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Traveling with a baby changes everything about vacations—and having a reliable travel crib makes the difference between maintaining precious sleep schedules and facing vacation chaos. Parents need sleep solutions that prioritize safety while being practical enough to transport through airports or pack into already-crowded cars.

The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that babies need a firm, flat sleep surface wherever they are to reduce SIDS risk—meaning those cute hotel bassinets with fluffy padding aren’t actually meeting safety guidelines. Modern travel cribs like the Guava Lotus and BabyBjörn have transformed parents’ options with designs that fold compactly, weigh under 15 pounds, and set up in minutes.

Can you use a travel crib as a regular crib?

Travel cribs can absolutely serve as a primary sleep space, provided they meet all safety standards for infant sleep. The AAP confirms that any crib—travel or standard—should have a firm mattress with a fitted sheet and nothing else inside (no blankets, pillows, or toys).

What makes travel cribs different from standard cribs? They typically have:

  • Lighter-weight frames and thinner mattresses
  • Lower weight limits (usually around 30 pounds)
  • Smaller sleeping areas
  • No adjustable mattress heights

For everyday use, parents should consider that placing babies in travel cribs requires bending down further, which might strain backs after c-section recovery or with everyday use. And while the mattresses meet safety standards, some babies may find them less comfortable for long-term use than traditional crib mattresses.

Do I need a travel crib?

A travel crib belongs on the must-have list for families who:

  • Regularly visit friends or family without baby gear
  • Travel overnight more than 2-3 times annually
  • Have babies sensitive to sleep environment changes
  • Need a safe space for baby to play while visiting non-childproofed homes

Sleep experts have found that maintaining regular sleep schedules and environments is important for health outcomes. Travel cribs provide that familiar “sleep cue” that signals to babies it’s time to rest, even in new surroundings.

Many parents find that travel cribs also serve double-duty as safe play spaces at home, making them practical investments beyond just travel. For working parents with mobile babies, travel cribs can create contained play areas during quick Zoom meetings or important phone calls.

Ready to see which travel cribs made the list? Here are the six options that stand out for safety, portability, and ease of use in 2025.

The best travel cribs

baby bjorn travel crib light

$229.99

Weighing in at only 13 pounds, this travel crib is not only super light, but significantly lighter than pretty much any other version out there. It’s compact enough to easily carry with one hand or even pack in a suitcase, making it perfect for just about any type of family adventure. And setup is super easy; once you get the hang of it, it takes about a minute until it’s ready to go.

Comfort-wise, the Baby Bjorn scores big points. The mattress is much comfier than most other travel cribs on the market that we’ve tried, and the mesh sides allow for great airflow so you won’t have to worry about your little one pressing her head up against the sides. We also love that it comes with a 100% organic cotton fitted sheet, so it’s ready to go right out of the box. The Baby Bjorn works for kiddos up to 35 pounds so it’s truly worth the investment.

Dimensions: 44 x 24 x 32 inches
Newton Baby Travel Crib & Play Yard

$299.99

The updated Travel Crib & Play Yard from Newton Baby made our list for a few standout reasons. For one thing, the pad features the same ultra-breathable patented technology as their award-winning mattresses, which reduces suffocation risk but also allows our hot sleepers to snooze more comfortably. It’s also considerably larger than other styles–a bonus for little ones who tend to steamroll all over the place. (Not to mention the extended use.) That said, it still weighs in at just 17 pounds!

The most recent version is now a whole lot easier to disassemble, requiring just a few simple steps that won’t have you cursing and sweating as you try to cram it back into the bag. The only downside is that the bassinet insert is sold separately.

Dimensions: 51 x 34.5 x 28.5

breeze go crib

$239.99

There may be a lot of complicated things to figure out during your motherhood journey, but this travel crib isn’t one of them.

With one simple push, it is ready to, well… go. Seriously, it’s that easy. (Closing it is just as simple, with a pull instead of a push.) It’s also one of the larger cribs on our list, and is suitable for babes up to 30 pounds, making it the perfect choice for a family who’s looking to get a lot of mileage out of their travel crib.

