There are more than 50 brands of travel cribs and in this post, I have compared top brands to get you the very best travel cribs for toddlers in the market today. If you will be traveling with your toddler, you need to get a good quality travel bed or crib for your child to sleep safely and comfortably as you visit different places. Having the right surroundings will enable your child to fall asleep more easily.
What is a travel crib for toddlers?
A portable crib is a slightly smaller version of the baby crib you normally use at home. These cribs usually have flexible arms and legs, allowing them to fold down compactly into a carrier that can be moved around easily when one is on the move.
Best Travel Cribs for Toddlers comparison table
| Brand | Crib Weight in lbs | Dimensions | Age limit | Features | Amazon rating | Price |
| #1. Guava Family Lotus | 13 | Assembled: 42 x 32 x 25 Folded: 24 x 7 x 11 | 0 – 3 years | Zippered side openingCarry caseMattressGreenGuard certified | 4.8/5 stars in 1,800+ reviews | Check here |
| #2. BabyBjornCrib | 13 | Assembled: 44 x 32 x 24 Folded: 23.5 x 19x 5.5 | 0-3 years | Removable machine-washable fabricsThick mattress carry bag | 4.9/5 stars in 30+ reviews | Check here |
| #3. Dream on Me Onyx Playpen | 13.5 | Assembled: 53.5 x 53.5 x 29.5 | 0-3 years | Zippered side opening extra large spaceASTM certified | 4.8/5 stars in 600+ reviews | Check here |
| #4. Graco Pack n Play Playard Travel lite Crib | 12.8 | Assembled: 36.5 x 28.5 x 30 | Bassinets – 15pounds Playard – 30 pounds | BassinetDiaper ChangerPlayardStorageThick mattress | 5/5 stars in 3+ reviews | Check here |
| #5. Phil &Ted Traveller Crib | 7 | Assembled: 45 x 22 x 26 Folded: 27 x 10 x 8 | 0-3 years | Zippered sidesSelf inflating mattress fitted sheet | 3.9/5 stars in 50+ reviews | Check here |
| #6. KidCo PeaPod Plus Infant Travel Bed | 3.5 | Assembled: 52.5 x 34 x 22 Folded: 19 x 3.5 x 19 | 1-5 years | No assembly needed suitable for indoors and outdoors use inflatable sleeping padCarry bag | 4.4/5 stars in 100+ reviews | Check here |
| #7. Joovy Gloo Infant Travel bed | 5.5 | Assembled: 51.5 x 28 x 24. Folded: 18 x 4.5 x 17 | 0 to 5 years | Self-inflating sleeping pad suitable for indoors and outdoors use available in six colors and two sizes | 4.7/5 stars in 200+ reviews | Check here |
| #8. Graco Travel Light Crib | 23 | 23.19 x 33.5 x 32.25 inches | 20.7 lbs. | Lightweight & compact fold for easy travel, 3 growing stages, height-adjustable bassinet, 3 colors | 4.8/5 stars in 2,600+ reviews | Check here |
| #9. 4moms Breeze GO Portable Travel Playard | 23.2 | 43 x 30 x 29 inches | 25 Kilograms | Easy one-handed setup, streamlined, airy design, convenient travel bag | 4.8/5 stars in 100+ reviews | Check here |
| #10. Skip Hop Portable Travel Crib | 20 | 41 x 23.5 x 29 inches | 0 to 3 years | Expendable into a spacious play area, include crib mattress & play mat, fits standard travel crib sheets | 4.5/5 stars in 200+ reviews | Check here |
| #11. LuckyDove Portable Travel Crib | 13.57 | 24.5 x 22.7 x 7.25 inches | 35 lbs. | Soft & cozy sponge mattress, side zipper door, foldable & adjustable feet | 4.7/5 stars in 100+ reviews | Check here |
Reviews of the Best Travel Cribs for Toddlers in 2022
1. Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib
To start us off on this list is the Lotus Travel Crib by Guava Family because it checks all of our boxes. Not only is it one of the lightest travel cribs in the market (13pounds), it also folds down compactly and fits into the included carrying bag. So you can carry it like a briefcase or a backpack. This makes it highly convenient for travel.
This crib is easy to set up in seconds, and disassembling is also equally easy and fast. In addition, you can use it as a playpen or even for co-sleeping, thanks to a zip downside that creates an access door. If you have a bad back or are too short, you can pick or lay the baby down with ease thanks to the zippered access door.
It is also the only travel crib on this list with GreenGuard Gold certification. This means it has been tested for thousands of toxic chemicals and VOCs that could harm your baby and found safe. Plus, all four panels are mesh, so your baby has maximum breathability.
Buy on Amazon here
2. BabyBjorn Travel Crib Easy Go
BabyBjorn is the closest competitor of the Lotus as they share a similar design and weight. However, BabyBjorn crib is slightly bigger than your standard ‘Pack n Play’, making it a suitable option as a toddler travel crib.
