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Author:
Amar Kirale
- >> Post Created: April 11, 2021
- >> Last Updated: November 5, 2024
10 Best Travel Crib - Table of Contents
For all you globetrotting parents – Are you planning a trip with your bundle of joy and worried about their sleep comfort and safety – especially in these Covid times? When you are traveling with your baby, whether it is by road or any other mode of transportation, keeping them clean, comfortable, and safe is a top-most priority for you.
And by now you must have already realized that traveling with a toddler is no easy task and involves a variety of aspects that need to be looked into. More so ever now during the pandemic – concerns of if hotels are thoroughly sanitized or if the staff monitored well for symptoms to if the beds are properly sanitized – sheets changed and so on. A Portable crib is the answer and solution to at least one of your reservations.
Thus, out of the many essential things that you need, a portable travel crib is a definite requirement for parents who have been bitten by the travel bug. It is a smart investment that will serve you well in the coming years as well, especially if you travel frequently.
Apart from portable travel cribs which we discuss in detail in this article, you should also definitely consider buying a compact portable travel stroller and a few fitted crib sheets as well too which all together can help you have a enjoyable vacation with your child.
This article is will not only help parents like you in selecting the right portable travel crib for your your little one, some Faqs and will provide you with a list of 10 Best Portable cribs to choose from. Some of our favorite and recommended portable travel cribs are – Guava Lotus Travel Crib, Babybjörn Travel Crib Light and Graco Pack ‘N Play Portable Playard. These portable travel cribs will for sure take away your worry for your little ones safety as well as good night sleep.
But before we go any further let us first understand –
What is a portable crib/ travel crib?
Putting it in simple terms, a portable travel crib is an easy-to-carry, enclosed sleeping bed that is specifically designed for babies sweet dreams whose parents love to travel – like you. It is what will keep your little one safe and comfortable as they are at home in their crib even while you travel from place to place – hotel to hotel.
Do you really need a portable travel crib?
You might be wondering whether or not portable cribs are essential, and how they will help you and your newborn while traveling. Then the answer to your question is an emphatic yes.
You may have already realized that while traveling, babies tend to get restless. In such cases, keeping a close eye on them may be difficult. Besides, you want your baby to get some proper sleep and rest. The very purpose of your travel may be to relax and enjoy and with a crying baby relaxation is far away from the horizon.
If you want to keep your vacation enjoyable, then a portable travel crib is a convenient option. The crib will enable you to take better care of your baby and keep them comfortable while on the move.
Now that you understand why portable travel crib is an essential part of your travel kit, let us look at some basic features that you need to look at while buying a portable traveler crib.
A buyer guide on how to choose the best travel portable crib
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Weight of the travel crib
One important consideration is definitely the weight of the portable traveler crib. It needs to be light so that you can carry them with ease.
Go for the ones that have a flat sleeping surface and are safe
As already pointed out, the safety and comfort of your baby is the most important aspect that you need to keep in mind while traveling. It is in line with fact that the best travel crib should also provide maximum safety.
Therefore, you need a portable travel crib that comes with a flat sleeping surface. By doing this you can ensure the best safety for your baby.
Apart from this, opt for a portable baby crib that meets the safety standards as recommended by the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) or CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission).
Easy to set up
While on the move, we know that you will prefer a portable traveler crib that is easy to set up and fold. With this, you can ensure that you will require minimum time to set up when you are in a new place with a tired baby.
Quality of materials used
When you are choosing portable cribs, you must ensure that it is made from materials that are of the highest quality and safety standards, so that they do no irritate and harm the baby’s skin.
Durable
The next important factor while choosing the best travel crib is durability. Even if you need to shell out a bit more, durable travel cribs are the ones that will pay off in the long term. Better durability will mean that you will get the best return on your investment from the portable baby crib.
Value for money
Last but not least is that portable cribs that you choose must offer the best value for the money, which means getting more bells and whistles for the same price without compromising the quality. Good deals, discounts, and sales don’t hurt either.
