The best travel cots according to cool GLAMOUR mums, so your little one can snooze on your exotic holiday
Travel cots are a holiday must-have for any new parent. While light loading of your baby changing bag is near-on impossible with the number of baby essentials on your “to pack” list, knowing where your little one will lay their head on your weekend break needn't be cause for stress.
The best travel cots for babies and toddlers are safe spaces for your bundle of joy to sleep when you're away from home (perhaps the Maldives? Or New York? We can dream). They're portable and collapsible, folding down into an easy-to-carry bundle that shouldn't be too strenuous to move. Perfect for weekends at the grandparents' or even on a plane.
The best travel cots come with genuinely comfortable mattresses (nowhere near as lumpy as they once were) for your baby girl or baby boy to get a killer night's kip, and they double up as playpens for during the day/when you're getting ready for dinner with thanks to the high mesh sides.
And forget what you thought you knew: today's travel cots aren't as ugly and clunky as they once used to be. In fact, with thanks to chic Scandi baby brands like BabyBjörn, they're designed with as many style credentials as the remaining contents of your suitcase. Think: tonal hues and sleek, modern frames. Here's everything you need to know.
Do I need a travel cot?
Lugging a travel cot around with you may feel like a faff you don't need, but if you're staying in a hotel or staying with friends, finding a quiet spot for your baby to sleep isn't always easy. Travel cots will enable you to stick to your baby's bedtime routine and become a safe and familiar place for your little one to rest – even if you're not ready to hit the hay.
What age can a baby sleep in a travel cot?
“Your baby can use the travel cot well into their third year, so it is worth the investment,” Motherhood Coach and Baby Expert Millie Poppins told us. Your travel cot will serve a purpose until your toddler is too big or old enough to climb out.
Are travel cots safe?
“A travel cot purchased in the UK would need to meet the European Safety Standards,” Millie told us. “You should follow all safe sleep guidance set by The Lullaby Trust (similar to cots and bassinets that you would use at home). A firm, flat and waterproof mattress is essential. It is also important not to add anything into your baby’s sleep space such as comforters, bumpers, loose bedding, pillows etc. A clear cot is the safest cot."
What to look for in a good travel cot
There are a few things to consider when shopping for a new travel cot. Firstly, consider the travel cot's age suitability. Different travel cots have different age and weight limits, so consider how many years' worth of use you want to get from your cot before purchase.
Next, consider its ease of use. Are you after a traditional travel cot comprising a frame and fabric cot, or a pop-up travel cot (which might be lighter but less sturdy)? Is your travel cot compact and easy to fold away? Will it take long to assemble? The travel cots listed in this edit have all been selected for their ease of use.
“For younger babies, who aren’t yet standing, I love a travel cot that has two adjustable heights,” Millie said. Look for travel cots with bassinet attachments: they're great for newborns and create a crib across the top of the cot for your little one to sleep in. “This is so helpful if you are getting them in and out throughout the night. Your back will thank you!”
Once you've got that nailed, take a look at the mattress. “Make sure the travel cot you purchase actually includes a mattress as sometimes these can be sold separately,” Millie said. Generally speaking, travel cot mattresses tend to be harder and thinner than normal cot mattresses to make them easier to transport. You'll definitely want something with a waterproof or machine washable cover, because accidents happen and hygiene is key.
You should also consider additional features, like travel bags and mesh windows.
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Best travel cot overall
BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light, £220, John Lewis
Why we love it: This travel cot might be one of the more expensive in this edit, but it's worth every penny if you have a little more money to spend. It's from the luxe baby essentials brand BabyBjörn, assembling in seconds, folding down to a briefcase shape incredibly light in weight. It comes with a carry bag, and you can literally lift the cot out and assemble it in one movement. The mattress is just the right thickness, and the full mesh sides allow you to see what your baby is getting up to all night long.
Dimensions: 82 x 112 x 64 cm
Folded size: 49 x 60 x 14 cm
Weight: 6kg (including carry bag)Save when you shop for the best travel cots with these John Lewis discount codes.
Best travel cot Amazon
Dooky - Portable Travel Cot Grey, £36.88, Amazon
Why we love it: This portable travel cot is one of the lightest travel cots in this edit – in fact, it's one of the lightest on the market right now. It doesn't have particularly high sides, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It makes it perfect for newborns who can't yet stand up, and it makes it perfect for laying down almost anywhere. Read: on a flight, on the spare side of your bed, or on a sofa.
Dimensions: 75 x 41cm
Folded size: 41 x 26cm
Weight: 1.2kgSave when you shop for the best travel cots with these Amazon promo codes.
