The Best Travel Crib for Every Budget

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Traveling with babies and toddlers can require a lot of gear. We did the research and found top-rated travel cribs that fit every budget and need. From travel bassinets for newborns, to lightweight travel cribs you can check onto a plane – our top picks are here.

Travel Crib vs. Pack and Play – What’s the Difference?

Some people call it a travel crib; others refer to it as a pack and play. At the end of the day, they’re talking about the same thing!

A travel crib, or pack and play, is a lightweight, foldable, easy-to-transport enclosure that serves as a contained, safe sleep space or play area for babies and toddlers. Did you know Graco coined the phrase “Pack ’n Play” and launched the first one in 1987? Today, it’s become a common term used to describe travel cribs.

Best Travel Crib: Our Overall Pick

Guava Lotus Travel Crib

The Guava travel crib wins the overall title because it checks so many boxes. We have this portable travel crib, and I love it.

Because the mattress is flush with the ground, it lends itself to co-sleeping. You can unzip the mesh panel on the side and lie beside your little one until they fall asleep. I also love this side-panel zip because it’s more breastfeeding-friendly if you choose a side-lying position.

It’s a top-rated travel crib for good reason! More lightweight than many competitors, the Guava travel crib folds into its own travel backpack. This makes it so easy to travel with or carry through an airport.

What makes it so special?

• GREENGUARD Gold Certified
• Mattress rests on the floor for added stability
• Side-zip panel allows for transitioning from co-sleeping
• Comes with its own travel backpack

Specs:

Weight: 15 lbs.
Dimensions: 45.5” L × 31.5” W × 25.5” H
Bassinet insert: No; bassinet conversion kit sold separately
Price: $300

Non-Toxic Travel Crib

Nuna Sena Aire Portable Travel Crib

This Nuna travel crib ranks as the best non-toxic travel crib because it’s GREENGUARD Gold Certified. This means it has passed rigorous third-party testing that confirms it does not contribute to indoor air pollution or chemical exposure. In other words, you can sleep easy knowing your baby is sleeping safely.

While it’s more of an investment, the Nuna travel crib comes with everything you need—including a GOTS-certified organic cotton sheet and a carrying case.

Not only are there mesh sides for easy airflow, but the Sena Aire also differentiates itself with a ventilated mattress. It’s washable, too!

What makes it so special?

• GREENGUARD Gold Certified
• GOTS organic cotton crib sheet included
• Zigzag frame allows for a sturdy design
• Ventilated mattress with washable inserts
• Machine-washable fabrics

Specs:

Weight: 22/23 lbs. (without/with bassinet insert)
Dimensions: 41.3” L × 30” W × 29” H
Bassinet insert: Yes
Price: $400

Travel Crib with the Easiest Set Up

Baby Bjorn Travel Crib

I can attest that the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib is the easiest to set up. We have three different types of travel cribs, and this one comes together with a single, fluid motion.

The airy mesh sides make it easy to keep an eye on your little one, whether they’re sleeping or playing. This travel crib is sturdy and doesn’t have an upper weight limit, as the mattress rests directly on the floor.

What makes it so special?

• Simplest setup
• Lightweight and portable
• Breathable mesh that allows for clear supervision from any angle

Specs:

Price: $208
Weight: 11 lbs
Dimensions: 44″ L × 25″ W × 32″ H
Bassinet Insert: No

Affordable (No Frills) Travel Crib

Dream on Me Zodiak Playard

The Dream On Me Zodiak Playard is the best affordable pack and play out there. With more than 8,000 five-star reviews, it’s a sturdy travel crib that does its job.

It’s a no-frills travel crib and playard without the bells and whistles. However, it does provide your child with a safe place to sleep while traveling.

This is the type of travel crib you want if you’ll only be using it a handful of times. There’s no need to invest hundreds of dollars if you’re only taking it on a few trips to Grandma’s house!

What makes it so special?

• Good value for the money
• Sturdy and durable
• Available in different colors and styles

Specs:

Weight: 16.6 lbs.
Dimensions: 40” L × 27.5” W × 25.5” H
Bassinet insert: No
Price: $49

Lightweight Travel Crib

Chicco Alfa Lite Portable Travel Crib

There’s a lot to love about the Chicco Alfa Lite travel crib. It’s incredibly lightweight, weighing under 13 lbs., and it has a compact collapse with an included travel bag that makes it easy to take anywhere.

Like many other travel cribs on the market, it has a side-zip panel that allows for easier access to your little one. It offers many of the same features as other popular travel crib brands but comes with a more affordable price tag!

As an added bonus, it includes a fitted sheet. You can sleep easy knowing your little one is resting on a clean, flat surface that’s safe for sleep every time.

What makes it so special?

• Super lightweight and less bulky
• GREENGUARD Gold Certified
• Fitted sheet included
• Under $200

Specs:

Weight: 12.5 lbs.
Dimensions: 43” L × 29” W × 25” H
Bassinet insert: No
Price: $190

The Pack and Play That Has It All

Graco Pack ‘n Play Day2Dream

It’s no surprise that Graco makes some of the best pack and play products on the market. They coined the term “pack and play” and have been making portable travel cribs since 1987!

