So you’re travelling with your itty bitty bundle of joy and need the best portable baby bed to suit your holiday style? Gotchu covered, boo. Here’s a list to get you choosin’ for every type of budget.

Travelling with babies or kids is a whole new ball game. I get it. I mean, it was probably tough enough to stay within the luggage allowance in your solo travelling days. Now you’ve gotta lug around bulky items that make you stress harder than Trump on election day, like, prams, car seats, a portable baby cot and not to forget, a suitcase dedicated entirely to diapers. Parenting is a harder struggle than trying to sit through your worst ever Tinder date on repeat for 18 years.

As much as I’d love to fluff up the prospect of travelling with kids and proclaim to you guys that “it’s, like, the best thing everrr.” The hell it is. You’ll probably need to photoshop the pitch black swollen circles beneath your eyes out in your travel snaps. For the most part of the day, you’ll probably be jittery and overcaffeinated, potentially on the brink of a mental breakdown.

It sounds like a B-grade horror movie. I know. At least, if you’re armed with the best portable baby bed that you can plop your bundle of joy into for some sound sleep after a hard day of city explorations and searching for diaper change tables in a foreign country – you might just forget about the woes of travelling with babies and kids.

Portable Cribs: Common Questions

Do I really need a portable baby bed?

Look, I know. This is a bit of a Captain Obvious question, but on some occasions, you can save yourself the hassle of lugging along another extra item on top of the 17 suitcases and bags you already have to keep track of. Oh, and the wild kids, of course.

Before you go into splurge mode, determine if the hotel, Airbnb or holiday rental you’ve booked provides cribs. Simply shoot them an email or give them a call if you’re in the local area.

What type of portable travel crib do I need?

Most of the time, it comes down to personal preference and whether you’re investing into a baby travel bed for long-term use or you want something more practical and lightweight to suit your current situation.

2-in-1 portable cribs (bassinet and crib combo) or playards, are your best bet if you want to them to last until your little bundle of joy turns into an attitude-ridden threenager. However, they do tend to fall on the bulkier and heavier side.

If you’re all about light travel and need something significantly more compact for your 0-3 month old baby that can fit into your checked or even carry-on luggage, then a portable bassinet for travel is your answer.

What age is a baby travel bed suitable for?

Portable cribs, playards and travel cots can be used from birth. However, smaller travel bassinets will usually only fit babies up until 3 months, whereas travel cribs can fit kids up to 3 years.

How do I choose the best portable crib?

Size matters. Ha. That’s what she said. Inappropriate? Okay, my bad. Back to the matter at hand. When it comes to travel, smaller is better. Pick a baby travel bed that folds up compact and does not weight equivalent to a baby elephant.

Age is also a factor. If you’re travelling for an extended period of time, it’s wiser to invest in a travel bed that your baby won’t outgrow in a heartbeat.

Easy-to-assemble. Ensure that any assembly-challenged dummy (ie. me) can put it together in minutes. There are cribs out there that require rocket science to put together – you really don’t need that kind of hardship in your life.

Safety. The most important factor to consider when making your purchase. Follow weight and height instructions and also check that the bassinet or crib has passed safety tests. The ones we have listed below meet American and European standards of safety and derive from reputable brands with an abundance of positive reviews.

Features:

• Folds flat for travel
• Provides a clear view of baby
• Sturdy metal frame
• Breathable mesh sides
• Includes washable mattress pad & fitted sheet
• Recommended for use from birth to 3 months
• Dimensions: 15.5 x 44 x 40 cm / 6.1 x 17.2 x 15.7 in
• Weight: 2.7 kg / 6 lbs

Ideal for: Newborn babies, overseas travel, use around the home, warm destinations

The downside? Taller babies will outgrow it in less than 3 months, so you might not get much use out of it. If you’re co-sleeping, you’ll need a larger bed as the sleeper occupies the space of a person.

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Munchkin Brica Fold ‘n Go Travel Bassinet

Ever fantasised about a portable sleeper that enables you to take a nap everywhere? I do. All the time. Although no one has yet invented one for adults, it’s entirely possible for babies with the Munchkin Brica Fold ‘n Go.

This ultra compact and lightweight crib provides baby with a safe and cosy environment for snoozing. The bassinet is made from breathable fabric and mesh, and comes with a water-resistant mattress pad and fitted sheet set allowing for on-the-go comfort.

Best of all? Its slim and lightweight design enables the crib to fold flat for easy storage inside luggage. Plus, the integrated Safe-T-Lock system makes it a breeze to set up and collapse in a matter of seconds.

