The Best Baby Travel Beds, Portable Cribs, and Bassinets
Need recommendations for lightweight, portable baby travel beds? Or perhaps a portable bed for your toddler or preschooler? Or still other solutions to help kids sleep safe and sound on vacation? (Ah, precious sleep!)
Scroll down to browse truly travel-friendly travel beds, bassinets, and other clever products to help with your next family adventure. Note: Travel beds with the greatest longevity (from minimum age to maximum) are listed first.
But first, pin this to your travel board for future reference and to help others find it!
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Phil & Ted’s Traveller Full-Size Travel Crib
Why Shelly recommends it:
It only weighs 7 lbs.–compare that with other play yards! Add to that its terrific versatility and its hard to find a better travel bed. Use it from birth on up through three years (or more), indoors and out. Breathable mesh panels let you take this to the park and beach just as easily as Grandma’s house (where rubber feet will protect her floors).
The self-inflating air mattress works much like a Therm-a-Rest (or backpacker’s mattress), providing good insulation from the cold ground as well as padding from hard floors. An optional UV-protective cover fits over the top to offer protection outdoors (though you’ll have to throw a beach towel or something over the sides for sun protection now that they are 100% mesh (please let me know when you’ve finished thinking that one through, Phil&Ted).
The Traveler also has a zipping side panel to allow in and out access for playtime on the beach, and for older children who are ready to come and go on their own from their own travel bed. It stands 51″ x 24.8″ x 31″ when open, and folds to 24.8″ x 8.6″ square packed in its carrying case. Find it online at: Amazon.com
BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light
Why Shelly recommends it:
At 11 lbs. the Travel Crib Light weighs a little more than Phil & Ted’s full-size travel crib, costs around $100 more, and you probably won’t be able to use it as long (it also doesn’t offer the unzipped side self-access for older children).
That said, the easy to assemble BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is worth it to some parents for the 1-minute (or less) set-up time, space savings when folded and set-up, and eco-certified softer fabrics–every bit of which can be gently washed in the machine.
In theory, the BabyBjorn Travel Light can be used for newborns up to around 3 years old (older children may be happier with the longer mattress of the Phil & Ted or Peapod Plus, both of which they can freely come and go from when they’re ready). Measures 32” x 44” x 24” set up, and is 19″ X 24″ X 6″ packed in its travel case. Find it online at: Amazon.com
The Peapod Baby Bed for Travel
Why Shelly recommends it:
Helps create your “tent within a tent” safely on cold camping trips, and gives a clean, safe place for baby to snooze bug-free, whether indoors or out. Folds into its own carrying case at 16.5″ diameter and 3″ thick, then pops up when needed to 46″L x 28″W x 18″H.
The Peapod Plus weighs less than 3 lbs. Although this is recommended for 1 to 3 years, you may prefer the slightly larger Peapod Plus, which can be used on through the preschool years (see below). Find it online at: Amazon.com
The Peapod Plus Travel Bed
Why Shelly recommends it:
The Peapod Plus can be used from infancy well through preschool, and includes a lightweight sleeping bag. In addition to the UV mesh found in the smaller Peapod, the Plus also has roll-down nylon sides for added wind protection.
Other differences: The poles used in the Plus are thinner and more lightweight than the very heavy-duty ones used in the original above, keeping its weight down, but at the cost of some stability (if you have rowdy rompers in the house, you may prefer the original Peapod). Travels at 19″ diameter and 6.5″ thick in its carrying case. Unfolds to 52.5″ x 34″ x 25″.
Find it online at: Amazon.com
Fold ‘n Go Infant Travel Bassinet
Why Shelly recommends it:
This portable folding infant bassinet sets up in 10 seconds (okay it took us 20 the first time, but…) and features a rigid steel frame with four-point Safe-T-Lock System, providing a sturdier alternative to some baby travel beds with soft sides. Mesh side panels also allow for better air circulation.
