measuring 12.1"H x 30.7"L x 12.2"W in the bag. This option feels more like something you'd take on a road trip, but perhaps not on an airplane.

Given the strict safety regulations governing this type of gear, you'd think the competition would be similar in their relative comfort level. However, the materials and design of each sleeping surface vary and influence the comfort of the crib.

Most contenders have a soft mattress that ranges from dense and hard to ultra-squishy and so soft that your baby quickly hits the hard support bottom. Soft and firm are important, but squishing down to the hard base is likely a poor design.

The Phil and Teds Traveller has a unique self-inflating mattress that we struggle to inflate fully and was somewhat bowed even with the baby's weight in place. Without total inflation, the pad is uncomfortable and provides no support (think poorly inflated air mattress that results in your baby sleeping more or less on the ground). The Baby Joy has an easy-to-compress foam pad that results in the baby resting on the rigid plastic board under the foam, earning a low score for comfort.

On the other end of the spectrum, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light (above left) and the Lotus Travel Crib (above right) earned higher marks thanks to soft, thicker cushions with the support that didn't squash to a thin mattress under a baby's weight. It was easy to see the difference in the quality of materials and the designs that helped one crib mattress earn higher scores over another in a side-by-side comparison.

The quality of portable cribs varies significantly. Some products are sturdy with tightly woven mesh and durable fabric with even stitching. Other options are somewhat wobbly when we press on the top rails, and the mesh easily stretches, or it has loose threads and off-kilter stitching.

The Joovy Room2 and the 4moms Breeze earned top scores. Both cribs have sturdy frames and tight mesh with impressive attention to detail.

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light and the Lotus Travel Crib earned some of the highest scores, with higher-end materials and solid construction in simple designs that the manufacturers execute well. The less expensive Baby Joy earns an impressive above-average score for quality, making it the highest quality, budget-friendly option in the review.

In January 2014, 15 baby gear categories were found not to pose a fire safety risk and were made exempt from meeting flammability standards. This exemption means the manufacturers of these types of baby products are free to make products without harmful flame retardants. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean they all make an effort.

Flame retardant chemicals are harmful to humans. We feel that exposing little ones to these kinds of chemicals should be limited whenever feasible. Only a handful of products in this review provide information about what materials and chemicals they use (or don't) to create their portable cribs. We think transparency is essential, and parents should demand more information from companies before buying. The Center For Environmental Health (CEH) surveyed leading manufacturers of baby gear on their use of flame retardant chemicals . The CEH lists the following survey questions on its website:

The manufacturer's responses to the survey were used to rank the companies based on their efforts to remove harmful chemicals from their products. While not all manufacturers are listed, it is a good starting point for parents looking for more information on what chemicals are in their baby's gear. The list also shows which companies provide transparency and express an openness to divulge information to consumers.

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light and Lotus Travel Crib earned top marks for eco-health. BabyBjorn states that their product is "free from harmful substances and approved according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100 , Class 1 for baby products" they go on to say "materials do not contain any harmful or allergenic substances." The Guava Family company makes the following statement about the Lotus Travel Crib, "The Lotus Travel Crib has been thoroughly tested for chemical emissions and is certified to the GREENGUARD GOLD standard, making it the only travel crib in the world to have received this rigorous certification." They go on to say that the Lotus is "… free of PVC, Lead, Phthalates, Formaldehyde, Heavy Metals (Cadmium, Arsenic, Mercury, etc.) and many others."

Most portable cribs in this review scored as low as you can go and failed to provide information about chemicals and flame retardants on their websites, owner's manuals, or the CEH. Luckily, except for the Graco Pack 'n Play on the Go and the Baby Joy Playpen , most of our award-winning products are free from harmful chemicals and impressed during testing of other metrics, earning the top two overall scores.

The Best Baby Carriers

Best Baby Backpack Carriers

The Best Infant Car Seats | Crash Tested

The Best Umbrella Strollers

The Best Double Strollers

The Best Bassinets

Dad Fixes Everything

Travel Crib vs Pack ‘n Play: What Are the Differences, Pros & Cons?

I may receive a commission for purchases made through product links on this page, but I always stand by my opinions and endorsements!

When it comes to traveling with your baby or toddler, you’d be amazed at how much stuff one little person needs to bring on vacation.

You need to consider diapers, wipes, food, toys, clothing, bottles, strollers, car seats, and of course, something for your baby to sleep in.

If you’ll be staying in a hotel, many of them offer the option of renting a crib of some type in your room; other times you may be staying with relatives. If you are faced with the need to bring a bed for your baby on your trip, there are a few options such as travel cribs or pack ‘n plays.

In this article, I want to break down the differences between travel cribs vs. pack ‘n plays and help you decide which one is right for you; and it might be both!

So…what is the difference between travel cribs vs pack ‘n plays?

The main difference between travel cribs and pack ‘n plays is that travel cribs are much lighter making them easier to tote around on vacation, where pack ‘n plays, although portable, do tend to be heavier and more cumbersome to deal with — but they also come with more space, more features, and more attachments.

Let’s take a little bit of a closer look at this comparison.

Travel Cribs Explained

They’re essentially enclosed sleeping or play areas with mesh sides and nothing else.

Travel cribs fold-up for easy storage and feature mesh sides to ensure breathability and visibility for your baby.

Travel cribs usually have a thicker mattress than pack ‘n plays, so they can be more comfortable for sleeping.

The main uses of travel cribs are:

• To provide a good choice for travel since they fold up and are lightweight
• To provide an easy option for on-the-go sleep and play
• Travel cribs usually have zip-up sides so that you can play with your baby on the floor.

Travel cribs provide a safe place for your baby to sleep and play, especially if you will be going somewhere that is not baby-proofed.

They’re an excellent option for times when you are away from home, like on vacation, but they are not meant to be used 24/7.

Although they are perfectly safe for your baby, they are very low to the ground. Lifting your baby in and out of bed from such a distance can be hard.

As your baby grows, keep an eye on when she starts to try and climb out of the crib, this is a sign that you need to switch to a different option.

Pros and cons of travel cribs

• Simplicity: Travel cribs are usually easy to deal with and set up since they are so lightweight.
• Work great for on-the-go: Travel cribs are easy and quick to set up and takedown. You can set them up quickly on a visit to grandma’s house, or even if you need to bring baby with you to the office. They’re also light and usually weigh under 15 pounds.
• Thicker mattress: Travel cribs tend to have thicker mattresses which can make them more comfortable for your baby to sleep on.
• Travel cribs are great for toddlers: You can continue to use a good travel crib for a couple years, basically until your toddler is ready to sleep in a regular bed when traveling or on vacation — somewhere around 3-4 years old. Check the weight limit if your travel crib has one — some don’t!
• More expensive: Travel cribs can cost more than pack ‘n plays. Good travel cribs can cost anywhere from $150 to $250 or more.
• Fewer accessories: Travel cribs usually do not come with as many accessory options as pack ‘n plays (like changing platforms, mobiles, etc.); mainly due to their lighter weight.

When my daughter was young, I swore by the Lotus Travel Crib — it’s lightweight and really easy for any adult to set up. Check it out on Amazon by clicking the link!

Pack ‘n Plays Explained

Pack ‘n Plays are used as safe sleep and play areas for babies and toddlers.

They can, like travel cribs, be folded up for storage and portability, but it’s often more difficult and cumbersome to do so.

Quite a few pack ‘n plays (also known as play yards) come with a variety of different accessories that can make them all-in-one areas for your baby.

For example, there are attachments for changing your baby, creating a bassinet, providing shade, and play pieces such as mobiles and other toys.

Pack ‘n Plays are usually slightly elevated from the ground, although they are still low unless you use a bassinet attachment. The sides are made from a breathable mesh, making them a safe place for baby to sleep.

Pack ‘n Plays are also great places for your baby to play, giving him a safe and secure spot to explore.

Pack ‘n Plays are roughly a few inches shorter than standard cribs, about 28″ wide by 40″ long. Plus, with the bassinet option, some pack ‘n plays can be a permanent sleeping solution for your baby in the beginning.

Pack ‘n Plays can be folded up and packed away, usually into a bag or storage case, making them an option for travel. They also usually feature wheels so you can move them from room to room at home.

However, they can be heavy to deal with, especially if you have many attachments to handle.  Pack ‘n Plays weigh about 15-30lbs or more depending on how many attachments they have, making them heavier than most travel cribs.

For this reason, they’re best used as “mobile command centers.”

You can set it up in the living room for naps, play, and changing — and you can move it around when you need to. But it probably won’t be your first option for a sleeping baby while traveling.

The main uses of a pack ‘n play are:

• To provide a safe place for your baby to sleep and play
• To provide a portable sleeping/play area for your baby
• To provide a sleep/play area for your baby that can be used long-term
• To provide a combination crib, bassinet, and changing table

Pros and cons of pack ‘n plays

• All-in-one: If you want to keep the number of baby items in your home to a minimum, then pack ‘n plays can be a great solution. They give you the ability to have a sleeping area, changing table, and play area all from one product.
• Small footprint: The smaller size of pack ‘n plays (compared to a regular crib) and the fact that they can double as a changing station, make them a good option for smaller spaces.
• Less expensive: Pack ‘n Plays are usually less expensive than travel cribs. You can find a good pack ‘n play for about $150, maybe less, including some attachments.
• Heavier: Pack ‘n Plays are heavier than travel cribs, so they can sometimes be more difficult to handle, especially if you are dealing with the set-up on your own.
• Thinner mattress: Pack ‘n Plays usually have a thin mattress or pad that uses special sized sheets.
• Multiple pieces can get cumbersome: All of the different attachments make pack ‘n plays amazing options for in the home, but can significantly decrease their portability in terms of vacation. You probably would opt to leave the attachments at home when traveling in order to keep things simple.
• Pack ‘n plays aren’t as good for toddlers: You can absolute have a toddler sleep in a pack ‘n play, but all the extra pieces like changing tables become more and more unnecessary as your child gets older.

The Graco Pack ‘n Play is pretty much the gold standard and works great as a mobile command center for baby. Check it out on Amazon by hitting the link.

Wrapping Up

That about sums it up when it comes to travel cribs vs. pack ‘n plays!

The biggest differences between the two are the weight and accessories; travel cribs are lighter making them easier to move around and set up, while pack ‘n plays can be heavier and a little more difficult to carry. 

However, pack ‘n plays come with a lot more accessory options, although these can also make them harder to move around.

Travel cribs are, not surprisingly, better for travel overall. But pack ‘ plays are the better all-in-one options for your home (and you can travel with them in a pinch.)

Due to their smaller size, they are both good options for smaller spaces. However, depending on whether or not you have a bassinet attachment, getting your baby in and out of them can become difficult due to how low they are to the ground. The zip-up sides of a travel crib can make this slightly less of a hassle.

I hope this helps, parents, and good luck with your search!

You might also like more of my Baby Stuff Explained series like:

• Mini-crib vs pack ‘ n play
• Training pants vs pull-ups
• Crib vs bassinet
• Do pack ‘n plays expire?

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

The 11 Best Pack and Plays for Playtime or Naptime, Tested by Parents

From the beach to the hotel to Grandma's house, these are the best pack and plays for your baby to sleep and play in.

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

Parents / Jessica Juliao

One of the hardest things about shopping for a new baby is the sheer number of items you need , especially since your child will outgrow nearly all of what you buy them for their first year of life. Pack and plays are one of the few exceptions: Functioning as a crib for small space-living or travel and as a pop-up playard, a good pack and play can grow with your child until they hit the toddler years.

“Pack and plays can be used as a bassinet, transitioned to cribs, and serve as a changing table,” says Amanda Stovall , M.D., a pediatrician with Springfield Clinic in Illinois. “As babies get older and more mobile, pack and plays offer a safe place for them to play.”

With all these options, Dr. Stovall says that pack and plays can be a great investment for parents and caregivers who are limited on space or for families who travel often , since they can be folded up and stored away compactly. But like so many other baby-related products, the pack and play market has expanded, making it hard for parents to know what accessories or features they actually need. Should you go with the bassinet or changing table attachment? How important is a one-handed setup? How big should it be, and how long can you expect it to last? 

To make it easier for you to find the best pack and play for your family’s needs, we tested 20 popular brands in our lab and talked to experts about what to look for when shopping. We assembled each pack and play to see just how convenient it is, then assessed it for stability and comfort. We then dropped a 25-pound sandbag “baby” to test its structural integrity, before carrying it through a doorway to see if it fits. Next, we folded it up, noting how easy that process is, before toting it around in any included carrying bag to assess its portability. We compared these results to the pack and play’s price to determine its overall value, then narrowed it down to these top picks.

Our Favorites

Best overall: 4moms breeze plus playard, best budget: graco pack ‘n play portable playard, best travel crib: guava lotus adventure & travel set, best travel crib (runner up): babybjörn travel crib light.

• Best for Playing: Graco Pack 'n Play LiteTraveler LX Playard

Best Sustainably Made: Delta Children babyGap Deluxe Play Yard

Best design: silver cross slumber travel crib, best large: joovy room² largest playard portable playpen, easiest setup: bugaboo stardust playard, best looking: nuna sena aire, why we like it.

Thanks to its easy setup, sturdy construction, and convenient features, we chose the 4moms Breeze Plus Playard as our top pack and play. The sides click right into place but stay firmly locked, remaining stable throughout our weight limit testing (we literally threw a sandbag into it). We’re also fans of the included mattress, which feels firm but soft and can be configured for the bassinet or the bottom of the pack-and-play. You can also buy the brand’s tight-fitting sheets for the full mattress size and the bassinet .

Speaking of the bassinet, we really appreciated this added feature, along with the changing table attachment. Both snap securely into place and make the playard worth the investment. Across the board, the 4moms Breeze Plus met or exceeded our expectations, and at a mid-range price of $300, we can confidently recommend it as a good fit for most families.

But Take Note

During testing, we found this chic-looking unit simple to assemble—though it took us a bit longer than others because we had to install the mattress—and even easier to stow away, managing to collapse the whole thing with one hand and fit it neatly into its travel bag. We do wish the bag’s nylon straps were padded, though.

The Details:  

• Dimensions (folded): 13.25 x 12 x 30 inches
• Dimensions (open): 40.75 x 28.5 x 22.5 inches
• Weight: 23 pounds
• Weight/age/height limit: 18 pounds (bassinet), 25 pounds (changer), 30 pounds (playard)
• Extras: Bassinet, mattress, changing table

The durable, streamlined Graco Pack 'n Play Portable Playard is a no-frills option that prioritizes functionality above all else, making it a great choice for parents who want to save money on a pack and play by only paying for what they need. You won’t get any extra attachments with this product, but that’s part of what makes it so simple: We were able to set it up in a mere two minutes and break it down in just one, and there were no miscellaneous parts to worry about.

Despite how easily it pops up and how neatly it collapses, this playard is sturdy. It’s heavy, which gives it a high-quality feel, and though it made a loud sound when we tested it against our 25-pound weight, it barely flinched. Its bulkiness, though, is also one of the cons here—it’s hard to move around, even when folded, and its travel bag is like a briefcase, rather than a backpack or shoulder back, so it’s not the easiest to lug on a long trip. It also doesn’t have the most luxurious mattress, so we don’t think it’s the best choice if you’re looking for a portable crib.

Still, we think the playard’s heft is part of what makes it such a steal for just $70: It feels like the type of pack and play you can use for all your kids and then pass down to friends for even more years of use. 

