6 Best Travel Cribs for Families on the Go, Tested and Reviewed

The Bump takeaway: The Maxi-Cosi Calao Travel Play Yard is the Best of The Bump winner of overall best travel crib due to its ultra-light weight, its convenient backpack carry bag, and ability to effectively convert across three different stages right out of the box

Some travel cribs are super lightweight or have a flatter fold. Others come with bonuses like a bassinet, hands-free carry bag or zip-down door. The Maxi-Cosi Calao seems to have found a way to pull all the best features of a travel crib into one easy-to-use product.

Its sleek design includes a full-mesh bassinet for newborns and zippable side door so your toddler can pop in and out on their own—and manages to pack these features into a mere 13-pound crib. It’s also easy to carry, thanks to the flatter dimensions and backpack-style carry bag.

Sleep space
Enea, our tester, had high praises for the zip-in bassinet when traveling with her 3-month-old. “My baby settled really well in the bassinet and seemed comfortable during naps and overnight sleep at the hotel,” she says, adding that the airy mesh design gave a clear view of baby. “I liked how easy it was to keep an eye on her, and the bassinet felt secure and supportive without feeling too hard. The height also made it easy to place her in and lift her out without it feeling awkward.”

The included mattress serves two stages. Simply unzip and remove one section for comfy but firm bassinet padding, and then zip the two sections back together as a base for when your tot uses it for sleep or play. With some of the color options, you can also choose ‘eco fabric’, which is made from 100 percent recycled bottles.

When using the travel crib’s main sleep space, Enea tells us “it felt really secure and sturdy overall.” She adds, “The space felt roomy enough for her to move a little without feeling cramped. It was easy to lift her in and out, and the mattress felt comfortable and supportive without making noise or wobbling when she moved.”

Portability
At just 13 pounds, this travel crib is one of the lightest on the market, which Enea appreciated when on the move. “This travel crib was super lightweight and honestly so convenient for traveling with my 3-month-old,” confirms Enea. The Calao is also one of the most compact travel cribs we tested when it’s folded, measuring a little under 24 inches long and 6.7 inches tall. “I loved how compact it folded up, especially for fitting in the hotel room and car trunk, and packing it back into the bag was actually really easy instead of stressful,” Enea tells us.

One of the strengths of the Calao is that it can be worn as a backpack, freeing up your hands to carry other bags or travel items. “It didn’t feel bulky at all and was easy to carry with our luggage and diaper bag,” Enea enthuses.

Setup and breakdown
When it came time to assemble and disassemble this travel crib, it took Enea less than two minutes to do both. “Once set up, it didn’t take up too much space and actually fit nicely in the room without feeling bulky,” she says.

Though the Calao is only 13 pounds and folds up compactly, it doesn’t fit in overhead compartments of airplanes, so this isn’t a carry-on travel crib. That being said, the lightweight, highly portable features make it perfect for moving through airports while chasing tiny tots or fitting into the tetris puzzle of your packed car. “It made traveling with a baby feel a lot less stressful,” enthuses Enea.

Dimensions (open): 42.5" (L) x 32.9" (W) x 23.4" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 23.6" (L) x 19.3" (W) x 6.7" (H) | Product weight: 13 lbs. | Height and weight capacity: Up to 35" (playard); up to 15 lbs. (bassinet) | Floor style: Elevated

The Bump takeaway: The Dream On Me Zazzy Portable Playard with Bassinet is the Best of The Bump winner for best budget-friendly travel crib. It offers excellent value while still delivering key features including a removable bassinet.

The cost of baby products can add up quickly, and especially if you only plan to travel with baby here and there, the prospect of spending serious money on a travel crib can feel daunting. Dream On Me’s popular Zazzy crib rings in at just over the $50 mark and is a dependable choice for occasional travel.

“I’d say it's good value for money and feels worth it for a travel-specific crib, especially if you don’t need something super premium or long-term,” our tester Chastin says, praising its portability, convenience and included bassinet. Better yet, she appreciated that she was able to use standard fitted sheets with this crib, so she didn’t need to buy anything extra.

Sleep space
Even though this travel crib comes at a low price point, you don’t have to compromise on effective sleep features, like a removable bassinet and breathable mesh sides, which allowed great visibility. “I was able to keep an easy eye on my baby through the sides, which felt reassuring, and the bassinet portion felt secure and stable once properly attached,” she tells us.

Chastin tested the crib primarily with her 4-month-old, and she found it was well-suited to her little one’s needs. “The sleep surface felt supportive and breathable, and the size worked fine for my baby right now,” she says.