Best bedside travel cot: Joie travel cot
Joie Baby Roomie Glide Sleep Bedside Travel Cot, Foggy Grey, £169, John Lewis
Why we love it: Joie travel cots are among some of the best on the market, and the Roomie Glide Co-Sleeper is our favourite for allowing your little one to sleep by your side – wherever in the world you are. On one side, there's a high mesh wall, and on the other, a single-hand sliding panel which prevents any separation between yourself and baby. The single-hand glide function allows you to rock your newborn to sleep without leaving your own bed, and the one-touch glide lock lets you secure Roomie Glide in place when you're done rocking.
The sliding panel can be lifted and lowered with one hand, and the 11 height adjustment options mean you can fit this travel cot to almost any height/style of bed frame or sofa bed.
As for its portability? This travel cot has four lockable wheels so you can easily move it around your space, and it assembles and disassembles with speed. It also comes with a handy travel bag so you can take it on overnight stays or weekend breaks.
Dimensions: H68.5 x W81 x D98.5cm
Weight: 11.94kgSave when you shop for the best travel cots with these John Lewis discount codes.
Best travel cot for holiday
Nuna Sena Aire Travel Cot, £230, John Lewis
Why we love it: It might be a little more expensive – and a tad heavier – than some of the other travel cots in this edit, but if increased air flow and visibility of your baby are priorities, it's certainly one to consider. It has 360-degree mesh lined air flow on the crib and bassinet, and the mesh mattress has two levels of airflow thanks to ventilating padding. Basically, your baby will get plenty of fresh air when they're kicking back for the night.
As for practicality, it has a centralised pulley system which makes it easy to assemble even with one hand, plus skid-proof feet and a raised base. It also comes with a certified organic cotton sheet, setting it apart from cheaper options on the market. Have a little more to spend? You can purchase a matching changing unit and insect nest for more exotic destinations.
Dimensions: L73.5cm x W107cm x H74.5cm
Folded dimensions: L24cm x W28cm x H86cm
Weight: 10kgSave when you shop for the best travel cots with these John Lewis discount codes.
Best travel cot for changing
Joie Commuter Travel Cot, £165, Mamas & Papas
Why we love it: The best travel cot for changing is this portable crib by – no surprises here – Joie. It comes with a removable bassinet and a vibrating bouncer and a toy bar to keep your little one entertained. It has mesh sides for airflow and visibility, and integrated wheels so that you can move your baby closer to you during nap times. The only downside? It is a little bulkier – and therefore less portable – than some of the other models in this edit, making it better suited for UK holidays over long-haul flights.
Dimensions: 106 x 70.5 x 80cm
Folded size: 79 x w 25 x h 21cm
Weight: 12.3kg
Best travel cots for long term use
Micralite Sleep and Go, £150, Amazon
Why we love it: The best travel cot for long term use is the Micralite Sleep and Go. It can be used as a newborn crib (with thanks to the detachable bassinet), infant travel cot and playpen for toddlers. It's lightweight, easy to move around, and though not as compact as some of the others on this list, it easily fits into a car boot when folded. It can be assembled in just two minutes.
The only downside? When you're using it in the early days of your baby's life, it doesn't fit snug against the side of the bed due to the sloped sides. That said, this gives a toddler more space to play further down the line… swings and roundabouts.
Dimensions: L112cm x W80cm x H67cm
Folded dimensions: L88cm x W34cm x H17cm
Weight: 7kgSave when you shop for the best travel cots with these Amazon promo codes.
Best travel cot for easy storage
Maxi-Cosi Iris Travel Cot, Graphite, £159, John Lewis
Why we love it: Not only is this one of the chicest travel cots in appearance (check out those wooden legs!), but it's perfect for both newborns and infants. It comes with a bassinet option for newborn babies, which can be lowered when they get a little older. It has a machine washable lining, a comfortable mattress and it's easy enough to assemble in just one click.
Dimensions: 690 x 670 x 115cm
Folded size: 570 x 540 x 150cm
Weight: 6 kgSave when you shop for the best travel cots with these John Lewis discount codes.
Best travel cot for twins
LITTLELIFE ARC 2 TRAVEL COT GREY, £149.99, Jojo Maman Bebe
Why we love it: Unique in design, this travel cot is suitable for use from birth through to toddlers. It's one of the lightest and most compact travel cots we've tried, acting a bit like a pop up tent and complete with a comfy foam mattress. It has mesh panels for insect protection, visibility and ventilation, and comes with a travel bag for easy transportation. Perfect for UK camping holidays and longer-haul trips alike.
Dimensions: 33 x 85 x 72 cm
Folded size: 42 x 31 x 20 cm
Weight: 2.5 kgSave when you shop for the best travel cot with these Jojo Maman Bebe discount codes.
Best travel cot with thick mattress
Venture Airpod Travel Cot, £87.99, Amazon
Why we love it: One of the best travel cots under £100 is the Venture Airpod Travel Cot, which scores top points for its thick mattress of excellent quality. It's really easy to assemble, lightweight and also comes complete with a strong storage bag when in transport.
Dimensions: 85 x 55 x 66cm
Folded size: 60 x 15 x 50cm
Weight: 6kg