The Bjorn crib uses high-quality Oeko Tex certified fabrics and is very sturdy. It is also one of the few cribs that do not use fire retardants, hence very safe for your little one. We love that it doesn’t have a weight limit since the mattress sits right on the floor. This means you can use it from newborn through toddlerhood. The maximum age limit is up to 3 years.
The crib has airy mesh fabric, which allows supervision, and the fabrics are removable and machine washable. To fold, it only takes one quick motion, and you can pack it into a suitcase.
Buy on Amazon here
3. Dream On Me Onyx Playpen
The Onyx Playpen by Dream on Me is the best budget option for parents who want a lightweight and easy-to-use travel playpen without spending too much money.
The playpen has removable legs for compact fold and stores in the included carry bag. Setting up is extremely easy and can be done within seconds, making the Onyx perfect for traveling families.
Because of its hexagonal-shaped interior, the Onyx is stable and roomy enough to allow one adult and child to sit and play together. It has a thickly padded floor, so it doubles up as a travel crib. The transparent mesh walls allow maximum ventilation and complete visibility. There is also a zippered door your little one can crawl in and out.
Buy on Amazon here
4. Graco Pack ‘n Play FoldLite Playard
Pack n’ plays and portable travel cribs are synonymous among parents since they are much lighter and portable than regular baby cribs at home.
The Graco Pack n Play includes a removable travel bassinet so you can use it from newborn through toddlerhood. When your baby begins to sit up in the bassinet, you can switch them into the playard, which is very spacious for play. In addition, it has a thick quilted mattress for your baby to nap and sleep comfortably.
Parents also love the diaper changer feature for quick and convenient diaper changing right where the baby is. Don’t worry about the messes; the fabrics are easy to clean with a simple wipe down. There is also storage for essentials like diapers, wipes, toys, and the likes.
The Graco portable crib is the lightest in the market, weighing about 12.8 pounds. It has a quick one-step fold, hence an easy option for moving from room to room or when you go visiting friends or relatives.
Buy on Amazon here
5. Phil and Teds Travel Crib
If you are looking for the lightest travel crib, your search ends here. The Phil and Teds travel crib is lighter than your baby, literally weighing just a mere 6 pounds! Add to the fact that it rolls up into a size that fits the included carry case, and it becomes a winner for all traveling families. Whether you use an airplane, train, or bus, this travel crib easily fits in overhead luggage compartments.
This travel crib is one of the most spacious in the market, hence suitable for bigger toddlers who need a safe place to sleep. It is made using high-quality Oeko-Tex certified fabrics that are gentle against your baby’s skin. The walls are airy mesh with zippers to allow easy access in and out. It also includes a self-inflating mattress and a fitted sheet.
Buy on Amazon here
6. KidCo Peapod Plus Infant Travel Bed
This very cute tent is a great travel bed option for infants and newborns that can’t move around much. That said, it’s the largest travel crib on this list with 52 inches in length, hence one of the best travel bed options for tall toddlers or older kids, so long as they can lie still through the night.
Weighing only 3.65 pounds, KidCo Peapod makes it top of the lightest travel cribs in the market. The travel bed is incredibly easy to set up, and it folds compactly for storage in the included bag or suitcase.
One thing to keep in mind is that while this tent-style sleeping is fantastic outdoors, like when camping, picnics, and in insect-infested areas, it also means that it can become pretty warm inside if completely zippered, which could be quite uncomfortable and unsafe for your little one. Also, because it doesn’t have a sturdy frame, there is a risk of tipping with an active toddler.
A family-owned and operated company, KidCo boasts more than 20 years of experience in offering lightweight and compact products in its line of outdoor and travel gear. Also, it was the first brand to create metal safety gates in 1994 in America. There are anchor straps that you use to attach to the ground for stability during outdoor use and are covered for UV protection, and a huge zipper panel for easy baby access. It is one of the best travel cribs for a 2-year-old and comes with a carry/storage bag.
Buy on Amazon here
7. Joovy Gloo Infant Travel Bed
Joovy Gloo is another great travel bed option. It is extremely easy to set up and use. You just need to unpack, and it automatically pops up and is ready for use in seconds.
The Joovy Gloo comes in two sizes: regular size for children up to 3 years old and large size suitable for kids up to 5 years of age. The large size is the same as the Peapod Plus. It is also available in six colors: light blue, dark blue, purple, dark grey metallic silver, and bright orange.
The travel bed itself is made with breathable mesh sides and zippered opening on one side. It comes with a self-inflating sleeping pad. It is also dew resistant, bug proof, and has UPF 50 sun canopy, hence great for both indoors and outdoors use. You can use this travel bed from birth up to toddlerhood. And at 5.5 pounds, it shouldn’t be a problem to bring anywhere you want.
