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As parents, we want the best for our children, whether it be food, clothes, diapers, toys, or where they sleep. One of the most agonizing choices new parents have to make is which crib to buy.
There are a million different reviews and a million different models to look at and it’s so easy to get overwhelmed, so we have pared down the next level of the crib buying process for you: choosing a portable crib.
Whether you are a family that travels, or you are just hoping to drop your baby off at grandma’s house for a good night’s sleep, these cribs have got you covered.
We have assembled a list of the eight best porta cribs currently on the market, assessing them on affordability, ease of assembly and disassembly, and durability – how long they will last, especially considering the age ranges they are suited to.
We have ensured that all of the cribs listed below are up to the highest standard of safety and included cribs from a variety of price ranges, so a portable crib is accessible to all budgets.
Additionally, refer to our crib buying guide for advice on how to choose the best portable crib for grandma’s house
You might need a pack n play. Read our best playard reviews
Table of Contents
Best portable crib for grandma’s house
Under $300
1) 4moms Breeze Plus Portable Playard
Item Dimensions:
- Length: 40 inches
- Width: 30 inches
- Height: 29 inches
- Weight: 23 pounds
Features:
- Includes a removable bassinet and baby changing station
- Crib accommodates a maximum weight of 30 pounds
- Changing station accommodates a maximum weight of 25 pounds
- Bassinet accommodates a maximum weight of 18 pounds
- One-handed setup and collapse
Although it is the most expensive crib on the list, the 4moms Breeze Plus Portable Playard is by far the most versatile of the cribs on this list.
Not only does featuring a bassinet for younger babies to sleep in, but it also has a detachable changing station that flips up over the top of the playard, essentially making this crib a three-in-one combo.
The playard portion can also easily be used as an overnight crib when children outgrow the bassinet portion as well as a safely contained play area with translucent siding for safe supervision.
The Breeze Plus is also easy to clean by wiping with a damp rag – it does not feature a standard removable mattress in the crib or bassinet portion to maintain a high level of safety.
A busy mom’s favorite, the Breeze Plus can also be set up or collapsed with one hand by pressing or pulling up on the crib and packs neatly away into a travel bag for easy portability!
The only downside to the Breeze Plus is its upper weight limit: the crib portion is only usable up to 30 pounds, so most children age out of it by three years old, but it’s definitely still an excellent option for babies and children up to two years old.
2) BABYBJORN Travel Crib Light
Item Dimensions:
- Length: 44 inches
- Width: 25 inches
- Height: 32 inches
- Weight: 13 pounds
Features:
- Translucent sides for good supervision
- No upper weight limit; suits children up to 3 years old
- Washable crib pad and mattress cover
- Easy set up in one movement
- Collapses into travel bag
Lightweight and easy to collapse, the BABYBJORN travel crib is one of the most portable and stylish options on the list! This crib has rave reviews from all who have used it, and those reviews definitely hold true.
What makes the BABYBJORN stand out the most is its soft, plush mattress – many portable cribs tend to skimp on padding for the sake of portability, but the BABYBJORN gives users the best of both worlds.
Even better, the mattress and mattress cover are easy to remove and machine washable with very little hassle. The BABYBJORN also emphasizes convenience, making it easy to set up and collapse in just one movement.
A bonus: this crib packs neatly away into a travel bag that can be taken as a carry-on in most standard airplanes.
Finally, the BABYBJORN has no upper weight limit, meaning it can suit children and be used as a playpen much longer than models with weight limits.
Under $250
3) Dream On Me Full Size 2-in-1 Folding Stationary Side Crib – Best portable crib for grandma’s house
Item Dimensions:
- Length: 40 inches
- Width: 26 inches
- Height: 38 inches
- Weight: 30.5 pounds
Features:
- Accommodates a 50-pound upper weight limit
- Folds flat for easy storage and enhanced portability
- Teething guard along railings and sides
- Available in seven stylish colors with minimalist design
The Dream On Me 2-in-1 is a gorgeous stationary crib with an easily collapsible setting for quick, accessible storage.
While it doesn’t fold away into the same portable travel bag that other cribs on the list do, the Dream On Me is still exceedingly lightweight and folds away quickly.
It has a very attractive, traditional slatted style with non-toxic paint and teething guards along all sides.
