The Best Travel Cribs, Tested by Babies on the Go

Some products simply excel in all areas, and the Silver Cross Sleep & Go Travel Crib is one of those. As a travel crib and bassinet it provides a safe sleep space for newborns and older babies, and as a play space it offers children a spacious and sturdy environment—and it does it all with quality construction, helpful features and an easy carry. I awarded the Sleep & Go a 10 out of 10 score in portability, effectiveness, features and design, and value for money, and this high performance across a wide range of categories helped make the Silver Cross Sleep & Go the Best of The Bump winner for overall best travel crib. (See all of this year’s Best of The Bump winners.)

The set-up and break-down process stood out during testing in my home. I usually prefer travel cribs that fold up into the mattress for easy containment, but even though this one folds up and is placed on top of the mattress in the carry bag, I was impressed by how easy this product was to pack. In around 20 seconds I can set up this travel crib by simply straightening the legs until they click and lock in place.

Once the crib was packed away, transportation was easy. (A must for travel!) The strap of the bag was the perfect length and made carrying it comfortable and easy, whereas other similar products can feel awkward or uncomfortable to haul around. The carry bag, like the crib inside it, felt like a quality product that will withstand being moved around regularly. And at a little over 15 pounds, this was one of the lightest cribs we tested. Not the lightest, but close.

Although the bassinet is smaller than many travel crib bassinets, it would comfortably fit a newborn during the first several weeks. We found the lower travel crib to be better suited for our 2-month-old, and although she couldn’t make full use of the lower setting as a playard yet, our 3-year-old enjoyed that the side could be unzipped, allowing him to crawl in and out of it as he pleased. In the spacious play area he had plenty of room to make a little fort, which he covered with a blanket and filled with stuffed animals, books and pillows (which we of course removed before it was time for baby to sleep again).

The Sleep & Go retails at about $300, which is pricier than many other travel cribs on the market. But in my opinion, it’s well worth the money. Between the versatile 3-in-1 design and the high quality of the materials and construction, I foresee getting years of use out of this crib with my family.

Dimensions (open): 44" (L) x 31.5" (W) x 26.4" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 35” (L) x 13.4” (W) x 6.7” (H) | Weight: 15.2 lbs. | Weight capacity (crib): 50 lbs. | Weight capacity (bassinet): 20 lbs.

If you're looking for a pint-sized sleeping space for camping trips or naps in the park, the Munchkin Brica Fold ‘n Go Baby Travel Pod may be the option for you. Like the name implies, it's more of a portable cocoon than a full-on crib, making it ideal for newborns and younger babies who aren't yet pushing up or trying to roll over.

The Fold ‘n Go, which lays flat on the ground, can be quickly set up on a picnic blanket or beach towel with the touch of a button. “It took maybe one full minute to set it up and break it down,” reported our product tester Julie, giving the Brica Fold ‘n Go a 10 out of 10 score for ease of use. It's also ultra lightweight (just 3 pounds!). “This was especially helpful since I haven't yet gained my full strength back postpartum,” she added. The mesh sides also offer breathability while allowing you to easily peek in at baby (we know you’ll be doing a lot of that!).

The Brica Fold ‘n Go also earned a 10 out of 10 score for effectiveness—Julie told us that her child “settled well after just a minute and slept regularly.” In short, it's a great, easy option for newborn snoozes. This Best of The Bump winner for best travel bassinet offers a great option for little nappers who will move on to a bigger travel crib once they’re able to start pushing up.

Dimensions (open): 30" (L) x 21.3" (W) x 11.8" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 16.9" (L) x 5" (W) x 20.7" (H) | Weight: 3 lbs. | Weight capacity: 15 lbs.

Flying with a baby in tow can come with its share of stresses, but the Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib will at least make things easier, thanks to its lightweight, compact fold-down size, included travel bag that can be worn as a backpack(!) and the fact that you can take it onto the plane as carry-on luggage.

