A guide to the best travel cribs: for camping, hotel stays & more
Table of Contents - Click to jump to a section
Here you will find a breakdown of the different types of travel cots (also known as portable cribs, portacots and bassinets for travel), with reviews to help you decide which one will suit your family travel needs.
Whether you are camping, overnighting in a hotel or need a lightweight portable crib to pack in your luggage – this guide will help you. Readers of the Flying With A Baby Facebook page have added their experiences of using these travel cribs too.
AD/Affiliate link. This article may contain affiliate links. Please read more in our disclosure policy here. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What is the best travel cot or travel bassinet?
It really depends on your travel needs. Some are easy to sleep into your hand or hold luggage on an airplane, where others are best suited for the car. There is a quick comparison chart below with details of the weight, size and a lot more comparable information. You will also find more detailed reviews below with pros and cons which will help you decide the best portable crib for you.
If you are in a hurry, these are our top picks:
Our top picks – Best Travel Bassinet Quick Guide.
Best for babies: Brica Munchkin ranks well consistently and is so light and compact only weighing 4.43 pounds – suitable for babies up to 15lbs.
Best All Rounder Travel Crib: Lotus Travel Crib. This is compact and lasts from 0- 3 years old making it a worthwhile investment if you travel or go camping frequently.
Do I need a travel crib or travel bassinet? Pros and cons
A travel crib or bassinet is handy to have if you are camping, staying with friends, or perhaps staying somewhere which doesn’t provide a travel cot. I know many parents like using their own equipment or something baby is used to and familiar with. We took ours for overnight stays as we knew it was clean too. Anything to guarantee some sleep!
If you need a lightweight travel cot for flying and packing into your case, then the size and weight becomes an important factor to consider too.
The only real con is having to carry the extra baggage around – but it really depends on your individual circumstances when it comes to sleep and your travel schedule/mode of transport.

What age are travel cribs/bassinets suitable for?
The age varies but as a general rule 0-3 years old.
What type of portable crib do I need for a baby?
A portable baby crib needs to be safe, breathable, lightweight and suit your needs. Styles vary from pop-up beds and bassinet styles which rest on the floor, to others similar to playpens, which have legs and more support.
Can I use a travel crib for a toddler?
The smallest ones and lightest travel cribs are also less sturdy, so a more active toddler will likely need a toddler travel bed instead.
Can you take a travel cot as hand luggage?
Some do pack up small enough to fit in your hand luggage. As long as it meets your airlines hand baggage restrictions you can bring it.
BEST TRAVEL COTS – A COMPARISON CHART
Name | Image | weight | Suitable age | Size |
Munchkin Brica | ![]() | 4.43 lbs | Max weight 15lbs | Folded: 30″L x 11.75″W x 21.25″H Assembled: 30” x 21.25” x 11.75” |
KidCo Peapod | ![]() | 2.5lbs/1.1kg | Max weight 15lbs 6 months to 3 years. | Cot size: 46 x 28 x 14 inches Folded up measurements: 16.5″L x 16.5″H x 3″D |
Phil & Teds Travel Crib | ![]() | Weight: all modes in travel bag: 5kg / 11.5lbs cot mode in travel bag: 3.5kg / 7.5lbs bassinet mode in travel bag: 4kg / 8.5lbs bedside mode in travel bag: 4kg / 9.5lbs | 0-4 years old | Unfolded dimensions bedside bassinet: 130 x 77 x 63cm / 51” x 30” x 25”cot & bassinet: 113 x 90 x 63cm / 44” x 35” x 25”sleep space: bassinet / bedside co-sleeper70 x 45cm / 28” x 18”; cot 92 x 70cm / 36” x 28” Folded dimensions: all modes in travel bag:68 x 22 x 22cm / 27” x 7” x 7” |
Lotus Travel Crib | ![]() | 11lbs/4.9kgs | 0-3 years old | Length: 24”, Width: 7”, Height: 11” |
Baby Bjorn | ![]() | 13lbs/5.8kg | 0-3 years old | 19 x 23.5 x 5.5 in/49 x 60 x 14 cm |
Travel Cot Reviews
Best Travel Cots & Portable Cribs For Family Travel
- Safe, durable, lightweight travel pod for infants
- Breathable mesh panels, removable and locking steel frame provide comfort and security
- Folds flat for storage and weighs less than 3 lbs. for easy transport
- Assembled dimensions: 30” x 21.25” x 11.75”
- Discontinue use once infant begins to push up on hands and knees or has reached 15 lbs.
