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The 15 Best Baby Beds for Travel

Whether you’re camping with your children, staying with family, booking a hotel room, or renting a house, figuring out where your baby will sleep (let alone getting them to doze off!) is complicated. Sometimes using a hotel crib is an option, but in most cases, parents need to bring a travel baby bed along to accommodate naps and overnights. 

For families looking for a bassinet, a pack-and-play, or a clever product that can serve as both, we’ve rounded up the 15 best baby travel beds on the market. As parents who travel frequently with young kids, we’ve opted for solutions that are lightweight, compact, safe, and easy to use. 

The Winning Lineup: Our Favorite Baby Travel Beds 

Best Baby Travel Beds

Along with their approximate costs, here are our 15 favorite baby travel beds: 

Bassinets: 

Playards: 

Bassinet-and-playard combinations: 

Detailed Buying Guide for the Best Baby Travel Beds

Before you “add to cart,” take a look at all the detailed specifications and special features that earned these bassinets and playards (aka pack-and-plays) a spot on our winning list.

Best bassinets for travel 

Best Baby Travel Beds

Best overall: Chicco LullaGo Nest Portable Bassinet

  • Approximate Price: $160
  • Assembled dimensions: 35” by 21.5” by 44.3” 
  • Folded dimensions: 8” by 22” by 20”
  • Weight: 17 pounds
  • Age range: Newborn to 20 pounds, or when the infant pushes up on their hands and knees
  • Machine-washable fabrics?: Yes
  • Mattress cover or sheet included?: Yes

We can confirm from experience that the Chicco LullaGo Nest is a durable, spacious bassinet that folds flat in under a minute. It sports an adjustable canopy with removable hanging toys, an outer pocket for extra sheets and pacifiers, and an included storage bag. Although it’s a bit bulky for air travel, we love this bassinet for use at home and for road trips. Read our full review here

Sturdiest: Dream on Me Poppy Traveler Portable Bassinet 

  • Approximate Price: $70
  • Assembled dimensions: 36” by 19” by 27” 
  • Folded dimensions: 32.5” by 19” by 10” 
  • Weight: 13.2 pounds
  • Age range: Newborn to 3 months, or when the infant rolls over or pushes up on their hands and knees
  • Machine-washable fabrics?: Yes
  • Mattress cover or sheet included?: Yes

The Poppy has the highest weight limit of all the bassinets on our list, supporting babies up to 25 pounds. It features an included carry bag and wraparound mesh sidewalls. Parents can choose from four attractive colors. 

Best canopy: Delta Children EZ Fold Ultra Compact Travel Bassinet

  • Approximate Price: $80
  • Assembled dimensions: 41.7” by 20.7” by 24.8” 
  • Folded dimensions: 20.5” by 8.3” by 26.8”
  • Weight: 13.1 pounds
  • Age range: Newborn to 15 pounds, or when the infant pushes up on their hands and knees
  • Machine-washable fabrics?: Yes
  • Mattress cover or sheet included?: Yes

The EZ Fold, a full-size bassinet with an ultra-compact fold, is our only raised bassinet pick with a zip-off mesh canopy that covers the entire sleeping area. Delta Children includes a travel bag and sheet with purchase. 

Best for strollers: UPPAbaby Bassinet 

  • Approximate Price: $200
  • Assembled dimensions: 30.3” by 16.6” by 24.8” 
  • Folded dimensions: 30.3” by 16.6” by 5”
  • Weight: 8.8 pounds
  • Age range: Birth to 20 pounds, or when the infant pushes up on their hands and knees
  • Machine-washable fabrics?: No
  • Mattress cover or sheet included?: Yes

We included this stroller bassinet on our list because it’s a newborn essential that many parents are already packing for travel day without realizing that it doubles as an overnight sleep solution. This bassinet is compatible with UPPAbaby’s popular Vista, Minu, Cruz, and Ridge strollers. For parents who would rather not place it on the floor inside, the brand sells a chic bassinet stand that doubles as a hamper.

Though not as compact as some others on our list, this bassinet collapses for travel and comes in 10 modern color choices. It boasts an extendable, UPF-50 sun shade, a breathable mattress pad with a vented base, and a bug shield. Although the mattress cover is machine-washable, the canopy and sidewalls are not. 

