6 Best Baby Playpens, Tested by Parents and Their Toddlers

From safety and versatility to style and ease of use, the Skip Hop Expandable Enclosure stands out from the pack across all categories. Right out of the box, our product tester Chelsea told us that it was a breeze to use. It only took her five minutes to assemble, and once it was set up Chelsea said, “it was super easy to take my baby in and out of the playpen—there’s a door that swings open or I could easily lift my child in and out.” The door can be opened or closed via a babyproof button on the top, so you can rest assured your little Houdini won’t be able to escape. And when it was time to put the playpen away, she praised the easy, compact fold.

Of course safety is always going to be top of mind for parents, and Chelsea was also impressed by the Skip Hop Expandable Enclosure’s secure, stable design. “When my baby leaned or pushed against the sides, it didn’t move,” she told us. Our survey showed that 86 percent of parents from The Bump community chose a baby playpen that allowed them to easily keep an eye on their child—and this option definitely meets that need. “I love how all of the sides are mesh so that my baby can easily be seen at all times. Being made of mesh, it is also completely breathable,” Chelsea added.

If that’s not all, the Skip Hop Expandable Enclosure can easily be adjusted to meet your family’s changing needs. Chelsea told us that all three of her kiddos (ranging from a 10-month-old to an almost 7-year-old) could play in it at once. She particularly loved how you can adapt the playpen to fit the room your child is playing in, telling us: “At first, I used all of the sides fastened together to create a big play space in the middle of our living room. I then took it apart and moved it to our basement and attached it to the wall so that there is a permanent play space that is safe for my baby.” Talk about versatility!

This minimalist playpen for babies has a gray-and-white color scheme that’s sure to blend in with your home decor. Chelsea told us that she “loved the neutral style and colors of this playpen,” and we totally agree! The simple design also takes seconds to wipe down when needed and doesn’t have a lot of nooks and crannies that would make it tricky to clean. It doesn’t come with a mat or a travel bag, which may be a downside for some parents—but, all in all, our tester described these as the only drawbacks she could see in a playpen that offered safety and convenience at a reasonable price.

Tester assembly time: 5 minutes | Dimensions (open): 35.8" (L) x 2" (W) x 27.6" (H) | Dimensions (folded): N/A | Weight: 25 lbs. | Age rating: 6+ months

According to our survey, 25 percent of parents looked for a baby playpen that could be used outdoors. If you fall into that category, the Veer Basecamp Playard will check all the boxes on your list. Setup is simple—thanks to a pop-open design—and the six stakes and four sandbags included will keep it in place against even the strongest winds when used outside. “It opens with one motion and is all in one piece,” our product tester Megan told us. And when it’s time to pack it up, disassembly is just as straightforward. “I love that it’s very easy to pick up, carry and move the playard from place to place especially if you are carrying other baby/kids’ items. It’s only about two feet long folded up and makes traveling very easy,” Megan said.

The Veer Basecamp is packed with plenty of features you and your kiddo will appreciate on your outdoor adventures. A UPF 50 sun cover provides protection from harmful rays, while the tight-knit mesh keeps insects out and your kiddos safely inside. Other standout qualities include the travel bag for easy transportation, the moisture-resistant base to keep your belongings dry and the mesh sides (complete with a zippered doorway) that will allow you to watch your little one from all angles. “It’s very easy to keep an eye on your child because you can see right through it and can be zipped inside,” agreed Megan.

Whether used inside or out, this tent can fit multiple kiddos, making it a great option for families with several siblings and cousins or who love hosting playdates. As a mom of 11-month-old twins, Megan appreciated that her infants “both had enough room to move around and play.” In particular, she praised how "versatile enough /[it was] to use at home, on the go and more," giving it top scores across categories like ease of use, portability, effectiveness, design and value. So, if you’re on the hunt for an outdoor playpen this summer, the Veer Basecamp is truly a must-have.

Tester assembly time: N/A | Dimensions (open): 56" (L) x 43" (W) x 35" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 36" (L) x 6" (W) | Weight: 7 lbs. | Age rating: 0 to 5 years

Baby playpens come in all shapes, sizes and colors, but not all of them come packed with bonus play features like this option from Fortella. The fun-filled design isn’t your average infant playpen; it’s complete with built-in activities to keep your little one engaged as you work through your at-home to-do list. 42 percent of parents who responded to our survey told us they looked for play elements when picking a playpen—and our product tester Meredith was a fan of what this option offered. “My baby is happy to have all the room to move about and play with his toys without feeling too ‘contained,’” she told us, adding, “The playpen has an activity wall that my baby loves to play with. The squeaky stars are his favorite.” Better yet, it even has a whiteboard panel for drawing.

That said, this foldable playpen isn’t just about fun and games. It also has all of the specs and safety features you’d expect to find in a solid playpen. Unfolded, it offers 25 square feet of play space, making it a great option for parents with multiple kiddos or looking for a larger structure. It has a gate that can be locked and opened when needed. “I feel that my baby is safely contained when inside of the playpen, and I can easily open and close the door to access my baby or just reach over the wall and pick him up,” Meredith explained. Even though the walls are opaque, she told us that “they’re low enough that I can easily see over the sides to see inside.”

At first glance, this large playpen may seem bulkier than other options on our list, but Meredith told us that didn’t affect assembly at all. “It took less than one minute to set up the playpen. I was so pleasantly surprised to find that the playpen has a fold-out function. It required no tools,” she praised. Additionally, Meredith reported it was also super easy to put away when not in use. “The baby playpen even has carrying handles to make it effortless to fold up and carry about the house or even pack it into the car for an outing to the park. It folds up into a tiny footprint, and we easily store it in the corner of our living room without it taking up hardly any room,” she explained. Fortella may not be a brand you’re familiar with, but we’re here to say that it should be on your radar—especially if you’re in the market for an infant playpen.

