The Best Travel Crib Picks For Parents On-The Go

Parents traveling with babies don’t always have the luxury of just packing a suitcase and heading out the door. When you have an infant or toddler in tow, it’s important to bring the proper baby gear.

One of the most important things to have is a travel crib! A portable crib is exceptionally convenient and won’t take up too much space in your trunk or hotel room. Plus, many of them can double as a play yard, so your baby can get their wiggles out in the same space.

Occasionally, your hotel room or Airbnb may provide a regular crib on-site. But what if it’s dirty or uncomfortable for your baby? That’s why we love portable cribs. You and your little one will rest better, knowing that they’re safely tucked into their own travel crib rather than a borrowed one.

We did our research to find the best travel crib out there, based on recommendations from parents on the go. We’ve narrowed it down to seven travel cribs with great reviews and extra features that will make your next family adventure hassle-free.

1. Lotus Travel Crib

Whether you’re driving to grandma’s house or flying to an exciting vacation destination, the Lotus Travel Crib is all about convenience.

The Lotus travel crib is not only super light (weighing just 13 lbs), but unlike other portable cribs, it’s specifically designed for air travel! The backpack-style, compact carry bag is made to fit within carry-on standards, so you can take it with you everywhere your little one goes.

When it’s set up (which only takes 15 seconds), the Lotus Travel Crib dimensions are 45.5 x 31.5 x 25.5 inches. It has see-through mesh sides to keep an eye on your little one and a padded mattress that makes naptime and nighttime cozy.

We also love that the Lotus Travel Crib handles multiple baby stages! It doubles as a portable crib and play yard that your tyke can use from infancy to 3 years.

Another thing that sets this one apart from other travel baby cribs is the side zipper door. Rather than lowering your sleeping baby into the bottom of the crib, you can interact with them from the floor level to nurse, play, or snuggle with them until they fall asleep.

But don’t just take our word for it. With 4.8-star travel crib reviews, the Lotus Travel Crib is a top contender for the best portable crib available.

2. Graco Pack n Play

Our next choice is the Graco Pack n Play On the Go Play Yard. While it’s a bit on the heavy side compared to the Lotus Travel Crib at 21 lbs, this pack n play is a great option to throw in the car for long vacations or visiting family. And we love that it adjusts to grow with infants to older babies with a removable bassinet.

The Graco Pack n Play starts as a full-size travel bassinet, complete with a toy bar. This makes it easy to reach your little ones and keep an eye on them. As your baby grows, just take out the bassinet and let them enjoy the play yard with breathable mesh panels.

Some of the other features we like about the Graco Pack n Play include the folding feet and wheels, a side storage pouch, and the easy push-button folding. When it’s time to move, the bed folds down with the bassinet to zip up into the convenient travel bag with a carrying handle.

Parents absolutely love the sturdiness of the Graco Pack n Play as well, and many have commented that it lasted for years, even with daily use!

3. Graco Travel Lite Crib

We have another top pick from this brand with the Graco Travel Lite Crib. It has similar features to the Graco Pack n Play but comes with a few extra perks that you’ll love in a portable travel crib. It also gets fantastic travel crib reviews with an average of 4.8 stars.

Like the Graco Pack n Play, the Graco Travel Lite Crib includes a removable bassinet with a toy bar. However, the Graco Travel Lite Crib allows you to adjust the bassinet height to accommodate newborn babies (up to 15 lbs) and the infant stage (up to 20 lbs)! Once your child outgrows the infant bassinet, you can take it out to let them enjoy the cozy play yard.

The bassinet and play yard offer a safe sleeping environment for your baby with a sturdy base, soft mattress, and easy visibility through the mesh sides.

The play yard is 20% smaller than Graco’s standard pack n play dimensions, allowing it to fit more easily into your accommodations. It also includes wheels for easy mobility.

When it’s time to move, the crib folds down with the push of a button and stores in a compact carry bag. It’s a bit heavy at 19 lbs, but it offers a sturdy and flexible sleeping space that you’ll appreciate on all your trips.

4. Babybjorn Travel Crib Light

The Babybjorn Travel Crib Light is another of our favorite picks. It’s a bit pricey, but parents love the thick mattress, quick setup, and fantastic portability. It’s also one of the lightest travel cribs out there at 13 lbs, matching the Lotus Travel Crib.

This travel crib works for newborn babies to toddlers and has no upper weight limit. The Babybjorn Travel Crib Light folds down and sets up in seconds and tucks away into a tote-style carrying bag for easy transportation.

The Babybjorn Travel Crib Light has breathable mesh sides to help your baby sleep comfortably and give you good visibility and an extra-thick mattress to make this travel crib exceptionally cozy.

All in all, the Babybjorn Travel Crib Light is very simple, but it’s certainly a top contender for the best portable crib.

