baby bjorn travel crib breakdown

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BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Review (Tried & Tested)

Written by Becca

Updated on April 26th, 2024

An infant in the Baby Bjorn travel crib playing with toys

BabyBjorn’s travel crib is the lightest travel crib I’ve used, by far. Is it also the best travel crib for its price? My review details my experience and thoughts!

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Table of contents

Summary of the Travel Crib Light
Features of the Travel Crib Light
Comparing the Travel Crib Light to the Graco Pack ‘n Play
Comparing the Travel Crib Light to the Guava Travel Crib
Is it worth the price?
Where to buy the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light
Tips for getting the most out of your BabyBjorn Travel Crib
What is the BabyBjorn brand?

After going on a few trips with a Graco Pack ‘n Play travel crib that we got as a hand-me-down, I was a feeling a bit let down by the stress of it. After all, the ubiquitous Pack ‘n Play crib is heavy, bulky, hard to carry and not outrageously attractive.

I learned that there were other better travel cribs out there, and I was excited to try the BabyBjorn Travel Crib as one that we’d be excited to use during trips. Even someone like me can fold it up and unfold it again, without much of an instructional manual.

In this review, I’ll detail how BabyBjorn’s travel crib is working out for us, from folding it up into its carrying case to how we even used it as a play pen for several months. Read on, to see my experience with this lightweight crib.

Women setting up the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib

BabyBjorn generously gifted us the Travel Crib Light ; however, this review is not sponsored and all photos and opinions are authentically my own.

Summary of the Travel Crib Light

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is one of two BabyBjorn baby products for sleep. It’s specifically for travel, as it folds up to the size of a “large briefcase,” as I’ve described it. Having a travel crib that your child is used to may be a safer alternative to a hotel crib, if you’re looking for tips for staying in a hotel with a baby .

What’s nice about how it folds up is that it’s slim, so you could put it flat on top of luggage in a trunk. I’d actually say that’s why it’s a great pick for road trips with a child who is past the “bassinet stage” and up to age 3 (if they fit).

The travel crib is different from the traditional Pack ‘n Play because the mattress is much closer to the floor, suspended by a mesh enclosure. You’re able to see the child from all angles, with no blocked areas.

Overall, it’s a minimalist design, with angles toward the bottom, and slim poles. There is soft padding over the top edges, so there’s nothing sharp or hard for toddlers who are able to stand up in the crib. Also, there’s no upper weight limit! The “able to climb out of it” is the designated time to stop using this travel crib.

Remember: the Travel Crib Light is NOT suitable for toddlers or children who are able to climb out of it on their own, and should also not be used in place of a bassinet for newborns.

Women carrying the Baby Bjorn travel crib inside

Features of the Travel Crib Light

I’ll name a few of the features of the Travel Crib Light that we’ve enjoyed while our daughter has been in it.

Weight and dimensions

When assembled, the Travel Crib Light measures 32 x 44 x 24 in. It’s not an overbearing size, and I think that’s something worth noting. We kept ours in our living room for months, as a play pen.

As for weight, the entire travel crib weighs 13 pounds including the carrying case. As it’s the lightest travel crib we own, it’s what made me feel comfortable asking my mom to carry it by herself to the car from my apartment (which is a bit of a walk to the parking lot).

The fact that the travel crib folds down so slimly overall makes it a less overwhelming item to bring over to a family member or friend’s house, for a child’s nap time or night sleep. Showing up at the door with the hefty Pack ‘n Play feels more burdensome to me.

Foldability and packability

To fold up the Travel Crib Light , I first remove the mattress, and fold it in half. This is what gives the Travel Crib Light its shape when it’s in its carrying case.

Then, I unhook and fold each pole using the arrow symbol as the way in which it should fold down. With the four poles folded toward the center, it’s then possible to fold the entire crib frame in half. With the frame nestled in the center of the mattress fold in the carrying case, all you have to do is zip it up for taking on the go.

Included items

What’s included in buying the Travel Crib Light is the carrying case, mattress and entire crib frame, as well as a fitted sheet. You can also get an extra sheet as an add-on.

Machine washable

The crib fabric is removable and able to be washed in a regular washing machine. This is great because especially when being used as a play pen, like we’ve used ours, you never know what can happen.

Safety standards

The Travel Crib Light upholds both the EN 716 (standard child sleep safety in domestic environments) safety standard as well as requirements for national fire safety.

Comparing the Travel Crib Light to the Graco Pack ‘n Play

The biggest comparable factor between the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light and the Graco Pack ‘n Play is the weight and shape. When we were packing and getting ready to take a road trip the Upstate NY, Dan told me to not even try to lift our Pack ‘n Play, because it was going to be too heavy for me.

He was right! That thing is like a rock.

Dan carried the Pack ‘n Play down to the car so that I didn’t have to (this was before we had the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light). That is because it weighs almost 19 lbs, and folds down to a bulky size.

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light folds down to 6 pounds less, and you can feel that difference. The shape into which the Travel Crib Light folds is manageable and carry-able. I have no problem lifting it with one hand.

The Pack ‘n Play is also pretty long and awkward when it goes into our trunk. The BabyBjorn crib is a much more manageable size when folded.

(Here’s a photo of our Pack ‘n Play, assembled at an Airbnb, before we got the BabyBjorn Crib)

Graco Pack n Play assembled on a hard wood floor

Comparing the Travel Crib Light to the Guava Travel Crib

More interestingly, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light and the Guava Lotus Travel Crib are worth comparing because they are both mesh travel cribs that have the mattresses on the ground. The designs are similar. The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light happens to weigh slightly less than the Guava Crib, which weighs 15 lbs.

Baby Bjorn travel crib feet on a hard wood floor

In comparing price, the Guava Lotus is less expensive and sometimes, it goes on sale. The Lotus folds down into a different shape, though, which is interesting. While the BabyBjorn Travel Crib folds down into the taller and flatter shape, the Lotus folds down into a compact long cube, and becomes a backpack for wearing while walking through the airport.

Both have that minimalist design through the slanted poles and the mesh crib body. Both fold down simply and are quite unassuming as pieces of luggage to take while you’re traveling with your baby.

I think the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is better for road trips if you often have a full trunk, due to how it’s a pretty flat item. The Guava Lotus may be better for how to fly with a baby .

Here’s a photo of our Guava travel crib in its case. To see our thoughts on the Guava crib, check out my Guava Lotus Travel Crib review .

Is it worth the price?

I think that for a lightweight machine-washable travel crib, what you’re paying for with the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is that it’s a thoughtful manageable shape and size for so many parents. The price reflects the lengths that BabyBjorn has gone through to get this crib down to 13 lbs. and into a slim carrying case with a simple fold-out method.

If you plan to have several children and use this crib for lots of travel, I’d say the decision is quite simple. Of course, if you don’t travel too often and the crib will get limited use, maybe try to borrow one from friends or family.

Also, if you’d like to do what we did, and use the Travel Crib Light as a “play pen” at home, try that! It’s easily foldable to remove from your living room or family room when you have company, so it’s like a temporary solution for containing a baby who’s sitting, but not yet crawling.

Where to buy the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light

While this crib is not carried everywhere, I’ve found it at these 4 retailers, including BabyBjorn.com (recommended).

BabyBjorn.com : Buying on BabyBjorn’s website will get you free shipping. The item will ship in 1-2 days! Buying here also lets you bundle with the sheet, which may not be possible at other retailers below. (Also, all 3 colors are available!)
Amazon (only black and silver colors are available)
Target (only silver color is available)
PotteryBarn Kids (only black and silver colors are available)

Tips for getting the most out of your BabyBjorn Travel Crib

Here are a few more nice-to-know things about this baby product for travel.

Flying with the BabyBjorn Crib

Due to the size when folded up in the case, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib (typically) can’t be carried on as a carry-on item for a flight. It’ll have to be checked as luggage upon check-in at baggage drop. The good news is that the mattress itself creates protection around the poles, so that acts as padding in-flight.

Update: some parents reported having success in getting the Travel Crib Light into an overhead compartment, but unless you’re traveling on a large plane with very spacious overhead bins, I wouldn’t bank on this.

Take it around a room or through the house

Something that’s different is that the Graco Pack ‘n Play is much bulkier to move around once it’s folded up. Because the BabyBjorn Crib is so light, you can easily pick it up and move it around the house without collapsing it.

This is less possible and more of a chore with a Pack ‘n Play. Just ask my mom, who has had to move the one at her house from room to room when my niece and our child are visiting at the same time!

