If you’re going on adventures that require long travel or just visiting family over the weekend, you’ll need a portable crib for your baby. After all, not all spaces offer baby accommodation, and renting can get expensive pretty fast.
So, what’s the best travel crib on the market that can get the job done?
Well, I’ve gathered the best options for travel cribs in one place so you wouldn’t have to look everywhere. The options range from simple cots to more elaborate designs that include bassinet and play yard functions. So let’s go over them in detail.
The 9 Best Travel Cribs in 2023
Here are my detailed reviews of the top nine travel cribs on the market!
1. Maxi-Cosi Swift 3-in-1 Travel Crib – Best Overall
Our Take
The playard comes with mesh sides for good airflow and is raised above the ground for better comfort.
| Best For | Overall |
| Price | Click to Reveal |
The top pick for the best portable crib has got to be the Maxi-Cosi Swift 3-in-1. Aside from looking like a chic accessory to any room or nursery, it also has a bunch of cool features that earn it this top spot.
For starters, the “3-in-1” refers to the design of the travel crib that allows for it to be used as a:
- Full-size crib for babies and toddlers up to 35″ tall.
- Bassinet for newborn babies.
- Play yard for toddlers up to 3 years old.
Although these functions aren’t unique to the Maxi-Cosi, it does everything so well and at a reasonable price point.
The mattress that comes with the travel crib is easily converted from its original size to the size of the bassinet. It also remains flat without any fussy Velcro straps, making setup and takedown super easy.
The playard comes with mesh sides for good airflow and is raised above the ground for better comfort.
The package includes a portable playard, a two-stage mattress, and a travel bag.
Specs
- Unpacked: 41.5 x 33.5 x 31 inches
- Packed: 33 x 11 x 12 inches
- Weight: 18 lbs
Pros
- Chic design and sturdy materials
- Machine washable removable fabrics
- Bassinet attachment included
Cons:
- At 18 lbs., it’s heavier than many other travel cribs
- The mattress doesn’t suit fitted sheet standard sizes
2. UPPAbaby Remi Travel Crib – Most Versatile
Our Take
The triple-layer air mesh mattress is temperature-regulating and ensures comfort for sleeping babies. It can also take the hopping and playing when used as a playard without changing shape.
| Best For | Most Versatile |
| Price | Click to Reveal |
If you intend to treat the port-a-crib like a mainstay in your home rather than a travel accessory, then the UPPAbaby Remi Travel Crib is the one for you. This thing can take the wear and tear and give you years and years of use.
The triple-layer air mesh mattress is temperature-regulating and ensures comfort for sleeping babies. It can also take the hopping and playing when used as a playard without changing shape.
A cool addition to the Remi travel crib is the zip-open mesh panel that allows for an easier time cuddling or feeding your little one. The removable bassinet attachment is also zip-on, so setting it up should be incredibly easy.
The package includes a portable playard, a mattress, a bassinet insert, a mattress cover, and a zippered carry bag.
Specs
- Unpacked: 40.5 x 26 x 28.5 inches
- Packed: 11 x 10 x 28.5 inches
- Weight: 20 lbs
Pros
- Greenguard Gold Certified for no off-gassing and safer indoor air quality
- Lots of options for accessories, like the changing station, organizer, and canopy
- Zip-open mesh panel for easy accessibility
Cons
- Much heavier than most options at 20 lbs
- Accessories are sold separately
3. Bugaboo Stardust Travel Crib – Most Compact
Our Take
It works as a bassinet, a portable baby bed, and a Pack ‘n Play as efficiently as the largest options on this list.
| Best For | Most Compact |
| Price | Click to Reveal |
Traveling can present some space-related challenges when you don’t even know whether your hotel room will fit the baby travel crib or not. Well, the Bugaboo Stardust Travel Crib was made with these situations in mind.
It has overall slimmer dimensions than other options on the list, making for a more compact product that doesn’t compromise on quality. It works as a bassinet, a portable baby bed, and a Pack ‘n Play as efficiently as the largest options on this list.
Just keep in mind that although the maximum weight limit is 33 lbs., your baby might outgrow the Bugaboo Stardust a little faster than other products because of the smaller dimensions.
The package includes a portable playard, a mattress, a bassinet insert, and a carrying bag.
