Is the Slumbertot Worth It? I Tried it to Find Out

I’ve tested a lot of baby and toddler travel gear over the years, from foldable cribs to car seats that supposedly fit in an overhead bin (looking at you, WayB Pico). Some things work great in theory but fail spectacularly in practice, while others are just marketing hype wrapped in a layer of frustration (ahem, flyaway bed). So when I heard about the SlumberTot, a portable travel bed for that transition between hotel crib and hotel bed, I was intrigued.

For those who haven’t been bombarded by targeted Instagram ads, the SlumberTot is a lightweight, foldable sleep solution designed for toddlers on the go. It’s supposed to be easy to set up, comfortable, and compact enough to bring anywhere. In theory, it sounds perfect. But does it live up to the hype? Here’s the good, the bad, and the reality check:

TL;DR It’s been great so far, and for Slumberpod devotees, is probably a must (Get it, and use code BEMYTRAVELMUSE for 20% off). For everyone else, there are probably cheaper alternatives that are just as good.

The Setup

The SlumberTot arrives in a travel-friendly bag that’s nice and compact. I’ve schlepped my fair share of baby gear through airports, and anything that doesn’t require an extra baggage fee is a win in my book. Setting it up is relatively straightforward—unzip, unfold, and let the built-in pump do its thing. It inflates quickly, though it’s kinda hard to plug before all the air runs out.

The design is good, with raised sides to prevent rolling, a soft mattress pad, and since it comes in two parts, it distributes weight a bit better than it of were one unit IMO. It looked cozy, and I was cautiously optimistic.

The Pros

First, let’s talk about the good. The SlumberTot is lightweight and easy to carry, which is a huge plus. It fits easily into the trunk of a car and doesn’t take up too much space in a hotel room. Compared to some bulkier travel beds, this one is refreshingly compact.

The built-in mattress pad is thick enough to keep things comfortable without needing extra padding, and the raised edges do help contain an active sleeper, which mine is!

Another plus? It’s relatively easy to clean. Unlike pack-and-plays that seem to collect crumbs and mysterious toddler debris in unreachable crevices, the SlumberTot’s surface wipes down easily. I do recommend using a crib mattress to give it a more familiar feeling for your toddler.

Use code BEMYTRAVELMUSE for 20% off.

The Cons

Now for the drawbacks, because no travel product is perfect, and this one is no exception.

We haven’t experienced this, but some families comment that they need to patch holes. We used it for two weeks in Costa Rica and didn’t have any issues, but I’ll keep you updated if anything changes as we use it.

The biggest con, though, is the longevity. While it works well for younger toddlers, older or taller kids might find it a bit cramped. The weight limit is generous, but the length is where it starts to fall short. If you’re hoping this will last for years of travel, you might find yourself upgrading sooner than expected (and saying goodbye to the Slumberpod too for the same reason).

Is it Worth Buying?

So, did my toddler sleep like a dream in the SlumberTot? It worked well for us! The first night was a bit of an adjustment— we learned that the Slumberpod is still great to have around the bed for an extra feeling of being in a cocoon, but my son didn’t want us to zip it. This still worked for us and he slept through the night on the trip, just like he does at home.

Would I recommend it? For us right now, it’s the only option I can think of when we travel. The combo is working well for us, and I hope it’ll work until he’s ready for a standard bed (maybe with a blow up bumper).

Use code BEMYTRAVELMUSE for 20% off.

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