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10 Best Travel Cots For Kids Of All Ages

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Written By Connie

CPD Sleep Consultant

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10 June 2024 7 min read

Make sleeping away from home a pleasant experience for your little ones with one of the best travel cots!

We all know that travelling and sleeping can be quite stressful for our littlest ones, especially when it comes to toddlers and babies. Thatโ€™s where travel cots come in.

Travel cots are portable, compact and safe places for your small children to sleep in when youโ€™re away from home. Travel cots are lightweight, foldable and when folded into a compact shape, quite portable, as well. This is what makes travel cots ideal for vacations, holidays as well as overnight stays away from home.

Because we simply adore the little ones, weโ€™ve decided to do a little bit of research and find the best travel cot your money can buy. On that note, here are our picks!

Our top picks

For our top picks, we've chosen 10 excellent baby travel cots, each one excelling at a certain thing. We've gone out of our way to consult with several parents to get some additional information and first-hand experiences, so we're quite sure your kid would enjoy any of the travel cot mattresses.
    Baby 1
    Product image of Tutti Bambini CoZee.
    Tutti Bambini CoZee
    BEST OVERALL
    Baby 2
    Product image of Hauck Sleep n Play Centre Cot bed.
    Hauck Sleep n Play Centre
    BEST VALUE
    Baby 3
    Product image of Kinderkraft Baby Crib 3 in 1.
    Kinderkraft Baby Crib 3 in 1
    BEST LIGHTWEIGHT
    Baby 4
    Product image of Fisher-Price On-The-Go Baby Dome.
    Fisher-Price On-The-Go Baby Dome
    BEST FOR NEWBORNS
    Baby 5
    Product image of Graco Compact Travel Cot.
    BEST COMPACT: Graco Compact Travel Cot
    BEST COMPACT
    Baby 6
    Product image of MICRALITE Sleep & Go Travel Cot.
    MICRALITE Sleep & Go Travel Cot
    BEST STYLISH
    Baby 7
    Product image of Graco Contour Electra Travel Cot.
    Graco Contour Electra Travel Cot
    BEST FOR ACCESSORIES
    Baby 8
    Product image of Venture Airpod Travel Cot.
    Venture Airpod Travel Cot
    EASIEST TO ASSEMBLE:
    Baby 9
    Product image of Bloomsbury Mill Nap Mat.
    Bloomsbury Mill Nap Mat
    BEST ALL IN ONE
    Baby 10
    Product image of Red Kite Black Sleep Tight Travel Cot.
    Red Kite Black Sleep Tight Travel Cot
    MOST BREATHABLE

BEST OVERALL: Tutti Bambini CoZee

The best travel cot on the UK market!
BEST OVERALL
Product image of Tutti Bambini CoZee.

If you're looking for a travel cot that can easily double as a regular cot then you've just found the right one. Tutti Bambini does it all. Itโ€™s remarkably comfortable, highly adjustable, incredibly easy to open and fold, comes with a free padded mattress and an own carry bag and will suit your child easy until they turn three. It weighs only 10 kg, so on top of all that weโ€™ve already mentioned โ€“ itโ€™s very portable as well.

Advantages

An icon depicting lightweight properties
Lightweight
For a travel cot, it is lightweight as it weighs only 10 kg.
An icon depicting a magnifier indicating high quality
High quality materials
High quality materials were used for making this one.
shopping-bags-pro
Conveninet bag
Super-convenient carry-bag.

Disadvantages

fabrics-con
Lack of insects net
The cot does not come with a insects net.

BEST VALUE: Hauck Sleep n Play Centre

If you're looking for the best bang for your buck โ€“ this is the cot for you!
BEST VALUE
Product image of Hauck Sleep n Play Centre Cot bed.

If youโ€™re looking for a travel crib that does a lot of things well, but at an affordable price range then Sleep n Play Centre from Hauck Sleep is the right one for you. This travel cot is a full package. It comes with a newborn bassinet, a changing top, an equipment bag, a folding mattress and a transport bag and you can get a fitted sheet separately if you wish to do so.

