5 Best Travel Cribs and Pack 'n Plays For Home or Away, Tested By Parents
A portable playard can really help a parent out, doubling as a travel crib or even a second diaper-changing station.
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Call it a portable crib, a travel crib, a playard, or a Pack 'n Play (Graco's brand name)—they all mean the same thing. Many new parents want one of these pop-up, fold-up wonders that serve as a storable sleep space for baby.
Our top picks:
- Best Overall: Graco Pack ’n Play Travel Dome LX Playard
- Best Value: Graco Pack and Play Portable Playard
- Best for Travel: Guava Lotus
There are different playards for specific needs. Some are lightweight for travel, others include a changing pad so you can use it as a diaper-changing station in the living room or at the grandparents' house. Sometimes there's a raised bassinet that you use for sleep and naps during the newborn months. Take that out that once your baby can roll over and let your older baby or toddler sleep or play on the lowest level.
Per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) rules for safe sleep: Treat a playard like you would a baby's crib and don't fill it with blankets or bedding not sold specifically for it, since those can be suffocation hazards or used as a boost for your child to climb out. I list more safety tips at the end of this article.
Pros
- Includes a portable bassinet with its own travel bag
- Has a diaper-changing station
- Large storage organizer hangs off the side
- Wheels help you move it around
Cons
- With its extras, it's the heaviest on our list
Best as: A travel crib that can serve as a diaper station at home.
Why I like it: This Graco Pack n Play has useful extras including a portable bassinet and a diaper-changing pad. The small bassinet can sit on top during the early months, or you can take it off and use the bassinet around the house. (Sometimes your infant has to join you in the bathroom, for instance. It is what it is!) Cool part: There's a carry bag for just the bassinet so you can take it around to a new mom group or to Grandma's.
This model also features a changing station and a storage organizer where you can keep diapers and wipes. As with most playards, there's a bassinet insert for newborns and then you use the bottom of the playard as a travel crib and play space for your older baby or toddler. The playard has a travel bag of its own.
Tester notes: "As a first time mom, I loved this product," a parent said. "In the early infant days we had the Pack 'n Play set up downstairs with the changing station and the bassinet so we didn't have to go up and down the stairs for every diaper change or nap."
This is the heaviest playard on our list. But if you travel with just the playard and no attachments, it's lighter. Wheels on one end allow you to tip it and move it around the house (without the baby inside, of course!).
Bedding notes: No sheet is included. If your baby sleeps in a sleep sack, you don't even need a sheet. But Graco does sell a quilted sheet made to fit.
RELATED: 5 Best Toddler Travel Beds
Features at a Glance
| Weight limits | Playard: 30 lbs; inner bassinet: 15 lbs; portable bassinet: 15 lbs; changer: 25 lbs |
| Product weight | 33 lbs |
| Unfolded dimensions | 27" x 28.5" x 37" |
| Folded dimensions | 12 " x 28.5" x 6" |
Pros
- Lowest price
- Great for families traveling with an older baby or toddler
- An affordable playpen
- Comes with wheels
Cons
- No newborn bassinet, so it's a awkward to lie a tiny baby at the bottom (though it is safe to do so)
Best as: A travel crib that can serve as a playpen at home. It's under $100!
Why I like it: This bare bones option works for traveling with an older baby or toddler, and as a playpen at home to keep a toddler safe for short stretches of time. In fact I recommended it to my cousin with 8-month old twins, since they've recently started crawling, only to find out that she already bought it! Sometimes you have to keep a baby in place while you make lunch or do anything else.
This is slightly larger than the deluxe version, so a toddler has a little more room, too. Though it's age-graded as safe from birth, it's a little awkward to bend over and lay a newborn in the bottom for sleep.
Tester notes: Wheels help you move this Pack 'n Play into position, but it's still lightweight and folds small—both the wheels and the legs fold up to help this easily fit in its carry bag.
I used this kind of Pack 'n Play with my own babies for travel. The first time you try either the setup and the fold, there's a learning curve, but once you get it, you can probably do it in the dark—and probably will!
Bedding notes: It doesn't come with a sheet, but you can get a two pack of fitted sheets from the brand site.
Features at a Glance
| Weight limit | 30 lbs |
| Product weight | 19 lbs |
| Unfolded dimensions | 28.25" x 39.5" x 29" |
| Folded dimensions | 31.5" x 22.5" x 23" |
Pros
- Lightweight
- Carrying case is a backpack
- Small fold makes this easy to store
- Door zips open on the side so tots can crawl in and out
Cons
- No newborn bassinet on this
Best as: A travel crib. It's lightweight, and its carry bag is a backpack.
Why I like it: In awarding this one of our previous Family Travel Awards we wrote that the Lotus "stands out for its ability to be folded compactly." It comes with a waterproof foam mattress. We love the side that zips open for easy access—that makes it fun for toddlers, who can crawl in and out on their own.