Like we saw earlier with Peabody, these travel beds have the potential to tip over, so it’s best to place them on the floor. Also, they are too low for kids to stand, but they can sit comfortably.
Buy on Amazon here
8. Graco Travel Lite Crib
This portable travel crib for toddlers from Graco features a bassinet with adjustable height so it can grow with your little one. I love the versatility of this Travel Lite Crib that allows you to convert it into a portable playard and weighs under 20 lb. making it great for travel and outdoor activities. The crib is suitable for newborns, infants, and young toddlers and features a canopy with removable toys, integrated wheels for portability, and airy mesh sides to keep your baby cozy. It is available in three colors including Manor, Montana, and Ramley, as well as another style with raised mode.
Buy on Amazon here
9. 4moms Breeze GO Portable Travel Playard
Since its founding in 2006 by Rob Darley and Henry Thorne, 4moms has dedicated its resources to making fine and reliable baby products, like mamaRoo, and that is their legacy. Their Breeze GO Portable Travel Playard is among the user-friendly travel cribs with a one-hand operation. It is lightweight and comes with a water-resistant mattress making it great for outdoor use. I love the folding portable crib’s sleek, airy design that boosts breathability while providing a clear view of your baby.
Buy on Amazon here
10. Skip Hop Portable Travel Crib
Established in 2003, Skip Hop is yet another recommended baby products brand and their Portable Travel Crib is no exemption. This travel crib with a toddler mattress pad and sheet is very comfy when your baby sleeps and you can expand it into a playard with a wipe-clean mat easily. I admire the foldable design that allows you to fit it into its travel bag during travel and also makes storage hassle-free. And did I mention the airy mesh fabric for ventilation and view?
Buy on Amazon here
11. LuckyDove Portable Travel Crib & Pack n Play
This small travel crib for toddlers from LuckyDove closes my today’s review of the finest crib for traveling with your toddler. I love the thick, iron tubes that make the crib sturdy as well as the adjustable support legs on the crib fence for maintaining balance in all terrains outdoors. It is made with a high mesh eye cloth that promotes continuous and sufficient airflow for better breathability when your young one is sleeping. There is an easily accessible zipper door and a removable mattress, supported by an adjustable Velcro, to make cleaning trouble-free. This portable travel crib is lightweight and easy to assemble for convenience.
Buy on Amazon here
If you are looking for more options, you will love the Nuna SENA Aire Travel Crib. It is not available on Amazon, but you can find it on the company’s official website.
How to choose the best portable travel crib
When choosing the best travel crib, these are some of the features to be on the lookout for depending on your specific need and type of travel.
Do you really need a travel crib for your toddler?
When most people hear of travel cribs, they often assume these are only necessary for parents or families that travel a lot. But, in reality, a travel crib is a great addition even in the following situations.
At home-yes, we get that you have your nice baby crib where your baby sleeps every night, but what happens if your friends or relatives bring along their baby to visit? We bet they would be grateful to have a nice place for their little one to sleep right next to them.
Hotel-while it’s true that many hotels now offer small travel cribs for booking by their guests, you cannot be sure of its cleanliness or safety. Having your own is the only way you can guarantee cleanliness, safety, and comfort for your baby.
Airbnb- when most people want some peace and quiet away for a few weeks away from home, Airbnb is their go-to option. The only challenge is when you want to bring along your baby because most Airbnb doesn’t usually provide a camping crib. So it’s best to bring along your own. And if you buy a play yard crib for travel, it also doubles up as a safe place for your baby to play during the day.
Factors to consider and when not to use a travel crib for toddlers
Below are some things to consider so you know if a travel crib is suitable for your family or not.
What is the difference between travel pack and play, travel bassinet, and toddler travel crib/bed
There are so many travel bed options available in the market today for children available to parents, making traveling so much easier!
But if you are looking at all these options, you may begin to wonder which one you should choose. Is it a travel crib, portable bassinet, travel pack n play, or a toddler travel bed? All are great choices, so we will discuss each one to help you make an informed choice on which is best for your family.
Where to get a travel crib for your toddler
Do you live in Australia, Canada, the UK, or any other place and are interested in buying travel cribs for toddlers? You can view them on Amazon via this link. Other online stores such as Target and Walmart among others also stock these handy baby products.
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Hi there! I am Ashley Davis, a mom of three kids and the editor here at Motherhoodhq.com. I have been a parent since 2011 and have been doing full-time consulting as a baby sleep expert since 2019. When I am not researching or testing the next baby gear hitting the market, you’ll find me teaching my toddlers a trick or two – especially over the last few months with the lockdown. I hope you’ll find my guides and reviews helpful as you make your next purchase decision. If you have any questions, you can reach me at ashley.d@motherhoodhq.com.