Best Pack And Plays 2023

It’s often handy to have a lightweight, portable crib on hand, whether stored away for visitors or in your living room for impromptu baby naps and play. Better known as a pack and play, these portable cribs are also useful during travel. The best pack and plays fold with ease and often include carrying cases and sometimes a bassinet insert or built-in changing stations. Our No. 1 pick for the best pack play, the Chicco Lullaby Zip All-in-One Portable Playard, is portable, spacious and includes a number of these extra perks, while our value pick, Graco Pack N Play Portable Playard, is much more affordable but with fewer frills.

The best pack and plays serve as portable, lightweight cribs for baby naps and playtime.

Parents might sleep better knowing pack and plays are a safe sleep surface, too. “It’s a safe place to have your baby sleep and can be used from newborn up to 3 years of age,” confirms Danelle Fisher, M.D., pediatrician and chair of pediatrics at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.

The best pack and play for you ultimately depends on your needs and those of your baby, but certainly, if you plan to use it as a travel crib, take a look at how well it carries, its size and weight and how small (and easily) it folds. If you’re searching for an at-home pack and play, consider how easy it is to move from room to room, which additional features it includes and if it feels sturdy enough for repeat use.

After analyzing the bestsellers on the market, speaking to experts on safe sleep standards and trying out our share of play yards and portable cribs over the years, we’ve selected these 10 as the best pack and plays. When you’re finished perusing this list, be sure to read about our favorite travel strollers, diaper bags, swaddles and baby swings.

Amazon

Dimensions: 45 x 31 x 46 inches | Weight: 35 pounds | Weight limit: 30 pounds | Special features: Snap-on changing pad, large wheels, parent organizer

Best for: Parents who want a full-size pack and play with all the essentials for baby sleep, possibly full-time.

Chicco put a lot of thought into this pack and play—and it shows. It’s packed with special features to give you and your little one nearly all the comforts of home when you’re traveling or to use instead of a crib in small spaces. The pack and play features a full-size infant bassinet, along with a detachable changer with a zip and wash cover to make diapering a bit easier. There’s also a parent organizer with a zipper top and carrying handle to allow you to tote around must-haves. The mattress has a zip-off cover that’s machine washable in case of blowouts or other accidents. An electronic toy bar plays songs and nature sounds and includes soft toys for a little distraction. The whole thing can be wheeled around and folds down quickly with the touch of a button before sliding into the included carrying bag. It isn’t the lightest pack and play on this list, though, so it may not be your top pick if you’re flying.

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Nuna

Dimensions: 41.5 x 30 x 29 inches | Weight: 22 pounds (without bassinet) | Weight limit: 30 pounds | Special features: One-hand fold, carrying case with handle and included mattress and sheet

Best for: Parents seeking an upgraded pack and play that won’t look hideous no matter where it’s placed.

This sleek portable crib from Nuna is one of the more lightweight pack and plays on the market, making it a great choice for travel. In many ways it’s a standard pack and play, but Nuna has added in a few upgrades, including Greenguard Gold certification, an organic sheet set and a slightly more luxe, breathable mattress. More importantly, this crib’s easy conversion from bassinet mode to play yard is a feat as it doesn’t require a separate attachment. We also appreciate the carrying bag and the one-handed pull to fold mechanism. The non-skid feet are a perk too as it makes it all a bit sturdier, although some will miss the wheels. The zip-off mattress cover is washable, but the play yard materials are spot clean only. The Nuna play yard bottom sits a bit off the floor, which some may appreciate, especially if your floors are cold. Add-on a Nuna changing station if desired.

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Amazon

Dimensions: 40 x 28.5 x 29 inches | Weight: 20 pounds | Weight limit: 30 pounds | Special features: Mattress doubles as carrying case, attached pocket

Best for: Parents on a strict budget who need a no-frills, safe pack and play.

Graco’s Pack ’N Play is synonymous with the category. While it’s been on the market for a while, it still covers all the basics of a portable crib—and at a price tag many families can feel good about. It also lasts for ages. I got a Graco Pack ’N Play when my now-9-year-old was born, and my family has consistently used it for trips to the grandparents’ houses and on vacations for all four of my children. This play yard folds up quickly with the touch of a button (that requires more force than a toddler can deliver). It also has a mattress that doubles as a carrying case, giving you one less item to keep track of during a busy family trip. An attached pocket can be used to house diapers, wipes and pacifiers. Wheels let parents move this pack and play to the next room without too much effort. Graco also offers an upgraded version of this pack and play with a bassinet insert or with a raised diaper changing station.