The Brica Fold N Go bassinet folds to 22″ at its widest point x 16″ x 2″ thick and weighs less than 3 lbs. Unfolds to 30.5″L x 22″W x 10″H with an included 29″ x 18″ foam mattress with cover. For newborns up to 3 months or 15 lbs., or when baby starts pushing up. Find deals on the Brica Fold ‘n Go Infant Travel Bassinet online at: Amazon.com
The Snuggle Nest by Baby Delight Folding Infant Travel Bed
Why Shelly recommends it:
The very popular Snuggle Nest has been improved with new safety features, including ventilation through breathable sidewalls and an optional 1.5″ incline wedge to help elevate baby’s head–very helpful should a little nose get stuffy during your travels.
This model of Snuggle Nest plays soft music or womb-like sounds and includes a convenient night light you’ll be glad to have when checking on baby in an unfamiliar hotel room. Cover can be removed and washed.
What I don’t like about this newer model is that the wrap-around bumper means it won’t last as longer for taller/longer babies, and the new “vented” side walls actually look less breathable than the earlier mesh used.
Still, for travel with a swaddled infant, this may be just what you need. Open dimensions are 17.5 x 6.5″ x 18″. Folds in half for travel. Weighs 3.5 lbs. Find deals on the Snuggle Nest online at: Amazon.com
First Years Close and Secure Folding Infant Travel Co-Sleeper
Why Shelly recommends it:
Baby travel beds with a built-in, battery-powered night light are few and far between. This co-sleeper also adds an extra measure of protection, buffering your baby from head to toe, making it a suitable sleeping spot for infants both in the “family bed” and out.
As mentioned, it features a built-in night light, which can be helpful for late-night checks, especially when staying in new and unfamiliar places. Machine washable cover and sheet included. Overall dimensions are 26″ x 16″ x 6″ (24″L within bumpers). Folds to 19″ x 17″ x 7 1/2″ with carrying handle. Find it online at: Amazon.com
Summer Infant Travel Bed with Toy Bar and Shoulder Strap
Why Shelly recommends it:
Great for the airport and possibly even on the airplane. It starts out folded into a travel bag with a shoulder strap and bottle pockets on each end. Then, when you need a clean, safe spot for baby to stretch out while you await your flight, just unfold this portable baby bed and the toy bar is already in place.
What’s that? There’s NOT a changing table in the lavatory on your flight? No problem. This will give you a clean, workable surface with no-roll sidewalls to use either on the airplane seat, floor, or–if the toilet design suits–in the lavatory over the closed lid. Oh, right! And when you get to the hotel, you’ll also have a handy baby travel bed. 😉 Find it online at: Amazon.com
The Shrunks Inflatable Portable Bed for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Why Shelly recommends it:
Great solution for occasional visits to Grandma’s house, car trips, and camping (but at 6 lbs. and still bulky when deflated, you probably don’t want to pack this portable bed on the plane).
The air mattress insert is the same size as a standard crib mattress, and you can use it with your own crib/toddler bed sheet sets. (If your child is already pushing the limits of the toddler bed, take a look at the kid-size inflatable travel bed that fits a twin-size sheet.)
The inflated bumper with side rails allows you to tuck blankets deeply to help them stay put. Inflates in just 30 seconds using the included electric (plug in) pump. Phthalate-Safe, BpA-Safe and Lead-Safe. Find it online at: Amazon
The Shrunks Inflatable Portable Bed Rails
Why Shelly recommends it:
Make the most of extra beds where you find them by easily adding these portable bed safety bumpers to hotel beds, guest beds, cruise ship berths, and then some.
Inflate with the included foot pump and slip under the side of the bed’s fitted sheet to prevent roll-off. Deflated, these bed rails take up very little space in the suitcase and they weigh in at only 1.8 lbs for the pair. Phthalate-Safe, BpA-Safe and Lead-Safe. Find it online at: Amazon.com
You might also like:
- Best Lightweight Travel Strollers
- Checklist for Travel with Babies and Toddlers
- Best Car Seat Travel Bags and Carriers
- Travel Stroller Accessories
- Five Things You Might Not Think to Pack for Travel with Babies and Toddlers
- Return to Great Baby Travel Gear and Family Travel Products
- Seven Easy Ways to Get Your Car Seat Through the Airport
