Everyone loves a good night’s sleep. And that certainly extends to our nippers. We all know how they can be when they don’t get their solid 7 hours (in 1- or 2-hour segments of course). So, if you’re planning on holidaying or you regularly split time between two places, a dependable travel cot is a god-send. They can help your littlest feel a little more at home wherever they are.
We’ve done the hours of scrolling through the many options from Amazon, eBay, and John Lewis so you don't have to. In our buying guide, we will look at traditional, pop-up, and lightweight camping cots to see whether they’re best for babies or toddlers, and what extra features you can get, such as a bassinet or mattress. With some of the most trusted brands like BabyBjörn, Nuna & Phil & Ted's, we’re sure you’ll find something for your young ‘un.
Quick List - Top Travel Cots
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There are many variables to consider when buying a travel cot, such as weight (you're gonna have to carry this around after all!) age range, style, and whether the cot comes with extra features, for instance, a mattress or bassinet. Below, we're going help you determine which cot would be best for you and your infant.
When buying a travel cot you first have to take in to account the age of your child. If you only need something for a couple of uses in those early months (because let’s face it, everyone is going to want to meet them) or you want to acquire something that will grow as they do, then your requirements are going to be different.
If you're purchasing for a baby you will need a shallower cot or one that contains a bassinet, so that it's easier to see that they are safe and snug. Whereas with toddlers, you will require a deeper, more robust cot that is sufficient to handle their weight and size. In our ranking, we have cots that will cover ages from newborn to 3 years old.
Surprisingly, travel cots aren't always used for travelling. They can be doubled up as a playpen, kept as a spare for fellow newborns, or used to make sure they're safe whilst you tend to the million other things you have to do. However, their primary use is for travel. It's worth taking into consideration how you're going to use it and how often you're going to use it, to help determine which style is best for you.
Traditional travel cots are the best choice if they're going to be some kind of semi-permanent fixture between home and somewhere like the Grandparents house. They're typically made for ages 0-3 so that they grow with your child, and you're most likely to get extra features.
Although these are rather easier to transport than an actual crib, they can still be pretty bulky. Weighing between 6-12kg (sometimes, even more, depending on the extra features) makes them far too heavy to fit in a carry-on or even suitcase. However, this provides sturdiness and longevity, so if you're thinking of keeping the cot up a lot, or have plans for siblings sometime soon they'll be worth the investment.
A pop-up cot is a perfect companion for any family that travel regularly. They're decidedly lighter than the traditional option, usually coming in around 3-5kg and are easily packed away to store in your luggage. Equally, they're convenient to construct, as the name suggests, they simply pop open.
However, this convenience comes at a cost. They're commonly only really suitable for 0-18 months (maximum), which means you'll probably find yourself back in the market for some other travel cot sooner than you'd like if you want one around as they become a toddler.
For the families that love nothing more than being out in mother nature, never fear, there are cots out there that are suitable for camping. They're fairly easy to set up and capable of being packed away and stored in a backpack that is provided so that you can carry them with you on the go!
Who doesn't love extras? It's like getting a cheeky 7th nugget from McDonald's when you only ordered 6, a truly joyful feeling that you're getting more than your money's worth. Whilst most of the time you will be offered a carry bag for your cot (we think this should be a given), it is possible, if you shop around, to get yourself a wide range of different useful accessories.
We'll be providing recommendations that come with features from changing units to toys, as well as mattresses and bassinets, which not only keep your baby secure but can be easily removed from the cot. Just keep your eyes on the specification table below the product to see what extras you can bag yourself, ker-ching!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Red Kite Sleep Tight Travel Cot | ![]() | A Simple Cot That Will Get the Job Done | |
2 | Graco Contour Electra Travel Cot | ![]() | A Luxury Cot at a Low Price | |
3 | Deryan Travel Cot Baby Luxe | ![]() | Self-Inflating Portable Baby Bed | |
4 | Hauck Sleep N Play Centre | ![]() | A Dream Cot for Everyone | |
5 | Joie Kubbie Sleep Compact Travel Cot | ![]() | Enough Functions to Be a Portable Nursery | |
6 | BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light | ![]() | A Complete All-Rounder From a All-Star Brand | |
7 | Nuna Sena Aire Travel Cot | ![]() | Astonishingly Easy to Set-Up | |
8 | Inovi Cocoon Folding Moses | ![]() | Great for Your Baby's First Flight | |
9 | LittleLife Arc-2 Travel Cot | ![]() | Take Them to Meet Mother Nature | |
10 | Phil & Teds Traveller Travel Cot | ![]() | Light and Compact for All Your Adventures |
We couldn't believe it when we found this cot. It has the same specifications as some of the more 'luxury' brands at only a fraction of the price! The reviews online are a testament to how much people love this product too, with over 2,000 reviews on Amazon it has a 4.6-star rating, so you can rest assured this is tried and tested.
It's a simple, relatively light (7kg) travel cot, that comes with a mattress and carry bag. If you're looking for something with no frills, that you can erect and disassemble at a whim, then this is a fantastic product, especially considering the price. We don't think there is a travel cot on the market for a better price, and that's why it has taken our top spot.
