Travelling with a toddler means that you'll seriously do your research on getting the best travel cribs for toddlers and infants. These portable beds and travel cribs will keep your little one safe and sound as they sleep in the hotels or Airbnbs. All these travel beds are lightweight, pack up well, and are relatively easy to set up; however, most aren't suited for infants under one year old.

For babies under one year, you should look for the best travel bassinet and travel cots. Not only is it convenient and safe for you to carry your travel bed, but it also provides your child with a familiar sleep environment so they can sleep comfortably.

A sleep-deprived baby doesn't make the best travel buddy. So, making sure that your baby sleeps well is imperative for a good trip. So getting the best travel crib or a portable toddler bed is a great place to start for a good night’s sleep as you travel.

Leading Parent-approved Travel Cribs for Toddlers and Babies

1.  Lotus Travel Crib

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Lotus Travel Crib - Backpack Portable, Lightweight, Easy to Pack Play-Yard with Comfortable Mattress - Certified Baby Safe
  • WORRY-FREE AIRPORT TRAVEL - Designed to be easy to fly with the compact, light backpack carrying case. Set up is simple in 15 seconds and only weighs 15 lbs packed.

Lotus Guava travel crib is most parent's favourite travel crib. Not only does it pack up really well into a backpack, but it is also lightweight and weighs just 11 pounds, helping you save on extra baggage fees. It has see-through mesh sides with a zipper on the side to allow you to nurse or snuggle up with your child while in bed. 

The Lotus travel crib set includes a comfortable firm with a height that you can be sure that your toddler can't climb out of if they woke up in the middle of the night.

Many parents are raving about it, while most travel crib reviews give it a 5-star rating. It is versatile, durable, made of good quality and easy to assemble.

Highlights:

  • It is airport-travel friendly, for convenient air travel
  • It is certified as safe and non-toxic and has the Green Guard Gold non-toxic certification
  • It comes with a compact, light backpack carrying case for enhanced portability
  • The full-height mesh guarantees breathability
  • Discreet side zipper door
  • Well suited for an overnight sleep
  • It can be used by both babies and toddlers
  • It has a thick sleeping pad
  • The soft foam can be used by both newborns or infants
  • Pros
  • It is suitable for sleeping, playing, or crawling
  • It comes with a 2- year warranty
  • The comfortable mattress is perfect for both sleep and play
  • It is portable and can be converted from a crib to a backpack and vice versa
  • It has the Green Guard Gold non-toxic certification
  • It is safe and clean (made without PVC, lead, formaldehyde, phthalates, heavy metals, or flame retardants)
  • Cons
  • They don't come with baby sheets
  • The height makes it a little difficult for you to bend to lay a baby

2. BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light

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BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light, Silver, One Size
  • Simple to set up and fold up
  • Easy to take with you
  • Soft and comfy mattress
  • Airy design for good supervision
  • Removable and machine washable crib textiles

BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light has created kid-friendly products that are comfortable and simple to use, easy to carry and are stylish and this portable bed is no exception. When folded into its carrying case, this foldable bed carrying case is sleek and slim and weighs just 13 pounds.

This fashionable design is the priciest of cribs on our list. Like the Lotus Guava in appearance, the ease of setup, and even having to bend so low to lay your sleeping baby. This is one of the best toddler travel beds that accommodate toddlers even up to age 3.

This toddler travel bed has a high 5-star rating than this crib. The Bjorn is a clear winner if: Your baby will be sleeping a lot in the crib since the mattress is thicker and plusher than the other toddler travel beds.

Highlights:

  • It is compact and lightweight
  • The edges are padded around the top rail for extra comfort
  • Once it is assembled, the crib is very stable and doesn’t wobble
  • The mattress is firm and soft
  • It is safe for the baby when they begin to try and stand because it offers support
  • The mesh on the sides is breathable, making it easy to watch the baby from any side and angle around the crib
  • It opens up in less than a minute and easily folds back down
  • The mattress firmly rests on the base since the frame has a wide base
  • Pros
  • It is comfortable and lightweight
  • It is safe and secure for both the baby and parent
  • Breathable materials have been used
  • It is easy to set up and dismantle
  • Since it offers support, it helps babies learn how to stand without toppling over
  • It has a great aesthetic design
  • Cons
  • Placing and picking up a sleeping baby is difficult due to its low-positioned mattress

3. Milliard Portable Toddler Bumper Bed

This toddler travel bed is the easiest to set up. You only need to unfold, and you have yourself a toddler travel bed. It can be carried using its handle and on its own weighs less than 11 pounds. There is plenty of room in this foldable bed to act like a suitcase, which you can use to hold your child’s bedtime storybooks, PJs and stuffed animals and bedding. 