• Dimensions (folded): 10.31 x 10.31 x 28 inches
• Dimensions (open): 28.25 x 39.5 x 29 inches
• Weight: 19 pounds
• Weight/age/height limit: 35 inches, 30 pounds, or when tall enough to climb out (whichever comes first)
• Extras: Storage pouch

A pack and play for travel should be lightweight, easy to transport, and outfitted with features that make bringing your baby anywhere a piece of cake. The Guava Lotus Adventure & Travel Set checks all these boxes and then some, functioning equally as well as a portable crib and a playard.

Putting the crib together and folding it down again are both straightforward, and we’re impressed by how sturdy the Lotus feels despite how lightweight it is (just 15 pounds!) But it’s the accessories that make this choice work so well for traveling families: We love that it comes with an SPF sun shade, mosquito netting, two fitted sheets, and a backpack-style travel bag with padded straps for comfortable transport. All of the fabrics are soft to the touch—even the mosquito netting—and we really like that the vinyl fabric requires no effort to wipe down for cleaning.

We also can’t help but call out the fact that there’s no weight limit to the Lotus. Because it sits on the ground (meaning there's no bassinet for newborns), it can be used until your child is tall enough to climb out of it, prolonging its potential use (and extending your jet-setting fun).

• Dimensions (folded): 24 x 12 x 8 inches
• Dimensions (open): 45.5 x 31.5 x 25.5 inches
• Weight: 15 pounds
• Weight/age/height limit: 3 years old or tall enough to climb out
• Extras: Backpack travel bag, crib sheet, nap shade

The simplistic design of the Baby Björn Travel Crib Light makes it a solid travel crib alternative, though it’s a bit more limiting than the Guava Lotus. With a smaller size, it’s perfect as a grab-and-go crib, but it doesn’t function quite as well as a playard. However, it assembles in no time: It took just 45 seconds from the time we opened the box until the Baby Björn was fully set up, and the whole process was so intuitive we didn’t even need to use the instructions. The mattress slides in smoothly, too.

Despite its small size and lightweight construction, the unit feels sturdy and high-quality. It easily passed our drop test, and we were pleasantly surprised at how durable the small feet are. We also like how all the surfaces feel smooth and uniform without any pieces poking out in odd places.

It fits cleanly through a standard doorway and is super lightweight to carry around (just 13 pounds!), so it’s great for families on the go. We’d prefer the bag to have a shoulder strap instead of double handles to make transportation easier, though. But if a quick setup and a compact frame are what you’re looking for, this is a top-notch pick.

Although the playard packs very easily into its travel case, breakdown is a little tricky—we fold the instructions a little lackluster, and it took us some extra effort to get it to break down. 

• Dimensions (folded): 24 x 19 x 6 inches
• Dimensions (open): 44 x 25 x 32 inches
• Weight: 13 pounds
• Weight/age/height limit: 35 lbs or 23.5 inches (whichever comes first)
• Extras: Mattress

Best for Playing: Graco Pack 'n Play LiteTraveler LX Playard

The hexagonal design of the Graco Pack 'n Play LiteTraveler LX Playard gives babies plenty of room to explore, and the fact that it pops up and collapses back down with little effort from the caregiver makes it an easy choice for playing. After testing it in the lab, we also feel that the LiteTraveler would hold up well to active toddlers since it barely budged when we dropped in a sandbag “baby.” And with its UV 50 sun canopy, you can even move your child’s playtime outdoors.

We found the travel bag easy to tote around slung over one shoulder, and it’s compact enough that we could see ourselves carrying it on the beach or at the park without any issues. It’s also on the lower end of the price range for a good pack and play, so it’s a more budget-friendly pick.

Although the playard doesn’t fit through a doorway when it’s open due to its shape, the one-handed collapsing feature and the easy-carry travel bag make it simple to move around anyway. Plus, we love that Graco sewed the instructions onto the travel bag so they’re visible and readily available wherever you go: 

• Dimensions (folded): 7.5 x 7.5 x 27 inches 
• Dimensions (open): 50 x 50 x 27 inches
• Weight: 16.6 pounds
• Weight/age/height limit: 35 inches
• Extras: UV 50 canopy

If safety, functionality, and sustainability are all of equal concern to you when shopping for a pack and play, the babyGap Deluxe Play Yard by Delta Children hits all three of those marks. With the exception of the mesh windows, all the fabric is made from recycled plastic water bottles, but you would never know it. During testing, we noticed that the pack and play feels sturdy and high-quality but is still easy to maneuver—its lockable wheels let you roll it through a doorway with extra room on the sides.

As for accessories, the playard comes with a detachable bassinet and changing table, and there’s a zippered opening on one of the sides for convenient access. The mattress is soft (though we would have liked a sheet included), and setup and breakdown didn’t take much effort. We were also able to put it together in less than two minutes, and there’s a cute detachable mobile to keep your little one entertained. 

We don’t love that there is no shoulder strap to carry the unit when packed into its travel bag.

• Dimensions (folded): 9.5 x 12 x 30.1 inches
• Dimensions (open): 27.8 x 37.4 x 40.2
• Weight: 29 pounds
• Weight/age/height limit: 15 pounds (bassinet), 25 pounds (changing table), 30 pounds or 35 inches tall (playard)
• Extras: Mobile, bassinet, changing table

If you’re willing to put in a little effort to get to know the ins and outs of this pack and play, the Silver Cross Slumber Travel Crib is a well-designed product that strikes the right balance between modernist style and functionality. It has the extra accessories you really need—like a removable bassinet and mesh sides—but nothing that would overcomplicate its use.

We found the Slumber Travel Crib to be lightweight enough to transport easily from room to room, and all parts of the crib, from the bassinet attachment to the mattress, are user-friendly. The mattress can be configured to fit either the bassinet or pack and play, and a brand-specific sheet is included so you don’t need to around for the exact right size. It took us a bit to set the unit up for the first time and the instructions aren’t as simple as they could be, but overall, using the crib is fairly intuitive. 

Securing the mattress, though, is a hassle, since there are a bunch of corner hooks you need to thread through the fabric. We also don’t love the travel bag: We had to refer to the instructions to figure out how to fit the collapsed crib inside it, and it was awkward in size once packed away. Still, this is a sleek and attractive option that newborns and older babies alike can snooze in comfortably.

• Dimensions (folded): 35 x 13.4 x 6.7 inches
• Dimensions (open): 44 x 31.5 x 26.4 inches
• Weight: 20 pounds
• Weight/age/height limit: 50 pounds
• Extras: Bassinet

If you need an oversized pack and play, the Joovy Room² Largest Playard Portable Playpen is about 40 inches wide by 40 inches long, giving your baby a nice, roomy space for playing or sleeping, as opposed to the traditional rectangular shape. It has a simple design that works well with most home decor, which is a good thing since it’s not very portable—it’s heavy and can’t fit through doorways without being collapsed. Plus, collapsing it isn’t ideal, since the playard doesn’t fold back down as neatly as it was originally packaged.

This is a durable and spacious pack-and-play for babies who like a lot of room (or even twins!), but note that you’ll likely want to leave it up once it’s been assembled. We think it’s a fitting pick for a relative’s house or for the living room as a play space. You won’t want to move it or travel with it, but it’s definitely sturdy enough to handle the weight of a toddler or more than one baby.  

It comes with a thick, waterproof mattress that’s machine-washable for when accidents happen. Plus, four rods on the bottom of the pack and play make it feel sturdier than some other options. Then again, it is 28 pounds, so it’s not a portable pick. 

• Dimensions (folded): 37 x 9.5 x 10 inches
• Dimensions (open): 39.75 x 39.75 x 31 inches
• Weight: 28 pounds
• Weight/age/height limit: 30 pounds or 35 inches
• Extras: Waterproof mattress, sheet

If reading instructions isn’t your thing, the Bugaboo Stardust is the pack and play of your dreams: We didn’t need to use the instructions when testing out this pack and play, and unlike most of the other products we tried, the Stardust comes with the mattress already installed, cutting out a time-consuming assembly step. In fact, Bugaboo claims you can unfold the Stardust in one second and fold it up in three, and we found that it comes pretty close to matching those lofty goals.

After folding the crib up, we had no problems packing it away into the travel bag, and at a lightweight 17 pounds, it’s fairly easy to carry around. Overall, the Stardust is slim and compact with a seamless setup, but there are a few things we don’t love—its smaller size means it won’t last as long as some other pack and plays that can accommodate an older child, and we’re underwhelmed by the bassinet attachment, which feels flimsy and unsupportive compared to the rest of the unit. But if you don’t care about a bassinet and want something that’s simple to set up (and not an eyesore), the Stardust is worth the price tag.

• Dimensions (folded): 25.6 x 5.5 x 33.5 inches
• Dimensions (open): 25 x 38.8 x 33.5 inches
• Weight: 17 pounds
• Weight/age/height limit: 33 pounds or 35 inches, whichever comes first
• Extras: Bassinet, mattress

The aesthetics of a pack and play aren’t the most important thing, but ideally, the unit you choose will fit seamlessly into your home decor if that’s where you’ll be using it the most. The understated Nuna Sena Aire is a pack and play that doesn’t compromise on style: Its edges are soft and curved, not sharp and angular, and the whole thing is breathable and inviting.

The bassinet attachment is convenient, and playard's setup is simple: We were able to put it together in less than three minutes without using the instructions. While squeezing the crib into the travel bag takes a little muscle, it makes up for it with its one-handed collapse.

Mesh sides give this crib plenty of airflow, though we did find the sides to be a teeny bit wobbly in our testing. If you have an active toddler, this probably isn’t the crib for you. And while the price tag is a little steep, you’re paying for a pack and play that’s both fashionable and functional.

• Dimensions (folded): 11 x 13 x 31.5 inches  
• Dimensions (open): 41.3 x 30 x 29 inches
• Weight: 21 pounds
• Extras: Mattress, sheet

Best With Changing Table: Joovy Premium Room All-In-One Playard Nursery Center Changing Table Bassinet

If you need a pack and play that does it all, the Joovy Premium Room All-In-One Playard is the Swiss Army knife of portable cribs. With a bassinet, flip-away changing table, and diaper station, this pack and play has everything you need all in one piece of portable furniture. Despite all of its accessories, this Joovy still fits through a standard doorway, and we broke it down without too much trouble, sliding it easily into its travel bag. We also love that the straps on the bag all you to carry it in multiple ways, including as a backpack. (This thing is heavy, so this is definitely a plus!). 

Plus, the mattress is cushy, feeling cozier than most other pack and play mattresses. The pack and play also comes with bassinet and changing table attachments, and there’s diaper storage included as well.

One word of warning: This one is more complicated than usual to assemble. We had trouble getting the side rails to lock, and overall, the instructions could be much more helpful for both setup and breakdown. But the playard and all of the individual accessories are sturdy, and despite the fact that there’s a lot going on here when everything is attached, this Joovy pack and play is relatively sleek and subtle.

• Dimensions (folded): 12.5 x 31 x 11 inches
• Dimensions (open): 28.5 x 39.5 x 32.5 inches
• Weight: 32 pounds
• Weight/age/height limit: 15 pounds (bassinet), 25 pounds (changing table), 35 inches (playard)
• Extras: Changing table, bassinet, diaper storage

Our Testing Process 

To find the very best pack and plays that are safe, convenient, and well-designed, our parenting editors tested 20 models from popular brands to find out which ones truly measure up. We looked at five main factors: ease of setup, durability, portability, design, and overall value. First, we recorded how long it took to unpack and assemble each pack and play, weighing the product once assembled. We attached any additional items, like changing tables and mobiles, evaluating how stable, sturdy, and comfortable each accessory—and the whole pack and play itself—felt.

Then, we performed a durability test to ensure each product could withstand the weight of a baby. We dropped a 25-pound sandbag onto the mattress several times, noting if the pack and play shifted, sagged, or otherwise seemed unsafe for a baby. (You won’t find any that failed this test on our list.) Finally, while fully unfolded, we attempted to carry each pack and play through a standard doorway to see if it would fit, since you may be moving yours from room to room. Next, we folded up each product again, timing how long it took to pack it away, and carried it around with us for several minutes to see how easily it can be transported.

We considered all of these factors, along with any additional features, against each unit’s price to determine whether it’s a worthwhile purchase—and, if so, what type of need (like travel or sleeping) it would best address.

Our Experts

We also spoke with several pediatric experts throughout the testing and review process:

• Ben Hoffman , M.D., a professor of pediatrics at Oregon Health & Science University and the president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Amanda Stovall , M.D., a pediatrician with Springfield Clinic in Illinois.
• Elizabeth Murray , DO, MBA, FAAP, who is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine. She is also a professor of clinical emergency medicine at the University of Rochester and serves as the Faculty Director for Child Health & Safety Communications at GCH.

We also got input from several experienced parents, including:

• Abby Mercer, Parents Visual Editor and mom to a son who currently uses a pack and play.
• Amy Kwan, a parenting product tester who used a pack and play with her son until he outgrew it. 

Other Notable Pack and Plays 

• Summer Infant Pop ‘N Play Deluxe Ultimate Playard : We liked that this playard was sturdy and low to the ground, but it was awkward to carry around when assembled and when folded up, making portability a real issue.
• Graco Pack 'n Play Sit 'N Grow Playard : The pack and play itself was easy to set up, but it came with a lot of accessories that took a while to put together, leaving us overwhelmed by the thought of traveling with this pack and play (or even moving it from one room to another in our house). 

Factors to Consider

Pack and play, playard, or travel crib.

Basically, they’re all the same: The terms are generally used interchangeably to describe a four-walled structure for babies and toddlers to sleep and play in. 

There are some exceptions. Sometimes the term “playard” will be used to describe a gated structure meant only to contain a child within a certain area and is not meant for sleeping. They also may not be that portable, limiting their use as a pack and play. But usually, “pack and play” and “travel crib” refer to the same type of product: a portable crib structure that can be folded up and traveled with, used for either playing or sleeping.

Ease of Setup

If you’re not planning on traveling with your pack and play, it doesn’t have to be super easy to assemble and disassemble (in other words, don’t fall for marketing gimmicks that you don’t truly need).

“Being able to [set up or break down a pack and play] with one hand or as few hands as necessary is a convenience, [but] it’s not really important,” says Dr. Hoffman.

Instead, make sure any pack and play you choose isn’t overly complicated with accessories. This increases your odds of putting things together wrong and ending up with an unsafe unit, or losing necessary parts and pieces along the way. However, if you are a frequent traveler and would like a pack and play that’s quick and easy to set up, we recommend the Bugaboo Stardust.

Portability

Most people think of portability when it comes to travel, and that’s certainly one piece of the puzzle. If you’re a traveling family , you’ll want a pack and play that pops up and collapses with little effort, fits easily into a travel bag, and is comfortable and lightweight to carry around. 

But the other piece of the puzzle is portability within your house. Can you fit the pack and play through doorways without needing to disassemble it each time? Is it too heavy or awkward for one parent to move on their own? Dr. Hoffman says that portability throughout your own home is actually more important than outside of it—the more complicated it is to move your pack and play from point A to point B, the more you may find yourself relying on sleep surfaces that aren’t as safe .

Durability and Height/Weight Limit 

Durability is tough to gauge, since one family may use the same pack and play more often than another family and find it wears down more quickly (and some kids are just hard on things, even as babies!). 

But you should think about the future a little when choosing a pack and play: Will you want to use it only for newborn sleep, or also for toddler play? All pack and plays have different age, height, and/or weight limits for safe use, so you’ll need to consider if your unit can last through the ages and stages you want it to. 