Advantages

An icon depicting the product that is soft to touch
Mattress included
You get a mattress with this one.
Easy-maintenence-pro
Easy assembling
Super easy to assemble and disassemble.
An icon depicting a zipper
Zip-design
The zip design helps you convert it to a place for fun and play.

Disadvantages

fabrics-con
Lack of insects net
There is no insects net.

BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: Kinderkraft Baby Crib 3 in 1

A lightweight, multifunctional travel cot!
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT
Product image of Kinderkraft Baby Crib 3 in 1.

Kinderkraft Baby Portable Crib 3 in 1, as you can tell from the name, is a multi-purpose travel cot. First of all, this one weighs only 5 kg so you can pretty much carry it by hand anywhere you want. The cot is easy to both fold and unfold and it serves both as a cot or a cradle. Additionally, because it comes with a detachable canopy, this one can also be used outside without any worries whatsoever. And oh, it comes with three suspended toys, so that's a bonus.

Advantages

An icon depicting lightweight properties
Lightweight
It weighs only 5 kg.
Easy-maintenence-pro
Easy assembling
Convenient assembling & disassembling.
shopping-bags-pro
Free carrying bag
You get a bag for carrying.

Disadvantages

baby-safe-con
Lack of wheels
There are no wheels built-in.

BEST FOR NEWBORNS: Fisher-Price On-The-Go Baby Dome

The only better napping place for your newborn are your arms!
BEST FOR NEWBORNS
Product image of Fisher-Price On-The-Go Baby Dome.

This travel cot is ideal for newborns. Itโ€™s lightweight, itโ€™s built with special care from quality materials, itโ€™s spacious enough for your child to sleep and play in, it comes with an overhead canopy thatโ€™s both sun shield and insect net and itโ€™s probably the easiest travel cot to fold and unfold weโ€™ve ever seen. One could argue that an infant travel cot should have more accessories, but then again, does it really need any?

Advantages

Not-for-all-toys-pro
Two toys included
Two toys are included in the package.
An icon depicting lightweight properties
Lightweight
It weighs only 6 kg.
An icon depicting a washing machine, illustrating a product that is suitable for machine washing
Machine washable pad
Just remove the pad from inside and wash it in a washing machine.

Disadvantages

shopping-bags-con
Carry bag not available
The carry bag does not come with this one

Graco Compact Travel Cot

It doesnโ€™t get much more compact than this!
BEST COMPACT
Product image of Graco Compact Travel Cot.

If youโ€™re looking for a travel cot that you can easily fold and fit into a small space then you've found the right one. This travel cot is as compact as they get when they're folded โ€“ especially if you consider the fact that your kid can use this one pretty much until they're old enough to sleep in their own bed.

Advantages

Easy-maintenence-pro
Easy assembling
It is super easy to assemble/disassemble.
An icon depicting the product that is soft to touch
Mattress included
A sturdy & comfortable mattress is included.
shopping-bags-pro
Carry bag
You get carry bag for this one.

Disadvantages

fabrics-con
No insects net
You do not get an insects net.

BEST STYLISH: MICRALITE Sleep & Go Travel Cot

Stand out from the crowd with this really stylish travel cot.
BEST STYLISH
Product image of MICRALITE Sleep & Go Travel Cot.

Appearance is certainly not the most important feature of a travel cot but it is functionality. Best case is when the appearance is combined with functionality as in the case of MICRALITE Sleep & Go Travel Cot and then we get a winner in the stylish category. It is suitable from birth to approximately 3 years so you will be able to use it for a long time. You can start using it as soon as the baby is born, thanks to the newborn insert, and then when the baby grows up, remove that part and you will get a toddler cot. It is very easy to assemble.

Advantages

An icon depicting a happy mom and happy baby, depicting a product that is safe for babies
Suitable for up to 6-month old babies
It fits for babies up to 6 months old.
An icon depicting modern design
Modern & stylish
Contemporary & stylish.
Easy-maintenence-pro
Easy assembling
Easy assembling & transformation to moses/cot bed.