Lightest weight: Munchkin Brica Travel Pod 

  • Approximate Price: $48
  • Assembled dimensions: 30” by 21.3” by 11.8” 
  • Folded dimensions: 20.2” by 3.8” by 22.1”
  • Weight: 2.5 pounds!
  • Age range: Newborn to 15 pounds, or when the infant pushes up on their hands and knees
  • Machine-washable fabrics?: No
  • Mattress cover or sheet included?: Yes

Munchkin’s Travel Pod is reminiscent of a tiny, one-person tent for an infant. It has removable mesh panels and a locking steel frame, and it weighs less than three pounds! The portable bed fastens shut when folded flat and sports a carry handle for transporting. Although the included sheet is machine-washable, the bed’s other fabrics are spot-clean only.

Munchkin recommends adult supervision for babies sleeping in the Travel Pod, but it’s a great solution for naps outside the home.

Best playards for travel

Best Baby Travel Beds

Best overall: Guava Lotus Travel Crib 

  • Approximate Price: $230
  • Assembled dimensions: 45.5” by 31.5” by 25.5”
  • Folded dimensions: 24” by 12” by 8”
  • Weight: 15 pounds
  • Age range: Newborn to age 3, or when the child can climb out
  • Machine-washable fabrics?: Yes
  • Mattress cover or sheet included?: No 

The Guava has an included backpack-style travel bag that keeps hands free at the airport, an easy setup for families on the go, and a sturdy frame with no weight limit. Our favorite feature is its large, zip-down door on one side that makes it easy for parents to place younger babies on the mattress or soothe little ones back to sleep. Read our full review of the Guava here.

Most portable: BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light

  • Approximate Price: $300
  • Assembled dimensions: 32” by 44” by 24”
  • Folded dimensions: 19” by 23.5” by 5.5”
  • Weight: 13 pounds
  • Age range: Newborn to age 3, or when the child can climb out
  • Machine-washable fabrics?: Yes
  • Mattress cover or sheet included?: Yes

The combination of the BabyBjörn’s light weight and compact fold make it the most portable pack-and-play on our list. Similar in appearance to the Guava, the BabyBjörn sports mesh sidewalls, an included carry bag, and a padded mattress with no weight limit. Parents can assemble the bed in one simple step, and a fitted sheet is included with purchase. 

Simplest setup: 4moms Breeze Go Portable Travel Playard

  • Approximate Price: $240
  • Assembled dimensions: 43” by 30” by 29”
  • Folded dimensions: 12” by 12” by 30”
  • Weight: 23 pounds
  • Age range: Newborn to 30 pounds
  • Machine-washable fabrics?: No
  • Mattress cover or sheet included?: No

Although it’s heavier than the other pack-and-plays on our list, the 4moms Breeze Go is the perfect pick for car travel. Parents simply need to press down on the playard’s center to open it, and then pull on a tab on the playard’s base to fold it again. The Breeze Go boasts a water-resistant mattress, an included travel bag, and wipe-clean fabrics throughout. 

Best value: Chicco Alfa Lite Lightweight Travel Playard

  • Approximate Price: $170
  • Assembled dimensions: 43” by 29” by 25” 
  • Folded dimensions: 24” by 9” by 22” 
  • Weight: 13 pounds
  • Age range: Newborn to 30 pounds or 35” tall 
  • Machine-washable fabrics?: Yes
  • Mattress cover or sheet included?: Yes

If you’re looking for an affordable pack-and-play with high-quality features, the Chicco has a simple setup, a zip-down sidewall, and a middle-of-the-road price tag. A padded mattress, machine-washable mattress cover, and a zippered travel bag come with purchase. 

Most spacious: Newton Baby Travel Crib and Play Yard

  • Approximate Price: $300
  • Assembled dimensions: 51” by 34.5” by 28.5” 
  • Folded dimensions: 35” by 12.5” by 11” 
  • Weight: 17 pounds
  • Age range: Newborn until the child pulls up on the sidewalls and tries to climb out
  • Machine-washable fabrics?: Yes
  • Mattress cover or sheet included?: Yes

Newton Baby’s Travel Crib has a larger playard mattress than any other on our list, making it a great choice for older toddlers. Although it takes a few steps to assemble, it features a lightweight steel frame, mesh sides, a travel bag, and a washable, breathable mattress without a weight limit. 