- Care and cleaning: spot or wipe clean; sheets are machine washable
- Maximum weight: 15 lbs.
- Weighs: 4.43 pounds
Designed to be easy to fly with the compact, light backpack carrying case. Set up is simple in 15 seconds and only weighs 15 lbs packed. Full-height mesh guarantees best, breathable airflow. The soft foam mattress is approved for newborns & infants for overnight sleep (0-3 years old)
The Lotus Travel Cot is in the familiar style of a pack n play or playpen with mesh sides. It's designed to be easy to fly with the compact, light backpack carrying case. Set up is simple in 15 seconds and it only weighs 13 lbs packed. The Lotus Crib comes with the crib, mattress, and bag (with convertible backpack straps)
- WHAT’S INCLUDED - You get a complete travel crib with the compact backpack carrying case. Two Year Warranty and great customer service. Sheets not included. Setup Crib Length: 42”, Width: 32”, Height: 25”. Folded (in Backpack) Length: 24”, Width: 7”, Height: 11”.
- Lightweight
- Easy to setup
- Comes with a backpack carrying case
- Have to bend over
- Harder to take down
- Weight: 11lbs/4.9kg
- Mattress size: 20" by 28".
- Cot size: 42”, Width: 32”, Height: 25”.
- Folded up measurements: Length: 24”, Width: 7”, Height: 11”
- Age suitable for: 0-3 years old
The KidCo Peapod also has great features for camping outdoors, including UV protection and anchor straps. A mattress is attached to the bottom of the tent and folds up with it. It is a bit too big for a backpack, but could probably fit in rolling carry on style luggage. It is a very lightweight travel cot.
Flying With A Baby readers add: "We use the KidCo Travel Pod. Packs light and looks like a minute baby camping tent."
Pros:- Very lightweight
- Easy to setup
- Suitable for 6 months and over
- Weight: 2.5lbs/1.1kg
- Mattress size: It is inbuilt.
- Cot size: 46 x 28 x 14 inches
- Folded up measurements: 16.5"L x 16.5"H x 3"D
- Age suitable for: 6 months-3 years old
4-in-1 solution from newborn right up to toddler years – for use at home or away, indoors or outdoors. Phil & Ted’s Traveller Portacot is a popular choice. Options cary from 3.5 - 5 kg so it’s a little heavier than its predecessor . However, It’s a compact travel cot considering the space it provides. and offers varying positions. Perfect for small car boots/trunks & suitcases.
What Flying With A Baby readers say, "We use a Phil and Teds travel portacot. It fits easily inside a suitcase (takes up less than a third of our big suitcase). It's durable also. The mattress is one you blow up so it just rolls up when you don't use it. It's pretty comfy. We've used it for all our trips with our first (she was 4 months when we first used it), the longest time she's been on it was for 3 weeks and she slept really well.
Another Flying With A Baby reader adds, "I second the Phil and Teds portacot. I wore it as a backpack, took it on airplanes all the way to Europe and back and unpack in 3 minutes during stopovers. Bubba slept in there for 6 weeks in wintery European weather and was OK."
Yet another fan adds, " fits in case easily, quick to put up. Only downside is zips are noisy if putting little one in through the side, tended to wake my son up but I just put him in from the top instead. Not great for my back but better than waking him up. Doubles as a play pen too! Love the self inflating mattress.
However this reader thought it was tricky to set up, "We have this one too, but struggle with getting it setup compared to the Lotus crib one. And we almost lost a piece when it rolled under a bed as we were packing it up. Other than that we love it!"
