9 Best Baby Playpens to Keep Little Explorers Safe

Baby playpens can be a real sanity-saver. These enclosed areas provide a safe space for little ones to crawl, play and explore while keeping them away from potential hazards in the home, backyard, a relative’s house or elsewhere. This allows caregivers to keep a close eye from the sidelines instead of playing constant defense.

While they’re similar to playards, playpens aren’t intended for sleep—just play. Loretta Cody, MD—a board-certified pediatrician based out of Connecticut—reminds us that they shouldn’t be used for hours on end; rather, they’re intended to “be used for brief periods for ‘hands-free’ time for a parent.”

Ready to find the best baby playpen for your curious kiddo? Below, check out our favorite designs for several budgets and lifestyles. That includes our pick for the overall best—The California Beach Co. Pop N’ Go Playpen—which stands out because of its safety features and ease of assembly.

How We Chose the Best Baby Playpens

To help you pick out the best baby playpen for your needs, we put in the research and browsed dozens of options, so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling. Here are the steps we took to create this article:

• Some of these products were evaluated by our independent product testers, and rated them for ease of use, portability, features and design and value for money.

• We interviewed two pediatricians to understand the essential features to look for in a baby playpen—plus, safety advice to keep in mind when using on in your home.

• We surveyed over 650 new and expectant parents in The Bump community for additional insight on the ins and outs of specific playpens.

• We researched safety advice from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), ASTM International and Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) and adhered to their guidelines. For extra reassurance, we also looked for products that have certifications and seals of approval from these key organizations where possible.

• We leveraged our familiarity with leading brands and online retailers to make sure items are from reliable manufacturers. And since many of us are parents ourselves, we relied on our own experience with some of these products.

• We considered several factors when selecting products, including ease of use, quality and durability, value, size, portability, product weight and, of course, safety.

• We read user reviews to understand how these playpens have worked for real families and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.

Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.

Best Baby Playpens

*Note: Some names have been changed due to privacy requests.

Baby Playpen Safety Tips

Safety is always an important factor to consider when shopping for and using a baby playpen. First and foremost, Cody reminds parents to “never leave a child unattended in a playpen.” Additionally, she advises parents not to place the playpen near a window, to never leave the side of the playpen lowered and to not leave your little one in it for long periods of time. Cody further suggests not to leave pillows, blankets, stuffed animals or string toys to reduce the risk of suffocation and other accidents during playtime.

As you shop, keep the following in mind to find an option for your family that’s equal parts fun and safe:

• Enclosure features. Before you buy, be mindful of enclosure features (such as zippers, snaps or a gate) and how easily they might be opened by tiny hands. In fact, 83 percent of parents who answered our survey told us that having an escape-proof baby playpen was of utmost importance to them. For your little one’s safety, Cody recommends checking for tears in mesh sides and opting for a design that has well-protected hinges. Alexis Phillips-Walker, DO—a pediatrician at Memorial Hermann Medical Group Pediatrics in Atascocita, Texas—adds to this. She informs parents that “if the playpen has mesh sides, the holes in the mesh should be no larger than a quarter-inch to prevent small fingers and small buttons on clothes from getting caught.” Plus, “top rails should automatically lock when lifted into an upright position,” she states.

• Limitations. Check if the playpen has any age, height or weight limitations, says Cody. While most designs are flush with the ground (meaning they have no weight limit), others are better suited to infants or younger tots. Regardless of these limitations, Phillips-Walker advises that “the sides of the playpen should be at least 20” high from the floor of the playpen.”

• Set up. It’s no surprise that 73 percent of our survey respondents told us sturdiness was a priority when they searched for a baby playpen. With that in mind, take note of how secure the playpen is once set up, and if it poses any risk of being pushed over (or climbed out of) by little escape artists.

• Padding. Many baby playpens don’t come with a mat or a padded floor. If that’s the case, Phillips-Walker recommends lining the bottom with a one-inch firm mattress or pad. Moreover, she suggests you “look for padding on the tops of the rails to protect your baby from bumps.”

• Safety standards. Check that your baby playpen also meets the ASTM safety standards or has a certification label from the JPMA, this way you can be certain that it meets the most up-to-date CPSC safety guidelines, says Phillips-Walker. Lastly, double-check that the brand and model haven’t been recalled on the CPSC’s website before purchasing, advises Cody.

What To Look For in a Baby Playpen

Like all baby gear, there are many different features to keep in mind when picking out the best baby playpen for your family. Playpens range from super lightweight and portable to more sturdy and stationary, each with their own benefits (depending on your needs). There are also plenty of accessories—like sun covers, padded play mats and carry bags—that can be particularly useful.

To narrow down the choices and know what add-ons to look for, it’s important to first determine where, when and how you’ll use a baby playpen and what you’ll need from it. Will it be used outdoors or indoors (or both)? Does it need to be portable? How many children will be using it? How is it cleaned and cared for? How easily does it set up and fold down? Asking yourself these questions before selecting a playpen for babies will help you make a solid decision.

Still not quite sure what to look for? Survey respondents from The Bump community highlighted size, ability to watch their child and escape-proof designs as the top elements they considered when choosing a baby playpen for their household. Below, browse what other factors they told us were important to them.

About the writer:

Emma O’Regan-Reidy is an editor at The Bump. She specializes in writing e-commerce content about the latest and greatest in pregnancy, postpartum and parenting. O’Regan-Reidy has researched an array of topics, from prenatal vitamins and postpartum pads to the best non-wifi baby monitors, toddler learning towers and everything in between. With over a four-year career in digital media, O’Regan-Reidy has written dozens of articles about baby and toddler gear, and aims to create engaging, helpful content that informs new and seasoned parents.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

Plus, more from The Bump:

The 10 Best Baby Play Mats for Baby’s Development

9 Best Baby Swings to Soothe Your Little One

10 Best Baby Beach Tents to Block the Summer Sun