Your trip is booked and now it’s time to start figuring out what baby travel gear you’ll need, including where will your baby sleep and which is the best portable baby bed for travel.
After narrowing down the multitude of options for parents looking at purchasing a baby travel bed, here are the 5 best travel cribs that you should consider:
- All Around Best Travel Crib:
Lotus Travel Crib by Guava Family - Best Travel Bassinet:
Micralite Sleep & Go Portable Travel Crib - Best Baby Travel Crib for Moving Around:
phil&teds Travel Crib - Best Portable Baby Crib for Budgets:
Dream on Me Travel Crib - Best Baby Travel Bed for Older Babies & Toddlers:
KidCo PeaPod Plus Travel Tent
Are those your only options for travel cribs for babies? No, we also have other similar options to each of the portable cribs for travel listed above, so you can find the best travel crib for your family.
What you won’t find listed here is heavy pack n’ plays or playards. These are great for Grandma’s house (and it’s worth it just to buy one and ship it there) but not all that great for traveling with. For parents traveling with a baby, you don’t want to be lugging one of these heavy portable baby cribs around. They might be portable but they aren’t lightweight!
As fellow traveling parents, we make sure to include only those portable baby cribs that we personally have or would travel with.
Best Baby Travel Beds
This post contains compensated links.
Finding the Best Baby Bed for Travel
Traveling can take a lot out of a baby or toddler, so you’ll want to make sure you are doing what you can to get your baby to sleep on vacation!
The first step for is making sure to have the best baby bed for travel that’s lightweight and portable, but more importantly that will provide a safe and comfortable sleep for your baby while traveling.
Here are our recommendations for the best travel beds for babies:
The Lotus travel crib by Guava Family is a lightweight travel crib with backpack portability and sets up in 15 seconds. At only 13 lbs, it fits as a carry-on and you could even use it for naps in the airport! With a side door that zips open, your little one will even have their own safe area to play wherever your travels take you!
Best for: Parents who know they’ll get plenty of use out of it. The Guava Family Lotus portable crib is approved for use 0-3 years old (including newborn and infant overnight sleep).
Safety: The Lotus travel crib exceeds many of the standards, was made without any harsh chemicals and is GreenGuard Gold approved.
Ease of use: It has no assembly with quick setup and pack away.
Size for travel: This portable sleeping bed for baby was designed to fit in most overhead compartments on the airplane when flying with a baby. The size when folded in the backpack is 24x7x11 inches. Check your airline's cabin baggage size to confirm before flying.
Price: At slightly cheaper than the Baby Bjorn baby travel bed, it’s the second most expensive portable baby bed in this list. However, it’s rated for use from birth and is 45 inches long, so you’ll get plenty of use out of it (assume you can use until your child is around 40 inches tall).
Why you should consider the Lotus baby travel crib: While it’s pricey, you’ll get what you pay for. This portable crib has all the features we love when it comes to looking at the best travel cribs for baby. It has a quick setup with no assembly, it has extra features like the quiet side zipper and it's easy to travel with. If you are considering the Lotus, buy it early so you get the most value for your dollars.
With over 1100 reviews on Amazon and a very high star rating, this traveling crib for baby is sure to please everyone!
For parents who are looking for one of the best baby travel beds but at a lower cost, this is for you. The Dream on Me Travel Light Playard is the lowest priced portable baby crib for travel in our list.
It’s comparably light to all the best travel cribs for toddlers and babies at 13 lbs.
Best for: The Dream on Me playard can be used for newborns and up to 30 lbs and 35 inches. Parents looking for a budget option will love this one.
Safety: Made with a sturdy aluminum frame and a locking system, this playard also has fabric and mesh free from any harmful allergenics.
Ease of use: At this price point, this travel playard will require some assembly but it’s still a quick no-tool assembly.
Size for travel: While this portable travel crib won’t fit in the overhead bin, it does fold flat with a sturdy travel bag that could be checked with your luggage. At only 13lbs, it won’t be too cumbersome to travel with and might even fit in a checked suitcase.
Price: As mentioned previously, this portable crib for travel is perfect for parents on a budget. It’s about 5 inches shorter than the Lotus crib, so you’ll only get to use it until your toddler is around 35 inches.
