9 of the best travel cots for babies 2024
WHAT IS A TRAVEL COT?
Travel cots are easily portable cots that can be used for holidays or other overnight stays.
TRAVEL COT FEATURES to look out for
Weight: A travel cot should be light enough to be easily transportable.
Ease of assembly/folding: Some can be put up or dismantled in as little as 10 seconds.
Mesh windows: These make a travel cot light and breathable and allow you to keep an eye on your baby.
Mattress: Some are thinner than others so choose a comfier one if you will be using it more regularly.
Newborn features: Some have a bassinet for newborns or an adjustable level so there is less bending down for you.
Zip-down side: This will provide easier access to a baby if you’ve got a bad back.
Size: A large travel cot could double up as a playpen.
Travel bag: Most fold down into a bag for easy transportation.
Longevity: Check how long they can be used for. Some are suitable for children as old as 3 years old.
Cleaning: Are any fabrics removable and machine washable?
Accessories: Some come with extras like a fitted sheet, storage pocket and cot top changing unit.
what’s the alternative to a travel cot?
If your pram has a detachable carrycot that is suitable for overnight sleeping, this can be used instead of a travel cot. Another alternative is the one baby nest (see below) that is certified as safe for overnight sleeping. And some bedside cribs/co-sleepers can be folded down into travel bags.
WHICH ARE THE BEST TRAVEL COTS TO BUY?
This list has been narrowed down to the very best with thorough research and the following considered:
Consumer reviews
Best-seller lists
Recommendations from industry experts
Award-winning products
Personal experience and the products loved by other parents.
The list is updated annually. It was last updated on 22 January 2024.
If you buy through a link, I may earn a small affiliate commission. 5% of profits are donated to UK Baby Banks to help parents in need of essentials.
1. Graco foldlite travel cot
Suitable from birth until around 3 years old or 15kg.
There are two folds. One to quickly put up and down at home and an ultra-compact fold for transportation.
Wipe clean fabrics.
Comes with a carry bag.
There are two wheels to easily move it around the home.
Weighs 6.7kg.
Measures H68cm x L119cm x W63.5cm.
The dimensions for the two different folds are: L69.5 x W21 x H25.5cm and L26 x W66 x H66.5cm
Available in black and grey.
WHAT THE REVIEWS SAY
Reviewers loved the ultra-compact fold and praised how easy it is to assemble. Another great plus point is how light it is. One criticism sometimes mentioned is that it isn’t a very big travel cot so it isn’t very roomy for two to three-year-olds.
2. Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot
Award-winning travel cot that is great value for money.
Suitable from birth until 15kg.
Easy to put up and folds down into a travel bag.
Fabrics can be sponged clean.
Weighs 8.5kg.
Dimensions of L104 x W81 x H74cm.
Folded dimensions of 79 x 21 x 23cm.
WHAT THE REVIEWS SAY
It is a great price and pretty sturdy but the mattress is very thin so many like to put a thicker one in there.
3. Venture Airpod Travel Cot
Award-winning travel cot.
Weighs 6kg and is 100 x 60cm.
When folded it measures 57cm x 50cm x 14cm.
Suitable from birth to 36 months.
Tested to British and European Safety Standard BS EN 716-1:2017.
Comes with a storage bag and mattress.
WHAT THE REVIEWS SAY
It is very lightweight with a good quality mattress. It doesn’t pop up but it is still easy to assemble. There is very little in the way of negative points also some have commented that there is no raised bassinet for a newborn.
4. BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot LIGHT
Sets up with one move.
It can be used from newborn until approximately 3 years old.
Weighs 6kg.
Folds into a travel bag.
Removable and machine washable mattress cover and cot fabric.
Dimensions of L112 x W82 x H64cm
Folded dimensions of L60 x W49 x H14cm
WHAT THE REVIEWS SAY
Many praise how incredibly easy it is to set up and fold away. It is very light but has a thick and comfy mattress. This is a premium product, which is reflected in the price. The only downsides mentioned are that the mattress is very low to the ground and the sides are quite high so shorter people with a bad back may struggle a bit.
5. Purflo Sleep Tight Breathable Baby Bed
This baby nest is a good alternative to a travel cot as it has been certified as suitable for overnight, unsupervised sleep.
It has a firm, flat base and breathable sides.
It can be used from birth until 8 months.
It is fully breathable and has a firm, flat base.
Every part of the bed can be fully washed.
Comes with a travel bag.
WHAT THE REVIEWS SAY
The design is very popular and they love the fact it can be used overnight. But it is quite expensive and can only be used until 8 months old.
6. Bugaboo Stardust Travel Cot
This travel cot is easy to assemble and dismantle as it pops up in one second and folds down in three seconds.
There is a firm, comfortable mattress, which folds inside the cot.
It is suitable from birth as there is a zip-in carrycot insert.
It can be used up until two years old or 15kg.
Includes a carry bag.
Measures H85 x W98 x L64cm.
Weighs 7.7kg.
WHAT THE REVIEWS SAY
It’s very easy to put up and many love that it can be folded with the mattress inside. The newborn insert is also very popular. The downsides are that it is expensive and doesn’t have a very long life as it can only be used until around two years old.
7. Nuna Sena Aire Travel Cot
This travel cot can be used from birth until 15kg (around three years old.)
There is a raised upper cot for babies which can be folded down with the main frame.
It pops up easily and then folds down again with one hand.
It comes with a ventilated mattress and organic cotton sheets.
Includes a travel bag with a carry handle.
The fabrics are removable and machine washable.
Weighs 11.3kg.
Dimensions of H73 x W76 x D103cm.
Folded dimensions of 30 x 24 x 86cm.
WHAT THE REVIEWS SAY
The Nuna Sena Aire is very easy to put up and very sturdy. One frequent criticism is that it is quite heavy.
8. Hauck SLEEP’n play TRAVEL COT
A spacious 120 x 60cm travel cot that can also be used as a playpen.
Comes with a folding mattress, travel bag, bassinet and cot top changing mat with raised sides and a safety harness.
Can be easily folded or assembled.
One zipped side panel for easy access.
Suitable from birth until 15kg.
Weighs 8.5kg.
Two legs are wheeled for moving it around.
Total dimensions of L125cm x W68.5cm x H82cm.
Folded dimensions of 76.5 x 22 x 21cm.
WHAT THE REVIEWS SAY
This is a great quality travel cot and many love the extras like the changing area. However, the mattress is very thin so many buy another one to go inside.
9. Joie Baby Kubbie bedside travel cot
This travel cot can be used as a bedside cot as it has a side panel which can be lowered.
Comes with a bassinet so it can be used from newborn.
A removable mattress is included.
There are two integrated wheels for moving it easily around.
Weighs 8.79kg.
The upper weight limit is 15kg.
There is a carry bag to pack it away into.
WHAT THE REVIEWS SAY
They love that it can be used as a bedside cot and praise its sturdiness. But it is a little on the heavy side and takes a little bit of practice to get the hang of putting it up and down
FROM THE BLOG
MORE OF THE BEST:
Cots and cot beds • Moses baskets, cribs and bedside cribs • mattresses • sheets • baby monitors • baby blankets • room thermometers • white noise cuddly toys/apps • baby sleeping bags • blackout blinds • waterproof mattress protectors • night lights • baby nests • prams • car seats • baby carriers
The first time you stay overnight with family and friends could mean excitement at an extra pair of hands and a much-needed break. Or it could mean you are feeling overwhelmed by all the packing involved for a tiny human. If that’s the case, here is a complete packing checklist for your baby and some things to make a short stay easier and the journey lighter.