The mattress lays directly on the floor with the Lotus, which some parents find to be a plus (it means there's no weight limit). Others worry that it's less comfortable. But given that kids have slept in sleeping bags on floors for years, maybe the sleep experience is better for kids than parents imagine.
Tester notes: GH Senior Reviews Writer & Analyst Olivia Lipski, and mom of a 1-year-old, travels frequently with her husband and daughter and swears by the Lotus. "We've brought the Guava Lotus on cross-country flights and road trips," Lipski says. "I love that it includes a compact case that can be worn as a backpack or checked in, but the best part is how easy it is to unfold and set up. It takes my husband just a couple of minutes. The frame is sturdy. I like the mesh sides so I can see my daughter sleeping."
Additionally, a consumer tester told us, "I know the brand pitches the Lotus for travel but I also find it easily this fits in the closet at home and in the trunk for overnights."
This does not have a raised bassinet for newborns. If you want that, the brand sells a crib and bassinet bundle on its site, but it's an added expense and I've found the conversion to be tricky.
Bedding notes: A soft organic sheet is sold separately.
RELATED: Good Housekeeping Travel Awards
| Weight limit | N/A since the mattress sits on the floor. Lotus is marked as good from birth to age 3. |
| Product weight | 15 lbs |
| Unfolded dimensions | 45.5" x 31.5" x 25.5" |
| Folded dimensions | 23" x 12" x 8" |
Pros
- Large playard with plenty of sleeping space
- Wide zip-open door turns it into a fun play fort
- Washable mattress and pad
- Comes with an organic cotton sheet
Cons
- Most expensive on our list
Best as: A roomier-than-most travel crib.
Why I like it: The Newton Travel Crib is one of the largest we know of at 51 inches long on the bottom level. The bassinet insert is long as well at 31.5 inches.
Tester notes: "I love how easy it is to set up and put away," a tester told us. Another said, "The side that zips opens is nice," noting that the wide door is especially fun for a toddler or even two kids who wants to play half in, half out of the playard, using it like a little fort.
When assembling, be sure to put the mattress loops around all four legs of the playard to hold it in place. Like the Newton crib mattress, every piece of the Travel Crib can be washed clean, including the mattress core.
Bedding notes: This comes with an organic cotton muslin sheet, which helps justify the higher cost. The mattress is bigger than that of a standard Pack 'n Play, so don't bother buying sheets that are marked for a Pack 'n Play. If you need extra sheets they're for sale on the brand site.
Features at a Glance
| Weight limit | N/A since the mattress sits on the floor. Newton is marked as good until your child is 3 feet tall. |
| Product weight | 17 lbs |
| Unfolded dimensions | 51” x 34.5” x 38.5” |
| Folded dimensions | 35” x 12.5” x 11” |
Pros
- Zippered door on one end
- High weight limit of 50 pounds
- Easy shake-open assembly
- Weather-resistant bag
Cons
- No sheet available for the bassinet
Best as: A toddler travel crib, though with its deep bassinet, this works for newborns, too.
Why I like it: This winner of a Parenting Award zips open on the short end, which in a travel situation with your toddler (such as staying in a small hotel room) can make a lot of sense. Lay it next to the grow-up bed and they can still easily crawl in and out of their portable crib.
If you have a newborn, the raised bassinet can be installed with a zipper. In the toddler position the mattress sits on the ground. Silver Cross marks it as good up to 50 pounds, which means it should take your child through preschool.
Tester notes: A consumer tester called this "way nicer than a basic Pack 'n Play" noting that it's "sleek and very well made. It also folds nicely and is easy to set up and take down." The Sleep & Go has a cool shake-open assembly as shown in its brand video.
I like that the travel bag is weather-resistant. Another tester said, "I like that it was easy to carry in its bag and not too heavy."
Bedding notes: This does not come with a sheet and the brand sheet is currently unavailable. You're all good to just use the mattress.
RELATED: Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards
Features at a Glance
| Weight limits | Playard: 50 lbs; inner bassinet: until 4 and 6 months, when your baby begins to roll |
| Product weight | 15.4 lbs |
| Unfolded dimensions | 44" x 31.5" x 26.5" |
| Folded dimensions | 35” x 13.4” x 6.7” |
How I chose the best Pack 'n Plays
Two of these—the Newton Baby Travel Crib and the Silver Cross Sleep & Go—were extensively evaluated in-Lab and in homes as part of our annual Parenting Awards. The Guava Lotus was tested in-Lab and in homes as part of our Family Travel Awards and is Lipski's personal favorite, and it's the travel crib my nieces used. I personally used the Graco Pack 'n Play with my two kids, and my cousin is using it now with her babies.
