Going on Vacation? Bring a Travel Crib for Sleepy Babies

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Getting your baby to take a scheduled nap on vacation can be a daunting task — but having a great travel crib can help you out by giving your baby a safe and comfortable place to rest.

Plus, you should invest in one at least a month ahead of your trip to allow your baby to get used to the cot. If you want to go the extra mile, have them take naps in it in different rooms of your house, or even at your friends’ or families’ houses, to get them comfortable sleeping in different environments.

The Best Portable Cribs

• Best Overall: Bugaboo Stardust

• Best Crawl Out: Silver Cross Slumber

• Largest and Most Breathable: Newton Travel Crib and play yard

• Best 3- in- 1: 4Moms Breeze

• Best Bassinet: Guava Lotus Travel Crib

What You Need to Know

Most portable cribs are designed for babies from newborn to age 3, but a few of them either have an insert for younger babies that cannot yet sit up, or they're bassinet style for the youngest infants. Many of them also double as play yards/playpens, making them a sound investment overall. One thing to point out is that although every travel crib on this list comes with a cover for the car or plane. It's a good idea to put an AirTag or another tracking device on it in the event the airline misplaces your luggage.

The truth is, while many hotels offer travel cribs or rollaway beds for babies, bringing your own and having that continuity of style and environment makes for a much easier transition from one place to another, which decreases stress and allows your vacation to feel like a vacation. Finding a compact travel crib that's right for your family isn't as tricky as it sounds — just focus on three main things: style, size, and sheet style.

• Style: Here is where you see the real difference in travel cribs. Some compact models have a bassinet and compact models that do not. There are larger cribs, and cribs made just for babies.

• Size: Your choice of size comes down to preference and necessity. You could get a super compact like the Bugaboo, one that folds up tiny, like the Baby Bjorn, or more traditional play yard styles, like the Century.

• Sheet Style: This seems silly, but for convenience, it's big. Does it use a standard Playard crib sheet, or are you going to have to either buy custom sheets or clean the mattress pad often? Some travel cribs are worth the hassle, but not being able to buy a standard sheet can become a pain.

How We Chose

I evaluated each travel crib on this list and spoke with both real-life users of the product and testers who tried out new-to-the-market travel cribs. On top of that, I tested each one myself, evaluating them for durability, utility, and style. I also spoke with manufacturers to find out how they're made and the thought behind the design, and chose travel cribs that are not only useful, but long-lasting, easy to care for, and easy to fold.

Portable Indoor and Outdoor - Foldable On The Go Play Yard

When I first saw this travel crib, I wasn't expecting much judging by its looks — but oh, how I was wrong. Rather impressively, this portable crib folds completely flat, meaning it can be conveniently stored right under your sofa or in the back of a closet. Folding it is a breeze, too — it opens in 1 second and closes in 2.

It's compact, so it will fit in the limited confines of a hotel room but comes with a bassinet to easily get to your baby.

The whole thing is incredibly stable and sturdy, too. Sometimes, travel cribs can feel a bit flimsy, but this one is solid to the core. It doesn't tip or rock, and even if your little one is getting rowdy, this crib can take it. I particularly loved how easily the whole thing cleans. Our tester gave it a run for its money, and not a sticky fingerprint or scent lingered after a basic cleanup.

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Slumber 3 in 1 Travel Crib

The biggest difference between the Silver Cross and a few others on this list is that it was designed first and foremost as a travel crib, with the play yard being the bonus. On this list, it's one of my favorites for the overall feel of the quality of the materials. Silver Cross isn't skimping out on the fabrics or steels, even though it's under $300.

The bassinet slides in easily, but firmly, and the cushion feels just about perfect for a baby. Not too firm and not too soft. Folding it does take a minute to learn, but once you do, you're good to go.

The crawl-out side is one of the few that open at the far end of the travel crib, which I found handy when it had to go in a tight space. The gripping portions on the feet are also very stable. This is not a play yard that will rock about.

Travel Crib & Play Yard

The Newton is the most-breathable travel crib on the market according to a study commissioned by Newton and conducted at an independent lab. Having felt it, I am inclined to agree. However, that's not why I love it. I love the size of this travel crib and play yard. It's almost 50 percent larger than most other play yards, and the bassinet is similarly large. There's plenty of room to grow with the Newton.

It's a cinch to put together and take down as well. I figured out how to do it in about 2 minutes without studying the instructions.

Breeze Plus Portable Playard with Removable Bassinet

A real workhorse, this full-size travel crib, play yard, bassinet, and changing area is the picture of convenience. Even easier to open and close than the Bugaboo, the 4Moms is a real one-hand operation.

It's a bit bulkier when folded than the Bugaboo, which is why it's not in the top spot. The cover that it comes with is wonderful, weather-resistant, and durable, but it's not going to fit under your bed.

Our testers adore this travel crib's ability to morph back and forth between bed and play, with plenty of space to do both. The mattress pad on this model is washable, which is a real benefit that our testers loved.

Lotus Bassinet Kit & Travel Crib

You can wear this travel crib one as a backpack, it folds up that tiny. This bassinet/travel crib from Guava Family is the only bassinet you need at home or on the go for the first 3 months of your child's life.

The material is super smooth, soft, and easy to clean. It's lightweight, but thanks to the super-wide legs, it feels very stable. And again, it's so small that it fits in the overhead bin of a plane.

Our testers noted that closing it has a bit of a learning curve, but other than that it's a home run.

Travel Crib Light

This is a travel crib that's built for crawlers, and a surprising favorite of parents I spoke to. I admit I was a bit dubious about the low-to-the-ground style, but parents love how light it is, and the fact that it zips down the side for easy access.

The whole thing only weighs a few pounds thanks to the genius design, and all of the materials are machine-washable. Another thing parents told me that they love is the softness of the edges. Sometimes, the material that covers the frame can feel a little bit industrial, but not with the Bjorn.

This one folds flat like the Stardust, but it's nowhere near a one-handed fold — in fact, it's just as tricky as the Guava.

Century Travel On LX 2-in-1 Compact Playard with Bassinet, Playpen with Sheet Included, Metro Grey

The question of value and affordability comes up a lot in the parenting space. Century, made by Graco, is an affordable brand that makes quality products. This travel crib from Century is truly a gem for the price.

It's a compact size but plenty big enough for a bassinet, bed, or even a play yard when you're on vacation. Like everything made by Century, this is built for use, with machine-washable fabrics and durable materials.

It's a bit tricky to collapse and definitely isn't the smallest fold on the list, but it's a solid, affordable contender.

Alfa Lite

If you like the idea of a side zipper but are leery of tricky folds, the Chicco has you covered. The Alpha Lite is a great option for easy access, but slightly smaller than similar models.

However, you cannot overlook the fact that the fabrics on this model are entirely zip-off and machine washable. Chicco is known for their innovative, more environmentally-friendly fabrics, and the Greenguard Gold-certified Alfa Lite shines with its supple yet strong materials.

Parents who love this travel crib really love this one. It has a devoted following, with users praising its cleanability, durability, and quick fold. One parent raved, “I don’t take my kid anywhere without it!”

Maxi-Cosi Swift Playard

The major benefit of this travel crib from Maxi Cosi is the luxurious mattress. It’s probably the most premium mattress of the bunch. It also has this cozy, breathable fleece cover over the top of the bassinet, which is strangely soothing when you’re putting your baby down at night.

It’s a cinch to open and close, hence the name “Swift,” and it stores in a super-premium cover. Parents love the feel of this crib, saying, “It just feels nicer than others I’ve had.”

Unfortunately, it’s spot-clean only, which is a pretty big drawback.

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