Parent Approved: The 6 best travel bassinets from The 2 Idiots Travel Blog

Parent-Approved: The 5 Best Travel Bassinets And Baby Travel Beds [ 2023 ]

Our favorite thing about traveling with an infant is we could go practically anywhere with our son and he’d sleep. Dining out? A piece of cake as he would fall asleep in his car seat en route and then could sleep through the noise of a restaurant with the greatest of ease. And, when it comes to staying in a hotel, there is no need for an extra bed. All you need is a travel bassinet.

Before companies catered to babies, older travelers, so we have been told, would remove a drawer from the hotel dresser, pad it with a blanket and use it as a bassinet. Today, we have lots of travel bassinets that are safe, comfortable, and easy to carry.

All of the following bassinets are extremely lightweight — none over 10 pounds — and can travel well. Most, however, are not made for babies who have reached crawling age; for that, you’ll want to review our list of parent-approved travel cribs.

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How we rate the bassinets on our list?

  • Bassinet weight: A travel bassinet needs to be light. We give a 5 to the lightest of the bassinets and the heavier they become, the lower the rating.
  • Child height/weight limit: The bassinets here are for infants, generally up to 12 months. Those listed that accommodate the 12-month infants with higher weights receive a higher score.
  • Ease of setup: The last thing you want to do when you arrive at a hotel with a tired child is spend time setting up a bassinet. The easier the bassinet is to set up, the higher the rating.
  • Optionality: Some bassinets on our list double as changing pads, diaper bags and backpacks. For their versatility, we rate them higher than others. Top marks mean the bassinet can be used in the most ways possible.
  • Value for money: When we add up all of our criteria and combine it with the price, we give higher ratings to those who offer the most, for the least.

At A Glance: Best Travel Bassinets And Baby Travel Beds

ImageBrandDetails
BEST OVERALL
ScuddlesCheck price
PREMIUM PICK
Koalaty Check price
BEST VALUE
Munchkin Check price
Primo Check price
LulybooCheck price

1. Scuddles 3-1 Portable Bassinet for Baby

BEST OVERALL
Highlighted Features
  • It is versatile, because it can be used as a diaper bag, a crib or even as a portable changing station
  • Machine washable, easy to dry and has a detachable, mattress pad
  • Scent is baby friendly, without chemical smells
  • Comfortable materials for the baby’s skin
  • Large enough to carry babies aged up to up to 18 months.
  • Weighs only one pound and measures 8 x 3 x 8 inches.
  • Measurements can be adjusted to 12 x 24 x 6 inches when used as a bag or when expanded into a bassinet.
  • It is easy to set up
  • Well insulated pockets

This awesome travel bassinet is easy to carry, serving as a diaper bag before opening into a bassinet. Setting up in just 30 seconds, its small enough to take everywhere, allowing your child to sleep while you’re waiting for a layover at the airport as well as safely sleep at your hotel. As a diaper bag, it keeps bottles warm and the mattress pad becomes a changing pad. Even better? It weighs just 1 pound and costs less than $50!

One mom wrote of her bassinet, “This was a lifesaver. My baby slept with ease in it at the airport, while visiting family, going from one house to the other and in hotels. I can’t wait to try it at the beach because the material looks like you can just shake out the sand. Let me start with some European cities are not baby friendly, there was no baby changing areas like in the U.S. so unfortunately I had to use the floor but with this it was much more comfortable than just laying a regular baby changing pad on the floor. This alone makes this all worth it!”

The negative? One parent with an active sleeper found it wasn’t sturdy enough to withstand her 8-month-old daughter

Pros
  • Multipurpose and safe because it comes with supportive sticks
  • Adjustable sleeping space
  • Baby friendly and secure changing station
  • Portable as it easily fits inside strollers.
  • Has five compartments that are all zipped and are easy to clean and dry.
Cons
  • Lacks the ability to be converted into a backpacks, or be evenly secured on the back.
  • It should have longer handles for convenience when hanging from a stroller.

Our ratings:

Bassinet weight: 5 out of 5
Child height/weight limit: 3 out of 5
Ease of setup: 5 out of 5
Optionality: 5 out of 5
Value for money: 5 out of 5

2. Koalaty 3-in-1 Universal Baby Travel Bag

PREMIUM PICK
Highlighted Features
  • Spacious enough to allow the baby sleep and stretch comfortably.
  • Has four zippered compartments for storing items such as bottles, clothing, diapers, toys, and additional accessories.
  • Can be folded for easy storage when it’s not in use
  • Versatile, in that it can be converted into a diaper bag, a bassinet or a changing pad.
  • Has shoulder straps that are adjustable for more comfort when carrying.
  • Comes with two plastic made closure parachute buckles, a disposable bag dispenser and padded carry handles.
  • Easy to set up, convert and use.
  • Has a boxed-in surface that is well padded to enhance the comfort of the baby.
  • Made using high quality materials such as the Polyester 600D fabric.
  • Its stitching is reinforced to make it last longer.
  • The sides are secured using cardboard to prevent the walls from falling.
  • Its material is waterproof and easy to clean, because users only need to wipe it using a damp cloth.
  • Soft and well- padded to improve the baby’s comfort.
  • It has the dimensions of 29 by 13 by 7.5 inches when expanded as a bassinet, and measures 14.5 by 14.5 by 4 inches when converted into a bag.

