Best Pack-and-Play Products of 2023

Guava’s Lotus Travel Crib fits the bill if you’re looking for a lightweight, simple-to-use pack-and-play for traveling with baby and while on the go. It is light, opens and folds up easily and quickly, and can be carried like a backpack (or in hand if you wish). Plus, the mattress sits on the floor, so there’s no weight limit. This and the travel crib’s side zipper door are excellent features for babies and toddlers who need more support falling asleep. Mom or Dad can easily lay beside the baby and sneak out when ready. Our team has tested and used this pack-and-play for years. We highly recommend it!

Why We Love It:

• Compact, 3D Z-fold with an airport-friendly backpack carrier
• Lightweight at 15 pounds and ideal for travel
• Side zipper door to support connection (and easier transfers of sleeping babies)
• Floor-based mattress and, therefore, no weight limit
• Washable fabric and mesh cover
• Excellent solution for both sleep and use as a baby playpen
• Sleek, simple design

Parents’ Thoughts: This travel crib is a fan favorite, with parents raving about its simplicity. Parents especially love its compact backpack carry fold and frequently deem it necessary for travel. Finally, moms, in particular, appreciate the side zipper door and floor-set mattress for easy access and the ability to nurse or snuggle with their little ones.

We tested this highly-rated pick, and it weighs in at just 13 pounds, making it hard to beat in terms of convenience and portability for pack and plays. It has a comfortable mattress that sits safely on the floor, meaning there is no weight limit (but it shouldn’t be used once a child can climb out). In addition, BabyBjörn’s Travel Crib Light boasts a straightforward design with safe materials, no loose parts, and a built-in base. Quality and simplicity are essential here.

Why We Love It:

• Very lightweight at only 13 pounds
• Floor-based mattress (and, thus, no weight limit)
• OEKO-TEX certified
• Machine-washable crib fabric
• Simple, straightforward design
• Compact without added bulkiness
• Excellent for both sleep and play

Parents’ Thoughts: This pack-and-play is well-loved for its lightweight, simplicity, and high-quality design. Parents often comment on how simple it is to travel with – or keep in the back of the car for any use. Parents also love how easy it is to wash this travel crib. In terms of comfort, this pack-and-play boasts rave reviews for providing babies and toddlers with a peaceful night’s rest.

The Nuna SENA aire is a chic, convenient pack-and-play perfect for travel. It weighs 22 pounds and features a triple-layered mesh mattress, sturdy aluminum zigzag frame, 360 degrees of complete ventilation and airflow, and a one-hand fold.

Why We Love It:

• One-hand fold for easy setup
• Triple-layered mesh mattress
• Sturdy aluminum frame
• Advanced air design and easily removable mesh panels
• Organic cotton mattress sheet and storage bag included
• Skid-proof feet for undisturbed sleep
• Mattress is machine-washer and dryer-safe

Parents’ Thoughts: Parents love how airy, sleek, and functional this pack-and-play is, praising its removable, machine-washable mattress and mesh panels. In addition, moms and dads love the chic design of the Nuna SENA aire Travel Crib, referring to it as less bulky than other options on the market — all while providing the unbeatable quality Nuna fans expect.

The Maxi-Cosi Swift weighs 18 pounds and features a one-step fold, making it an excellent option for taking on the go. It offers two levels for use from newborn through toddlerhood: an uber-comfy, thick mattress and all-around mesh.

Why We Love It:

• One-hand, ultra-compact fold
• Thick, comfortable mattress
• Ultra-lightweight yet sturdy frame
• Portable at 18 pounds
• Premium fabrics and all-around mesh

Parents’ Thoughts: Parents praise this pack-and-play for how easy it is to set up and fold and for its style and functionality. In addition, moms and dads of taller babies appreciate the slightly taller height of this pick as opposed to other models.

My family was gifted a Graco pack-and-play when my first child was born, and it was one of the most used products from our registry. The term “pack-n-play” is trademarked by Graco. A highly-rated Graco pick, the Graco Pack ‘n Play On The Go Playard offers everything you’d hope for in a versatile pack and play at an excellent price point. This pick features a full-size infant bassinet that folds with the playard for simple set-up and take-down, folding feet, and wheels for easy transport. In addition, this budget-friendly pick includes a removable soft toy bar for added entertainment.

Why We Love It:

• High quality at an excellent price point
• 20% more compact fold than other Graco playards
• Folding feet and wheels
• Full-size, removable infant bassinet
• Durable frame
• No-frills design
• Soft toy bar

Parents’ Thoughts: This pack-and-play is loved for its straightforward, no-frills design at a reasonable price. It’s often called the perfect basic, budget-friendly pack-and-play that does the job without unnecessary features. In addition, parents appreciate the folding feet and wheels for easy, compact transport.

