This baby gear rental service makes traveling with little ones so much easier

• What is it? BabyQuipOpens a new window

• Why I love it: This baby gear rental service lends you items like cribs, strollers and more while you’re on vacation, so you don’t have to worry about packing them.

• How much is it? The service charges per item, per day, with exact fees varying based on your location and the dates you’re staying there.

Before I became a parent, I used to love the excitement of packing before vacation. But now, worrying about all of the gear we’ll need to bring (sound machine, baby monitor, stroller, pack ‘n’ play… the list goes on) has turned packing into a much more stressful experience. 

Luckily BabyQuipOpens a new window, a baby gear rental company, is designed to make vacationing with little ones much easier. Parents can rent bulky items that are hard to travel with like strollers, car seats and playards, plus tons of other baby essentials that you may need — especially if you forgot something important. In fact, this service is so beneficial to parents and caregivers that the BabyQuip app won a JPMA Innovation 2023 AwardOpens a new window, which celebrates brands making advances in the baby product space.

I got to test BabyQuip for a trip to New York City, and let me say, not having to pack as much for my toddlers reignited some of my pre-baby packing excitement (I basically just had to handle their clothes and diapers!). 

BabyQuip is basically AirBnb, but for baby products. As you search for baby gear, you’ll be connected with a local “independent quality provider” who lives in the area you’re visiting and has a collection of commonly used items, like cribs, strollers, high chairs, toys — you name it — available on the dates you need them. They’ll then rent the gear to you and, once you return the items, the provider cleans and sanitizes everything (according to manufacturer instructions) before making the products available to future renters. 

For my trip, I had several providers available and it was easy for me to find one who had everything I was looking for: a single stroller, a folding high chair, a pack ‘n play, a sound machine and a baby monitor. Not every destination has as wide a selection of providers, but with more than 1,200 locations covered across North America (notably in Disney World and Disneyland, too!), Australia and Europe, you’re bound to find success with your next trip.

I was impressed that most of the providers were stocked with the latest and greatest gear — I got a Hatch Rest Sound Machine, for example, and a Guava Lotus Travel Crib (which are named among BabyCenter’s best sound machines and best travel cribs, respectively). I even noticed some providers had things like Lovevery toys, stroller wagons and SlumberPods. Basically everything that they stock is a giant step up from the old, stained pack ‘n play that your hotel might have on-hand. And, in some locations, you can opt to have your gear delivered so it will be available upon arrival.

What really makes this service standout is the easy-to-use appOpens a new window, which is what won BabyQuip the JPMA award in the technology category. With the app, you can easily add last-minute items, modify your reservation dates, and message your provider.

BabyQuipOpens a new window charges per item per day, plus a service fee and tax, so it can be a little pricey. Renting five items for four days — and getting these items delivered to and picked up from the location where I was staying — would have come to $331.59. (Full disclosure: I didn’t pay, as I was given complimentary rentals for testing purposes.)

While that isn’t inexpensive, BabyQuip truly did make traveling with kids easier. Not having to worry about bringing a pack ‘n play to the airport — while chasing around two toddlers — was a real treat. And the gear was all super-high quality, which made my boys and me more comfortable.

Overall, I highly recommend BabyQuipOpens a new window to anyone who can swing the fee. When you’re traveling with little ones, you have enough to worry about — it was so nice to let BabyQuip worry about a few things for me. 

And for more bright problem-solving ideas in baby gear, check out the complete list of JPMA Innovation Award winners below.

2023 JPMA Innovation Award winners

Best in Show: Graco 4Ever DLX Grad 5-in-1 Car SeatOpens a new window

Parent’s Pick: Fisher-Price Planet Friends (available Spring 2024)

Editor’s Pick: Ergobaby Away CarrierOpens a new window

Design/Fashion/Style: Evenflo Shyft DualRide Infant Car Seat & Stroller ComboOpens a new window

Infant/Parent Care: The First Years Sunset Baby SootherOpens a new window

Play/Entertainment: Munchkin Electric Bouncer & Rocker with Digital Touch Display (available March 2024)

Safety: Geddy’s Mom Shut Your Face Outlet Safety CoverOpens a new window

On the Go: Munchkin Night Owl Ultra-Compact Stroller with Lights (available March 2024)

Nursery: Dream On Me Osko Convertible Toddler BedOpens a new window

Child Restraint Systems: Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Extend All-in-One Rotational Car Seat with Green & Gentle FabricOpens a new window

Technology: BabyQuip, Inc. Baby Gear Rentals AppOpens a new window

Environmentally Friendly/Sustainability: NUK for Nature Simply Natural PacifierOpens a new window

Feeding/Bathing/Changing: Ergobaby Evolve 3-in-1 High ChairOpens a new window

This article originally appeared on What to Expect.