“Most children can safely use pack and plays until around 2 to 3 years old,” says Dr. Stovall, “[but] be sure to check the height/weight regulations on your specific [unit] as they may vary slightly.”

Generally speaking, Dr. Stovall says most pack and plays can be safe for kids up to 30 pounds and 35 inches tall, but if your child can climb out of the pack and play at any height or weight, they should be transitioned to a new sleeping or playing space .

We’ve featured a range of prices for the pack and plays on this list, from budget-friendly choices under $100, like the practical Graco Pack 'n Play Portable Playard, to more luxurious brands costing upwards of $350, like the sleek Nuna Sena Aire. You don’t necessarily get more options by spending more money; plenty of the lower-cost pack and plays come with a bassinet or changing table attachment and easy assembly processes. 

Most often, what you get with a higher budget is a more aesthetically pleasing design and, sometimes, more durability in the form of overall sturdiness. If it’s important to you that your pack and play match your decor, or that it can be used again in the future for another child, you may want to pay for a more expensive option. Otherwise, opt for the brand that suits your budget and gives you whatever usage options you need. 

How to Use Pack and Plays Safely

Pack and plays are designed to be safe spaces for babies to sleep and play in, but parents still have to know and implement safety precautions before using them. 

According to Dr. Hoffman, these are the most important things to keep in mind regarding safe use of a pack and play:

• Treat your baby’s sleep in a pack and play the same way you would sleep in a crib or bassinet: Make sure it meets consumer safety standards, put your baby down for sleep on their back without any stuffed toys, bumpers, or blankets, and put the pack and play on a flat surface in a safe place. 
• Discontinue use of any bassinet attachments for sleep once your baby starts to be able to roll over.
• Discontinue use of the pack and play once your child is capable of climbing out, as this poses a fall risk.
• Keep the pack and play away from anything else in the room that poses a safety risk, like cords from window blinds or top-heavy furniture.
• Models sold with positioners or nappers that allow a baby to be at an incline should never be used for infant sleep . 
• Check that your pack and play meets Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards.
• If you want or need a sheet for your pack and play’s mattress, use only the sheet that comes with the unit (or sheets sold separately that are specifically made for that brand and model) to ensure they are tight-fitting and not something that can become loose and pose an entrapment risk.

Your Questions, Answered 

Do i need a pack and play.

No, a pack and play isn’t a necessity. If you’re planning to have your baby sleep in a traditional crib and don’t expect to be doing much traveling as a family, you may decide not to invest in a pack and play (especially when there are so many other things to buy!).

But pack and plays aren’t just for nighttime sleeping or traveling, so you should also think about their other potential uses. If any family members will be regularly babysitting your child in their homes, a pack and play is a nice alternative to a permanent crib. Some people also take them to parks, beaches, and playgrounds so their baby has a spot to nap on the go. And remember that they can also be used as playards, providing a safe place for your baby to hang out during the day wherever you are.

Is a pack and play as good as a crib?

Pack and plays that have a firm, flat mattress can be safely used as a crib, says Dr. Stovall. But make sure you set up the pack and play according to current safe sleep guidelines by using a taut sheet on the mattress and keeping the sleeping space clear of any pillows, blankets, and toys. 

Can you use a crib mattress in a pack and play?

No. Most pack and plays are smaller than infant cribs, so a crib mattress wouldn’t fit properly. Even if it did, you should only ever use the mattress that comes with your pack and play—this is the mattress that was used during the safety testing of your pack and play, so any other type of mattress could not only damage the integrity of your pack and play but make it unsafe for your baby.

“You want to make sure you’re using the bottom mattress that came [with your product], not a secondary mattress,” says Dr. Hoffman, “because if it doesn't fit perfectly, there can be gaps that [increase the risk of] entrapment.” 

Sarah Bradley is a freelance health and parenting writer from Connecticut, where she lives with her husband and three sons. As a homeschooling mom who works part-time, she understands the value of shopping for parenting products that are not only safe and affordable but make family life easier. (Plus, her second kid slept in a pack and play for nine months, so she knows her way around a Graco.) 

American Academy of Pediatrics. Safe sleep .

Related Articles

Travel crib vs pack n play: Which is better?

• Edited by Olivia Wilson
• Updated on September 22, 2023

📄 Table of Contents

Traveling with a baby can be tiring, to say the least. There are hundreds of choices to ensure your baby stays comfortable and safe. But when it comes to safe sleep and play time when traveling, many people get travel cribs or pack n plays to ensure that their baby remains comfortable. So what are travel cribs and pack n plays, and how do they differ? In this blog post, let us answer all your queries. 

Travel Crib vs Pack N Play

A travel crib is a portable and lightweight bed designed for infants and toddlers, specifically designed to ensure a safe sleeping environment while on the go. It provides easy assembly and compact storage, so travel cribs are an essential accessory for families on the move.

A pack n play , also known as a playard and playpen, is a versatile and portable baby accessory that combines a playing and sleeping area. With its foldable design and included mattress, the Pack n’ Play can be a good option for both traveling and keeping in a specific place. 

Travel Crib vs Pack and Play: Which One Should You Get?

The choice between a travel crib and a Pack ‘n Play depends on your specific needs, lifestyle, and priorities. If you require a versatile playpen and crib combination with additional features, a Pack ‘n Play might be the right choice. However, a travel crib would be a more suitable option if you prioritize lightweight portability and simplicity for sleep purposes only. Consider factors like ease of use, space constraints, and budget to make an informed decision. Moreover, another main factor in deciding between the two should be how often you travel or plan or traveling with your baby!

Look below at the key differences and pros and cons of Pack n’ plays and Travel cribs to decide what suits you the best!

Key differences between pack n play vs travel crib?

We think that Pack n Play and travel cribs are both great choices for parents looking for portable sleeping solutions for their babies. While they serve similar purposes, there are key differences between the two:

Pack n Plays are multifunctional playards that can also be used as cribs. They often feature additional features like a changing station or storage pockets. On the other hand, travel cribs primarily focus on providing a compact and lightweight crib for sleeping purposes only. They usually have a simpler design without any additional features.

Maintenance, Ease of Use, Portability

Pack ‘n Plays tend to be bulkier due to their multi-functionality. They often require more effort to assemble and disassemble. On the other hand, travel cribs are built to be light in weight and extremely easy to set up and dismantle. They usually come with a carrying case for convenient transportation. Travel cribs are generally easier to maintain and clean as they have fewer complex parts.

Cost-effective

Regarding cost, travel cribs tend to be more budget-friendly compared to Pack’ n Plays. This is primarily because travel cribs have a simpler design without additional features. Pack n Plays, with their multi-functionality, often come at a higher price point.

Here’s a quick comparison table to help you get an idea before you make a purchase decision whether you should get a travel crib or a pack and play:

Comparing travel crib vs pack and play side-by-side

Travel Crib

Purpose – Designed primarily as a portable bed for infants and toddlers during travel or at home.

Size – Generally smaller and more compact, designed for portability and ease of transport.

Portability – Highly portable, often with a carrying bag, making it easy to transport for trips or outings.

Setup – Typically quick and easy to set up, often with a simple pop-up or folding mechanism.

Sleeping Area – Primarily designed for sleeping, with a comfortable mattress and crib-like features.

Play Area – Limited play functionality, primarily intended for sleep.

Accessories – Fewer built-in accessories, mainly focused on the crib function.

Weight Limit – Typically up to 35lbs.

Versatility – Specialized for sleep, less versatile.

Price – Often affordable due to its specialized design.

Storage – Compact and easy to store when not in use.

Use Cases – Ideal for short trips, vacations, or as a secondary crib at home.

Pack n Play (Playard)

Purpose – Multi-functional and serves as both a playpen and a sleep space for infants and toddlers.

Size – Typically larger and bulkier, providing more space for play and sleep.

Portability – Less portable due to its size and weight, suitable for longer stays in one location.

Setup – May require more time and effort to assemble and disassemble due to its larger size and additional features.

Sleeping Area – Offers a sleep space as well but may have less comfortable padding or mattress options.

Play Area – Larger play area with mesh sides.

Accessories – May include additional features like bassinet attachments, changing tables, and storage.

Weight Limit – Weight limit of up to 50lbs.

Versatility – Serves as sleep space, playpen, & changing station.

Price – More expensive due to its additional features.

Storage – Requires more storage space due to its size.

Use Cases – Suited for longer stays, as a play area, and changin station.

❔What can a travel crib be used for?

As the name suggests, travel cribs are mainly for when you are on the go, for example camping outside, etc. But, we have found out that they are great for visiting a relative or friend who doesn’t have a baby bed; you can take your travel crib with you there so your baby can have a comfortable sleep no matter where you are! 

What are the pros and cons of Pack n Play?

Pros of getting a pack n play.

✅ Versatility – Pack n Plays offer multiple functions, serving as a crib, playpen, and sometimes even a changing station. 

✅ Safety – Pack and Plays are designed with safety in mind , meeting industry standards for crib safety. They often have mesh sides for ventilation and visibility, so you can watch your child while they play or sleep. 

✅ Longevity – Pack n Plays can be used from infancy to toddlerhood, accommodating the baby’s growth. Some models have adjustable mattress heights, allowing for easy access to the baby when they are younger and lowering it as they grow.

Cons of getting a Pack n Play

❌ Size and Weight – Some Pack’ n Plays can be bulky and heavy, making them less ideal for frequent travel or transportation. 

❌ Assembly and Disassembly – Setting up and taking down a Pack ‘n Play can sometimes be time-consuming and require effort, especially if it has additional features or a more complex design. This is a quality that deters us, especially when we are using pack n’ Play for traveling. 

❌ Limited Lifespan – While Pack’ n Plays can be used for an extended period, they are eventually outgrown by toddlers . Once the child becomes too tall or active, they may need to transition to a different sleeping and playing arrangement.

Recommended Pack n Plays

What are the pros and cons of a travel crib?

Pros of getting a travel crib.

✅ Portability – The primary advantage of travel cribs is their lightweight and compact design. They are specifically designed for easy transportation, making them ideal for families who frequently travel or are on the go. They can even fit in a suitcase or carrying bag.

✅ Easy Setup – In tune with their name, travel cribs are typically designed for quick and hassle-free assembly. They often feature a simple folding mechanism or pop-up design that allows for easy setup in a matter of minutes. 

✅ Cost-effective – Travel cribs tend to be more budget-friendly than larger, multifunctional options like Pack ‘n Plays. So, you can buy one on the extra with a main crib for your baby’s room.

Cons of getting a travel crib

❌ Limited Features – Due to their focus on portability and simplicity, they lack some of the extra features found in Pack’ n Plays.

❌ Size Limitations – Due to their portable nature, travel cribs may have size limitations, particularly when it comes to accommodating older or larger babies. 

❌ Less Durability – Travel cribs are made with lightweight materials to ensure portability, which can result in reduced durability compared to more robust cribs or playards. While safe, they may not be as sturdy or long-lasting as other options.

❌ Limited Use – Travel cribs are primarily designed for temporary or occasional use, such as during trips or visits to family and friends. They are not suitable for everyday or long-term use.

Recommended Travel Cribs

Summing up…

Choosing within a Pack ‘n Play and a travel crib, ultimately boils down to your specific needs and priorities. Travel cribs are portable and simple, making them ideal for families who frequently travel or have limited space.

On the other hand, Pack’ n Plays offer versatility with additional features like changing stations and playpen functionality. They are a more multifunctional option, albeit bulkier and heavier.

From personal experience, we have found out that both travel cribs and Pack n Plays are excellent options for providing a safe and comfortable sleeping environment for your baby while on the go . But if you’re seeking a long-term and permanent sleeping solution, Pack n Plays should be your go-to!

Parents Also Ask

Pack n play or travel crib: which is best for sleep.

Travel cribs generally provide more comfort with thicker mattresses and fewer structural elements near the sleeping area. The thin, firm mattresses of pack-n-plays may not be as comfortable for extended overnight sleep. However, pack n plays with a bassinet attachment can be useful for newborns, providing a convenient spot for daytime naps and keeping an eye on the baby. So, Pack n’ Play with a bassinet is our winner for long sleeping time for babies.

Pack N Play or Travel Crib: Which Is Best For Play?

Travel cribs are not made for playing, while Pack n’ Plays are designed for both Play and sleeping. With their sturdy and easily cleanable structures , Pack n’ Plays are definitely better for playtime!

Pack N Play or Travel Crib: Which Is Best For Travel?

Even Though Pack n’ Plays can be used for travel because of portability, Travel cribs are more portable and easily assembled, ensuring they can be traveled with very easily. So Travel Cribs are better!

Olivia Wilson

Show us some ❤️ by sharing this review guide with your friends on:

You may also like:

Co sleeper vs pack n play: choosing what works best, do pack n plays expire, how long can baby sleep in pack n play, do crib sheets fit pack n play [mom advice], recent posts.

Comotomo baby bottle review: Why parents love it

What is the best position for a baby to sleep?

We send great reviews on new baby products so you can purchase the best of the best for your little ones. Plus, get a curated magazine packed with the best tips, how-to guides, and unique ideas directly to your inbox.

BabyAndProducts.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.  Learn more here.

BabyAndProducts.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. As an Amazon Associate, we earn affiliate commissions from qualifying purchases.

Give the best to your little one!

Enter your email below to get our curated product reviews, buying guides, and parenting tips once a month.

We promise to never SPAM your inbox. Check our Privacy Policy.

Travel Crib Vs Pack N Play: Which One is Best for You? [2022]

If you’ve ever traveled with a baby, you know that finding suitable bedding on the road can be a challenge.

Luckily, there are some portable options to choose from, but which one will best suit your needs?

Travel cribs are made to be convenient collapsible bedding options for your baby while you’re on the go with a soft mattress and secure mesh sides.

Pack N Plays are another option for portable baby bedding that doubles as a contained play area as well. 

In this article, we will compare and review the different features of travel cribs and Pack N Plays, ultimately deciding which one is the best to use when traveling with your little one. 

Travel Crib vs. Pack N Play – How We’ll Compare Them

When comparing travel cribs and Pack N Plays side by side, the two products may look very similar, but they do have important differences.

We’ll be using the following metrics to find a clear winner in the competition for best baby bedding on the go:

• Portability
• Comfortability
• Extra features
• Maintenance

Travel Crib vs. Pack N Play – Portability

Travel crib.

Just as its name suggests, the travel crib was designed to be portable.

The frame and all of its associated parts are extremely lightweight, making it perfect to carry around, even if you are going camping.

Additionally, most travel cribs will fold up to form a backpack or some sort of easy carrier to aid in portability. 

Overall, the travel crib receives a 9/10 for portability . 

Pack N Play

While the Pack N Play can be used for travel and has the ability to neatly collapse, it tends to be on the heavy side.

The frame is typically more heavy-duty since it is primarily used as a play area and supports additional structures such as the changing table and bassinet. 

Pack N Plays usually come with a convenient storage bag to fit everything into, but the end result is a large bulky contraption that weighs twice as much as your baby. 

Overall, the Pack N Play receives a 4/10 for portability .

How They Compare

When it comes to portability, the travel crib takes the cake. The frame is lightweight, collapses into an easy-to-carry bundle or backpack, and only weighs about ten pounds.

On the other hand, the Pack N Play has lots of extras that make it bulkier to manage and cause it to weigh as much as twenty-five pounds.

Travel Crib vs. Pack N Play – Price

Travel cribs can be pretty expensive, especially if you want to ensure that you choose a trusted brand.

Your baby’s safety during sleep is essential so it’s important to choose a brand that has safety-approved features.