Disadvantages

An icon depicting negative colour properties
One colour only
Available in one colour only.

BEST FOR ACCESSORIES: Graco Contour Electra Travel Cot

If you need a travel cot that has a lot of different accessories, go with Graco Contour Electra Travel Cot.
BEST FOR ACCESSORIES
Product image of Graco Contour Electra Travel Cot.

It has a variety of accessories that make the trip easier and simpler, both for you and your baby. Let's just mention some of the accessories. It has a raised bassinet for newborns, and also a removable changing table which will make it easier for you to change the baby when it is most sensitive and when you have to be very careful. Changing tables can also be used for toddlers. Removable toy bar with toys will capture the attention of your baby and then instead of crying and being upset, you will not have any problems. There is also a nightlight, music and timer, as well as a removable vibration unit to completely comfort your baby.

Advantages

An icon depicting a magnifier indicating high quality
High quality craftmanship
High quality materials & manufacturing.
An icon depicting different groups of people
Multifunctional
Vibration unit, changing pad, removable toy bar a lot more.
An icon depicting modern design
Modern & stylish
This model has a stylish & contemporary design.

Disadvantages

Easy-maintenence-con
Hard to assemble
The process of assembling could be easier.

EASIEST TO ASSEMBLE: Venture Airpod Travel Cot

Venture Airpod Travel Cot will be ready for use within minutes.
EASIEST TO ASSEMBLE:
Product image of Venture Airpod Travel Cot.

In general, assembling a travel cot should not be complicated, but that is not always the case. As we have already mentioned, there are some travel cots that have many accessories and are therefore rather complicated to assemble. This travel cot is very easy to assemble, and it is also lightweight, which further facilitates the whole process. The frame is made of aluminum which is a lightweight material, yet durable. Mesh sides provide your child with safety and air circulation at the same time. It is designed in the UK, tested to all British and European safety standards, including fire regulations.

Advantages

Easy-maintenence-pro
Easy assembling
The assembling is a piece of cake.
An icon depicting lightweight properties
Lightweight
It weighs only 5.95 kg.
An icon depicting chain links indicating durability
Highly durable
It will last you long time.

Disadvantages

An icon depicting negative colour properties
One colour only
Available in one colour only.

BEST ALL IN ONE: Bloomsbury Mill Nap Mat

If you don't need a classic travel cot, this can be a great choice for you and your child.
BEST ALL IN ONE
Product image of Bloomsbury Mill Nap Mat.

As you can immediately see, and conclude by the name, Bloomsbury Mill Nap Mat is a completely different product from the travel cots we've talked about so far. This is an all-in-one nap met that includes pillow, mat and blanket, and is ideal for both travel and nursery, nap time and sleepovers. It is made of a very soft cotton blend, which will not irritate the sensitive skin of the child, and it is also very easy to maintain. It is machine washable and dries very quickly. Bloomsbury Mill Nap Mat is OEKO-TEX certified, which is a guarantee that your child will not be exposed to any harmful chemicals and similar toxins.

Advantages

An icon depicting a washing machine, illustrating a product that is suitable for machine washing
Machine washable
Easy maintenance, due to being washing machine friendly.
An icon representing an eco-friendly & sustainable concept
Eco-friendly & ethical
The product is ethically produced and it does not contain harmful substances.
An icon depicting a cotton plant, illustrating a product that contains cotton material
Cotton blend
Made of cotton-poly combination.

Disadvantages

An icon depicting a product that does not have a modern design
Not a classic design
This is not for those looking for a classic design.

MOST BREATHABLE: Red Kite Black Sleep Tight Travel Cot

As breathable as it gets!
MOST BREATHABLE
Product image of Red Kite Black Sleep Tight Travel Cot.

