Getting a baby to sleep through the night in their own nursery is an almost impossible task, so you can imagine how challenging it is when you’re in a hotel room. If you want to show your baby the world but don’t want to subject it to the usually broken and grimy cribs provided by hotels, you should stock your trunk with a portable baby crib. In this article, we’re going to be looking at the best portable baby cribs on the market to ensure both you and your baby get a good night’s sleep while on the road.
Portable Baby Crib Reviews
Comparison Chart
1. Dream On Me 2-in-1 Folding Portable Crib
Dream On Me has worked tirelessly to establish itself as one of the top manufacturers of baby equipment and that work has really been paying off over the past couple of years. The brand further cements its popularity with its 2-in-1 Folding Portable Crib.
Review
The Dream On Me 2-in-1 Folding Portable Crib can be transformed into a changing station with relative ease, which you’ll no doubt appreciate if you have traveled with a baby in the past and have had to fashion a makeshift changing station using whatever surface was closest to you at the time.
This crib also features a two-position mattress support, which means you will be able to adjust the height of the mattress as your baby grows and learns to stand. Should you decide to go with this portable crib, we advise you to purchase a mattress separately. While Dream On Me does include a mattress pad with each purchase, it has a depth of little more than an inch and will likely cause your baby discomfort.
PROS
- Multiple finish options
- Easy to assemble
- Latex-free
CONS
- Thin mattress pad
- Paint chips
- Stickers are difficult to remove
2. Delta Children Portable Mini Crib
Delta Children has long been one of the most popular names in the industry and it’s rare to find one of its products selling for as low a price as the Delta Children Portable Mini Crib. Despite its low price, this crib performs to a remarkably high standard and has become a favorite of new parents the world over.
Review
Because it comes in at just six inches when folded, this crib can be easily transported in the back of a car, so you should definitely consider it if you’re planning to introduce your baby to the world via a cross-country trip. It offers a two-position mattress adjustment, so you shouldn’t experience too much trouble trying to find a depth that is comfortable for your baby and convenient for you.
Because Delta Children is so confident in the quality of its products, it offers free replacement parts with this crib. If necessary, these parts can be obtained by contacting the brand’s customer service. As much as we love this crib, we have to admit that it does have some flaws, the most notable of which being its one-inch mattress pad. Just like the mattress pad included with the Dream On Me 2-in-1 Folding Portable Crib, this mattress pad is too thin to provide your baby with the comfort needed to get a good night’s sleep.
PROS
- Affordable
- Free replacement parts
- 6-inches when folded
CONS
- Thin mattress pad
- Difficult to assemble
- Odd odor
3. Graco Pack ‘n Play Travel Dome DLX Playard
Graco likes to consider itself an innovator in its industry. While it hasn’t always succeeded in living up to that title, the brand has undoubtedly done something special with the Pack ‘n Play Travel Dome DLX Playard. It has crammed a multitude of features into a lightweight and easily transportable package to give us one of the finest portable cribs of recent memories.
Review
Boasting a 2-in-1 design, the Graco Pack ‘n Play Travel Dome DLX Playard can be handily transformed into a changer with a diaper stacker, so you’ll never have to worry about making a mess when changing your baby.
This crib also serves as a mini play area, meaning your child will always have space to safely move around, even in a cramped hotel room. In order to awaken your child’s imagination – as Graco puts it – the Pack ‘n Play Travel Dome DLX Playard comes with a free mobile.
This mobile, which is fitted with three soft toys, can be easily attached to the crib and will keep your baby entertained between sleeps. However, the mobile has been a source of frustration for some new parents who have complained about the fact it does not move automatically and must be turned by hand.
Other new parents have been frustrated by the challenging assembly process, which is made all the more difficult by the fact that Graco does not package the Pack ‘n Play Travel Dome DLX Playard with an instruction manual.
PROS
- Diaper stacker included
- Affordable
- Lightweight design
CONS
- Mobile does not move automatically
- Difficult to assemble
- No instruction manual
Conclusion
Choosing a portable crib is almost as difficult as choosing your baby’s primary crib (though nothing could be quite as difficult as that).
Because this crib is designed to be used both indoors and outdoors, it is more likely to fulfill your needs than most of its competitors. Furthermore, its lightweight design makes transportation almost bafflingly simple while its one-minute setup will leave both you and your baby with more time to enjoy your day out.
If you’d rather go with a less expensive portable crib, you should consider the Graco Pack ‘n Play Travel Dome DLX Playard, which actually features quite a similar design to that of its ElanBambino counterpart but sells for significantly less. Its ability to convert to a changing station enhances its convenience and versatility tenfold while its additional mobile and soft toys will keep your baby laughing.