10 Best Portable Cribs Reviews
10 Best Portable Cribs Reviews
Having a baby is a huge responsibility that comes with a lot of sacrifices. As new parents, you must be willing to give up your time, energy and even sleep in order to make sure that your child properly cared for.
As difficult as it is looking after a newborn, the joy that comes with seeing them smile puts it all into perspective. However, if your child is a finicky sleeper or if you’re considering buying a crib that can be used in other places besides your house, we have the perfect article for you. Many parents are now choosing to buy portable cribs in addition to having a crib at home in their child’s nursery. A portable crib makes it much easier to travel with your child without having to worry about where they will sleep. Most portable cribs are extremely lightweight and incredibly easy to put together, so they’re not bulky and can be set up in a matter of minutes (or even seconds). This is why we’ve compiled a list of the best travel cribs. This review will look at various big name brands such as the BABYBJORN, Brica, Lotus, and Graco.
We always make sure to spend a considerable amount of time reviewing these products for you because your time is important to us. We would never discuss or showcase a product that wasn’t a good fit for you and your child. We make sure to do the very best research in order to provide you with a list of products that will help make your decision as easy as possible. The more products we provide, the easier it is to find something within your budget.
We also made sure that the products on this list as safe and are certified by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission in order to make sure that these products are suitable for your child and have not been recalled or have any known defects.
Best Portable Cribs At A Glance
Before we jump into the best toddler travel beds we’ve compiled a chart to help you glance at everything including the various cribs, their ratings, and the different features.
Lotus Travel Crib and Portable Baby Playard
The Good
- This portable toddler bed sports breathable clearview mesh that allows a great deal of airflow to make it through to your baby, providing a calm and comforting experience every time
- No pvcs, phthalates, or lead in this portable baby bed. Made with only child friendly fabrics and materials
- Soft textured fabrics means your child is always comfortable, this is truly one of the best portable cribs
- Comes fully loaded with the baby travel sleeper, mattress, and bag (convertible backpack straps included)
The Bad
- The textured fabric in the portable infant bed isn’t as luxurious-feeling as other brands that also come with the mattress and sheets
- Can only be held like a briefcase because it has two handles at the top
- The zipper is somewhat noisy, which can be a problem if you’ve just put your child to sleep
Expert Tip
The open side allows mommy or daddy to rest next to baby if they need a comforting presence next to them while they fall asleep
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for one of the best portable cribs that is not only lightweight, but also easy to move around, then we highly recommend the Lotus. It is not only money well-spent but has a ton of extra features make it worth your while.
BABYBJORN Travel Crib Light
This baby travel crib is lightweight and has a simple set-up and fold-down with no extra parts to attach.
The Good
- This travel lite crib is fully JPMA Certified Product, and comes with a safe, breathable mesh
- Its soft mattress is firm, yet yielding to tiny bodies, and provides an incredibly comfortable surface to sleep on
- Removable crib material for this portable infant sleeper is machine washable
- This particular toddler travel cot is ideal for babies and children between 0-3 years of age
- Sturdy and safe design means that everybody will rest easy, parents and kids alike
The Bad
- Takes a little longer to put up than some other portable cribs for toddlers
- While this child travel bed benefits from tall sides, it means mommy and daddy will have to bend over a bit farther to pick up their little one
Expert Tip
Available in up to 7 different colors including pink and dark blue, truly one of the best baby travel beds out there today
Final Thoughts
This is a perfect travel crib for a toddler, thanks to how strong and reliable its materials are. Depending on your needs, and how much you’re willing to spend, we highly recommend this crib for travelling. It is not only durable but also has an incredibly easy setup.