Most travel cribs cost between $150 and $250 or more. 

Lesser known brands can be less expensive; however, they may not have safety-certified features which could put your baby at risk.

Overall, the travel crib receives a 5/10 for price . 

The Pack N Play is an excellent bargain for the money you will spend.

Brand new Pack N Plays usually cost less than $100 and can be used for playing, napping, changing diapers, and more.

With all of the extra features and trusted sturdiness of the structure, you are getting a great piece at a great price. 

Overall, the Pack N Play receives an 8/10 for price .

The Pack N Play is by far the winner when it comes to price.

You can purchase two Pack N Plays for the price of one travel crib and the Pack N Play has extra features while the travel crib is really only meant for sleeping. 

Travel Crib vs. Pack N Play – Set-Up

Setting up a travel crib the first few times can be a bit frustrating, trying to get all the poles to fit together and snap into place.

Over time, the setup becomes easier once you learn the little tricks that help put it together easier. 

Additionally, travel cribs tend to be larger than Pack N Plays, taking up space which could be a problem if your travel accommodations don’t leave much room to work with.

Overall, the travel crib receives a 5/10 for set up . 

The Pack N Play is large and cumbersome but is fairly straightforward to set up.

The main body of the structure is all held together and simply expands out until the poles lock into place. 

The extra features snap securely onto the railings. When you are done, taking the Pack N Play apart is as easy as unlocking the joints and pulling up the bottom to collapse in the sides. 

There is a convenient bag to store everything in once it has been completely taken down as well. Overall, the Pack N Play receives a 7/10 for setup . 

Although both travel cribs and Pack N Plays can take some getting used to for the setup, the Pack N Play is far more user-friendly with its collapsible frame and locking joints.

Pack N Plays are also typically smaller than travel cribs and can be more flexible in terms of the spaces they can fit in. 

Travel Crib vs. Pack N Play – Comfortability

Travel crib mattresses are soft and made for sleeping. Babies can easily fall asleep on the bedding and breathe easily with mesh walls that allow your baby to see you at all times.

Most travel crib mattresses are also rated for safety to prevent SIDS. The sides of the travel crib are flexible so there is little chance of your little one hurting themselves. 

The only downside that a travel crib may have is your ease of comfort.

Since the mattress sits on the floor if you have back issues or other problems bending over, retrieving your child from the travel crib may not be convenient. 

Overall, the travel crib receives an 8/10 for comfortability .

The Pack N Play was mainly designed for playing so the bottom of the structure is a thin, hard mattress that provides lots of support but little comfort.

Pack N Plays are recommended for short naps but are not rated for overnight sleeping. 

They can be used for longer sleeping durations; however, if your child is particular about the softness of their bed, they may have trouble falling asleep.

The bassinet features can also be used for sleeping but can only accommodate small babies who cannot yet roll. 

The frame of the Pack N Play features hard metal poles that can be uncomfortable to fall on or accidentally hit.

Overall, the Pack N Play receives a 4/10 for comfortability . 

When it comes to sleeping, the travel crib is a better setup for your little one with a soft mattress meant for overnight use.

On the other hand, the Pack N Play’s hard mattress may be suitable for naps but can be very uncomfortable for longer periods of rest. 

Travel Crib vs. Pack N Play – Extra Features

The travel crib’s sole function is to serve as a place for your baby to sleep. You could also use the travel crib as a playpen; however, the soft mattress makes it hard to stand and play on. 

The most notable extra features the travel crib has is the ability to fold up into a convenient carrying backpack and a zipper to open the mesh wall of the crib for easy access.

Overall, the travel crib receives a 5/10 for extra features . 

The Pack N Play is designed for more than just naps. The supportive bottom allows your child to safely play or sleep within the confines of the playpen.

Pack N Plays can come with a detachable changing station for easy diaper changes along with a side storage pouch to keep extra diapers, wipes, clothes, and diaper cream. 

Most Pack N Plays have an attached bassinet that can be used with the Pack N Play or separately on another surface.

They also come with a mobile to keep the baby entertained during play.

Overall, the Pack N Play receives a 9/10 for all of the extra features that it offers. 

The Pack N Play comes out on top for extra features with different places to play, sleep, and change diapers.

On the other hand, the travel crib is a one-trick pony that is only meant for sleeping and does not have any bonus accessories or attachments. 

Travel Crib vs. Pack N Play – Maintenance

Let’s face it, you will need to clean that travel crib at some point because babies can be messy.

It’s a good thing that travel cribs are made for easy maintenance.

All of the parts can be removed and are machine washable from the mattress to the mesh walls to the sheets. 

There is no need to unnecessarily scrub, just throw everything in the washing machine and dryer, then put it back together once it is clean.

Overall, the travel crib receives a 9/10 when it comes to maintenance .

Pack N Play can be a bit tricky to clean. Since the frame is already sewn into the walls of the Pack N Play, you will need to scrub them if they get dirty.

The outer covering of the mattress can be put in the washing machine once it is removed from the inner boards.

Likewise, the bassinet covering can sometimes be removed from its frame to be washed.

All other parts of the bassinet need to be hand scrubbed; however, sometimes all of the nooks and crannies can be hard to reach.

Overall, the Pack N Play receives a 4/10 for maintenance .

How They Compare 

Travel cribs are much easier to maintain and clean since all of the parts can be thrown into the washing machine if dirty.

On the other hand, most parts of the Pack N Play require hand scrubbing and since there are many different parts with plastic attachments, they are more likely to break. 

Travel Crib vs. Pack N Play – The Breakdown

Now that we’ve gone into detail about the different features that the travel crib and Pack N Play have, let’s look at them all together to decide which one is best for you.

When all of the individual scores are added up, the travel crib is the clear winner with a final score of 41/60 compared to the Pack N Play with 36/60.

Travel Crib vs. Pack N Play – Final Thoughts

Travel cribs and Pack N Plays both offer viable options for your baby to sleep in while on the go.

Travel cribs offer the advantage of being extremely lightweight and easy to carry, providing a soft comfortable mattress to sleep on, and easy-to-clean features.

Some of the disadvantages of travel cribs are their price, tricky setup, and lack of extra features. 

Pack N Plays are great because they are inexpensive, easy to set up, and offer options like a changing station and bassinet.

However, the hard mattress isn’t ideal for overnight sleeping, they are bulky and heavy to transport, and can be difficult to clean. 

Overall, if you are looking for the ideal place for your little one to sleep while you are traveling, the travel crib is going to be your best option.

Your baby will get a good night’s rest while you can sleep assured that they are safe and comfortable in their portable bed.

Victoria is a parenting expert, teacher, and consultant with three amazing children of her own (Jason, Jessica, Jordan).

She is the co-founder of BestCaseParenting.com, where she aims to be the go-to source of information for parents who want to raise confident, healthy, and successful children.

Parenting is not an easy job, but it can be incredibly rewarding. Remember, no matter how tough things get, we're here for you!

Similar Posts

» Why Is Dock A Tot So Expensive? Answer Revealed [2022]

Why Is Dock A Tot So Expensive? Unlike other newborn products available online today, Dock A Tot is a luxury item. So, this all-in-one product comes with a pretty hefty price. Yet, is it really worth the investment? Read on to find out. Dock a Tot Multi-Functional Design The Doc A Tot can be described…

Is Lining Up Toys A Sign Of Intelligence? [Surprising Answer]

Is lining up toys a sign of intelligence, or something else? You may have noticed that your child has started lining up their cars or dolls in a row. Are they just trying to make sense of the world around them? Or… Is Lining Up Toys A Sign Of Intelligence? Experts believe that lining up…

What is lazy Parenting? How does it work? Are there Benefits?

Welcome back! Today we are tackling another parenting style known as ‘lazy parenting’. No, this isn’t a parent sitting around eating donuts all day! It’s a bit more nuanced than that 🙂 What are the qualifications of the perfect parent? Is it someone who makes snacks for their kids’ soccer team? Is it the parents…

7 Best Bassinet For Tall Bed: Full Reviews & Rankings [2022]

If you’re worried about your bed being too tall to suit your baby’s bassinet and you’re looking for the best bassinet for tall bed, then you need to find a bassinet with an ideal height.  In this article, we’re combining our top-notch product review skills and firsthand experience with tall bassinets in order to detail…

4 Weeks To Read Review [FROM AN EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER]

Welcome back to Best Case Parenting. Today I am going to write a review for the “4 Weeks to Read” Program. Why should you care what I think? I have been an early childhood teacher for over a decade and teach young children to read on a daily basis. This gives me some insight into…

Do You Need A Pack And Play? Discover Pros And Cons [2022]

Do you need a Pack and Play? Do you have a baby or are you expecting? If so, then you may be wondering if a Pack and Play is a necessary item for your home. While it’s true that some babies do just fine without one, many parents find that a Pack and Play provides…

The Best Travel Cribs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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

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.

The 9 Best Camping Cots of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 11 Best Hardside Luggage Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 12 Best Carry-On Luggage of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 9 Best Travel Toiletry Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 9 Best Travel Pillows of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 9 Best Beach Chairs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 7 Best Travel Car Seats of 2024

The 10 Best Shoes for Disney of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 7 Best Travel Toiletry Bottles of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 11 Best Carry-on Backpacks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 9 Best Kayak Roof Racks of 2024

The 6 Best Small Coolers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 8 Best Air Mattresses for Camping of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 10 Best Beach Canopies of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The Best Beach Tents of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 9 Best Rolling Duffels of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Meet the GreenGear Coalition ♻️

By Category

• All Products
• Home & Nursery
• Infant Gear
• Sports & Outdoors
• 3-12 months
• 12-36 months

Not sure? Let us help you!

• Take Our Gear Finder Quiz
• Top Expert Picks
• Registry Must Haves
• See What's New
• 2024 Resale Report
• Must Have Baby Gear
• Stroller Buying Guide
• Car Seat Buying Guide
• Car Seat Safety Check
• Gear Finder
• How It Works
• Start Selling
• Seller FAQs
• Estimate Your Payout
• Locations & Hours
• Price Drops
• Buy 1, Get 1 FREE

Top Searched Brands

• Happiest Baby
• Mockingbird

Favorite Car Seat Brands

• Sustainable Brands
• GreenGear Coalition
• Baby Jogger
• Silver Cross
• 0-12 months
• Travel Gear
• New Arrivals: Premium Open Box
• New Arrivals: Premium Barely Used
• New Arrivals: All
• All Strollers
• Standard Strollers
• Double Strollers
• Jogging Strollers
• Travel Strollers
• Travel Systems
• Accessories
• Convertible
• Forward Facing
• Combination
• Selling Gently Used Car Seats
• Our Expert Panel
• Must-Have Baby Gear
• My Favorites
• Order History
• My Listings

Pack n’ Play vs. Crib: Pros, Cons & Buying Guide

We pride ourselves in being unbiased gear experts. Learn more about how we research, expertly review and curate products   here .

Both cribs and pack ‘n plays—also known as playards—are totally safe sleep spaces for your little one. So how do you choose? Cribs are more commonly used on a regular basis, since they’re more permanent pieces of furniture, while pack ‘n plays are more portable and typically used for travel or occasional naps. 

Still, some families may decide to use one over the other for reasons like cost, space constraints and more. To help you decide what’s right for your family—a pack ‘n play vs crib—our gear experts have tried both, and have broken it all down for you.

Can You Use a Pack n’ Play as a Crib? 

Yes, you can use a pack ‘n play as a crib. According to the  AAP , a crib, bassinet or portable playard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet are all safe sleep surfaces for infants, babies and toddlers who meet the height and weight requirements of each individual product.

Main Differences Between Cribs and Pack n’ Plays

Though both cribs and pack ‘n plays are considered safe sleep areas for your little one, there are some very important differences between the two.

• Portability: A crib is a heavy, fixed piece of furniture. Though some come on wheels, they typically can only be moved short distances with minimal effort. Pack ‘n plays, on the other hand, are very lightweight and easily fold up and down, so you can move them around to your heart’s content.
• Size: Because they’re so portable, pack ‘n plays are smaller than standard cribs. This is great for portability, but means the mattress is smaller, leaving your little one with less space to move around. A crib mattress , on the other hand, is roomier.
• Mattress: Not only is a crib mattress roomier, but it’s also thicker and more comfortable. While a crib mattress mimics a full-size mattress an adult would sleep on, a pack ‘n play mattress is a relatively flimsy board with minimal padding—not exactly what you’d call cozy.
• Versatility: That said, a pack ‘n play can be used as more than a sleep surface, adding to its functionality. Pop up your playard in your living room, and all of the sudden you have a little play space for baby to hang out in while you fold the laundry. A crib is more commonly for sleep.
• Price: Because cribs are usually made of wood and are heavier pieces of furniture, they typically cost a lot more than pack ‘n plays. Expect to spend upwards of $150-$200 on a crib, but just $50 or so on a standard playard.

Crib vs. Pack ‘n Play vs. Playpen 

A crib is a piece of furniture—a bed for babies with bars to keep the whole thing enclosed. Here’s where things get tricky: Though pack ‘n plays and playpens are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences between the two.

A playpen is actually the category of product—an enclosed area for baby to sleep or play—that pack ‘n play falls into. To complicate things even further, a pack ‘n play is actually a brand name product by Graco . The correct term for this sort of portable sleep surface is a playard.

• Crib: A fixed piece of furniture with slatted sides for baby to sleep.
• Playpen: A category of product that refers to a free-standing enclosed baby gate or a portable crib.
• Playard: A type of playpen that functions as a sleep or play area, since it typically contains a mattress.
• Pack ‘n play: A name brand playard manufactured by Graco.

Pack ‘n Play: Pros and Cons 

• Retail Price: $79
• Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price:  $44
• Age Range : Birth to 25 pounds
• Avg. Weight Limit : 35 inches

Pack n’ Play Sizes & Dimensions

• Average dimensions: 39.5 x 28.5 x 29 inches
• Average weight: 23 pounds

A pack ‘n play is a brand of playard by Graco. Today, the term is used colloquially to refer to any type of playard—a piece of baby gear with enclosed mesh sides that you can use for both sleep and play.

Playards are inexpensive and highly portable, because they’re compact, lightweight and fold up and down with the click of a few buttons. They also tuck neatly into a travel bag—typically the mattress folded over the frame of the playard and then secured with Velcro.

Many families buy playards in addition to a regular crib, because a playard is not only a convenience for travel, but also comes in handy for use in rooms beyond the nursery . Some parents keep a playard in their living room or basement, so they can put baby in a safe, contained space while they tackle other chores, like laundry.

Sometimes a playard becomes a stand-in for a regular crib—typically if space is a concern. However, it’s worth noting: Pack ‘n plays and other playards have very thin, firm mattresses that sit atop a rigid plastic frame—not exactly the most comfortable place for your little one to snooze, especially for older babies as they get heavier. And while there are after-market pads for playards, they are not recommended, since they can pose a suffocation risk .

Best for : Budget-conscious families who want a portable option or who live in a smaller space

• Very lightweight and folds easily for portability
• Often comes with a bassinet attachment
• Smaller footprint
• Can be used for both sleep and play
• Less expensive
• Mattress is not very comfortable
• Weight and height limits are less than a crib

How Long Can Baby Sleep in a Pack n’ Play? 

It’s important to check the specifications associated with the particular model your little one is using, but in general, a pack ‘n play can be used until your kiddo reaches 35 inches or 25 pounds, whichever comes first. That said, if your little one attempts to climb out, it’s time to retire the pack ‘n play—even if they haven’t yet hit the height or weight maximum.

