As parents ourselves, we have found one of the most beneficial pieces of equipment to have in our arsenal is a travel cot. Not only can they be taken on holidays and staycations to give your little one somewhere safe to sleep, but they can also be used as play yards and fort structures. Hello, endless hours of fun!
So we recommend travel cots to anyone. Keep reading if you’re looking for one of your own to keep for emergencies and last-minute holidays. Here are our 12 favourite travel cots for any occasion, including the Baby Bjorn Travel Cot Light and the Nuna Cove Aire.
We conduct our best travel cot reviews through a combination of product testing, individual research, real buyer feedback and certified paediatrician approval.
We understand that there is no such thing as a “best travel cot” for everyone, and what is best for one baby might not be suitable for another. With this in mind, we assessed travel cots by comparing different features and specifications, and have highlighted the buyer we believe the product is best suited to.
We considered the following criteria below:
Starting off with a brand you might be better acquainted with for their baby carriers, Baby Björn has now begun to dip its toes into other baby essentials. And what have we gained out of all this? None other than the Babybjörn Travel Cot Light – one of the best travel cots on the market!
This cot is made from OEKO-TEX-certified materials, ensuring your little one only gets the softest, most luxurious night’s sleep ever. This will give you more time to unwind after a busy day of relaxing and make the transition from home to hotel a little easier.
Cot size | 82 x 112 x 64 cm |
Cot Bed Weight | 6 kg |
Cot Weight Capacity | No upper weight limit |
Suitable for Age | 0 to 3 years |
Material | Cot fabric: 100% polyester, Mattress cover: 70% polyester, 30% cotton, Mattress: 100% polyether foam (25,6 kg/m3 density), Cot frame: painted steel |
Ease of Assembly | Simple |
Foldable | Yes |
Cot mattress included | Yes |
The Babybjörn Travel Cot Light is made with only premium materials, meaning that you can take this cot with you anywhere without worrying about it bottoming out on you – seriously, with no upper weight limit, you could sleep in this bed if you wanted to!
It might even be comfier than some hotel beds!
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
We highly recommend the Babybjörn Travel Cot Light if you have the budget and know that you’re going to get plenty of use from your travel cots. It’s lightweight, easy to assemble and carry, and won’t let you down. Oh, and it’s super comfy. Like, really comfy.
The 4Baby Liteway is an excellent travel cot – it’s all in the name! It’s one of the lightest travel cots at just 5 kg, easily being folded within seconds for early checkouts. The last thing you want to do is have to waste the majority of your final day trying to get the travel cot packed away, and 4Baby eliminates any worry of this happening.
This travel cot comes with a similar shape to the Baby Bjorn Travel Cot Light but with a much smaller price tag. We recommend the Liteway if you want something similar on a budget.
Cot size | 112 x 79 x 78.5 cm |
Cot Bed Weight | 5 kg |
Cot Weight Capacity | 13 kg |
Suitable for Age | 0 to 3 years |
Material | Fully ventilated mesh, foam, steel |
Ease of Assembly | Simple |
Foldable | Yes |
Cot mattress included | Yes |
The 4Baby Liteway Travel Cot features a thick foam mattress for ultimate comfort, as well as 360 degrees of mesh sides for optimal ventilation. The metal lip is covered in thick padded protection, preventing injuries and giving your child something to hold onto as they take in their new surroundings.
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The 4Baby Liteway Travel Cot is best for parents looking for a dupe to the Baby Bjorn Travel Cot Light that won’t break the bank. It comes with a similar shape and functionality, and it even weighs one kilogram less!
The Bugaboo Stardust is a smaller cot, making it even more portable thanks to its smaller folded size. While this does reduce the longevity of this product, you might not need a cot to last for three years. Many babies make the switch to a toddler bed before then, so you’ll want to put them to sleep in kids’ beds on holiday, too.
Why bother carting around a bigger travel cot when you’re not going to use it to its maximum weight limit?
Cot size | 64 x 98 x 85 cm |
Cot Bed Weight | 8 kg |
Cot Weight Capacity | 15 kg |
Suitable for Age | 0 to 2 years |
Material | Side 1: 100% polyester (including water-repellent coating). Side 2: 85 % polyamide & 15% elastane, Mesh: 100 % polyester, Mattress: 100% polyurethane (foam) & 100% nylon (cover) & 100% polyester (quilted part of the cover) |
Ease of Assembly | Simple |
Foldable | Yes |
Cot mattress included | Yes |
The Bugaboo Stardust is made with unique aerospace technology to make it super compact and comfortable. This portable travel cot can be used both at home and beyond, with a handy carry bag to help you with the load. It takes literally one second to assemble this travel cot, with the mattress folded within it and everything. Enough said, right?!