Specs
- Unpacked: 25 x 38.75 x 33.5 inches
- Packed: 25.5 x 5.5 x 33.5 inches
- Weight: 14.8 lbs
Pros
- Smaller footprint than other Pack ‘n Plays/travel cribs on the market
- Folds with the mattress pad in place for easier packing
- Water-repellent fabric coating
Cons
- Your baby outgrows the Bugaboo Stardust’s length by two years old
- It folds, keeping its height at 33.5 inches, which is quite long
4. Venice Daydreamer Travel Crib – Best on a Budget
Our Take
The soft, compressed cotton mattress makes for a safe sleeping environment for your baby, while the aluminum frame ensures sturdiness.
| Best For | On A Budget |
| Price | Click to Reveal |
The Venice Daydreamer Travel Crib has the unique advantage of being a budget-friendly option, as well as the travel crib with the biggest area out there. This is ideal if you have an older toddler who’d enjoy a larger space or maybe twins who’d make full use of the almost 40 x 40 dimensions.
However, just because the Daydreamer is less expensive than other options on the list doesn’t mean you compromise on the quality. The soft, compressed cotton mattress makes for a safe sleeping environment for your baby, while the aluminum frame ensures sturdiness.
One of the unique features of the Venice Daydreamer crib is that it has wheels! While they’re not large enough to move the crib when your baby is inside, it makes for easier movement from room to room. A welcome addition, for sure!
The package includes a portable playard, mattress, mattress protector pad, and travel bag.
Specs
- Unpacked: 39.4 x 39.4 x 27.8 inches
- Packed: 8.7 x 8.7 x 37.8 inches
- Weight: 19.8 lbs
Pros
- Large dimensions are suitable for twins and older toddlers
- Includes a waterproof mattress protector pad and wheels
- Budget-friendly option but with high-quality materials
Cons
- Doesn’t include a removable bassinet, making it unsuitable for newborn babies
- Bigger than most portable cribs when folded
5. Aeromoov Instant Travel Cot – Most Lightweight
Our Take
The Aeromoov travel cot also has spacious dimensions to allow for free activity when used as a Pack ‘n Play, as well as a comfortable mattress made of 2-inch PU for extra padding power.
| Best For | Value |
| Price | Click to Reveal |
The most lightweight travel crib definitely has to be the Aeromoov Instant Travel Cot at just under 11 lbs.! This is almost half the crib weight of some options on the market that cross the 22 lbs. mark with ease.
But just because the Aeromoov is incredibly lightweight doesn’t mean it’s a less sturdy portable baby bed. The mid-level supports newborn baby weight up to 13 lbs., while the lower level doesn’t have any weight limit because it’s supported by the ground directly.
The Aeromoov travel cot also has spacious dimensions to allow for free activity when used as a Pack ‘n Play, as well as a comfortable mattress made of 2-inch PU for extra padding power.
The package includes a cot and carrying bag, and the fitted sheet is sold separately.
Specs
- Unpacked: 52 x 36 x 25 inches
- Packed: 28 x 5 x 29 inches
- Weight: 11 lbs
Pros
- Lightest travel crib on the market
- Easy setup and takedown using one hand
- Water-repellent mattress for easy cleanup
Cons
- The travel crib sleeping pad sits directly on the floor, which might be uncomfortable
- Unlike more expensive travel crib mattresses, this one is made of PU and not cotton
6. BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light – Eco-Friendly Pick
If you have sustainability in mind when shopping for baby products, then the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light is the best travel crib to look for. It’s made from OEKO-TEX®–certified materials that are free of harmful substances, so you should rest assured your baby is getting the safest product possible.
Aside from that, the Babybjörn Travel Crib Light combines many great features. It has an airy design with all-mesh sides, which makes for a lightweight travel crib you wouldn’t dread carrying. It’s also supported with steel legs that extend outside the tent-like play yard, so visibility is optimal.
The package includes a portable playard and a carry bag.
Specs
- Unpacked: 32.0 x 44.0 x 25.0 Inches
- Packed: 6.0 x 24.0 x 19.0 Inches
- Weight: 13 lbs
Pros
- The Travel Crib Light is an eco-friendly option free of harmful chemicals
- Simple design that resembles a tent for better visibility
- Machine washable fabric components
Cons
- Doesn’t include a travel bassinet option, so it’s unsuitable for newborns
- The opening is narrower than the base, so placing a sleeping baby might be challenging
7. Baby Jogger City Suite Travel Crib – Innovative Design
Another one of the best travel cribs on the market is the Baby Jogger City Suite Travel Crib. This one combines all the features of a multi-level Pack ‘n Play with the ease of use of a lightweight travel crib.
At the infant stage, you can use the portable bassinet feature that ensures safety as the baby sleeps. As your baby grows, the City Suite allows for free movement as the travel crib dimensions are roomy enough.
The soft mattress is foldable and fits both the full-size travel crib and the travel bassinet. It’s also made of high-quality, stain-resistant fabric for easy cleanup.
But the best of the portable travel crib features is the innovative way it folds up, with the sides folding in and the bar supporting the width folding in half. This makes for super slim dimensions once it’s packed, which plays nicely with how lightweight the crib is.
