The 5 Best Travel Cribs, According To Parents And Travel Experts

Traveling with a baby poses all kinds of challenges, from forgotten must-haves to airplane tantrums. Yet some of the biggest stressors for parents revolve around naps and bedtime. At home, babies and toddlers usually have familiar sleep routines and the comfort of their own crib or toddler bed. On the road, new places can make things a lot tougher, but packing the best travel crib can make the process easier. “A travel crib is a compact and portable sleep solution, which is easy to set up and break down. These are generally different from pack and plays because they are only intended for sleep,” says Sarah Huff, the resident gear expert at Babyquip, a travel rental service. “This is especially important for small children, who need consistency to maintain a sleep schedule, familiarity, comfort when away from home, and protection from germs and other undesirable sleep situations.” Here are the best travel cribs to make your next trip with little ones a little smoother. Why Trust Forbes Vetted At Forbes Vetted, our parenting editors and writers have spent thousands of hours researching and testing the best baby and kids products. Author Christina Montoya Fiedler is a mom of two and an experienced parenting writer. She’s contributed to a wide range of publications, including Baby Center and Romper. Although her children are well past the travel crib stage, she still clearly remembers the urgent need to find a safe place for them to sleep while away from home. Our recommendations adhere to the latest safety standards, including those from the Journal of American Medicine Association (JAMA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics. For this article, we sought the expertise of baby gear experts Sarah Huff of BabyQuip and Joylet’s Alli Cavasino, both of whom have extensive experience in testing and recommending a range of baby-related products like travel cribs. We also review this article regularly to ensure accuracy. It was last updated in September 2024 with a new pick for the best travel crib for infants, the Sliver Cross Sleep & Go. How We Chose The Best Travel Cribs To identify the best travel cribs, we combined firsthand experience, expert advice and deep market research. As we evaluated each product, we kept new parents in mind, looking for the easiest setups, the lightest options and the most secure sleeping spaces. We considered various factors including price, dimensions and additional features like size zippers and detachable bassinets. We gathered firsthand feedback from parents who’d tried the products. There’s no better judge than a parent who used a product and had success. What To Look For In The Best Travel Cribs Alli Cavasino, the co-founder and CEO of Joylet, says there are five features to pay attention to when choosing a travel crib—safety, portability, functionality, ventilation and durability. “Look for a lightweight design with a compact fold for easy transportation and [something that is] quick and simple to assemble and disassemble, ideally without additional tools,” says Cavasino. “Ensure the crib meets safety standards and has sturdy construction to support your baby securely, even after frequent use and travel. Finally, choose a crib with mesh sides for improved airflow and visibility.” Safety Certifications from JPMA Certification (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) and other safety-regulating groups Breathable materials Sturdy sides and firm, flat mattresses Well-established weight and/or height restrictions Portability Size of travel crib when assembled and folded Lightweight design Functionality Ease of set up Durability Material and manufacturing that can withstand frequent use and travel