When choosing baby gear I stick to trusted brands that submit their products for third-party testing with organizations such as the Baby Safety Alliance (formerly the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association). I also scour online reviews to be sure that families are pleased with the products.
What to look for when shopping for a Pack 'n Play
Gauging what playard features you need and what you can live without? Use this checklist:
✔️ How old is your baby? If you're still expecting or have a newborn, a playard with a raised bassinet will be a lot easier to use than one without. Leaning over to lay your tiny one on a mattress at floor level can make your back ache, so look for that bassinet! It's during the early months that you'll also most benefit from a diaper-changing topper on your playard or a toy arch for them to gaze at.
If your baby is already approaching their first birthday and toddlerhood, you can shop for a more pared down playard that doubles as a travel crib. They'll be too big for a bassinet insert, so you don't have to worry about that anymore!
✔️ How big is your space? As with all baby gear, you want to consider where you're going to put your playard and check the measurements. Playards are all approximately the same size, but some are a few inches shorter or a few inches longer than others.
✔️ Will you be traveling with it often? If you're primarily in the market for a travel crib, the lighter the better, in our opinion.
Do you need to buy separate sheets for a playard?
Some of these playards come with a sheet, others don't. For safe sleep, it's critical to get a sheet made by the same manufacturer that makes your playard, which may mean buying them as an extra. The brands do not guarantee safety if you buy sheets from an outside third party. However, brands don't make especially cute playard bedding. It's a bummer of a situation but remember, your baby can also sleep on a mattress without a sheet and be fine.
A crib vs. a Pack 'n Play
What's a portable crib vs a regular crib? Construction differentiates a playard from a crib: Instead of a fixed wooden structure, a Pack 'n Play is made of lightweight metal, polyester, and mesh. The most distinguishing characteristic of a playard is that it folds and unfolds for easy storage or transport.
The fold is also what makes it potentially harder to safely use than a crib, since caregivers need to be sure a playard is locked in place every time they set it up.
Some parents opt to make a Pack 'n Play their bedside bassinet during the infant months. It's a small piece of furniture, maybe smaller than a mini crib. But again, a playard is less of a fixed structure.
"A playard can function as a crib or bassinet but it is not recommended as a permanent sleeping solution. Parents often find playards are best for travel since most of them fold into a bag," said Cindy Panish, the former baby gear specialist at buybuy BABY stores. "Parents looking for a long-term, compact sleeping space for their baby might be better off with a mini crib."
Using a Pack 'n Play safely
How safe is a travel crib? Very safe, if used correctly. Here are playard safety guidelines from Keeping Babies Safe and tips I've learned in my 25 years of reporting on baby gear:
• Follow all weight and height guidelines listed in the user manual. Once your baby is too heavy for the bassinet, remove it and use the mattress at the lower level. Once your baby reaches the weight, age, or height limit for the overall product, it's time to say goodbye.
• A toddler who is trying to climb out the sides of the Pack 'n Play is too big for it, whether they've reached the top weight, age, or height limit or not, unfortunately.
• Make sure all latching features of the playard are in place and secure before you put your baby inside. Never leave your baby in a mesh playard if its drop side is in the down position. The baby could roll into the space between the pad and the loose mesh, which is a suffocation hazard.
• Don’t tie items across the top of the play yard as they can pose a strangulation hazard.
• Infants can suffocate in gaps between a mattress too small or too thick and the playard sides, or on soft bedding. Never add a mattress that didn't come with your product, nor a pillow, comforter or blanket until your baby has reached their first birthday, when the risk for SIDS is largely past.
More safe sleep tips for playards
Other advice? For a good night that's nice and safe:
• Put your baby on their back for every sleep, including naps. "It's crucial for their safety. This position significantly reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by ensuring unobstructed breathing," says Kelly Brown, R.N., a night nurse and director of nursing for Harbor, a new baby sleep-monitoring system. "Whether your baby is sleeping in a Pack 'n Play or any other sleep environment, always lay them down on their back."
• Have your baby on a firm, flat, non-inclined surface. Use the mattress that comes with your playard.
• Never co-sleep with your baby in your adult bed. "Cosleeping with your baby or letting them sleep in a swing or car seat is discouraged due to the risk of suffocation," Brown says. "Using a Pack 'n Play provides a designated and secure sleeping space for your baby, minimizing these risks."
• Avoid having any soft objects or loose bedding in your baby’s sleeping area until they reach toddlerhood.
• Keep your baby from getting overheated. For instance, dressing them in both footie pajamas and a swaddle could be way too much, so just choose one of those. Brown adds, "Proper ventilation around the Pack 'n Play and maintaining a comfortable room temperature also help regulate your baby's body temperature and prevent overheating."
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Contributing Writer Jessica Hartshorn has spent 25 years reporting on the juvenile product industry, previously for Parents magazine and American Baby magazine. She's also a mom of two.
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