Figuring out the fold-up process

Many parents find that the entire crib is pretty snug when you put it into the transport case. After packing it a few times, we got more comfortable with the process. To be fair, we’ve needed a few times of practice with both the Pack ‘n Play and the Guava Lotus Crib as well, before getting the hang of it.

Cleaning the BabyBjorn Travel Crib

Accidents happen, so is this crib washable? The mesh siding and mattress cover are removable and machine washable for cleaning, which helps. The poles could be wiped clean with child-safe cleaning products.

The mattress cover can be washed on a hot setting. Remember to wash the sheet (on “warm”) before use!

Getting replacement parts

If you lose or damage the main parts of the Travel Crib Light , you can buy replacement parts at BabyBjorn.com like the mattress , an extra fitted sheet and the entire transport bag .

What is the BabyBjorn brand?

BabyBjorn is a brand I was first introduced to with my use of the BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Mini , which Dan and I both used when our baby was a newborn. We liked the relative ease of use of the carrier, and versatility that it was a product for both moms and dads, and everyone in between. It let us tote our infant around Litchfield, Connecticut , and the Catskill Mountains , during weekends away.

From months 1-6, we also made great use of our BabyBjorn baby bouncer , which seemed to be a #1 pick among all our “parent friends.” This bouncer is so well-made and popular, it became a great product to plop our baby into when we’d visit friends’ houses. We’ve even considered taking it on road trips with a baby (but didn’t quite have the trunk space for it).

As we learned more about the brand, we saw BabyBjorn’s other baby carriers , products for sleep , kitchen items like feeding sets and potties for the bathroom . We’re about to read BabyBjorn’s blog about travel with a baby and see that other couples just like us are learning the ropes about how to leave home with a little one.

What we like about BabyBjorn products is that there aren’t too many of them . That’s right: the brand focuses on bestsellers and parent favorites in a few categories, and doesn’t have an overwhelming amount of products to make you second-guess your choices when checking out your cart.

BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light Review

Pros • Simple setup and take-down • Lightweight and easy to carry with a compact carrying case • Mattress is soft and comfy yet still firm

Cons • Won’t fit into most suitcases, so you have to check it separately at the airport

Bottomline The lightweight carrying case and firm but soft mattress makes this travel crib a breeze to bring to the airport or throw in the car. It’s super-easy to set up and provides a safe and comfortable place for baby to sleep whenever you’re away from home.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Being an avid traveler, I always imagined that I’d be jet-setting around with my kids when I finally had them. Then reality hit: With two babies only 18 months apart, the hassle of lugging around a crazy amount of baby gear and the fear of exhaustion from disrupted sleep schedules have kept me closer to home. And one of the biggest factors keeping me from taking those family trips I’d dreamed of was not wanting to carry heavy playards that I would then have to wrangle into place like I was playing a game of Twister. I’ve also worried that having to put my 5-month-old daughter—who was only just beginning to get over colic—to sleep in a travel crib would certainly lead to neither of us getting any sleep at all. Thankfully with the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light that wasn’t the case.

Getting this travel crib was a game changer for me. Not only is it compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry at the airport or throw into a car, but opening it up and folding it back down can both be done in under a minute. And the crib itself is super-comfy so baby (and by extension, you!) can get a good night’s rest.

The first trip we took with both kids was a baby step to test my comfort zone: a four-hour drive to visit my mother for the weekend. I loved how easy it was to pack the BabyBjörn—it comes in a black compact carrying case with handles, like a big briefcase. At only 32 inches long, 24 inches tall, and 44 inches wide, it doesn’t take up much trunk space. Plus, it weighs only about 13 pounds (which is about half of what the Pack ‘n Play weighs), so I could carry a baby in one arm and the playard in the other.

The setup was relatively frustration free, especially since I hate reading instructions and find no joy whatsoever in trying to figure out how to put things together. I need even more idiot-proof gear considering I have to also keep a constant eye on my toddler to prevent him from trying to hit his baby sister in the head or hurl a toy in her direction. Happily, I didn’t need to read any instructions (or watch any YouTube videos!) the first time I set up the crib. I simply unzipped the case, pulled out the crib frame that was nestled inside the folded mattress and snapped the legs into place. Then I clipped the mattress tabs onto the poles at each of the corners—that keeps the mattress from sliding around and helps with stability. Done!

Once it’s set up, the crib is very stable and doesn’t wobble, since the mattress rests on the floor and the frame has a wide base. I also like that the breathable mesh sides make it easy for me to see my daughter from any angle. The padded edges around the top rail make it more comfortable for me to lean over and soothe her—and they’ll make it safer when she starts standing, so she doesn’t bang her head. The mattress is soft, but also firm enough that I don’t worry about safety.

Folding up the crib took a few minutes to figure out because it wasn’t immediately intuitive to me that I had to pull the legs out and up in order to release them. But once I figured that out, I simply put the crib back into the case the way it came—by first placing the folded mattress inside and then tucking the collapsed crib frame into the center of the mattress so it was protected on the outside. Then I zipped up the case and threw it in the back of my car.

Performance

The real test was seeing if my daughter, Athena, would go to sleep in the crib. My husband and I refer to her as the “princess and the pea” because she does not like to be uncomfortable in any way—and lets us know it by her sharp cry. I did the same bedtime routine we do at home, which starts with bathtime and a baby massage. Then I turned on a sound machine app that I use on the iPad, plugged in the night light I brought, and put her Lullaby Gloworm doll in the crib.

She usually doesn’t go down very easily and I did have to rock her in my arms and sing to her for about 10 minutes, but when I placed her into the crib, she fidgeted for only a few minutes before falling asleep.

Athena still woke up a few times during the night as usual (though I fed her only once), but she went to bed on time, didn’t have much trouble falling back to asleep when she did rouse at night, and she awoke right on schedule at 7 a.m. I was thrilled that sleeping in the travel crib didn’t seem to disrupt her normal sleep routine.

Since I know that my daughter is comfortable in the crib and that it’s lightweight and easy to carry and set up, I even bring it with me for visits to friends’ houses during the day when they overlap with Athena’s naptime. I also sometimes use it as a playard in my living room; I put her in it with a few toys when I want to keep her contained (and protected from her 23-month-old brother).

I have the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light in Silver, and am really happy with the quality. The mesh material is durable and hasn’t snagged while letting you easily keep an eye on baby. The mattress cover can be removed for easy cleaning (love that it’s machine washable for when we have accidents!), and the mesh fabric also unzips so you can take it off and wash it easily.

The crib looks sleek and compact when set up, and I like the silver color, which gives it a luxe feel (it also comes in black, blue and pink/purple). The angled legs help the crib not take up a lot of space while giving baby plenty of room to sleep. The storage case is also really well made, and I like that it looks like a small suitcase when folded up so it fits easily under a bed or in a closet. When toting it around it can be carried like a briefcase, but I do wish it also had a backpack-style carrying option to make it easier to lug when my hands are full.

Fears about disrupting baby’s sleep schedule and the hassle of packing heavy gear may hinder some parents from traveling with baby—this was the case for me. The BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light helps ease these concerns. The soft yet firm mattress gives babies a comfy place to sleep, and the lightweight, compact design with a sturdy storage case makes it easy to transport. You can assemble and disassemble the crib in under a minute to make setting up a portable nursery a snap when you’re away from home.

Holly C. Corbett writes for The Bump, Parents, Redbookmag.com and other national outlets. She lives in Hoboken, New Jersey with her husband, toddler son and baby girl.

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How Does the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Stack Up Against the Best Travel Cribs?

BABYBJORN Travel Crib Light; Courtesy BABYBJORN

Mar 3, 2020

See recent posts by Terry Ward

One of the best travel cribs on the market, the BabyBjörn Travel Crib (also called the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light —they’re the same thing) has set the gold standard as the travel crib to bring wherever you wander. But if you’re in the market for a travel crib and are looking for options, it’s helpful to know how the BabyBjörn stacks up against some of the other most popular travel cribs.

Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light; Courtesy Amazon

BabyBjörn Travel Crib Specs

Price: $279.99 – $299.99
Weight: 13 pounds, including carrying bag
Assembled Dimensions: 32 x 44 x 24 inches
Dimensions in Carry Bag: 19 x 23.5 x 5.5 inches
Can You Carry It Aboard a Plane: No, it’s too big.
Ages Recommended: Up to age 3, approximately
Mattress Included: Yes
Bag Included/Type: Hand-carry tote

Pros for BabyBjörn Travel Crib

Lightweight
Lays flat in a car trunk to take up minimal space
Slanted poles make it hard to climb out of

Cons for BabyBjörn Travel Crib

Cannot be carried on a plane

BabyBjörn Travel Crib User Reviews

A commenter from St. Louis in a popular Facebook travel group says the BabyBjörn has extra room inside, too, and she’s been impressed with its durability. “There’s room inside the package for a blanket and small pillow for when you start using them. We’ve had (the BabyBjörn travel crib) through four kids for eight years and it has held up really well.”