Best Playards: Our GBG Picks

• Graco Pack ‘n Play
• Joovy Room2
• Aeromoov Playard
• Baby Bjorn Travel Crib 

What Our Team Thinks : “ Personally I chose a crib for both children and stuck with crib for baby #1. Baby #2 is the complete opposite of #1, in EVERY.SINGLE.WAY, including SLEEP. So with #2, we all had such a great night’s sleep in BabyBjorn Travel Crib, we swapped this gem for our crib in baby’s nursery. It’s a super cozy/comfortable/safe sleep space that was 100% approved by our most selective sleeper, it became our must have for all sleep!” – Megan Larsen, Gear Expert & Mother of Two

Crib: Pros and Cons 

• Avg. Retail Price: $350
• Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price: $79
• Age Range : Approximately 0-3 years
• Avg. Weight Limit : Approximately 0-50 pounds 

Crib Sizes & Dimensions

• Average dimensions: 28 x 52 inches
• Average weight: 100 pounds

A crib—typically a fixed piece of furniture with a wooden frame and high slats—is the most common type of baby bed. Cribs come in many styles and shapes (usually rectangular and circular):

• Traditional cribs : Traditional cribs, or standard cribs, are the most basic of the three types and are most commonly a rectangle with high, slatted sides. 
• Mini crib: A mini crib is similar to a traditional crib, but has a smaller footprint that’s more appropriate for small-space living. These cribs sometimes have wheels or fold up for added portability. Just note: They won’t suit your baby for as long as a standard crib might. 
• Convertible crib: Convertible cribs are more versatile than traditional cribs. When your little one outgrows the crib, they convert to a toddler bed and sometimes even a full-size bed. 

No matter which type of crib you choose, a crib is usually more of an investment than a pack ‘n play, because it has a much higher weight and height limit. In most cases, a crib can be used well into toddlerhood—until about 3 years old. 

Plus, convertible cribs, in particular, can be used long after your little one has outgrown a confined sleep space like a pack ‘n play or standard crib. That said, cribs—even mini cribs—are much less portable than playards and take up much more room—they’re not great options for families who want the flexibility to assemble and disassemble baby’s bed on a whim.

Best for : Families who only want to invest in one piece of furniture

• Highly durable
• Suitable for both newborns and toddlers
• Some even convert for use into childhood
• More expensive
• Not very portable

Best Cribs: Our GBG Picks

• Nestig The Wave Crib
• Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
• Stokke Baby Crib

What Our Team Thinks : 

“Traditional cribs are great for a permanent sleeping space while a pack n play playard is ideal for temporary or flexible sleeping spaces. You might choose to have a crib in baby’s room and playard in your living room for your convenience or older caregivers who are not comfortable navigating stairs with baby. From personal experience, we went to grandparent’s house and baby #2 slept so well in the playard that we made it her permanent sleep space back at home in the nursery!! They are both great options for safe sleep, so you (or baby) can feel comfortable choosing between your options!” – Megan Larsen, Gear Expert & Mother of Two

Pack n’ Plays vs. Cribs: Comparison Chart 

Price comparison .

Pack ‘n plays are generally much more affordable than full-size cribs. You can score a pack ‘n play for somewhere between $50 and $100; a crib will cost you at least $150 to $200.

Winner : Pack ‘n play

Weight Comparison 

Because cribs are more permanent fixtures, they are much heavier than pack ‘n plays. While a pack ‘n play weighs somewhere around 20-25 pounds, a crib weighs at least 50 pounds—sometimes as much as 100 pounds or more.

Space-Saving Comparison 

Though you can get small cribs, called mini cribs, pack ‘n plays still tend to be the more space-saving option. Pack ‘n plays not only have small footprints, but they also have flexible mesh sides that make them a little easier to tuck into a tight space.

Period of Use Comparison 

Because pack ‘n plays are much smaller and lightweight, they can’t be used for quite as long as a full-size crib. Most full-size cribs can hold between 35 and 50 pounds, while playards typically max out around 25 pounds. Not to mention, your little one won’t stay comfortable in the pack ‘n play for as long. The mattress is very thin and sits atop a rigid plastic frame, which can feel increasingly less comfortable as your little one grows.

Winner : Crib

Portability Comparison 

Full-size cribs are hard to move without disassembling. Even mini cribs on wheels can be a bit cumbersome to move around the house, since they tend to be a bit larger and heavier. Pack ‘n plays, on the other hand, are highly portable. They’re not only small and lightweight, but also fold up and down with the click of just a few buttons, plus tuck into an included carry bag.

Assembly Comparison 

This is a bit of a toss-up, depending on your preferences. While a full-size crib is more complicated to set up initially, it’s a one-and-done thing. A pack ‘n play is very easy to set up and take down, but it’s something you’ll likely have to do over and over again.

Winner : Tie

Stability Comparison 

Because full-size cribs are usually made of wood, they tend to be heavier and, thus, more stable. Pack ‘n plays, on the other hand, are made of plastic and breathable mesh fabric and are much more lightweight, making them less stable all around. That said, both are stable enough to keep your little one safe and secure, provided you follow the specified height and weight limits.

Winner: Crib

Safety & Sleep Comparison 

As stated by  The American Academy of Pediatrics , both cribs and playards like pack ‘n plays are safe sleep surfaces for infants, babies and toddlers who meet the weight and height specifications. Of course, this is all provided you follow safety standards like placing infants on their backs for sleep in their own sleep space with no other people and keeping loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers and other soft items out of the sleep space.

Winner: Tie

Crib, Pack n’ Play or Both: How to Choose 

The good news: Both cribs and pack ‘n plays are both suitable—and perfectly safe—for your precious bundle. But as long as you can fit it, a crib is likely the more comfortable option for long-term use. Plus, it’ll last longer than a playard like a pack ‘n play. 

Still, it can be helpful to have a pack ‘n play in addition to a crib to give you the flexibility to travel or even just put baby to bed in another area of the house. Not to mention, a pack ‘n play is a great crib alternative for any families short on space, since they’re so portable and easy to assemble and disassemble.

Interested in more sleep space comparisons? Check out our guide to Bassinets vs. Cribs . 

Expert Insights

• Organization

Gear Guidance

• Sports & Outdoor

Ages & Stages

Related articles, deciphering car seat labels: how to find important information, nuna rava vs. nuna exec infant car seat comparison, how long are car seats good for car seat expiration explained, about the author.

Brigitt Earley

Explore related articles.

Join the Village

Thanks for joining us.

Check your email for a confirmation message.

• Our Mission
• Become a Partner

Shop & Sell

• Sell with Us

Sustainability

• 2023 Resale Report
• What can I sell?
• Shipping & Delivery
• Warehouses & Hours

Be the first to find out about promotions and deals

Copyright © 2024 GoodBuy Gear.

Empire Theme by Pixel Union . Powered by Shopify

Create account

Reset your password.

We will send you an email to reset your password.

Notify subscriptions

Enter your email to subscribe to the notification when a “ ” is listed..

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Products
• Family Travel

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.

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Our top picks

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.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Travel Crib Vs Pack N Play: Which One to Choose?

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this post. At no cost to you, I get commissions for purchases made through these links.

It would be best to have a baby crib that is portable to bring it anywhere. Both travel cribs and Pack n Plays do a good job at this task, but which is better?

This post will reveal the differences between a travel crib vs Pack n Play. Check it carefully and choose the more suitable solution for your baby.

Differences Between a Travel Crib and a Pack N Play

A travel crib is a small, transportable sleeping setup. It has a simple design with an enclosed area and mesh walls.

On the other hand, a Pack n Play also called a playard, is a sleeping and playing area for babies. It usually comes with a bassinet and changing table. You can also fold it up for portability.

Although these items look similar, they aim to serve different purposes.

The main uses of a travel crib are:

• Offering a traveling alternative to regular cribs because it is lightweight and foldable
• Providing a solution for on-the-go sleep
• Giving a safe playing area on the floor for your baby thanks to the zip-up sides

Meanwhile, parents use a pack n play for:

• Providing a safe place for their babies to play and sleep
• Working as a combination of bassinet, a playing area, and a changing table
• Moving around their house
• Giving a long-term use solution

The regular size for travel cribs is 43″ L x 29″ W x 28″ H. Pack and Plays are often bigger with an average size of 40″ L x 30″ W x 34″ H. These pack n plays also weigh more than their competitors because they come with extra accessories.

You can see the size comparison table of some popular travel crib and pack n play models below.

An item is durable or not, depending on its material and construction. While we have a lot of choices for the material, construction makes these models different.

Pack n Plays have a studier construction because they have to work as a playing area and bassinet. They also need to carry baby accessories.

Moreover, because people mostly use travel cribs for traveling, these items should be compact and lightweight, sacrificing their construction.

The size gap between these models is minor. Hence, they have the same longevity. You may choose another alternative when your baby turns three.

However, this rule doesn’t apply to all. It’s necessary to observe your baby and determine if he exceeds the capacity of the sleeper. So, switch to a new item when your baby is ready for it.

Portability

Nothing can beat a travel crib when it comes to portability. Manufacturers try to make it lightweight and foldable so that parents can bring it around easily.

Pack n Plays are also portable, thanks to their size. Some models have wheels and foldability features for transport. However, they are the best to use at home instead of outside.

Travel cribs are quick to assemble and fold because you use them on the go. However, they will be more prone to collapse.

Pack n Plays also have sturdier construction. You may have to spend more time and labor building them up. The advantage is that they don’t collapse easily.

Accessories

A changing table, soft toys, storage, and other features are available in a pack n play. Your babies will find this place heaven where they can play all day. Yet, make sure that they don’t climb out.

Unfortunately, travel cribs do not have as many features as their competitors. The most outstanding element of these travel cribs is their mesh walls, helping you see your child clearly, and he can see his surroundings.

To avoid SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), big manufacturers of both items must follow strict safety requirements. As a result, you can ensure that most baby sleepers are secure places for your child to sleep, relax, and have fun.

Avoid unknown suppliers who lack certifications. Keep in mind that your child will sleep in there, and nothing is more important than his safety.

No matter which type you choose, follow all of the CDC and AAP ‘s basic safe sleep instructions. Always put your child to lie on his back, avoid using crib attachments like wedges, and get rid of loose blankets or covers.

The price of a Pack n Play varies significantly, ranging from $80 to $300. It’s primarily due to its accessories such as a bassinet, canopy, toys, and a diaper changing table.

On the other hand, the crib costs between $100 and $300, which is more pricey than its competitor. Despite its lack of features, it’s excellent for your trip time, and your baby can use it for three to four years.

Comparison Table

Pros and cons, is a travel crib or pack n play better.

Both items have pros and cons. So, which should you choose? The answer depends on whether you use the item for sleeping, traveling, or playing.

For Sleeping

A pack n play has two sections: a playing area and a bassinet. The bassinet is a great sleeping place. For example, the Graco Pack ‘n Play Travel Dome LX comes with extra accessories, such as soft toys and a large canopy with UV protection. They are excellent soothers to bring your baby to sleep.

Its bassinet is also beneficial, thanks to the comfy mattress. Even when you are on the road, your baby can fall asleep quickly.

For Traveling

As its name implies, the travel crib is undoubtedly a perfect solution for parents who often travel. For example, the Lotus Travel Crib can be folded into a backpack measuring 27″ L x 7″ W x 11″ H. It allows you to keep your baby by your side without changing their sleeping habits and playtime.

You can also commute with a pack n play. However, in terms of portability and foldability, it still needs improvement.

For Playing

If you use the bassinet section of the pack n play for your baby’s sleep, the playing area will be where he has fun. You don’t have to buy toys since this item already provides some soft and safe options for him.

Here are the most frequently asked questions about Pack n Plays and travel cribs. Check them carefully because you may have the same problem.

1. Is a play yard the same as a Pack and Play?

Play yards are constructions with various panels connected to create an enclosed area. These models are different from Pack and Plays in some aspects:

• Size : The play yard is much bigger. It even allows an adult to step in.
• Use : The only use of the play yard is for playing. With two different sections, your baby can use a Pack and Play for playing and sleeping.
• Longevity : When your baby reaches the age of three, he may exceed the Pack and Play. You have to choose another crib or sleeping option for him. Meanwhile, the large-sized play yard can accommodate bigger kids.

2. Can a travel crib be used as a regular crib?

Yes, you can, but make sure that the crib meets all of these requirements:

• Durability : Choose a sturdy travel crib since your baby will roll over his sleeping place.
• Comfort : Most travel cribs are compact. If you want your child to sleep comfortably, choose a bigger model. Also, check the mattress to make sure it’s soft and thick enough.
• Safety : These cribs are less durable than regular cribs by nature. So if you go for this idea, buy it from a reliable manufacturer to guarantee safety.

3. What do 2-year-olds sleep in when traveling?

Both travel cribs and pack n plays are suitable for traveling. Yet, the former outshines thanks to its portability, foldability, and ease of setup.

The most significant differences between a travel crib and a Pack n Play are their size and extra accessories.

While the travel cribs are more lightweight and easier to carry, Pack n Plays do better at soothing your baby with their accessories and sturdy structure. 

Hopefully, you will find this article helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Related Posts

28 Ways to Fit a Nursery in Your Master Bedroom

23 Spooky Ideas for Halloween Pregnancy Announcements: October Surprise!

Nurture with Nature: Montessori Nursery Ideas

Write a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Privacy Overview

9 Best Pack 'n Plays and Playards, Tested by Experts

From nap space to play space, a portable playard can really help a parent out.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Our Good Housekeeping Institute list of the best playards includes some actual Pack 'n Plays, along with offerings from other companies, so you can find what best fits your needs.

Our top picks:

Best Overall

Graco day2dream pack 'n play.

Graco On the Go Pack 'n Play

Best for Travel

Guava family lotus travel crib.

Best for Doubling as a Baby Bassinet

Nuna cove aire go.

Best for Toddlers

Silver cross sleep & go.

Easiest to Set Up

4moms breeze plus.

Compact Option

Century travel on lx.

Biggest Option

Newton baby travel crib & play yard.

Best for Play

Century play on.

Some playards are lightweight for travel, others include a changing pad to use for diaper changes and others have that fun zip-open sides for toddlers. For the uninitiated, here are the basics of how most playards work: There's usually a raised bassinet level that you use during the infant months and then you remove that and your older baby or toddler can sleep or play with the mattress at the floor level. "Playards are designed for convenience," says Cindy Panish, expert baby gear specialist at buybuy BABY . "They are meant to be portable rather than a long-term sleeping solution."

At the end of this guide, we'll explain more what differentiates a playard from a mini crib or crib. We'll include some vital Pack 'n Play safety information, too. The short of it is, per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) rules for safe sleep : Treat a playard like you would a baby's crib and don't fill it with blankets or bedding not sold specifically for your playard, since those can be suffocation hazards or used as a boost for your child to climb out.

The original folding playard, the Graco Pack n Play, is still a favorite. The Day2Dream model has useful extras including a portable bassinet and a diaper-changing pad. The small bassinet can sit on top during the early months, or you can take it off and use the bassinet around the house. (Sometimes your infant has to join you in the bathroom, for instance. It is what it is!) Cool part: There's a carry bag for just the bassinet so you can take it around to a new mom group or to Grandma's.

This model also features a changing station and a storage organizer where you can keep diapers and wipes. As with most playards, there's a bassinet insert for newborns and then you use the bottom of the playard as a travel crib and play space for your older baby or toddler. The playard has a travel bag of its own. This does not come with a sheet; Graco sells waterproof sheets made to fit.