Milliard toddler travel bed comes with sheets on purchase, and the baby travel bed is easy to clean. However, if your young toddler crawls a lot and likes to get out of bed, this baby travel bed won’t do much to contain them. The mattress is 48 inches long to give your baby plenty of sleeping space, and additionally, it is quite affordable.

Travel crib reviewers give this bumper bed a stunning 5-star review. Additionally, it only takes a little room to store, yet it can easily carry the toddler-sized pillow and blankets, stuffed animals inside. If compared, it really doesn’t take up more space than a Pack ‘N Play.

Highlights:

  • It measures 25 x 14.5 x 27 inches when folded and 55 x 26 x 7 inches when open
  • It comes with an extra machine washable fitted sheet for changing when cleaning the other one
  • It can work as a suitcase when folded
  • It has a soft-textured bumper
  • Its mattress has 48 x 20 inches dimensions
  • The mattress cover is machine washable for easy cleaning
  • Of all the cribs, this travel cot is furnished using a woven fabric that creates a beautiful and baby-friendly sleep area
  • It is portable and travel-friendly
  • The outer canvas fabric is durable and can just be cleaned by using a damp cloth to wipe
  • It is spacious enough and can conveniently be used to carry some items inside
  • It has a washable, waterproof inner plush velour material
  • Pros
  • It is portable and convenient to carry
  • It is easy to clean, dry and maintain it
  • It has a durable cover made from canvas
  • It is versatile and multifunctional
  • It comes in attractive colours and designs
  • Cons
  • The waterproof aspect makes it prone to soaking wet inside

4.  Dream on Me Travel Light PlayYard Infant Travel Bed

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Dream On Me Travel Light Playard In Black, Lightweight, Portable And Easy To Carry Baby Playard, Indoor And Outdoor - With A Soft And Comfortable Mattress Pad
  • TRAVEL READY: The Travel Light sets up and folds down in minutes making it the ideal travel companion for infants and toddlers. It is perfect for vacationing. It folds up flat and can be stored in its durable carry bag.
  • COMFORTABLE FOR BABY: The Travel Light Playard comes with a soft mattress, so your child can play easily in it. Explore the Dream on Me Range of Playard mattresses for the perfect fit. The Travel Light is available in 4 stylish finishes.
  • BREATHABLE MESH: The Playard sides are made of soft, airy mesh fabric that allow your baby to breathe easily. The see-through fabric helps you keep an eye on your baby and allows your LO to look out.
  • SAFETY FIRST: The Dream On Me Travel Light Playard scores high on safety and durability. It is made with a sturdy aluminium frame, has reinforced stitching, and a locking system for extra safety. The fabric and mesh are free from harmful allergenics.
  • EASY TO CLEAN: Don’t worry about your child making a mess. The mesh walls and nylon bottom can be easily cleaned - simply wipe down with a damp cloth and soap and it is as good as new. Product dimensions are 40.5 x 27 x 26 inches, it weighs 10.5 pounds

It is airy and comes with a full mesh enclosure. The Dream On Me travel toddler bed folds easily into a Bjorn-like handy carry bag and comes at such an affordable price. It weighs less than 13 pounds, with a thick mattress that locks into place and measures nearly 4 feet long, which is more than enough for kids. 

It is easy to set up and is comfortable for the baby. This travel toddler bed is extremely durable and is essential of the same weight and dimensions as the Bjorn but at a much more affordable price.

Highlights:

  • The mattress rests on an in-built metal frame base plate that you can use to keep the travel crib frame firm on the ground to ensure that the baby is safe as they sleep
  • Both the mesh and material that have been used to make the Play yard travel crib are safe and free from harmful allergens
  • The Travel Light Play yard travel crib is made of a soft and comfortable mattress sleeping pad
  • The sides are made from a soft and airy mesh fabric that allows air circulation
  • The mattress cover is breathable and has water vapour permeability
  • Using the transparent mesh fabric, you can keep an eye on the baby, also allowing the baby to see their surrounding
  • It comes with a 30-day warranty
  • Pros
  • It is lightweight and portable
  • It is breathable and has the best air circulation
  • It is see-through for easy observing of the baby
  • It is free from harmful allergens
  • It is secure because of the in-built base plate for its mattress
  • Cons
  • It is not as easy to set up or take down
  • The mesh fabric can't be zipped up when cleaning

