Last Updated On November 15th, 2022
Travelling with a baby or toddler comes with a whole new set of restrictions and requirements that can be stress-inducing even for the best, most organized parent. Fortunately, a travel cot can help reduce some of the stress of travelling by making sure you have a safe, portable bed for your baby to sleep wherever you go. We reviewed some of the top travel cots available to help get you ready for your next excursion as effortlessly as possible. All of the travel cots on our top 9 list are stable, lightweight, and easily fold down into a compact and portable size. Determining the best travel cot for you and your baby will be easy with our help.
If you are searching for a travel cot that will suit any age child and also comes with some extra features, the Hauck Sleep N Play Centre, our number one Editor’s Choice, could be just what you’re looking for.
The Sleep N Play travel cot features two levels so it’s suitable from birth with 68.5x125x82cm dimensions. It has a base level with a 15kg weight limit, a foldable mattress and an attachable bassinet layer with a 9kg weight limit. It also features a changing tray that clicks on the top anywhere you like. When not in use you can easily clip it to the side of the structure.
For easy transport, Hauck’s travel cot fits into a travel bag. It also has wheels that allow you to roll, instead of carrying, the cot. The design also features mesh walls, pockets for added storage, and a zipper side that allows your growing toddler to climb in and out as they please.
The Hauck travel cot is easy to assemble, but only once you get the hang of the system. It also tends to squeak a bit and you may want to consider purchasing an additional mattress as the one included is rather thin and extra firm.
BabyBjorn is a trusted luxury brand when it comes to baby accessories that make parenting easier so it’s no surprise their Travel Cot Light made our best travel cot list.
The BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light comes with a comfortably soft mattress and a fitted sheet with strong elastic to prevent slippage. You can use this travel cot from birth to approximately three years of age as long as you don’t prefer a bassinet at first, and there is no upper weight limit so you can use it for as long as it is safe to do so. It has full mesh sides for ventilation and easy viewing.
The Light is also the best pop up travel cot. It is super easy to fold with 82x112x64cm dimensions and assemble due to its pop up style legs which unfold automatically. Both the fitted sheet and the mattress cover are machine washable but must be hung to dry, in case you encounter an accident or mess. It is available in black, silver, or dark blue and it comes with an easy to carry bag, altogether weighing 5.68kg in total.
The single level design of this travel cot means the sides are tall and you have to reach down low to lie your child down which could pose a problem for shorter people or someone with back trouble. Also, the base rests on the floor which could prove drafty for your little one if you don’t place a blanket or rug underneath.
The Graco Compact is next up on our best travel cot list. Graco is a well known, reputable brand when it comes to baby products and while the Compact travel cot doesn’t come with any extra features, it is sturdy, safe, and reliable.
This to-go travel cot has a basic design with padded rails and easy view mesh walls. The Graco Compact features a stable base mat that is slightly padded, but we wouldn’t consider it to be a mattress. It will suit your little one from birth to 3 years.
The Graco Compact travel cot weighs 8.95kg with 102.5 x 72.5 x 79.5cm dimensions and comes with a carry bag for transport. It features Graco’s signature push-button fold mechanism. While the push-button system may take a few tries at first, it is simple once you get the hang of it. Just make sure you try it once before taking it on its debut trip outside of your home.
We wish this travel cot offered more than one level. It doesn’t come with a travel mattress included, and it is quite a heavy option but the sturdiness of the design makes up for it in the long run.
The Contour travel cot is Graco’s mid level travel cot. We like the extra features included and of course, the trusted Graco brand name.
Graco’s Contour travel cot features a bassinet attachment with a 6.5kg weight limit and a base layer with a 15kg weight limit. It should suit your child from birth to three years. The removable bassinet layer helps reduce strain on your back and keeps your baby higher off the ground, where it tends to be coldest. The Contour has a sturdy base with very light padding.
This travel cot features two wheels for improved manoeuvrability and Graco’s signature push button fold mechanism that makes assembly and disassembly easy and quick. It weighs 10.6kg which is a little on the heavy side.
Criticisms for this cot include it not coming with a foldable mattress, being heavier than most other travel cots on our list, and Graco not including a pocket in the design.