"As a first time mom, I loved this product," a parent told us. "In the early infant days we had the Pack 'n Play set up downstairs with the changing station and the bassinet so we didn't have to go up and down the stairs for every diaper change or nap." With its extras, this is the heaviest playard on our list. But if you travel with just the playard and no attachments, it's lighter. Wheels on one end allow you to tip it and move it around the house (without the baby inside, of course!).

Though this doesn't have the portable bassinet and changer, we find the On the Go Pack 'n Play to be a durable traditional playard and travel crib at a value price. We appreciate that this includes an arch with dangling toys and a storage pocket, providing a little entertainment and convenience, respectively. Don't forget to get a Graco sheet for the mattress. Like the fancier Pack 'n Play, it has wheels that make it easy to move around your home. It's got more than 27,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. "I used this for weeks at my in-laws when my daughter was an infant and it was great," a parent told us.

Not everyone is a fan of how the Graco Pack 'n Plays fold and unfold. They all work the same way, and it's a multi-step process that takes some practice to learn. There are simpler playards to set up, but once you get used to the Graco method, it's no big deal. However, if you do expect to pop your playard open and closed frequently — due to travel, or wanting to hide it away during parts of the day at home — you might read on for other brands that have a faster assembly.

In awarding this piece of gear one of our Family Travel Awards we wrote that the Lotus "stands out for its ability to be folded compactly in a backpack storage bag that makes it easy to carry while in transit." It comes with a waterproof foam mattress to use. We love the side that zips open for easy access — it makes it fun for toddlers, who can crawl in and out on their own.

"I know the brand pitches the Lotus as being lightweight for travel but I also find it makes a huge difference in how easily this fits in the closet at home and in the trunk for overnights," one parent told us. "But while it's super versatile and lightweight, I'm not sure if it ranks as high on comfort for the babies. The lightweight mattress sits right on the floor. But I do love and have purchased the brand's soft organic sheet , which helps." Note that this version does not have the raised bassinet for infants. If you want that, the brand sells a crib and bassinet bundle on its site, but it's more expensive and both our Lab pros and testers have found the conversion to be a little tricky.

The AAP recommends that parents sleep in the same room, but not in the same bed, as their baby, preferably for at least the first six months. We have a lot of favorite bedside bassinets that have special soothing features or are built to make middle-of-the-night feedings easier. But some families want to use a playard as the bassinet in their adult room, because then it can still be useful as a travel crib for years. For its beautiful look, how substantial it feels and how premium the mattress is, we like Nuna Cove for that purpose.

"It does feel like the Rolls-Royce of playards," notes one of our Parenting Lab pros. The mesh sides are taut and strong but silky to the touch, the mattress sits on ventilated plastic boards for extra support and the included crib sheet is organic cotton . However, the same expert (and our testers) could not get it folded back up tightly, though it did fit easily into its roomy carry bag regardless. Of bigger concern might be the price; it's high-quality and the most expensive playard on our list.

Silver Cross Sleep & Go

A winner of our Parenting Awards , we like how the Sleep & Go zips open on the short end , which in a travel situation with your toddler (such as staying in a small hotel room) can really make a lot of sense. So easy for them to crawl in and out! This is another playard that, in the toddler position, just uses the mattress sitting on the ground. Silver Cross marks it as good up to 50 pounds, which means it should take your child through preschool.

The Sleep & Go has a cool shake-open assembly as shown in its brand video . We like that the travel bag is weather-resistant. This does not come with a sheet so you'll want to buy the $40 Slumber sheet as well. If you have a newborn, this does have a raised bassinet you can install with a zipper. But new parents might want something with more bells and whistles for the price — we find this to be mostly a great option for moving around with a toddler.

You literally just press down on the floor of the Breeze to lock the sides in place. Watching the assembly video on YouTube you can see that it takes maybe two seconds to unfold it, or to fold it back up, pushing to set it up and pulling to take it back down. Adding the attachments takes a little longer and is a bit trickier, so the video is helpful for walking you through that, too. The changer top flips out of your way on this one which makes toggling between changing diapers and putting an infant down for a nap in the bassinet super easy.

If your baby is approaching toddlerhood and you don't need the bassinet or diaper-changing pad, there's a less expensive Breeze Go that's a few pounds lighter and nice for travel. Neither of the Breeze playards weigh less than 20 pounds which is the price you pay for the genius assembly mechanism. Don't forget to buy Breeze sheets .

When square footage is at a premium you'll need a compact option, and the Travel On takes up less room than most other playards. It's a little shorter and more narrow than any other on our list but still has the raised bassinet and also wheels so you can more easily shift the position of it in your home. This one comes with a sheet (hooray!) and a privacy hood with two dangling toys. "If you stay with your baby in tight hotel rooms or sleep in a small guest room at a family member's place, it can help to save an extra few inches with this compact playard," says our Lab pro.

Century, which is owned by the same parent company as Graco, differentiates itself by using fabrics made from recycled materials in the design. The price stays low because this is minus some nice extras like a diaper-changer topper or sides that zip open.

Newton Baby Travel Crib & Play Yard

If your baby is a bit older and you want them to have more room to sleep and play in their playard, the Newton option is one of the largest we know at 51 inches long on the bottom level. The bassinet insert is long as well at 31.5 inches. "It's easy to set up and the side that zips opens is nice," says a tester who noted that the wide door is especially nice for a toddler who wants to play half in, half out of the playard, using it like a little fort.

When assembling, be sure to put the mattress loops around all four legs of the playard to hold it in place. This mattress is bigger than that on a standard Pack 'n Play. Like with the Newton Baby crib mattress , your baby can safely sleep on this playard mattress and pad with no additional sheet necessary. Both pieces can be washed clean! But this also comes with an organic cotton muslin sheet if you want your baby to have an extra-soft landing pad. Newton sells direct to consumers and the brand promises a 100-day trial period during which you can return the playard if you don't love it.

Playpen isn't a word that's used much anymore, but if you have a toddler, that might be exactly what you're looking for: A safe and contained place for them to have a romp. The Play On comes with toys and an activity wall to encourage fun, and the toys stick to the wall to be safely out of the way if your toddler falls asleep. You can also add their favorite toys while they're awake and take them out at nap time. One online reviewer says she uses this to keep her youngest away from the choking-hazard toys her oldest kids have out in the house.

The Play On, which the brand dubs "the creative cube," has a zip-open side door. It's the only playard on our list that's a square and not a rectangle, intended more for a living room or playroom rather than being something you'd put alongside your adult bed. That said, it is safe to use as a travel crib. But it doesn't some with a sheet, and none are made to fit the square mattress — Century asks that your baby just use the mattress without the additon of a sheet.

RELATED: The Best Toys for 1-Year-Olds

How we chose the best Pack 'n Plays

The playards in this story have been vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting Lab. Some were extensively evaluated in-Lab and in homes as part of our annual Parenting Awards . Others have been personally used by Lab pros and by consumer testers, all of whom provided feedback for this story. We also scour online reviews to be sure we have a full picture of how thousands of families are using the products. We considered 20 playards before narrowing down our favorites to these nine.

When choosing baby gear for any list like this we lean into trusted brands that submit their products for third-party testing with organizations such as the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) and UL Greenguard Certification .

What to look for when shopping for a Pack 'n Play

Gauging what playard features you need and what you can live without? Use this checklist:

✔️ How old is your baby? If you're still expecting or have a newborn, a playard with a raised bassinet will be a lot easier to use than one without. Leaning over to lay your tiny one on a mattress at floor level can make your back ache, so look for that bassinet! It's during the early months that you'll also most benefit from a diaper-changing topper on your playard or a toy arch for them to gaze at.

If your baby is already approaching their first birthday and toddlerhood, you can shop for a more pared-down playard that doubles as a travel crib. They'll be too big for a bassinet insert, so you don't have to worry about that anymore!

✔️ How big is your space? As with all baby gear, you want to consider where you're going to put your playard and check the measurements. Playards are all approximately the same size, but some are a few inches shorter or a few inches longer than others.

✔️ Will you be traveling with it often? If you're primarily in the market for a travel crib, the lighter the better, in our opinion. One of our top choices which is not marketed as a playard is the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light which is only 13 pounds and very easy to set up. If you get a playard, however, especially one with a zipped side, you can get double use out of it by taking it on the road, then using it as a play space at home.

✔️ Can we talk about sheets for a moment? Some of these playards come with a sheet, others don't. For safe sleep, it's critical to get a sheet made by the same manufacturer that makes your playard, which may mean buying them as an extra. The brands do not guarantee safety if you buy sheets from an outside third party. However, brands don't make especially cute playard bedding. It's a bummer of a situation but remember, your baby can also sleep on a mattress without a sheet and be fine.

A crib vs. a Pack 'n Play

What differentiates a playard from a crib or mini crib is construction: Instead of a fixed wooden structure, a Pack 'n Play is made, for instance, of lightweight metal, polyester and mesh. The most distinguishing characteristic of a playard is that it folds and unfolds for easy storage or transport. That's also what makes it potentially harder to safely use than a crib, since caregivers need to be sure a playard is assembled correctly and locked in place every time they set it up.

Some parents do opt to make a Pack 'n Play their bedside bassinet during the infant months. A big pro is that it's a small piece of furniture, maybe smaller than a mini crib. A con is that a playard has fewer options for cute bedding than a mini crib, and again, it's less of a fixed structure.

" A playard can function as a crib or bassinet but it is not recommended as a permanent sleeping solution. Parents often find playards are best for travel since most of them fold into a bag," says Panish. "A playard is primarily designed for providing a safe space for baby to play, rest or learn. Parents looking for a long-term, compact sleeping space for their baby might be better off with a mini crib."

Using a Pack 'n Play safely

Here are guidelines worth remembering as you use and enjoy your playard, from our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute and the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) , which marks a playard as safe for both play and sleep :

• Follow any weight and height guidelines listed in the user manual. Once your baby is too heavy for the bassinet, remove it and use the mattress at the lower level. Once your baby reaches the weight, age or height limit for the overall product, it's time to say goodbye.

• A toddler who is trying to climb out the sides of the Pack 'n Play is too big for it, whether they've reached the top weight, age or height limit or not, unfortunately.

• Make sure all latching features of the playard are in place and secure before you put your baby inside. Never leave your baby in a mesh playard if its drop side is in the down position. The baby could roll into the space between the pad and the loose mesh, which is a suffocation hazard.

• Don’t tie items across the top of the play yard as they can pose a strangulation hazard.

• Infants can suffocate in gaps between a mattress too small or too thick and the playard sides, or on soft bedding. Never add a mattress that didn't come with your product, nor a pillow, comforter or blanket until your baby has reached their first birthday, when the risk for SIDS is largely past.

More safe sleep tips for playards

Do babies sleep well in a Pack 'n Play? Some can, and using a playard or travel crib for your baby's sleep can be safe as long as you follow all the safe sleep guidelines set by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which include:

• Put your baby on their back for every sleep, including naps. "It's crucial for their safety. This position significantly reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by ensuring unobstructed breathing," says Kelly Brown , R.N., a night nurse and director of nursing for Harbor , a new baby sleep-monitoring system. "Whether your baby is sleeping in a Pack 'n Play or any other sleep environment, always lay them down on their back."

• Have your baby on a firm, flat, non-inclined surface. Use the mattress that comes with your playard.

• Never co-sleep with your baby in your adult bed. "Cosleeping with your baby or letting them sleep in a swing or baby seat is discouraged due to the risk of suffocation," Brown says. "Using a Pack 'n Play provides a designated and secure sleeping space for your baby, minimizing these risks."

• Avoid having any soft objects or loose bedding in your baby’s sleeping area until they reach toddlerhood.

• Keep your baby from getting overheated . For instance, dressing them in both footie pajamas and a swaddle could be way too much, so just choose one of those. Brown adds, "Proper ventilation around the Pack 'n Play and maintaining a comfortable room temperature also help regulate your baby's body temperature and prevent overheating."

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

For more than 100 years the Good Housekeeping Institute has tested and recommended consumer products for families, including parenting products such as the best infant car seats and best lightweight strollers . Our team of Lab pros and journalists also combine forces for major annual awards such as the Parenting Awards and the Best Toys .

Contributing Writer Jessica Hartshorn has spent 25 years reporting on the juvenile product industry, previously for Parents magazine and American Baby magazine. She's appeared on the TODAY Show, CBS and Fox to give product suggestions. More recently, for the Good Housekeeping Institute, she's reviewed the best nursery gliders and the best nursing bras for new parents.

Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents .

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Product Reviews

The 10 Best Face Washes for Men of 2024

The Best Toilet Bowl Cleaners

The Best Humidifiers for Babies

The Best Nail Stickers and Wraps

The Best Shower Filters

The 5 Best Outdoor Security Cameras

The 14 Best Sunscreens of 2024

The Best Checked Luggage

The Best Gifts for 7-Year-Old Boys

The Best Dresses on Amazon

Best Stain Removers for Clothes

Which is better? Pack n Play vs Crib: The Pros and Cons

Posted on July 21, 2022

Categories Frugal Mommy Guide , Motherhood , Pregnancy

If you’re a first-time parent, one of the many decisions you’ll have to make is whether to get a Pack n Play or crib for your baby. Both have their pros and cons, so it can be difficult to decide which one is best for you. In this blog post, we will break down the pros and cons of both Pack n Plays and cribs (Pack n Play vs Crib) so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.

Pack n Plays:

– Pack n Plays are portable, so they’re great for travel. You can easily take them with you when you go on vacation or visit family and friends.

– usually less expensive than cribs.

– Pack n Plays can be used as a playpen for your baby, so they can have their own safe space to play in.

-are small, so they can be a good option if you have limited space in your home.

How long can a baby be in a Pack N Play?

Pack n Plays are not meant for long-term use. Your baby should only sleep in a Pack n Play for the first few months of their life. After that, you’ll need to upgrade to a crib.

Can you use Pack N Play as a crib?

Yes, you can use a Pack n Play as a crib, but it’s not recommended for long-term use. Pack n Plays are not as sturdy as cribs and they don’t have the same features, such as drop-down sides.

Table of Contents

Do babies sleep well in pack n plays?

Some babies sleep well in Pack n Plays, while others do not. If your baby has trouble sleeping in a Pack n Play, you may want to try a crib instead.

What is the standard pack and play Size?

The standard Pack n Play size is 27 inches by 39 inches.

What is the best Pack N Play?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The best Pack n Play for you will depend on your needs and preferences. There are many different types of Pack n Plays on the market, so be sure to do your research before making a purchase.

Do I need a pack and play and a crib?

You don’t necessarily need both a Pack n Play and a crib. It depends on your needs and preferences. If you plan on traveling often or have limited space in your home, a Pack n Play may be a better option for you. If you want a more permanent solution or plan on using the crib for your baby’s entire childhood, then a crib may be the better choice. Whichever you choose, make sure to do your research and pick the option that is best for you and your family.

Related : The Best Pack N Play for 2022: What You Need To Know

– Cribs are more permanent than Pack n Plays and cannot be easily moved around, so they’re not as convenient for travel.

– usually take up more space than Pack n Plays.

– Cribs can be converted into a toddler bed, so they can last longer than Pack n Plays.

– usually have more features than Pack n Plays, such as drop-down sides and adjustable heights.

-Can come with a matching changing table and under the crib storage.

Related : The Best Convertible Baby Cribs of 2022: Which one is right for you?

Can newborns sleep in cribs?

Yes, newborns can sleep in cribs, but you may want to wait until your baby is a few months old before making the switch from a Pack n Play.

