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The 4 best travel cribs for babies and toddlers in 2024.

Finalize your decision with one of these four travel cribs.

The Best Travel Cribs

Courtesy of Guava Family

The Guava Lotus Travel Crib is so compact, you can wear it like a backpack.

There are an increasing number of travel cribs on the market these days, and nearly all of them are touted to have a lightweight design and an easy setup, which makes it overwhelming to choose the right one for your pint-sized travel partner.

Taking into consideration key factors like safety, comfort and convenience for travel – as well as recent consumer reviews, expert recommendations and our own experiences – we've chosen the best travel cribs for babies and toddlers.

Best Overall: Guava Lotus Travel Crib

• Jump to features and traveler insights ↓

Best Lightweight: BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light

• Best Budget: Graco Pack 'n Play On the Go Playard

Best for Toddlers: hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed

Note: All travel crib dimensions are listed in order of length by width by height.

Highlights:

• Especially convenient for air travel, the Guava Lotus Travel Crib can be worn like a backpack in an included carrying case with padded straps, then checked as a bag.
• The Guava Lotus is GreenGuard Gold Certified , which means its emission levels are even lower (and better) than industry standards.
• It doubles as a bassinet and playard featuring a zippered door for easy access to your baby.

Setup: The Guava Lotus is easy to set up. The sturdy aluminum frame's hinges swiftly snap in place with the touch of a button. Once the frame is assembled, a fabric cover with mesh sides can be zipped on before you place the included waterproof mattress with a sheet (which is not included) inside. Then the mattress is secured to the frame via a buckle on each corner. When it's time to take the crib down, you don't have to disassemble the entire thing – another reason to love this option.

YouTube tutorial: Guava Lotus Setup | Guava Lotus Teardown

Maintenance: The mattress is easy to wipe down, and the crib's fabric portion is machine-washable.

"I've taken this crib all across the world over the past three years, and it still looks as good as new. We initially bought this crib because we were wary of using hotel cribs during COVID. We quickly fell in love with it and still bring it on every trip we take. Additionally, we purchased the optional sun shade, which came in handy on beach trips in our daughter's infant days." – Tamiz Ahmed , co-founder of Poppylist

Courtesy of BabyBjörn

• If you're specifically looking for something lightweight, meet your match: The BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light is one of the lightest travel cribs on the market.
• The crib comes with a mattress and carrying bag.
• All materials meet OEKO TEX Standard 100, Class 1 standards for baby products – meaning the crib permeates low levels of chemicals and is also free from as many as 350 harmful chemicals, making it safe for a baby's skin and curious mouth.

Setup: The frame of the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light is assembled in one swift motion. Next, the mattress is placed inside and secured to the crib's legs. When it's time to put the crib away, the mattress and crib frame easily fold down.

YouTube tutorial: BabyBjörn Travel Crib Setup | BabyBjörn Travel Crib Teardown – Option 1 | BabyBjörn Travel Crib Teardown – Option 2

Maintenance: The mattress can be wiped down with a damp cloth, and both the mattress cover (which can be zipped off) and the other fabric on the crib are machine-washable.

Best Budget: Graco Pack 'n Play on the Go Playard with Bassinet

Courtesy of Graco

• This crib comes with a full-size bassinet insert that folds with the playard when it's time to transport or put away the crib.
• The crib also has a toy bar with soft toys to amuse your curious baby.
• A carry case is included with this crib.

Setup: First, hit the crib's push buttons to assemble the frame. Once the four rails are locked, you can push the crib floor down before placing the mattress inside. Finally, secure the mattress straps (on the bottom) to the playard. To disassemble, you'll reverse the process almost exactly: Unfasten the mattress straps, remove the mattress, pull the tab at the bottom of the crib and – using the push buttons – fold the crib down.

YouTube tutorial: Graco On the Go Playard Setup and Teardown

Maintenance: The crib can be wiped down with mild soap and water, while the carry bag is machine-washable.

" The Graco Pack n Play On the Go Playard offers all the bells and whistles of other travel cribs, but at a far more affordable price ($80 vs. $150-$300). In particular, the removable bassinet is a game-changer during those early weeks of parenthood. My family used it during our first two weeks home with our daughter, and I appreciated that it provided a safe sleep space but didn't require me to bend over and stress my sore body. After that, we moved it to my mom's house and, even though it's super easy to fold and store, she keeps it out because it doesn't take up a lot of space." – Leah Rocketto , Associate Commerce Director at What to Expect

Courtesy of hiccapop

• Long and tall bumpers ensure your little one won't roll off the bed.
• It inflates with an included electric pump and rolls up into an included carry bag.
• The bed comes with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee and top-notch customer service.

Setup: The setup for this toddler travel bed is similar to that of a traditional air mattress – simply use the included electric pump to inflate the bed frame with rails and a mattress pad.

YouTube tutorial: hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed Setup and Teardown

Maintenance: The hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel bed can be wiped down with soap and water.

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Guava Lotus vs. Baby Björn

When choosing the best travel crib to purchase, the final decision for many buyers often comes down to the Guava Lotus Travel Crib and BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light since they're so similar.

If you're undecided between the two, see which crib wins in the following categories:

Your decision may ultimately come down to the type of traveler you are. If you frequently travel (especially by plane), the Guava Lotus is the best choice.

Guava Lotus vs. Newton Travel Crib

Many people also compare the Guava Lotus with the Newton Travel Crib, a newcomer to the travel crib market. The Newton Travel Crib mimics the Guava Lotus almost exactly, but here are some key differentiators (and the reasons we ultimately recommend the Guava Lotus instead):

• Price: At $299, the Newton Travel Crib is about $50 more than the Guava Lotus.
• Weight: The Newton Travel Crib is also 2 pounds heavier than its predecessor, weighing in at 17 pounds.
• Setup: While the Newton Travel Crib is easy to set up, many buyers say that disassembly is difficult.

Travel Crib Accessories

When purchasing a travel crib, think about the other essentials your baby will need for restful naps and nights in your destination – especially since they'll be in an unfamiliar environment. These might include:

Room-darkening curtains: If your little one is accustomed to sleeping in a pitch-black room at home, you'll want to ensure your hotel room or vacation rental bedroom is as dark as possible. There are a few ways to do this:

• Use foil and duct tape:  It won't look pretty, but covering the windows with foil and duct tape is a cost-effective option.
• Invest in a Slumberpod:  The highly rated  SlumberPod  ($180) is essentially a tent that goes over the travel crib, ensuring total darkness for a peaceful night's rest. For a cheaper alternative, check out the  Dofilachy Blackout Cover  on Amazon.
• Buy portable blackout curtains:  Purchase a set of curtains that won't take up too much space in your luggage. These  portable blackout curtains from Amazon Basics  are highly rated and come with a storage bag.

White noise machine: Even if you already have a white noise machine you plan to pack, you might consider buying an additional, more portable option to use in tandem with it – especially if you'll be in a small space with older siblings who stay up later. U.S. News editors say they've had good experience with both the Yogasleep Hushh Portable Sound Machine (also useful for stroller rides) and this option by Magicteam .

Portable fan:  A small battery- or USB-powered fan is a useful accessory when traveling with little ones – you can attach it to the travel stroller and car seat on hot days and secure it to the travel crib on warm nights. There are a variety of affordable, well-rated stroller fans on Amazon, including this adjustable option by AMACOOL .

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Amanda Norcross is a family travel expert who regularly travels with her toddler. Shortly after she found out she was pregnant, she excitedly bought the Guava Lotus Bassinet Kit & Travel Crib and – despite its hefty price tag – never regretted it once.

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Lotus Travel Crib (Independent) Real-World REVIEW

If you’re looking for an independent, real-world review of the Guava Lotus Travel Crib, you’ve come to the right place!

We used this portable crib continuously for four years as both a primary bed AND travel crib . Yep, you read that right, FOUR years — NOT with the same kid, of course. That would just be cruel and unusual.

As you might expect, we’ve learned a little something from all those months and miles under our belts, and want to share that with anyone else thinking of getting a Lotus travel crib.

So, here goes!

Lotus Travel Crib Review The Ultimate Test

Guava Family Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib

Why we chose the lotus travel crib, our experience with the lotus travel crib, lotus travel crib review — pros (+).

• Lotus Travel Crib Review — Cons (-)

Would We Buy It Again?

When our first son, Noe, was born, Lori and I knew we were moving to Southeast Asia in a few months to start a new job. We needed a crib that could double as an ultra-portable infant bed, and eventually a portable toddler bed, too.

Our criteria was simple:

• The portable crib had to be lightweight and easy to setup and take down (for traveling with the kiddo ), yet sturdy enough to be our son’s full-time bed.
• The thing also needed to be well-built to handle the rigors of daily use and abuse, but also large enough to serve as a travel crib for a toddler someday.
• And, of course, it needed to meet basic safety standards for infants .

And that was about it.

After considering other similar cribs and play yards like the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light and reading the latest Lotus travel crib reviews on Amazon , we decided to go with the Lotus crib.

What ultimately sold us on the Lotus crib (in addition to price and positive reviews) was the compact size ,  side zipper door , backpack straps , and overall build quality .

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True to its name, the Guava Family Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib (that’s one heck of a name!) has been everywhere with us — and when I say “everywhere” I mean it.

We moved to Laos when Noe was three months old, and—with the exception of a handful of nights on planes and a boat—he spent every night in this crib until the ripe old age of 2.5, when baby brother, Riley, moved in and Noe graduated to a big boy bed.

That includes dozens of budget backpacking trips throughout Southeast Asia, hotels in the U.S., and countless flights, buses, and boats along the way.

All the while, our son’s portable crib was traveling right alongside us.

So how did the Lotus travel crib held up? Read on to find out.

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Quick and Easy Setup (and Take-down)

When I first took the Lotus crib out of its package, it took about 10 minutes for me to initially figure out how to assemble and disassemble the thing.

Now, it takes me about three minutes to set up (including attaching the bed sheet — more on that later) and less than a minute to collapse and put the travel crib in its carrying case.

There are two hidden safety releases which must be squeezed at the same time to make the lightweight metal frame fold up for packing.

In order for the crib to fold successfully, each side must find its match, aligning moon to moon, star to star.

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Once the crib is folded flat, the four legs can be folded up by pulling out/down, then folding.

Folded crib goes inside the bottom pad (like a hot dog), then slides into the nylon carrying case.

I’ve included the diaper here, not so much to add some flair (though I do think it adds a nice little touch of reality), but rather to add some sense of scale of how compact the ol’ portable crib is.

Convenient Side Zipper

The Guava Lotus travel crib has a number of helpful features that we like. One of our favorite features is a convenient side zip door (for easy access to your little troublemaker)…

…and a zipper “lock” to keep said-troublemaker from not getting into more trouble, and help mommy and daddy sleep better at night…

…or during the day…

Lightweight AND Built Like a Tank

Obviously, the big selling point of any travel crib is its portability. Or, at least, that’s the idea.

In addition to being portable, we also wanted something that would stand up to both the rigors of both travel and daily use.

Many parents we know had Pak ‘n’ Play cribs, which they were very happy with. But they were just to big, bulky, and heavy for our needs.

Others swore by the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light , which lacked the side door and seemed a bit too lightweight for the durability we wanted.

The Lotus travel crib seemed to strike a balance between the two, which was perfect for our needs.

Easy to Clean

In addition to its portability and strong, yet lightweight construction, the Lotus crib is really easy to clean.

The whole soft shell zips off of the frame for easy machine washing, the vinyl pad makes cleaning up spills and other nastiness pain free, and the 100% cotton sheets are what you’d expect.

Lotus Travel Crib Review — Cons (-)

Velcro system could be improved.

As mentioned above, it takes me 3-5 minutes on a good day to completely set up the crib. It would actually take me a fraction of that time if it weren’t for the six velcro tabs that hold the sheet and pad securely in place.

But it’s nice to know that no matter how hard the kid tugs on it or rolls around, that sheet ain’t going nowhere .

2nd Kid Addendum

Our first son in his 2.5 years of residency never achieved this, but our younger son at 19 months is something of an animal, managing to yank the pad up occasionally. It’s worth noting that, as you might expect, the velcro has weakened a bit over the past four years of use and abuse.

If Guava Family did happen to come up with a quicker-release system that didn’t sacrifice the sheet and mattress’ firm connection to the base of the crib, I’d be very happy.

On the other hand, if I get to the point where I can’t even spare three minutes to get this thing setup, setting up a folding portable crib for a toddler is probably the least of my issues.

Some Toddlers Can Tip It Over

Yes, it is possible for some kids to be able to tip the crib over and escape.

This was never, ever an issue with our oldest son (he rarely even rocked the crib up through age 2.5 when he graduated to a bed).

However, our youngest surprised us around the age of two when he started flipping the crib on its side and escaping (which honestly took him quite a bit of effort, even at two).

Fortunately, it was never a safety issue for us, so much as a distraction for him, and after a few weeks the novelty wore off.

Not Quite Carry-On Size

While the Lotus travel crib folds up to a pretty compact size, you probably won’t get away with putting it in the overhead bin in today’s airliners.

With that said, if you are lucky (i.e. not on a domestic flight in the U.S.), chances are your airline still allows one free checked-in bag (even for your lap baby!).

For every other mode of transport—cars, trains, boats, camel—you should have no worries.

Sheets Are Not Included

It’s important to note that, at least as of this writing, the Lotus travel crib does not come with the custom, fitted sheets (they are sold separately here ).

Obviously, you’ll want at least one, but you’ll probably want a second as well…particularly if you plan on actually taking this travel crib on the road, as all good travel cribs deserve from time to time.

I’m happy to report that after four years of continuous use and abuse, the Guava Lotus Travel Crib surpassed our expectations. Even with the current offerings in 2023, we think we’d still be hard pressed to find a better travel crib at any price point.

If you are looking for a travel crib that’s built like a tank yet uber portable, easy to clean, easy to setup, and comfortable for baby or young toddler, then we’d recommend Lotus travel crib hands down .

Available on Amazon.com

Want more real world baby and toddler travel gear advice from two nomadic parents? Then be sure to also check out:

• 10 Baby Travel Essentials for More Fun, Less Stress
• ErgoBaby 360 vs Omni 360 – A Traveler’s Review
• 10 Game-Changing Toddler Travel Essentials
• 15 Easy Tips for a Road Trip with an Infant or Toddler
• Traveling with a Toddler – 10 Expert Tips from a Nomadic Family

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And That’s Our Lotus Travel Crib Real World Review

Do you have a Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below.

14 thoughts on “Lotus Travel Crib (Independent) Real-World REVIEW”

For checking these, did you put it in an additional suitcase or bag, or directly checked it as-is? We’re about to take our first flight and I’m not sure if I’m supposed to put it in anything extra when I check it.