The TecTake Block Colours Travel Cot is next on our best-of list. We chose it as our top choice for toddlers because it is extra sturdy.
This model TecTake travel cot has an impressively robust frame accompanied by two mesh sides, a side panel with zipper entry, and another side panel with a large pocket for added storage. This travel cot comes with a decent mattress and can accommodate toddlers up to 3 years old.
The Block Colours travel cot folds down into a rectangular shape with 126 x 65 x 80cm dimensions that slides inside the included travel bag. The design features two wheels for easy maneuverability which is convenient if you wish to simply slide the travel cot out of the way during the day, without completely disassembling it. The TecTake travel cot is available in beige, coffee, pink and red, and blue and weighs 8.7kg.
Cons for this TecTake travel cot include an initial odour that needs to air out, a lower quality zipper on the side entrance, a lengthy and involved disassembly process, and fixed height which isn’t ideal for babies.
The TecTake Animal Motif travel crib was chosen for our best-of list because we like the fun animal print featured on the mesh walls and its large square-shaped base which can easily serve as a playpen or large sleeping surface.
TecTake’s Animal Motif travel crib provides a large space for your child to sleep or play with 105x105x78cm dimensions. It features a zipper side entry so your toddler can let themselves in as they please and a sturdy metal frame. It is designed to suit your child from 6 months to 3 years of age.
In total, this travel cot weighs 9.3kg. It comes with a carry bag and a thin mattress. We estimate it taking about three minutes to assemble. Like other TecTake products, this travel cot is available in their fun colour schemes of beige, blue, brown coffee, or red and pink.
The Animal Motif travel crib by TecTake requires a bit more floor space to accommodate its square shape. Additionally, it does not come with a bassinet attachment for babies, and the mattress is thinner than some may prefer but overall it makes a great to-go travel cot.
The Red Kite Sleep Tight is the top value choice on our best travel cots list. It has a simple yet effective design with plenty of sleeping space for your little one when you’re away from home.
The Red Kite sleeptight travel cot is sturdy and features mesh sides with a padded top rail. It has a 15kg upper weight limit with 75x72x102cm dimensions making it good for your child from about six months to three years old, give or take a bit.
The Red Kite travel cot is available in four colours: black, blueberry, navy blue, and grey. The entire structure easily folds down and fits into the included carry bag. It weighs 8.5kg in total which is relatively lightweight for a travel crib.
Sleep Tight is easy to put together, but only after you read and follow the directions carefully. It doesn’t come with a bassinet attachment and we recommend buying a different mattress or using additional padding as the mattress included is extremely thin.
The Deryan Baby Luxe is the best lightweight travel cot on our list. It has a unique pop up design with no base and a self-inflating air mattress allowing it to easily fit into a small bag.
This super lightweight and portable travel cot weighs only 1.8kg with 120x75x46cm dimensions making it the lightest choice on our list. The Deryan is great for the beach or camping because of the pop up tent design which features a cotton mesh cover that acts as a mosquito net or a sunshade with 50% UV protection. It is designed to suit babies from birth to about two years old.
The Deryan travel cot is available in dark blue, light blue, silver, and purple. It has a large zippered opening and comes with a small carry bag that can easily fit inside your beach bag or backpack. This travel cot allows you to set up a private bedroom for your child anywhere, anytime.
Make sure you have a firm and flat place to create the foundation for the Deryan travel cot or it will not be stable. You can also expect the zippers to make some noise which may disturb your little one if they are a light sleeper. The only other con is that it doesn’t suit toddlers.
The Besrey is a great choice for the best baby travel cot. We love its extra storage space and classic bassinet style and design that have an elevated sleeping surface which reduces strain on your back while lifting and lying down your baby.
The Besrey is one of the best travel cots with 197x60x105cm dimensions because it has the ability to rock from side to side creating a soothing effect for your baby that will ideally lull them to sleep faster. It also features ample storage with a small pocket, a bottle holder, and a bin below for toys and other products. This travel cot for babies is suitable from birth until your baby starts sitting up or standing by themselves and has a 0.45kg to 20.4kg weight recommendation.