It’s so easy to open, close, and wheel around that it can also double as a portable play yard for an on-the-move mama who needs a safe place for baby throughout the house.

Dimensions: ‎43 x 30 x 29 inches

UPPAbaby Remi Travel Crib an Playard

$299

Need a sleep solution that works as hard as you do? The UPPAbaby REMI playard brings the brand’s signature style and thoughtful engineering to the travel crib category. With its intuitive one-handed setup mechanism, you can have it ready in seconds—perfect for when you’re juggling a baby, diaper bag, and your sanity all at once. The REMI features a comfortable, raised sleeping surface that keeps baby cozy while making those middle-of-the-night check-ins easier on your back (postpartum moms, rejoice!). There’s also a convenient zipper along one side panel so you can comfort or feed your baby without having to take them out.

What makes this playard extra special is its versatility. The included bassinet attachment creates a perfect newborn napping spot that can be used from day one, while the sturdy main structure supports toddlers up to 30 pounds. When it’s time to pack up, the REMI collapses into a surprisingly compact travel bag that won’t take over your trunk space. And true to UPPAbaby’s reputation for quality, the premium fabrics are removable and machine-washable—because we all know what happens when babies and travel mix!

Parents particularly love the mesh sides that provide excellent airflow and visibility, allowing you to keep an eye on your little one from anywhere in the room. Whether you’re visiting the grandparents or settling into a hotel room, the REMI creates that crucial sense of “home” that helps maintain sleep routines, even when everything else about travel with kids feels unpredictable!

Dimensions: 40.5 x 29.5 x 29 inches

guava family lotus

$229.95

Described as an ‘everywhere’ crib, the Lotus boasts a setup time of 15 seconds, fits in a carry-on, and folds down into a bag with convertible backpack straps for extra-easy transport. Featuring a 42″ x 24″ mattress, it’s the largest crib on our list, leaving plenty of room for your little one to grow. It’s also completely breathable, allowing for great airflow and an unobstructed view of your babe. But what sets it apart (and makes it truly an “everywhere” kind of product) is that the mattress actually sits on the ground. Why? Well a couple reasons. For one thing, it keeps it quieter if they toss and turn. It also makes the design much easier to store and transport.

The most fun feature? A side door, which can be zipped open and closed—only by you, of course!—turning the Lotus into a fun play space that your little one will love going in and out of on her own. (And as a bonus, it makes it easier to lay alongside and snuggle or nurse them if you need to!) Take it to the beach, the park, the backyard and everywhere else in between!

Dimensions: 45.5 x 31.5 x 25.5 inches

Silver Cross Sleep and Go Travel Crib

$299.99

Looking for British elegance meets practical portability? The Silver Cross Sleep and Go travel crib brings the brand’s legendary quality into a versatile sleep solution that grows with your baby. Setting up in mere moments with an easy pop-up mechanism, this crib transitions seamlessly from newborn bassinet to toddler play space with its adjustable height settings—meaning you won’t be kneeling on hotel floors for those late-night pacifier replacements (your knees will thank you!).

What parents especially love about the Sleep and Go is its thoughtful extras. The padded mattress offers genuine comfort for sensitive sleepers, while the sleek, neutral design means it won’t clash with even the most stylish vacation rental’s décor. The sturdy aluminum frame provides exceptional stability without adding unnecessary weight, and the entire unit folds flat into its included travel bag—perfect for squeezing into that already-packed car trunk or checking with your luggage.

The all-around mesh panels provide 360° visibility and ventilation, letting you monitor naptime from any angle while ensuring perfect airflow during warm weather getaways. Whether you’re using it for overnight visits to grandparents or as a convenient nap spot during long weekends away, the Sleep and Go creates a comfortable sleep sanctuary that helps maintain bedtime routines no matter where your family adventures take you!

A version of this post was published July 6, 2018. It has been updated.