5 Best Playpens Tested by Active Babies and Toddlers

The Skip Hop Expandable Enclosure received high praise from our tester across all categories, including safety, style and ease of use. But where it really stood out was in its versatility. This playpen is simple to fold away and store, light enough to move from room to room and easily expanded with additional panels—or converted to a permanent room divider, a feature no other playpen we tested shared. These impressive features and functionality earned it a Best of The Bump award for overall best baby playpen. (See all of this year’s Best of The Bump winners.)

Right out of the box, our product tester Chelsea told us that it was a breeze to use. It only took her five minutes to assemble, and once it was set up, Chelsea said “it was super easy to take my baby in and out of the playpen—there’s a door that swings open or I could easily lift my child in and out.” The door can be opened or closed via a baby-proof button on the top, so you can rest assured your little Houdini won’t be able to escape. And when it was time to put the playpen away, she praised the easy, compact fold.

Of course safety is always going to be top of mind for parents, and Chelsea was also impressed by the Skip Hop Expandable Enclosure’s secure, stable design. “When my baby leaned or pushed against the sides, it didn’t move,” she told us. In our survey, 86 percent of The Bump community said the ability to easily keep an eye on your child was one of the most important feature of a good playpen—and this option definitely meets that need. “I love how all of the sides are mesh so that my baby can easily be seen at all times,” Chelsea added.

Chelsea told us that all three of her young kiddos (ranging from a 10-month-old to an almost 7-year-old) could play in it at once. She particularly loved how you can adapt the playpen to fit the room your child is playing in (or your family’s changing needs), telling us: “At first, I used all of the sides fastened together to create a big play space in the middle of our living room. I then took it apart and moved it to our basement and attached it to the wall so that there is a permanent play space that is safe for my baby.”

The minimalist design on this playpen for babies has a gray-and-white color scheme that’s sure to blend in with your home decor. Chelsea told us that she “loved the neutral style and colors of this playpen.” The simple design also takes seconds to wipe down when needed and doesn’t have a lot of nooks and crannies that would make it tricky to clean. It doesn’t come with a mat or a travel bag, which may be a downside for some parents—but, all in all, our tester described these as the only drawbacks she could see in a playpen that offered safety, convenience and versatility at a reasonable price.

Tester assembly time: 5 minutes | Dimensions: 62" (L) x 71.6" (W) x 27.6" (H) | Weight: 24.2 lbs. | Age rating: 6+ months

Most baby playpens are made of a combination of fabric and mesh with internal steel frames. However, if you’d prefer a wooden option, consider this design from Sinda Furniture, our Best of The Bump winner for best wooden baby playpen. Our product tester Jen was a big fan of its style, which is an important consideration when choosing baby gear with a large footprint like a playpen. “I think it’s very sleek and blends well into a room,” she told us, “and the wood slats and panels make it easy to see my baby at all times, which is great.” The look of this playpen also received high praise in our survey—the simple but attractive design is crafted from high-quality New Zealand pine wood that’s durable and finished with a non-toxic polish.

This folding playpen has an adjustable design, comprising eight panels that can be configured to your liking—whether that be a square, a rectangle or even an L-shape—and can easily fit more than one kiddo at a time. Jen highly praised this option’s adaptability, saying: “My favorite thing about this playpen is the ability to adjust the size. At first I used it inside and had it set up as a square due to the size of my room. Then I tried it again outside and used it as a rectangle, which was huge. This is great for parents who have different needs as well as when the child grows too.”

This stylish infant playpen isn’t just nice to look at—it’s also complete with a number of safety features. “This playpen will definitely keep your baby inside and older kids out. The sides are quite tall, so my 3-year-old couldn’t climb over the top, unlike with my more soft, breathable playpen,” Jen told us. “It’s very sturdy too and I don’t have to worry about it falling down or collapsing when my 3 year old hangs on it.” She noted that when set up as a square, the only way for baby to get in or out is by a parent lifting them. Note that when you use the playpen in another shape, there’s a gate that can be opened or closed for added convenience.

Type: Wooden | Tester assembly time: 5 to 10 minutes | Dimensions: 55" (L) x 94.5" (W) x 24.5" (H) | Weight: 25.3 lbs. | Age rating: N/A

Our community says:

If you’re looking for a playpen that’s easy to move from room to room, pack up for a trip to a friend’s house or set up and take down frequently, the Bright Starts Pop n Play is a great choice. Named our Best of The Bump winner for best baby playpen for portability, it combines convenience and portability without compromise and is suitable for use inside and outdoors. And even better, at under $70 it’s the most budget-friendly option on our list.

The one-piece pop-up design makes it simple to set up and take down in seconds, without any loose parts or complicated instructions. In fact, our product tester Kristina told us it was the easiest setup she’d ever had with a playpen. The lightweight design, compact fold and included travel bag also make it convenient to take on the go, whether you're traveling or just moving around the house. “It was much lighter than expected,” said Kristina.