Generally, it had to be checked. We always stuffed as much baby stuff as we could in them to get our money’s worth (diapers, blankets, toys, etc.) and never had an issue.

Hi- did you use the mosquito net? It sounds like you travelled to some pretty exotic places. We are considering using this for our 3 month old but are concerned with him sleeping so close to the ground, and need to be sure the mosquito net really does keep our any small creatures where we are going (lizards, etc). It looks like the net doesn’t work with the bassinet, only the crib.

Hi Maureen- We did have the mosquito net but honestly we never got the use we thought we’d get out of it. We had the “Fun Shade” from the very beginning, which we found much more useful in year 1 because it protected our son from mosquitoes while also blocking out a lot of light during naps (it covers the top and one long side). After our son began to pull himself up to stand, however, both the net and the Fun Shade became pretty useless. Even with the crib open on top, we never had an issue with crawly critters finding their way in during the 4 years we used it in Southeast Asia and Mexico with our boys. That’s not to say it can’t happen, of course, but I think it’s pretty unlikely. We didn’t have the bassinet, but I can see why it wouldn’t work with the net or Fun Shade.

We used this for our son as both a travel and primary bed after he started escaping his crib around 18 months. I will say that we had to stop using it around 2, when he simply could flip himself out of it or over the top. I still think we’ll get great use from it with out next one and plan to get the bassinet conversion, but thought I’d throw out there for reference on its longevity in our house.

Thanks Kirsten for sharing your experience! Incidentally, our #2 started tipping it over as well around 2 years, and your comment was a great reminder to add that to the review. Worth noting that #1 never even attempted (we moved him out at age 2.5), so I guess it depends on the tenacity of the kid.

We have been using the bassinet converter kit the first 4 months of our baby’s life and are transitioning to the regular set up now that she is starting to roll over. The bassinet was super easy to set up/take down and it was nice to have the option of rocking our daughter to sleep when she was really small, Having had a c section, I was glad we got the bassinet set up since I had less ability to bend over those first weeks (which was also when baby needed lots of ups and downs for feeding). Thanks for the review of the crib!!

Thanks for sharing, Kim! Super helpful info for other moms who find themselves in a similar situation!

This is quite descriptive. I like that it is super easy to set up and take down so the little one is put to sleep as soon as they need it. I think this makes it all the more fantastic for travelers.

Thanks Jerome. Agreed!

Thanks for this review! I am considering this as the main + travel crib too – did you put kid #2 into it from birth onward? They sell a version with a bassinet converter kit but I wonder why that would be necessary if they say this is safe for infant sleep? Would love any insight you can give! Thanks!

That’s a good question, as we’ve wondered that ourselves. When #2 came along, #1 was still sleeping in the Lotus. It wasn’t until we moved into long-term housing that we transitioned #1 to a big boy bed (@2.5 yrs) and #2 into the Lotus (@3 months). Our oldest started sleeping in it at around 3 weeks old and we were happy with the outcome. We never ended up getting the bassinet converter.

Thanks for replying! Good to know. I actually also sent Guava an email and they confirmed it’s certified safe for infant sleep (same certifications as most pack and plays). I guess the bassinet is a ploy to get extra money from clueless parents using that bassinet buzzword 🙂

Or when you dont want to bend all the way over after just giving birth to continuously pick up a newborn, I think the bassinet converter could be very helpful for that.

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THE BEST TRAVEL CRIBS OF 2024

Post Summary: A comprehensive guide and review of the best travel cribs, whether you’re visiting the grandparents, flying across the world, or taking a long road trip.

The Best Travel Cribs of 2024

Making the decision to travel with your baby or toddler isn’t as easy as booking a flight and hotel and going for it. Babies require a lot of planning beforehand and getting all the right travel gear is paramount to ensuring a smooth trip. As a full-time travel family that spent a year traveling the US, we’ve had a lot of missteps in trying to find the best travel crib for our toddler. We scoured through pack n play reviews and tried out multiple brands in an effort to find the best fit for our wildling.

We made some mistakes along the way (like the time we tried to get him to sleep in a pop-up tent) but after a lot of trial and error, we finally figured out the best crib for travel.

We’ve started with our top picks along with a short guide to selecting a portable travel crib and how to choose the one that’s right for you. You can use the table of contents below to go straight to the travel crib reviews.

Related Travel Posts The Ultimate Guide To The Best Toddler Carriers For Travel How To Ace Flying With A Baby Beach Vacation: Beach Essentials With A Baby and Toddler How To Survive A Road Trip With A Toddler

Top Picks For Best Travel Crib

Best All Around: Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib Runner Up: Baby Bjorn No Frills Affordable Option: Graco Pack N Play

Travel Crib Vs Pack N Play

Have you done a search for the best travel crib and found yourself confused by all the different names? I’m not sure why the lingo has to be so confusing for these little contraptions that hold your sleeping babies. So, what is a pack n play vs a travel crib? Is a pack n play different than a travel pack n play?

Okay, technically, a pack n play is a branded playard from the company Graco. Similar to how Kleenex is a brand of tissues but it is now commonly used to refer to tissues rather than the brand, a pack n play has become synonymous with a playard. Which brings me to my next question. What’s a playard? And is it the same thing as a playpen? And is a playard also a travel crib? Is a travel crib a pack n play? AHHHHH. I’m going to break it down in the easiest way possible.

Playard – An enclosed area where a baby or toddler can safely play. Another word for a playard is a playpen. Many playards also have the option to be a safe place for the baby to sleep or nap, and are built to be a relatively portable baby bed. Pack N Play – A branded playard from Graco that also includes a place for the baby to sleep. They are built to be portable. Travel crib – Any kind of sleeping enclosure for a baby or toddler that is built to be lightweight and portable for easy travel.

For this article, we’re specifically looking at the best travel cribs so your baby can sleep safely while you’re not at home. Being able to safely play in them is just a bonus!

Choosing The Best Travel Cribs

When deciding on the best portable cribs for travel, there are a few key things to consider.

1. Lightweight – You’ll want a travel playard that is lightweight and easy to carry around, whether you’re toting it to the grandparent’s house or flying across the country.

2. Easy To Clean – Babies and toddlers are so messy that it’s nice to get a travel crib with removable covers that can easily be tossed into the washing machine.

3. Easy To Assemble – You’ll want a travel crib that you can easily put together in a matter of minutes.

4. Comfort – To get the best sleep for your child, you’ll want a travel crib that offers a cozy sleeping environment they can feel comfortable in.

5. Durability – Presumably, you can use this travel crib for three years or more if you have multiple children, so you’ll want something that’s made of strong durable material that can take the wear and tear of wild toddlers and continued travel use.

6. Safety – You’ll want to be sure that the travel crib you purchase is up to date with current safety standards for babies and toddlers.

7. Sizing – While there are standard sizes for travel cribs, you’ll want to check that each one fits the size and weight requirements of your baby or toddler.

8. Cost – While some travel cribs might seem cost-prohibitive, remember that it is a product that can be used for up to three years and even longer if you have more children. It’s worth it to invest in a high-quality travel crib that can stand the wear and tear from active children.

There are hundreds of choices when it comes to choosing the best crib for travel. You can go down the google rabbit hole and spend days scouring through all the different travel crib reviews and still not land on a choice. The following choices have stood the test of time and are gold standards for being the best travel cribs for toddlers and babies.

OVERALL BEST TRAVEL CRIB

Guava lotus travel crib.

Overall the best portable baby crib that’s perfect for anyone wanting a cross-section of features that make travel with a baby easier.

The Guava Lotus Travel Crib has thought of everything a parent could want. At thirteen pounds it is lightweight and easy to tote around with its backpack-style carrier. The backpack-style carrier may seem like a small thing, but it’s all the difference in the world when you want your hands free to corral young ones at the airport. The Guava Lotus Travel Crib is the top choice when looking for the best travel crib for flying. It has been specifically designed with airline travel in mind, so it can fit in the overhead bins of most commercial airlines. If you decide to check the travel crib, when it’s folded in the carrying bag, the mattress is wrapped around the frame of the crib to help protect it from overzealous airport handlers.

While it’s a great travel crib for flying, it has a slew of other features that make it stand out. Most notably, the zipper cut out door that makes it easier to get down on their level to soothe, play, or place them in for sleep time. Any parent who pulls a baby in and out of a crib will know the strain that has on the body. With the zipper opening, an infant can crawl and a toddler can walk out on their own. It also means you don’t have to fear your sleeping baby waking up when you place them down. With the opening, you can stay at their level and quietly zip it up when they fall asleep. Also, no need to worry about your toddler figuring out the zipper – the Guava travel crib is designed so it only zips from the outside.

Like many travel cribs, it comes with a mattress, but the sheets are bought separately.

The one thing that people don’t like about the Lotus Travel Crib is that the mattress sits on the ground rather than on an elevated base. It can make putting in a baby from above more difficult since you have to reach further down.

That being said, the Guava Travel Crib is still the best portable crib for its array of features and ease of transport.

Product Specs -13 pounds -Comes with a carry bag with optional backpack straps -Non-toxic materials (The only playard with GreenGuard Gold non-toxic certification) -No PVC, Lead, Phthalates, Formaldehyde, Heavy Metals (Cadmium, Arsenic, Mercury). -Mesh fabric is removable and machine washable -46 x 31 x 25.5 inches

Pros: Lightweight, easy to transport, zipper front opening Cons: Higher price point

LIGHTEST TRAVEL CRIB

Babybjorn travel crib light.

Best for anyone who travels a lot and is looking for easy portability and the lightest travel crib available.

The Babybjorn Travel Crib is a highly rated travel crib that is effortless in its simplicity and design. A well-made travel crib by popular baby brand Babybjorn, this 13-pound portable crib stands out as a premier lightweight travel crib. The crib is put up with one simple move, making it perfect for anyone looking for a no-fuss travel crib. It comes with a travel bag that can not be stowed in the overhead bin for most commercial airlines but can be packed into a checked luggage bag. The crib comes with a soft mattress, but the baby bjorn travel crib sheet is sold separately.

The Babybjorn Travel Crib is also great for anyone looking for a simple looking travel crib that won’t be an eyesore in your house with bright colors and typical baby patterns. True to its Swedish roots, the travel crib comes in a few colors and is simple and clean in its design.

The fabric frame and mattress can be taken out and machine washed, making it an easy clean for everyone.

The Guava Lotus and Babybjorn are head to head for being great travel cribs with excellent features, but the general consensus is that the Babybjorn Travel Crib mattress is more comfortable than the Lotus Travel Crib.

Babybjorn is the clear winner for the family who travels a lot and wants to invest in a well made, lightweight travel crib.

Product Specs -13 Pounds -Comes with carrying pouch for ease of transportation -All materials can be taken off and are machine washable -Non-toxic materials (Oeko-Tex Standard) -Soft, breathable mesh fabric -82 x 112 x 64 cm

Pros: Lightweight, easy to put up, simple clean aesthetic, comfortable mattress Cons: Higher price point

BEST PACK N PLAY FOR TRAVEL

Graco pack and play portable playard.

Best for road trip travel and for anyone looking for an affordable, no-frills travel pack n play.

The Graco Pack N Play Portable Playard is the tried and true playard for parents everywhere. Can you call yourself a parent if you haven’t spent some time struggling over a heavy and cumbersome pack n play? I’ll be honest the pack n play isn’t the most lightweight of the playards and while it’s not difficult to put together it’s not as simple as other travel cribs, and yet it remains a top-rated pack n play. Why? It’s super affordable. When you’re a parent and you’re faced with having to buy all the stuff (high chair, crib, stroller, car seat) sometimes you just can’t bear to buy ONE MORE expensive kid item. I get it. If that’s how you’re feeling, then spare yourself the expensive travel cribs and get yourself a pack n play.

It’s actually the one we use on our travels and have flown across the country with it many times over. Ours has been assembled and disassembled well over 200 times. It’s sturdy, durable, and gets the job done. While I would recommend it first for travel done in a car (road trips, camping, visiting the grandparents) it can be used for airline travel.

Our son never had trouble sleeping in his pack n play, but the sleeping pad that’s supplied is very thin and might not work for kids who are sensitive sleepers. If a toddler is sleeping in it, it’s recommended that you purchase a separate pack and play mattress to go with it.

Overall, it’s heavier than higher-end travel cribs but a solid choice for anyone not wanting to dish out a lot of money for a portable crib.

* This travel crib doesn’t come with a detachable bassinet and changing table for newborns and infants. If you want something you can use from birth on you’ll want to purchase the Pack N Play Travel Dome Playard that comes with an infant bassinet that can be taken off once they’re too big for it.

Product Specs -20 Pounds -Mesh on all sides provides ventilati0n -Comes with carrying pouch for ease of transportation -40.00 x 28.50 x 29.00 inches -Wheels for ease of transport from spot to spot -Push-button allows for easy disassemble -Folding feet and wheels -Spot clean with soap and water

Pros: Great price point Cons: Heavier than most travel cribs

BEST LUXURY TRAVEL CRIB

Nuna sena aire travel crib.

Best for anyone wanting a high-end travel crib .

Nuna has long established itself as a provider of well-made baby gear at a premium price. The Nuna Sena Aire Travel Crib is a well made high-end travel crib that’s easy to put up and can be assembled in a matter of minutes. Although, if you have carpet, the crib may be a little harder to disassemble due to the friction between the legs and the carpet.

It’s clean, monochromatic design makes it a great choice for anyone wanting to retain a simple aesthetic with their baby products. It does come with an integrated bassinet so the travel crib can be used with a newborn baby, which may help to justify the higher price.

It’s eight leg design allows for greater stability and durability so you know the crib will last for a while. At 22 pounds, it’s a heavier travel crib than most, so it’s a better option for road trips or as an alternative crib that lives at the grandparent’s house.

Unlike most travel cribs for infants, the Nuna Sena Travel Crib comes with an organic fitted sheet.

Product Specs -22 pounds -Non-toxic chemicals (Greenguard Gold certification) -30.7″ x 41.3″ x 29.5″ -Water resistant -Comes with carrying pouch for ease of transport -Spot clean with soap and water

Pros: Comes with an organic sheet, removable bassinet, sturdy design, clean aesthetic Cons: High price point

BEST TRAVEL CRIB FOR TWO TODDLERS

Joovy new room2 portable playard.

Best for anyone looking for a bigger than standard travel crib.

The Joovy New Room2 Portable Playard is 50% bigger than traditional playards making it a great travel crib for toddlers who are taller or if you need the space for twins or two babies. It’s also a better choice if you have a more rambunctious toddler who needs room to move around and settle before they fall asleep. At 29 pounds it’s not exactly “lightweight” but it can be a good option if you’re traveling by car. It does come with a carrying bag for ease of transportation.

