Best Tried & Tested Baby Travel Beds & Cribs [2026]
Before Evelyn was even born, I knew if we wanted to do a significant amount of traveling with her, we would need to invest in some good travel-friendly baby gear.
And the first piece of that puzzle was a portable travel crib!
It couldn’t be too bulky, but also not too flimsy. Something that could be easily transported, but also comfy enough for many nights away from home. In other words, it needed to be just right.
It wasn’t until I started researching the best portable cribs and baby cots that I realized just how many options were out there! I’m so happy with the portable baby bed we chose (read on to find out which!), and with 4 years of extensive baby travel under our belt, I’m glad we saved ourselves the hassle and invested in good solid travel gear from the start.
With so many different options on the market, there really is something for everyone’s needs and travel style when it comes to the best portable cribs and baby beds.
If you’re looking for a portable travel crib for your baby’s travels, you’re in luck!
I’ve put together a round up of the absolute best travel cribs for baby in 2025, tried and tested by fellow traveling families!
A little disclaimer: this post contains links to affiliate websites, such as Amazon and LTK, and I may receive an affiliate commission (at no cost to you!) for any purchases made by you using these links. Your support is much appreciated!
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FAQ: Baby Travel Beds & Cribs
Why should I bring my own travel crib? Can’t I borrow one from the hotel?
Sure, many times you absolutely can borrow a crib from your hotel or vacation rental. But let me tell you from personal experience, hotel cribs are not of the highest quality. They’re usually old and rickety with an uncomfortable mattress and take up a huge amount of space in your hotel room.
And those Airbnb pack n plays aren’t much better, with their lumpy and worn mattress pads.
Comfortability aside, sleeping in a new space for the first time can be rather unsettling for your baby. Providing a familiar sleep space can make all the difference in allowing everyone, baby and parents, to get a good night’s rest from day one.
What’s the difference between a travel crib vs. pack and play?
The terms travel crib and pack n play are often used interchangeably. And sure, a pack and play can most definitely be used for sleeping on the go.
However, many of the newer travel cribs on the market are made with travel in mind, pushing the boundaries to create the most compact, portable, and lightweight sleep solutions available today.
That’s certainly more than you can say about your old pack and play.
If you want something easy to use that’s strong enough to stand the test of time, investing in a good travel crib is something you won’t regret.
Can you check a travel crib for free?
Yes! Almost every airline will allow you to check up to two baby items for free. Be sure to check your airline’s specific policy regarding this.
Need more gear than your airline allows? You can always rent items at your destination! BabyQuip makes this super easy (it’s like an Airbnb for baby gear rentals). In many cases, the items can be delivered directly to you, either at the airport when you arrive or to your accommodations. Plus, most of the baby gear providers are fellow parents who truly get it, making it a stress-free experience!
How can I make a travel crib more comfortable?
I’m so glad you asked! The first obvious thing would be to invest in a good quality travel crib for your baby. These are not the baby cots of yesteryear: today’s portable travel cribs come with cushy breathable mattresses and custom mattress covers and crib sheets.
For light sleepers, you can add a canopy or blackout cover to help shield your baby from distractions and light.
We also found a soothing sound machine to also be a great help in getting babies to sleep in new places. We love the Shusher and used it nightly for many years, both at home and on the road. The Hatch Rest Go is another parent favorite for its small portable size.
Lastly, my top tip: practice sleeping in your travel crib at home. We used to put our kids in them for naps until they got used to them, so we knew once they got in them while traveling, they’d have that old familiar feeling from home.
So, what’s the best travel crib for baby?
Well, that depends on your needs. When looking for the best portable travel crib, size, ease of set up, portability, and quality materials are all factors to consider.
Keep reading and we’ll break down some of the best travel cribs for babies on the market today, including pros and cons of each as well as parent reviews from those who have tried and tested them.
Munchkin Brica Baby Travel Pod
Best For: Newborns
Recommended Age: Up to 15 lbs, or until infant begins to push on hands and knees
Product Weight: 3 lbs
Assembled Size: 30″ x 11.75″ x 21.25″ H
Folded Travel Size: 22″ x 17″ x 3″ H
Extra Bedding: Compatible waterproof mattress pad and fitted sheets
Why Parents Love It: For newborn babies not yet requiring a full travel crib, this Munchkin Brica Baby Travel Cot is super lightweight and creates a comfortable place to sleep in a cocoon-like environment.
To assemble, simply lock the steel frame with 4 click points and you’re done. Disassemble it by pressing the release buttons and folding it flat into a carrying case with handle, making travel a breeze. Parents love the breathable mesh sides, which allow you to peek at baby without disturbing their sleep.
Good to Know: The price point matches the small window of use you’ll get out of it and babies will grow out of this travel cot rather quickly. It’s recommended to discontinue use once a baby is 15 lbs or can push themselves up or roll over.