BabyBjörn Travel Crib vs. Guava Lotus

Weighing exactly the same (just 13 pounds), the real difference between these two popular travel cribs comes when you see them assembled and also in how you carry them. While the rectangular-shaped BabyBjörn Travel Crib is carried briefcase-style in your hand (and must be checked in the plane’s belly due to its larger unassembled footprint), the Guava Lotus is worn backpack-style, and is small enough to be carried on a plane, saving you on those extra luggage fees. Remember— car seats can be checked for free , but travel cribs will run you the same as an extra suitcase .

Both of these come with thick-enough mattresses that fold up for transport. And while narrower than the BabyBjörn once assembled, the Lotus is substantially longer—something to consider if your kids are on the taller side of the percentiles. Both of these cribs are easy to assemble and require little more than taking them out of their bags, unfolding them and laying the mattress down inside. They’re slightly trickier to fold back down, although having an extra hand (someone to hold the bag open while you slide the package inside) makes things easiest.

The Guava Lotus has one feature that sets it apart—an easy access zipper door on the side that lets you lay down alongside a trying-to-sleep baby to hold them and also lets the baby crawl in and out when open.

Guava Lotus Travel Crib; Courtesy Amazon

Guava Lotus Travel Crib Specs

Price: $199.95 – $219
Assembled Dimensions: 46 x 31 x 25.5 inches
Dimensions in Carry Bag: 24 x 8 x 12 inches
Can You Carry It Aboard a Plane: Yes
Bag Included/Type: Yes, backpack-style

Pros for Guava Lotus Travel Crib

Can be carried on a plane as a backpack
Lightweight and low-profile design
Side-zip access

Cons for Guava Lotus Travel Crib

Takes some practice to master packing into the backpack

Guava Lotus Travel Crib User Reviews

One Tampa Facebook user says she particularly likes being able to take the Lotus inside the plane with her on travels with her toddler. “You can fit it in the overhead bin and not worry about lost luggage and having no place for the kiddo to sleep. We usually pack diapers , a change of clothes and the baby monitor in the backpack with it since there’s enough room.”

BabyBjörn Travel Crib vs. Pack ’n Play Portable Playard

You’re looking at two quite different beasts when it comes to comparing these two popular cribs—with a substantial price difference (we’re talking hundreds of dollars), too, between the BabyBjörn Travel Crib and the Pack ’n Play Portable Playard .

For starters, the Pack ’n Play is far heavier due to its wheels, as well as a thicker mattress that’s raised off the floor. It’s a far more substantial sleeping space for parents who require that, and feels sturdier as a result, but it’s also much heavier to lug around. That said, it can work well for a road trip if all you have to do is pop it in and out of your rental car’s trunk once or twice.

Some parents are whizzes at setting up a Pack ’n Play while others find it frustrating. “I feel like you need two physics degrees to properly open that thing,” a friend, who watched me struggle to get my Pack ’n Play’s sides to stay locked, once told me. Once you learn to set up the Pack ’n Play, however, it’s easy—yet never quite as effortless as simply popping open the legs of the always-ready-to-go BabyBjörn.

If you’re deciding between these two for frequent travels, we’ll opt for the BabyBjörn every time. But when you’re looking for a more permanent set-up someplace you return to often, the Pack ’n Play is a great option to travel with once (say, to a grandparents’ house) and leave it there waiting for your future visits.

Graco Pack 'n Play Portable Playard; Courtesy Target

Pack ’n Play Portable Playard Specs

Price : $49.99 – $59.99
Weight : 20 pounds, including bag
Assembled Dimensions: 39.5 x 28.5 x 22.75 inches
Dimensions in Carry Bag: Same
Can You Carry It Aboard a Plane: No
Ages Recommended: Up to age 3, or until the child can climb out

Pros for Pack ’n Play Portable Playard

Elevated crib bottom raises baby off the ground
Super sturdy design

Cons for Pack ’n Play Portable Playard

Heaviest of the bunch by far
Bulky to travel with
Can be tricky to assemble

Pack ’n Play Portable Playard User Reviews

An Amazon user says that once you learn the basics of setting up and breaking down the Playard, it’s quite easy to tote along most anywhere. “(The crib) slides right into the ‘hole’ of the secured mattress (when broken down) and then you just put it in the carrying bag. It’s not light, but not too heavy, either.”

BabyBjörn Travel Crib vs. KidCo PeaPod Travel Bed

Both of these cribs appeal to parents who want to bring their travel cribs with them without dealing with a lot of extra bulk. But there’s no comparing them, size wise. Once you figure out how to contort it back into its bag, the KidCo PeaPod Travel Bed packs down to a disk shape that can even fit inside your carry-on suitcase (the Björn is a much larger rectangular shape that must be stowed with your checked luggage ).

The biggest difference between the two is that the PeaPod is more like a mini tent with a sleeping pad inside, while the BabyBjörn is more traditionally crib-like, with slanting side poles, an open top, a cushioned mattress and an overall sturdier feel.

That said, the PeaPod can be anchored to the ground (tent style) or hooked to a piece of furniture, like the legs of a hotel room bed. It should always remain on the ground and never be elevated or placed on a soft surface, like on top of a bed. And thanks to its tent-like nature, it also functions as a built-in barrier in case you’re traveling to places where insects are an issue and air-conditioning isn’t always an option.

KidCo PeaPod Travel Bed; Courtesy Amazon

KidCo PeaPod Travel Bed Specs

Price: $69.95
Weight : 2.45 pounds
Assembled Dimensions : 46 x 18 x 28 inches
Dimensions in Carry Bag: 16.5 x 16.5 x 3 inches
Ages Recommended: 1 to 3
Bag Included/Type: Hand-carry tote with straps to use backpack-style, too

Pros for KidCo PeaPod Travel Bed

Small and compact when packed up
Can be carried on a plane
Some kids will love tent-style enclosure

Cons for KidCo PeaPod Travel Bed

Some kids will hate tent-style enclosure
Sleeping pad only

KidCo PeaPod Travel Bed User Reviews

Kevin Wagar, of Wandering Wagars travel blog, a father to two boys, says that he purchased the PeaPod as a compact alternative to a travel crib or Pack ‘N Play when his kids were younger, and that they continue to make use of it today (even if not to sleep). “It does take a bit of practice to break down the crib,” he warns. “The twist and roll packing style of the PeaPod can be tough to remember how to do and I was constantly having to refer to YouTube videos while folding it back up. But as a whole, the tent worked quite well. My kids are older now and still use it as a base for forts.”

Longtime travel writer and adventurer Terry Ward lives in Florida with her husband and young son and daughter. She’s constantly on the lookout for the next Scandinavia Airlines Kids Fly Free deal to save money on flights to Norway, her favorite place to visit both in the winter (Northern Lights!) and summer (Midnight Sun!). A travel writer since 2001 (read: long before the kids came along), she’s written for such publications as Endless Vacation Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler and Scuba Diving Magazine, among many others. Find Terry on her website, Terry-Ward.com .

What to Pack for Your Next Trip

Baby boy’s water park outfit, shop the look.

Reusable Swim Diaper

Baby Float with Canopy

Frog Hooded Towel

Diaper Bag Backpack

Water Shoes

Baby girl’s water park outfit.

UPF 50+ UV Ray Sun Hat

UPF 50+ Swimsuit

Elephant Hooded Towel

Baby Sunglasses

Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+

Baby boy’s disney outfit.

The Lion King 2-Pack Bodysuit

Disney Swaddle Blankets

Mickey Mouse Bibs

Baby 12-Pack Socks

Anti-Slip High Top Sneaker

Baby girl’s disney outfit.

Baby Sun Hat with UPF 50+

Minnie Romper

Mineral Sunscreen Lotion – SPF 50

Disney Stitch Plush

oft Sole Slip-On Shoes

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Babybjorn Travel Crib Review After 6 Countries of Testing (Not Sponsored)

The BabyBjorn travel crib (officially known as the Travel Crib Light ) is one of the best and most popular travel cribs you can buy. Super light weight, and super easy to set up and fold and get back in the bag when you’re done with it, it comes with a known brand and a ton of positive customer reviews.

Including our family!

I’ve used the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light in 6 different countries when my daughter was a baby. We tested it out traveling on planes, trains, and in automobiles (seriously!).

It’s great!

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Review. The Baby Bjorn travel crib light sits in a hotel room near the window. A beautiful view of Bergamo, Italy is out the window.