5.  BABY JOY Baby Playpen

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Dream On Me Travel Light Playard In Black, Lightweight, Portable And Easy To Carry Baby Playard, Indoor And Outdoor - With A Soft And Comfortable Mattress Pad
  • TRAVEL READY: The Travel Light sets up and folds down in minutes making it the ideal travel companion for infants and toddlers. It is perfect for vacationing. It folds up flat and can be stored in its durable carry bag.
  • COMFORTABLE FOR BABY: The Travel Light Playard comes with a soft mattress, so your child can play easily in it. Explore the Dream on Me Range of Playard mattresses for the perfect fit. The Travel Light is available in 4 stylish finishes.
  • BREATHABLE MESH: The Playard sides are made of soft, airy mesh fabric that allow your baby to breathe easily. The see-through fabric helps you keep an eye on your baby and allows your LO to look out.
  • SAFETY FIRST: The Dream On Me Travel Light Playard scores high on safety and durability. It is made with a sturdy aluminium frame, has reinforced stitching, and a locking system for extra safety. The fabric and mesh are free from harmful allergenics.
  • EASY TO CLEAN: Don’t worry about your child making a mess. The mesh walls and nylon bottom can be easily cleaned - simply wipe down with a damp cloth and soap and it is as good as new. Product dimensions are 40.5 x 27 x 26 inches, it weighs 10.5 pounds

It is a little smaller than most of the cribs on this list, making it best suited for infants and younger toddlers. It is mainly constructed from mesh and aluminium, making this travel crib weigh just 10 pounds.

It is a great travel crib, especially if you need something a little smaller and lighter than your work-horse Pack n Play for a trip. If you're hesitant about the Baby Bjorn or Guava Lotus travel crib price tag, this travel crib has such an affordable price. This travel bassinet is pretty solid, easy to assemble, and has a pleasantly thick mattress pad.

You have to manually attach the legs, making the setup a little tougher, and additionally, the mattress isn’t water-resistant, and it doesn’t lock down.

Highlights:

  • It is very lightweight; it weighs only 10 lbs
  • It is constructed using 4 pieces of Aluminium pipes for durability
  • It is covered by breathable mesh for air circulation
  • It is well padded using a soft, comfy thick mattress
  • It works well for co-sleeping
  • It can be separated for washing and put back
  • It is versatile and multifunctional
  • The removable mattress gives the baby a great sleeping environment
  • Pros
  • It is easy to clean and dry
  • The materials used to make it are of great quality and are durable
  • It is portable
  • It is lightweight
  • It provides the baby with a comfortable and great sleeping environment
  • Cons
  • The playpen construction restricts the child's freedom which could also slow down the physical development of the child

Factors to Consider when Getting the Best Travel Cribs for Toddlers and Babies

A.  Security and Safety

Your child's safety is obviously a top priority when it comes to buying any baby products. All these recommended travel cribs comply with safety standards. However, particular travel beds include additional features making them a little more secure than other travel cribs for toddlers.

Security entails looking at how easy it is for the child to crawl out; if the child can easily escape, it’s definitely not the best crib. Also, check whether they can fall out of the gaps of the portable crib, whether the crib is sturdy enough, the mattress ventilation, how fitting the sheets are around the mattress, or whether your child can knock it over while moving around. Some portable cribs are not so sturdy on their own but come with points you can use to tie them down for extra security.

B. Comfort

The best portable crib should be comfortable and another huge factor you should check for when buying your travel crib. A good night’s sleep for the baby translates to a good night rest for you too! Be sure to check the padded-ness and softness of its padded mattress, the space availability, as well as its airflow on its breathable fabric. Extra features such as canopies and toy rails might add to your baby's comfort and pleasure.

C. Age

Most travel cribs are suitable for babies of different ages and sizes; however, some are best suited for infants or toddlers. Always check the maximum crib weight limit and size of the travel bed to ensure it’s well suited for your child. If you're planning to travel a lot and buy an infant travel bed for a newborn, always go for a travel crib that works for a wide age range, especially if you don’t want one that your baby will quickly outgrow.

Also, since toddlers will most likely get out of the cribs a lot more, you’ll want a travel cot that's not only safe now but will also continue to be safe even as the child grows.

D. Weight, Size, and Portability

Another main thing to look at as you're getting a travel crib is the ease of transporting it.

Tip: any travel toddler beds similar to your regular home cot aren’t really worth the buy!

The best travel cribs for toddlers and babies are compact and lightweight yet open up to a big comfortable sleeping area to accommodate your baby. Some travel cribs come with extra accessories such as wheels or a convenient carrying bag.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Travel Cribs for Toddlers and Babies

1. What are the different types of travel cribs available?

Travel cribs would typically fall under 2 main types: cocoon-like beds and ones that unfold to a regular crib.

a). Cocoon-style crib

Pros:

  • Generally lighter
  • They are much more compact
  • Are much easier to set up
  • Are easier for toddlers to get out of

Cons:

  • Don't have enough space to stand or play

b). Foldable crib

Pros:

  • Are more secure
  • They provide more space
  • They are also suitable for daytime use as the play area

Cons:

  • They are often bulkier and heavier

2. What’s the right age for the baby to safely sleep in a travel crib or pack n' play?

Carefully read through each product description to find the recommended size and age to ensure that your baby is in the right size and age to use it. Generally, all travel cribs should work for infants and also go well into the toddler years.

About the Author Tom Brewer

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