Parents also note that despite the small folded size, it’s still just a bit too big to fit in a carry on suitcase (though it does fit perfectly in checked luggage).
Guava Lotus Travel Crib
Best For: Frequent Flyers & Air Travel
Recommended Age: None (until child can climb out)
Product Weight: 15 lbs
Assembled Size: 45.5″ x 25.5″ x 31.5″H
Folded Travel Size: 24″ x 12″ x 8″
Extra Bedding: Guava Lotus Cotton Fitted Sheet, Plush Quilted Fitted Sheet, compatible 2-pack Universal Cotton Fitted Sheets
Why Parents Love It: Made of an aircraft-grade aluminum frame and 3D Z-Fold technology, the Guava Lotus’ compact design makes set up a breeze. It’s slightly roomier than its top competitor (BabyBjörn) with a thick, soft foam insulated mattress for rest and play and a zip open side. For those that need to lay with their baby to nurse or help them fall asleep, this feature is a non-negotiable.
But it’s the airport-friendly lightweight carrying case that makes this travel crib a top choice with frequent flyer parents. When stored, it folds down to the size of a small rectangular box that can be carried as a backpack!
Good to Know: The Guava Lotus’ textiles are GreenGuard Gold certified, as well as removable and washable, making cleaning this travel crib super easy. It also has the option of converting to a bassinet in the newborn stage.
But while the Lotus’ carrying case is noted as “airport-friendly”, it’s not clear whether or not it’s truly carry-on compliant. Many parents have reported having no trouble bringing it on the plane and stashing it in the overhead bin, but at 24” long when disassembled, it is just a bit outside most airlines’ official carry-on restrictions.
BabyBjorn Travel Crib
Best For: Easy Set Up
Recommended Age: 0-3 years, or until child can climb out
Product Weight: 13 lbs
Assembled Size: 44″ x 24″ x 32″ H
Folded Travel Size: 19″ x 23.5″ x 5.5″
Extra Bedding: BabyBjörn Cotton Fitted Sheet or compatible 2-pack Universal Cotton Fitted Sheets
Why Parents Love It: Full disclosure: this is the travel crib we have used and loved for over 5 years! It’s a consistent winner with other parents as well, thanks to its super simple set up: simply snap the legs in place, turn it over and you’re done!
It also boasts a thicker foam mattress than other travel cribs and we love that it always lies flat (unlike other travel crib mattresses that can get lumpy in the crease). The textiles are OEKO-TEX certified, removable and machine washable.
Its slim design with angled legs means it takes up less space while still being relatively roomy inside. Those that have tried multiple travel cribs consistently note that the BabyBjörn’s metal frame is the most sturdy and solid of any on the market, making it a top pick for durability. It has no zip-open side or optional bassinet, though, which could be a con if you are looking for those options.
Good to Know: The BabyBjörn travel crib comes with a large carrying bag that protects your investment well. But shaped like an extra large briefcase, it can be a bit awkward to carry around the airport. Also worth noting – the mattress is made of a waterproof plastic, so a separate crib sheet is a must.
Baby Joy 2-in-1 Travel Crib
Best For: Budget Alternative to the BabyBjörn
Recommended Age: 0-3 years
Product Weight: 11 lbs
Assembled Size: 45.5” x 31” x 27” H
Folded Travel Size: 20.5” x 23.5” x 7”
Extra Bedding: Compatible universal stetch Fitted Crib Sheets
Why Parents Love It: With similar construction and design as the BabyBjörn, the Baby Joy 2-in-1 Travel Crib is a popular alternative for budget conscious parents.
Like the BabyBjörn, all fabric can be removed and washed, though there are no notes of any green certifications. It’s also slightly larger than its name brand competitor, both when assembled and folded, though not by much.
Good to Know: The Baby Joy Travel Crib also features a zippered door on one of the soft, breathable mesh sides for easy access to baby when needed, a popular feature among parents.
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Bugaboo Stardust Playard
Best For: Road Trips & Car Travel
Recommended Age: Suitable for 0-2, due to its smaller size (33 lb max recommended weight); 35 inches long or 19.8 lb max weight for zip-in bassinet (or when baby starts to roll or sit up by themselves)
Product Weight: 16.7 lbs
Assembled Size: 25” x 38.8” x 33.8”
Folded Travel Size: 25” x 33.8” x 5.5”
Compatible Bedding: Bugaboo Fitted Mattress Cover
Why Parents Love It: As the highest priced portable travel crib option on our list, the Bugaboo Stardust features a unique design that touts it can be unfolded in 1 second! It also folds without having to remove the thick comfy mattress inside, the only on this list to do so. The flat fold design makes it ideal for easy storage on road trips, taking up virtually no trunk space when stored in its premium carry bag.
The whole crib set up is machine washable, even including the mattress!