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Amazon

Dimensions: 44 x 24 x 32 inches | Weight: 13 pounds | Weight limit: None (safe until they can climb out around age 3) | Special features: Easy-fold mechanism, carrying case, stores flat

Best for: Minimalists seeking a portable, easy-to-use pack and play for temporary use.

Pack and plays tend to have a certain amount of heft to them and are more often used as a secondary crib, but, if you need a true travel crib, the BabyBjörn has legions of fans. At just 13 pounds with airy mesh sides, the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light is significantly lighter than the competition, making it easy to tote through an airport, into the car or down the sidewalk. Our parenting editor has had one for years, and it held up through three kids and many trips. Now she keeps it in the attic, easily carrying it down the pull-down stairs whenever a new niece or nephew comes to visit. The crib sets up in practically one movement and features a cozy-yet-firm mattress to create a comfortable sleep space for your child. Worth noting: This travel crib has no upper weight limit—instead, your child will outgrow it when they can climb out. The mattress cover and crib sides are also machine washable. What you won’t find with this pack and play are too many bells and whistles, such as a changing station.

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Guava

Dimensions: 45.5 x 31.5 x 25.5 inches | Weight: 13 pounds; 15 pounds with carrying bag | Weight limit: None, until around age 3 or when they can climb out | Special features: Backpack carrying case, zippered side opening, Greenguard Gold certified

Best for: Parents headed to the airport and those who travel with a lot of stuff.

Guava’s Lotus Travel Crib is arguably the best pack and play for any airline travel. It’s incredibly lightweight and can be carried on your back like a backpack as carry-on or as checked luggage. Like the Bjorn, it is supported by the floor, so there’s no upper weight limit, meaning it may remain useful for longer than other play yards and travel cribs. However, some babies (and parents) prefer a raised pack and play that keeps baby a little more elevated. It truly does set up in minutes. We love that the side unzips for another access area (thank you from our lower backs) and the mesh sides are washable. It’s Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it was tested for a number of potentially harmful off-gassing chemicals, and includes a three-year warranty.

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Century

Dimensions: 38 x 22.25 x 30 | Weight: 21 pounds | Weight limit: 30 pounds | Special features: Infant bassinet, included sheet, wheels

Best for: Parents seeking a streamlined pack and play to fit into smaller rooms.

The Century Travel On 2-in-1 has a compact design, so baby’s sleep space won’t dominate yours. Besides, size matters when you’re traveling, and, if you’re not the lightest of packers, you want a play yard that won’t hog all your trunk space, hotel room floor or the spare bedroom at your in-laws’ house. It features a 2-in-1 design that includes a removable bassinet to use with newborns, so you aren’t reaching so far down into the crib. Later, older babies can sleep or play in the larger crib and play yard area. The pack and play features two wheels for easy toting, along with an included carry bag. And, in general, its price is a deal, especially as it can double as a bassinet or play yard.

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Amazon

Dimensions: 49 x 49 x 28 inches | Weight: 12 pounds | Weight limit: 30 pounds | Special features: UPF 50 canopy, pockets

Best for: Active families with babies who nap on the go, especially while attending older siblings’ extracurriculars.

The Go With Me Eclipse works well for creating a special place for baby to nap or play indoors or outdoors in a protected spot. This might come in handy at an older sibling’s soccer game, the beach or while camping. The play yard’s removable UPF 50 canopy creates shade, while the all-mesh sides allow for a comfortable breeze to blow through. The floor is made of sturdy nylon and can be removed and tossed in the wash as needed. The whole thing snaps into place and pops down in seconds. An included carrying bag allows for seamless storage and transportation. It’s designed for children 6 months to 2 years old.

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Pottery Barn Kids

Dimensions: 41.5 x 31 x 33.5 inches | Weight: 18.5 pounds | Weight limit: 35 pounds | Special features: Newborn bassinet, fast fold, two-stage mattress

Best for: Busy parents who don’t have time to waste and plan to have more than one child.