Why you should consider the Dream on Me Travel Light Playard: If the side zipper feature and easy set up are something you can go without, then this is the best portable crib at this price level. For the lower price, you’ll still get a very well rated foldable baby bed for travel in some fun colors!
Along with the Lotus, the BabyBjorn travel crib is the cream of the crop when it comes to portable cribs for toddlers and babies. Just so you don’t get sticker shock, know that the price of the Baby Bjorn price reflects the build quality and that the set up and fold down take just one move.
While it also only weighs 13 lbs, it does not fit as a carry-on but it can still be gate checked. It does have an added benefit of having a removable mattress cover and crib fabric that is machine washable.
This crib for travel can be used from 0 to 3 years old, so if you buy it early you’ll get plenty of use out of it as you can continue to use it as a travel crib for toddlers.
Best for: Parents who don’t want to mess with assembly and the best build quality in a baby travel bed.
Safety: The Babybjorn is also free of any harsh chemicals and uses Okeo-tex Certified fabrics.
Ease of use: With one move to set it up, this is about as easy as it gets to set up a portable baby travel bed.
Size for travel: With similar weight and a travel bag, the BabyBjorn is also travel friendly. While you won’t be able to fit it in the overhead bin, you can check it with your luggage.
Price: The BabyBjorn travel bed for baby is the most expensive of the best travel cribs for babies.
Why you should consider the BabyBjorn portable travel crib: If you are planning to use it from newborn to toddler stage, you’ll get enough use out of it to justify the price. And you’ll be happy you have the quick set up and take down. As long as you don’t have your heart set on the side zipper access, then this is the best portable travel crib for frequent travelers who want a super quick set up and take down.
The Phil&Teds Traveller Crib is one the best portable cribs for babies, right up there with the Lotus and Baby Bjorn travel cribs. It’s the lightest travel crib at 6 lbs and rolls up to the size of a yoga mat. It also comes with a self-inflating mattress and the fitted sheet is included with this portable bed for baby.
The Phil&Teds is suitable from birth until about 2-3 years old (< 35” tall). Aside from being super lightweight and portable, the Phil&teds traveller crib also comes with a lower price tag.
Best for: Parents who want to pack light because they move around a lot!
Safety: Also made with Okeo-tex Certified fabrics. Some negative reviews claim this isn’t quite as sturdy as it should be and there’s the risk of it tipping over. Make sure you aren’t using it with a baby who will try to climb out.
Ease of use: Given how small it packs up, it is going to require more assembly than the other portable travel cribs. Watch the YouTube video prior to traveling with it.
Size for travel: Aside from some of the travel tents, this is the lightest of the portable travel cribs and can fit in the overhead bin on airplanes. It will be the easiest one to carry around.
Price: With a price point right in the middle of the budget friendly Dream on Me Playard and the more expensive Lotus travel crib, the phil&teds is suitable from newborn to around 2 years old. You’ll still get plenty of use out of it.
Why you should consider the phil&teds travel crib: If you want to have a portable crib for baby that you can bring everywhere, then this one is for you. Given that it rolls up to the size of a yoga mat, you could set it up practically anywhere indoors or out. You could bring it for naps in the airport or even on a picnic on the beach! You can even get a shade mesh for outdoor use.
We do feel that it’s better for smaller babies who won’t stand or try to climb out, given the reviews on the risk of it tipping.
This Miclassic is another great option to consider for parents who are looking for a budget option with a lot of features. The MiClassic baby travel bed weighs the same as the more expensive brands at 13lbs, has a side zipper and quick set up and take down.
It’s also suitable for newborns & infants for overnight sleep and up to 3 years old.
Best for: While you’ll give up the ability to bring this one on the plane as a carry-on, it’s the perfect option for parents who don’t want to pay the high price of the premium travel cribs but still want the features.
Safety: Similar to those mentioned above, it has breathable mesh and meets the required safety standards.
Ease of use: This portable travel crib also has a feature that makes it easier to move from room to room, with a quick fold. It does require more assembly, but once you know what you’re doing it’s quick to set up and take down.