This makes it a great crib for temporary stays at grandma’s house, where it can be folded away when it is not in use or can be stored when a child outgrows it.
Speaking of, this crib has an upper weight limit of 50 pounds, making it more durable and longer-lasting than many other models on the list.
The crib sits on top of four wheels with secure lock settings for additional safety and comes with a standard-issue one-inch mattress pad included that is removable and machine washable.
4) Lotus Travel Crib
Item Dimensions:
- Length: 42 inches
- Width: 32 inches
- Height: 25 inches
- Weight: 12 pounds
Features:
- Accommodates infants and children 0-3 years old
- Breathable mesh exterior
- Zip-door access with childproof lock option
- Extra soft built-in mattress padding
- GreenGuard Gold Certified; manufactured with low chemical emissions
The extra lightweight Lotus is ideal for the family on the go. Whether it’s back and forth from grandma’s or zipping around from airline to airline, the Lotus Travel Crib is up for the job! At only 12 pounds, this crib collapses into a compact backpack travel bag and can easily be reassembled within a matter of seconds.
A mom-favorite feature of this crib is the silent zipper to open the mesh siding, turning the crib into the perfect playpen and letting parents crawl in to join the fun. The zipper can also be locked when not in use to deter any little escape artists!
For the environmentally-conscious parents, the Lotus is GreenGuard certified, meaning it was manufactured with EPA verified low chemical emissions, so you know you’re making a smaller environmental impact with this crib.
Finally, this crib has a built-in rather than removable mattress pad that can be cleaned by wiping it with a damp cloth. Whether this feature is a positive or negative aspect depends on your needs, but it means you cannot machine wash the mattress pad.
Under $200
5) Baby Trend Retreat Nursery Center
Item Dimensions:
- Length: 49 inches
- Width: 29 inches
- Height: 29 inches
- Weight: 33.4 pounds
Features:
- Accommodates ages up to two years old
- Removable bassinet with canopy and carry handle
- Detachable changing table
- Detachable exterior toy and diaper organizer
- Built-in music settings and night light
Talk about multipurpose! The Baby Trend Retreat features multiple pieces of baby equipment, all in one!
The best feature is probably the removable bassinet, which is a great place for younger babies to sleep at night as well as a portable way to take a child to other places in the house for supervision during day to day activities.
The bassinet can be set to stationary or a gentle rocking mode depending on your preference. Additionally, the Baby Trend Retreat includes a detachable padded changing table and exterior storage for diapers, toys, or any other supplied you might need.
The crib itself has mesh siding for easy supervision and lockable wheels on the bottom so it can be moved from place to place around a house.
The bassinet and changing table do not have removable padding, only sheets that can be wiped down, as is the same for the padding in the crib portion.
The primary downside to this crib is the lack of portability – while it is easy to pack away and fits into a portable bag, the weight and size of the structure make it too bulky for air travel in most cases and it takes up additional space in a car. With that in mind, this definitely the one stop shop of baby supplies!
6) Graco Pack ‘n’ Play
Item Dimensions:
- Length: 49 inches
- Width: 29 inches
- Height: 49 inches
- Weight: 27 pounds
Features:
- Accommodates a maximum weight of 25 pounds
- Detachable newborn seat and baby changing station
- Elevated bassinet portion
- Attached diaper stacker organization bag
One of the most trusted brands in childcare equipment, Graco’s Pack ‘n’ Play portable crib and playard is one of the most versatile options on this list for younger babies.
While it is decked out with all the features of a changing table and an extra-soft supportive newborn seat, the lower crib portion below the detachable bassinet is not meant for overnight sleeping.
This means the Graco can grow and adapt with your child, but it cannot be safely slept in by children over 25 pounds.
That being said, Graco is still leading the pack with its portability – easy to collapse and compact, the Pack ‘n’ Play is a great size for travel and awesome for a family on the move.
7) Chicco Lullago Primo Portable Bassinet
Item Dimensions:
- Length: 32 inches
- Width: 20 inches
- Height: 44 inches
- Weight: 17 pounds
Features:
- Accommodates ages up to one year old
- Adjustable canopy cover
- Memory foam mattress pad with removable cover
- Detachable metal legs for quick disassembly
Similar to the Graco, the Chicco Lullago Primo is only suitable for younger babies under the age of one.
This model is purely a bassinet, with a characteristic canopy cover and mesh siding for breathability as well as supervision.