Red Kite's Sleeptight Travel Cot is an award-winning sleep solution that's perfect for travelling with your little one. It's lightweight and compact, making it easy to take with you on holidays or visits to friends and family. And it comes with a padded mattress for extra comfort.ย With its plethora of features, Sleeptight Travel Cot from Red Kite offers optimum safety for your child. The see-through mesh side panels allow you to regularly check on your child, and the unit's central locking base adds extra protection. When not in use, it's simple to fold up and store due to its compact size. So whether you're at home or on the move,ย  Sleeptight Travel Cot from Red Kite will guarantee that your infant gets a good night's rest.

Advantages

An icon depicting air passing through a fabric
Highly breathable
Thanks to the design, it is highly breathable.
An icon depicting the product that is soft to touch
Mattress included
This model comes with its own mattress.
Easy-maintenence-pro
Easy assembling
It is super easy to assembly & disassembly it.

Disadvantages

An icon depicting a kettlebell on a surface indicating a heavy object
A bit heavy
It weighs 7 kg.

What to consider when buying best travel cot

Before you dive in and explore your options when it comes to travel cots, it canโ€™t hurt to know a little bit about them. Like any other product, travel cots, as well, have a lot of identifying and key features that you need to be aware of before you buy the travel cot.

For instance, when it comes to travel cots, there are a lot of important features to consider, like portability and compactness, for instance, so before you decide on a travel cot, allow us to expand on some of the most important features.

Portability

Arguably the most important feature of a travel cot is portability.

If it weren't for that, you could just carry a regular baby cot with you when you travel, but as you know, that's not quite possible.

Pretty much any travel cot is portable enough and should fit in a car boot. However, which one will you choose will greatly depend on how and where youโ€™re travelling. For instance, if you're using public transport to travel, you need a portable travel cot that's easily carried on hand.

On the other hand, if you're travelling by car, you have nothing to worry about. In that case, even a traditional travel cot will do.

Easy assembling & storage

You want the travel cot to be easy to assemble and fold back up. Luckily, most travel cots are designed that way, so you should have any problems folding them or assembling them. Naturally, you might struggle a bit in the beginning, but after a few set-ups, you should become quick.

Ease of storage is another thing you should think about considering youโ€™ll need to keep it somewhere while youโ€™re not using it, but also, if the travel cot is easy to store, itโ€™s easy to travel with.

Age suitability

Generally, a travel cot isnโ€™t suitable for infants younger than 3 months. Younger babies are still very vulnerable and shouldnโ€™t be sleeping in travel cots. Overnight sleeping should be reserved for a bassinet. On that note, a baby thatโ€™s older than 3 months is perfectly suitable to sleep and play in a travel cot.

Now, not all travel cots are suitable for children the same age. Some are more suited to infants, some are better used when the kids are older. Youโ€™ll be able to tell which is which simply by looking at it, but pretty much every product will state the age suitability, so keep an eye out for that, as well.

An image of a baby standing in a cot bed.

Finally, it's a general rule of thumb that kids over the age of three are mature enough to sleep in regular beds, instead of travel cots, and also, babies and toddlers under the age of three should sleep in a travel cot regularly.

Mattress

A mattress within a travel cot is a must, especially if youโ€™re using it for your infant.

In most cases, a quality travel cot will come with a mattress thatโ€™s fitting for that particular model, however, itโ€™s possible that you wonโ€™t get a mattress when you purchase a travel cot. Be that as it may, the important thing when it comes to mattresses for travel cots is that they must be firm. Travel cot mattresses tend to be thinner, but firmer. Under no circumstances should you use a soft mattress for your baby.

An image of a mattress in a cot bed.

Normal cot mattresses will be firm and will ensure the safety of your child, so pay special attention to them.

Also, make sure the mattress fits perfectly in the cot and leave no gap larger than an inch between the cotโ€™s sides and the mattress's edges.

Bassinet

Another thing thatโ€™s useful, especially for infants, is having a bassinet as an accessory to your travel cot. In some instances, the travel cot could be a bassinet, if itโ€™s specially designed for infants.

In most cases, a quality travel cot will come with several accessories, including the bassinet. That way, you can use the travel cot when the babyโ€™s still very young, as well as in the following years.