Additions that you need along with the travel cribs
Bassinet attachment
For everyone, their baby’s safety is a top priority. If it was up to you, you would bubble wrap the world to keep your baby safe. Because we cannot do that, you can settle for a bassinet attachment that can be very useful in terms of safety when you buy a portable baby crib.
Mosquito netting
The other addition that you need to look for along with infant travel beds is mosquito netting. Mosquito nets are essential, as it helps in keeping those pesky mosquitoes and insects away.
Wheels
The next thing that you might look for is wheels along with portable cribs. Wheels make the portable baby crib a lot more mobile and convenient to use.
10 Best portable crib brands of 2024
When it comes to portable cribs there are a whole lot of brands and options that are available. Each of these portable cribs has its benefits and drawbacks. But you need to decide what are your needs and priorities while choosing one. To make your job easier and reduce your research time, our list of portable cribs will help you narrow down the choices and select the best portable crib for you. We have highlighted in detail their unique features along with their pros and cons.
Just to let you know, ParentingNmore may earn commission from product links in this post. Why trust us?
Guava Lotus Travel Crib
When it to comes to choosing the right portable crib, the Guava Lotus Travel Crib tops the list, and for good reasons. To begin with, this is a portable crib that is ultra-lightweight that ensures that it is easy to carry even if you travel long distances. The other useful aspect about the travel crib is that it folds easily into a compact, backpack-style case, owing to which your hands will be free. This is indeed an important aspect while traveling. Another impressive feature with the portable traveler crib is that there is the unique “side zip-down door” feature. It makes keeping the baby inside much easier and is one major reason why this is very popular among frequent travelers.
They also have a full-height breathable mesh that enables air circulation. The 3D aluminum frame makes it sturdy and compact enough to carry through airports. Unlike other travel cribs, the Guava Lotus travel crib mattress touches the ground. This reduces the shaking that happens in cribs that are light. It is one of the few portable travel crib that is tested and certified by the GreenGuardTM Gold. This means that they are free of PVC, arsenic, lead, mercury, phthalates, cadmium, formaldehyde, and flame retardants.
No wonder this portable travel crib is the clear winner of our list.
Weight: At 13 pounds this is one of the most lightweight travel cribs out there.
Dimensions: When assembled, the portable travel crib measures 46 × 31 × 25.5 inches, and when packed, it measures 24 × 8 × 12 inches.
Buy Guava Lotus Travel Crib
Pros
- It is lightweight and easy to carry
- The portable crib can easily be folded and is compact enough to carry through the airport
- The product comes with a 2-year warranty and excellent customer service
- Ground-level mattress helps avoid the shaking effect
- Tested and certified by the GreenGuardTM Gold
Cons
- One drawback is that baby sheets are not included in the package and they need to be purchased separately
- Some people complain that its height is such that it is difficult to bend and handle the baby
Babybjörn Travel Crib Light
When it comes to portable cribs, the Babybjörn travel crib is another very popular product that is preferred by parents who love traveling. The first and foremost reason why it is loved by most travelers is its lightweight. It is one of the lightest travel cribs that is available. The other useful feature about this portable travel crib is that it is quite easy to set up and fold.
There are no loose parts that you need to worry about. The portable baby crib also has breathable mesh sides and a firm but very comfortable mattress that most parents and babies love. This is what will keep your baby very comfortable and provide safety while you are on the move with your little one.
Everything put together, the portable travel crib is very convenient while traveling. Although its price is on the higher side, the extra money is worth paying for the convenience that it offers.
Weight: It weighs only 13 pounds which makes it extremely lightweight for a portable travel crib.
Dimensions: The portable infant sleeper has the measurements of 32 × 44 × 24 inches when opened and 19 × 23.5 × 5.5 inches when folded.
Buy Babybjörn Travel Crib Light
Pros
- It is very lightweight
- The portable traveler crib is also easy to set up and use
- The mattress is comfortable and safe for the baby
Cons
This portable infant sleeper is expensive
Graco Pack ‘N Play Portable Playard
The next portable crib that you can consider buying is Graco Pack ‘N Play Portable Playard. It has some basic features that we are sure you all will simply love. The sturdy frame of this portable crib is of high quality which makes it very durable. The other very useful feature that you will surely like is the push-button fold that enables quick and easy folding.
