Skip to Content

Best Travel Cots & Portable Cribs 2023 For Family Travel

Sharing is caring!

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.

Best Travel Cots & Portable Cribs For Family TravelA guide to the best bassinet for travel: for flying, camping, hotel stays & more

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.

Best Travel Cots & Portable Cribs For Family Travel, travel crib in the field

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

NameImageweightSuitable ageSize
Munchkin BricaMunchkin Brica4.43 lbsMax weight 15lbsFolded: 30″L x 11.75″W x 21.25″H
Assembled: 30” x 21.25” x 11.75”
KidCo PeapodKidCo Peapod2.5lbs/1.1kgMax 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 CribPhil & 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 CribLotus Travel Crib11lbs/4.9kgs0-3 years oldLength: 24”, Width: 7”, Height: 11”
Baby BjornBaby Bjorn13lbs/5.8kg0-3 years old19 x 23.5 x 5.5 in/49 x 60 x 14 cm

Travel Cot Reviews

Best Travel Cots & Portable Cribs For Family Travel

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. 

Sharing is caring!

20 − two =

5 Secrets to
Flying with a Baby

FREE EMAIL BONUS

Tips to make travel with your child easy and stress-free