Bassinets are the safest way for a baby under 6 months to sleep in, so, if your babyโ€™s that young, you should aim to find the travel cot that comes with a bassinet.

Fabric

The frame of a travel cot is usually either metal or plastic. However, the rest of the body is usually made out of breathable, woven fabric or mesh. The fabric that's used for travel cot's side panels is more than just a fashion statement. It's very important for the side panel to be see-through, so you can easily keep an eye on your baby. Also, the mesh fiber allows for better airflow so that your baby can breathe unobstructed when sleeping or playing inside a travel cot. In most cases, the mesh sides are made from hypoallergenic polyester.

An image of a travel cot.

Insect net

The final travel cot feature you should be focusing on when finding the best travel cot for your little one is the canopy or the insect net.

The insect net or an overhead canopy is very important if youโ€™re using the travel cot outdoors. Itโ€™s not uncommon for people to go camping or even to the beach and have their babies with them. In those instances, itโ€™s important that the baby is safe from annoying insects like mosquitos.

Also, a canopy can also double as a sun guard so thatโ€™s another thing to look out for when buying a travel cot.

Tips for buying and using a travel cot

When it comes to tips for buying and using the travel cots, there are a few with can share with you.

First of all, make sure that the cot youโ€™re buying comes with a travel case. Youโ€™re going to be transporting the travel cot quite a lot and it should be in the protective covering or a case, both for easier transport and protection.

Secondly, pay attention to the accessories. It's not uncommon to find a travel cot that can double as a playpen. Also, travel cots often come with changing mats, toys, toy storage pockets and so on. These could rack up the price, so consider which ones you need and which ones you don't before you buy them.

Finally, some travel cots come with wheels, which makes them ideal if you need to quickly move the cot from one room to another. Once again, think about whether you need wheels or not, but these are an accessory that canโ€™t seem to hurt.

The advantages of owning best travel cot

Now that youโ€™ve seen our picks, we thought weโ€™d name a few of the advantages of owning the best travel cot.

First up, travel cots aren't just for travelling โ€“ you can use a travel cot as a playpen when youโ€™re at home and you want your baby to play in a safe environment.

When using an outdoors model with a protective, inspect-repelling canopy, you can be certain that your baby will be insect-bite free, so, these really come in handy if youโ€™re someone that enjoys spending time outdoors.

Finally, a travel cot makes your travelling arrangements so much easier. Regardless of where youโ€™re staying and how are the conditions โ€“ your baby will have a comfortable, safe place to sleep.

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FAQs about your new travel cots

Finally, letโ€™s answer some of the questions moms and dads all around the world are most frequently asking when it comes to new travel cots.

Is a travel cot safe for everyday use?

Yes, it is safe for short sleep periods. However, travel cots are not designed for toddlers to sleep several hours consistently. For a longer period of sleep, you'll need a more robust and comfier cot for everyday use.

Can a 3 month old sleep in a travel cot?

Yes, the travel cot can provide enough sleep for a 3 months-old baby. Still, your baby needs a comy cot bed for everyday sleep.

Do travel cots need sheets?

It is highly advised to have a few sheets in spare for your travel cot

How long should a baby sleep in a travel cot?

Your baby can sleep in a travel cot as much as needed.

What age can a baby sleep in a travel cot?

Any baby or a toddler thatโ€™s over 3 months old can sleep in a travel cot, given that it can fit in it. Kids usually outgrow a travel cot by the time they turn 3.

What bedding should I use for a travel cot?

You should use a firm, flat and waterproof mattress that can fit in a travel cot.

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About the author

Connie
As a CPD certified Sleep Consultant I know how important sleep is. And as a combination sleeper, I have found it difficult to get products to suit my sleep style. I have more than 2 years product testing experience with The Sleep Advisors which means I have slept on, with and under more than 500 products with varying degrees of success. This is added to more than 2 years experience as a product reviewer for Closer, Heat and Grazia magazines, so I've got a rigorous process. I love sharing my sleep testimonials with our readers and hearing their experiences too.
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