Pros:- 4 sleep options
- last til child is 4 years old
- self inflating mattress
- Comes with a carrying case
- Can be tricky to set up the first couple of times
- Weight: all modes in travel bag: 5kg / 11.5lbs cot mode in travel bag: 3.5kg / 7.5lbs bassinet mode in travel bag: 4kg / 8.5lbs bedside mode in travel bag: 4kg / 9.5lbs
- self inflating mattress included.
- Unfolded dimensions bedside bassinet: 130 x 77 x 63cm / 51” x 30” x 25”cot & bassinet: 113 x 90 x 63cm / 44” x 35” x 25”sleep space: bassinet / bedside co-sleeper70 x 45cm / 28” x 18”; cot 92 x 70cm / 36” x 28”
- Folded dimensions: all modes in travel bag:68 x 22 x 22cm / 27” x 7” x 7”
- Age suitable for: 0-4 year old.
Sturdy Travel Bassinet and Safety Certificate::Certified to ASTM F2194-16e1 standard,Lockable frame and durable side walls, with a soft recliner for baby. Curved side walls with soft cushions provide a safe and comfortable sleeping space for babies.
The Baby Bjorn Travel Cot Light is lightweight, easy to set up and washable. It is a similar shape to many pack n plays or small portable playpens with mesh walls so it is easy to keep an eye on your little one. It is simple to set up and fold up in one simple movement. The breathable mattress cover is machine washable.
Once it is packed it up, it can not be carried as hand luggage for flights but it does fit into a suitcase and will easily fit into the trunk/boot of a car.
Flying With A Baby readers add; "Love the Baby Bjorn travel crib. Lightweight, portable, sturdy. Ours has traveled all over with us. Feel it's better than the lotus because of the cushion depth. and another reader adds, "We really liked this one as well. Nice and compact for moving around, easy to put up and our little one slept really well in it."
Pros:- Very lightweight
- Easy to setup (done without reading instructions)
- Have to bend over
- Harder to take down
- Weight: 13lbs/5.8kg
- Mattress size: 23.5 x 41 x 1.2 in/60 x 105 x 4 cm
- Cot size: 32 x 44 x 24 in/82 x 112 x 64cm.
- Folded up measurements: 19 x 23.5 x 5.5 in/49 x 60 x 14 cm
- Age suitable for: 0-3 years old
- Mesh
- Simple to set up and fold up
- Easy to take with you
- Soft and comfy mattress
- Airy design for good supervision
- Removable and machine washable crib textiles
- Mattress: High-resilient PU foam
- DIMENSION: Open size is 31.5"L x 16˝W x 10˝H, suitable for babies 0-5 months (22lbs). This travel bassinet can be used at bedroom, living room, outdoor, etc. even for travelling.
- BREATHABLE MESH AND SOFT MATTRESS: 100% Ployester Mesh keeps good airflow and makes parents observe their own babies better. The soft mattress contains four layer, Peach Skin Velvet, Natural Sponge pads, PP Rigid Plate and Water-resistant Linen, helping the babies have a comfortable sleep.
- FOLDABLE AND PORTABLE DESIGN: This portable bassinet can be easily folded up in 1 second by pulling out the hook on the both side of the cabin. The folding dimensions are only 19.7"L x 18.9"W x 3.9"H, 4lbs, with handle on it and storage bag. It is convenient to carry or store in a suitcase to be taken out.
- WASHABLE AND EASY TO CLEAN: Both the bassinet and mattress are washable with damp cloth or by hand wash.
Toddler Travel Beds
If you are flying with an older toddler, then you may find this post on travel beds for toddlers useful too.
If you have enjoyed this post and found it useful, here are some ways you can say thanks and support Flying With A Baby
1. Click here to buy me a virtual coffee (thank you so much!)
2. Join our Family Travel Forum: TRAVEL WITH KIDS WORLDWIDE Facebook Group here which includes lots of ideas & tips for things to do, places to visit around the globe and more with input from members who live or visit these places regularly.
3. Click here to sign up for the latest family travel tips, guides and competitions.
3. Share this post with your friends.
4. Follow Flying With A Baby on the following platforms for exclusive content :
Thank you for your support as always.