If you are looking for the most economical portable traveler crib that offers good quality then this is the ideal one. It does not have the bells and whistles of the more high-end portable cribs, but price-wise there is hardly any other portable crib that can match it. Thus, it is very popular among parents who are on a budget.
Weight: The portable travel crib weighs 20.1 pounds. So it a little heavier than some other options on our list.
Dimensions: The portable traveler crib has the dimensions of 39.5 × 28.25 × 29 inches.
Buy Graco Pack ‘N Play Portable Playard
Pros
- It very durable with a sturdy frame
- The portable crib is very economical
- Has a push-button for a quick and easy set up
Cons
- You will be not be able to attach any additions like a bassinet or changing table
- Some customers also complain that the mattress is on the thin side
Dream on Me Travel Light Playard
The Dream on Me Travel Light Playard is one of the best travel cribs because of many reasons. To begin with, they have a full mesh enclosure which ensures that it is very airy and also offers high safety.
Apart from this it also folds up fairly easily which makes it easier to handle. Another really impressive feature is that it is very lightweight (only 13 pounds). Apart from this it also has a thick mattress, which is nearly 4 feet long. The mattress is breathable and laboratory tested which makes this one of the most sought-after portable cribs without any doubt.
Weight: This portable travel crib only weighs 13 pounds.
Dimensions: The portable crib measures 40.5 × 27 × 26 inches when opened.
Buy Dream on Me Travel Light Playard
Pros
- It is very light and thus very portable
- The portable infant sleeper is also , which makes it easier to keep a close eye on the baby
- The portable baby crib has a breathable mesh enclosure that provides better air circulation
Cons
- The travel crib is not easy to assemble and fold back
- Mesh fabric is not easy to clean.
BABY JOY Baby Foldable Travel Crib - 2 in 1 Portable Playpen
If you have a toddler then the Baby Joy Baby Portable Travel Crib & 2 in 1 Playpen can be the ideal portable crib for you. It is smaller than most of the other portable cribs, but it is also one of the lightest, weighing just 10 pounds. Its mesh aluminum sides make it very light and easy to carry. But you have to attach the legs to the portable crib because of which the setup can be a little difficult for some parents. But the mattress that comes with the portable infant sleeper does not lock and is not waterproof.
Weight: It is one of the lightest portable travel cribs, weighing just around 11 pounds.
Dimensions: The size of the portable travel crib is 45.5 x 31 x 27 inches when open and measures 23.5 × 20.5 × 7 inches when folded.
BABY JOY Baby Foldable Travel Crib, 2 in 1 Portable Playpen
Pros
- It is one of the lightest travel crib
- Suitable for babies – 0 to 3 years
- Quite reasonably priced
- Can be used as a Crib as well as a playpen
- Quick folding design to assist in easy assemble and dismantle
- Made from high quality aluminum & iron tubes,
- Playard comes with ASTM certificate
- Pretty sturdy and not easy to shake
Cons
- The Mattress that comes in with the portable travel crib does not lockdown and is not water-resistant
- Not suitable for older kids, owing to its small size.
Moms Breeze GO Portable Travel Playard
When you are on the move, setting up a portable travel crib can become a daunting task if the instruction manual is as big as the Cheesecake Factory menu. The 4Moms Breeze GO portable travel playard has made setting up and folding back super easy. It is also very sturdy and thus will last a long time. But it does not have a thick mattress and is a bit bulky. It can hold children weighing up to 30 pounds.
Weight: It weighs 23 pounds, so it is heavier than many other options on our list.
Dimensions: The infant travel bed’s dimensions are 43 × 30 × 29 inches when open and 30 × 12 × 12 inches when folded. It is quiet compact and can fit into most overhead bins of airplanes.
Buy Moms Breeze GO Portable Travel Playard
Pros
- The portable infant sleeper is quite easy to clean and maintain
- Although heavy, the portable crib closes and opens with just one push
- It is quite durable and sturdy
- Water resistant playard mattress
Cons
- The travel crib is quite heavy which means that it is difficult to carry
Phil & Teds Traveller Crib
Are you looking for a crib that is very light and thus convenient to carry? If so then the Phil & Teds Traveller crib is the best option that you can have. The best thing about this infant travel bed is that it is extremely light; it is perhaps the lightest infant travel bed that you can have as it weighs just 6 pounds.