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Bugaboo Stardust is an excellent travel cot for younger babies who still sleep in cots and cribs. We recommend these travel cots if you think your baby might move to a toddler bed before the age of three, as you’re not carrying a larger bed for anything. Bugaboo thinks smarter, so you don’t have to!
We love travel cots that come with all the bells and whistles to make your user experience easier, just like the Joie Commuter Portacot. Want to get the most from your investment? Look no further than this travel cot. Not only does it come with a bassinet insert for your young baby, but it also comes with a changing unit that clips onto the top frame. This can be removed when your little one is sleeping or playing, but it gives you somewhere secure to change your little one in lieu of a changing table.
Cot size | 105 x 73 x 81 cm |
Cot Bed Weight | 12 kg |
Cot Weight Capacity | 15 kg |
Suitable for Age | 0 to 3 years |
Material | Reinforced steel tubing, timber slats, foam padding, polyester cover |
Ease of Assembly | Simple |
Foldable | Yes |
Cot mattress included | (yes/no) |
The Joie Commuter Portacot comes with three separate uses – a changing mat, a bassinet, and a cot. Each part is made with premium materials and secure fasteners, keeping your little one safe and secure no matter how you’re using your portable travel cot. You can also remove the changing unit and bassinet with one hand for seamless switching for each use.
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Joie Commuter Portacot is ideal for parents who want a travel cot that comes with more functionality than just a simple cot. It comes with a changing table insert and bassinet level, making it ideal for newborn babies to toddlers.
The Love n Care 3 in 1 Sleep & Go Portacot is a simple yet effective option with breathable mesh panels on every side of the cot and padded edges to prevent injuries. To fold this bed, all you need to do is press a button on each of the sides and push down – you can’t get much easier than that!
This bed also comes with a mattress that is thin enough to wrap around the folded cot frame for easy portability. Not only do you get the spacious travel cot, but it also comes with a bassinet insert for newborns and a changing table station! It fits within the carry bag, so you can keep all of the essentials close together.
Cot size | 115 x 72 x 80 cm |
Cot Bed Weight | 10.2 kg |
Cot Weight Capacity | 14 kg |
Suitable for Age | 0 to 3 years |
Material | Stainless Steel, polypropylene, polycotton, polyester |
Ease of Assembly | Simple |
Foldable | Yes |
Cot mattress included | Yes |
The Love n Care 3 in 1 Sleep & Go Portacot comes with a handy bassinet attachment, clipping onto the cot’s frame for an elevated sleep space. This makes it easier for you to tend to your newborn without breaking your back – a feature that is always welcomed in our eyes!
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Love n Care 3 in 1 Sleep & Go Portacot is a great option if you think you’ll be using your travel cots from birth to toddlerhood. All of Love n Care’s travel cots come with an easy fold, which is one of the best ways we’ve found to pack away our travel cots and store them when not in use. So, why not give the Love n Care 3 in 1 Sleep & Go Portacot a try if you want an easy life on holiday?
Another travel cot passionate about getting you the most from your investment now, the Phil and Teds Traveller is a 4 in 1 solution that carries your little one from birth to their toddler years. It can be used at home or away, inside or outside, for sleeping or playtime – the opportunities are endless!
“But what are the four uses!?” we hear you cry – so let us enlighten you. You can use this bed as a standalone bassinet with the newborn insert, a lower cot for your toddlers, a playpen during the day, and a next-to-me crib! That’s right; one side can be zipped down so you can snuggle up safely and sleep with your little one right there beside you.
Cot size | 113 x 90 x 63 cm |
Cot Bed Weight | 5 kg |
Cot Weight Capacity | No upper weight limit |
Suitable for Age | 0 to 4 years |
Material | OEKO-TEX matte nylon ripstop, aluminium frame |
Ease of Assembly | Simple, under two minutes |
Foldable | Yes |
Cot mattress included | Yes |
What’s not to enjoy about the Phil And Teds Traveller?! It comes with everything you need to create a safe sleeping space for your little one, no matter how you choose to do it. The self-inflating mattress is comfortable and thermally insulated to keep your little one comfy and snuggled. Plus, the mattress has been approved to reduce the risk of SUIDS and SIDS.