A super-stylish diaper bag with ample pockets for holding gear converts in one easy unzipping step into a portable bassinet to sleep infants up to 29 inches. Better yet? It weighs less than 4 pounds! The fold-down option also makes it perfect as a portable changing table — even if you have to change a child on a chair, they won’t roll out of this amazing travel baby bed. Of course, crawling babies will be able to get out of this crib option, so it works best for younger children, but at $60, this bag is an amazing deal.

“This is a parents dream come true. After two other traditional diaper bags, this one was a keeper. I love that it unfolds into a changing table or safe place for baby to nap. Plenty of good sized storage for diapers, wipes, bottles, clothes. It keeps me organized so I can find things fast. It’s great looking, durable, convenient, and good looking! Highly recommend, don’t even bother with other diaper bags”

Pros
  • Versatile, Adjustable and detachable shoulder handles.
  • No strong chemical scents that can harm the baby or cause discomfort.
  • Modern, fashionable and attractive designs.
  • Easy to wash and has a waterproof material
  • Reinforced stitching and walls for security
Cons
  • The compartments are not insulated making it hard to maintain bottled liquids’ temperature.
  • Not big enough for bigger babies or toddlers

Our ratings:

Bassinet weight: 4 out of 5
Child height/weight limit: 5 out of 5
Ease of setup: 5 out of 5
Optionality: 5 out of 5
Value for money: 5 out of 5

3. Munchkin Brica Fold N’ Go Travel Bassinet

BEST VALUE
Highlighted Features
  • Light, because it is made for carrying around.
  • Firm that doesn’t lose shape or shrink
  • Comfortable mattress
  • Integrated handle for portability
  • Extra handle at the top to enhance convenience when handling
  • Its sheet is detachable from the mattress to make cleaning easy
  • Machine washable and easy to dry
  • It has mesh walls on the sides to enhance air circulation.
  • 4-point safety locking system to secure the baby inside
  • The body is strong for support
  • Gender neutral colors and design
  • Comprises polyester, steel, cotton materials in its structure

Just fold this Brica bassinet in half and go — it’s that easy to use this baby sleeper. Weighing 3 pounds and costing $50, the bassinet allows baby to sleep practically anywhere while you travel. The breathable fabric stays cool in the heat, allowing breezes in, but some parents do feel the material isn’t all that durable or made to last.

Still, one mom found the bassinet works well on airplanes: “If you sit in bulkhead seats this will fit perfectly at your feet! I had flight attendants say what a great idea it was! I have 4 month old twins and traveled with one in the car seat next to me and the other slept soundly in this bassinet- actually both babies preferred the bassinet to the car seat. It’s super lightweight and the airline didn’t count it as a carry on since it was for a baby.”

Pros
  • Machine washable and water-resistant
  • Strong, durable, light and reliable.
  • Fashionable and user friendly
  • Portable and foldable
  • Breathable and comfortable
Cons
  • Side rails not padded

Our ratings:

Bassinet weight: 4 out of 5
Child height/weight limit: 3 out of 5
Ease of setup: 5 out of 5
Optionality: 2 out of 5
Value for money: 4 out of 5

4. Primo Cocoon Folding Travel Bassinet with Bag

Highlighted Features
  • Light in weight
  • Foldable design for easy storage
  • Oval Padded Mattress to enhance comfort
  • Recommended for 20 lbs. or less
  • Ventilated mesh for improved air circulation
  • Includes carrying bag
  • Snap on legs that are easy to assemble or dismantle
  • Soft fabric that is baby friendly
  • Washable and easy to dry

With its easy fold design and carrying case, this bassinet opens in seconds and offers a mesh cover to keep your baby safely inside, as well as safe from insects should you take the sleeper to the beach or on the deck of your rental cabin. Holding infants up to 20 pounds, the 9-pound bassinet is just $65.

One parent wrote, “Couldn’t be happier with this purchase! We are very on the go people and needed something universal for traveling. This works perfect. The cover was super easy to install. It came with a travel bag which will be convenient for on the road. Best of all, the baby loves the dock-a-tot deluxe + and it fits PERFECTLY! Will be using this all the time!”