Unlike most portable baby cribs, the Joovy Travel Crib comes with a 100% cotton fitted sheet.

Overall, this is a great travel toddler crib because of its roomy size and mid-range price point.

Product Specs -29.6 pounds -Comes with a carrying pouch for ease of transport -Mesh on all sides provides ventilation -39.8 x 31 x 39.8 inches -Spot clean with soap and water

Pros: 50% bigger than standard travel cribs Cons: Heavy

BEST TRAVEL BED FOR BABY THAT SLEEPS ANYWHERE

Kidco peapod plus infant travel bed.

Best for anyone who wants to travel extremely light and has a baby that sleeps anywhere.

Remember how I mentioned that tent I tried to get my toddler to sleep in…yeah it’s this one. Even though it was a grand failure for us, I still believe it’s a great product for the right family and the right baby. At 3.5 pounds, the Kidco Peapod Plus Travel Bed is the lightest travel crib you can get and the best portable baby crib for an even-tempered baby that is happy to sleep anywhere. Have I mentioned I’m jealous?

It’s a breeze to assemble and disassemble and comes with a carrying pouch that is small enough to fit in your carry on luggage or as a stand-alone carry on bag. It has UV protection along with anchor straps for use outdoors. The zipper is on both sides, so yes it can be opened from the inside.

The pop-up tent is safe to sleep in for children ages 1-5 and is ideal for camping, days out at the beach, or for naptime at someone else’s house. We used it as regular sleeping space when we first hit the road for our year of travel, and it worked for about two weeks before our two year old made it clear he needed something else to sleep in. Lesson being – it’s great for a few days, but not ideal for a long trip.

One downside is that we did find that our son got hot in the tent, so you’ll want to dress them in less clothing and keep the room cooler with A.C or a portable fan.

Overall, a great option if you’re looking for something lightweight and easy to tote around.

*If you like this product, but want something suitable for a young baby, you can try out the Brica Fold N’ Go Travel Bassinet . At 2.45 pounds, it offers the same ease of transport you would want in a traveling baby bed.

Product Specs -3.65 Pounds -52.5 x 34 x 22 inches -Comes with carrying pouch for ease of transport -Spot treat with soap and water -Lightweight mesh allows for airflow

Pros: Lightweight and easy to transport Cons: Toddler can’t stand up in it, a toddler can learn to zip it open and get out, can get hot in the tent

That’s our full round-up of the best travel cribs! Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below. Always happy to help a fellow parent wade through the confusing world of baby products.

Happy traveling!

PIN IT FOR LATER

Hi, we’re Christina and Brad, Idaho based writers and photographers who live to explore. We did a short stint of traveling full time with our two year old and discovered we're much happier as part time nomads. What does that mean? We travel a lot! And then we go home. We love helping fellow parents and everyday adventurers discover new places and experiences.

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The Best Travel Crib, 2024 [Reviews of Portable Comfy Cribs]

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. FIND MORE INFO IN MY DISCLAIMER.

After a portable crib for travel? 

As family travel bloggers we have tried both using hotel cribs as well as taking various types of cribs with us on our trips until we found the right one.

We know how challenging it can be to get a baby to sleep (don't tell me your baby sleeps like a dream - I don't want to know!). And I'm sure that you are aware that it might be even more challenging to get them to sleep in new locations.

That is why we love travel cots so much! Your baby will sleep so much better when they sleep in a familiar crib.

A travel cot for baby is handy for not only for vacations with your baby, but it is also really handy for when you visit friends or grandparents as well.

In this guide, we will outline features that we love of each, as well as share any negatives that we found of the baby travel cribs as well.

I hope this guide to choosing the best travel crib for baby and toddlers will help you choose the best baby travel bed for your family.

Not in the mood for research and reading and just want to find out which is the best portable baby cot?

- WHAT IS THE BEST TRAVEL CRIB FOR TODDLERS - 

Our top pick is the Baby Björn Travel Crib Light

• The cot is lightweight (11lb)
• Easy to set up
• Easy to carry
• Comfortable for babies and toddlers
• Suitable for ages 0-3 years (a worthwhile investment)

Click here to check out the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light Travel Crib

Skip the research and simply grab the best baby crib for newborns?

- THE BEST PORTABLE CRIB FOR NEWBORNS - 

Our top pick is the Beberoad Love Baby Travel Bassinet

• Compact fold 
• Lightweight
• Great for carry-on or hand luggage
• Mesh allows for airflow

Click here to check out the Beberoad Love Baby Travel Bassinet

Keen for all the info? Keep reading.

What Should a Baby Sleep in When Traveling?

We recommend that when your baby is newborn it is best to use a portable sleeper or bassinet when traveling as it is small and compact to keep your infant safe.

When your baby is a few months older, it is better to move them into a full sized travel crib.

Do you Really Need a Travel Crib?

A travel crib is very useful if you travel a lot. However, a travel crib can also be useful if you spend weekends with family and they do not have a spare crib for your little one.

A travel crib is definitely a must have when traveling abroad or away for long periods as not all accommodations have suitable cribs to use for your baby. When you purchase a travel crib you are ensuring that your little one will always have a suitable and safe space and bed to sleep in.

The most popular travel crib for babies from newborn age is the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light .

Let's be honest here, most hotels have baby cots available for you to use. So why spend the money and carry along one extra piece of luggage?

Here is why:

• Your baby will have a sleeping space that they are used to. It can be challenging for babies to fall asleep in unknown spaces and let's face it, we want to relax on holidays, not deal with tired babies who are struggling to fall asleep. Using the same crib wherever you go, will mean that your baby will get better sleep.
• You know that the cot will be the right size for you baby's age.   We went on a trip to Lombok and one of the hotels gave us a crib that was suitable for newborns.  It was TINY! Avalee was only 4 months, and she was really squashed in the crib. Vietnam hotels also have tiny cots, their cots are probably more suitable for 1 year olds, because our 2 year old had to sleep curled up in order to fit in the cot.
• You know that the crib will be safe for your baby. On more than one occasion we received cots from the hotel that would collapse as soon as our daughter pressed against the side. Needless to say they were useless and pretty dangerous to use!
• You know that you will have a crib for your baby. One a few occasions we have pre-requested a cot on the booking form only to arrive at the hotel and be told that they only have one cot and that another family is using it. Our baby doesn't normally co-sleep with us, so it was a nightmare.
• You know your cot is clean. Again we can tell you some horror stories about being given moldy and dirty baby cots.  So gross!
• If you purchase one of these best baby travel beds, you will find that it can double up as a safe playard for your baby - hallo downtime!

So should you travel with your own baby travel crib? - Uhmmmmm hell yes!!!

Best Baby Travel Crib  Comparison Chart 

Below is a comparison chart of our picks for the best travel baby beds; which are mentioned in this article.  

You can then read our travel cot reviews below featuring both compact traveling cribs, as well as a full size travel crib for older babies.

Can I Use a Travel Crib As a Regular Crib?

Yes you can however it is always advisable to check with the manufacturer to verify the weight and safety guidelines. The problem with a regular crib is that they are usually really heavy, they don't come with a travel bag and they are also typically much harder to set up and pack away.

If you have a full size travel crib, your child should be able to sleep in the travel crib until around 3 years old.  

We do recommend though that you invest in a travel crib that is good quality. You may have to also invest in a thicker mattress for when at home for extra comfort.

What's The Difference Between a Travel Crib And a Portable Crib?

So what exactly is the difference between a travel cot and a portable cot?

• A travel cot is smaller than a portable cot . Some travel cribs even fit in a backpack that you can carry-on to an airplane.
• A travel crib can fold up . Travel cots need to fit into carry-on luggage & in car trunks.
• Baby travel beds are lightweight. Travel cots need to be lightweight enough to be carried around easily.

The best travel cot 2024 has on offer, will tick the boxes above, as well as offer many of the same benefits (safety and comfort) as a regular portable crib.

What's the Difference Between a Travel Crib Vs a Pack n Play

You might have a Pack 'n Play at home that you are considering taking on your trip. So what exactly is the difference between a travel crib and a Pack 'n Play?

A Pack 'n Play is typically a lot bulkier and heavier than a well-made travel crib. Which means that it is impractical to pack for a trip overseas. 

As a positive, some of the infant travel cribs listed below can double up as a Pack 'n Play, whilst still giving you the lightweight, compact benefits.

Travel Toddler Crib Vs a Toddler Travel Bed

Toddler travel beds are designed for kids who are 2+ years old. They are a great alternative for a traveling baby bed for active toddlers. 

Whilst many of the baby travel cribs listed below can be used for toddlers, a travel toddler bed is perfect for toddlers who have managed to work out how to climb out of the cribs.

A bed is typically similar to a camping or roll-out mattress.

Our selection below is suitable for those looking for travel beds for babies or a travel crib for 1 year old.

If your toddler is still happy and safe in a crib, then we highly recommend you keep them contained in one of the cribs below as well.

But for those who have climbers, best to go with a baby sleep travel bed instead.

How to Choose the Best Travel Crib 2024 has to Offer

If you are planning on traveling a lot, you will need to invest some dollars in order to purchase a light travel crib that is also compact, easy to fold, safe, and also comfortable for your little one.

You might also like to purchase a crib that will last for longer than the first year as well.

Let's look at each of these criteria more closely, so you can make a smart decision on which crib would be the best travel bed for your baby.

There are several different types of travel cribs on the market:

• portable cribs,
• toddler travel cot,
• regular travel cribs,
• travel pack 'n play

It is important to choose the right type of crib for both the age of your baby as well as for your circumstances (how much packing space do you have? Are you driving or flying? etc.)

If your baby is still little, and you typically don't travel very often, you might want to grab one of the cocoon-type cribs.

Best lightweight travel crib

The size of your folding travel crib is really important. It needs to fold up small enough that you can easily transport it around.

It also needs to be lightweight so that you can carry it easily. In order to find the best lightweight travel crib for you, we have shared weights for each of the travel cribs in the table above.

Make sure to know down what size the cot is when assembled as well as when it is folded up. The best travel bed for infant use should be able to fit easily in your suitcase.

If you are looking for the best travel crib for flying, it is important to purchase a crib that comes with a protective bag, one that is comfy enough to carry around and one that is lightweight enough to carry from point A to point B.

Another important factor when it comes to size is to ensure that the crib will actually be large enough to fit your baby comfortably.

If you travel frequently, it only makes sense to invest in a crib that will last for at least a few years. Some travel cribs are suitable for newborn babies only, but many can be used for 2-3 years.

You will find though, that even though many of these cribs stipulate that they can fit kids up to 3 of age, it might not be best suited for that age bracket.

Once your toddler is 2, I would suggest that you do some research to find the best travel crib for toddler use. The crib should allow your child to move around, but it should also be sturdy enough to keep them contained.

You have to be really careful when it comes to travel cribs.  As many might be super light and super cheap but have thin flimsy mattresses. 

You also want to buy a crib that offers great air flow. 

So when you're trying to pick the best travel cribs for babies or toddlers, then it is important to make sure that it ticks both the boxes for comfort as well as air flow.

Of course safety should be the most important factor to consider. We have only included baby travel cots that have met the American Standards in terms of safety. 

When it comes to safety is so important to buy a crib that fits with your baby's age and activity levels. Especially important for toddlers who try to climb out of their cribs.

Also look at how snug the mattress fits into the cot, we don't want the mattress to be loose or have gaps.  And think about how the sheet will be held in place as well.

Ease of Use

The best travel baby bed should be  super simple and easy to set up, as well as fold up.

Make sure to have a look at how the cots fold up, some are super easy whilst others require some fiddly assembly.  

Top 10 Travel Crib Reviews

Below are our travel crib reviews of, in our opinion, the best travel cots 2024 has to offer. 

We share both the positives as well as the negatives of these top rated travel cribs, to help you decide which crib would be the best for your baby and your travel-lifestyle.

1.  BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Review (Most Comfortable Travel Crib)

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Silver is, in our opinion, one of the best selling travel cots. And one by a well-known baby brand as well. We love that this cot will last you all the way from newborn till age 3!

This travel cot is nice and lightweight.  It is easy to set up and fold away and they have made it easy to carry as well.

We love that the sides of the crib is made from a soft mesh material, the mesh is fabulous and allows air flow to circulate through the crib.

The base of the cot is lovely and sturdy to ensure that your baby has a safe sleeping environment. And the insulated mattress means that your baby will be comfy as well. 

Baby Bjorn travel crib dimensions:

• Assembled: 32 x 44 x 24"
• Folded down in carry bag: 19 x 23.5 x 5.5"
• Suitable for 0 -3 years
• Lightweight (11 lb)
• Soft mesh material to allow for airflow
• Nice insulated mattress to keep baby comfortable
• Premium Price tag

>>> Click here to check the current price on this crib or click the button below.

2. Lotus Travel Crib Review

The Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib by Guava Family is very popular as it combines a travel crib for sleeping with a playard for confined play into one handy cot.

This crib might just be one of the best portable crib 2024 has to offer. Why? It only takes around 15 seconds to set up!!  Effortless set up when you are tired or jet lagged is definitely a bonus.

The clear mesh sides allow for that all important airflow and you can also unzip the one side if you wish to allow your little one to crawl in and out of their crib for playtime.

The Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib has been thoroughly tested for chemical emissions and is certified to the GREENGUARD GOLD standard!

We love that the crib comes with a backpack (with convertible straps) style carry bag. 

Guava Family Travel Crib Dimensions:

• Packed Dimensions: 23 x 12 x 8"
• Assembled Dimensions: 42 x 24 X 25"
• Suitable 0 -3 years
• Lightweight (13 lb) and easy to carry with the backpack-style bag
• Travel crib and portable playard in one
• Super quick to set up
• Baby mattress could be a bit thicker

>>> Click here to check the current price on the Guava Lotus travel crib or click the button below.

3. Pamo Babe Lightweight Foldable Travel Crib  Review

This lightweight portable baby crib is an affordable travel crib that will last from baby to toddler.

This travel crib is easy to assemble and comes with a carry bag to make it easier to carry from one destination to the next and is perfect for travel on a plane.

The travel crib can be used for sleep or playtime.  The mesh fabric not only allows for airy design but means you can also see your little one easily for keeping an eye.

It comes with a mattress and a fitted sheet. The fitted sheet is easy to remove and clean. The crib is also easy to clean, simply wipe it with a cloth.

Travel baby crib dimensions:

• Packed Dimensions: 24 x 6 x 19"
• Sleeping Space Dimensions: 33 x 22 x 26"
• Comes with a travel carry bag and a waterproof mattress cover
• Great for changing diapers as well
• Suitable for 0 - 3 years
• Mattress could be thicker and bigger
• Side zippers do not slide easily when crib is empty

>>> Click here to check the current price on this travel crib or click the button below.

