A guide to the best travel cribs: for camping, hotel stays & more
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?
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.
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 | Age suitable for | Folded up size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koo-di Pop Up Bubble Travel Cot |   | 1.76 lbs/0.7kgs | 6-18 months | 61cm x 35cm x 15cm |
| KidCo Peapod |   | 2.5 lbs/1.1 kg | 1-3 years old | 16.5"L x 16.5"H x 3"D |
| Phil & Teds Travel Crib |   | 6.6lbs/2.8kg | 0-2 or until a toddler can climb out | 65 x 20 x 20cm / 25.6 x 7.8 x 7.8" |
| Cocoon Travel Bassinet |   | 9.08lbs/4.12kg | 0-3 years old | 71.5 x 55.6 x 16cm |
| 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
Munchkin Brica Baby Travel Pod
Fold N’ Go Travel Bassinet-Folding Portable Bassinet
KidCo Peapod
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.”
For more information and latest prices see here.
Pros:
- Very lightweight
- Easy to setup
Cons:
- Suitable for 1 year & over
At A Glance Details for the KidCo Peapod travel cot
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: 1-3 years old
For more information and latest prices on the PeaPod see here.
Phil & Ted’s Traveller Portacot
Phil & Ted’s Traveller Portacot is a popular choice. At only 2.8kg/6lb it’s one of the lightest portable baby beds around. It’s a compact travel cot considering the space it provides. Perfect for small car boots/trunks & suitcases.
What Flying With A Baby readers say, “We use a Phil and Teds travel portacot. It’s really light & 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. Plus it’s 3kg only, 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, “it’s only around 3kg, 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:
- Incredibly Lightweight
- Comes with a carrying case
Cons:
- Can be tricky to set up the first couple of times
At A Glance Details for the Phi & Ted’s Traveller Cot:
Weight: 2.8kg/6lb
Mattress size: 98 x 57centimeters / 38.6 x 22.4 inches
Cot size: 117 x 79 x 63 centimeters / 46 x 31 x 24.8 inches
Folded up measurements: 65 x 20 x 20cm / 25.6 x 7.8 x 7.8″
Age suitable for: 0-2 or until a toddler can climb out
For more information and latest prices on the Phil & Ted’s Traveller Cot see here.
Lotus Travel Crib
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)
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Easy to setup
- Comes with a backpack carrying case
Cons:
- Have to bend over
- Harder to take down
At A Glance Details for the Lotus Travel Crib:
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
For more information and latest prices on the Lotus Travel Crib see here.
Koo-di Pop Up Travel Bubble Cot
The Koo-di pop up travel cot has won a Mother & Baby gold award for the best travel item. It is incredibly lightweight and a small small travel cot which fits perfectly into the suitcase The cover protects from mosquitos too.
Flying With A Baby readers add: The Koodi travel cot was great when my daughter was a young baby. It’s foldable, light weight, had a mosquito net and sunshade. I loved it.
Pros:
- Very lightweight
- Easy to setup
Cons:
- Not very sturdy once baby can sit up and move about.
At A Glance Details for the Koo-di pop up travel cot:
Weight: 1.76 lbs/0.7kgs
Cot size: 100 cm length by 60 cm width by 58 cm height
Folded up measurements: 61cm x 35cm x 15cm
Age suitable for: 6-18 months
For more information and latest prices on the Koo-di Pop see here.
Cocoon Bassinet
Inovi/Primo Cocoon Bassinet
A cocoon bassinet has been recommended by Flying With A Baby readers for smaller babies. In Australia it is known as the Sunbury cocoon and in the UK as the Inovi Cocoon. (The closest to it in the USA is the Primo Cocoon.) It’s suitable for 0-6 months old, so it’s not really an investment piece but handy if you have some early travel plans. It features a transparent and breathable yet removable mesh canopy that protects from insects. The Cocoon comes with a mattress and travel bag.
Why do Flying With A Baby readers love it? “It can be packed in a suitcase as it weighs about 4kgs and folds to nothing!”
Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light
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)
Cons:
- Have to bend over
- Harder to take down
At A Glance Details for the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib:
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
For more information and latest prices on the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib see here.
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.