This baby travel cot comes with a comfy 3cm thick mattress and a pillow for use with the thick metal frame which has two wheels for easy manouevrability. It weighs 9.4kg and is available in grey or blue with a teddy bear print on the mesh walls. It also features a mesh dome that serves as a mosquito net and is detachable for machine washing. The Besrey travel cot is backed by a one year warranty.
The Besrey travel cot does not come with a carry bag and has larger than average folded dimensions meaning it isn’t ideal for flying and is too large to be carry on luggage. Also, it is only good for use with a baby, not a toddler.
Alright, now you know all about our favourite travel cots, but what makes a travel cot the best? The following sections serve as a buyer’s guide alerting you to why and how a travel cot can be so useful and the most important traits a travel cot can have.
Are you looking for something that will make parenting while outside of your home easier, and possibly safer? Do you like to travel but aren’t sure how to do it with a new baby? Luckily, the best baby products can go a long way in helping with obstacles just like this. A travel cot, also called a travel crib, could be the perfect solution or at least get you headed in the right direction. The best travel cots double as a playpen or changing table, have pockets, and are easily assembled and disassembled for quick, compact transport.
Different travel cots are best suited for different ages. Many travel cots can be used from birth up to around three years of age. However, some are not recommended for babies under 6 months. The best travel cot for infants will have a bassinet accessory usually in the form of a second, higher level but this is not necessary, just an added bonus.
Can babies sleep in travel cots all the time? Absolutely! They are a great alternative to a more permanent crib if you are moving, have a guest with a baby or toddler coming to visit, or simply need a lower cost option to hold you over.
Travel cots are designed to accommodate a travel mattress but a regular baby mattress, that’s the right size, will also work just as well. It just won’t be as portable that way. Travel baby mattresses tend to be thinner so they can fold up inside the travel cot for transport. Most of the travel cots on our list come with a mattress included but additional, higher quality mattresses can also be purchased.
Now that you know a little something about why travel cots are so handy, let’s explore some of the most important traits to look for so you know which travel cot is best for you and your baby.
Most importantly, you want the travel cot you choose to suit your child’s age. As we mentioned, not all travel cots are for all sizes and all age kids. Make sure the travel cot you choose will accommodate your baby now, and ideally for some additional time into the future by looking at the recommended ages for the product as well as the maximum weight limit.
Almost all of the travel cots on our best-of list will accommodate a baby from birth up to about three years, or 15 kg.
It’s also important that your new travel cot be easy to use. After all, the whole point is getting a tool to make travel with your baby easier, right? There are different ways that a travel cot can be assembled and disassembled, some easier than others.
Many travel cots have a button or lever that locks the structure in place or releases it for folding or contracting. These are fairly simple to use after you get the hang of it and pay attention to the prescribed order of operations. In our opinion, the easiest travel cots to use have a pop-up assembly that functions with almost no effort and takes only seconds to be completely ready for use.
Portability is also important in a travel cot. Most of all you want a travel cot that is compact and lightweight enough for you to be able to move it from place to place with ease. A good indication of this can be found in the weight. The right size and weight for you depend on how you plan to use your travel cot as well as your personal strength. For example, if you plan on flying with your travel cot you may want to choose one that folds down small enough to be considered carry-on luggage. In general, lighter ones are better, however, they can be less stable.
Just like when you’re in the market for baby essentials such as walkers and baby baths, bonus features are always fun, even on a travel cot. In general, travel cots are designed to be simple but some come with tiny extras that we find useful. Some of our favourite add-ons to look for include pockets or toy bins, a changing tray, a side entry for toddlers who want to get inside by themselves, a bassinet attachment, and a more decorative appearance. Are any of these bonus traits something you want to prioritize?
You have reached the end of our best travel cot article and we know there were a lot of products to think about. Now that you have a better understanding of what makes a travel cot qualify as the best, let’s review our Editor’s Choice one more time.
The Hauck Sleep N Play Centre travel cot is suitable from birth up until about 3 years of age. It has a multi-level design that features a base level with a 15kg weight limit and a foldable mattress, a removable bassinet level with a 9kg weight limit above, and a changing tray that clips on the top rails or can hang off of the side when not in use. It also features wheels that can be used in conjunction with the carry bag, a side zipper entrance, mesh sides, and a pocket for added storage.
Which one of the best travel cots we reviewed would make the best choice for you?
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