4. Beberoad Love Baby Travel Bassinet  Review

The Beberoad Love Baby Travel Bassinet is the best mini crib and is the best travel crib for newborn babies . Looking for a travel crib that fits in a suitcase - this is it.

It is incredibly lightweight (4.4 lbs) and is suitable for babies aged 0 - 5 months or up to 22 lbs.

The mesh panels and breathable fabric allow for ample air circulation. 

The crib is very safe to use as it has a T-lock frame, which is sturdy and safe.

Due to its size and weight, it is our pick for the best travel crib for flying. Simply pack it into your hand luggage and you are ready to go, or fold it up and carry it by the handle.

Travel Crib Dimensions:

• Packed Dimensions: 20.5 x 19.7 x 1.7"
• Assembled Dimensions: 31.5 x 10 x 16"
• Compact Fold
• Great for carry-on luggage for flying
• Suitable for babies aged 0 -5 months only

>>> Click here to check the current price on this bassinet or click the button below.

5. besrey 3-in-1 Portable Baby Travel Bassinet Review

The besrey 3-in-1 Portable Travel Bassinet is great for traveling with a new baby, it is quick and easy to fold up or set up.

The compact size when folded means it takes up minimal space and storage.

When set up you can choose from 2 modes, rocking or stationery mode.

Mesh sides ensure you have visibility of your baby when sleeping. There is also airflow in the bassinet. 

The crib also has a mosquito net keeping bugs out when sleeping. There is also a built-in storage basket.

• Great for newborn babies
• Suitable for babies up to 5 months

>>> Click here to check the current price on this travel baby bassinet or click the button below.

6. Dream On Me Travel Light Playard Review

The Travel Light is a great travel crib that is super affordable.

It is very easy to use as it sets up and folds down in minutes making it the ideal travel companion for infants and toddlers.

It folds up flat and can be stored in its durable carry bag which makes it perfect for traveling and using whilst out and about.

The Travel Light Playard comes with a soft mattress, making the space comfortable for your child whether sleeping or playing.

The Travel Light is available in 4 colors.

The Playard sides are made of soft, airy mesh fabric that allows your baby to breathe easily. The see-through fabric helps you keep an eye on your baby and also makes it easy for your little one to look out and see you. 

• Easy to carry around
• Mesh sides for air flow
• Not very lightweight
• Padded mattress is a bit thin

>>> Click here to check the current price or click the button below.

7. Lumiere All-in-One Travel Crib & Bassinet Review

The Lumiere All-in-One Travel Crib and Bassinet is a great option as a travel crib, especially if you are traveling with newborns. The travel baby crib is lightweight (13 lbs).

The baby travel crib comes with a comfortable bassinet layer that can be added and removed with ease.  

The Lumiere All-in-One Travel Crib comes with a breathable mattress and its own fitted sheet. It also includes a white noise sound machine to help create a calming environment when your little one goes to sleep.

When you do not want to use the crib you can fold it flat for easy storage. It also has a carry bag with two-way handles so can be used as a back pack.

The removable sheet cover makes the crib easy to maintain and keep clean.

• Removable bassinet layer
• Includes carry bag for easy transporting
• Not as light as other travel cribs

8. Chicco Alfa Lite Lightweight Travel Playard  Review

The Chicco Alfa Lite Lightweight Travel Playard  is designed for babies and toddler aged 1 - 3 years old. We love it because it packs up so compact and fits into its own zippered carry bag making it easy to take with you when traveling. 

The Chicco Alfa Lite Leightweight Travel Playard weighs only 12.5 pounds.

The fast, snap-open design makes it a breeze to set up. The lightweight mesh construction provides airflow.

The travel crib comes with a mattress and mattress cover. The mattress cover and frame fabrics are removable and machine washable making it great for easy cleaning.

The crib can also be used as a playpen for playtime.

• Lightweight (12.5 lb) and easy to carry around with carry bag
• Compact and small for rooms with little space
• Mattress is a bit thin

9. Silver Cross Slumber 3-in-1 Travel Crib  Review

The Silver Cross Slumber 3-in-1 Travel Crib is great for home, vacation, and visiting family and friends. The travel crib is great for babies from birth up to 3 years old.

The is quick and easy to set up and fold close for easy storage.  When folded the travel crib has a carry case and handle to make it easy when moving around.

The crib is not as lightweight as other travel cribs we have listed lightweight, weighing  15.6 pounds makes it a little cumbersome to carry when moving it around.

We love that the crib comes with a bassinet making it great to use for newborns. The fabric is soft and the mattress is comfortable. 

The mesh sides and raised bassinet make it possible to use as a side sleeper crib.

• Assemble and disassembly only takes a few minutes
• Can be used as a co-sleeper crib
• Not as lightweight as other travel cribs 

10. Palopalo 3 in 1 Travel Lightweight Crib Review

Another fabulous buy is the Palopalo 3 in 1 Lightweight Travel Crib. Travelers love this cot, because it is still a light travel crib if you are looking for a full size travel crib rather than the cocoon or bassinet size ones. 

This travel portable crib has plenty of room to move. It is recommended for newborns till 3 years old, so it is a great option as one of the best travel cribs for toddlers as well.

The sides are fully mesh, allowing nice airflow to circulate through the cot. You also have the option of zipping off one of the sides, we don't really ever use this functionality, but hey it is there.

The mattress is lovely and soft and water resistant. It can also be folded into a compact size.

The Palopalo 3 in 1 Lightweight Travel Crib folds down and packs into a compact carry bag that you can carry over your shoulder. 

The crib can also be outdoors, for example at the beach, as it has a UV mesh top that offers sun protection.

The negative? You will need to practice the assembly and disassembly before you go.

Palopalo 3 in 1 Lightweight Travel Crib  dimensions:

• Packed Dimensions: 19 x 27"
• Sleeping Space Dimensions: 35 x 22 x 27"
• Light full size travel crib 
• Stable, comfortable and spacious
• Comes with an over-the shoulder carry bag
• Well ventilated
• Not as easy to assemble and pack up as the BabyBjorn Travel Crib.
• Carry bag is not very durable

>>> Click here to check the current price on the Palopalo Travel Crib or click the button below.

Best Crib Block Out Covers

When traveling with a travel crib block out covers are great to use to ensure that no matter where you set up your portable crib, your little one can rest without the light affecting their sleep.

Below are our top picks for the best crib block out covers.

1. SlumberPod Portable Blackout Canopy Cover

>>>  Click here to check the current price on the SlumberPod Canopy Cover

2. LYFFXYH StretchyCrib Tent Blackout Canopy Cover

>>>  Click here to check the current price on the LYFFXYH StretchyCrib Canopy Cover

3. SnoozeShade Pack N Play Blackout Cover

>>>  Click here to check the current price on the SnoozeShade Canopy Cover

Verdict on Our Pick of the Best Portable Travel Crib

We hope you found our portable travel crib reviews and comparison table helpful and that you managed to find a portable travel crib that is comfy and right for your baby and your style of travel.

Have you read through all our portable baby bed reviews and you are still not sure which one to buy?

I recommend you invest in a crib that will last you for as many years as possible. Choose a travel crib that is 12 lb and under. And make sure that it is easy to pack up and carry.

If you are still feeling stuck and confused, here are our personal preferences depending on if you are traveling with a toddler or newborn baby.

The best travel crib for toddlers is the  BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light . Not only is it lightweight weighing only 11 lbs but is super easy to set up and carry. It is also a great investment as it is suitable for ages 0 - 3 years.

Prefer to have a bassinet when traveling with your newborn? Our top pick for the best portable crib for newborns is the Beberoad Love Baby Travel Bassinet . It is compact when folded and can be transported when flying in hand luggage or carry-on.

Further Reading:

• Click to see a list of handy  baby travel products  to take along on your  holiday with your baby .
• After some gear for yourself? Click to see our favorite  traveler gear .

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Guava Lotus Travel Crib Review [With Super Detailed, Practical Info!]

Are you looking for a no-BS Lotus travel crib review that can let you know if it’s just a glorified pack-n-play, or if it’s really worth it?

Some parents want it as a travel/ regular crib.

While some want to prep their kids for a bigger floor bed.

And they’re hoping, putting them in the Lotus crib can hopefully make that transition a lot easier.

Whatever the case may be, here you will learn about the:

• Features and what it means for you 
• What do parents like or dislike about it
• Pros and cons
• Other travel crib alternatives and more.

Let’s get started with a general comparison overview of its features.

I hope you’ll love the products we recommend! Just a quick note: if you click on a product link below and decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission.

List of Contents

Feature Table: Guava Lotus Travel Review

This is best viewed on a desktop. Here’s a quick feature overview guide on the Guava Lotus Travel Crib .

Scroll down below for more details

Lotus Travel Crib Review: Feature Details

Let’s dive in a little deeper about the features of the Lotus Travel Crib .

The Guava Lotus Travel Crib measures 45.5″ L x 31.5″ W x 25.5 H and weighs 13 lbs/6 kg (including the carry bag).

Weight-wise, it’s pretty lightweight and it’s still comfortable to carry it on your back while carrying your baby at the same time.

Height-wise, it can be tricky for C-section moms to use this, as the mattress sits on the floor. 

For that, the bassinet kit is necessary then, so it would be much more comfortable, especially if you just had a cesarean operation.

• Weight: 13 lbs/6 kg (including carry bag)
• Mattress: 41.5″ L x 23.5″ W x 1.4″ H
• Setup: 45.5″ L x 31.5″ W x 25.5 H
• Backpack: 24″ L x 12″ W x 8″ H
• Folded (in Backpack) Length: 24”, Width: 7”, Height: 11”

The Lotus Travel Crib can be used as a regular nursery crib, travel crib, playpen, or even as a “baby jail”.

You can use this for vacations, quick visits to in-laws, road trips, etc.

The only issue is, if you have a more advanced toddler who knows their way with zippers, they will be able to get themselves out of the Guava Lotus crib!

Anyway, you can also use the Lotus Travel Crib as an outdoor crib, using its Mosquito Net or its Fun Shade!

Use it to protect your babies from drizzles, light rains, and even the sun.

Access to Baby

For easier access to your baby in the Guava Lotus crib, you have to be in a floor bed.

That’s the only comfortable way to reach for your baby, without having to bend down so low to pick them up or put them back in.

If you’re both on the floor, you can just unzip the Guava, reach over and move your baby for feeding then put them back easily.

You can also choose to just do it the regular way, but you have to bend and stoop low so you can reach your baby on the floor.

If you’re short, have back pains, just had a C-section, or if you have an elderly caregiver, bending down will be a hassle.

But you can kneel or sit down to unzip the sides to reach over and settle your baby.

If your baby is a bit older, it’s also easy to let them out of the Lotus Travel Crib on their own, rather than carrying them in and out of it every time.

Bassinet Conversion

The great thing about the Guava Lotus Travel crib is its bundle option – you can have both a bassinet and a crib!

This is great if you don’t want to always bend or kneel or sit to put your baby in the crib. 

You can just use the bassinet, which is elevated from the ground.

The bassinet measures 50″ L x 31″ W x 26″ H, is easy to assemble, and can be used for newborns up to 5 months, or are starting to pull themselves up independently – whichever comes first.

Age/ Weight Limit

There’s actually no age or weight limit for the Guava Lotus Crib as it sits right on the floor.

You can use it for your newborn up to your older kids!

If you’re 4 or 5 years old or older, want to sleep in it, and can still comfortably, you can still use it!

But if they’re starting to climb or zipper themselves out of it, you may want to think of other sleeping alternatives.

The Lotus Travel Crib is considered a premium non-toxic bassinet , with its OEKO-TEX Standard 100 product class 1 certification and GreenGuard™ Gold certification.

This travel crib also has the ASTM F-406 and 16 CFR 1221 certifications and is certified by Consumer Product Safety Information Act (CPSIA 2008) and Playpens Regulation (Canada).

They don’t have any Lead, Phthalates, Formaldehyde, Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium, Flame Retardants, PVC, making them safe even for newborns.

It’s that safe, you can even use the crib straight from the box, without washing them!

This really gives you that assurance that it’s super safe for newborns and is simply one of the best portable cribs on the market.

Durability 

The Guava Lotus is a very sturdy, durable crib. 

One parent even mentioned their 2-year-old climbing out of it successfully and it didn’t flip or topple over!

So your baby can lean on it or even pull it and it won’t budge nor tip over.

It also doesn’t shake or seem unstable, even if your baby is moving around in the crib so much.

It’s pretty easy to assemble and disassemble the Guava Lotus Crib, according to some parents.

One even said that she put it together while holding her baby!

But one did share that they had a hard time putting the crib in the travel bag. 

Nevertheless, the majority of parents find it super quick and easy to put together and take apart this travel crib.

Plane-friendly

Here’s what’s great about the Lotus travel crib – you can bring it as a carry-on on a plane, which saves you luggage fees!

According to parents who flew with it, it can fit in most overheads and they didn’t have any issues carrying it.

Plus it’s super convenient to carry, as it’s in a long backpack-style carrier.

Most bassinets have the usual complaints about their mattress being thin and hard , and unfortunately, the Guava Lotus has some mixed reviews about it.

Some said the mattress is really hard and really uncomfortable.

While others say their babies seem comfortable sleeping on it.

Our comfort level is actually different from babies and toddlers so you don’t need to worry about the Guava Lotus mattress too much.

Babies younger than 12 months are supposed to sleep on a firm, flat mattress anyway, for safety purposes.

Plus, Lotus’ mattress is approved by federal standards , assuring you that it’s a perfectly safe mattress for newborns and babies.

Most parents appreciate that the Guava Lotus crib mattress is flat and doesn’t bunch up, like a regular pack-n-play mattress.

Mattress Sheets

Probably the major con that I see with the Lotus Travel crib is that it doesn’t include any mattress sheets.

Which kinda sucks, cause, not even one, really?

So you either need to upgrade from the Base Set to the Essentials Set on their website, which includes the mattress sheets.

Or get only the mattress sheets separately.

• Lotus Crib Plush Quilted Sheet
• Lotus Crib Plush Quilted Fitted Sheet on Amazon

I’ve also read a few reviews from parents saying that it’s kinda hard to put on the mattress sheets.

But it’s a must to have them, so remember to get extra sheets, just in case you go through diaper blowouts and such.

Maintenance

The Guava Travel Crib is also easy to clean, as everything about it is machine-washable!

From its crib fabric, mattress cover, and even the travel bag – all of it is machine washable.

Just take note to wash it on cold and hang it to dry.

Return Policy

Guava Lotus has a return policy of 60 days , which is quite amazing that it’s that long!