The mom of two also tested the Dream On Me Zazzy with her 2-year-old, and reported that her son settled in without a fuss. “My toddler was able to sleep through most of the night once comfortable,” Chastin says. “The sleep surface felt supportive enough for short-term use, and the size was more appropriate for my toddler.”

Setup and breakdown
Setting up the travel crib for the first time took Chastin a bit longer than she anticipated, though once she got the hang of it, it took about five minutes—and she didn’t have to remove the bassinet to fold it up. Once you finish collapsing it, “storage [is] convenient because it folds compactly and fits well in a closet or corner without taking up much space,” she explains.

Portability
At 16.6 pounds, this travel crib has a fairly average weight and comes with a travel bag. Chastin says, “It was easy enough to pick up with one hand for short carries, though more comfortable with two hands.”

As Chastin puts it, the Zazzy is more about convenience and reliability than high-end materials or long-term durability. If you travel a lot by plane, this probably isn’t the super-portable ultra-lightweight travel crib you’re looking for—but for families who aren’t traveling often, this offers everything you need. “For occasional use at home, grandparents’ houses or trips, I think it performs well and is reliable enough to feel confident using it,” Chastin says.

Dimensions (open): 40" (L) x 27.5" (W) x 25.5" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 28" (L) x 7.5" (H) | Product weight: 16.6 lbs. | Weight capacity: Up to 25 lbs. | Floor style: Elevated

The Bump takeaway: The Graco Lite Traveler 4-in-1 Playard is the Best of The Bump winner for best travel crib for newborns due to its standalone bassinet feature and innovative light-blocking sleep tent.

When my daughter was six weeks old, we rented a house with friends so all of our newborns could meet. The thought of bending down into a travel crib for multiple feedings so early in the postpartum period was overwhelming to say the least. So, I made my husband pack our giant bassinet into the back of the car.

The Graco LiteTraveler solves that issue with its portable standalone bassinet option that enables your newborn to sleep safely in a visible, elevated position next to your bed. By separating the bassinet from the bulky playard section, you can travel lighter but still have your baby in a close and easy-reach position.

Our tester, Mary, used this feature with her 9-week-old and was a big fan. “The separate standalone bassinet was a game changer; it made nighttime feedings much more manageable without having to pull my baby out of the main crib,” she says.

Sleep space
While the Graco LiteTraveler 4-in-1 Playard is marketed as converting four ways, in reality it offers three distinct options; the bedside bassinet, a playard with zippable side door and a slumber tent. The slumber tent is a very clever inclusion, helping to reduce stimulation and soothe little ones in unfamiliar spaces. The UV 50+ canopy blocks newborns from bright light as they’re snoozing, and Mary confirmed that it created a “noticeably darker environment” during testing—a serious boon, as any parent who has tried hanging blankets over hotel room windows will tell you.

“My baby seemed to settle more quickly in brighter environments when the tent was in use,” Mary shares. “For example, during a family gathering I set it up in a sunlit room, and my baby quickly fell asleep and stayed asleep longer than usual. I noticed fewer wake-ups during those naps, which was a relief.” Plus, the mesh sides allowed her to still keep a line of sight on her little one.

Once your infant grows out of the bassinet, the travel crib converts to a safe sleep and play space for older babies and toddlers, with a zippable side door. Add the canopy, and it continues to offer a darkened sleep environment when you’re away from home.

Portability
Weighing 16 pounds (without the canopy), the Graco LiteTraveler isn’t quite as light as its name suggests but Mary still found it comfortable to move and carry as needed. “When folded, it felt pleasantly lightweight—definitely lighter than I expected, similar to carrying a medium-sized backpack. This made it easy to handle, especially when I had my hands full with other essentials,” she explains.

Both the bassinet and the tent fit easily into the sturdy carry tote. “I was relieved to find that the bassinet fit snugly in the carry bag without needing a separate bag. The same goes for the slumber tent; it all packed together neatly, which simplified the whole process,” she explains.

“The quality, ease of use and effective sleep and play space ensure it meets various needs, making it a reliable choice for growing families,” concludes Mary.

Dimensions (open): 38" (L) x 28.3" (W) x 24.75" (H)| Dimensions (folded): 26.4" (L) x 22.5" (W) x 9.2" (H) | Product weight: 16 lbs. | Weight capacity: N/A | Floor style: Floor-based

The Bump takeaway: The Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib wins the Best of The Bump award for best travel crib with compact fold because it collapses down to just 24 inches long, 12 inches wide and 8 inches high, making it easier to pack and carry.