Firstly this cot has their priorities straight, with a comfortable mattress and sturdy cot, that although can be clunky is easy to assemble and pack away. Then we get to the extra features, which seem never-ending. Our pick of the bunch is the incredibly innovative inclusion of music and vibration to help them go straight down, which we surprisingly haven't seen on any other crib!
This cot is a great size and extremely good value for money. There is no other option on this ranking that gets you this much for this price. If you're after a bit of everything from your cot then this is certainly the best option for you.
This pop-up cot is incredibly easy to set up, taking around a whopping 20 seconds! Not only is this perfect for travelling with due to its size and weight, but the material in which it is made from is 50% UV resistant, meaning you don't have to worry half as much when you're out on the beach soaking up the rays.
Also, it comes with an anti-insect net so that no unwanted critters will be causing the young one any trouble. This Baby Luxe functions fantastically in and outdoors and is perfect for a family that likes to explore.
What's not to like about this dreamy cot from Hauck? It's perfect for a newborn through to toddler, it packs up remarkably small, and is a great size when in use. Not only that, it comes with a bunch of extra features, like a changing unit for you-know-what, so you'll never get caught out with that again!
Many reviewers love this product, with a few saying they would go as far as buying it again if they ever required another one, which to us signifies it's solidity and sturdiness. Also, we love that the "age-range" is signified with weight instead of age, which we thought was a far more reliable and trustworthy approach, as all babies are different!
This cot from Joie is like a dodecahedron, it has so many sides. Okay, not quite that many, but it has a lot! It provides comfort in the form of a travel cot, doubles up as changing table thanks to the changing mattress height, and all of this on wheels!
It functions really well as a bedside crib as your baby can be placed at just the right level, and when they're getting a bit restless, it's easy to zip open the side panels and comfort them. When you're on the move, this cot can be stowed away in a handy bag, making it a great on-the-go companion!
This travel cot is just so practical. It is effortless to set up, which is welcome when there is plenty of unpacking to be done and equally easy to fold away. Once packed up, it will be in a tidy carry case that comes with padded straps and a waist belt for smooth transportation, which considering it only weighs 6kg should be pretty painless!
Also, the mattress has been designed alongside paediatricians to produce the best support available for your younglings. But, we can't help think that for the best part of £200 you should be getting other extra features. Everything it does, it does extremely well, we just wonder if it should be doing more.
When travelling with your kids you constantly have your hands full, metaphorically and literally. What if we told you you could set this up with one hand? It's true! Thanks to the special design, open it and the zigzag legs shoot right up. Finito! The other great selling point is that this cot is designed with advanced airflow, and the theory goes that this should have them sleeping more soundly when they're away.
It also comes with a bassinet so you can use it from newborn to toddlerhood, and padded edges so no pinched fingers! However, although not the heaviest this still weighs a decent 10kg, so not the best if you're travelling by any form of public transportation or you need to store it in some luggage.
This cot is perfect for all the tiny ones that are about to board their first flight. This super-light, stylish and compact crib is great for the plane, as it complies with international aviation standards (IATA) so can be taken on-board as hand luggage. It's simple to set-up and contains a mesh canopy that will keep your baby guarded against the outside world.
When all is said and done though, this piece of kit is only going to last you, at best, 6 months. So, if you're wanting something that is going to stick around, or you don't fancy paying this much for such a short period of time, we would recommend another product on our ranking.
Okay, okay, we know, its a tiny tent. But whatever! Children love camping right?! The true genius in this though is that the meagre weight (2.5kg!) folds up into a small backpack, which is perfect if you like to explore a lot. It comes with a mattress that is attachable via velcro and a fully washable cotton cover.
An issue we have come across, however, is that although it comes with colour-coded poles that are used to build the cot (tent), some reviewers have still said that it can take some time to be assembled.
If you're a family often on the move, but you're in the market for something long term, this cot from Phil & Teds has you covered, with an age range of 0-3 years. This was designed so it can fit in your luggage, a storage locker, or the boot of your car, easily, and comes very light, weighing only 2.8kg!
Unfortunately, the set-up has been known to be a little awkward, so it's probably better for using if you're setting up shop for a short while. At the price, we also think you could get a little more for your money, however, it is light, sturdy and comfy and from a well-respected brand.
Now that you've found the perfect travel cot, you're pretty much ready to hit the road with your jet setting baby - except you need to pack a travel bag too! We've found some of the best essential products for your little one to buy online, so take a look.
As you can see the world of travel cots is vast with many different options available which can make it exceedingly difficult to choose what is right for you and your children. Hopefully, with the list above we can help shine a light on some of those variations, and steer you in the right direction for your purchase. Sweet dreams!
Author: Lewis Clark
No. 1: Red Kite|Sleep Tight Travel Cot
No. 2: Graco|Contour Electra Travel Cot
No. 3: Deryan|Travel Cot Baby Luxe
No. 4: Hauck|Sleep N Play Centre
No. 5: Joie|Kubbie Sleep Compact Travel Cot
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