The Lullago packs easily away into a portable tote bag for easy travel wherever you need to take it.
Additionally, the Lullago features an extra soft mattress with a removable cover for easy machine washability.
The primary downside to the bassinet model is that your child will quickly outgrow it, however, the small size ensures it is compact and will not take up too much space in addition to being extra portable.
Under $100
8) Delta Children Folding Portable Mini Crib
Item Dimensions:
- Length: 39 inches
- Width: 23 inches
- Height: 37 inches
- Weight: 34 pounds
Features:
- Accommodates a maximum age of three years
- Adjustable mattress height as baby beings to sit or stand
- Available in five colors
- Collapsible for easy portability or storage
Similar to the Dream On Me, the Delta Children Mini Crib is a stationary crib with portable aspects that make it easy to collapse and store but a little bit more challenging to transport because of its bulk.
This is the most budget friendly crib on the list, priced at just over $100. The Delta Children Mini is made of non-toxic material in a classic slatted crib design on wheels with easy-lock mechanisms, ensuring the crib can be moved from place to place around the house.
The primary downside to this crib is the poor quality of its mattress – many buyers report having to seek out a higher quality mattress to replace the included one, but this is likely a result of the trade off with the low cost of the crib.
Best Portable Crib Buyer’s Guide
While we have given you the information you need to make a choice from this list of portable cribs, it can still be difficult to know what the right crib for you and your family is.
Here is a short list of guiding tips that can help make the decision-making process a little bit easier, whether or not you choose to buy a crib from this list.
i) Assess your lifestyle. Not every family requires the same level of portability in a crib, so the easily collapsible cribs on this list may not be necessary for your lifestyle.
Additionally, consider everything you need a crib to do for you and your child – is it just a place to sleep? Is it a playpen too? Is this a secondary crib at grandma’s house?
Finally, think about how busy you are and whether you would prefer a crib with a wipe-clean pad or a machine washable mattress.
These questions can inform the types of features you want in a crib and how they will fit the mold of your busy life.
ii) Length of use. Ask yourself how much longer you and your family will require the use of a crib and let that inform the upper weight limits and versatility features you look for in a portable crib.
For example, if you have a newborn, you need to plan on using a crib for at least two years and thus need one that can accommodate your child as they grow.
iii) This one might be a no-brainer, but remind yourself of your budget and be realistic about the amount of money you can spend on a crib, especially for one-child families that won’t get more than a few years of use out of a crib. This list proves that high quality cribs exist in all price ranges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a crib mattress?
This can be extremely variable depending upon the age of your child and a variety of unique circumstances.
In general, babies don’t require the same soft, cushy mattresses that adults tend to prefer. Instead, a firmer mattress provides better support for their growing bodies and straightens their spine so they can get the best airflow when they breathe.
However, some parents notice that their babies sleep better on a softer mattress and thus opt for a crib with more padding.
For safety reasons, a crib mattress should never be thicker than 1-2 inches. If you have serious concerns about the type of mattress crib to use, consult your pediatrician about what best suits the unique needs of your child.
Can I reuse a crib for multiple children?
Usually yes. However, it is important to note that safety regulations on cribs and other child protection equipment are being regularly updated to fit the latest safety standards, so if your children are born several years apart an old crib may not be up to the latest safety regulations.
It is also a good practice to be on the lookout for product recalls of cribs or other baby equipment you may be utilizing – if a product is recalled, it means it is unsafe to use and should not be used for any current or future children.
How big does my crib need to be?
Once again, this varies greatly depending on the age of your child and the space you need to fit a crib into.
If you are limited on space, a mini crib is sometimes the best or only option. However, babies tend to grow out of mini cribs very quickly, which means you might end up having to buy a larger one eventually regardless.
Additionally, consider how many nights in a row your child will be using this crib – if the crib you purchase from this guide is only for travel purposes, it doesn’t necessarily have to be as big as a more permanent crib at home.
In closing, some of our top choices from the list are the BABYBJORN overall for its portability, lightweight, and easy to clean mattress padding.
We also appreciate the Greco for its versatility at such an affordable price, although it is not suited to older babies.
At the end of the day, you know what the right choice of the crib for you and your family is, but hopefully, we have reduced the hassle in having to make a decision.
Might be a useful read, Best kids twin mattress