By nature, pack and plays typically involve a special hack to get them open. Maybe the bars need to be slightly bent or there’s a locking mechanism you need to trigger. Not the Maxi-Cosi Swift. This pack and play goes up in one quick action that’s impressively fast. You just snap it open, push the bottom flat and move along. The motion is so easy to do, you can even whip this pack and play out while you’re holding your baby in one hand. The pack and play also features a newborn bassinet, so you can get years of use out of it. The whole thing slips easily into a handy carrying case. It also just looks nice, thanks to a faux wood finish and neutral fabric—choose from Wheaton Stripe, Essential Graphite and Essential Blue shades. At 18 pounds, it’s lightweight enough to carry effortless through an airport or to hoist into your trunk. It’s on the higher-end of the cost spectrum, so this might be a better investment for those who can use it with several children over the years.

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Amazon

Dimensions: 43 x 30 x 30 inches | Weight: 28.5 pounds | Weight limit: 30 pounds | Special features: Detachable flip changer, newborn bassinet, one-handed set-up

Best for: Stylish parents on extended-stay trips or with plans to use the pack and play frequently.

Having a set diapering spot when you’re on the go eliminates hassle and makes life as a traveling parent just a little easier. The 4moms Breeze Plus isn’t the only pack and play with a diaper changing station, but this option has a really cool feature that makes it incredibly easy to go from changes to naptime and back. The play yard features a special detachable flip changer that pops up and secures to the top of your portable crib when you need to change baby, and then effortlessly folds down on the outside when diapering is done. A detachable bassinet also makes it easy to access smaller babies (up to 18 pounds) before they graduate to the larger sleep surface at the bottom of the pack and play. One-push open and close allows you to get set up and broken down quickly.

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Amazon

Dimensions: 29 x 47 x 33 inches | Weight: 39 pounds | Weight limit: 44 pounds | Special features: Diapering station, bassinet with shade, removable bassinet

Best for: Parents who want options or parents of twins.

Graco’s Day2Dream is packed with features to make everything a bit more convenient. It can go from bassinet to portable bassinet to a play yard, so parents get several products in one. Let the youngest sleep in the raised bassinet, which positions your baby at eye level (when you’re seated) and features see-through mesh on all sides, so you can truly keep your child in your line of sight at all times. Or keep them in the removable bassinet as you move from room to room. A really cool element? Extendable legs turn the portable bassinet into a beside bassinet, saving your back in the process. There’s also a built-in adjustable shade that makes it easy to keep sun out of your little one’s eyes. The pack and play also includes a diapering station with hanging side pockets, so you can help baby freshen up without scrambling for things like wipes and cream.

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To choose the best pack and plays, I spoke with experts, such as Dr. Fisher, about how to use a pack and play safely, as well as other parents to hear about their favorites. I included pack and plays that I’ve used and enjoyed in my own home, as well as those recommended by other parents or that were the most highly rated. I looked at the most popular models on the market and narrowed down the field based on factors like portability, ease of use, special features and value. I’m an experienced shopping writer who has tested and reviewed a number of products, especially in the parenting and home spaces, and Forbes Vetted has extensive experience reviewing baby gear and sleep products, including cribs, crib mattresses, bassinets, crib sheets and more. This article is regularly reviewed and updated. It was most recently updated in January 2023.

A pack and play is a portable crib that can also double as a play space for your child. These handy baby items typically include a mattress or sleep surface, along with mesh sides. The play yards fold up when they’re not in use for storage or easy transport.

Many of the cribs in this article are described as “playards” while others are described as pack and plays. That’s because these portable, pack and play style cribs can often be used as play yards as well. There are some play yards that do not offer a sleep surface. They tend to be larger and lack mattresses. An ideal play yard is often a bit more spacious than a basic pack and play, too.

This depends on your family. Some families like having a pack and play in the living room or finished basement as an additional safe sleep space or play area. Others choose a lightweight pack and play for travel; some families keep an extra pack and play at the grandparents’ houses for impromptu trips. Pack and plays are not designed to be used as an infant’s daily sleep space, but they are considered safe.

When you’re on the go, a pack and play is often the safest sleep option, Fisher says. “It’s safe to use and highly portable,” she says, noting that she has plenty of patients whose families keep pack and plays at their grandparents’ homes.

Just keep in mind that just like your crib or bassinet, the baby won’t always fit into a pack and play. Eventually, they’ll outgrew it. “It depends on the size of the crib and size of baby,” Fisher says. In general, it’s recommended that children stop using pack and plays when they’re 3 years old, possibly sooner. “If your child is standing up and there’s a possibility of them climbing out or tipping the pack and play over, it’s time to use something else,” Fisher says.