Size for travel: This one packs down similar to a traditional pack n’ play in a long rectangle, though it’s still very lightweight at 13 lbs and comes with a travel bag. It’s packs down to 29x9x9 inches.
Price: Similar to the Dream on Me playard, this is one of the most budget friendly travel cribs.
Why you should consider the MiClassic baby travel bed: This is the least expensive portable crib for babies that also has a side zipper door. If that’s a feature that’s important to you but you won’t be using it enough to justify the price of a Lotus travel crib, then this is a good option to consider.
The Micralite 3-in-1 Sleep & Go portable travel crib is on this list because it has a bassinet for newborns. All of the above options are suitable from birth, but for parents who prefer to have their baby up higher and closer to them, this is a nice feature. You’ll pay a higher price in both cost and weight for this feature, but you’ll get the benefit of a travel bassinet for infants plus a portable travel crib all in one.
The bassinet, which is zipper attached, is rated for 0 to 6 months old, after which you’d remove it and use it like a regular portable travel bed.
Best for: Parents who want to get the most use out of their purchase. Parents can even use this at home to have their baby in a bassinet for the first 6 months, but still want a lightweight travel crib for traveling.
Safety: While the company makes no mention of their other safety features or standards they meet, this travel crib has mesh ventilation on all sides for complete airflow.
Ease of use: This one has a quick set up and fold down.
Size for travel: It’s similar in size to all the other portable cribs for babies and toddlers, but it weights more at 15.4 lbs.
Price: The Micralite is mid-range in price, similar to the phil&teds travel crib.
Why you should consider the Micralite: If you want a bassinet for your newborn but don’t want to purchase two different travel cribs, then this is a great option. You could even use it at home to have your newborn close. It has some other features like the side zipper for easy access, a travel bag and a plastic coated bottom for outdoor use.
Baby and Toddler Travel Tents
Different than the portable travel cribs, these toddler travel tents are another alternative for your baby or toddler to sleep in. They are super lightweight and easy to pack.
If you are looking for a travel bed for 1 year old (or older), the PeaPod and PeaPod Plus make an excellent travel bed for toddlers. It’s weight (3.5lbs for the larger PeaPod Plus) and size make it super compact and allow it to be packed right in the suitcase.
The larger PeaPod Plus can be used up to 5 years old, ensuring you will get plenty of use out of it. This toddler travel tent is also good, since you don’t need to worry about the possibility of your toddler trying to climb out like the other portable cribs for babies and toddlers above.
Best for: Parents who are looking for the lightest and most compact option for toddlers.
Safety: The entire tent is surrounded with lightweight mesh to promote airflow. It also has UV protection if used outside.
Ease of use: It couldn’t be easier to use a travel tent, you just need to take it out of the bag and it pops open. Once you figure out how to pack it back up (watch this video), it’s also a cinch and takes under a minute.
Size for travel: Aside from the phil&teds travel crib, you won’t get something as light and compact as this for a travel bed for toddlers. It’s super lightweight and fits in a suitcase or can fit in the overhead bin on airplanes.
Price: This is also a great budget option, especially when you consider the ability to use it on the beach, for travel or as a portable crib for camping for toddlers.
Why you should consider the PeaPod Plus travel tent: This is one of the easiest portable travel beds to travel with. It’s light and fits in a suitcase plus it’s one of the least expensive options. Some toddlers love their tents and will even want to sleep in it at home!
Keep in mind that not all toddlers like the small space of a toddler tent, but we have some suggestions on how to best introduce it to your toddler in our review of the KidCo PeaPod Plus.
The Joovy Gloo travel bed is a pop-up tent, similar to the popular KidCo PeaPod. The Joovy Gloo also comes in two sizes, regular and large, that are rated up to 3 years old and 5 years old, respectively.
The big difference between the Joovy Gloo and the KidCo PeaPod is that the Joovy Gloo is approved for use from six months old. On the other hand, the Joovy Gloo is also more expensive and heavier than the KidCo PeaPod.
It has UPF 50 sun protection, making it a baby beach essential, and a self-inflating mattress.
We do recommend going with the large size if you plan to purchase a Joovy Gloo Travel tent, since you’ll get the most value out of it for your money.