Below, I share my Babybjorn travel crib light review, including the pros, cons, and how it compares to some other leading travel pack and play options . All of this is based on my personal experience using this crib, plus testing it against my “travel crib criteria” which I also used to evaluate the Guava Lotus Travel Crib and the Bugaboo Stardust playard .

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Review Key Takeaways

Lightweight and compact, with its own easy to carry bag.
Easy to setup and takedown quickly.
Sturdy construction that sits well, without tipping or wobbling.
Comfy mattress that is comparable to the Guava Lotus and better than many other pack and play mattresses.
Breathable, with mesh fabric around the sides to allow airflow.
From a known brand with a strong history of safety and quality.
Machine washable, including the mattress cover.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified textiles.
No zipper opening on the side. The only way to get baby in and out is through the top opening.
Tough for short caregivers to place a baby in the crib due to a taller frame
Doesn't come with a bassinet option.
Not Greenguard Gold Certified.
It's not carry-on compliant for most airlines.

What is the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light (& How is it Different from Other Travel Cribs?)

The Babybjörn travel crib light is a super lightweight pack and play or play yard that’s great for using at home, toting across town to a friend’s house or the park, or on a big trip across the country or across the world.

Along with the Guava Family Lotus , it’s probably one of the most popular travel cribs on the market currently. And with good reason.

There’s a lot to love about this crib, including super easy set up and fold up, a strong and sturdy carry bag, and a soft and comfy mattress.

In a lot of ways, it’s very similar to other travel pack and plays in that it’s easy to use and transport.

At 13 pounds, however, it’s lighter than what I consider its closest competitor: the Guava Lotus . It’s also easier to set up and tear down, has faster drying fabric after a wash, and it fits into the carry bag better – it’s a great fit with no squishing required.

However, you do give up two key features of the Lotus when you choose Baby Bjorn .

First: the side zipper opening. I’d say this is one of the key differences between these two products, and is worth pointing out that the BabyBjorn doesn’t have a side opening. This is especially important to shorter people, such as myself (I’m 5 foot, and find it slightly challenging to lean all the way over and down to reach the mattress on the BabyBjorn).

Second, it doesn’t have a “converts to a backpack” carry bag like the Guava does, meaning you have to carry it with your hands, rather than a hands-free option on your back. This is fine for most trips, and the carry bag overall is excellent. But you might prefer the backpack feature of the Guava if you’re off on a months-long adventure or longer trip across multiple countries.

For a trip to a resort, I’d take our BabyBjorn travel crib lite . For a 3-month family backpacking trip across SE Asia, I’d take the Guava Lotus. If I was planning a 2-week Europe trip with a few different countries, it’s a toss up as to which I’d take. The Babybjorn is a bit easier to set up and tear down when changing hotels, but the Guava is a bit more compact for taking on trains, and the backpack carry bag is also extremely convenient.

Why Buy a Travel Crib such as the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light?

For me, a lightweight travel crib is a no brainer when traveling with a baby or toddler under 3. I say this as someone who first travelled with our baby without a travel pack and play, and then immediately went out and bought one to rectify the mistake. Here’s why I think investing in a travel crib makes sense:

It gives you more flexibility in terms of the type of accommodation you book. While many hotels have a limited number of cribs for guests to use, many short term apartment rentals do not. If you become a BYOTC (bring your own travel crib) family, you can book those short term apartments, which also gives you access to the other things families with babies often need: fridges, microwaves, etc.
You can take nap time on the go. When we were in Spain, we went to visit some friends during our daughter’s nap time by taking our BabyBjorn travel pack and play with us. She snoozed in their spare bedroom while we visited our buddies, and it was easy for us since it’s such a lightweight travel crib!
It removes “first come, first serve” stress at hotels. If you’re traveling to a resort or hotel, most have a first come, first serve policy for baby products such as cribs. There’s a chance you’ll show up and someone else has taking the last available crib, leaving you to figure out a panicked Plan B instead of enjoying your vacation.
Some hotels charge A LOT to use one of their baby cribs. When we were in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, some hotels wanted to charge us the equivalent of 30 Euros…PER NIGHT to rent their crib. Thankfully we had our BabyBjorn play yard on that trip.
Hygiene, cleaning and maintenance are an unknown with hotel cribs, but it’s something you can easily control for if you BYO. I’d rather have my own pack and play vs a crib I have no control over.

Detailed BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Review

Portability and ease when traveling with it.

After a few years experience traveling with a baby, then toddler, and now preschooler, this is my top criteria against which I evaluate all “travel stuff for kids” – travel crib included.

Travel with a baby involves lugging around more stuff than I expected…plus you have to carry the baby, too.

Bringing a travel crib with you shouldn’t feel like a huge chore or downer. Quite the opposite, it should make your trip better by reducing uncertainty related to first-come, first-serve hotel crib rental policies, and help your baby feel they’re in a familiar place, even if you’re country hopping.

We travelled with and used the Babybjorn travel crib light with our baby in 6 countries (Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Spain, Austria, and Hungary), taking it on planes, trains, and in cars (rentals and taxis). Even though we already owned a travel crib (the Phil & Teds) we wanted to test out the BabyBjorn for this blog, so bought it before this trip so we could give it a proper 6-country test for this review!

I’m confident when I say the Travel Crib Light is very portable…I’ve tested it to make sure!

The slim profile of the carry bag means it’s easy to fit it into narrow spaces on luggage racks if you’re traveling by bus (even if it’s just an airport bus) or train. But, that slim profile means the overall footprint of the case (a rectangle that’s about 5.75″ thick and about 23.5″ x 18.5″) is bigger than the Lotus travel crib, for example.

Likely, you’ll need to check this as an extra piece of luggage when traveling – that’s what we did when we flew with it.

Setting It Up and Using It

In theory, a lightweight travel cot should improve your vacation. But that theory only holds true if it’s easy to use.

No one wants to arrive at their hotel after a long overseas flight with a screaming baby, only to struggle with the very baby gear they brought that was intended to make life easier.

Thankfully, the BabyBjorn travel crib ligh t is so, so easy to set up, and you can get that jet lagged, over tired baby to bed in mere minutes.

To see exactly how long it took me to set-up our BabyBjorn travel play yard, I asked my Google Home to time me with a stopwatch. This included everything you need to get it ready for your kiddo (except the sheet), from removing it from the bag to putting the mattress in and attaching it.

It took me 2 minutes and 9 seconds to set it up. That includes 41 seconds to unzip the bag and set up the crib with the mattress placed inside, and then another 1 minute and 28 seconds to attach the mattress with the hook and loop system.

While 2 minutes is fast on a “first try in a long time,” with a few practice tries I was able to get my setup much, much faster: 1 minute and 16 seconds on my second try.

In particular, I realized that if I push the crib over onto its side, I can get the hook and loop system used to secure the crib mattress to the frame way faster: I went from 1 minute 28 seconds on my first try, down to 17 seconds on my second try (with the crib on its side as pictured below).

Overall, this travel crib unfolds and sets up with incredible ease, as evidenced by how quickly I’m able to do it myself. The legs click in place easily, too.

My super fast set up is encouraging…but what about take down? And wrestling it back into the carry bag when vacation is over (or you’re on to your next destination)?

I again used my Google Home as a stop watch to time exactly how long it took me to collapse the play yard and put it all away (including getting it back into the carry bag).

The results of this test? It took 1 minute and 14 seconds. It took 12 seconds to unclip the mattress, 36 seconds to collapse the crib and tuck it into the folded mattress, and 26 seconds to get it all into the carry bag, and get that zipped up.

Collapsing the crib itself requires you to pull up from the middle of the base (with the mattress removed). To release the legs so they can fold, you simply give them a little tug downward, and they un-click and fold in easily. I was easily able to do all this by myself, and it doesn’t take any particular finesse or strength to do so. When I pulled on the legs, I immediately felt them release.

Getting it back into the bag was easy, and didn’t require any wrestling at all.

Based on my personal experience, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light fits back into its carry bag easier than the Guava Lotus does – it’s all a bit more smooth with less squishing down and holding to zip the zipper closed.

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Mattress Review

When it comes to travel crib mattresses and pack and play mattresses, Babybjorn has long been the king of the “soft and comfy mattress” market.

However, I feel though this common comment about this travel crib may actually refer to a previous version of the travel crib (the Travel Crib Light 2, which is no longer available).

I know this because we’ve personally owned both an old version of this travel crib (2019) and a newer, current version. And if memory serves me, the mattress on the old version was much thicker than in this new version.