So you can really thoroughly check it and have enough weeks, even months, to see if it’s comfortable to use.

There’s not much design to choose from when you get the Guava Lotus Travel crib.

It doesn’t come in various colors or prints.

Still, it looks very sleek and modern and its minimalistic aesthetic will fit any type of interior.

The Guava Lotus travel crib doesn’t come cheap but it’s slightly, just slightly, less expensive, compared to the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light.

Related Article: Baby Bjorn Travel Crib vs Lotus [Super Detailed Comparison Review]

Pros and Cons: Lotus Travel Crib Review

Here’s a general overview of the advantages and drawbacks of the Lotus Travel Crib.

Pros: Guava Lotus Travel Crib

• Bassinet kit available (bundle purchase)
• Can be carried backpack-style (plane-friendly)
• Easy access to baby via zippered mesh sides

Cons: Guava Lotus Travel Crib

• Only 1 color available
• Need to buy mattress sheets

Alternatives to Guava Lotus Travel Crib

If you’re still on the fence about either the Guava Lotus Travel Crib, try exploring these other options:

• Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light
• Phil & Teds 4-in-1 Traveller Bassinet Travel Cot
• Bugaboo Stardust

Other parents have tried outdoor playpens as well as baby loungers!

FAQ: Lotus Travel Crib and Bassinet

How long can you use lotus travel crib.

You can use the Lotus Travel crib for kids aged 3 years old or until your kid decides to climb out of it.  There’s no weight limit as the mattress is directly on the floor.

Is Guava Lotus Travel Crib safe for sleep?

Yes, the Guava Lotus Travel Crib is safe for sleep.  Even a newborn can sleep in it! Just take note not to put anything in the crib that can suffocate your baby.

Can an infant sleep in Lotus Travel Crib?

Yes, an infant can sleep in a Baby Bjorn Travel Crib.  Just remember to always lay them on their back and avoid putting any blankets or pillows, as those are sleep safety hazards.

Lotus Travel Crib Review: Takeaway

A pack n play is actually a cheaper alternative to the Lotus travel crib. 

It functions the same and it’s also portable enough to be carried for road trips.

But here’s where the Guava Lotus travel crib trumps over a pack-n-play :

• Has OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and GreenGuard™ Gold certifications
• Machine-washable (even the travel bag!)
• Very durable and sturdy
• Has a bassinet conversion kit
• Plane-friendly (can bring as carry-on)
• Unlike a pack n play or playard.

Not only that, you can use this practically for as long as you want. 

Or for as long as your kid wants to stay in it!

Some parents find the Lotus crib also pretty helpful in transitioning their babies from the bassinet to a floor crib, so that’s another advantage.

So it’s definitely worth getting it.

If you’re still on the fence about it, take note that the Guava Lotus comes with a 60-day return policy, (they emailed me about it, they’ll be updating their website soon!) so that’s pretty generous and gives you enough time to decide if you want to keep it or not.

I hope this Lotus Travel crib review has been helpful for you.

If you like this article, then make sure to check out:

• Best Portable Bassinets
• How to Choose a Travel Crib
• 6 Safer DockATot Alternatives
• Best Non Toxic Cribs
• Best Non Toxic Bassinets
• Baby Bjorn Travel Crib vs Pack n Play
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Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib Review

A lightweight travel crib that delivers on simplicity and portability

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib

Verywell Family / Charlene Petitjean-Barkulis

A breeze to pop open

Convenient and compact carry bag

Transforms into a play yard

Reasonably priced

Mattress is thin and made of cold plastic

No fitted sheet

Tricky to fold

With its quick setup, small footprint, and convenient carry bag, the Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib is a must-have for globetrotting families.

• Setup Process
• Portability
• Competition
• Final Verdict

We purchased the Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review.

Traveling with children gets physical quickly. The amount of stuff you have to schlep is slightly crazy. But the Lotus Travel Crib by Guava Family, one of the most highly rated play yards out there, is heralded for its lightweight construction, ease of use, and safe design. We tested it out on a trip to California to see for ourselves. Read on to find out how the pack ‘n play fared.

Setup Process: As user-friendly as it gets

I’ve broken a sweat trying to put together travel cribs before. Some of them require serious puzzle skills, too, but that’s not the case with the Lotus. It took me all but two minutes to set it up. You simply take the crib out of its bag and open the folded mattress that contains the frame when in the bag. Next, extend the aluminum legs and pull the sides of the crib open to arm’s width. At that point, the frame will fully extend, and the top rail will click sturdily into place. Add the mattress in, and voilà! 

The only time-consuming step here is the last one: You have to secure the mattress to the frame. To do that, you have to feed the Velcro tabs that are on each corner and side of the mattress (six in total) to the base of the crib. This is a safety mechanism that’s common in travel cribs, so as to prevent space the mattress separating from the frame.

I’ve broken a sweat trying to put together travel cribs before…but that’s not the case with the Lotus.

Folding the Lotus can be slightly trickier, though still easier than other lightweight travel cribs we’ve used. Once you’re done using it, take the mattress out and loosen the frame by squeezing levers on each side of the crib. The levers are easy to locate; just look for arrows on the rail’s fabric. Once you do that, you’ll be able to zig-zag the mattress into a tight fold and secure it closed with the clip. That taken care of, you’ll want to fold the legs by pulling them back. This step didn’t come naturally to me and required the kind precision and strength that slowed the process down ever so slightly. Once you fold the legs, the frame is ready to fit back into the mattress, which can then go back into the carry case which can be conveniently worn like a backpack. 

Design: Clean and simple design that will grow with your baby

The Guava Lotus Travel Crib has a simple and clean design. I particularly love its color block combo. The crib’s fabric is a soft grey and black mélange and its frame is a clean white which is ideal for modern, design-driven parents. The black carry bag that it comes in is sleek and fit seamlessly with our other belongings—no one suspected we were hauling a piece of baby gear around.  

When assembled, the travel crib measures 46 x 32 inches. The mattress itself measures 41 x 23 inches, which is longer and narrower than other travel cribs. This is great for bigger kids. Our 2-year-old son, who’s already 37 inches tall, comfortably fits in the crib. There isn’t much room left, but that doesn’t seem to bother him.

No matter how much my little one moved in his sleep, the mattress stayed in place, which meant he didn’t startle or wake himself up.

The only downside to the crib’s unconventional size is that you have to purchase the brand’s fitted sheets which are specially made for the Lotus. These cost $20, so it’s an added expense to consider—especially since you’ll probably want at least two in case of a blowout or spit-up incidents.  

Another design consideration we were perplexed by at first: The mattress, which rests directly on the floor without any elevation from your typical crib legs or feet. Guava Family notes that the floor-resting mattress is beneficial for a few reasons. It doesn’t shake or squeak when your little one rolls around; you can unzip the side and transform the crib into a play yard; and it doesn’t weigh as much as standard travel cribs. The last factor is one we can get down with as the Lotus weighs much less than other travel cribs and is therefore easier to lug around. And after testing it out, we did find that the floor-resting mattress—paired with the crib’s diagonal leg design—offered more stability. No matter how much my little one moved in his sleep, the mattress stayed in place, which meant he didn’t startle or wake himself up. 

Verywell Family / Charlene Petitjean-Barukulis 

Portability: Lightweight and easy to carry 

No one wants to travel with a bulky crib that drags on the floor and that you ultimately need to check in at the airport. Luckily, portability is where the Lotus shines. When folded, the crib, which weighs a mere 13 pounds (less than half the weight of most mainstream travel cribs) shrinks to a very manageable 24 x 7 x 11 inches. It also slips into a carry bag that functions like a backpack. This proved to be an amazing feature as I was able to navigate the airport hands-free, tending to my children and even myself. 

The Lotus Crib also folds down small enough to be taken through airport security and onto a plane. My husband and I have tried to sneak other travel cribs in, but we’ve always ended up being asked to check them in, so this was a major win!

The black carry bag…is sleek and fit seamlessly with our other belongings—no one suspected we were hauling a piece of baby gear around.

When open, the Lotus is just as easy to move around the house; and once you’re done using it, it’s compact and can be stored away in the tightest closet corner. 

We’ve also used it for our nanny share, and it’s really simplified the drop-off process. I’ve been able to carry the travel crib as a backpack while hauling my little one in his stroller—and all of this without breaking my back.  

Comfort: Perhaps more parent- than baby-centric? 

Guava Family claims that their mattress is thick and comfy, giving babies “all-night comfort.” But I found it to be rather thin, which is problematic considering it sits directly on the floor. To us, the surface feels a bit hard and more appropriate for playtime than bedtime. 

What’s more, the mattress, which is made of insulated foam, has a waterproof cover. This is great to protect against baby’s usual accidents, but it makes for a cold surface to sleep on. My son still slept through the night, and my nanny says that it hasn’t affected naptime, but I felt guilty having him sleep on a plastic-like austere surface. That’s why I think Guava’s crib sheets are indispensable. Note, however, that if you purchase the crib on Amazon, you will need to buy the fitted sheet separately . 

One great feature is the crib’s crawl-through zipper door. This is great not only for playtime, but for soothing baby to sleep. Thanks to this thoughtful feature, I was able to comfort my toddler as he drifted off to sleep without having to lean over and break my back. This feature is an undeniable plus for parents who know they will have to tend to their kids at bedtime for an extended period of time.

Safety: Breathable and eco-conscious 

Unlike many other travel cribs, the Lotus is constructed from a whole lot of mesh. It’s on all four sides, and from below the mattress all the way up to the top rail. This makes for a safe, breathable environment for littles to sleep in. What’s more, I’m able to peek in on my son from wherever I stand. If you have a super smart tot on your hand, you can also lock the side zipper in place to prevent them from escaping. 

Last—but definitely not least—the Lotus is Greenguard certified. This means the crib has met strict chemical emissions limits and is free from PVC, phthalates, flame retardants, and other substances that pose a threat to your child’s health.

Price: Beats the competition

The Lotus Travel Crib has an MSRP of $249.95 but you can often find it for $200 or less at online retailers like Amazon. Considering all the bells and whistles it comes with, it’s certainly worth the price. While you can certainly find cheaper options, if you’re looking at well-known brands like BabyBjörn or 4moms, the Lotus is actually mid-range in price. 

Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib v. BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light 

Guava Family’s Travel Crib and BabyBjörn’s Travel Crib Light are very similar. They’re roughly the same size, they’re a breeze to set up, they’re lightweight, and they both have mesh on all four sides. That said, the Lotus’ carry bag, which can morph into a backpack, is much more convenient that BabyBjörn’s. Plus, the BabyBjörn travel crib retails for $320—that’s $70 more than the Lotus. If you’re looking for a long-lasting crib that won’t add to the exhaustion of family travel (or break the bank in the process), the Lotus is our top choice. 

Yes, buy it! 

If you’re in search of a travel crib that is compact, user-friendly, safe, and eco-friendly, the Lotus is everything you’re looking for. Get it and you won’t regret it!

• Product Name Lotus Travel Crib
• Product Brand Guava Family
• SKU B00AKKDSNG
• Price $249.95
• Weight 13 lbs.
• Product Dimensions 46 x 32 x 25.5 in.
• Material Aluminum frame, mesh fabric
• Warranty 30 days for a full return; 3-year warranty

• Baby Registry

Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib Review

Pros • Super easy to pop up and break down • Compact backpack-style travel case • Side zipper door for easy access • Mesh siding is safe for baby

Cons • Mattress is a little thin

Bottom Line As its name implies you can take the Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib pretty much everywhere! Thanks to its small footprint, lightweight carrying case and very quick setup, we can’t imagine life without it.

Rating: 4.5 stars

When I started searching for a travel crib, I had three main criteria in mind: easy assembly, lightweight and safe. The Lotus Crib by Guava Family exceeded my expectations in all three of these areas.

One of my favorite things about the Lotus is the zippered mesh side door—a feature that some other popular travel cribs and playards like Baby Bjorn and Summer Infant don’t offer. When my daughter Hadley was younger and struggled to fall asleep away from home, it was really nice to be able to zip open the door of the crib so I could lie down with her and rub her back (it often made it easier to get her in the crib too, since we didn’t have to lean all the way over and down while trying to support her—instead we could just slide her in through the side opening). Once she fell asleep, I could quietly slide out and zip up the side, leaving her to slumber (well, at least until she realized I had left!). As she got older, it was also really helpful to just open the side door and let her crawl out on her own, especially when I was pregnant with baby no. 2 and it was a lot harder to bend down and pick her up.

Another feature worth noting is the breathable mesh siding. I’ve never worried about baby being able to breathe as she snuggles next to the walls of the Lotus crib. It also seems pretty durable, since in the two years we’ve been using the crib the mesh has never snagged or ripped.

Finally, since we travel a ton, the thought of toting around a bulky, heavy crib that needs to be checked on the plane is not appealing. But the Lotus folds down into a 24 inch by 7 inch by 11 inch case with convertible backpack straps that weighs just 13 pounds with the crib inside. Such a great feature, and I love that we have the option to carry this crib right onto the plane. Easy, right?

Performance

Having used other friends’ playards while traveling, I was pleasantly surprised by the portability and user-friendliness of this travel crib. I’ve seen my friends sweat over the assembly of the heavy metal bars and cumbersome parts of other cribs. Not so with the Lotus. Setting up the crib is easy and takes about two minutes. You can start before you even take it out of the carrying case: Simply unzip the bag, open the folded mattress, extend the lightweight metal legs of the crib and pull it out of the case. Voilà! You’re halfway there. Next just pull the sides open to arms’ width and it will fully expand—the top rail clicks into a rigid, sturdy position so you know it’s ready to go. Finally, place the mattress in the base. A set of four Velcro tabs must be fed through narrow slits on the mattress sheet to the base of the crib to secure the mattress. This does add a little time to the setup process but it’s easy enough, and it’s important because it reinforces the safety of the crib.

Since the mattress and bottom of the crib rest on the floor there’s no weight limit. That means you can use the crib even after your child surpasses the 30-pound limit of most other cribs. At 19 months, Hadley is already 30 pounds and we continue to use the Lotus. She still has plenty of room to grow in this space and has never been even close to being able to climb out. Now that she’s older, I put the crib in our living room, open the side door and drape a blanket over it to create a little “fort” in which she loves to play and feel independent.

We chose the Lotus Travel crib because of its clean, simple design. I love the black and gray crib with a clean white crib mattress and sheet. The black carrying case is sleek and fits in nicely with our regular luggage while traveling. Lotus also makes a few accessories for the crib that are great to bring on vacation, like the full coverage mosquito net ($27) and Fun Shade ($37), which comes in five colors to cover the back and top of the crib to block the sun and create a darker area for naptime.