The other great thing about this convertible crib is that it folds to the size of a yoga mat, and thus, is very compact and easy to travel with. The other unique feature about this infant travel bed is the fact that it has a side zipper feature that opens up and makes handling the baby easier.
Weight: It is the lightest portable travel crib, as it weighs only 6 pounds (that is less than a baby).
Dimensions: The product dimensions of the infant travel bed are 31 × 24.8 × 46 inches.
Buy Phil & Teds Traveller Crib
Pros
- It is very lightweight, weighing just 6 pounds
- The travel crib is also very compact, and thus, very portable
Cons
- Setting it up may take some time
- This portable crib is suitable only for kids who are about 35 inches tall.
Cocoon Folding Indoor & Outdoor Travel Bassinet
The Cocoon folding travel bassinet is a portable crib/bassinet that can be used indoors as well as outdoors. The reason for this is that it makes use of a detachable canopy that helps to keep bugs out and thus the baby can stay safe in it for a long time. Weighing at just 8.6 pounds, it is quite light and also comes with a bag which ensures that traveling with it is quite easy. But this particular portable infant sleeper is suitable only for babies who weigh 20 pounds or less. Thus, you cannot use it for toddlers.
Weight: It weighs 8.6 pounds, so it is quite light and compact to carry around.
Dimensions: The product dimensions of this infant travel bassinet are 35 × 17 × 34 inches when open and 18 × 6 × 22 inches when folded.
Buy Cocoon Folding Indoor & Outdoor Travel Bassinet
Pros
- It is very light and quite sleek which means that it is quite easy to carry around
- It can be used both indoors and outdoors because of the detachable canopy
Cons
- The maximum weight limit of babies is just 20 pounds, so you will not be able to use it for a long time.
MiClassic Foldable 2-in-1 Stationary & Rock Bassinet
If you are looking for a light and budget-friendly infant travel bed, then the MiClassic foldable 2-in-1 stationary & rock bassinet is just the one for you. But it also offers some features that make this portable crib quite unique. If you think that rocking your baby’s bed needs to be a part of your baby’s sleep routine, then this bassinet is the one that will fit your purpose. The reason is that this bassinet can be set both in the stationery setup position and also as a rocking bassinet.
It is not the lightest infant traveler bed as it weighs 18.6 pounds, but it comes with a carry bag which makes traveling easier. As it also folds easily without the need to be disassembled, it is very useful while traveling.
The maximum weight limit for this bassinet is 33 pounds. But you should also avoid this bassinet if your baby can push up.
Weight: It is not the lightest portable travel crib, as it weighs 18.6 pounds. But it is easy to fold and carry, especially with the help of the carry bag.
Dimensions: The product dimensions of this portable crib are 37.4 × 23.8 × 28 inches.
Buy MiClassic Foldable 2-in-1 Stationary & Rock Bassinet
Pros
- It is one of the few infant travel beds that can be used for rocking the baby
- It folds easily and comes with a carry bag which makes it quite travel friendly
- The travel crib is also quite durable
Cons
- It is not very light which is essential for carrying it easily
- The portable traveler crib is suitable for only smaller babies with a maximum weight of 33 pounds.
Graco Travel Lite Crib with 3 Growing Stages and Basinet, Manor
The Graco Travel Lite Crib with 3 Growing Stages and Basinet, Manor is a portable crib that offers a host of very impressive features that make it quite popular. It has been designed in a way that it can be used for newborns and continue to use it till they are young toddlers. Apart from this, it is particularly suitable for those who need to travel frequently, as it folds conveniently. It also has a travel bag to make it all the more travel friendly.
Weight: It is a little heavier than most cribs on our list and weighs about 19 pounds.
Dimensions: The product dimensions are 23.2 × 33.5 × 32.2 inches. It is also quite compact and easy to carry while you travel.