Graco Travel Lite Crib with Stages
The Good
- This portable baby sleeper boasts a great feature in that it has a fully height adjustable bassinet, which means less bending down for parents everywhere
- Weighs less than 20 lbs, which makes this portable baby bed a travel must-have
- Bassinet is fully removable for those on-the-go situations, and all the surprises life throws at you
- Signature push-button fold feature is incredibly convenient and easy to use, making this truly one of the very best baby travel beds
- Breathable mesh sides are conveniently ventilated, and also provide this Graco portable crib with an incredibly durable enclosed area
The Bad
- Regular sheets available on the market do not often fit the mattress, as Graco products are primarily compatible with other Graco products
- Mattress is a little too soft for sleeping, depending on your child’s sleep preferences
Expert Tip
There are 3 gorgeous themes available for this toddler travel cot, including a very rich-feeling deep red that will have your little one sleeping in sheer elegance every time they drift off
Final Thoughts
Many parents are proud supporters of Graco products, and we are too! You cannot go wrong in choosing this particular mini travel crib. The great thing about this portable crib is the fact that the bassinet grows with your child, which means that you won’t have to shell out extra money to update the crib and buy something bigger.
Chicco Lullago Travel Crib
The Good
- Fully machine washable for added convenience and peace of mind
- Carry bag is included with this toddler travel bed for easy storage and travel
- Brushed mattress pad and mesh windows allow for breezy ventilation to provide a comfortable experience for your toddler
- Crib feet are completely anti-slip and prevent bassinet from ever toppling over
- This portable toddler bed is perfect for those who are on a budget yet don’t want to sacrifice quality
The Bad
- Typical mattress covers do not seem to fit the mattress for this product, only Chicco accessories are compatible
- Travel bag not ideal for air travel since it is simply a tote, and may not fit conveniently into most overhead storage bins
Expert Tip
This portable crib for toddlers also comes in different colors and themes including a pink and blue, so whether you have a boy or a girl they’re sure to adore this portable crib
Final Thoughts
This particular portable baby bed is less expensive than other baby travel cribs and have quite a number of great features. Although everyone’s needs are different, we highly recommend going with this baby travel sleeper in particular.
BRICA Fold N’ Go Travel Bassinet
The Good
- This travel crib for toddlers has mesh panels with breathable fabric
- Its locking frame provides ultimate comfort for your precious bundle of joy
- Has a four-point SafeT-Lock System for extra security and peace of mind
- The travel cot is fully machine washable for added convenience
- This portable infant sleeper is extremely lightweight, so that both mommy and daddy can carry it around with ease
- Comfortable mattress pad and fitted sheet means that this portable infant sleeper is ideal for making sure your child gets the rest they need
The Bad
- The mattress in this child travel bed has been reported not to stay completely flat at all times
- Mattress is also slightly thin and firm, which my not be perfectly comfortable for every toddler
Expert Tip
This travel crib has a tubular steel frame for maximum strength and durability
Final Thoughts
Much like the BRICA crib, this is another portable crib that won’t break the bank, while still satisfying your needs. It is versatile, lightweight, and easy to assemble.
KidCo Peapod
The Good
- Surrounded by lightweight mesh that can act as an insect screen as well as providing a light and airy environment for your child to rest in
- Has UV protection and anchor straps included for ground attachment
- Comes fully assembled with a sleeping pad attached to the floor of the pod
- Easily accessible with a large front zipper for added convenience and ease of use
The Bad
- Looks somewhat like a pet tent, which may be an aesthetic that bothers some parents
- Suitable for older babies who are comfortable being left alone, as well as for infants
Expert Tip
This is one of the best travel cribs for families on-the-go, whether it’s camping, hotel and car travel, or a day at the beach
Final Thoughts
The great thing about this crib is the fact that it comes in a variety of colours, but also that it comes with a stylish and cute storage bag. We know that you will not regret buying this amazing portable crib!
Graco Pack ‘n Play Travel Lite Crib Playard
The only difference is the design, which is much more compact and specifically designed for smaller children.