"I can’t lift very heavy things, and I find myself picking this up with no problem,” our tester Imari reported, giving the Lotus 10 out of 10 for ease of use and portability. “The shape is great and very flat.” And she’s not kidding: This highly portable travel crib folds down to just half its full size. Its light weight and compact size make the Lotus easy to hoist up into a plane’s overhead compartment; in fact, this crib meets the FAA’s carry-on specifications so you can board with it in-hand.

Once you reach your destination, the easy-to-set-up crib doubles as a play space to keep your cutie (and their toys) contained. A convenient side-zipper feature makes it easy for older babies and toddlers to climb out on their own (once you unzip it), which means less lifting for you; it’s also a handy feature for shorter parents and caregivers who struggle to reach over the sides of a portable crib. The Lotus earned another 10 out of 10 score for features and design from our tester, who added, “It's spacious but not bulky.”

While this crib option is lightweight and streamlined, the sturdy aluminum frame keeps active toddlers secure, and because it sits on the floor, there's no upper weight limit. Throw it over your shoulder in the carrying bag, which Imari described as “very durable,” and you can use this crib until your tot is big enough to climb out, wherever your travels take you.

Dimensions (open): 45" (L) x 31.5" (W) x 25.5" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 24" (L) x 12" (W) x 8" (H) | Weight: 15 lbs. | Weight capacity: No weight limit

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Traveling with baby in tow can be exhausting. Between the diaper bag, car seat, stroller and everything else you need when you venture out, the last thing you want is another heavy baby item to haul to and from your destination. That’s not an issue with the Baby Bjӧrn travel crib! Clocking in at just 13 pounds, not only is this sturdy yet featherweight travel crib the lightest full-size crib we tested—it may even weigh less than baby! Mindy, our product tester, told us, “The weight of this crib is surprisingly light,” adding, “I loved that I can carry it on my own both in the bag and while it is set up.” It should come as no surprise that this was our Best of The Bump winner for best lightweight travel crib.

The easy carry isn’t the crib’s only recommendation; setup is also a breeze. “It folds in and out so easily, I could almost do it with one hand,” Mindy said, giving the Travel Crib Light 10 out of 10 scores for ease of use, portability, effectiveness and features and design. When you're ready to head home, just collapse it and tuck it into the handy travel bag. “I could fold it down and transport it easily for playdates and sleepovers at the grandparents,” she added.

The firm-but-cushioned mattress will keep your little one comfortable while they snooze—Mindy reported that her baby settled in well, with no difference in his sleep patterns—and the crib can easily double as a play zone for babies. That said, the simple design comes with a few minor costs: The crib's light weight comes in part from a smaller size, which means it isn't ideal for toddler playtime, and from a lack of attachments, which means there's no travel bassinet feature for newborns.

Still, if you're looking for a travel crib that'll get you from point A to point B without weighing you down, it’s a top choice. “It's worth the price for a hassle-free experience and its convenient travel size,” our product tester said. “It's not fussy at all and very straightforward.”

Dimensions (open): 44" (L) x 32" (W) x 24" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 23.5" (L) x 5.5" (W) x 19" (H) | Weight: 13 lbs. | Weight capacity: No weight limit

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The Chicco Dash Instant Setup Playard was designed with ease in mind. To set up or fold down many travel cribs, you need to perform multiple steps in a specific order, which can be a headache if you’re in a hurry or have a fussy baby. But the Chicco Dash’s one-hand open and close feature seriously impressed me. This Best of The Bump winner for best easy-to-fold travel crib earned a 10 out of 10 score for ease of use, effectiveness and features and design. I’m able to pack away the travel crib in under a minute, faster than any of the cribs we tested.

The padded, GREENGUARD Gold certified mattress was another stand-out feature of the travel crib, as it had more cushion than others I’ve used. I could see how well this added comfort worked for my 2-month-old—she slept as well in this portable crib as in her normal crib. During overnight testing, she settled quickly and slept soundly, only waking once for her normal mid-night nursing session.

The travel crib boasts a full-size bassinet for babies up to 15 pounds, which can easily be unzipped and removed to reveal a sturdy travel crib and play space for older babies. An optional zip-on play panel transforms this travel crib into a cute safari with crinkle animal toys for baby to entertain themselves as they get older.