Most budget-friendly: Graco Pack ‘n Play Portable Playard

  • Approximate Price: $70
  • Assembled dimensions: 39.5” by 28.3” by 29” 
  • Folded dimensions: 10.3” by 10.3” by 28” 
  • Weight: 18.7 pounds
  • Age range: Newborn to 30 pounds or 35” tall, or when the child can climb out
  • Machine-washable fabrics?: No
  • Mattress cover or sheet included?: Yes

With its zippered carry bag, four neutral color options, clutch storage pouch, and simple, push-button fold, it’s hard to beat the Graco’s thoughtful features and low price. Wheels on two of the pack-and-play’s legs make it easy to roll through the house.

Best bassinet-and-playard combination products

Best overall: UPPAbaby Remi Travel Crib & Playard

  • Approximate Price: $300
  • Assembled dimensions: 40.5” by 26” by 28.5” 
  • Folded dimensions: 11” by 10” by 28” 
  • Weight: 20 pounds
  • Age range:
    • Bassinet mode: Newborn to 20 pounds
    • Playard mode: Newborn to 35” tall, or until the child can climb out
  • Machine-washable fabrics?: No
  • Mattress cover or sheet included?: Yes

Your tiny tot will sleep soundly on the Remi’s temperature-regulated, mesh mattress. The Remi has four modern color choices, a lightweight frame, a lower-back–saving bassinet attachment, an organic mattress cover, an included storage bag, and that crucial zip-down wall for soothing baby overnight. Although most fabrics are spot-clean only, the Remi mattress is machine-washable.

Most versatile: Phil & Teds Traveller Crib

  • Approximate Price: $280
  • Assembled dimensions: 44” by 35” by 25”
  • Folded dimensions: 27” by 7” by 7”
  • Weight: 8.5 pounds in bassinet mode, 7.5 pounds in playard mode
  • Age range:
    • Bassinet mode: Newborn to age 5 months or 20 pounds, or when the infant rolls over or pushes up on their hands and knees 
    • Playard mode: Newborn to age 4
  • Machine-washable fabrics?: No
  • Mattress cover or sheet included?: Yes

The Traveller has the flexibility of serving as a stand-alone bassinet, a bedside sleeper, and a traditional pack-and-play with a self-inflating mattress. This playard as a zip-down wall, an included carry bag with a shoulder strap, and folding legs that can be pegged into the ground for use outside. A bug shield is available separately.

Quickest fold and unfold: Bugaboo Stardust Playard

  • Approximate Price: $339
  • Assembled dimensions: 38.8” by 25” by 33.5” 
  • Folded dimensions: 25.6” by 5.5” by 33.5” 
  • Weight: 17.2 pounds
  • Age range:
    • Bassinet mode: Newborn to 19.8 pounds
    • Playard mode: Newborn to age 2, or 33 pounds or 35” tall
  • Machine-washable fabrics?: Yes
  • Mattress cover or sheet included?: No

Available in gray or black, the Stardust is easy to unclip and pop open in one second. It folds flat and slides into its included velcro bag for travel. Parents can set the mattress to bassinet height or playard height depending on their child’s age.

High-end pick: Nuna Sena Aire Travel Crib

  • Approximate Price: $380
  • Assembled dimensions: 41.3” by 30” by 29” 
  • Folded dimensions: 11” by 13” by 31.5” 
  • Weight: 22 pounds (without bassinet attachment)
  • Age range:
    • Bassinet mode: Newborn to 15 pounds, or when the infant pushes up on their hands and knees 
    • Playard mode: Newborn to 30 pounds or 35” tall, or when the child can climb out
  • Machine-washable fabrics?: No
  • Mattress cover or sheet included?: Yes

Although it comes with a high price tag, the Nuna has all the bells and whistles. It comes with an organic cotton sheet, an insect net, a bassinet attachment, a durable travel bag, and a vented mattress that pulls heat and humidity away from tiny sleepers. This bed opens in seconds and folds down with one hand, even with the bassinet attached. Although the mattress cover is machine washable, the Nuna’s other fabrics are not.

The Final Verdict: The Best Baby Travel Beds

Best Baby Travel Beds

We hope our guide helped point you toward a simple sleeping solution for your youngster on your next trip. Our favorites from personal experience are the Guava Lotus Travel Crib and the Chicco LullaGo Nest

If you’re looking for a baby bed that will last through toddlerhood, read up on our favorite toddler travel beds. As you venture out with your family by car or plane, don’t forget to check out our guides on other essential baby gear, including travel baby carriers, strollers, high chairs, and car seat bags.

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