Why you should consider the Joovy Gloo: Given that this is such a similar option to the PeaPod Plus, here’s why you might want to consider the Joovy Gloo over the PeaPod Plus. The Joovy Gloo has a self inflating mattress that has a cotton sheet that zips over the mattress. Our biggest complaint on the PeaPod Plus was that we didn’t love the sleeping surface and would have preferred a cotton sheet that was removable. The Joovy Gloo also comes in 6 fun colors.
Things we like better about the PeaPod Plus: There’s no need to push air out of the mattress, you just fold it up when it’s time to go. We also like that it’s two pounds lighter and cheaper, these are more important to us than the color.
Travel Bassinets for Babies
If you are looking for a newborn travel bassinet, here are the best options. However, since most of the top rated baby travel cribs above are suited for newborn and infant overnight sleep, you'll get the most value out of one of those options.
The Joovy Coo, though expensive, is a good option for parents traveling with a newborn who prefer to have their baby up near them. This portable travel bassinet is suitable from birth up to 15lbs, which can then be transformed into a regular travel crib.
The Joovy Coo newborn travel bassinet can also be set to rock and it comes with a travel bag and mattress cover.
Best for: The Joovy Coo portable infant bed is best for parents who also want to use it at home for room sharing with their newborn. It folds flat and can be used for travel as well, rather than having to purchase a new product.
Why you should consider the Joovy Coo baby travel bassinet: If you plan to stay in hotel rooms or have limited space at home, this bassinet is for you. This bassinet is perfect for room sharing and having your baby near you.
The Brica Fold n’ Go is one of the best travel bassinets. This infant travel bed has mesh sides, a firm mattress and fitted sheet to create a safe sleep environment for your baby. It folds flat in seconds and includes convenient carrying handles, but can also fit in a suitcase.
At only 2.4 lbs, it’s a great option for your 0 to 3 month old (discontinue use at 3 months or 15 lbs and if your baby is up on their hands and knees). If your baby is up on their hands and knees, it’s time to move on to one of the other baby travel cribs listed!
Why you should consider the Brica infant travel bed: It's great for parents who are looking for a lightweight travel bassinet for their newborn.
Newborn Travel Bassinets for Supervised Sleeping
Though the Lulyboo and the Dock-a-Tot aren’t recommended for overnight sleep, they are great options for parents who want to give their infant a place to nap wherever they are. They are recommended for supervised sleeping only.
The Dock-A-Tot is another safe sleeping option for naps while traveling with your baby. We know that people love their Dock-a-Tots, but it isn’t recommended for overnight sleep.
Instead we recommend one of the above baby travel cribs that are suitable from birth for overnight sleep.
If you can’t leave it behind, your Dock-a-Tot can be used for naps, play, tummy time and diaper changes.
You will likely need to take it as an extra piece of luggage, but at only 3-5 lbs it’s a very lightweight baby travel bed.
*Please be aware that Health Canada has not approved the Dock-A-Tot as a bassinet, crib or cradle and they are not sold in Canada.
The Lulyboo is a safe sleeping spot for your baby during supervised sleeping like naps. It folds into a backpack and has a waterproof base making it good for outdoor use. It also comes with a canopy and activity bar for your baby.
The Lulyboo is a great option for taking with you to a friends place, a picnic or anywhere else that you’d like to have a safe spot to lay your baby down for a nap. It folds down into a backpack and could even be brought onto the airplane. It can also be used for play, tummy time and diaper changes.
What to Look for in a Baby Travel Bed
1. Safety
Safety is of the utmost important when it comes to your baby and traveling with your baby. You want the best baby travel bed made from a reputable company that meets or exceeds safety standards. Look at the full descriptions of the travel beds for babies, they should list all the safety features. Included in those safety features should be full mesh sides that are breathable and the sleeping surface should be firm.
Some of these travel tents, travel bassinets and portable cribs for travel have very clear guidelines on age, size and weight. You’ll also find clear guidelines on the mattress and where it should be positioned. Adhere to these guidelines, they are there for the safety of your baby.