Buy Graco Travel Lite Crib with 3 Growing Stages and Basinet, Manor
Pros
- The travel crib is very travel friendly, as it is quite compact
- It can be cleaned and maintained easily
- The travel crib is also very easy to set up and can serve your baby for quite some time
Cons
- Some customers complain that this travel crib has an unpleasant odor
- Some users have stated that the travel crib was smaller than they had expected
FAQs
Is it necessary to purchase a portable traveler crib?
By purchasing the right portable traveler crib, you can travel with your little one without any hassle. You can ensure that they are safe and comfortable. Choosing a portable crib that is also lightweight can help avoid any unwanted baggage fees.
What is the appropriate age for a baby to sleep in a portable infant sleeper?
While buying infant travel beds it is important that you read all the instructions carefully. For each portable baby crib, the recommended size and ages vary, along with specific instructions that need to be followed closely. Therefore, it is advisable that you read and decide what will be appropriate and safe for your little one.
Can the portable travel crib be used at home before or after travel?
Yes, very much!! Although all portable infant sleepers are specifically meant for travel, they can also be used at home as and when required. In fact, it can be a good idea to make your baby sleep in it at home prior to travel, just to make them used to the same. Trying the portable travel crib beforehand will enable you to find any kinks and make any minor adjustments that can make your travels easier and enjoyable.
How to choose the right portable crib?
The right portable baby crib can indeed make traveling with your little one very convenient and hassle-free. But at the same time, you will realize that there are many brands and different types of portable infant sleepers that are available out there. So, choosing the right one might seem quite confusing at the beginning. You should start by listing down all the features that you need, like your budget, your baby’s size, age, and weight, before you buy a portable travel crib. Once you list down all your requirements, choosing the right one will become a whole lot simpler.
While going about with the entire selection process, you will realize that your child’s safety and comfort are the most important requirements that you need to address. A happy and comfortable baby will make traveling easier for you. Our list of the best portable cribs will help you make the right decision.
How to ensure travel crib safety?
Keep the crib empty
To ensure proper child safety in the infant sleeper while your baby sleeps, it is best to keep it empty. It is more so if the same portable crib is also being used as a play pen. In such cases, you need to remove all toys and other objects before your baby goes off to sleep. The only thing that should be in your baby’s travel crib is the mattress it came with and a fitted sheet.
Put the baby on their back while they sleep
You must always ensure that you make your baby sleep on their back. Children who are placed on their stomachs while sleeping have a higher risk of suffocation while sleeping. It is because of this that you need to avoid letting your baby sleep on their stomach at all times.
Use as it is intended
The travel crib is intended to be used only while traveling. It is best to use only the mattress that has been provided with the travel crib. It is best not to cover the same with extra padding. You need to take care of this especially of your baby is under 12 months old. You also must read the instructions carefully and follow them strictly to avoid any risks.
Mind the weight limits
You need to buy and use the right infant travel bed based on your baby’s weight. Always ensure that you follow the company’s recommendations regarding weight limit and go through all the details carefully before choosing.
Final Thoughts
We can say that if you are a frequent traveler and you need to take your little one with you, the right portable crib/ portable travel crib can make a big difference to the quality of your travel. With the right infant travel bed, you can travel tension-free and thoroughly enjoy your much-awaited trip.
A travel crib that is comfortable will help your child be well-rested, which is essential for their overall growth and health and of course for them to enjoy their adventure at a new place. Besides, if it is light and portable, you can easily carry it anywhere you like. Thus, you can thoroughly enjoy your trip, not having to worry about your baby’s sleep and safety.
As you have seen we have provided an exhaustive list of the most popular portable cribs and have also given a detailed analysis of each of them with their respective pros and cons.
You will find each of the portable travel cribs mentioned above can be a good option to meet your needs. We hope that our experience and research will help you arrive at the right decision regarding which portable crib to buy.
Once you find the right portable crib for your baby, the entire quality of your travel will become a whole lot better. Buying some additional accessories can also ensure further safety and comfort for your baby.
So pack your bags and enjoy your baby vacation!!!
Happy Travelling!!!
Amar Kirale
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- November 5, 2024 11:22 AM