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Phil and Teds Traveller is excellent for parents who like to co-sleep with their little ones, giving you a choice of whether you want to share a safe sleep space with your baby or not. This meets all the necessary safety standards and offers you peace of mind while everyone gets a good night’s sleep.
The main selling point of the VeeBee (Valco) Amado Travel Portable Cot Portacot is the fact that it weighs an incredible 3.9 kg! That’s almost as light as a feather! Okay, so maybe not completely. But, for a travel cot, it’s an incredible lightness.
The high visibility mesh sides are great for spotting your baby from wherever you are in the room, so you can watch them whenever you want without getting too close to disturb their sleep.
Cot size | 110 x 78 x 66 cm |
Cot Bed Weight | 3.9 kg |
Cot Weight Capacity | 15 kg |
Suitable for Age | 0 to 3 years |
Material | Mesh, aluminium |
Ease of Assembly | Simple |
Foldable | Yes |
Cot mattress included | Yes |
The VeeBee (Valco) Amado Travel Portable Cot Portacot comes with a durable carry bag to store this super compact travel cot within, as well as the mattress. It’s incredible how much you can fit into this small bag and how small the cot folds down to! The VeeBee might be the perfect option for all of your portacot needs if you’re short on storage space or luggage allowance.
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The VeeBee (Valco) Amado Travel Portable Cot Portacot is best for parents who are perhaps travelling on their own and who need something light to quickly transport from A to B. It’s also great for you if you don’t have much storage space, as this cot folds down flat to be stored under beds or to slot within other pieces of furniture.
The Baby Joy 4 in 1 Baby Portacot is almost as large as a traditional crib to keep in a nursery but with four amazing uses and a light weight of 11.3 kg. Imagine being able to take your little one’s usual crib with you anywhere and everywhere, along with their changing mat, bassinet, and mobile, simply by packing it up in a rectangular bag and throwing it over your shoulder. Baby Joy makes that dream a reality ~ cue parents all over the world cheering. ~
Cot size | 102 x 71 x 80 cm |
Cot Bed Weight | 11.3 kg |
Cot Weight Capacity | 17 kg |
Suitable for Age | 0 to 3 years |
Material | Steel, Oxford Cloth, Mesh |
Ease of Assembly | Simple |
Foldable | Yes |
Cot mattress included | Yes |
The sides of the Baby Joy 4 in 1 Baby Portacot are made from mesh, offering optimal airflow to your baby while they sleep, so you can rest assured that they’re safe no matter how warm the climate you’re vacationing in is.
This travel cot comes with a changing pad, an activity centre, a sleeping space, and a bassinet. This travel cot has everything you need to make the most of your holiday instead of spending most of the time stressing!
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Baby Joy 4 in 1 Baby Portacot is a good option if you’re planning a trip with plenty of luggage already and you want something that comes with everything you need for your little one. Why pack a separate changer, bassinet, and play centre when you could use this travel cot and get everything in one?
Nuna is another beloved baby care brand, and the foldable Nuna Cove Aire is one of our favourites for many reasons. The advanced air design offers mesh walls for ultimate airflow from all angles, as well as through the mattress. That’s right, the triple-layered mesh mattress also offers ventilation from below, making this an excellent travel cot for families travelling to parts of the world known for their hot summers.
Cot size | 92 x 60 x 78 cm |
Cot Bed Weight | 11.4 kg |
Cot Weight Capacity | 15 kg |
Suitable for Age | 0 to 3 years |
Material | Aluminium, mesh |
Ease of Assembly | Simple |
Foldable | Yes |
Cot mattress included | Yes |
One thing we like about the Nuna Cove Aire is that there are no additional extras needed for you to use this cot, with the mattress being included, as well as a GOTS-certified organic sheet. You won’t need to purchase anything else for these travel cots – they come with everything you could possibly need.
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Nuna Cove Aire is perfect for parents who live in warm areas (hello, Australia) and who like to vacation in warm places during the summer. The complete surrounding ventilation keeps your baby cool and keeps you from worrying too much that they are becoming too hot while the rest of the family sleeps.