This pick is known for being simple to set up and boasts comfort and convenience. It features patented aerospace technology and a unique all-in-one design for a one-second unfold and three-second fold, making it one of the fastest-to-use pack and plays out there. It also has a cool modern and minimalist design that fits any home aesthetic.

Why We Love It:

• One second to unfold, three to fold
• Lightweight at just 17.2 pounds
• Folds down to 5.5 inches wide for easy storage
• Newborn insert for bassinet included
• Comfortable multi-layer mattress
• Breathable mesh siding
• JPMA-certified and chemical-free fabrics
• Two-level playard for use from the newborn stage through toddlerhood
• Sleek modern design

Parents’ Thoughts: Parents say the Bugaboo Stardust Portable Playard is worth the splurge, as it offers style and unparalleled simplicity. In particular, parents appreciate the ease of this pick’s one-second unfold — without ever needing to remove the mattress. In addition, parents rave about how nicely this playard folds up — or, rather, down — to a mere 5.5 inches wide.

The UPPAbaby REMI Playard is another user-friendly, easy-to-set-up top pick with rave reviews. This beautifully designed pack and play requires just one hand for opening and closing — both of which take seconds. In addition, It features a zip-down access panel for fast soothing. Our team got to test this at the ABC Kids Expo, and we love it!

Why We Love It:

• Relatively lightweight at 20 pounds
• Breathable triple-layer air mesh mattress
• Zip-open soothing panel for easy access to baby
• One-handed setup
• Organic cotton mattress cover and storage bag included
• Portable and versatile

Parents’ Thoughts: Parents appreciate the UPPAbaby REMI Playard’s portability, ease of use, and zip-down access panel, claiming it makes for easy soothing, and comforting — anytime, anywhere. Parents also appreciate the peace of mind this pick’s breathable triple-layer air mesh mattress provides for safe sleeping.

The Aeromoov is a uniquely compact, portable playard offering ultra-lightweight comfort and convenience without any hassle. It weighs less than 11 pounds and folds to less than 5 inches wide, so it’s incredibly easy to travel with. When we received our sample for testing, it was quick and simple to set up and break down. In addition, you can purchase a UV 50+ sunshade and mosquito net bundle separately — making this pick an excellent option for simple indoor-outdoor use and all your family’s adventures.

Why We Love It:

• Very lightweight at less than 11 pounds
• Sets up in two seconds
• Folds to less than 5 inches wide
• Two levels for use from the newborn stage through toddlerhood
• Extremely compact and portable
• Accessories for outdoor use are sold separately

Parents’ Thoughts: Parents love how simple and convenient this pick is; it’s especially popular among frequent travelers, as it’s one of the lightest, most compact pack and plays on the market. In addition, moms and dads are glad to have the option to purchase accessories that can quickly transform this playard into an outdoor necessity — whether at home or while traveling.

The Joovy Room comes in a variety of color choices and provides all the necessities and then some. This pick boasts all-in-one convenience for newborns through toddlerhood and is an excellent option for your nursery or travel. It includes a bassinet for infants up to 15 pounds, a flip-away changing table, an oversized storage pocket on one side and a diaper station on the other, and a waterproof, machine-washable sheet for its playpen configuration — suitable for children up to 35 inches tall. It has everything you will need.

Why We Love It:

• Long-lasting usage for infants through older toddlers
• Dew-resistant, bugproof, and UPF 50 sun protection for outdoor use
• Comfortable, self-inflating mattress pad with machine-washable cotton cover
• Pop-up setup
• Available in six colors and two sizes
• Ample storage included

Parents’ Thoughts: Parents love the longevity of this pick, referring to it as a wonderful purchase for years of use. In addition, parents appreciate the Joovy Room Playard’s diaper station and ample storage pocket, as well as the fact that it’s available in several colors and multiple sizes — making it a truly versatile, customizable pick.

The Silver Cross Slumber Playard is a beautifully designed, innovative playard that offers style and comfort. It’s made to grow with your little one and features a unique expandable mattress; unzip off the bassinet and expand the mattress to fit the base of the crib. When testing this pack and play, we found it to be very easy to set up and break down with its shake-open setup and fast fold-up. It includes a handy weatherproof carrying bag that is very high quality for added portability.

Why We Love It:

• Lightweight at 15.4 pounds
• Made for long-lasting use: suitable for birth up to 50 pounds
• Three-in-one newborn bassinet, crib, and playard
• Soft yet sturdy expandable mattress grows with baby
• Zip-up door design
• Easy to open and close up
• Chic and high-quality

Parents’ Thoughts: Apart from its stylish design, parents appreciate how lightweight and portable this pick is. In addition, parents love the versatility and longevity that comes with the expandable mattress. Moms and dads also comment on the ease of access the Silver Cross Slumber Playard’s zipper door provides.