2. Ease of Use
You want your baby travel bed to be easy to set up and take down. This is especially important if you are trying to sneak in that nap as close to having to pack up as possible. We’ve all done it! Or you arrive at your Airbnb late at night and need to get your crying baby down.
The last thing you want is to be struggling while reading instructions and watching a YouTube video to try to figure it out (we recommend doing this at home well before your trip).
3. Size and Weight for Packing
If you have just one direct flight and are getting right into a rental car, then this might not be a big concern. We’ve traveled with our large Graco pack n’ play and it wasn’t all that difficult. We checked it for free, picked it up from the luggage carousel and got right into the car.
However, a very different scenario is when you are on an extended trip and are moving several times on your trip. You’ll want to pack as light as possible and minimize the pieces you are carrying. This is where the lightweight options will really shine!
4. Age Range
Some travel beds for babies can be used from the newborn stage right up to 3 years old. If you plan to use it over several trips, it will be well worth your money to buy one with a quality build that covers all age ranges.
5. Price
There’s a big range on the price of baby travel cribs. Some come with extra features that make the higher price tag more than worth it. We recommend buying the best one within your budget.
If you plan to use it from newborn through toddler stages, then you’ll get the most value by purchasing a portable travel bed for baby that can cover this age range.
6. Extra Features
Other features to consider when purchasing a portable crib for travel are the comfort of the mattress, included accessories (i.e. travel bag, bassinet inserts or fitted sheets), washable mesh, and a side zipper for easy access.
Do you Need a Portable Travel Crib?
The first step in deciding if you need a portable travel crib is deciding what type of accommodations will work best for your family.
We’ve tried everything from hotel rooms to Airbnb apartments. We were happy with sharing hotel rooms with our baby, until our daughter was able to stand and see us over the top of her travel crib. I wish we had one of these SlumberPods then – one of our 10 must have items to help baby sleep on vacation.
Use code BABYCANTRAVEL10 to get $10USD off the SlumberPod when you buy direct from Slumberpod!
Still not sure? Read our full review of the SlumberPod here
There are still ways to make this work (ahem, hotel bathroom or closet), but we also really enjoy staying in an Airbnb with a baby or toddler. This is more our style especially now when we are traveling with a toddler. It gives us more space and gives us the ability to separate our kids so they aren’t waking each other at night.
What does this have to do with finding the best travel crib? It’s important to understand what your style of travel is before buying a portable baby bed. Though we want to help you find the best baby bed for travel, it’s good to know the other baby travel bed options before buying and for this, you’ll need to know where you plan on staying.
Now that accommodations are booked, it’s time to start thinking about the best travel bed for baby or toddler travel bed. Before you go out and purchase the best portable baby travel bed, there are several other great options to consider. Not all will work for every family, so choose which is best for yours.
If buying a travel baby bed is the best option for your family, head back up to the portable crib options for infants, babies and toddlers we listed above.
If you plan to have your baby sleep in a portable crib for travel, but aren’t interested in the extra weight or luggage while traveling we recommend the following:
1. Contact your hotel to see if they can provide a baby crib for travel. If they can provide a travel crib, send them an email a few days before you arrive to confirm that one will be available for your stay.
2. If you are staying in a vacation rental like Airbnb or VRBO, contact your host to see if they have a baby or toddler travel crib available. Even though it is not part of the listing, they may still have one available or can access one for you.
3. Find a reputable baby equipment company in the area. Often you will find you can get a safe, sanitized baby travel crib or toddler travel bed delivered right to your hotel or apartment. Don’t forget to read the reviews to make sure others have been happy with their service.
4. Depending on where you are traveling, consider having a toddler or baby travel bed delivered right to your destination from Amazon. Make sure to contact your hotel or apartment host to see if this is possible (in case it arrives before you do). This is also a great option if you are visiting family who you visit frequently.
If none of the options above are a good fit for your family, if you plan to move around a lot or if you prefer to bring your own crib for your baby or portable toddler bed, we hope our list above helps you find the best baby travel bed for your little one.
Parent Tested Travel Cribs and Baby Travel Beds
We reached out to our audience on Instagram. Here’s their feedback on the best travel cribs and baby travel beds:
Traveling around the country with our little one – we knew we needed a great sleep solution. The Dock-a-Tot fits perfectly in the Peapod tent, for the perfect all terrain travel sleep setup.