5. Kidco Peapod Travel Bed

If you’re in the market for something designed for older babies and toddlers, try the Kidco Peapod Travel Bed. This ingenious baby travel bed functions like a little pop-up tent and folds into a travel bag about the size of a frisbee! And at only 2.45 lbs, it’s a no-brainer to toss into your carry-on.

This particular travel crib is an excellent alternative to a pack n play when you want something lighter or easier to get your child in and out of. While you won’t want to use it for long trips, the Kidco Peapod Travel Bed is great for weekend trips, picnics, and even the beach.

It has UV protection and anchor straps that make it perfect for outdoor use, unlike most other travel cribs. It also includes a Micro-lite sleeping pad and zip-close opening to keep your baby sleeping soundly.

This is pretty much the best portable crib for day-use and quick trips, and it works with kids up to 3 years old! Plus, you could pack this in addition to a larger travel crib for naptimes while you’re out and about.

6. Munchkin Brica Fold n Go

If you like the idea of the Kidco Peapod but want one for your infant, try the Munchkin Brica Fold n Go.

This travel bassinet is specifically designed for newborns and infants up to three months old or 15 lbs. While it lacks the versatility of many of the larger travel cribs we’ve discussed, it makes up for that in portability.

The Munchkin Brica Fold n Go travel bassinet weighs less than 3 lbs, folds flat for easy storage, and has a carrying handle. It includes a mattress pad and a fitted sheet, and the design has mesh sides to provide good airflow. We also like that it features a four-point T-safe locking system, so you know your baby is secure.

This is another excellent option for beaches, picnics, and other short trips that don’t require a larger travel crib. Or, pack it in addition to the travel crib you plan to keep at your accommodations for day use.

7. Chicco Lullago Portable Bassinet

Our final pick for the best travel crib is the Chicco Lullago Portable Bassinet. It’s a fantastic and budget-friendly option for parents that want a dedicated baby travel crib for their newborn babies and infants. This is the lightest travel crib at 12 lbs and is GreenGuard Gold Certified.

Plus, it’s designed to take up minimal space while still providing a safe and comfy sleeping space. The crib dimensions are only 30x18x28, making it a fantastic choice for tight hotel rooms, and the flat-pack design is easy to toss (or keep) in the car for a road trip.

This travel bed is more involved with setup, but you’ll appreciate the sturdy, snap-on legs that elevate your baby to a more reachable height. The waterproof sleeping pad provides a firm, flat sleeping surface, and the mesh sides provide airflow and visibility.

We also love that this streamlined bassinet has a built-in storage pocket for essentials and that the crib folds flat into the included carry bag.

FAQs About the Best Travel Cribs

If you’re considering a travel crib for your next trip, you may have some questions. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the best travel cribs:

What is the best travel crib for airplane use?

The Babybjorn Travel Crib Light is our top pick for the best travel crib for airplane use. It’s incredibly lightweight and easy to set up, making it a great choice for travel.

What is the best travel crib for toddlers?

The Kidco Peapod Travel Bed is our top pick for the best travel crib for toddlers. It’s a lightweight and portable pop-up bed that’s perfect for short trips or days spent outdoors.

Can a baby sleep in a travel crib every night?

While travel cribs are great for short trips, we wouldn’t recommend using them as your child’s primary sleeping space. For longer stays, we suggest using a larger, more traditional travel bed.

What is the best budget-friendly travel crib?

The Munchkin Brica Fold N’ Go Travel Bassinet is our top pick for the best budget-friendly travel crib. It’s lightweight, portable, and easy to set up, making it a great choice for short trips or days spent outdoors.

Do I need a travel crib if my baby has a regular crib at home?

If you’ll be traveling with your baby, we recommend bringing along a travel crib. Travel cribs are designed to be lightweight and portable, making them a great option for hotel rooms or days spent outdoors. Plus, they provide a safe and comfortable sleeping space for your little one.

Do all travel cribs come with mattresses?

No, not all travel cribs come with mattresses. Some travel cribs, like the Babybjorn Travel Crib Light, come with a mattress, while others do not. Be sure to check the product description to see if a mattress is included.

What are the dimensions of a travel crib?

Travel cribs vary in size, but most are designed to be lightweight and portable. The dimensions of a travel crib will depend on the specific model, so be sure to check the product description before making your purchase.

How do I clean a travel crib?

Travel cribs can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for care and cleaning.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect travel crib doesn’t have to be challenging, but you should seriously consider your travel style when making the decisions. Be sure to choose a portable crib that accommodates your child’s age, the way you most frequently travel, and the space restrictions of the places you stay at. Then, decide which one of these travel cribs fits your family the best. Your next adventure will be a blast when everyone has the ideal place to sleep!