Baby Travel Cots on Review

Although they do not qualify as an essential purchase for a new baby, a travel cot can be an extremely useful buy, and one parents rarely regret making. Other than the obvious use of being able to take them on holiday, they can also be used for trips to friend's or relative's homes, daytime naps or even - depending which model you buy - somewhere shady and safe to sleep or play in the garden, at the park or at the seaside. Wherever you are, you will have the reassurance your baby has somewhere comfortable and familiar to sleep. Larger, more traditional baby travel cots can also double as a playpen, giving you even more versatility for your money.

BabyDan Travel Cot Review

Graco Travel Cot

Samsonite Travel Cot

NScessity Travel Centre

Everyone has a different list of priorities when it comes to choosing baby travel cots. The following gives a brief explanation of the two different types. However, we recommend you look at our best buys page and read some of our reviews on popular products to get a complete understanding of the most suitable purchase for your needs.

Traditional travel cots

For many people, the main appeal of a traditional travel cot is that they can also be used as a playpen. The mesh sides mean that baby can still see the world around them, while their parent or carer can see that they are happy and playing safely. Another advantage of their size is that their age range suitability is normally greater than a pop up model.

But they aren't the best choice for everyone. The main disadvantage of the traditional style is that they are often incredibly heavy. All of the main manufacturers incorporate wheels or castors into the design for easy manoeuvring around the home, but if you are going to be folding them down and taking them out on a regular basis then the challenge of carrying around something so heavy might be a point to consider.

Pop Up Travel Cots

If your motivation for buying a baby travel cot is that you need a portable bed for your baby, a pop up model can be much more advantageous. They are extremely lightweight - often 10 kg lighter than a traditional version - and fold down so small you can slip them into your bag or suitcase. Most are suitable for use outdoors, for example at a picnic where want your baby to be able to nap. Some models, such as the NScessity Travel Centre, even function as a UV tent (giving protection of factor 25).

The downside of some pop up travel cots is the size. They can be as small as a bassinet, which means once your baby is rolling and able to push themselves up a little it is no longer safe to use. On average, they last a baby 6 months before they outgrow it. However, this does not apply to all versions. The aforementioned NScessity model can be used by toddlers and preschoolers.