When you’re on the road with baby and all their accompanying gear, the last thing you want to add to the luggage pile is a big, bulky travel crib. The innovative fold on the Guava travel crib brings it down to half its size, making it super compact.

“The folded shape was slim and compact rather than bulky, which made a huge difference when fitting it into an already packed car trunk,” says our tester Ashleigh, mom of two. This impressive fold also makes storage easy, whether you’re tucking it into the corner of a hotel room or sliding it under the bed at home.

Sleep space
Sleep-wise, our second product tester, Imari, reported that thanks to Guava’s sturdy design, her one-year-old got a good night's rest. "My child doesn’t really like to sleep anywhere other than his crib, but he was very excited about this travel crib,” she says. “He slept well. It’s easy to put him in and take him out because it’s not bulky.”

Ashleigh had a similar experience with her 18-month-old. “He slept through the night from the first use, with no change in sleep patterns compared to his crib,” she shares. “The sleep surface felt firm, supportive and breathable, and he seemed completely comfortable on it right away.”

Other features that make the Guava ideal for on-the-go families were the side door, which became her toddler’s favorite during playtime and the mesh sides, which gave Ashleigh peace of mind during naptime (although the darker mesh makes it slightly less transparent than a light colored mesh).

Portability
The compact fold of this 15-pound travel crib makes this pick highly portable. Plus, you can put both the folded crib and mattress into the included travel bag, which can be worn as a backpack with ergonomic, padded straps.

If you’re planning on flying, note that the crib is a little too big for a plane’s overhead bin, so you can't count it as a carry-on. But because you can tote through the airport hands-free, it’s easy to bring it up to the check-in counter. And don’t worry about it in the cargo hold: Our second tester Imari says: “The carrying bag is very durable.”

Value for money
One thing to consider is that the Lotus doesn’t include a built-in bassinet, although the company sells a conversion kit bundle for $150 more, which enables you to use the bassinet as a standalone product. Ashleigh tested the bassinet with her 4-month-old and found it was a good size, even for her tall baby on the 96th percentile. “Lifting baby in and out couldn't be easier, the surface felt supportive and breathable, and it should last until rolling becomes more active,” she tells us.

Since the Lotus has a slightly higher price point to begin with, the addition of the bassinet makes this an expensive purchase. On the other hand, both Ashleigh and Imari were particularly impressed by the overall quality and durability of the Lotus, and expect it to withstand frequent travel and use. It's also a floor-touching model with no upper weight limit (although only suitable until your toddler starts to try to climb out). “It feels thoughtfully designed for real family use, with durable materials and practical features that justify the higher price point,” concludes Ashleigh.

Dimensions (open): 45" (L) x 31.5" (W) x 25.5" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 24" (L) x 12" (W) x 8" (H) | Product weight: 15 lbs. | Weight capacity: No upper weight limit | Floor style: Floor-based

Our community says:

The Bump takeaway: The Newton Deluxe Travel Crib & Play Yard is the Best of The Bump winner for best travel crib for close-contact soothing. It stood out in this category because of its large sleep area, floor-level mattress and oversized zippered side door, which make it simple for parents to settle their little ones.

New places and disrupted routines can make it difficult for little ones to sleep as soundly or drop off as easily as usual. While ideally you’d be able to stick to a similar daily pattern, that’s not usually a reality when traveling. “You can try to replicate your normal routine, but conditions are not perfect and they do not need to be,” explains Jamie Wagner, the founder of A to Z Adventure Gear.

In unfamiliar surroundings, young children may take longer to fall asleep. A frequent pain point we hear from parents is being unable to get close enough to soothe a child sleeping in a travel crib with its low mattress and mesh walls. The Newton Deluxe has a larger than average 51 inch by 34.5 inch sleep surface area, as well as a floor-based design and an oversized side door that seamlessly zippers open and closed. As a result, it’s big enough for parents to open the side door, lie down or sit close to their child and comfortably soothe or cuddle them until they’re happily settied. It also enables a quick and quiet retreat.

“When families are in a new place, babies often need a little extra reassurance, and parents naturally want a setup that feels more accessible.” explains pediatric sleep specialist Becerra. “I do think closeness can be helpful during the settling process, especially for babies who are more sensitive to change.” However, it’s vital that parents still follow safe sleep guidelines. “I would be careful not to blur the line between helping a baby settle and creating a setup that is no longer being used as intended or safely,” advises Becerra.