The Day2Dream pack and play literally has everything you need and more. Not only does it include a full-size infant bassinet, but it also comes with a portable bassinet that can be removed and used beside the bed.

Also included are a waterproof changing pad and side storage. No more bending down on the floor to change a diaper — everything is right there for you!

While $290 may seem like a large investment, consider the cost of buying each item separately. With this product, you’re getting a bassinet, pack and play, and changing table all in one.

What makes it special?

• 20,000+ 5-star reviews from caregivers
• Portable bedside bassinet included
• Wipe-clean changing pad included
• Side storage organizer
• 7-in-1 product

Specs:

Weight: 39 lbs.
Dimensions: 47” L × 29” W × 33” H
Bassinet insert: Yes, includes a portable bedside bassinet
Price: $290

Pack and Play for Multiples

Joovy Room²

If you’re a parent of twins — or even triplets — this is the travel crib you’ll want. With a full 10 square feet of sleep and play space, it’s the largest portable pack and play on the market.

Parents of multiples consider it a must-have. Joovy’s Room² gives your children plenty of room to sleep and play. It comes with a waterproof fitted sheet and a travel bag so you can take it anywhere with ease.

A low center of gravity keeps the playard sturdy and secure, while the mesh side panels allow you to check on your child from any angle.

What makes it so special?

• Largest portable pack and play available
• Ideal for multiples or singletons
• Includes waterproof mattress sheet

Specs:

Weight: 27.7 lbs
Dimensions: 39.75” L x 39.75” W x 31” H
Bassinet insert: No
Price: $200

Compact Travel Crib

Bugaboo Stardust Playard

The Bugaboo Stardust is the top choice for a truly compact travel crib. It’s narrower than a traditional pack and play, making it easy to fit into hotel rooms and other tight spaces while traveling. Setup and takedown are incredibly simple, so you can get your little one settled in seconds.

Users love how well it works in small spaces, and it folds down to just 5.5 inches for quick, hassle-free storage. You get both a portable crib and a bassinet in one – this makes it a great travel crib for baby! The zip-in bassinet insert can be used until your baby reaches 19 lbs.

Many caregivers travel with it, but others keep it at home, noting that it looks sleek enough to leave out in any room.

What makes it so special?

• Compact both when open and when folded
• Fits easily into narrow spaces
• Lightweight
• Sleek and aesthetically pleasing

Specs:

Weight: 8 lbs
Dimensions: 42” L x 28” W x 36” H
Bassinet insert: Yes
Price: $349

Safe Sleep While Traveling

A safe sleeping environment is essential. All of these portable travel cribs provide a secure place for your baby or toddler to sleep when used properly.

Always place your baby on their back to sleep. The mattress should be flat and firm, and it should not indent under your baby’s weight.

Avoid putting any loose items in the sleep space—this includes blankets, pillows, or anything that isn’t securely attached. Only use fitted sheets designed for portable crib mattresses to prevent loose bedding that could pose a safety risk.

Travel Cribs and Room Sharing

When you’re traveling, you’re often sharing a room with your baby or toddler. It’s a far cry from home, where everyone has their own space, blackout curtains, and customized sound machine settings.

Have you ever laid your child down to sleep in the same room you’re sleeping in, only for them to stare at you from the crib? Or burst into giggles because you’re just a few feet away? It’s adorable…until it’s not. For little ones, it can be wildly distracting—and for parents, incredibly frustrating.

That’s where sleep tents like the SlumberPod come in and save the day!

SlumberPod

The SlumberPod is a blackout tent that fits over any standard-sized travel crib. It gives your child a private and enclosed sleep space, all while being in the same room you are.

It features ventilation flaps to ensure proper airflow, and it’s completely machine washable, making it both practical and parent-friendly.

If you travel often, this is a gift we recommend adding to your baby registry!

What makes it so special?

• Blocks 95% of light creating a dark, private sleep space
• Pockets for monitor and fan to fit
• So compact, it fits in your carry-on bag

Specs:

Weight: 5.7 lbs.
Dimensions: 50″ W × 40″ D
Price: $200

Toddler Travel Bed

INTEX Toddler Travel Bed

If you have a toddler who no longer fits comfortably in a pack and play, it’s time to size up to a toddler bed! We love this portable travel bed from INTEX.

First of all, it’s affordable—under $45. The raised edges create a sense of support and security, so if your child rolls over, they won’t fall off the bed. It’s a two-piece design, and the inner mattress fits a standard crib sheet.

It takes just a couple of minutes to inflate with the included manual pump. Once it’s ready, you have a cozy, portable sleep space for your child. When you’re finished, simply deflate it and fold everything into the travel bag.

What makes it so special?

• Affordable and portable toddler bed
• Fits a standard crib sheet
• Raised sides keep toddlers from rolling out

Specs:

Weight: 8.4 lbs.
Dimensions: 66″ L × 42″ W × 10″ H
Price: $45, goes on sale frequently

Looking for more?

Discover all our favorites for traveling with babies and toddlers—including travel feeding favorites and ways to prep your little one for flying.

Don’t forget to keep little hands busy on-the-go! Our favorite travel toys for kids are engaging, safe, and fun!