At 29 pounds, this is easily the heaviest travel crib we tested. But thanks to the ease of use and overall quality and robustness, I found the convenience of this product to be worth the extra weight. The instant open and close feature was leaps and bounds above other products that I've used in the past.

Dimensions (open): 43.5" (L) x 30.5" (W) x 29.25" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 30.5” (L) x 11” (W) x 11” (H) | Weight: 29 lbs. | Weight capacity (crib): 30 lbs. | Weight capacity (bassinet): 15 lbs.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly portable baby bed, look no further than this Best of The Bump winner. Graco’s Pack ‘n Play On The Go Playard rings up at under $70—a fraction of the price of comparable travel cribs—without sacrificing quality. It earned 10 out of 10 scores from our tester Karina not just in value for money, but also portability and ease of use. Karina found it simple to fold down, transport and set back up. “One of my favorite things [about it] was how easy it is for a busy mom,” she told us. “It took me maybe five minutes to set up. And it's light enough for me to carry along with my baby.”

Spacious, sturdy and easy to transport from room to room (thanks, bottom wheels), this travel crib provides not only a place for naps, but also a space to keep your little contained while they're awake. “There's enough room for [my daughter] and her toys,” Karina told us. And the On the Go proves that inexpensive doesn’t have to mean cheap: “I felt safe and secure with the durability of the playard and how happy she was to play and do tummy time.”

Whether you need a toddler travel crib or something that can grow with baby, you’ll love the age-adaptable features like a full-size bassinet and soft toy bar. “The height was perfect for picking her up and setting her down, and there's lots of room for her to grow,” Karina said. There's even a side pocket for storing essentials like diapers and wipes, and the 35-inch height limit easily keeps even the most curious toddlers in one spot.

Dimensions (open): 39.5" (L) x 28.3" (W) x 131" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 10.5" (L) x 10.5" (W) x 29" (H) | Weight: 21.4 lbs. | Weight capacity (crib): 30 lbs. | Weight capacity (bassinet): 15 lbs.

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If you’re constantly on the road and need a portable baby bed that travels easily but won’t take up valuable real estate in your car, the Bugaboo Stardust Travel Crib has you covered. “Weighing around 18 pounds, it felt lighter than many other models I've encountered,” said Jia, our product tester, “striking a good balance between sturdiness and weight.” But that’s not the only thing that earned this travel crib a Best of the Bump award for best travel crib for road trips. Jia specifically praised this crib for how well it fits into a car. While many travel cribs fold down into a boxy rectangle, the Stardust is a wide, flat rectangle. “Its shape when folded is streamlined, allowing it to be easily tucked away, and its design is optimal for carrying and placing in a car trunk without occupying excessive space.”

The Bugaboo Stardust gets top marks when you arrive at your destination as well. Jia was continually impressed by this crib’s Innovation and quality of construction in her product testing, so it shouldn’t be surprising that she gave it a 10 out of 10 for features and design. Set-up is lightning fast, thanks to the all-in-one design and built-in mattress, and it’s easy to use once assembled. “Placing my child in and lifting her out of both the crib and bassinet was effortless, thanks to its thoughtful design,” she reported. “Size-wise, it was spot on for my baby, providing ample space without feeling too vast or too confined. In essence, it delivered as a dependable travel crib, ensuring my baby's comfort on our journeys. And the mesh panels, allowing for continuous visibility, were a standout feature, ensuring a constant connection between parent and child while maintaining breathability.”

Despite the slim profile and minimal poundage, the Bugaboo Stardust is a sturdy space for sleep and play. “Its robust sides and base seemed well-equipped to handle the spirited energy of a 9-month-old,” Jia said. You'll get maximum longevity off the bassinet too. It offers a higher weight limit due to an adjustable height setting that keeps your cutie contained as they grow. “For parents on-the-go like us, this crib is a game-changer,” Jia added.

Dimensions (open): 38.8" (L) x 25" (W) x 33.5" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 25.6" (L) x 5.5" (W) x 33.5" (H) | Weight: 17.2 lbs. | Weight capacity (crib): 33 lbs. | Weight capacity (bassinet): 19.8 lbs.