What is the difference between a Pack N Play and a travel crib?

A Pack n Play is a smaller and more portable than a travel crib. Travel cribs are designed for older babies and toddlers who need more space.

At what age does a baby need a crib?

Babies usually need a crib when they are between three and six months old.

How long can a baby sleep in a crib?

Babies can sleep in cribs until they are about two years old. After that, you’ll need to upgrade to a toddler bed.

What is the best crib?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The best crib for you will depend on your needs and preferences. There are many different types of cribs on the market, so be sure to do your research before making a purchase.

Last Thing To Know about Pack n Play vs Crib

So, which is better? Pack n Play or crib? It really depends on your needs and preferences. If you’re looking for something that’s portable and less expensive, a Pack n Play might be the better option for you. However, if you’re looking for something that’s more permanent and can be converted into a toddler bed, a crib might be the better choice. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which one is best for your family. Thanks for reading! I hope this helped. 🙂

Do you have any experience with Pack n Plays or cribs? Let us know in the comments below!

Related Blog Post:

• The Best Convertible Baby Cribs of 2022: Which one is right for you?
• The Best Pack N Play for 2022: What You Need To Know
• Top 5 Breastfeeding Products for New Moms (That Actually Works)
• Hospital Bag Must Have Items For First Time Moms
• Planning the Perfect Babymoon: What to Do and Not to Do
• Top Educational Play Kits for Babies & Toddlers

Pin for Later:

Share this:

• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)

Best Travel Cribs

Fact-checking standards, latest update:, what is a travel crib, what to look for in a travel crib, how to pick the best travel crib, how we chose the best travel cribs, why trust us, best travel crib overall, babybjörn travel crib, best travel crib for airplane trips, guava lotus travel crib, best travel crib for car trips, graco pack ‘n play portable playard, best travel crib with easy assembly, 4moms breeze plus, best travel bassinet with mesh canopy, primo cocoon folding travel bassinet, best lightweight infant travel bassinet, munchkin brica, best compact portable crib with bassinet, uppababy remi portable playard, best easy-to-carry travel crib, chicco alfa lite, best adjustable travel crib, nuna sena aire travel crib, best easy-open travel crib, bugaboo stardust.

Daniel Ganjian , M.D., Pediatrician, Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.  American Academy of Pediatrics, How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained , July 2022. American Academy of Pediatrics, Suitable Sleeping Sites: Safe at Night & Naptime , June 2022. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Safe Sleep – Cribs and Infant Products .

Explore the Best Products for Moms and Babies

Trending on what to expect, best baby deals happening right now, how to get your registry's free welcome gift, ⚠️ you can't see this cool content because you have ad block enabled., 17 of the best baby bottle and breast milk storage solutions you can buy on amazon, best toddler water tables, best stroller fans.

My 5 Favorite Travel Cribs to Bring on Vacation

A s a longtime travel writer, I had my streamlined travel routine perfected. And then I had a baby, and had to reimagine what it took to travel. A surprisingly big part of that adjustment was finding gear like travel cribs (along with strollers and baby carriers), things that would allow all of us to sleep safely, if not always soundly.

As I started researching and then testing the travel cribs, I realized the best of the best are part comfort, part portability, and all magic. Because there’s a lot to consider when you’re on the hunt for the right portable crib—you want it to be small enough that it’s easy to pack into a car or onto an airplane, but big enough that your baby will be able to sleep comfortably and safely in it on vacation until they’re ready to transition into a big-kid bed .

There’s also the ease-of-set-up factor: A lesson I only needed to learn once is that no one needs to be wrestling with a portable baby bed in the middle of the night in a desperate effort to transition a sleeping little one from the car seat to travel crib.  

The Best Travel Cribs to Bring on Vacation

Find the right travel crib and suddenly sleeping away from home feels at least 60 percent more manageable. With that in mind, I put together this list of my favorite travel cribs on the market and given you the details you need to make an informed decision. Consider it my contribution to helping everyone in your family sleep a little easier on vacation. 

GET BACK OUT THERE:   10 Baby-Friendly Vacations That Everyone in the Family Can Enjoy  

1. Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib

Anyone considering the Baby Bjorn Travel Light Crib should also consider the Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib . These two travel cribs are similar in many ways, but each offers compelling unique features. The Lotus Travel Crib packs into a lightweight and very portable shape, a narrowish boxy case that comes with both an over-the-shoulder carrying strap and comfortable backpack straps that make it easy to travel with.

ON THE ROAD:  How to Safely Road Trip with a Baby (and Make it Fun)  

Set-up is quick (not quite as quick as the Baby Bjorn, but still simple, straightforward, and fast), as is takedown. The mattress is fairly thin (it adheres to the current federal standards for safety) but has nice padding that keeps babies and toddlers comfortable all night long. It has a nice wide opening and, best of all, a zippered side door that’s hugely useful if you find it hard (or painful) to carefully lower a sleeping baby into the travel crib.

Reviewers also note that it’s handy to be able to do in-place middle-of-the-night diaper changes or feedings. And, the zippered side means that it’s hours of fun during awake time. My kids regularly used it as a playhouse during the day, which was great on trips when toys were minimal. 

2. Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light

The Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light has a lot of fans. It sits securely on the ground, so there’s not a lot of squeaking and rocking as babies get more mobile. I love how it’s remarkably easy to set up and take down—you just sort of fold it open and it pops up, and when you’re ready to store it in its carrying case, you do the reverse movement. The mattress is generously padded and comfortable but not to the point where you need to stress about it being dangerously squishy. And, the mesh sides maintain good circulation, which means it’s not a big deal if your baby (like mine) is one of those who loves to sleep with their face right up against the side of the crib.

BABY CARRIERS: 7 Best Baby Carries for Traveling the World with Little Ones

Another bonus: Since it sits on the ground, there’s no upper weight limit. Baby Bjorn simply suggests that your kid is too old for it when they can climb over the sides. All materials are OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Class 1 for baby products, which means they’re not going to irritate skin. This Baby Bjorn travel cot weighs 13 pounds (6 kg) and stores into what looks like a smaller suitcase, so it’s relatively easy to carry. The mattress cover and crib fabric can be removed and laundered, which you know is going to be necessary at some point.

3. Chicco LullaGo

When my kids were babies, I had a rule: If it made my life 20 percent easier for at least a month, it was worth a bit of added expense. And while buying a separate travel bassinet knowing that you’ll need to upgrade to a standard-size travel crib counts as an added expense, for many people, a bassinet you can use at home and take on the road is priceless. Especially in those first few months when you’re getting used to parenthood and want to keep your baby close but safe when you sleep.

TRAVEL STROLLERS: 10 Durable Travel Strollers That Are Surprisingly Lightweight

Chicco’s LullaGo bassinet series includes the Lullago Nest (featuring a canopy with toys) and the travel-friendly Chicco LullaGo Anywhere . The travel-sized bassinet can be used for babies up to 20 pounds (or when they can push up onto hands and knees, at which point the lower sides become a safety issue).

While it’s not a single solution to the portable crib conundrum, it does serve its limited-time purpose extremely well. It’s bed height, so it can nestle up close while providing baby with a safe space to sleep, giving you the benefits of co-sleeping without the danger. Because it’s elevated, it’s generally a bit warmer and it’s also much easier to get baby in and out, a major plus during those months babies have frequent naps during the day and frequent waking at night. Packed down, it’s long but fairly flat, and has a carrying case with a strap. 

4. Graco Travel Pack n Play Playard

In the world of portable cribs, there’s perhaps no better-known option than Graco’s Pack ‘n Play series. These “playards” work for daytime play, naptime, overnights, and travel. There are different models with an assortment of bells and whistles including built-in mobiles and changing areas, but for travel use, simpler tends to be better (and lighter). Both my babies were regular nappers in Graco’s playard, and there was one set up in my bedroom for a full two years—this little workhorse remained sturdy and in good shape for the whole time.

Among the best travel Pack ‘n Play options is the Pack ‘n Play On the Go Playard . The On the Go features an included full-sized bassinet add-on that’s great for younger babies, which makes this a two-in-one travel crib option. It’s easy to set up and take down, and traveling families in particular appreciate the light weight. 

5. Nuna Sena Aire Travel Crib 

The highly reviewed and much praised Nuna Sena Aire Travel Crib is a travel crib with a slightly higher price tag, but it delivers serious value and can be a single solution to the travel crib challenge. The Nuna Sena Aire is beloved for its easy one-hand open, exceptional travel crib mattress, and stability. 

BABY ON A BIKE: 8 Best Baby Bike Seats and Trailers

The sleeping surface can be placed at bassinet or crib height, which allows it to grow with your baby. The Sena Aire has a padded, ventilated, organic mattress. And, unlike most travel cribs, this one comes with sheets (most of the time, you have to buy sheets separately). Its unusual eight-legged system is hyper-stable and skid-free, but also really easy to set up. When I borrowed one to test it out I really liked it as a parent, and my baby slept well, which I took to be a five-star review on the infant front.

More from FamilyVacationist:

• The Complete Baby Packing List: What to Pack for Babies
• 8 Baby Bike Seats and Trailers to Suit Any Lifestyle

The post My 5 Favorite Travel Cribs to Bring on Vacation appeared first on FamilyVacationist .

This article may contain affiliate links that Microsoft and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

Baby Bjorn Travel Crib vs Pack n Play: Which One To Get and Why? 

If you’re undecided what to bring for traveling between the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib vs Pack n Play, then this article is for you.

I will cover here the major and minor differences and similarities between the two and highlight each of their pros and cons.

I will also share some tips and tricks from parents online on how to use them for travel. Plus some alternatives that you might like to explore.

Let’s start first with the most common question about the Pack n Play vs Baby Bjorn Travel Crib.

I hope you’ll love the products we recommend! Just a quick note: if you click on a product link below and decide to buy it,  we may earn a small commission.

List of Contents

In a hurry? We recommend…

Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light for frequent travelers and Pack n Play for those who seldom travel and are on a budget.

So what’s the difference between a Baby Bjorn Travel Crib vs Pack n Play?

It basically comes down to price and convenience.

The Baby Bjorn is more expensive but is much lighter and easier to clean than a Graco Pack N Play.

But what the latter lacks, makes up for its features and accessories. A pack n play can become a great crib alternative. Some pack n play models come with storage, organizers, bouncer and a whole lot more.

Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light

Graco Pack ‘n Play

Baby Bjorn Travel Crib vs Pack n Play Feature Comparison Table

This is best viewed on a desktop. Here’s a quick comparison guide on the features of the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib vs Pack n Play .

Check out a more detailed info on the Graco Pack n Play vs Baby Bjorn Travel Crib.

Difference Between Graco Pack n Play vs Baby Bjorn Travel Crib

The Baby Bjorn Travel Crib when assembled, measures ‎44 x 25 x 32 inches and weighs 13 lbs/6 kg (including carry bag).

The pack n play or playards on the other hand, have sizes ranging from from 28″ to 41″ in length, 28.5″ to 39″ in width and 29″ to 41″ in height.

Their weight varies too, depending on the model and the number of accessories it has.

In general, the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib is more lightweight and portable, making it easier to bring on trips and vacations.

Baby Bjorn has only 1 travel crib in their selection and it comes with its own mattress and transport bag.

Pack ‘n plays on the other hand, have so many types and models! 

For this comparison article though, we will only focus on Graco, the brand synonymous with the word pack ‘n play.

Graco playards ranges from simple to those that comes with the full bells and whistle – removable seat, bassinet, diaper changing table, storage, toy mobile and more.

You can check out some of those types below: 

Graco Pack ‘n Play Travel Dome LX Playard

Graco Pack ‘n Play Travel Dome Playard

Graco Pack ‘n Play Quick Connect Playard with Portable Bouncer

The Baby Bjorn mattress is softer and much more comfortable than a pack n plays. It’s much more cushioned and provides more padding.

Pack n plays’ mattresses are usually thin and less firm and can get lumpy overtime.

But both mattresses are safe to use when safety protocols and regulations are followed.

Mattress Sheets

You can choose to get the Baby Bjorn travel crib with it’s waterproof and breathable mattress cover. 

Pack n plays don’t usually come with a mattress cover. 

So if you want to get one, check first with the manufacturer or the store (where you got your pack n plays) about the brand of sheet to buy for the mattress.

An ill-fitting sheet can become a safety issue and might accidentally cover your kid and suffocate them while sleeping.

It’s easy to find pack n play or travel crib sheets online but always check if it’s the right size.

Travel Crib Fitted Sheets Compatible Baby Bjorn

Fitted Pack N Play Playard Sheet

Also always buy some extra mattress sheets, as kids can cause a lot of mess – diaper blowouts , spit-ups, vomits etc.

Portability

Both can be portable in their own ways. 

But when it comes to a more lightweight packing and carrying, the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib is hands down so much better than a pack n play.

It’s easier to fold and store plus it only weighs 13 lbs/6 kg. 

It can even fit in a huge luggage!

Which is very helpful, especially if you don’t want to pay additional baggage fees and you frequently travel with your little one.

Pack n plays can be portable too as some come with its carrying case and wheels, but it’s much heavier than the travel crib.

You need to check this in separately, if you’re traveling by plane.

Assembling the BabyBjorn Travel Crib is way easier and faster than a pack n play. 

One mom even mentioned that she was able to assemble it in less than 10 minutes while holding her very active baby!

Pack n plays are not that difficult to assemble but it does take more time, compared to the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light.

Pack n plays have multiple uses – overnight sleeping, napping, travel crib, playpen. 

And depending on the model, it can also be used as a bassinet, for changing diapers, for storing and organizing diapers and small baby stuff. 

Some even come with a portable bouncer and vibrating seat!

Other playard brands can even fit in twins comfortably such as the Joovy Room²-Playard, Portable-Playard .

The BabyBjorn travel crib on the other hand is only used for sleeping. 

It can’t be used as a playpen, as it has a narrower top, which gives it a weird, claustrophobic feeling for playing.

Accessories

The Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light doesn’t come with any accessory.

While the pack n play has tons! 

Depending on the model, it can come with a toy mobile, diaper changing table, bassinet, organizer, even a vibrating seat and many more!

The Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light has a sleek, minimal look which I think is more aesthetically pleasing than a pack n play.

Pack n play designs and colors are usually very loud and lively.

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is waaaay more expensive than a pack n play. 

Some pack n plays come with so many accessories but it’s still not as expensive as the BabyBjorn Travel Crib so you might consider that.

Baby Bjorn Travel Crib vs Pack n Play: Similarities

Baby Bjorn travel crib comes with an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification . It means that all fabrics that come in contact with your child are baby-safe materials.

Graco Pack n Plays are also in compliance with government standards.  

There is no weight limit for the BABYBJORN Travel Crib Light as the mattress is on the floor.

It’s safe to use as long as your kid can stay inside it and is not attempting to climb out of it.

Pack n plays are also the same but it does have a weight limit of 30 lb (14 kg) and height limit 35 in (89 cm).

Personally though, I know of families who’ve used their pack n plays until their kid was 4 years old. Kid was mellow, never tried to climb out of it or anything tricky so it really depends on your children.

Both the Pack n Plays and the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib are very durable and sturdy.

The BabyBjorn’s travel crib’s base keeps it standing firmly on the floor.

While Pack n Plays are trusted to be more durable as some models have bassinets in them, which can be used for newborns. 

Which means they have to strictly follow government regulations and be as stable and heavy-duty as much as possible.

Plus some pack ‘n plays carry a lot of accessories so sturdiness is a non-negotiable.

Both comes with a carrying case and can be folded for storing when not needed.