@newfamilydream
We spent Rileys first 20 months traveling and we wanted him to feel secure and have a familiar place to sleep. The Dock-A-Tot was the perfect solution for this without requesting a traveling crib in hotels. We used the Dock-A-Tot inflight too, this allowed an undisputed sleep for him during transits. When we returned home he easily settled back into routine and transitioned into his crib easily.
@rileys_travels
We LOVE our Lotus travel crib and it’s been all over with us! After 3 kids, I can say it’s the best thing ever! My daughter actually prefers to sleep in it at home too!
@bellarosetoombs
The Baby Bjorn travel crib was easily one of our best purchases ever! We love how it’s so lightweight and easy to set up. It works for both our kids (1 & 2.5 yo) and we see ourselves using this for a long time!
@raisingmylittlekays
We love our Baby Bjorn travel crib! It’s so easy to fold and very lightweight. Ramona slept great in it while in Mozambique! If you are looking for a strudy and modern looking portable crib, this is the one to buy.
@Coloma.farre
We traveled Europe with a baby for 8 weeks with our Phil and Teds Travel cot. I initially purchased it for sailing Italy as a safe play pen for our crawling 10 month old. I love the bag, easy assembly and it weighs under 3 kilos!
@rileys_travels
Photo courtesy of Riley’s Travels
We love the Phil&Teds travel crib! We traveled full time with twin toddlers and the Phil&Teds is the smallest, lightest travel crib we could find. We could pack two in a suitcase and still have room left over. The mattress is thin and light, but our kids slept great on them every night for over a year. When they moved to “big kid beds” I was so sad to say goodbye to the Phil & Teds!
@familytimeout
We had always used the hotel crib or rented a crib on previous trips, but these weren’t options when we traveled to Japan with a toddler. We tried the KidCo PeaPod Plus and were hooked. It was so easy to travel with and our toddler loved it! We used it on several trips until he was 4 years old!
@familycantravel
Dock-A-Tot and Peapod combo is my favourite way to travel with our little one!
@newfamilydream
We absolutely LOVE this PeaPod Plus! It’s super small, compact, lightweight and so easy to set up. Our son loves sleeping in his own tent at night and love playing in it during the day.
Bonus: We have a Baby Bjorn travel crib and this one fits INSIDE the same case!!
@raisingmylittlekays
Shop our entire list of baby travel beds and accessories through our Amazon Baby Travel Beds List
FAQs About Baby Travel Beds
The best portable baby beds are the Lotus travel crib and the BabyBjorn travel crib.
While traveling, your baby should have a safe place for sleeping, which could be a portable travel crib that has full mesh sides for complete airflow and a firm sleeping surface.
Yes, there are safe portable baby beds. Research your portable baby bed options to ensure they meet safety standards and have safety features like a sturdy frame, mesh sides, appropriately sized mattress that is firm and meets the guidelines for safe sleeping.
Yes, there are travel bassinets available for babies. A portable travel crib that’s suitable from birth for overnight sleep is also another good option.
Either bring your own travel crib or request a crib from the hotel. This will give your baby a safe space for sleeping. A SlumberPod is one of the best products to create a dark sleeping space for your baby.
Some hotels can provide a baby crib for you to use. Always call the hotel to confirm they will have a baby crib available during the dates of your stay. We also recommend calling the day before you arrive to confirm.
Best Toddler Travel Bed
No longer want a travel crib for a toddler? Or perhaps your toddler is trying to climb out or doesn’t like the toddler travel tent? There may become a point where a travel crib for toddlers just doesn’t work for your toddler, but he just isn’t quite ready for an adult bed yet. We have all the best toddler travel beds in this post.
More Baby Travel Gear Recommendations
- For getting around here are our best baby carriers for travel and the best lightweight strollers for travel
- Don’t forget these top toddler travel essentials or our favorite must-haves for traveling with a baby
- Enjoy meal time with your baby or toddler with one of our recommended portable travel high chairs
Shop this entire list of baby travel beds and accessories through our Amazon Baby Travel Beds List
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