The portability does come at the cost of some square footage, but don't let the compact size fool you—this playpen still offers plenty of space for your little one to play and explore. According to Kristina, the provided 14 square feet of contained playing space was more than enough for her 10-month-old. "The space within the play yard was plentiful and could even fit three kids!" she said.

The mesh sides provide visibility and ventilation, as well as peace of mind knowing that your little one is always within view. And with an attached water-resistant floor, your child can play comfortably and safely on a variety of surfaces. Keep in mind that the floor isn't padded and if you plan to use it outdoors you might want to purchase the version with the canopy.

Tester assembly time: N/A (preassembled) | Dimensions (open): 46.5" (L) x 53.9" (W) x 26.4" (H) | Weight: 12 lbs. | Age rating: 6 to 24 months

According to our survey, 36 percent of parents looked for a baby playpen that could be used outdoors. The California Beach Co. Pop N’ Go Playpen, our Best of The Bump winner for best outdoor baby playpen, offers a safe, sturdy yet lightweight outside play area. The detachable (and included) UPF 50+ sun shade provides protection from harmful rays, while the integrated floor offers a protective barrier between your child and the ground. The breathable mesh walls keep insects out and your kiddos safely inside, while allowing for visibility from every angle. Plus, the lightweight design (it's only 7.2 pounds, after all) and the included carry bag make it extremely convenient to bring along on beach trips, kids' sporting events or any outdoor adventure.

Aside from all the outdoor-friendly features, assembly could not have been easier. I was amazed when it took me less than a minute to set it up on my first attempt—far quicker than any other playpens that I've used. Once it's out of the carry bag, the legs unfold and it takes shape (or "pops up") on its own. Then you push down the center mechanism to secure the playpen, and you’re all set. When it’s time to pack it up, teardown is just as straightforward. Although it did take slightly longer due to having to fold up the legs, the process was still extremely quick and can easily be done in just two to three minutes without any assistance. It folds into a compact cylinder which is then put into the carry bag, which I found to be comfortable to wear over my shoulder.

I also found the playpen easy to keep clean—which is a must-have for an outdoor playpen. On several occasions I needed to shake out the grass and dirt that my kids brought in. The playpen was light enough that I could easily do this in just seconds. Although I didn't need to do a deeper clean, the brand says it can be hosed off as needed—which is likely inevitable for the type of play it’ll see.

Tester assembly time: 1 minute | Dimensions (open): 59" (L) x 59" (W) x 48" (H) | Weight: 7.2 lbs. | Age rating: 0+ months

Our community says:

Baby playpens come in all shapes, sizes and colors, but not all of them come packed with built-in toys like the Fortella Cloud Castle Foldable Playpen, our Best of The Bump winner for best baby playpen with play features. The fun-filled design isn’t your average infant playpen; it’s complete with built-in activities to keep your little one engaged as you work through your at-home to-do list. Forty-two percent of parents who responded to our survey told us they looked for play elements when picking a playpen—and our product tester Meredith was a fan of what this option offered. “My baby is happy to have all the room to move about and play with his toys without feeling too ‘contained,’” she told us, adding, “The playpen has an activity wall that my baby loves to play with. The squeaky stars are his favorite.” It also has a whiteboard panel for drawing.

That said, this foldable playpen isn’t just about fun and games. It also has all of the specs and safety features you’d expect to find in a solid playpen. Unfolded, it offers 25 square feet of play space, making it a great option for parents with multiple kiddos or looking for a larger structure, and has a lockable gate. “I feel that my baby is safely contained when inside of the playpen, and I can easily open and close the door to access my baby or just reach over the wall and pick him up,” Meredith explained. Even though the walls are opaque, she told us that “they’re low enough that I can easily see over the sides to see inside.”

At first glance, this large playpen may seem bulkier than other options on our list, but Meredith told us that didn’t affect assembly at all. “It took less than one minute to set up the playpen. I was so pleasantly surprised to find that the playpen has a fold-out function and you can shape it into different formations with no effort at all just by moving the walls of the playpen,” she praised. Additionally, Meredith reported it was also super easy to put away when not in use. “The baby playpen even has carrying handles to make it effortless to fold up and carry about the house or even pack it into the car for an outing to the park. It folds up into a tiny footprint, and we easily store it in the corner of our living room without it taking up much room,” she explained. You can opt for a neutral or more colorful design, and a foldable playmat is sold separately if you’d like a base for the playpen.

Tester assembly time: Under 1 minute | Dimensions (open): 60" (L) x 60" (W) x 24.4" (H) Weight: 34.9 lbs. | Age rating: 6 months to 3 years