The crib itself is longer and narrower than other playards (42 inches long by 24 inches wide internally; 45 inches long by 32 inches wide externally), which is great on one hand, because it’s been able to grow with my extra-tall toddler. On the other hand, that does mean you have to purchase specially sized crib sheets from Guava Family ($20).

One last thing to note: Guava Family also makes the Lotus Bassinet for newborns. If you already own this you can purchase the conversion kit ($100) and turn the bassinet into the Travel Crib when you’re ready. Or vice versa, if you already have the Travel Crib you can purchase the conversion kit ($110) and turn the crib into the bassinet.

As any parent who’s done it knows, traveling with a child is exhausting. The amount of stuff you find yourself taking for an overnight trip is laughable. Lotus has gone the extra mile to make this a lightweight, portable and safe travel crib that’s perfect for all our family’s adventures. While I’m attending to our daughter my husband wears the rectangular case as a backpack, which frees his hands to carry other luggage. And we don’t just use it when we’re on the go—I keep it in the living room to corral our toddler while I clean the house. Living in New York City, where we have a tiny apartment, I truly appreciate its small footprint and even more compact storage size.

Amanda Goetz lives in New York City with her two daughters and husband. She is Director of Marketing for The Knot. When she’s not getting couples excited about finding their dream team of wedding vendors on The Knot, she’s running around Central Park with her jogging stroller or taking her girls to the amazing museums in NYC (dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum are the current go-to excursion).

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Guava Lotus Travel Crib Review: Best for a Family Trip?

Written by Becca

Updated on April 18th, 2024

Is the Guava Lotus a good travel crib to get for a trip with a baby? I review this travel crib and compare it to other popular travel cribs.

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Table of contents

• What is the Guava Lotus Travel Crib?
• Pros and cons of the Guava Lotus crib
• How to get the most out of your Guava travel crib
• What is the Guava brand?

Upon taking a few trips at the start of our child’s life, it became clear that a packable travel crib that didn’t break the bank was a priority.

In this review I’ll cover our thoughts on the Guava Lotus Travel Crib, and you can see for yourself if this is a travel product your family needs for an upcoming trip.

Guava was generous in gifting us the Lotus Travel Crib; however, all thoughts in this article are genuinely my own.

What is the Guava Lotus Travel Crib ?

Guava’s Lotus Travel Crib is a compact fold-out baby and child crib for travel. It has a nice and clean design with a mattress that sits at floor-level. It also has a zipper side “door” that we think is really cool. In my mind, the zipper side door is what makes this crib unique and sets it apart from the competition, like the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib.

The Guava Crib packs up into rectangularly-shaped travel bag that can be worn as a backpack, or carried like a duffel. For someone petite and short like me, this didn’t break my back, which was awesome.

Because the Lotus crib has the mattress suspended at floor level, it saves on material and clocks out at 15lbs in total. This makes it 50% lighter than many other travel cribs out there. For reference, the Graco Pack ‘n Play is 19+lbs.

Pros and cons of the Guava Lotus crib

The Guava Lotus Travel Crib is nice to look at, for sure. It also has usable features that make it memorable, if you’re testing out a few travel cribs and are deciding along a few, for your purchase.

Pro: the minimalist design

I like the design of this crib, and it’s certainly modern in that more and more travel cribs are being designed with mattresses that sit on the floor.

The poles are strong and slanted, with hinges on the tops of the legs. At the top, there’s a lightly padded perimeter to provide a soft area for children who can stand in the crib itself.

I haven’t seen the side zipper door access option on other travel cribs. This option is nice for a child of any age, really. You can reach in and take out an infant when a nap is done, or you can let a toddler crawl out onto the deck or some grass.

Using the Lotus crib as a “play yard” also creates openness with the side door. If a crawling child wants to keep toys in the crib and have that space, they can also crawl out to be social at a gathering or in a vacation home.

Pro: the backpack carry option

We have experience carrying travel cribs like the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light, and the Graco Pack ‘n Play . The Baby Bjorn crib carries like a large briefcase, and the Graco crib is just gigantic and has to be carried like a log.

The Guava Lotus crib , though, can be carried like a backpack . This makes it the kind of travel crib your family may see when you walk in for a holiday weekend and compliment it!

I carried the Lotus crib like a backpack and it felt okay! Given, most adults are taller, stronger and wider-shouldered than I am, so for someone else, it’s even more of a breeze.

Pro: size and total weight

The size of the Guava Lotus Crib is perfect. It fits children from newborn to age three. It weights 15 lbs in total, which makes it 2 lbs heavier than the BabyBjorn Crib and 4 lbs less than the Graco Pack ‘n Play .

Pro: the top shade (“Nap-Ready Fun Shade”)

The Lotus (when buying the Essentials set) comes with a bag of accessories: the crib sheet (included), and the top shade. The top shade is a great invention. You can use it to create either dim conditions for a nap and block out some light, or, use it as a sun shade when outside!

It could also be useful for keeping things like leaves and tree ruffage from falling into the crib if you’re using it outside on a deck, like I do.

Pro: the competitive price

While it’s not cheap like the Graco Pack ‘n Play , the Guava Lotus is also not on the expensive side like the BabyBjorn crib (see more at my BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light review ). It falls in the middle and often goes on sale.

When looking at options, make sure you sort out the different sets that are offered, as the basic Lotus package doesn’t contain a sheet. The top-tier “Adventure Set” also has a bug net and plush quilted sheet, in addition to the regular cotton sheet and top shade.

Con: folding it out or folding it up

This is where the Guava Lotus may fall short, in its ease of setting up. I lent my Guava crib to my sister and brother-in-law for a holiday weekend in Connecticut and they commented that setting it up was not as much of a cinch as expected. To quote my brother-in-law, it was “complicated.”

This may come from the need to get the fold right in order to snap the compression strap as part of the process. The mattress also folds kind of uniquely into the carrying case, so you’ve got to get that part right to get the crib frame fitting in properly.

I recommend watching the videos from the Guava YouTube channel to see if it looks like something you could get the hang of! I’m confident that in doing it a few times, any parent can do this fold-up repeatedly.

Overall, the fold is not quite as simple as the BabyBjorn crib , which takes the cake for “very easy” as far as folding up and folding back up goes. I didn’t even need to watch a video to figure it out.

How to get the most out of your Guava travel crib

Here are a few tips.

Use it outside

Guava’s products are made for being on the go, as well as outside the house. The top shade and the bug net are helpful accessories for using our Guava outside.

Use it as a play pen or play yard

As our baby doesn’t exactly like napping too much, we’re glad to have the play pen option with the Guava. You can see how it looks set up on the deck for daytime use.

Carry it as a backpack in the airport

The backpack carry straps that zip out of the carrying case are what make the Guava Lotus Crib worth it. The backpack style of carrying the entire crib in the bag makes the weight manageable for someone like me, when I need to transport the Guava Lotus .

Make use of the zipper side door

For nursing moms or anyone who rocks their baby to sleep, try sliding your child onto the mattress through the side, rather than via the top. This may be helpful for some babies.

What is the Guava brand?

Guava is a baby and child travel product brand making modern and aesthetically pleasing items for families. Guava doesn’t make too many products and only works in three product lines: crib, bassinet and stroller .

I have been getting ads on Instagram for months if not a year now, about Guava’s cool stroller . It folds up into a nice travel bag that can be worn as a backpack through an airport or on a trip.

The products are also smart and can work together as a system. The bassinet can convert into the travel crib with a few easy pieces and steps. This is good for babies who grow quickly, or growing families!

Guava knows that parents want to travel and see the world with their little ones, so what we appreciate about the brand is the thoughtfulness behind how these larger sleep and stroller products pack up for being on the go, and look good!

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5 SlumberPod Alternatives for Your Vacation

Planning a family vacation? Let’s talk about the SlumberPod and SlumberPod alternatives that will help everyone sleep better on the road .

The first time we traveled with our daughter as a baby, I really believed I had packed all the right gear to help her with sleep.

We had her Pack and Play , her favorite sleep sacks , her white noise machine, and all the other baby travel essentials I thought we needed.

But then as we were setting up her Pack N Play in our hotel room, I looked at the clock that said 7:00 PM, then to the window where the not-yet-set summer sun was peeking through the curtains and I thought, Hmm, how is this supposed to work?

All of a sudden, being in such close quarters with no way to hide ourselves or the ambient light from our daughter was proving to be a real problem.

Let’s just say that night didn’t go great.

We tried to piece together makeshift portable blackout curtains with some extra hotel blankets to create a dark room, and my husband and I huddled in the bathroom out of sight until our daughter finally fell asleep much later than we had hoped for.

Many families have a hard time when traveling and staying in such close quarters with their little ones.

I didn’t know it at the time, but there are actually privacy pods like the SlumberPod that would have made that first vacation go a lot more smoothly for us!

If you want to set yourself up for the best baby travel sleep , and maintain healthy sleep habits on the road, check out the SlumberPod and SlumberPod alternatives!

What is the SlumberPod ?

The SlumberPod is a blackout privacy pod that you place around your baby’s travel crib or Pack ‘N Play to create privacy and darkness for your baby even when room sharing with them.

It’s truly one of the best ways to make your baby’s room dark .

This is also a great way to give your baby their own space while room sharing in a hotel or at grandma’s house.

It’s bottomless and has a front panel with a zipper opening so you can place baby in it and easily peek on them.

There are a lot of great things about the SlumberPod that parents swear by.

First of all, it’s 100% blackout, so your baby is sure to get optimal sleep without daylight cutting naps or bedtime short.

Not only does the Slumber Pod keep out light, it also prevents your baby from being able to see you from their sleep space. This really comes in handy when you’re sharing a room on vacation, but your baby is used to having their own room at home.

The SlumberPod is easy to set up, safety tested, and made of breathable fabric that light blocking.

Because it has a larger height, it’s also good for older kids who still sleep in a Pack N Play. Many people shy away because of the price tag, but if you get a SlumberPod when your baby is young, you’ll be able to use it for a long time to help your whole family sleep on vacation.

If you’re familiar with camping and setting up tents, the SlumberPod is a breeze. But even if you’ve never set up a tent before, there are easy-to-follow instructions included.

Are There SlumberPod Alternatives?

Although there are a lot of things that make the SlumberPod great, some people say it’s too big, too hard to see into, or too expensive.

Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives on the market that address these issues and can still help your family get good sleep.

If you’re looking for a smaller or cheaper alternative, here are five of my favorite SlumberPod alternatives!

5 Alternatives to the SlumberPod

1. SnoozeShade

If you’re looking for a SlumberPod alternative that is cheaper and made specifically to fit around your Pack N Play, look no further than the SnoozeShade !

This is a great blackout solution for anyone who finds the SlumberPod too large or too expensive. At nearly half the price of the SlumberPod, the SnoozeShade is a great deal.

The SnoozeShade fabric cover is made to fit the Pack N Play’s specific dimensions (up to 41” by 30”), which means it’s shorter and has a smaller footprint than the SlumberPod.

It also boasts the ability to block 94% of the light outside. The SnoozeShade’s blackout ability makes it a favorite of parents who have babies who sleep best in dark spaces.

You’ll notice the Snooze Shade isn’t 100% blackout like the SlumberPod, but that also means the material it’s made from is a little bit thinner.

Plus, the SnoozeShade has side panels that you can raise to let light and breeze in (or just a quick peek in!) as needed.

See my full comparison of the SlumberPod vs SnoozeShade here.

2. Dofilachy Pack N Play Canopy Cover

The Dofilachy Pack N Play Canopy Cover is a budget version of the SnoozeShade . With a lower price tag, it’s the cheapest option on this list of SlumberPod alternatives.

Like the SnoozeShade, the Dofilachy is designed for use with the Pack N Play. It utilizes ties (as opposed to the SnoozeShade’s velcro straps) to secure the cover to the Pack N Play, so you’ll need to make sure you secure them tightly.

The Dofilachy advertises 75% light blocking, making it less darkening than others on this list. It’s also machine washable, and has plenty of positive reviews from customers who appreciate its affordability and function.

3. Guava’s Lotus Travel Crib With Shade

If you love the Guava Lotus Travel Crib then you can grab the Nap & Fun Shade travel gear to create darkness and privacy for babies or toddlers.

The Lotus Travel Crib and optional shade is a great pick for families who have babies that aren’t comfortable sleeping in a completely enclosed, darker environment.

Instead, the Lotus’ shade goes on one side of the travel crib, which is enough to block yourself from baby’s view, but doesn’t fully cover the entire crib.

The Lotus Travel Crib folds up compactly and fits in a carrying case with backpack straps, making it a breeze to add to your carry-on luggage.

It can also be used outside, making it at a great SlumberPod alternative as their product is not recommended for outdoor use.

3. Brolex Mini Crib Canopy Cover

Like the SnoozeShade and Dolfiachy canopy cover, the Brolex is fitted directly to your travel crib and has a smaller footprint than the Slumberpod.

The Brolex play yard cover features top and side mesh windows that you can unzip to allow for better airflow or visibility, while still creating a dark space for your baby.

What sets the Brolex apart is its stretchy fabric, which helps it to fit around many different brands of playpens, including the Pack N Play and the 4moms Breeze Playard .

While it’s not as cheap as the Dolfiachy, it’s more affordable than both the SlumberPod and SnoozeShade. It might be worth the extra investment for mini cribs that are larger than a standard Pack N Play!

5. Joovy Gloo Travel Tent

The Joovy Gloo Children’s Indoor and Outdoor Travel Tent is another option for families looking for a Slumberpod alternative that doesn’t have to fit directly over a play yard.

The Joovy Gloo is a portable travel tent with a compact size, making it perfect for a road trip or camping!

It comes in two sizes, so it works for babies as young as 6 months (the regular size is 44” long), or children as old as 5 (the large size is 51” long).

Even though this tent is not completely blackout, there are darkening panels around the top rated at SPF 50, providing sun protection. The tent’s lower portion is mesh, making it easy to peek in to check on your little one without unzipping the tent.

This is a great option for baby’s naps that may be on the go, especially if you won’t have a mini crib with you.

Where to Buy a SlumberPod

I recently saw the SlumberPod up close and personal and it is made of such high-quality materials. It also passes all applicable consumer product safety tests for baby products.

You can buy a SlumberPod blackout pod directly from their website.

Use the SlumberPod discount code THEPOSTPARTUMPARTY, to get 5% off and check out our tips for getting the best sleep with the SlumberPod .

Look through this list to see if a SlumberPod alternative is something you want. Otherwise, I highly recommend getting the real deal! Note that the SlumberPod is not approved for outdoor use, so if you want to go camping or to the beach, you should choose a different product.

What are some of the best alternatives to the SlumberPod that your family has found for overnight stays and your baby’s sleep? Leave a comment below and I’ll add more great options to this list!