With currently available versions of the products I own or have recently tested, I feel like mattress thickness is actually a tie between the Guava Lotus mattress (which I measure to be 1.5″ thick) and the Babybjorn mattress (which I measure to be 1.25″ thick).

In my opinion, this is an improvement, as super thick, soft mattresses and babies aren’t a good combo , safety wise.

However, the fabric mattress cover on the BabyBjorn feels softer when I touch it.

The mattress is made of polyurethane foam. This is what it looks like when I pull away the mattress cover:

The mattress cover is waterproof (this is pretty standard in the travel cribs I’ve reviewed), so there’s no need to buy a separate mattress protector or cover. It’s made of a combination of polyester and polyurethane, as you can see on the mattress tag on our crib, shown below.

In the old version of the Babybjorn Travel Crib Light , I don’t remember having to attach the mattress to the frame. In this new version, however, there’s a hook and loop system.

The bottom of the mattress has a loop attached to each corner (the red things in the picture below).

You then hook the loops onto a hook attached to each corner of the travel crib frame to ensure the mattress doesn’t shift or lift, and generally stays in place as it should.

Once you get the hang of this, it’s pretty easy. As mentioned above, I find it easiest when I tip the crib onto its side.

If you’re worried your baby may be cold sleeping on a floor mattress, we tried to make it more comfortable by adding a folded blanket underneath the bottom of the crib (don’t put it in the crib!). It still needs to be a firm flat surface to place the crib on, and please don’t consider this a recommendation – simply something we tried.

Washing the Babybjorn Travel Crib Light

Traditional pack and plays are notoriously tough to clean, and can only be spot cleaned safely .

Not this BabyBjorn.

The fabric portion of the Babybjorn travel crib is machine washable on warm or cold (not hot), using a gentle or mild detergent. We use True Earth fragrance free detergent strips, and they work great.

To wash the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light , unclip the mattress from the frame, and remove the detachable feet from each of the four legs of the frame. They pull out very easily. In a side-by-side comparison, the feet of the BabyBjorn pulled out much easier for me than the Guava Lotus feet.

Then unzip the fabric along the top railing to remove the fabric unit completely from the frame. There’s a separate zipper on each of the four sides.

I like to wash pack and play fabric in a large mesh laundry bag , with a few towels thrown in. This helps protect it against snags. When I washed it, the fabric came out looking great, with no snags or signs of wear.

To dry, it’s hang to dry only: no tumble drier, please!

Out of curiosity, I timed how long it took the fabric to dry after washing. This is important if you’re on a trip and your baby has an accident in the crib, and you need to get it clean before the next nap or sleep. In my experience, huge amounts of vomit while on vacation is standard operating procedure for many babies, so ease of washing and speed to dry is key!

At the 2 hour mark, I felt the fabric and the side mesh and base fabric was dry enough that I’d feel okay temporarily putting it back on the frame for a nap. At the stage, the zippered sides which sit around the top of the frame still felt wet, but they were far dryer at this stage than the Guava Lotus padded sides were when I ran the same test on that crib.

After 3 hours of hanging to dry, the fabric felt almost completely dry, other than few lightly damp corners. If I wasn’t going to pack it away, I would have reassembled at this point and let me kid sleep.

Five hours after washing, the fabric felt totally dry and ready to be zipped back onto the frame. This was much faster than the same test I did with the Guava Lotus , which took 9 hours to dry completely under very similar climate conditions and just a few days apart. The padding that goes over the top frame of the Guava Lotus feels a bit thicker, and is possibly a different type of technical fabric. Whatever the reason, the Guava is much slower to dry – more than double the time of the BabyBjorn based on my testing.

(I did my time to dry test for the BabyBjorn and the Guava in the dead of winter, drying it inside my house on a drying rack. If you could hang outdoors in the summer, I expect both would dry faster than in my testing).

I also wondered how long it would take to put the fabric back on the crib frame, after machine washing. Once again, I set a timer and timed myself getting the fabric back on. It only took 1 minute 39 seconds to reassemble.

Everything about this travel crib (setup, take down, re-assembling after washing) is just so, so fast…under 2 minutes for each.

Worth noting, the mattress cover can also be machine washed. I appreciate this, as the mattress cover on the Lotus travel crib isn’t removable or washable.

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Frame Review

The Babybjorn travel crib light has a sturdy frame, with an angled set up whereby the top is a bit narrower than the base for stability ( the Guava Lotus travel crib has the same general shape to it). There’s a difference of roughly 10″ from top (narrower) to bottom (wider) on both the length and the width.

When I shake the frame on the BabyBjorn travel crib , I can feel and see the legs wobble somewhat from the upper joints, but it’s very sturdy and not tippy. Because the mattress sits on the floor, there is no upper weight limit for use , unlike more traditional pack and plays, such as the 4moms Breeze. My daughter would stand in our travel crib and it was fine, but stop using a pack and play once they start to try climbing out .

Once setup, the frame stands about 25 inches tall. I am exactly 5 foot tall, and I think anyone shorter than 5 foot will likely have trouble bending all the way over to reach the mattress in the crib.

I can bend over the crib and reach the mattress – and I just make it – but it’s not the most comfortable to be honest, and if I had an infant in my arms I would be a bit nervous.

You can see me reaching into the BabyBjorn crib in the photo below, and how the top rail of the crib touches me right below the bottom of my rib cage.

If both caregivers are on the shorter side, or you are short and expect to use this on your own with a newborn who can’t yet sit up or doesn’t have neck control yet, this might not be the best choice for you.

If you are super short like me, and have a baby that can’t sit or stand yet, I recommend either the Guava Lotus or the Phil & Teds Traveller . They are both around the same height as the BabyBjorn travel cot (25.5″ for the Guava and 25″ for the Phil & Teds) but both have a side zip door which you can use to place your baby or get them out. We used the Phil & Teds for a few months starting when my daughter was 5 months, and that’s how I got her in and out every time. It worked great, and the Guava has the same system. Overall, the Guava would be my choice between Phil and Teds vs Guava Lotus, as its much easier to setup.

Once my daughter was older, I didn’t have any problem lifting her out of the crib from sitting or standing, or placing her standing, into the BabyBjorn crib .

Color Choices

Unlike some of its closest competitors, the Babybjorn travel crib light comes in a few color choices. Silver and black are most common and most widely available, and we really liked the light and airy design and look of our silver one.

However, if you’re really stuck on getting it in a bolder color, BabyBjorn sells it in a dark green color on their website (although, at the time of writing it was unfortunately listed as out of stock).

What About Safety?

All cribs, travel cribs, and play yards sold in the United States have to meet federal safety standards. The trick is to looking for any “over and above” safety features companies offer.

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is JMPA certified, which is an optional certification requiring the product be independently tested to meet ASTM standards.

From JMPA’s website:

“To become certified, each product is sample-tested at an independent laboratory to verify it meets the highest standards for safety, performance and functionality.

JPMA Certification is voluntary, and based on adherence to ASTM standards, federal and state laws and some retail requirements. The program is designed to provide peace of mind to parents that these products have been independently tested to the most stringent standards.”

It also uses OEKO TEX Standard 100 fabric. This means the fabric components of the travel crib have been tested to be free from harmful substances and chemicals.

There are few design aspects that also appear to lend themselves to safety, including:

Mesh sides, which allow a good amount of airflow through the crib, and may help to keep your baby cool in hotter climates.
A floor standing mattress, which helps ensure stability while also allowing the product to be ultra lightweight (most pack n plays have a built in platform the mattress sits on, but that adds a lot to weight).
The “triangular” shape to the frame, with the wider base and narrower top. Again, this should add to the stability of the design.

Unfortunately, this travel crib isn’t Greenguard Gold Certified. To be fair, most travel cribs and pack and plays aren’t. But, the Guava Lotus travel crib is, which is a nice to have (although, the Lotus doesn’t use Oeko TEX certified fabrics, so it’s a trade-off.

Final Thoughts

We loved our BabyBjorn travel crib for our own family, and were so happy to have it on a trip of a lifetime when our daughter was a baby.

These days, there are more options available, but the BabyBjorn still stands out as one of the best choices for ease of use, portability, quality, and safety .

The price is one of the huge drawbacks to this product, and it’s certainly not a budget choice.

However, if you’re looking for a high quality travel crib, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light was a great choice for our family, and think it will be for many other families as well. I do recommend you buy the bundle with the fitted sheet, as crib sheets are too large to use with this, and you want a proper, snug fit for safety.

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9 Best Travel Cribs

Posted on Last updated: October 8, 2023

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Whether you’re taking a much-needed family vacation or you just need a place for your little one to nap outside of their room or away from home for the day, a travel crib or play yard will do you wonders.

