For some parents, portable toddler travel beds are must-haves to provide young children with a safe and comfortable place to sleep while on vacation. “Simpler is always better, especially when thinking of traveling with toddlers,” says Anjuli Gans, MD, a pediatrician at Karabots Pediatric Care Center, West Philadelphia. “So, when it comes to a toddler travel bed, you don’t need all the bells and whistles. There are a lot of fancy ones out there on the market, but your baby really just needs a safe and comfortable place to sleep.” We spent hours testing these products by assembling and disassembling them (sometimes with one hand!) and timing the whole process. We also studied the beds’ features, how well they hold a toddler’s weight, and how easy they are to clean. In the lab, the CloudSleeper earned 5 out of 5 across three rating categories: assembly, portability, and care. We loved its unique design, which featured a hidden pump that you inflate by pushing with your foot or hands. Our tester found that “it was very easy to fill up” and took only five minutes to put together and inflate, which is great when traveling with little kids. It’s very light and comes with a small bag with handles, so it’s easy to move around. The mattress also has a removable and washable cover that can be spot-cleaned and dries quickly, so your little one can get back to bed. When you’re done with it, deflate the mattress, pack it back into its packing cube, and you’re good to go! Price at time of publication: $99 Our tester noticed a major flaw: The plastic smell that stuck around once the mattress was removed from its packaging. (It should go away if you allow the product to air out for a day or two before use.) It comes with a high-speed pump, two patches in case of punctures, and a travel bag for storage. It’s designed to withstand wear and tear, thanks to a vinyl layer that protects against punctures. Price at time of publication: $70 Setup is relatively quick, once you get the hang of detaching the electric pump. Our tester gave this a 5 out of 5 for assembly, noting, “This bed was a dream to use.” It earned a 5 for portability, because “it also has a handle so you can easily move it around.” Another plus: It comes with a patch kit! The handles were not as easy to clean as the rest of the bed in testing, so we gave it a 4.5 for that attribute. We do appreciate that the removable mattress comes in three different colors for kids who definitely have their design preferences. Our tester warned of a faint chemical smell that was detectable but not “eye-watering as with some of the other inflatables.” It’s also very durable due to its thick vinyl material. Price at time of publication: $80 In case you worry about your toddler rolling off the mattress, the EnerPlex Kids Inflatable Travel Bed has bumpers along three sides. The removable coil-beam mattress rests snugly inside the outer shell and fits a standard crib sheet. We also gave it a 5 for portability, because even though the bed is bulky, it comes with a large carry bag that you can wear as a backpack, freeing your hands for luggage or a kid. We also like that the electric pump comes with an adapter for your car, making it ideal for camping. It earned a 4 for care, since it can be wiped down, and the crib sheet can be tossed in the laundry. One downfall: Our tester noted a chemical smell. Price at time of publication: $100 The BabyBjorn earned a 5 for assembly for several reasons: Setup takes two minutes, and you can put a standard crib sheet on the bed without a struggle, even after attaching the mattress to the four corner safety latches. The mattress is comfortable and a standard crib size. It is also a good pick if you need a travel bed that isn’t hard on your back. It is very light, comes with a carrying case, and fits into a car trunk. However, the mattress does lie low to the ground, so picking up your child may be tough on your back if they are lying down. The high price point is another consideration that parents should keep in mind if they’re not frequent travelers. You won’t need to worry about messes or nighttime accidents, because the fabric can be wiped down quickly, and the exterior fabric can be removed from the frame and washed. We gave this travel crib a 5 for care, since the mattress is also wipeable. The main reason this crib isn’t our top pick is that it’s much more expensive than most of the other products on this list, earning a 3 for value. Price at time of publication: $300 This inexpensive bed does come with an electric pump, but the setup is not as easy as with other travel beds we tested. In the lab, it required two people to try to get the nozzle on before it started to deflate, which is why we gave it a 4 for assembly. But it earned a 5 for portability since it is light and easy to store and comes with a carrying bag. It’s also a cinch to clean. We appreciate that the mattress can be spot-cleaned, and a sheet can go over the mattress for extra protection, earning it a 4 in this category. Price at time of publication: $63 This folding mattress earned a 4.5 for assembly, because you just remove it from the box. However, we docked half a point from this category, since it needs 48 hours to reach the highest comfort level after unboxing. It earned a 4 for portability, since it does not come with a carrying case, which