Buying guide for best travel bassinets
Traveling with an infant might sound hard, but you'll find it's usually far easier to take a trip with a small baby than a mobile, opinionated toddler. The one must-have essential? A quality travel bassinet, which will provide a safe and comfortable place for your baby to sleep while she's away from her own crib.
Travel bassinets aren't just for nights away, either. Thanks to their lightweight and portable nature, they're ideal for moving from one room to another at home, so your baby can nap near you while you get on with whatever you need to do. They're also handy for packing up and taking to your parents' house or to your sitter's place, so your little one can sleep in a familiar spot. One of the main factors to consider when buying a travel bassinet is its portability and how easy it is to set up and pack away. Also, think about the thickness of the mattress and whether you need a stand.
Our guide to travel bassinets contains all the facts you need for an informed purchase. When you’re ready to buy, consider one of our recommended models.
Key considerations
Stand vs. no stand
-
Travel bassinet with a stand: Some travel bassinets have a built-in frame or stand with legs. Those with stands are much like pod bassinets and are, therefore, better suited to frequent or long-term use. They allow airflow beneath the mattress and hold your baby at a convenient height for picking her up and putting her down.
- Travel bassinet without a stand: Some people are drawn to these because they're less expensive and fold down smaller than those with stands. They're great for occasional overnight use or for popping your baby down for 10 minutes, so you can keep her near you while you do the dishes or make a snack. However, you shouldn't use them for extended periods or as alternatives to standard bassinets.
Portability
Consider how easy your chosen travel bassinet is to take from one place to another. A highly portable model should be lightweight, fold up into a compact package, and have a carrying case included. The whole point of a travel bassinet is that it should be easy to travel with, so any models that aren't particularly portable should be avoided.
Ease of setup
Some travel bassinets simply fold in and out with the mattress and all the fabric that makes up the sleeping area in place — much like how you'd fold up a basic stroller. If ease of setup is your main concern, look for an easy-fold model, ideally one you can set up and fold away with just one hand, while you hold your baby in the other arm. Those with a slightly more complex setup are often more durable and include thicker mattresses and, therefore, suited to home use, too. Even those that are more tricky to set up, should be ready to use in less than a minute.
Mattress
Mattresses are generally included with travel bassinets, although they usually aren't particularly thick or comfortable, because they're not designed for long-term use. The two main mattress-related factors to consider are the firmness of the mattress and how well it fits the bassinet. While a soft mattress sounds comfy, firm mattresses are much safer than soft mattresses for babies to sleep on. The mattress should also fit the bassinet exactly with no gaps around the edges; even small gaps can be an entrapment hazard.
Expert Tip
STAFF
BestReviews
Features
Integrated sounds
Does your baby have trouble falling asleep? Some travel bassinets have integrated speakers that either play preloaded soothing sounds or that can connect to devices via Bluetooth to play music or any calming sounds of your choosing.
Washability
Ideally, travel bassinets should let you remove and machine wash the fabric parts in case of any accidents. If not, the material should be nonpermeable and easy to wipe clean.
Canopy
Travel bassinets may have either full canopies, half canopies, or no canopies at all. Full canopies are ideal for outdoor use, and either full or half canopies can help block out light for daytime naps.
Height adjustability
If you choose a travel bassinet on a stand, it may be height adjustable. Adjusting the height can make it easier for you to pick up and put down your baby without stooping too much. Or you can set it at a convenient height so you can easily lift your baby out for feeds while you're in bed.
Travel bassinet prices
Inexpensive: Basic travel bassinets cost between $30 and $50. At this price point, you'll generally only find bassinets without stands, which are useful for occasional nights away or daytime naps but not much else.
Mid-range: For $50 to $80, you'll find some durable choices that are suitable for extended trips and more regular use but shouldn’t be used as your primary bassinet.
Expensive: High-end travel bassinets cost roughly $80 to $150. These are rugged models with extra features and more comfortable mattresses. The majority can be used as home bassinets as well as for travel.
Tips
-
Check that your chosen travel bassinet has adequate ventilation. It should have mesh panels on the sides for airflow to help keep your baby from overheating.
-
Decide whether you need any storage space. Some travel bassinets have fabric storage shelves built in, which are useful for holding diapers, wipes, pacifiers, or other baby gear you might need easy access to.
-
Consider how often you'll use a travel bassinet. Will your baby be using her travel bassinet most days for naps or at the sitter's while you work, or is it just for a one-off trip away? The frequency of use may impact how much you're willing to spend.
- Think about whether you'd like a travel bassinet with a rocking mode. This is extremely useful for babies who like motion to lull them to sleep.
Other products we considered
The Brica Fold N' Go Travel Bassinet is one of the most affordable options out there, so it's great for anyone who only occasionally needs a travel bassinet and doesn't wish to spend too much. It's extremely lightweight and easy to set up and pack down. The MiClassic 2-in-1 Stationary & Rock Mode Bassinet takes just a second to fold and unfold, and you can even set it up one-handed. The rocking mode is ideal for soothing your baby off to sleep, but you can then switch it to stationary mode for stability. The Evenflo Loft Portable Bassinet is more high tech than other options, with a Bluetooth speaker to play music to your little one and an integrated room-temperature monitor. The Mika Micky Bedside Sleeper is a little trickier to set up and pack away than some models, but it can still be done in 30 seconds or so. The bonus is that the quality is high enough to use it as an everyday bassinet. It also doubles as a co-sleeping bassinet.
FAQ
Q. Can my baby sleep in a travel bassinet full time?
A. The majority of travel bassinets are only designed for use when your baby isn't able to sleep in her own regular crib or bassinet. They tend to have thin mattresses and may not be durable enough to stand up to daily use. That said, some high-end travel bassinets are of a high enough quality to use as your baby's main bassinet at home and on the go. Babies aren't in bassinets for long before progressing to full-size cribs, after all, so it can seem extravagant to buy a travel bassinet and a home bassinet.
Q. Will I need to buy bedding for my travel bassinet separately?
A. Some travel bassinets have sheets included, but often you must buy them separately. Bassinet sheets should be fitted and of the correct size for the mattress, otherwise they can be unsafe. It's better to go without a sheet than to use the wrong type or size. Any other bedding is unnecessary (and can be unsafe) for babies. Put an extra layer of clothing on your baby while she sleeps rather than using a blanket, and forgo pillows altogether.
Q. When will my baby grow out of a travel bassinet?
A. Travel bassinets usually have a maximum weight limit of between 15 and 25 pounds. Once your baby can roll over and sit up independently (which may be before she reaches the weight limit), she'll need to move from a travel bassinet to a travel cot.