The Good
- Lightweight and compact, so that’s ready whenever you need or your child need it
- Sports a canopy with soft toys for added entertainment value
- Removable infant bassinet is incredibly convenient and allows your toddler to rest comfortably wherever mommy or daddy are in the house
- Can be easily converted to a portable playard for added versatility, perfect for the modern family
The Bad
- While this is definitely one of the best portable cribs for infants and smaller toddlers, kids on the bigger side may not find this portable crib so comfortable
- Has tall sides for added safety, but would require parents to bend all the way down to pick up the baby
Expert Tip
If the teal coloring of the Winslet model as shown above isn’t to your particular tastes, then you’ll be happy to know there are several fun themes and colors available to choose from
Final Thoughts
Whether you decide to go with this one, or the other Graco portable crib, we know that you cannot go wrong with your decision. The price to quality ratio is well worth it and this is a product that we highly recommend.
Phil and Teds Portable Traveller Crib
The Good
- This amazing Phil and Ted’s travel crib only weighs 7 lbs, which makes it one of the best toddler travel beds to carry around
- Its compact and can be broken down with ease to fit in the overhead compartment of just about any airplane
- Has an updated support bar and zip away sides for even more convenience
- Multiple layers of fabric provide maximum comfort and support for your toddler
The Bad
- Reports say it’s not quite as sturdy-feeling as some of the other cribs on the marketplace
- Only comes with a standard crib-sized mattress which may not be soft enough for some tastes
Expert Tip
This toddler travel cot is so easy to set up and take down that you could do it in mere seconds
Final Thoughts
Although the brand may not be well known, this crib has a lot to offer and is and worth buying if you’re looking for something that will fit not only your needs but also your budget.
Summer Infant Travel Bed
The Good
- Fully machine washable, so no having to worry about those surprise accidents or messes
- Has an incredibly fun toy bar with two toys to entertain your child as they fall asleep
- Easily folds with detachable carry strap for travel, perfect for busy families that are often on-the-go
- Can also be used for convenient diaper changes whenever the need arises
The Bad
- Reports have suggested that this portable baby sleeper feels a little bit on the flimsy side
- Over a long period of time it may have trouble maintaining its original shape
Expert Tip
This fantastic infant travel bed also comes with a removable cart cover and seat positioned for all of your trips to the grocery store
Final Thoughts
Although this isn’t the ideal product if you’re looking for something more durable that can be used for vacationing and overnight trips, we do believe that it is worth buying if you’re looking for something comfortable that your child can rest easily in.
KidsTime Baby Travel Bed
The Good
- This portable crib features an instant pop-up tent for added ease of use
- It’s incredibly spacious and even saves space once it’s set up, which can be done almost anywhere
- Has a baby mosquito net so that your little one is always protected from those pesky, annoying little bugs
- Provides a completely nuisance-free environment for you child so that they can always relax in total safety and comfort
The Bad
- Has been reported to be a little difficult to fold back down for some people’s preferences
- This great mini travel crib is mainly meant for newborns and young toddlers, so your child may outgrow this particular product rather quickly
Expert Tip
Whether you have boy or a girl at home, fear not because this particular small portable crib is available in pink as well as blue
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for something short term that will keep your baby safe and allow them to rest peacefully then we would recommend this product. As mentioned before it isn’t entirely ideal for long trips especially since it is not as durable as the other products that are mentioned in this review.
The Bottom Line
It doesn’t matter for what purpose you choose to buy a portable travel crib, their sheer versatility is endless. It can be used in lieu of a playpen, or even a substitute bed when you and your child are away from home. Most parents opt to buy travel cribs when they know they will be travelling. The ones we featured here are all brands and styles that can be taken on airplanes, which means that they are lightweight and easy to assemble. Whether you choose to buy one strictly for giving your child comfort when you take them outside, or if you just need something that will help your child sleep better, this list offers everything.
In terms of recommendations we believe that the Graco cribs, along with the Baby Bjorn travel cribs, are two of the best brands for baby products on the market today. We highly recommend these two cribs, but of course we also realize that they may not be a part of your budget. The truth is that while you have the option to spend very little and buy a cheap crib, we do hope that you will consider spending a little bit more amount of money so that you get the quality you deserve.