The package includes a foldaway playard, a mattress (fits both travel bassinet and playpen), and a travel bag.
Specs
- Unpacked: 34.0 x 25.0 x 28.0 Inches
- Packed: 34.0 x 14.5 x 7.0 Inches
- Weight: 13.5 lbs
Pros
- An innovative fold-up technique for slim packed dimensions
- A lightweight travel crib that includes a foldable bassinet
- Wipe clean, stain-resistant fabric components
Cons
- The mattress lies directly on the floor with no middle support
- The dimensions are on the shorter side, which diminishes the age range this travel crib suits
8. Nuna Sena Aire Travel Crib – Most Luxurious
If you’re looking for the best travel crib from a luxury standpoint, then the Nuna Sena Aire Travel Crib is what you need. A soft, gorgeous design that combines the comfort of a regular crib with the portability of an infant travel bed, it’s definitely in a league of its own!
The mechanism to fold it closed and open it up is super easy, too. You just need one hand to push it down, and the travel crib opens up like a flower. The design also features skid-proof feet and padded edges, which ensure complete quiet without squeaking noises or pinching.
The travel bassinet feature in the Nuna Sena adds to the luxury with a length and width that match the regular crib dimensions but at a raised level. The quilted mattress also folds with the bed, which makes packing a breeze.
This bundle comes with a changing table that matches the travel crib. It looks pretty cute and is a lifesaver when you’re far from home.
The package includes a travel crib, carry bag, quilted mattress, organic-cotton fitted sheet, and changer.
Specs
- Unpacked: 41.3 x 29.5 x 30.7 Inches
- Packed: 31.5 x 13 x 11 Inches
- Weight: 22 lbs
Pros
- GOTS-certified organic cotton fitted sheet for comfort
- Zip-off mattress design is machine washer and dryer safe
- Water-resistant, durable fabric resists stains, drips, and tears
Cons
- The travel crib is one of the heaviest at 22 lbs
- It folds up to a bulky mass, making it more difficult to carry
9. Guava Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib – Most Portable
Last on our list is a truly unique offering from Guava. The Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib is a refreshing take on the concept of portability. Once you’re done with it, it folds up just like the other travel cribs, but then two shoulder straps make the Lotus travel crib into a backpack!
That’s right; you’ll have TWO free hands to carry everything else you need to carry! I’m genuinely surprised no one else thought of this feature.
Other than the super convenient shoulder straps, the Guava Lotus travel crib is pretty roomy at a reasonable weight of 15 lbs. Paired with the backpack-style carry bag, you can check it as part of your carry-on luggage with ease.
The package includes a travel crib, carry bag, and mattress.
Specs
- Unpacked: 45.5 x 31.5 x 25.5 Inches
- Packed: 24 x 12 x 8 Inches
- Weight: 15 lbs
Pros
- Backpack-style travel bag for easier use through airports
- 50% smaller folded size for better portability
- No weight limit
Cons
- The design lacks a travel bassinet
- The mattress lies directly on the floor
Things to Consider When Buying a Travel Crib
Depending on why you want a travel crib, you might want to consider the following:
- Comfort: How soft is the mattress, and how supported is it?
- Ease of use: How easy is the travel bed to take down and put back up?
- Packability: Is the crib lightweight? Is the travel bag easy to carry?
- Price: Are the features of the crib good enough for the price?
- Add-ons: Do you get a bassinet with the crib? Does it have a diaper changer? A mosquito net?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Need a Travel Crib?
The answer depends on your lifestyle and how often you leave home to go on trips. Travel cribs are a great way to ensure your baby has somewhere to sleep when you’re on the go if you’re not sure your hotel or accommodation has enough place.
That said, you can always find a baby gear rental if you don’t travel that much.
What Is the Difference Between a Pack ‘N Play and a Travel Crib?
A Pack ‘n Play is usually heavier and packs bigger than a travel crib, which is usually made with portability in mind. A Pack ‘n Play also has the advantage of more accessories, which might be nice if you don’t intend to move it. Travel cribs, on the other hand, make more sense if you don’t have much space or need to move quite often.
Conclusion
Counting down the best travel cribs on the market in 2023, I’m reminded that, truly, to each their own.
While my best overall pick, the Maxi-Cosi Swift, is a wonderful addition to any home, you could argue that a more lightweight option, like the Aeromoov, is better for travel. If you want something compact, then Bugaboo Stardust is for you, but for something more spacious, the Venice Daydreamer is the one to beat. Doesn’t hurt that it’s budget-friendly, too!
Travel cribs are a solid option whether you want to use them as a regular crib or as a travel cot for your little one. If you’ve searched everywhere for the best travel crib but haven’t found what you need, I hope this list has the picks you’re looking for.