Good to Know: The adjustable mattress can be set to two different heights, and an incuded zip-in bassinet insert is available for elevated sleeping.
READ NEXT: Flying with Baby: Everything You Need to Know
Joovy Room^2 Portable Playpen
Best For: Twins or Multiples
Recommended Age: Babies and toddlers up to 29.6 lbs or up to 35” long
Product Weight: 27.7 lbs
Assembled Size: 39.75″ x 39.75″ x 31″ H
Folded Travel Size: 10” x 9.5” x 37 in
Extra Bedding: Compatible Quilted Mattress Cover or Fitted Sheets
Why Parents Love It: The Joovy Room^2 is by far the roomiest play yard on this list, with an extra large 10 square foot interior! The size of two cribs in one, the heavy duty mattress supports babies up to 35” inches long and is durable enough for twins. Though it takes up a large footprint, it does have two wheels to help with easy moving and folds down to the size of a typical pack n play.
Good to Know: At 27.7 lbs, it’s certainly the heaviest on this list, but if you’re traveling with twins you’ve probably already accepted your fate on hauling all the heavy gear.
The Joovy Room^2 also converts to a twin nursery center with optional bassinet and changing table. The bassinets can hold two babies up to 15 lbs each with a divider for separate sleeping areas, and the changing table can hold babies up to 25 lbs.
Newton Baby Travel Crib
Best For: Tummy or Active Sleepers
Recommended Age: None (until child can climb out)
Product Weight: 17 lbs
Assembled Size: 51” x 35” x 28.5”
Folded Travel Size: 35” x 12.5” x 11”
Extra Bedding: Netwon Baby Waterproof Mattress Pad and Muslin Fitted Sheets
Why Parents Love It: With two times larger area than many of the other popular travel cribs on the market, the Newton Baby Travel Crib allows more room to stretch and move (some parents note it’s even big enough for twins!)
But that’s not all that sets this premium travel crib apart from the crowd. Parents also love its breathable mattress (with patented Wovenaire technology) that helps with airflow, temperature regulation, is machine washable and Greenguard Gold certified. Perfect for stomach sleepers, it’s an ultra safe place for baby sleep.
With a full zippered side, this travel crib is fully adaptable for sleep or play, and also offers a bassinet insert option for added versatility.
Good to Know: Set up is a breeze but some parents report it can be a bit tricky to disassemble. Newton claims to have fixed this issue on their latest model, though.
Pamo Babe Travel Crib
Best For: Budget Alternative to the Guava Lotus
Recommended Age: 0-3 years, up to 33 lbs
Product Weight: 17.2 lbs
Assembled Size: 44” x 30” x 24” H (elevated sleeping space 37” x 22”)
Folded Travel Size: 23” x 9” x 9”
Extra Bedding: Compatible universal stetch Fitted Crib Sheets
Why Parents Love It: Smaller than a traditional pack n play, the Pamo Babe Travel Crib provides easy assembly for a portable bed with its smart design: simply prop all 4 legs outward and pull on the armrests until you hear an audible click. Its 4 widespread legs provide a stable design that prevents tilting and like the Guava Lotus, it also offers a side zipper door for crawling in and out of.
Pamo Babe’s double layer playard design also allows parents to adjust the detachable mattress for an elevated sleeping option, or remove it altogether to convert the crib into a playard. The carrying bag is pretty standard, however, and definitely not as comfortable to carry as the Guava Lotus’ backpack carry bag.
Good to Know: Some parents report this crib being not as sturdy as its competitors, with tipping being a concern once babies are old enough to stand and reach the top of its shorter sides (at 24” tall). Still, at half the price of its competitors, it’s a great deal for younger babies and short-term travel needs.
Regalo My Crib Portable Infant Bassinet
Best For: Travel Bassinet
Recommended Age: Up to 18 lbs
Product Weight: 12 lbs
Assembled Size: 40.5″ x 21.75″ x 25.5″ H
Folded Travel Size: 25.5″ x 11″ x 6.5″
Extra Bedding: Compatible Fitted Sheet
Why Parents Love It: The interior size of the Regalo Portable Bassinett is a lengthy 40.5” long, making it an ideal option for taller babies who need more space to stretch. With a stury all metal frame, leg clamps lock in place for added safety.
For travel, it easily folds open and closed like a camping chair and comes with a carry bag that fits in the average checked luggage bag.
Good to Know: Parents report the firm mattress pad lacks much padding and it can also only be spot cleaned, causing potential headaches. And despite the sturdy metal frame, due to the design with 6 legs, parents report it can have a bit of a wobble to it (though not enough to feel unsafe).
Pro Tip: Don’t want the stress of traveling with all your gear? Use BabyQuip and get bulky items like cribs, strollers, high chairs, car seats and so much more delivered straight to your hotel or rental!
Have you found any good sleep solutions for traveling with baby? Tell us your faves!