If you can find one that will stay with your baby well past the infancy stage, that’s even better. You might need one right away, or you may just be preparing for your yet to be born baby, but either way, these are easily the best travel cribs for 2018.

Gone are the days of choosing one of the few travel crib play yards on the market. Now, there are so many to choose from that you really do have plenty of options. When considering a travel crib for your little one, the important things to consider are price, size, and portability. And as a whole, the travel cribs on this list are solid when it comes to all three factors.

Jump to a specific section

1. Lotus Travel Crib

2. chicco fastasleep go full-size travel play yard, 3. costzon baby playpen ultra light, 4. joovy new room2 portable play yard, 5. graco pack ‘n play play yard with automatic folding feet, 6. fisher-price ultra-lite day and night play yard, 7. baby bjorn travel crib light, 8. dream on me travel light play yard, 9. phil&teds traveller crib, faq’s about travel cribs, final thoughts.

The Lotus Travel Crib is more than just a portable crib to take with you on family vacations. It has a unique side access door that can be opened and folded down to give your child the ability to roam in and out of it as they want.

The material all the way around it is a breathable mesh that allows for complete airflow in and out of the crib and also gives you a clear and constant view of your little one, regardless of what angle you’re looking in. To make it easy as possible to use, the crib has a 15-second setup and a simple breakdown once it’s time to put it away.

Child Age Range: It’s made for children from newborn to toddlers under 35 inches tall.
Where To Buy: You can find it on the manufacturer’s website and Amazon.
The Best Part: It weighs just 13 pounds, so it’s easy to travel with, even when flying.
The Not So Great: Setting up and taking down the crib is easy enough, but it can be a struggle to get it back into its travel bag.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls on the travel crib.

Worry free airport travel - Designed to be easy to fly with the compact, light backpack carrying case. Set up is simple in 15 seconds and only weighs 13 lbs packed.

Chicco FastAsleep Go Full-Size Travel Play Yard

The Chicco FastAsleep Go Full-Size Travel Playard might be made for travel and to make it easier for your child to nap away from home, but it’s so much more than that.

It’s larger than some other similar play yards, so you won’t have to worry about your toddler outgrowing it too quickly. And it has an easy three-step opening system. You simply open the frame, snap it into place, and then set it down in virtually any room in your home and beyond. All four sides are made from a breathable mesh, and it comes with a convenient carrying bag too.

Child Age Range: The crib is designed for children from infancy to toddlers under 30 inches tall.
Where To Buy: You can buy it on the manufacturer’s website and Amazon.
The Best Part: It’s as simple as possible to unfold and click the play yard into place.
The Not So Great: Although it folds up neatly, it’s too large to be placed in carry-on bags.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls for the Chicco FastAsleep Go.

The Costzon Baby Playpen Ultra Light might be on the smaller size when compared to other play yards on this list, but that’s part of the charm. You may not be able to use it for as long as some other options, but its size makes it easier to carry with you anywhere you might need it.

Overall, it’s just 10 pounds and is made from aluminum legs, mesh material, and a soft padded mattress for your little one to rest on when he or she needs to. And just in case your baby makes any messes, the mattress cover and crib fabric can be removed for easy cleaning. Plus, the setup can be done with one hand and taking it down is just as easy.

Child Age Range: The playpen is designed for children from infancy to two years old.
Where To Buy: You can primarily find it on Amazon at this time.
The Best Part: It’s so lightweight that you can take it anywhere with you, even if you don’t use it.
The Not So Great: Getting the aluminum poles into place as legs can be a little difficult the first time around.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls for the play yard.

The Joovy brand is known for some of its more dependable play yards and the Joovy New Room2 Portable Playard is no different.

It’s surrounded by a soft and breathable mesh fabric and it has two wheels to move it to different rooms as needed. It is larger than some other travel play yards, but that just means that you’ll be able to get more use out of it as your child grows.

Because of its durability and size, the Joovy can be used overnight without worry about wear and tear over a short period. And even for toddlers who might be a little rowdier, the play yard is durable enough for them.

Child Age Range: The Joovy is for little ones from newborn to 35 inches tall.
Where To Buy: You can find it on the manufacturer’s website and Amazon or in-store at Walmart and Buy Buy Baby.
The Best Part: It’s the perfect size if you have twins or more than one child who wants to go in it at once.
The Not So Great: Because of the supportive bar underneath, there is something of alum that runs through the middle of the mattress.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls on the Joovy.

Nearly 50% larger than most traditional playard with over 10 square feet of space, baby has plenty of room to play and stay entertained. Reliable, durable and built for endurance.

Graco Pack 'N Play Play Yard With Automatic Folding Feet

Almost every parents had heard of the infamous Graco Pack ‘N Play Play Yard, only this one also has folding feet for your convenience when folding it up to put it away. It also has a push-button fold to make putting it away as hassle-free as possible, and if you need to move it to another room in your home, there are two wheels affixed to the bottom.

You can use it for infants or toddlers, but for babies, there’s also a removable bassinet insert that makes napping a breeze. Although it is heavier than some other travel cribs, the Graco Pack ‘n Play does fold up to fit in its own carrying bag.

Child Age Range: It’s made for children from infancy to less than 35 inches tall.
Where To Buy: You can purchase it on the manufacturer’s website and Amazon or in-store at Buy Buy Baby and Target.
The Best Part: Compared to some other travel cribs, it’s far more affordable.
The Not So Great: When folded up, the play yard is a little on the bulkier side.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls on this play yard.

The Fisher-Price Ultra-Lite Day & Night Play Yard gets its name for obvious reasons. For one, it’s a lightweight and easy to transport play yard. And besides that, it can be used to allow your baby to sleep at night or play during the day. It’s pretty much everything most parents look for in a play yard.

There’s a removable inclined sleeper bassinet for babies and even a changing clutch to make middle-of-the-night diaper changes a little easier on you. And for your older baby or your toddler, the play yard is spacious enough to give them room to grow.

Child Age Range: It’s made for little ones from infancy to less than 35 inches tall.
Where To Buy: You can find it on Amazon or in-store at Buy Buy Baby.
The Best Part: You can set it up in no time to be able to use it for your little one right away.
The Not So Great: The mattress pad can sometimes shift or pop up instead of laying flat at all times.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls on this particular play yard.

Fisher-Price Ultra-Lite Day and Night Play Yard

Baby Bjorn is known for its carriers over most other product, but the BABYBJORN Travel Crib Light is another solid travel crib for 2018. It weighs just 13 pounds and sits firmly on the floor with a soft mattress, so you can be sure that it will stay in place without shifting easily.

The mesh material around all four sides provides a way to see in and out as well as a breathable space for your child to play or nap. And setting it up is as easy as pulling it out of its bag and popping it up.

Child Age Range: It can be used for little ones from newborns all the way up to three years old.
Where To Buy: You can buy it on the manufacturer’s website and Amazon or in-store at Buy Buy Baby.
The Best Part: There’s virtually no real setup involved, but instead a swift movement of pulling the crib out of its bag.
The Not So Great: Compared to similar travel cribs, it may be considered to be on the pricier side. There are no current or recent recalls on this play yard.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no current or recent recalls on this play yard.

Not only is the Dream On Me Travel Light Play Yard aesthetically pleasing, but it’s also easy to take on the go and comfortable for your baby or toddler. An airy mesh fabric surrounds it and it comes with a soft mattress pad to give your little one a place to rest.

The crib itself has a base plate to keep its sturdy form, but unlike some other travel cribs, it won’t jeopardize the comfort with the mattress pad in place. It comes in either black, pink, or blue to give you some options and it’s lightweight enough to travel with pretty much anywhere.

Child Age Range: It’s suitable for children from infancy to three years of age.
Where To Buy: You can primarily find it on Amazon.
The Best Part: The mattress itself is almost four feet long, which means that there’s ample space for your little one.
The Not So Great: Unfortunately, you can’t zip off the mesh outer liner for cleaning.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: Although there have been recalls on some Dream on Me play yards , this is not one of them.

The phil&teds Traveller Crib might be the lightest one on the market right now. At just six pounds, it likely weight less than your baby inside of it, which is a pretty big feat for any lightweight travel crib. You can use it either inside or outdoors, and there’s even a side panel that can be unzipped to allow your little one to crawl in and out of the crib as he or she wants.

If you decide to use it outdoors, there’s even an optional mesh shade that can be affixed to the top of it to match the all mesh sides. It really is one of the more versatile options out there.