Tester assembly time: Under 1 minute | Dimensions (open): 60" (L) x 60" (W) x 24.4" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 28.6" (L) x 11.6" (W) x 24.4" (H) | Weight: 34.9 lbs. | Age rating: 6 months to 3 years

Most baby playpens are made of a combination of fabric and mesh with internal steel frames. However, if you’d prefer a wooden option, this design from Sinda Furniture will be a surefire winner. Our product tester Jen was a big fan of its style, which is an important consideration when choosing baby gear with a large footprint, like a playpen. “I think it’s very sleek and blends well into a room,” she told us. The look of this playpen also received high praise in our survey—the simple but attractive design is crafted from high-quality New Zealand pine wood that’s durable and finished with a non-toxic polish for added peace of mind.

This folding playpen is super versatile, thanks to its adjustable design. It comprises eight panels that can be configured to your liking—whether that be a square, a rectangle or even an L-shape. Plus, it can fit more than one kiddo at a time. Jen highly praised this option’s adaptability, saying: “At first I used it inside and had it set up as a square due to the size of my room. Then I tried it again outside, and used it as a rectangle which was huge. This is great for parents who have different needs as well as when the child grows too.”

This stylish infant playpen isn’t just nice to look at—it’s also complete with a number of safety features. “This playpen will definitely keep your baby inside and older kids out. The sides are quite tall, so my 3-year-old couldn’t climb over the top unlike with my more soft breathable playpen,” Jen told us. She also noted that when set up as a square, the only way for baby to get in or out is by a parent lifting them. Although when you use the playpen in another shape, there’s a gate that can be opened or closed for added convenience. All in all, this is a great choice for parents who are looking for style that doesn’t skimp on safety.

Tester assembly time: 5 to 10 minutes | Dimensions (open): 78.7" (L) x 70.9" (W) x 24" (H) | Dimensions (folded): N/A | Weight: 25.3 lbs. | Age rating: N/A

Our community says:

Baby playpens tend to come at a higher price point, but this option from Evenflo shows that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a high-quality design. Whether in your living room, at the beach or anywhere in between, you can set up a safe play zone in minutes with this foldable baby playpen. The eight-panel structure is easily adjustable and has a unique hinge system—so configuring it to meet your family’s ever-changing needs won’t be an issue.

Our product tester Firdausi was a big fan of this playpen’s adaptability. “I love that the size of the playpen is customizable. I’m able to make it bigger when we have more space, and when we’re in a smaller space I can make it smaller by removing some pieces,” she told us. While it doesn’t have a dedicated doorway, any panel can be turned into an access point for your kiddo by simply lifting the molded handle. Even better, the playpen offers 34.5 square feet of space for your little one, so they’ll have plenty of room for playtime, and retractable stakes that can be put into sand or soil for outdoor use. And Firdausi loved how easy this foldable playpen was to move from place to place. “It’s very compact and lightweight for traveling. You can adjust it based on the size of your space,” she told us.

Last but definitely not least, Firdausi appreciated how secure and stable this playpen for babies is. “My baby loves grabbing onto walls and surfaces to pull herself up, and the playpen was sturdy enough to withstand her weight.” She also told us: “I love that it’s escape-proof. I can lift my child in and out with ease.” All that’s to say—this product proves that high-quality playpens for babies don’t have to break the bank!

Tester assembly time: Under 1 minute | Dimensions (open): 34.5" (L) x 10" (W) x 27.8" (H) | Dimensions (folded): N/A | Weight: 16.9 lbs. | Age rating: 6 months to 2 years

Our community says:

If your family loves spending time in the fresh air, an outdoor baby playpen can really make all the difference—especially when you need to free up your hands for a few minutes. Take this top-rated option from Summer Infant, for instance, which is budget-friendly to boot. Right off the bat, parents love that this foldable baby playpen is a breeze to assemble. “This was the easiest setup I’ve ever had with a playard,” our product tester, Kristina, raved.

When it's time to take this infant playpen on the go, you can fold it back up in no time, thanks to the intuitive pop-up design. “The playpen folds up wonderfully so it’s very thin and easy to store,” Kristina said. She also told us “it was much lighter than expected!” Weighing just 12 pounds, the travel-friendly structure is easy to carry. Plus, it comes with a travel bag complete with shoulder straps which are sure to come in handy when your hands are full en route to the park, beach or anywhere in between.

No matter where you spend the day, you can count on this versatile playpen to meet your needs. Kristina told us that “the playard adjusts perfectly to fit any terrain it encounters. The flexible sides also allow for that adaptability.” Moreover, she said: “This playard gave my baby way more space. She loved that there were so many angles to look over.” This travel-friendly playpen also has a water-resistant floor to keep baby dry, even if it’s set up on damp sand or grass.

Even though this outdoor playpen is budget-friendly doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on high-quality features. The hexagonal structure offers 14 square feet for baby to crawl and explore, while the 26-inch sides prevent them from leaving the safe play space. Kristina loved how spacious this playpen was and said it could fit three kids at once, making it a great option for families with multiple kiddos. She also appreciated how secure it was; when her 10-month-old tried climbing on it, it didn’t budge! Plus, the mesh walls make it easy to keep a watchful eye on your little one. The bottom line? This affordable playpen for babies is a breeze to travel with, whether you’re going near or far.

Tester assembly time: N/A | Dimensions (open): 48" (L) x 48" (W) x 26" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 7.5" (L) x 7.5" (W) x 38" (H) | Weight: 12 lbs. | Age rating: 6 months to 2 years