Ideal for: Young babies who aren’t yet mobile, camping trips, holidays to warm destinations, beach outings

Features:

• Super lightweight & compact
• Made from breathable fabric with mesh panels
• Includes water-resistant mattress pad & fitted sheet set
• Folds flat for easy storage & transport
• Expands & collapses in seconds
• Recommended for use from birth to 3 months
• Dimensions: 76 x 30 x 54 cm/ 30 x 11.8 x 21.2 in
• Weight: 1.1 kg / 2.45 lbs

Ideal for: Newborn babies, camping trips, beach outings, warm destinations

The downside? The travel bassinet can’t be used on an elevated surface and taller babies will grow out of it in 3 months or less.

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Over $100 Best Portable Baby Bed Reviews

If you’ve got the cash to splash on a lux portable baby travel bed with a sleek design and wider functionalities, then don’t go past these popular options.

Phil&Teds Traveller

Aaaaand.. the award for the ultimate lightweight champion goes to *drum rolls* Phil&Teds portable travel crib. Weighing in lighter than your newborn baby, this ultra portable travel bed has been our best hack on all of our adventures near and far. It fits snugly into our suitcase without creating the need to carry an extra item because – let’s be real – your hands are probably tied enough dealing with a baby or toddler. The Traveller also features a self-inflating mattress and side opening that converts the portacot into a playpen.

Features:

• Full breathable mesh sides
• Global safety certification
• Thermally insulated self-inflating mattress
• Includes fitted sheet made from Oeko-Tex certified fabric
• Converts into a playpen with side access zipper
• Easily fits into suitcases & small car trunks
• Recommended for use from birth until 2 years
• Dimensions: 117 x 79 x 63 cm / 25.6 x 7.8 x 7.8″
• Weight: 2.8 kg / 6 lbs

Ideal for: Holidays in warm destinations, camping trips, road trip holidays, overseas trips

The downside? Can be tricky to assemble the first time (YouTube videos will do the trick) and some might find the mattress to be too thin due to the crib’s compact size.

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BabyBjörn Travel Cot Easy

The BabyBjörn travel cot is, undoubtedly, one you’ll have come across in all your research. It’s, basically, the mother of all portable baby cots that all hip and trendy parents aspire to acquire. It’s the perfect slumber companion for trips near and far – set it up in a single move (literally pops open in 15 seconds), add in the mattress and your baby is ready to roll (into dreamy land). Considered one of the most portable baby travel beds, the crib includes a super comfy mattress, a fitted sheet and mesh walls for optimal breathability.

Features:

• Easy set up & fold system
• Airy mesh fabric
• Includes soft & sturdy mattress
• Made from Oeko-Tex Standard 100 material
• Removable mattress cover & washable cot fabric
• Recommended for use from birth until 3 years
• Dimensions: 49 x 60 x 14 cm / 19 x 23.5 x 5.5″
• Weight: 6 kg / 13 lbs

Ideal for: Overseas holidays, camping trips, road trip getaways, outdoor adventures, grandparents’ house

The downside? It doesn’t come with a fitted sheet (needs to be purchased separately) and it can be difficult to find the right size sheets for the mattress.

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SlumberPod Privacy Sleep Nook

Okay, the SlumberPod is, technically, a tent that sits over a portable baby crib providing your little one with shade and privacy for a night of deep slumber, it’s nevertheless, the perfect accessory for camping and outdoor trips with the family. Pair the sleep pod with a travel cot or inflatable toddler mattress and you’ve got yourself a baby or toddler sleeping through jetlag like a cool morning breeze.

Features:

• Lightweight & compact
• Fits inside carry-on luggage
• Control the amount of light beaming in with the customisable zipper
• Zip up completely for near total darkness
• Easy to set up & dissassemble
• Slips over standard-sized playard or some toddler cots
• Dimensions: 127 x 91 x 142 cm / 50 x 36 x 56 in
• Weight: 2.6 kg / 5.65 lbs

Ideal for: Camping trips, glamping holidays, use at home to darken sleeping environment

The downside? It can get a little warm inside the pod, so dress your baby or toddler accordingly.

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Features:

• Insulated, waterproof mattress made out of high quality padding
• Converts into playard with lockable side door
• Includes hands-free backpack carry bag
• Breathable, all-mesh side panels
• 3D folding aluminium frame
• Recommended for use from birth until 3 years
• Dimensions: 107 x 61 x 63.5 cm / 42 x 24 x 25 in
• Weight: 5 kg / 11 lbs

Ideal for: Overseas holidays, camping trips, road trip getaways, outdoor adventures, grandparent’s house

The downside? Thinner mattress compared to BabyBjörn Travel Cot and doesn’t come with a fitted sheet.

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Joovy Room2 Playard

Need that extra bit of space for your highly mobile baby to move, kick and tumble around in a safe environment? The Joovy Room2 provides almost 10 square feet (close to 1 square metre) of space for your tiny party animal to roll, sleep and kick about in. Although this extra large portable baby bed falls into the heavier category of travel cribs, it still folds up snugly for travel and is perfect for longer trips where you’re based in a single location.