The Zuri cot from Bebe Care is a unique one, made from high-quality timber instead of aluminium or steel. The wood in question is premium beechwood, which is both strong and naturally antimicrobial. The travel cot sides and mattress are soft and comfy, so your little one can roll around plenty during their sleep without waking up from hard corners or foreign materials.
The foldable mattress can be stored within the cot even when it’s folded, so you don’t have to worry about finding a separate place to store that, either.
Cot size | 116 x 84 x 70.5 cm |
Cot Bed Weight | 8 kg |
Cot Weight Capacity | 13 kg |
Suitable for Age | 0 to 3 years |
Material | Steel, beechwood, plastic, polyester |
Ease of Assembly | Simple |
Foldable | Yes |
Cot mattress included | Yes |
The removable toy bar is a nice touch on the Bebe Care Zuri, as it gives your little one something to look at as they’re falling asleep. The bassinet level is secure and safe, with grips all the way around the top of the crib. The mesh walls offer 360 degrees of visibility, never blocking your view of your little one.
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The BeBe Care Zuri is a good option if you’d prefer to use a wooden travel crib instead of one made predominantly of metal. The beechwood is just as strong as most metals, so you’re not compromising your child’s safety. The added toy bar makes it good for those who also like freebies (who’s going to turn that down?).
The 4Baby Vacation Portable travel cot is for you if you’re looking for a travel cot with a compact fold, a comfy mattress, and a stylish design. It can be used both in your own home or on holiday, whether that be visiting friends or taking a trip overseas. This cot is wider than most travel cots but slightly shorter than traditional nursery cribs. So, it’s excellent for children who like to roll around in their sleep or who enjoy stretching out.
Cot size | 79 x 79 x 105 cm |
Cot Bed Weight | 7.8 kg |
Cot Weight Capacity | 15 kg |
Suitable for Age | 0 to 3 years |
Material | Mesh walls, steel |
Ease of Assembly | Simple |
Foldable | Yes |
Cot mattress included | Yes |
The 4Baby Vacation Portacot is a simple yet effective option. It might not boast extra features like a bassinet or zippered sides, but it still does the job when you need a safe sleeping space for your little one. It’ll come with a comfortable mattress and an easy way to fold and carry it.
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The 4Baby Vacation Portacot is a cheap and cheerful option for many parents if you have an extra set of hands with you who can carry this briefcase-like travel cot. This is also a great option to save you some money without compromising your baby’s safety if you don’t care about the extra features that come with some higher-priced cots.
The Jengo Oasis 2 In 1 Portacot With Changer says, ‘Why should you have to choose between style and substance?’ This cot comes with the functionality to become a mattress, a bassinet, a change mat, and a play yard for during the daytime. The one-second fold is a “blink and you’ll miss it” operation, and the light 10.5 kg weight makes travelling with this cot a breeze. Literally – don’t let go of it in high winds!
Cot size | 107.8 x 67.1 x 87 cm |
Cot Bed Weight | 10.5 kg |
Cot Weight Capacity | 15 kg |
Suitable for Age | 0 to 3.5 years |
Material | Mesh fabric, foam, polyester, aluminium |
Ease of Assembly | Simple |
Foldable | Yes |
Cot mattress included | Yes |
Designed to grow with your child until halfway through their third year, the Jengo Oasis 2 In 1 Portacot With Changer is good value. We were surprised at how easy assembly was, and when we tested it, it felt sturdy underneath our children as they slept. The bassinet is the perfect height for newborns, especially when new parents are dealing with the aftermath of birth-related injuries, such as a tear or a c-section scar.
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Jengo Oasis 2 In 1 Portacot With Changer is a great cot for parents who have the budget and who have used Jengo’s products before, therefore knowing how high quality and dependable they are. The 2 In 1 Portacot is a good place to start if you’re looking for a cot to use both during the day and at night.
Now that you know our favourite 12 travel cots, how are you going to decide which is the best for your family? We have detailed a few considerations to make that decision just a little easier below:
Once you answer all of these questions to the best of your knowledge, you’ll be able to decide which travel cot is the best for your little one.
Thanks for reading! Whether you’re looking for the best budget travel cot or a larger investment, we hope our guide today has helped you make the right decision for your family. As we said earlier, we’ve tested all of these travel cots with our own children, so we know firsthand that they’re all excellent at what you need them to do. The only thing left to do now is to decide which will be the best travel cot for your next venture!