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Product Review: Guava Family Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib

Sharing is caring!

If you’re in the market for a pack ‘n play, there are many inexpensive options out there that work just fine for occasional use. But if you travel frequently with your family and/or plan to have your baby nap often in a pack ‘n play, you may want to consider the Guava Family Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib . Yes, at around $200, it’s pricey. But it’s also lightweight, sleek, extremely safe, and ridiculously easy to set up, break down, and transport.

Photo Source: guavafamily.com

Guava Family claims on its website that the crib takes 15 seconds to set up. Let me tell you—they’re not lying! You simply remove the crib from the carry bag, unclip the strap, unfold the legs, pop the crib open, unfold the mattress, and set the mattress in the crib. Easy-peasy! And packing it all up is just as simple. You remove and fold up the mattress, push buttons in the center of the crib to fold it up, clip the strap, fold down the legs, and place the whole thing back in the travel bag. Even I could do it quickly without my husband’s help, which I’m embarrassed to say is a huge deal!

Here are some other cool features of the Lotus Crib:

• It’s very safe:  The Lotus is made of breathable mesh that allows full airflow and an unobstructed view of your child. The mesh sides go all the way down to the mattress—which sits on the ground—to create a safe, breathable sleep environment. All materials are free of toxic chemicals such as PVC, pthalates, lead, and flame retardants. And, the top rail locks automatically and hinges inwards instead of downwards like other pack ‘n plays, making the Lotus Crib strong and stable.
• It’s extremely portable:  At only 13 pounds, the Lotus Crib is much lighter than other pack ‘n plays, making it very easy to carry around—especially because the carry bag easily converts into a backpack! Guava Family is the only company in the world that makes cribs that pack into a backpack. It also fits within the carry-on allowance of all U.S. airlines, so you can travel with it without needing to check it.

• It accommodates bigger kids:  The mattress is 42 inches long and 24 inches wide, and the crib is 25 inches deep. The crib is the same depth as standard pack ‘n plays, but the mattress is three inches narrower and three inches longer. That means it can accommodate bigger kids—even up to age 3+—who’ve already outgrown standard pack ‘n plays, but it can also fit more easily in a tiny hotel room. Both of my 33-month-old twins could fit fairly comfortably while lying down in the Lotus Crib—not  enough that they could still get a ton of use out of it, but enough that they’d be able to sleep in it in a pinch! And because the mattress is supported by the ground, there is no weight limit for the Lotus Crib.
• It’s easy to clean:  The cover is easy to remove and machine washable, meaning you’ll never have to worry about spit-up, drool, or icky hotel germs.
• It’s beautiful:  With a sleek gray, white, and black design and pretty artwork on the legs, the Lotus is attractive and would blend in with any decor.

One downside to the Lotus Crib? Because the mattress has unique dimensions, standard pack ‘n play sheets don’t fit on it. That means you’d need to purchase sheets specifically made for the Lotus Crib, which are not the cheapest. You can buy the sheets and other Lotus accessories here, and I’d recommend air drying the sheets so they don’t shrink. You can also purchase a conversion kit to convert the crib into the Lotus Bassinet.

Overall, I think the Lotus Crib is worth the splurge if you plan to use your pack ‘n play often while traveling. If not, you’d probably be OK with a cheaper model.

BUY the Guava Family Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib HERE .

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Jennifer ODochartaigh

Thursday 10th of November 2016

Hi Jennifer, thanks for your review. We have twins and are considering this travel crib. Would we need 2 or would they both fit in 1?

Sunday 31st of August 2014

The reviews sounds like this is a total win and this does seem like the ideal crib for traveling. I am wondering tho how sturdy this crib is (for example compared to the Graco pack an play). Is it sturdy enough to be used as a play yard for toddlers? and if so what age/weight do you think this would be up too? I am trying to decide whether its best to go for the lotus travel crib and its light weight abilities or a heavy duty one so i can utilize it as a playyard as well. Obviously if i can get the best of both worlds that would be ideal! If you have any advice that would be greatly appreciated! thanks

Tuesday 23rd of June 2015

I have a Greco pack and play and the lotus crib. The lotus is so easy to set up that we don't even use the pack and play. It's sturdy and light weight. We took it on a road trip and it proved itself to be priceless! The set up takes literally 15 seconds. and taking it down is just as easy. You only need one person to set it up. The one time I used the pack and play I found the set up took more hand strength then I had. We got the sun sheild too and my little guy loves to go play in his fort.

• Travel Cribs

4moms Breeze Review

• Ease of Use - 35% 8.0
• Portability - 30% 2.0
• Comfort - 15% 5.0
• Quality - 15% 9.0
• EcoHealth - 5% 1.0

Compare to Similar Products

Our analysis and test results.

4moms was launched in 2005 by Henry Thorne and Rob Daley, a roboticist, and businessman looking for a new business venture. After researching various industries, the friends settled on the juvenile product industry as a good opportunity. Established under the parent company Thorley Industries the 4moms moniker comes from the first focus group for the company that helped provide insight that led to the development of the first product, an infant tub. Today, 4moms is a quickly growing company offering a variety of baby gear with a unique edge.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

The Breeze is one of the easiest options to set up and takedown in the review. It took us just over 8 minutes to set up the Breeze and just over 9 minutes with the bassinet. After multiple tests, we whittled that down to an average time of 2:22 minutes.

This crib is easy to set up with one button (above left) and snapping the bassinet in place over the top rails if you plan to use it (above right).

Affixing the mattress to the bottom is the hardest part as the Velcro tabs want to attach to the wrong place when you slide them through the bottom.

Portability

The Breeze is not the most portable option you can purchase. This travel crib is the second heaviest one in the group with a folded carrying case weight of 22 lbs and 12 oz, if you add the bassinet, the weight becomes 23.9 lbs. This weight is heavier than many parents want to carry for very long and could make traveling with the Breeze difficult. It is the largest folded option measuring 12.1"H x 30.7"L x 12.2"W in the travel bag. Fitting the crib in the carry bag is hard, and there are no directions. The bassinet doesn't fit at all, so you'll end up with two things to carry instead of one which decreases transportability. The carry bag handles are long so you could sling it over your shoulder, but the weight will prohibit most parents from doing so.

The Breeze offers average features for comfort. The Breeze has a standard one-inch mattress. It is polyurethane foam it is on the firm side and stiff compared to the competition. However, it doesn't compress as easily as some others, and it was more comfortable as a result. It is one of the easiest to get baby in and out of without discomfort to caregivers.

The Breeze is a top-quality choice with a price to match. The 4moms shines in the quality department with durable material and a sturdy frame. The mesh is very tight but scratchy, and the frame doesn't shake or move no matter where you push unlike most of the competition we tested. We didn't experience any issues related to quality, but at least one Amazon reviewer remarked that the bassinet began to sag after a few months of use.

The Breeze doesn't appear to give much consideration to eco-health. 4moms doesn't make any claims offering information on what their materials include, besides meeting both the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) requirements. However, this has nothing to do with flame retardants which are not legally required and have been proven harmful to the baby's health. The Center For Environmental Health (CEH) maintains a list of major brand manufacturers and their use of flame retardants . 4moms is not on this list.

Manufacturer Video

Best Travel Cribs

How to Pick the Right Travel Crib for You

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SlumberPod alternatives – blackout tents that cost less and still perform

If you’ve recently looked at the SlumberPod blackout tent but for whatever reason you are still looking for options, this post is for you! I’m going to explain why I love the SlumberPod but also what the best options are if you’re looking for an alternative.

I’ve owned and tested multiple pack n play blackout tents for the simple reason that I’m obsessed with good sleep.

Let’s get into it.

Use the DISCOUNT code “UPSIDEDAD” for $20 OFF or click the button below for your EXCLUSIVE discount!

What is the SlumberPod ?

The SlumberPod is a simple yet revolutionary solution to baby sleep while traveling . As a parent, you already know how hard it can be to have babies and toddlers sleep at home on a good day.

Now imagine how hard it can be to put your child to sleep while on vacation or away from home for the night?

There are so many factors that can make it almost impossible to get a good night sleep

• The crib is different
• The room is too bright
• You have to share your room with your baby
• The environment is too loud

And the list goes on…

SlumberPod set out to fix this problem. The SlumberPod blackout tent brings the coziness and darkness of home anywhere you go with your little ones.

Simply set up the SlumberPod blackout canopy and place it over any standard pack n play and you’ve just given your little his own dark and cozy space to sleep in.

SlumberPod does a few things differently, and better than their competitors:

• The pod extend above and beyond the pack n play allowing your child to not feel like he is locked in a box and also stand up if he needs to
• The material is 100% blackout. You can’t see anything inside the SlumberPod even if the lights are on in the room or the sun is shining.
• Everything is made from premium materials. The pod, the pockets, the carry bag, and the tent poles are all very high quality.

I recently did a very detailed SlumberPod review where I went over each and every feature of what I consider to be the best pack n play blackout tent. In my review I highlighted what was awesome about it and where they fell short. 

If you consider taking a second look at the SlumberPod you can use my discount code “UPSIDEDAD” for $20 off your new SlumberPod or just click the button below to have it applied automatically.

But if you’re looking for an alternative pack and play tent, I suggest you keep reading.

Why do I need a SlumberPod alternative?

If the SlumberPod is so great, then why would you need a Slumberpod alternative?

Maybe you’re just not ready to ditch out $170 for a sleep tent for your baby that you may only use once or twice. I get it, parenting can be expensive.

There are a few options out there that are significantly cheaper than the SlumberPod and that will do the job almost as well.

Another reason may be that your baby doesn’t need complete darkness to sleep. Maybe your baby sleeps no matter where and when and you just want to give them a little privacy when room sharing in a hotel or at grandma’s house.

Finally, many parents simply don’t really care for the best of the best when it comes to this stuff.

Maybe you are planning a weekend away this month but you’re not really sure when you will go away next. 

Some of the alternatives on our list are perfect for a rare getaway with the family and won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

There are many reasons why someone may want a baby sleep pod solution that is NOT a Slumberpod and that’s exactly why I put together this comparison of the best SlumberPod alternatives.

What are the best alternatives to the SlumberPod?

The SlumberPod is still my favorite baby blackout tent, but some parents may be looking for a simpler, smaller, cheaper alternative. 

Here are my choices for the best SlumberPod Alternatives:

• SnoozeShade Pack n Play Canopy
• Guava Lotus Travel Crib
• Milliard Darkening Tent
• Minnebaby Darkening Cover
• EasyGo ZZZ Crib Canopy Blackout Tent

Here is a brief review of each of my favorite SlumberPod alternatives:

1. SnoozeShade Pack N Play Crib Canopy and Tent

The SnoozeShade is my second favorite sleep tent. I actually bought this sleep tent because I wanted to see the differences between the Snoozeshade and the SlumberPod in person. I even wrote a detailed comparison between the two.

You can see my Snoozeshade vs SlumberPod comparison here .

The Snoozeshade is super easy to set up, even easier than the SlumberPod. You simply drape the material over your Pack n Play and tie each corner down on the legs – done.

The SnoozeShade is proven to block 94% of light. It is not a FULL blackout tent but it makes the sleep area much darker while providing your baby some much needed privacy. 

Unlike the Slumberpod, the Snoozeshade is VERY breathable. The air-permeable fabric ensures your baby won’t be stuffy in the Snoozeshade.

Finally, the Snoozeshade is significantly cheaper than the Slumber pod. If you’re looking for a good quality alternative to the SlumberPod I recommend checking out the SnoozeShade.

Check out my detailed review of the SnozeShade for more info. You can also find the SnoozeShade on Amazon or at SnoozeShade.com for 10% OFF with my discount code “UPSIDEDAD”

2. Guava Lotus Travel Crib

Guava’s Lotus crib is built to travel and a solid alternative to Slumberpod. Guava is a reputable brand which does matter to me compared with some of the knock offs I see on Amazon.

The Lotus is incredibly lightweight, yet sturdy, making it super easy to bring along. I especially love that it packs up into it’s own included carry bag—no need for lugging around a bulky, heavy travel crib. Plus, it takes less than a minute to fully set up.

I like that it doubles as a play pen and “safe area” for our little one to play on the road.

The design is not only unbelievably convenient, but also very safe. The sturdy frame and tear-resistant material make the Lotus one of the most durable and secure travel cribs available. I also love that it meets or exceed ASTM International safety standards .

I purchased mine via Amazon at this listing here .

3. Milliard Darkening Tent for Pack N Play

The Milliard darkening sleep tent is very similar to the SnoozeShade. The design is pretty much the same.

The tent goes right onto your pack n play and attaches to the bottom of each leg.

The material for the Milliard pod is actually thicker on top and gives slightly better darkness inside the playard. The sides are thinner and lighter so there is a ton of airflow as well.

They use a patent-pending secure attachment system that prevents babies from pulling the tent off the pack n play which makes it one of the safest alternatives to the SlumberPod.

The Milliard darkening sleep tent folds flat and compact making it perfect for travel.

This cool sleep tent also comes in at less than a quarter of the price of the SlumberPod.

Check out the Milliard sleep tent on Amazon.com for the best price.

4. EasyGoProdcuts EGP ZZZ Play & Crib Canopy Blackout Instant Tent

The EGP ZZZ crib canopy tent is a super simple alternative to making your baby’s pack n play dark and safe. It pops open like a beach tent and requires NO assembly at all! Just take it out of the bag, pull it apart lightly and the whole tent will come open in seconds.

This is not a full blackout tent but it will do the job and make it dark enough for most babies to fall asleep.

The material is also not so breathable so I suggest leaving the windows open for optimal airflow.

Putting the ZZZ sleep tent back in the bag can take some practice but if you follow the instructions there is no going wrong. Once you get the hang of it is becomes really easy and quick to pack up.

The ZZZ crib canopy is 38”W x 54”L x 57”H and will fit over a standard pack n play travel crib.

This is a great budget option for parents looking to get a tent that’s easy to assemble and carry around.

Check out the EasyGoProdcuts EGP ZZZ Play & Crib Canopy Blackout Instant Tent on amazon.com.

5. Minnebaby Darkening Cover for Pack N Play

The Minnebaby darkening cover for Pack n Play is another baby sleep tent that follows the same principle as the SnoozeShade. The darkening cover is draped over your playard and securely tied to each foot.

The Minnebaby darkening tent is made from a breathable fabric that provides great airflow inside the pack n play. Additionally, it has 3 window panels; one on top and two on the sides.

It weighs less than 2 pounds and folds compactly in the provided carry case. It’s so easy to throw in your diaper bag or carry on luggage no matter where you go.

Minnebaby is compatible with all standard size pack n play and portable cribs measuring up to 37.5” x 25.5”.