Pack n Play vs Baby Bjorn Travel Crib: Pros and Cons

Here’s a general overview of the advantages and drawbacks of the Graco Pack n Play vs Baby Bjorn Travel Crib

Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Pros

• Lightweight and portable
• Easy to clean
• Thicker mattress

Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Cons

• Can only be used for sleeping
• No accessories

Pack ‘N Play Pros

• Multifunctional 
• Comes with tons of accessories

Pack ‘N Play Cons

• Thin and less firm mattress
• Heavier than a travel crib
• Not as sleek or pretty

Tips and Tricks: Baby Bjorn Travel Crib vs Pack n Play

• Bring your sheets when traveling

Change can be hard for little ones and they will mostly miss their home environment or their bed when traveling.

For them not to miss the “smell of home,” some parents advised to bring your sheets, instead of using the hotel’s. 

The familiar scent of your pack n play or travel crib’s mattress cover might soothe your little one’s fear of being away from home. 

It might help them sleep in an unfamiliar place, especially if you’re traveling while sleep training .

• Put climbers in a sleep sack

This is a great hack for kids who are trying to climb out of their pack n play, especially the tall and/ or adventurous ones. I wish I thought of this before!

Use it to deter them from climbing out of their pack n plays or travel crib.

Burt’s Bees Baby Unisex-Baby Beekeeper Wearable Blanket

• BabyBjorn travel crib is allowed in Canada

If you’re traveling to Canada with your little ones, take note that they have a lot of restrictions when it comes to bringing baby gears. 

They’ve banned a lot of products including baby walkers, drop side cribs and such.

I t’s not definite if pack n plays are allowed , since Health Canada doesn’t approve them for sleep.

But the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is allowed, as it’s considered a portable crib.

• Consider your back

A BabyBjorn’s mattress is set on the floor and you have to bend and lean down to pick up or lay down your kid. 

A pack n play’s mattress is slightly elevated from the floor. 

Some have a bassinet feature that can go up a bit more, making it easy to lean in and carry or put down your kid. 

So consider these things if you have a bad back.

Pack n Play vs Baby Bjorn Travel Crib: FAQ

How long can you use baby bjorn travel crib.

Up until 3 years or until your kid decides to climb out of it. There’s no weight limit as the mattress is directly on the floor.

Can you use a travel crib as a pack n play?

Yes you can. But only for sleeping. Travel cribs like the BabyBjorn can’t really turn into a playpen like the Graco, because of its narrow top.

Are pack ‘n plays safe to use?

Yes. As long as you follow sleeping safety guidelines and manufacturer’s warnings and recommendations.

Can I use a crib mattress in a Pack ‘ N Play?

No. Crib mattresses are bigger than the standard size pack n play.  Also, it’s not recommended to use a different mattress that’s not advised by the manufacturer, for safety reasons.

Alternatives to Baby Bjorn Travel Crib vs Pack n Play

If you’re still on the fence about either the BabyBjorn Travel Crib or the Pack ‘N Play, try exploring these other options:

Guava Lotus Travel Crib

4moms Breeze GO Portable Travel Playard

KidCo P4012 Peapod Plus Infant Travel Bed

Baby Bjorn Travel Crib vs Pack n Play: Which One Is Better?

If you frequently travel (especially to Canada) and money is not an issue, then a BabyBjorn Travel Crib light is better to have.

It’s safe, lightweight, easy to pack (can fit inside a large suitcase) and easy to clean, which is very convenient for traveling.

However, if you’re on a budget and you only travel once in a while, then a Pack n Play will do.

Just check with the airline or hotel if it’s okay to bring (especially if you’re going to Canada!)

It’s not as light as the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib, but it’s portable enough that you can keep it in the car or check it in as a separate baggage.

A pack n play is also a great crib alternative for your home. It can come with a lot of accessories that can help care for your child, such as a diaper changing table, mobile toys, etc.

I hope this comparison between the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib vs Pack n Play has helped you finally decide between the two. If you like this article, check out my other related cribs and bassinet guides such as:

• How to Choose a Travel Crib (What Parents Need To Know)
• Best Travel Cribs (According to TONS of Parents!)
• Sleep Training While Traveling Tips (Make Your Baby Sleep On Vacations!)
• Guava Lotus Travel Crib Review
• Best Baby Cribs Black Friday Deals
• Recent Posts

• Pastel Rainbow Birthday Party Theme (DIY Ideas and Inspiration) -
• Western Nursery Theme Decor Ideas and Inspiration -
• One Happy Dude First Birthday Party Theme Ideas [DIY Friendly] -

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Rookie Moms

Pregnancy > Parenthood

The Best Pack n Play of 2023; 10 Great Options for Home + Travel!

• Facebook 155
• Pinterest 204

On the hunt for the best Pack N Play of 2023? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Pack N Plays (also known as playpens) are so much more than just a travel bed . We use ours as a play yard, a place for our baby to relax, and a safe spot to set him down while we get things done around the house like cleaning, showering, and getting dressed.  That all to say, they are also a definite must-have if you love to travel like us!

Below we will go over our absolute favorite Pack N Plays so you can figure out which one is the best fit for your family.

The Best Pack n Play of 2023

4moms Breeze Plus Portable Playard with Removable Bassinet and Changing Table – OVERALL TOP PICK

The 4moms breeze plus portable playard is a popular option for parents looking for a high-quality, easy-to-use playard for their children. I t comes with a whole 10 square feet of room for playing, which your little one will appreciate as they grow. 

When choosing a pack-n-play, one of the main things to take into consideration is set up. Unlike many other options on the market, the 4moms Breeze opens and closes with one simple push or pull. You can set it up in seconds!

Another big bonus of the 4moms Breeze Plus is that it comes with an attachable bassinet AND changing table. The bassinet can be used from birth to 18 pounds and the changer up to 25 pounds. This makes it a great option for the newborn stage and beyond.

While we think the 4moms mamaRoo swing is only average, we LOVE the 4moms Breeze Plus Portable Playard. It is well worth the investment!

Weight Limit: Up to 30 lbs

Price: $299.99

4moms Breeze GO Portable Travel Playard

If you love everything we said about the 4moms Breeze Plus above but are looking for something at a better price point, the 4moms Breeze GO might just be the perfect fit.

While the Breeze GO is more budget-friendly, it is a bit smaller. This gives your baby less space to play but it does mean that this is the lighter-weight option, which can be good for traveling families. It also does not have a removable bassinet, a changing station, or a storage tray. The Breeze Go is easy to set up, although a bit different from the Breeze Plus.

Price: $239.99

Silver Cross Slumber 3-in-1 Travel Crib – BEST FOR TRAVEL

If you are an on-the-go family that loves traveling like us, the Silver Cross Slumber 3-in-1 Travel Crib is a great choice. It is lightweight and comes with a convenient weatherproof carrying case (getting all the pieces back inside of it is simple, which is not always the case with pack n plays). The setup and breakdown are quick and easy, too.

The Silver Cross Slumber 3-in-1 Travel Crib is super versatile. It has a newborn bassinet and an expandable mattress. It also has a cool zip-up door that turns it into a playard for playtime. We’ve actually been filling it with plastic balls and letting our little one use it as a ball pit lately which has been so fun!

Weight Limits: Birth to 50 lbs

Joovy Room2 Portable Travel Crib

Room2  is just what it sounds like, the perfect 2nd bedroom for your little one. The Joovy Room crib comes with a simplistic design and you can move or place it about anywhere of your choice. Room2 travel crib doesn’t come with toy attachments; this means you can give your babe their favorite toy to play with instead.

Its sleek and modern design means it can easily fit in with any home decor without standing out like a sore thumb.

It’s a little heavier than most of the other pack n plays we included but makes up for this by being extremely sturdy (like in case you have 4 other wild kiddos running around).

Price: $179.99

Graco Pack n Play Snuggle Suite LX – BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

If you are looking for a pack n play that just truly does it all, the Snuggle Suite is the one for you. It includes a bouncer, a bassinet, and a changing table. All can be transitioned in and out very easily.

The bouncer seat can even be taken out and placed directly on the floor, eliminating the need to buy a separate bouncer .

Even with all these cool features getting the playard up and down is done with the simple push of a button. 

Weight Limit:

• Playard up to 35″ or when they can climb out
• Bouncer up to 18 lbs
• Changing table up to 30 lbs

Price: $329.99

Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light

We are in love with the unique and more modern design of this travel crib. Not to mention it’s extremely light and compact enough to take along for any adventure you’ve got up your sleeve.

Another benefit of this Baby Bjorn option is the mattress is extra thick and comfy making for a great night’s sleep for your baby.

This pack n play mattress is all the way on the ground though, so it is best for taller parents with long enough arms to lay baby down gently. As a 5′ 1″ mama I can tell you all too much about the struggles of putting babies down in deep cribs.

Weight Limit: Up to 33 lbs

Price: $279.99

Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib  

This Lotus Travel Crib is incredible. It’s modern, light, extremely functional, and still comes in at a very reasonable price.

It has a side access door making it a great area for play once your baby can crawl, giving them the option to go in and out.

It packs up into a little backpack that weighs in at just 13 lbs, making it the ultimate option for long-distance travel. And, even though it’s extremely light, it’s still very sturdy and has a comfortable mattress. 

Weight Limit: For ages newborn to three years old, no weight limit as the mattress is supported by the floor

Price: $279

Graco My View 4-in-1

Graco My View 4-in-1 is another one of the best pack n plays for mamas on the go. It is super versatile and there are 4 different ways to use it from newborn to toddler. It has enough space for your little one to sleep or play through the beginning stages of their life.

It’s easy to assemble and break down wherever you end up and it also comes with a canopy to shield from any light, so your baby can sleep or play comfortably inside or outside!

Weight Limit: Up to 50 lbs

Price: $179.97

Nuna SENA Aire Travel Crib – BEST FOR NEWBORNS

The Nuna SENA is one of the best pack n plays on the market. It is made with high-quality soft material and many parents rave that the mattress is more comfortable than they ever imagined a portable crib could be.

The whole mattress can be raised for newborn babies, which is similar to having a bassinet option. One really great feature is that you can fold it down and back up while in this bassinet setting. This makes traveling with a newborn a breeze.

Another feature this pack n play comes with is an attachable diaper changing pad.

• Playard: birth to 30 lbs, height 35 inches
• Bassinet: birth to 15 lbs
• Changer: Birth to 24 lbs

Price: $400

Kidco Travelpod Portable Crib

Who doesn’t want a Travelpod? It just sounds cool enough to spark our interest! Kidco Travelpod is one of the most lightweight options on our list, as it weighs only 10 pounds. It is very easy to toss it into your suitcase or bring along to your favorite parks and beaches. 

Ultimately, when you are looking for the best pack n play for your baby, you want one that is lightweight, easy to pack, and safe for your little one. The Travelpod checks off all these things while being very affordable.

However, because it is so lightweight it is possible for an older child to knock it over from inside. I recommend the Travelpod for use only before your little one is on the move.

Weight Limit: From birth to 3 years old

Price: $116

Baby Trend Lil Snooze Deluxe II

The Baby Trend Lil Snooze Deluxe II is the perfect option if you are looking for an easy to use pack n play that has a bassinet attachment. It has everything you need including a changing table with a storage pocket and a napper with a canopy.

It is a great playard for all stages, from newborn to toddler. You will be able to fold it up with no problem and it has a carrying bag for storage and easy transportation.

It is also a budget-friendly pick!

Price: $89.99

Summer Pop n Play

This option is a little different from the rest of the list and while it isn’t as well-built for sleeping, it’s a wonderful option for playtime on the go. It has 14 square feet of playing space and is a great pack n play for indoor and outdoor use, whatever the weather!

As for taking it with you, it only weighs 12 lbs! It’s perfectly lightweight and easily portable to take on your trips. Plus, it is compact and easily foldable.

It also has a water-resistant floor to help keep your baby dry, even on damp grass.

Weight Limit: 6-24 Months, up to 35 inches tall

Price: $86.99

Pack N Play Extras

Most Pack N Plays come with everything you need. However, you may want to add a few accesories for convenience and comfort.

• Diaper Caddy : The great thing about Pack N Plays is that they kind of become a one-stop nursery center for sleeping, playing, and diaper changes. If the Pack N Play you choose does not have a built-in diaper caddy, it’s worth the extra cost of buying one to add on. That way you always have diapers and wipes within reach. Here’s one great, affordable option.
• Pack N Play Mattress : Most Pack N Plays do not come with a very comfortable mattress. It is safest to let your baby rest on the included mat and they probably really won’t mind if they are only sleeping here occasionally. However , if it is going to be the primary place your baby sleeps you might want to look into getting an additional Pack N Play mattress. Make sure you check the dimensions and choose a mattress that fits perfectly as you won’t want gaps. Here is a breathable option we love.
• Pack N Play Sheets : Again, you probably only need to add on Pack N Play sheets if this is going to be your baby’s primary sleeping spot. They do provide a little extra comfort and convenience when it comes to cleaning.

Don’t See Your Favorite Pack n Play? Let us know in the comments!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pack and play is safest?

The 4moms breeze plus portable playard is a popular option for parents looking for a high-quality, easy-to-use playard for their children. As with any pack and play, make sure you are following the recommended usage instructions to ensure your baby is safe.

Is it safe for baby to sleep in pack n play every night?

It is generally safe for your baby to sleep in their pack n play. Follow the AAP’s recommendations for safe sleeping, just like you would in a crib. You should also review the recommendations for your specific pack n play and consult your pediatrician.

Should I get bassinet or pack n play?

Both bassinets and pack n plays can be used safely for infant sleep and take up less room than your average crib. Pack n Plays are more versatile and can often be used through your baby’s first year, which is why I would choose one over a bassinet.

You May Also Like:

THE BEST BABY BASSINET FOR YOUR NEWBORN BABY! [8 GREAT OPTIONS]

THE 8 BEST TRAVEL STROLLER SYSTEMS IN 2023

BABY GEAR RENTAL FOR TRAVELING & MORE!

Pin for Later – The Best Pack n Play of 2023; 10 Great Options for Home + Travel!

• Recent Posts

• How to Tackle Easter from a Toddler Mama [Toddler Easter Basket Ideas + Fun Activities] - March 19, 2024
• 19 Best Nursery Gliders of 2024! [Tested by Parents for Parents] - January 8, 2024
• 11 Best Electric Breast Pumps of 2024 & What to Keep in Mind - January 5, 2024

Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter

Browse by age.

• Month 10-12
• Preschooler

Problem Solving

• Breastfeeding

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Back to Black

The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time.

• Sam Taylor-Johnson
• Matt Greenhalgh
• Marisa Abela
• Eddie Marsan
• Jack O'Connell
• 49 User reviews
• 57 Critic reviews
• 50 Metascore

• Amy Winehouse

• Mitch Winehouse

• Blake Fielder-Civil

• Cynthia Winehouse

• Joey the dealer

• Nick Shymansky

• Janis Winehouse

• Raye Cosbert

• Chris Taylor

• Artist Development Man

• Aunt Melody

• Perfume Paul

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia Marisa Abela did all the singing in this film herself. She trained extensively to mimic Amy Winehouse 's vocals.

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours 2 minutes

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed

Turn Your Curiosity Into Discovery

Latest facts.

11 Facts About Morse Code Day April 27th

13 Facts About National Cubicle Day April 28th

40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

Was this page helpful?

Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

Share this Fact:

Notable Places in the Area

Elektrostal Satellite Map

Popular Destinations in Moscow Oblast

Escape to a random place.