Child Age Range: It’s designed for little ones from newborns up to two years old.
The Best Part: You really can’t beat how lightweight this travel crib is.
The Not So Great: The mattress pad may not be comfortable enough for some toddlers.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: Although there have been recalls on Phil&teds Traveller Cribs , there aren’t any on this one.

A Travel crib (not pack n play) is a lightweight portable crib that can stand on the floor, and where your baby can sleep. These cribs are usually allowed in a plane cabin as they are foldable and does not take up a lot of space.

It really depends on the situation. For shorter distances, a crib might be better as it does not take too much space, but if you are planning a longer trip, a pack n play would be better because your baby will also have a play area.

Most of the hotels have pack n plays and standard cribs, so if you are planning a trip and do not want to take any of these with you, you should contact the hotel in advance so they can prepare it for you. However, be prepared, many hotels request up to $50 dollars per day for installing it in your room.

Yes, they can be used as a crib, but you will have to add a mattress to make it more comfortable. Some playpens have a separate top area made for just sleeping, which is detachable and easy to put on again, and the bottom area is intended for safely playing without too much supervision.

Sometimes a travel crib is needed to give your little one enclosed space of their own when you need to keep them nearby to keep an eye on them. Or, it’s meant to be their napping place when you’re on a family trip or away from home.

Regardless of what you need it for or how often you plan to use it, finding and purchasing the right travel crib can help you out. Clearly, there is a lot to choose from for your own specific needs. And regardless of which one you choose, you’ll be getting a long-lasting and, in some cases, cost-effective travel crib for your baby.

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Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

There are many moving parts for families to consider when it comes to the logistics of travel, from the right stroller (or double stroller ), whether or not to take your own car seat, which luggage to use , etc. With that in mind, the idea of adding another large item to your checked luggage — like a travel crib — can be off-putting. (But, don't forget that you can at least lighten the load and skip baggage claim and have your checked bags delivered to your destination.)

While nearly any sizable hotel (and many small ones, too) and most rental houses and apartments often have some Pack 'n Plays or cribs for guest use, you can't always count on a crib at a hotel . So, bringing along your own travel crib often makes sense, especially when it comes to having a safe, comfortable and portable place to keep your baby contained. This is especially true if you are traveling somewhere that doesn't have a healthy baby gear rental market.

During a recent trip to Cuba — where island-wide shortages on virtually everything naturally extend to baby accessories, even at hotels — I was so relieved to have paid the extra baggage fee to bring along our BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light. Although there were always family members around offering to hold my baby during the day, I was glad I didn't have to build a pillow fortress around her when it was time to sleep at night.

Read on for our top picks on the best travel cribs that tick all the boxes by being lightweight, easy to bring along in a car or plane and — best of all — simple to set up.

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light

Designed as a handy portable sleeping solution for newborns through kids up to 3-years-old, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light couldn't be more convenient to set up. I've even managed to set this crib up in total darkness when arriving late to a shared hotel room when I didn't want to disturb everyone else. You simply pull out the four legs from their folded position in the frame, position the crib to standing, pop the mattress down and voilà — it's bedtime for baby.

The mattress is several inches thick and nice and firm. Since it's supported on the floor, there's no weight limit to what it can hold. The whole thing packs down to flat into the handy carrying bag, tipping the scales at just 13 total pounds. Because the legs come out at a tent-like supportive angle, the crib is also surprisingly stable. Even kids that like to pull up on the sides probably can't topple this one over.

Guava Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib

Also weighing in at 13 pounds, this travel crib by Guava is another traveling-parent favorite. It's quite similar to the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light in that the mattress is supported by the floor and the legs come out at an angle for excellent stability. The side-zipper door can be left open to allow your child to come in and out during supervised play time.

The side door is also a handy way to access baby if you happen to be, say, breastfeeding in a tent (raises hand!) or otherwise sleeping on the floor beside your baby. You can crawl right inside and lay your head next to your little one to comfort them. The Lotus Everywhere folds up into a convenient backpack, which you can take on an airplane as a carry-on, or otherwise haul around on your back on the go.

Graco Pack 'n Play Jetsetter Playard

This is another travel crib that packs down into a convenient backpack so you can easily tote it along with you on a flight or road trip. The Graco Pack 'n Play Jetsetter Playard is a bit heftier than the other two options, weighing in at just over 17 pounds. But there are extra features to this crib, too, including a removable bassinet with a canopy (the latter is stored on the outside of the backpack when the crib is packed away) and a diaper changing pad that you can choose to take with you or leave at home.

The bassinet has a soothing, built-in vibration feature that might help newborns sleep more soundly on the road (key word: might ). And while setup isn't quite as quick as with the BabyBjorn, this crib feels more like a proper Pack 'n Play and has wheels and feet that fold down to help keep it compact. To break it down, you simply push the buttons on the side of the top rails and fold it back into the backpack.

Bottom Line

Any of these cribs could be a sanity saver on your next family vacation. Do you take along a travel crib on vacations or simply rely on hotel equipment or a makeshift pillow fort? We'd love to hear about your experiences.

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8 Best Travel Cribs for Babies and Toddlers to Sleep Soundly On the Go

Posted: August 28, 2023 | Last updated: August 28, 2023

Traveling with tiny humans is no joke. Oh, the stuff you need: A car seat and stroller! A stocked diaper bag ! A portable high chair! Even the best travel cribs are essential since a tired baby’s mood can threaten the whole family’s fun.

Our top picks:

Best Lightweight: Aeromoov Instant Travel Cot Playard , $195
Best for Flying: Guava Lotus Travel Crib , $249
Best for Tall Toddlers: Baby Bjorn Travel Crib & Sheet Bundle , $300
Best Small: Nuna Sena Aire Travel Crib , $350
Best With Bassinet: Graco Pack and Play On the Go Playard , $80
Best for Twins: Bugaboo Stardust Portable Playard , $339

It might seem like a lot to schlep, especially if you’re flying, but having your own travel crib can offer serious of peace mind (and a sense of familiarity for your baby or toddler who might freak out in a new sleeping environment). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also says parents should use caution when borrowing or renting any cribs or play yards provided by home rentals, hotels, or other services, since they may not meet current safety standards.

Thankfully, there are plenty of great travel cribs on the market these days, many of which are small and lightweight enough for flying. To help you choose the right one, our editors asked seasoned parents to put the most well-reviewed, top-selling travel cribs to the test.

Our testers—parents to both newborns and toddlers—used the best portable cribs and travel bassinets on this list in all kinds of travel scenarios—road trips, international travel, and even in their own homes to keep twins separated during nap time. Ahead, the most portable, user-friendly, comfortable, and easy-to-clean (and even machine washable) options, from Amazon and beyond.

Our rating system

We assigned a letter grade (From A+ to F) to every travel crib on this list; the higher a crib's rating, the more functional, durable, portable, and investment-worthy it is. We rate each travel crib according to these features, then use the average of those figures for our overall rating.

Bugaboo Stardust Portable Playard

This small travel crib wins a lot of praise for its size, since the compact footprint makes it exceptionally easy to travel with both by car or plane. It also has a unique accordion-style fold that our tester said requires little-to-no effort on the parent’s part. In fact, our tester said she’s been using two as bassinets for her twins for the last eight months both at home and during travel. It may not be the best bet for tall toddlers due to the size, but it does have two different heights—one that’s taller for newborns (the bassinet) and one that’s a bit lower for older babies.

What our tester said: “I have the Stardust travel cribs and absolutely love them! We have been using them ever since we brought our girls home from the NICU in December—they are eight months now and still using them at our bedside. They are so easy to pop up and their compact frame doesn’t take up a lot of space. They’re also incredibly compact when folded, so they’re easy to throw in the back of the car to travel with. I also love that it has two different height options—one for newborns and another for older babies and toddlers.”

Pros: Two height options, easy to assemble and travel with, foldable
Cons: Expensive
Our tester’s grade: A+
Setup: A+ | Durability: A+ | Portability: A+ | Overall Value: A
Weight: 17.2 pounds
Dimensions: 33.5 x 5.5 x 25.6 inches
Age Range: 0-3 years

Save when you shop the best travel cribs with these Target promo codes .

Baby Bjorn Travel Crib & Sheet Bundle

The Babybjörn Travel Crib is a parent favorite, largely because it’s one of the lightest around—it weighs just 13 pounds. Our testers said it was also one of the easiest cribs to assemble and disassemble into the carrying case. Perhaps even more importantly, parents say it feels very well made—some traveled with it for years with little to no wear and tear. The crib also comes with a fitted sheet set, so you don’t have to do any additional shopping.

What our tester said: “I never left home without this when my kids were in cribs. It’s light and easy to travel with, plus it collapses easily and feels really well made. Most importantly, my kids always seemed very comfortable.”