Some parents find assembly of this bassinet to be tricky, or as one parent proclaimed: “Getting the legs on it was a huge pain and there is no way they are coming off now, which makes it impossible to fit in its carrying case.”

Pros
  • Light
  • Convenient storage
  • Comfortable, safe and secure
  • Versatile and easy installation
  • Stable and firm
Cons
  • Mattress prone to wear and tear
  • Larger than other bassinets on this list

Our ratings:

Bassinet weight: 2 out of 5
Child height/weight limit: 4 out of 5
Ease of setup: 3 out of 5
Optionality: 2 out of 5
Value for money: 3 out of 5

5. Lulyboo Bassinet To-Go-Metro

Highlighted Features
  • Stylish, modern and fashionable
  • Removable canopy that can be put back easily
  • It includes an easy to install hanging toy bar and two plush toys that entertain the baby
  • The whole mattress liner is removable, machine-washable and easy to dry
  • Can be transformed into a portable backpack
  • The bottom of the bassinet is waterproof to protect it from soaking
  • Portable, with products that fit seamlessly

It’s not the most attractive of the folding bassinets — it doesn’t become a diaper bag or zip up — but it does strap on as a backpack for easy carrying as you travel. The Lulyboo has padded siding, and is the only sleeper on our list with a bit of shade, making it a better choice for the beach. (It helps the bottom is waterproof, as well.) We’re surprised the price is higher than some of the more convenient traveling bassinets at $75, but parents do rave about this sleeper, which weighs 3 pounds.

Although parents find the sleeper too big to use on an airplane, they do find it works while traveling.

“My daughter is absolutely Love her you LulyBoo!!! I was looking for a comfortable and easy to carry bed style to travel with. I love that idea that she has the same place to sleep no matter where we go and the most important is that don’t need to worry about here rolling off The bed. Definitely recommended the best solution I found for traveling with babies,” said one mom.

But some parents have complained that the bassinet measurements aren’t accurate and their 24-inch-long babies are already too tight in the space.

Pros
  • Functional and user friendly
  • Light in weight and fit for co-sleeping
  • Classy and stylish
  • Versatile or multipurpose
  • Can used as a diaper changing mat conveniently
Cons
  • Thin bottom cushion that causes the baby discomfort

Our ratings:

Bassinet weight: 4 out of 5
Child height/weight limit: 3 out of 5
Ease of setup: 4 out of 5
Optionality: 1 out of 5
Value for money: 2 out of 5

Best Travel Bassinets And Baby Travel Beds [ 2023 ] Buyer Guide

This buyer guide is to help a potential travel bassinet and bed customer by highlighting the essential qualities to look out for. These qualifications ensure the safety and security of both the baby and parent(s) or guardian(s) by helping them make informed and wise choices, considering that the market is flooded with a wide variety to choose from.

Price

Pricing is an essential factor to consider. Make sure that you set a budget for how much you intend to spend and stick to that budget. Given the variety in the market, it is possible to find a travel bassinet that is reasonably priced but still matches your budget. It is also essential to make a comparison of the features you are looking for and their prices.

Materials

It is essential to look out for the type of material used to make a bassinet or bed because some chemicals used to enhance the quality, durability, or appeal can be harmful to the baby’s skin or even sense of smell. Some substances also make the bassinets highly flammable and lack flame restraint capabilities.

Weight

A quality bassinet or bed should be light in weight to enhance portability and convenience when moving around. The weight mainly depends on the type of materials/ metals used, the number of compartments, and the amount of padding added.

Adaptability

No one wants a travel bassinet or bed that comes with a rigid design that cannot be restructured. It is advisable to go for one whose design can be adjusted in terms of straps, height, canopy, and mattress or paddings.

Gender neutral / unisex

When scouting for a baby travel bassinet, ensure you go for one that is suitable for all genders in terms of color and design. Gender neutrality makes it easier to resell, donate, or use for other children after it has been outgrown by the child it was initially bought for.

FAQs

Q: How can I tell that a portable bed or crib is versatile?

A: The bed or cribs user manual should guide you by clearly stating how many forms it can be converted to.

Q: How will I know if the chemicals used to enhance materials for travel bassinets are harmful?

A: We recommend you read about the materials used to make the bassinet. We have done our own research before recommending these bassinets and highly recommend you do the same prior to buying.

Q: What do I do if the material is not waterproof, yet I want to clean the travel bassinet?

A: If the material is not waterproof, it is advisable to spot and clean without soaking in water.

Q: How can I fix a mattress pad that is thin and uncomfortable?

A: If a mattress pad is thin, you can adjust it using soft comfortable baby blankets or shawls.

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bien
bien
4 years ago

thank for your sharing !