may make it a pain to carry. But if your toddler spills a drink or has an accident on this mattress, the good news is it’s effortless to clean. We gave it a 5 for care, because it has a removable bamboo cover that can be machine-washed and a foam mattress that can be spot-cleaned. Plus, it’s got a cozy, thick mattress. Our tester says, “[It’s] definitely one of the more comfortable options for naptime that I’ve seen.” Price at time of publication: $80 “This is a great bed if your toddler is able to sleep in a ‘grown-up’ bed and isn’t an escape artist,” says our tester. The mattress comes with a duffel bag for storage and travel, but it wasn’t the most compact, and the bag wasn’t as comfortable as others. It also earned a 4 for care—it just requires a wipe-down when needed. The bed also has a built-in pillow rest, so you won’t have to pack an extra pillow for your kid when you travel. Price at time of publication: $60 An access door makes it easier to get to your little one without leaning over the side. You can use the entrance to lay them on the padded, waterproof mattress inside the mesh enclosure or let them go in and out of the crib when they are awake. “That is a pro or a con,” our tester noted. “It probably makes the bed also good as a play space during the day.” The travel crib earned a 3 for care. The mattress is easy enough to wipe, but the fabric around the top of the crib was too absorbent to give it a good cleaning. You can also unzip the bed cover and throw it into the washer for a deep clean. This convenience does come at a higher price than a lot of competitors, however, so we gave it a 3.8 for value. Price at time of publication: $280
4.5 to 4.7 stars: These toddler travel beds are excellent—they might have minor flaws, but we still recommend them. 4.0 to 4.5 stars: We think these are great toddler travel beds, but others are better. 3.5 to 3.9 stars: These toddler travel beds are just average. 3.4 and below: We don’t recommend toddler travel beds with this rating; you won’t find any on our list.
What to Look for in a Toddler Travel Bed
“You need to make travel as easy as possible when traveling with littles,” Dr. Gans tells Verywell Family. “So, what I would recommend looking for is a travel bed that is safe, reliable, and easy for you.”
Comfort
As you’ve probably realized when getting a kid to sleep at home, comfort is key. Comfort for some toddlers may mean a favorite blanket, while others require a crib. Parents should consider various must-haves to make traveling easier and smoother when trekking across the country—or a few hours away—with your little one.
Safety
Dr. Gans recommends researching products on the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) website to determine their safety and ensure that they haven’t been recalled. When purchasing a crib or bassinet, parents of babies should also practice the same safe sleeping rules they implement at home. “Every toddler travel bed has age and weight requirements, so I would definitely check those first and make sure it matches up (with your toddler’s age and weight),” she explains. Then, stick to simple beds without all the added features. “The less they have, the better.” Once you’ve narrowed down your selection to simple beds, make sure there are no bumpers or parts that can potentially trap your baby, and check corner points and sharp corners. “Corner points are sometimes a place where kids can get clothing caught or get injured, so make sure it doesn’t have sharp corners,” explains Dr. Gans. “And remember that pillows and blankets are still recommended for toddlers age two and over.
Ease of Use
If you need a toddler travel bed that is easy to carry and quick to assemble, and doesn’t require much work, then ease of use and portability must be considered when selecting a toddler travel bed. Some toddler travel beds can be assembled using one hand, and only take minutes to assemble. That is very helpful if you arrive at a destination with a sleeping or cranky tot. You may want to look for bags that allow hands-free carrying. Another consideration is whether the bed is easy to put in those bags, so you don’t find yourself fighting to pack it back in when it’s time to go home. If you are in a situation where you don’t have a toddler travel bed, don’t worry. “If you are staying somewhere, and they allow you to request a crib, you can pull out the mattress and just lay it on the floor,” Dr. Gans adds. “If it’s in a safe place for your toddler, then it is perfectly fine. Make sure it is somewhere they can have adult supervision at all times and within eye view, because you may not be able to safetyproof rooms the way you can at home.”
Why Trust Verywell Family
Ambrosia V. Brody is a California-based editor, journalist, and mother of three. She has worked as a professional journalist for more than 16 years. You can find her at the library, Starbucks, or the park with her kids when she isn’t writing. “The best thing to do when traveling is to bring along items from the child’s home bedroom,” recommends Lynelle Schneeberg, PsyD., a pediatric sleep psychologist and author. “Parents can bring along the child’s favorite pillow, ‘bedtime buddy’ (security object), and favorite books, for example. If the child is used to a certain night light or a sound machine, these can be brought along as well.”