The Minnebaby is very comparable to the Milliard cover and comes in at about the same price which is about one-quarter of the price of the SlumberPod, making this baby sleep tent another great option for parents looking to spend less.

Check out the Minnebaby pack n play tent on amazon.com

Paul is a passionate dad who founded Upside Dad to share his parenting journey with other new parents. He graduated from Concordia University and worked as a test engineer for over a decade. Paul loves dad jokes and craft beer. Learn more about Paul and Upside Dad here .

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The Comprehensive Guide to Moscow Nightlife

• Posted on April 14, 2018 July 26, 2018
• by Kings of Russia
• 8 minute read

Moscow’s nightlife scene is thriving, and arguably one of the best the world has to offer – top-notch Russian women, coupled with a never-ending list of venues, Moscow has a little bit of something for everyone’s taste. Moscow nightlife is not for the faint of heart – and if you’re coming, you better be ready to go Friday and Saturday night into the early morning.

This comprehensive guide to Moscow nightlife will run you through the nuts and bolts of all you need to know about Moscow’s nightclubs and give you a solid blueprint to operate with during your time in Moscow.

What you need to know before hitting Moscow nightclubs

Prices in moscow nightlife.

Before you head out and start gaming all the sexy Moscow girls , we have to talk money first. Bring plenty because in Moscow you can never bring a big enough bankroll. Remember, you’re the man so making a fuzz of not paying a drink here or there will not go down well.

Luckily most Moscow clubs don’t do cover fees. Some electro clubs will charge 15-20$, depending on their lineup. There’s the odd club with a minimum spend of 20-30$, which you’ll drop on drinks easily. By and large, you can scope out the venues for free, which is a big plus.

Bottle service is a great deal in Moscow. At top-tier clubs, it starts at 1,000$. That’ll go a long way with premium vodka at 250$, especially if you have three or four guys chipping in. Not to mention that it’s a massive status boost for getting girls, especially at high-end clubs.

Without bottle service, you should estimate a budget of 100-150$ per night. That is if you drink a lot and hit the top clubs with the hottest girls. Scale down for less alcohol and more basic places.

Dress code & Face control

Door policy in Moscow is called “face control” and it’s always the guy behind the two gorillas that gives the green light if you’re in or out.

In Moscow nightlife there’s only one rule when it comes to dress codes:

You can never be underdressed.

People dress A LOT sharper than, say, in the US and that goes for both sexes. For high-end clubs, you definitely want to roll with a sharp blazer and a pocket square, not to mention dress shoes in tip-top condition. Those are the minimum requirements to level the playing field vis a vis with other sharply dressed guys that have a lot more money than you do. Unless you plan to hit explicit electro or underground clubs, which have their own dress code, you are always on the money with that style.

Getting in a Moscow club isn’t as hard as it seems: dress sharp, speak English at the door and look like you’re in the mood to spend all that money that you supposedly have (even if you don’t). That will open almost any door in Moscow’s nightlife for you.

Types of Moscow Nightclubs

In Moscow there are four types of clubs with the accompanying female clientele:

High-end clubs:

These are often crossovers between restaurants and clubs with lots of tables and very little space to dance. Heavy accent on bottle service most of the time but you can work the room from the bar as well. The hottest and most expensive girls in Moscow go there. Bring deep pockets and lots of self-confidence and you have a shot at swooping them.

Regular Mid-level clubs:

They probably resemble more what you’re used to in a nightclub: big dancefloors, stages and more space to roam around. Bottle service will make you stand out more but you can also do well without. You can find all types of girls but most will be in the 6-8 range. Your targets should always be the girls drinking and ideally in pairs. It’s impossible not to swoop if your game is at least half-decent.

Basic clubs/dive bars:

Usually spots with very cheap booze and lax face control. If you’re dressed too sharp and speak no Russian, you might attract the wrong type of attention so be vigilant. If you know the local scene you can swoop 6s and 7s almost at will. Usually students and girls from the suburbs.

Electro/underground clubs:

Home of the hipsters and creatives. Parties there don’t mean meeting girls and getting drunk but doing pills and spacing out to the music. Lots of attractive hipster girls if that is your niche. That is its own scene with a different dress code as well.

What time to go out in Moscow

Moscow nightlife starts late. Don’t show up at bars and preparty spots before 11pm because you’ll feel fairly alone. Peak time is between 1am and 3am. That is also the time of Moscow nightlife’s biggest nuisance: concerts by artists you won’t know and who only distract your girls from drinking and being gamed. From 4am to 6am the regular clubs are emptying out but plenty of people, women included, still hit up one of the many afterparty clubs. Those last till well past 10am.

As far as days go: Fridays and Saturdays are peak days. Thursday is an OK day, all other days are fairly weak and you have to know the right venues.

The Ultimate Moscow Nightclub List

Short disclaimer: I didn’t add basic and electro clubs since you’re coming for the girls, not for the music. This list will give you more options than you’ll be able to handle on a weekend.

Preparty – start here at 11PM

Classic restaurant club with lots of tables and a smallish bar and dancefloor. Come here between 11pm and 12am when the concert is over and they start with the actual party. Even early in the night tons of sexy women here, who lean slightly older (25 and up).

The second floor of the Ugolek restaurant is an extra bar with dim lights and house music tunes. Very small and cozy with a slight hipster vibe but generally draws plenty of attractive women too. A bit slower vibe than Valenok.

Very cool, spread-out venue that has a modern library theme. Not always full with people but when it is, it’s brimming with top-tier women. Slow vibe here and better for grabbing contacts and moving on.

High-end: err on the side of being too early rather than too late because of face control.

Secret Room

Probably the top venue at the moment in Moscow . Very small but wildly popular club, which is crammed with tables but always packed. They do parties on Thursdays and Sundays as well. This club has a hip-hop/high-end theme, meaning most girls are gold diggers, IG models, and tattooed hip hop chicks. Very unfavorable logistics because there is almost no room no move inside the club but the party vibe makes it worth it. Strict face control.

Close to Secret Room and with a much more favorable and spacious three-part layout. This place attracts very hot women but also lots of ball busters and fakes that will leave you blue-balled. Come early because after 4am it starts getting empty fast. Electronic music.

A slightly kitsch restaurant club that plays Russian pop and is full of gold diggers, semi-pros, and men from the Caucasus republics. Thursday is the strongest night but that dynamic might be changing since Secret Room opened its doors. You can swoop here but it will be a struggle.

Mid-level: your sweet spot in terms of ease and attractiveness of girls for an average budget.

Started going downwards in 2018 due to lax face control and this might get even worse with the World Cup. In terms of layout one of the best Moscow nightclubs because it’s very big and bottle service gives you a good edge here. Still attracts lots of cute girls with loose morals but plenty of provincial girls (and guys) as well. Swooping is fairly easy here.

I haven’t been at this place in over a year, ever since it started becoming ground zero for drunken teenagers. Similar clientele to Icon but less chic, younger and drunker. Decent mainstream music that attracts plenty of tourists. Girls are easy here as well.

Sort of a Coyote Ugly (the real one in Moscow sucks) with party music and lots of drunken people licking each others’ faces. Very entertaining with the right amount of alcohol and very easy to pull in there. Don’t think about staying sober in here, you’ll hate it.

Artel Bessonitsa/Shakti Terrace

Electronic music club that is sort of a high-end place with an underground clientele and located between the teenager clubs Icon and Gipsy. Very good music but a bit all over the place with their vibe and their branding. You can swoop almost any type of girl here from high-heeled beauty to coked-up hipsters, provided they’re not too sober.

Afterparty: if by 5AM  you haven’t pulled, it’s time to move here.

Best afterparty spot in terms of trying to get girls. Pretty much no one is sober in there and savage gorilla game goes a long way. Lots of very hot and slutty-looking girls but it can be hard to tell apart who is looking for dick and who is just on drugs but not interested. If by 9-10am you haven’t pulled, it is probably better to surrender.

The hipster alternative for afterparties, where even more drugs are in play. Plenty of attractive girls there but you have to know how to work this type of club. A nicer atmosphere and better music but if you’re desperate to pull, you’ll probably go to Miks.

Weekday jokers: if you’re on the hunt for some sexy Russian girls during the week, here are two tips to make your life easier.

Chesterfield

Ladies night on Wednesdays means this place gets pretty packed with smashed teenagers and 6s and 7s. Don’t pull out the three-piece suit in here because it’s a “simpler” crowd. Definitely your best shot on Wednesdays.

If you haven’t pulled at Chesterfield, you can throw a Hail Mary and hit up Garage’s Black Music Wednesdays. Fills up really late but there are some cute Black Music groupies in here. Very small club. Thursday through Saturday they do afterparties and you have an excellent shot and swooping girls that are probably high.

Shishas Sferum

This is pretty much your only shot on Mondays and Tuesdays because they offer free or almost free drinks for women. A fairly low-class club where you should watch your drinks. As always the case in Moscow, there will be cute girls here on any day of the week but it’s nowhere near as good as on the weekend.

In a nutshell, that is all you need to know about where to meet Moscow girls in nightlife. There are tons of options, and it all depends on what best fits your style, based on the type of girls that you’re looking for.

Related Topics

• moscow girls
• moscow nightlife

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

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Most Beautiful Metro Stations in Moscow

Visiting Moscow? Get yourself a metro card and explore Moscow’s beautiful metro stations. Moscow’s world-famous metro system is efficient and a great way to get from A to B. But there is more to it; Soviet mosaic decorations, exuberant halls with chandeliers, colourful paintings and immense statues. Moscow’s metro is an attraction itself, so take half a day and dive into Moscow’s underground!

The best thing to do is to get on the brown circle (number 5) line since the most beautiful metro stations are situated on this line. The only exception is the metro stop Mayakovskaya one the green line (number 2). My suggestion is to get a map, mark these metro stops on there and hop on the metro. It helps to get an English > Russian map to better understand the names of the stops. At some of the metro stops, the microphone voice speaks Russian and English so it’s not difficult at all.

Another thing we found out, is that it’s worth taking the escalator and explore the other corridors to discover how beautiful the full station is.

Quick hotel suggestion for Moscow is the amazing Brick Design Hotel .

These are my favourite metro stations in Moscow, in order of my personal preference:

1. Mayakovskaya Station

The metro station of Mayakovskaya looks like a ballroom! Wide arches, huge domes with lamps and mosaic works make your exit of the metro overwhelming. Look up and you will see the many colourful mosaics with typical Soviet pictures. Mayakovskaya is my personal favourite and is the only stop not on the brown line but on the green line.

2. Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya metro station is famous for its yellow ceiling. An average museum is nothing compared to this stop. Splendour all over the place, black and gold, mosaic – again – and enormous chandeliers that made my lamp at home look like a toy.

3. Novoslobodskaya Station

The pillars in the main hall of Novoslobodskaya metro station have the most colourful stained glass decorations. The golden arches and the golden mosaic with a naked lady holding a baby in front of the Soviet hammer and sickle, make the drama complete.

4. Prospect Mira Station

The beautiful chandeliers and the lines in the ceiling, make Prospekt Mira an architectural masterpiece.

5. Belorusskaya Station

Prestigious arches, octagonal shapes of Socialistic Soviet Republic mosaics. The eyecatcher of Belorusskaya metro station, however, is the enormous statue of three men with long coats, holding guns and a flag.

6. Kiyevskaya Station

The metro station of Kiyevskaya is a bit more romantic than Belorusskaya and Prospect Mira. Beautiful paintings with classical decorations.

7. Taganskaya Station

At the main hall Taganskaya metro station you will find triangle light blue and white decorations that are an ode to various Russians that – I assume – are important for Russian history and victory. There is no need to explore others halls of Taganskaya, this is it.

8. Paveletskaya Station

Another and most definitely the less beautiful outrageous huge golden mosaic covers one of the walls of Paveletskaya. I would recommend taking the escalator to the exit upstairs to admire the turquoise dome and a painting of the St Basil’s Cathedral in a wooden frame.

Travelling with Moscow’s metro is inexpensive. You can have a lot of joy for just a few Rubbles.

• 1 single journey: RMB 50 – € 0,70
• 1 day ticket: RMB 210 – € 2,95

Like to know about Moscow, travelling in Russia or the Transsiberian Train journey ? Read my other articles about Russia .

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Wow! It is beautiful. I am still dreaming of Moscow one day.

It’s absolutely beautiful! Moscow is a great city trip destination and really surprised me in many ways.

My partner and I did a self guided Moscow Metro tour when we were there 2 years ago. So many breathtaking platforms…I highly recommend it! Most of my favorites were along the Brown 5 line, as well. I also loved Mayakovskaya, Arbatskaya, Aleksandrovski Sad and Ploshchad Revolyutsii. We’re heading back in a few weeks and plan to do Metro Tour-Part 2. We hope to see the #5 stations we missed before, as well as explore some of the Dark Blue #3 (Park Pobedy and Slavyansky Bul’var, for sure), Yellow #8 and Olive #10 platforms.

That’s exciting Julia! Curious to see your Metro Tour-Part 2 experience and the stations you discovered.

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Kuznetski Most area in Moscow

Kuznetski Most is a small area between Tverskaya street, Kremlin, and Kitai Gorod (Lubyanka) and it's a downtown of Moscow. First of all, 'Kuznya' is a great place to walk: it is a real Moscow area, not a postcard at all, hectic busy streets neighbour tranquil lanes and courtyards with traditional architecture. There are also many very nice cafes, restaurants, clubs, and shops. If you want a cool place to meet people, go for a walk and to get the real feeling of the city, check out this area.

Long time ago there were only half-broken low wooden houses in Kuznetski Most area, and it was the place where poor blacksmithes lived. Blacksmith is 'Kuznets' in Russia, hence the name. In the beginning of the street (on top) there was a bridge over a small river, later this river was put underground, so there's no bridge anymore. About 200 years ago there was a rich Moscovitan noble buying this area. He immediately put away all the blacksmiths' houses and started to build a fancy new district. Just in few years he built up beautiful houses, with impressive ornaments, rich decoration, pools in the courtyards. Also, he opened some French boutiques in the area. That's when Kuznetski Most started to become fashionable. In a short time all the elite moved to this  area, and those who wasn't so fast were coming here to make some shopping and to sit in many of the restaurants and cafes around.  In the 20th century, when the communist times arrived, most of the buildings were given to government offices, some were given to soviet shops. The area became boring, the architecture was slowly deteriorating , but nobody seemed to care. In the beginning of the 90s  the area was revived again: the buildings were  restored , there was many new cafes being opened, boutiques, and shops. One important landmark of Kuznetsky Most is that it's home to FSB (Federal Security Bureau - former KGB) offices, and if you walk along Kuznetsky Most street you can get to the FSB reception, which is open 24 hours (in case you have something to report).  

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