Our tester Jessica was easily able to get into this travel crib herself, alongside her 2-year-old. “There absolutely is enough space to climb in with my toddler! It’s very spacious and the opening is huge,” she says.

Sleep space
As well as the larger-than-average sleep space, the Newton Deluxe also features an ultra-breathable mattress, using the same technology as Newton’s much-loved Wovenair crib mattress, which is completely washable.

Like the Guava Family Lotus, the Newton Deluxe doesn’t include a bassinet. However, it’s possible to purchase a zip-in bassinet separately for an additional $49.99. Jessica tested the bassinet with her 3-month-old, and rated it highly. “It was incredibly easy and felt safe to put my baby in the bassinet. I actually liked the hanging concept; I think it's a lot more comfortable than a traditional bassinet,” she says.

Assembly and portability
Setting up the Newton Deluxe was simple for Jessica. It took her less than five minutes to assemble, and it was just as straightward to break down.

The whole crib fits into a travel bag with a strap. With a weight of 17 lbs., it may not be comfortable to carry long distances, but it can easily be tucked into the trunk of a car. “The square shape makes it take up very little space,” Jessica tells us. “I think this travel crib would be ideal for a roadtrip, because it allows a baby or toddler to sleep safely away from home without taking up too much room in the trunk.”

Dimensions (open): 51" (L) x 34.5" (W) x 28.5" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 35" (L) x 12.5" (W) x 11" (H) | Product weight: 17 lbs. | Height capacity: Up to 35" | Floor style: Floor-based

The Bump takeaway: The Bugaboo Stardust Travel Crib is our Best of The Bump winner for best travel crib for frequent road trips because it folds flat (ideal for car-trunk packing) and opens incredibly easily once you arrive.

If you’re anything like my husband and you’d rather drive 14 hours than deal with an airport, then you need a portable crib that doesn’t add extra bulk to the car journey. “In my experience, whether a travel crib is worth bringing really comes down to three things: ease of use, portability and how much your baby will actually use it,” says Wagner, a family travel expert. “If a crib is quick to set up, easy to pack and you’re staying in one place for multiple nights, it can absolutely be helpful.” For families looking for a travel crib that will meet these needs (and then some), the Bugaboo Stardust is a great choice.

While many travel cribs fold down into a boxy cube or rectangle, the Stardust notably collapses into a wide, flat rectangle that measures only 5.5 inches tall. “Its shape when folded is streamlined, allowing it to be easily tucked away, and its design is optimal for carrying and placing in a car trunk without occupying excessive space,” says Jia, our product tester and mom of a 9-month-old. Thanks to this uniquely flat design, it doesn’t take up valuable real estate, leaving room for the diaper bag, baby gear and luggage you’ll also need for the trip.

Sleep space
The Stardust offers a standard sleep space as well as an included zip-in bassinet for young babies, so you can use this travel crib from day one. “My baby adjusted to the Bugaboo Stardust Travel Crib surprisingly well, settling in comfortably and maintaining her usual sleep patterns,” says Jia, who used this crib with her 9-month-old.

“Placing my child in and lifting her out of both the crib and bassinet was effortless, thanks to its thoughtful design,” she adds. “Size-wise, it was spot on for my baby, providing ample space without feeling too vast or too confined. In essence, it delivered as a dependable travel crib, ensuring my baby's comfort on our journeys.”

Setup and breakdown
Once you arrive at your destination, the Bugaboo Stardust will be a piece of cake to set up. According to Jia, “It lived up to its ‘one-second unfold’ promise,” which is something families definitely need after a lengthy car ride. It even folds up with the built-in mattress inside. “After a long travel day, the last thing most parents want is to deal with complicated gear,” says Wagner.

Better yet, folding it back up the next morning is just as easy, so if you’re making frequent stops, the Stardust won’t slow you down.

Portability
Weighing in at a little under 17 pounds, the Stardust is slightly heavier than average—in fact, it’s one of the heaviest options on our list. But that's not as much of a concern if you're traveling by car, since you don't have to lug the crib through an airport or train station. All you’ll have to do is pop it in the trunk and go.

Dimensions (open): 38.8" (L) x 25" (W) x 33.5" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 33.5" (L) x 25.6" (W) x 5.5" (H) | Product weight: 16.7 lbs | Weight capacity: 19.8 lbs (bassinet); 33 lbs (playard) | Floor style: Elevated