Pros: Lightweight, durable, easy to assemble, airy mesh sides
Our tester’s grade: A
Setup: A+ | Durability: A | Portability: A | Overall Value: A-
Weight: 13 pounds
Dimensions: 32 x 44 x 24 inches

Save when you shop the best travel cribs with these Nordstrom promo codes .

Guava Lotus Travel Crib

If you’re flying to your destination, you really can’t beat the convenience of the Guava Lotus. It’s not the most lightweight on the list, but at 15 pounds, it’s not unbearably heavy either. And because the travel bag has backpack straps, it feels a lot lighter than it is—not to mention, this frees up your hands for other things… like wrangling your little one. Parents we polled said the portable crib folds up like a dream, too. Plus, it has a unique zippered door on the mesh side that allows you to put both babies and toddlers inside without bending over.

What our tester said: “The Guava Lotus is my go-to, because it packs up like a dream. And it even has backpack straps, so it doesn’t break your back lugging it wherever you need to go. I also love the zipper on the bottom, which makes it super easy to get both babies and toddlers in and out. The only problem is the mattress doesn’t always lay flat and feels a little plasticky, but don’t they all?!”

Pros: Has backpack straps for carrying, easy to take down
Cons: Mattress doesn’t always lay flat
Our tester’s grade: A-
Setup: A- | Durability: A- | Portability: A | Overall Value: A-
Weight: 15 pounds
Dimensions: 45.5 x 31.5 x 25.5 inches

Uppababy Remi Playard

When it comes to travel cribs, many parents complain about the mattress pad since most tend to be thin and stiff as a board. Not the Uppababy Remi. Our tester said the mattress on this portable crib was unlike any she’d ever seen before. That’s because it’s a special temperature-regulating mattress that sits up and off the ground to help baby snuggle in for a better night’s sleep. Like other great travel cribs, this one also wins praise for being seamless to set up and take down. Plus, it features a special zipper in one of the mesh sides that gives you better access to your child, whether a baby or a toddler.

What our tester said: “We travel all the time, and I couldn’t imagine what it would be like without this portable travel crib. My daughter sleeps just as soundly on this mattress as she does at home in her regular crib. And even though it’s a bit heavy, I’ve never had a problem transporting it from place to place. Highly recommend!!”

Pros: Easy to set up and take down, has a more comfortable mattress than most, comes in three colors
Cons: Expensive, on the heavier side
Setup: A | Durability: A- | Portability: B+ | Overall Value: A-
Weight: 22.2 pounds
Dimensions: 40.5 x 26 x 28.5 inches
Age Range: Birth to 35 inches tall

Aeromoov Instant Travel Cot Playard

If weight is important to you—maybe you’re a frequent flier or maybe you live in an apartment with a lot of stairs—you can’t beat the Aeromoov Instant Travel Cot Playard. It clocks in at less than 11 pounds and folds thin to just 4.6 inches for fuss-free carrying and storage. Still, it’s a highly functional option with two different stages of use—a bassinet height for babies under 13 pounds and a standard playard for older babies and toddlers. Our tester said her child has never had any trouble sleeping on the mattress, thanks to its two inches of PU foam. And you don’t even need a fitted sheet—the mattress is water-repellant and easy to clean (albeit a bit noisy without one!).

What our tester said: “I wish I had known about this travel crib sooner. It fit our budget and had a mattress that seemed like it would be more comfortable than most. But what really sold me was how light and compact it was. I can’t stand how sweaty I get just loading the car for a road trip, so anything that can help lessen the burden is a winner in my book.”

Pros: Super light and compact, two stages of use, less expensive than many other options
Cons: Not suitable for older babies and toddlers
Setup: A | Durability: B+ | Portability: A+ | Overall Value: A-
Weight: 11 pounds
Dimensions: 52 x 36 x 25 inches
Age Range: From birth to 13 pounds, or until baby can sit up (bassinet); maximum weight and height not specified for older stage use

Graco Pack and Play On the Go Playard

Sure, there are more sophisticated travel cribs out there, but our tester said she really didn’t need anything more. This travel crib is not only a safe sleep space–it's a real workhorse. Our tester has been using hers regularly for more than five years through four children. Her twins currently use the playard for daily naps, proving that the crib mattress is comfortable enough for regular sleep. And because it’s so budget-friendly (especially compared to other portable travel cribs on the market), it’s a great option for buying an extra to leave at a relative’s house. This way, you don’t have to worry about packing a portable crib or bassinet every time you go somewhere. They can simply stash it in the attic or closet—it folds up into a compact rectangular carrying case complete with a handle.

What our tester said: “Is it the most beautiful travel crib on the market? Definitely not, but it’s highly durable and has served me well for more than five years. In fact, I think I own four of them now. I took this crib on so many road trips that I finally bought one to leave at multiple family members’ houses. We’ve even taken this portable crib all the way to Florida and back. Plus, now that my toddler twins need to be separated for naps, my daughter sleeps in this crib every day—it must be pretty comfortable!”

Pros: Comes with a removable bassinet and changing table, one of the more budget-friendly options, easy to assemble
Cons: Not the most stylish, relatively heavy
Our tester’s grade: B+
Setup: B+ | Durability: A | Portability: B+ | Overall Value: A-
Weight: 22.66 pounds
Dimensions: 39.5 x 28.25 x 29 inches
Age Range: Designed for babies and toddlers up to 35 inches tall

Nuna Sena Aire Travel Crib

An undeniably stylish option, the Nuna Sena is one of the more compact travel cribs on the market. Because of this, it’s exceptionally easy to travel with, especially if you have a newborn or a baby under the age of 1 or 2. Unfortunately, taller toddlers may be more comfortable in a bigger sleep space, but you can technically fit your little one until they’re 30 pounds or 35 inches tall, whichever comes first—for many kids this is well into their second year. Parents say it’s nice and easy to assemble, plus love that the travel cot comes with the fitted sheet. As a nice bonus, you can also choose from five color options.

What our tester said: “I didn’t know a travel crib could be so pretty, but here we are. It’s not all about looks though. I love how compact this crib is—we have no trouble squeezing it into tiny hotel rooms. And even though it’s small, my very average-sized two-year-old seems to fit just fine.”

Pros: Easy to assemble, high-quality, and comes with a fitted sheet and bassinet attachment
Cons: On the heavier side, not great for taller toddlers
Setup: A- | Durability: B+ | Portability: A- | Overall Value: B+
Weight: 21 pounds
Dimensions: 30 x 41.3 x 29 inches
Age Range: Birth to 30 pounds or 35 inches tall

Maxi-Cosi Swift 3-in-1 Playard

As the name may suggest, you can’t beat the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi 3-in-1 Playard. Use it as a travel crib, a play space for an older baby or toddler, or use it as a full-time bassinet for your newborn. Either way, it’s one of the sturdiest options on the market and it sets up in a flash. (Our tester said you can set it up and take it down with one hand in a single motion.) Unfortunately, it's a bit heavier than some other options and doesn’t fold into the most compact case, but as long as you’re not relying on it for flying, this probably won’t be a deal-breaker—especially given the longevity of this portable crib.

What our tester said: “We used this portable crib in place of a bassinet, and it was so convenient to have it right at our bedside. Plus, it made the transition so much easier when we went on vacations, since our daughter was already familiar with the sleep space. I wish it wasn’t quite so heavy, but honestly, I wouldn’t call any travel crib light per se. And if that’s the sacrifice for a super comfy spot that ensures my daughter gets a good night’s sleep wherever we are? Fine by me.”

Pros: Super easy setup, very versatile, highly durable, great for playtime
Cons: On the heavier side, expensive, not great for air travel
Setup: A | Durability: A- | Portability: A- | Overall Value: A
Weight: 18.5 pounds
Dimensions: 33.86 x 30.71 x 41.73 inches

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Travel Crib Light Black Bundle with Fitted Sheet BabyBjörn

Travel Cot Light

Free shipping from 40.00 €. Estimated delivery in 5-7 working days.

Description

OEKO-TEX-certified

Easy to set up

Weight: 6 kg (including carry bag)

For ages 0–3

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Extra Mattress for Travel Cot

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Superb baby buy! So many uses

I was impressed by how comfortable the mattress was and by how sturdy the cot itself was. I love the size and its ease of use. 8 months on and I'm still impressed with the travel cot and would recommend it to friends and family!

Justjadet, Derry (Northern Ireland)

Lets your baby (and you!) sleep through the night

We love how fast and straight to the point it is to set up and dismantle. Super light and has small footprint. It's airy inside that it won't let your baby be covered in sweat.

Ciela, Paris (France)

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